AMC’s Turn: Washington’s Spies delivers one of its best episodes with “Providence.”
Here’s our review…
ThisTurn: Washingtons Spiesreview contains some spoilers.
This weeks episode ofTurn: Washingtons Spiesfeatures a vehicle that seems to sail straight out of steampunk.
Called the Turtle, its armed with explosives timed to go off after its pilot scoots far enough away.
Its moved with hand-cranked propellers, and can even submerge.
What does the pilot do for light while hes underwater?
A candle would quickly consume the oxygen inside.
Fortunately, none other than Benjamin Franklin has suggested outlining the necessary controls with a luminous fungus.
That all sounds outlandish.
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And its all historically accurate.
Even the part about Franklin and the fungus.
The Connecticut inventor David Bushnell built the Turtle in 1776.
Still, it was the first submarine ever used in warfare.
That mission is not, however, the climax of this episode.
But then Hewlett (Burn Gorman) pops up where wed least expect him.
And how that failure was a big factor in Washingtons crack-up last week?
Well, not to worry.
Instead of discussing storylines, Ill share some general observations.
One recurring theme of this episode is hair-cutting.
Three of the male regulars shear off part of their hair or whiskers.
Brewster and Woodhull even take time during their jailhouse reunion to discuss their beards.
Another repeated lesson is that its not a good idea to touch Gen. Washington.
He gets flustered when Lafayette kisses him on both cheeks and positively frosty when Arnold grips his shoulder.
Finally, Mary Woodhull (Meegan Warner) punches well above the number of lines she has.
To be sure, there are still plenty of historical howlers inTurn.
Lafayette reports that his king is negotiating an alliance with Messrs. Franklin and Adams.
John Adams didnt reach Europe until after that treaty was signed.
A whole Quaker congregation oversaw weddings, and marrying outside the faith was a big deal.
Unnecessary deviations from the historical facts like that keep me from ranking this show higher.
Rating:
4.5 out of 5
