Anybody else watch the John Adams miniseries on HBO?

[phantom power]

I'm liking it so far.

[alittlelark]

1. We Tivoed it - we're planning on watching tonight!

[Donnachaidh]

2. I am too.

Got a tad icckked out with the poxie problems, but otherwise it's very well done.

[Blue_In_AK]

3. I'm really enjoying it.

I find it inspiring. Makes me want to grab a musket and get out there and fight these bastards.

[phantom power]

6. It is inspiring. I liked the scene where Adams and Franklin critique...

Jefferson's draft of the Declaration of Independence. The look on Jefferson's face, and his posture, is so perfect. "Hey man, I worked pretty hard on this."

[ayeshahaqqiqa]

4. Don't get HBO

I'm interested in it, though. I still remember The Adams Chronicles from PBS decades ago.

[phantom power]

5. It'll probably be available on DVD the day after they air the final episode.

Good news for me too, since I rarely manage to catch all episodes of a miniseries.

[tulsakatz]

7. I haven't watched it yet..........

...but I taped it last night. I will probably watch it tonight or tomorrow.

It looks interesting......

[housewolf]

8. Watched the 2 episodes that were on last night

Was very moved by how serious and sincere everyone was who voted for independence - they knew what a major step they were taking and what the risks were and treated it in a very solemn way.

Was profoundly moved by the tar & feathering... and taken aback to realize how very recently in the history of mankind such cruelties were commonplace. And, in contrast to today where privacy is all, how very public life was such a short time ago, how different the sense of community is now.

It's an excellent production, and much to say that is meaningful today.

[phantom power]

9. Communications were so slow.

After they sent that letter to King George, the SC representative was arguing for trying to wait until they could get a reply before they escalated the conflict. But a reply was many weeks away, having to cross the ocean by sail. What a position to be in!

[housewolf]

11. I thought about that too

And about how Abigal & the kids were living out there by themselves on the farm. I spent a couple years living 15 or so miles from town with no electricity & no running water - it was hard - but at least we had the ability to drive into town & pick up supplies pretty easily. I can only wonder at how hard it must have been for them.

[ayeshahaqqiqa]

10. I would suggest that you might wish to

go to some of the local county histories or even the pension papers for Revolutionary War soldiers. They provide a fascinating look at everyday life at the time--and how difficult it was for many families to cope with what was happening, while other families were eager to fight.

[RaleighNCDUer]

12. Can't afford premium channels.

I'll watch it on the History Channel in two years.

[housewolf]

13. Quote from John Adams, Episode 2 "Independence"

The miniseries' second installment, titled "Independence," begins in 1775 with that second congress. Adams still finds himself a respected but unpopular member of the club.

Benjamin Franklin (Tom Wilkinson) is talking to John Adams (Paul Giamatti) about the ways and wherefores of politics. Franklin chided JA about a speech he gave in opposition to a vote, telling JA that he lost anyway, and all that was served was that he made enemies over it. The witty Benjamin Franklin cautions JA to be more politic in his pronouncements.

"Do you not believe in saying what you think?" Adams asks with some astonishment.

"No" the learned Franklin responds, "thinking aloud is a habit responsible for much of mankind's misery."



(Something perhaps worth giving some thought to.)

[mondo joe]

14. You have to love how they each make their unique contribution.

The scene of Adams, Franklin and Jefferson reviewing the declaration is fantastic.

[Seabiscuit]

15. My wife and I are really enjoying this miniseries and most likely will buy the DVD when it comes out

The scenes with Franklin, Adams and Jefferson were awesome. The actor playing Franklin is fantastic and even delivers his lines with a twinkle in his eye like I imagine Franklin would have done. Very informative and inspiring.

[Lex]

16. Prior thread here

if you'd like to read it:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=389&topic_id=3019573&mesg_id=3019573