TURN: Washington's Spies (2014–2017) User Reviews

Dense, thrilling, emotionally engaging, well acted, beautifully shot ... Hooked!

[livefreeordieyo · 9/10 · 6 April 2014]

I've been craving something of quality along these lines set in this period ever since that magnificent HBO John Adams miniseries of five or six years ago. I feel like failing on my knees and thanking the TV gods that AMC made the shift into television, because BOY do they do it right.

What's so refreshing about this series is the glimpse it gives us into the daily lives of regular citizens on Long Island attempting to negotiate their lives during this turbulent period in our history. Stories of this era often focus exclusively on the political figures and the generals involved.

These are people who have grown up together and in many cases been driven apart due to the respective sides they've chosen in the conflict, Tory vs Patriot. There are no real villains in this equation, since it's possible to make a good faith argument both for the rightness of maintaining allegiance to the Crown and the rightness of seeking independence due to unjust treatment.

It's fascinating to watch these political allegiances play out within the context of relationships, impacting friendships, romantic couplings, even family relations.

The spy angle is intriguing, well integrated into the story, and hooks you from the start. The acting, directing, cinematography, as so often with AMC, all top notch. Hooked, thrilled, emotionally invested, can't wait to see more!

Thematically Unique and Well Done

[m_houran · 9/10 · 22 June 2014]

I love TV but I am so completely bored with the offerings of my hundreds of channels. Virtually no thematic variety.

So first and foremost, TURN is an interesting theme and time period for a series. Although it is fictionalized for the soap-y through storyline, I am so totally intrigued by the real historical accuracies that after every episode I am reading the on-line content, researching bits, and have even borrowed the copy of Washington Spies that I gave my Dad for Father's Day a few years ago to read. At last, a TV show that Dad and I can't wait to enjoy together!

I thought the first episode was just good enough for me to tune in the second week. By week 4 though, TURN had challenged Mr Selfridge for the "which do I watch and which do I dvr." By episode 8, I was craving TURN in between episodes.

Criticisms: The accents: I think the accents - which DO enrich the characters and would have been present in that era - makes the dialogue hard to understand at times, and I watch with closed captioning on at least once in order to catch all of it. The accents don't confuse the action but particularly when they use a period colloquialism, I find myself worried I missed something subtle.

Who is who: It took me five full episodes to sort out the British and in the first three episodes confused John Andre and Ben Tallmadge. None of them had enough screen time in the first four episodes for me to know who was who for whom.

CGI Backgrounds: OMG, this is the worst criticism I have. The CGI ocean ACTION scenes are so freaking bad and it cheapens an otherwise high production value. They remind me of the final ocean scenes in Truman.

The Pros: So well acted, and I don't say that lightly. In the first three episodes, I thought they leaned heavily on Kevin McNally to assure the audience this was serious performance drama. None of the characters except Anna and Abe get a great amount of screen time in any one episode, so every look and every word and every action has to project a great deal of information to the viewer. I think this show is as well acted as any of my regular viewing which is mostly Downton Abbey, Big Bang Theory and HBO.

The incorporation of the historical, the literary, and the vehicle. Very well done.

The likability of the characters: Each of these characters are not entirely likable and yet all are riveting.

Captain Simcoe's chilling, amazing, insane gestalt shriek! Abraham Woodhall's transformation. John Andre's perfection. Anna's broken heart over and over, and awesome latent feminism. I could go on.

Cultural and period accuracy. I love the artifacts and domestic aspects on screen.

I appreciate the costuming skill.

Advice to AMC: I do not like requiring that you require coordination with my TV provider in order to watch online. That empowers the TV provider and DISEMPOWERS your channel. And it makes me made as a subscriber to cable and internet services and takes away my goodwill with the channel.

Storysync is really, really cool but a total distraction to the first run. Unfortunately, I can not use the storysync mode the way you suggest because this show is too dense in action and dialogue to be distracted by reading associated content and such.

I love the extra content! Ambivalent on the letters thing though. I read them all, I like them all, but I wish there were actual letters from the real-life network.

Huzzah! Huzzah! Huzzah!

[bmennen · 9/10 · 7 April 2014]

The producers of this movie showed inner fortitude in bringing this series to life knowing the dismal history of RevWar movies in either general excellence, box office success or both.

For example, does anyone remember Al Pacino in the 1985 movie "Revolution?" He played an American frontiersman of Scottish ancestry-- "Yo...the British are comin'." Or "the Patriot" from more recent times, a Mel Gibson vehicle that was really "Lethal Musket: This Time It's Personal."

"The Crossing" was the best RevWar movie (a series, more accurately) up until now, AFAIC. And, for completeness sake, HBO's "John Adams" was a another excellent series, but this was not about the RevWar, specifically. But "Turn" is brilliantly conceived, written, cast and outfitted; as an amateur RevWar/George Washington guy, I have long anticipated this AMC series and expected a lot. I was not disappointed.

The first 90 minute episode concentrates on how the Culper Spy Ring was put together among a bunch of small town chums from Setauket, Long Island (NY). The producers stay as close as possible to the real story, and the mix of accents adds to the realism. The writers/director do not shy away from violence as is not a surprise for cable--so little kids may not be right for this.

But, in an age when the American Revolution is hardly taught in schools, this is a welcome addition to the meager film history of that period, and great documentation of the sufferings that our Patriot ancestors went through for our freedoms.

Hooked!

[drewfang · 10/10 · 13 March 2015]

AMC does it again! Hooked from the 1st episode. Can't wait for April 13, 2015!

So I decided to take some time and let you guys know my thoughts on this one. I absolutely love period pieces, and this one doesn't fall short of the great ones. It's hard to fathom how much information that never becomes public knowledge during a war. Being a veteran, you get to see a lot of things that the public will never know about. So its refreshing to see, in theory, what could have possibly been going on behind the scenes. In my opinion, this plot line is perfect for a lengthy series. I know that several things are fabricated to entice audiences, but they seem to have done their homework on this one. If my history teachers didn't just cover the broad strokes on the Revolutionary War, I would have been more engaged in class. Shows like this expand your thought process, and get you thinking outside of the box. Well Done!

Espionage in Colonial America

[atlasmb · 10/10 · 9 April 2014]

After watching the 1.5 hour pilot for the new AMC show "Turn", I can say that I was very pleased with the introduction to this drama and I have high hopes that its level of quality will continue.

At first, I had difficulty following some dialogue. But I appreciated the fact that the writers did not give us some lengthy explanation of a first episode (that usually spells dullness), but instead threw us into the story. A little patience paid off; soon, the story was comprehensible and compelling.

Additionally, I noted that much of the action is filmed in low light or in darkness of night. But how else would the covert actions of espionage be portrayed? And it's not like the colonials had neon lights. Staying true to the story and its historic environs helps the viewer project himself into the times during which it is set.

Perhaps you have come to realize that the glossy, "patriotic" version of the American Revolution you were taught in school had little to do with historic accuracy. "Turn" incorporates the ambiguities in loyalty/treason/patriotism that were present during the revolution, especially in the times "Turn" is set. Those who took sides did not always choose the "right" side according to personal principles. In the twenty-first century, many who speak about loyalty to a government that has given them opportunity, laws, protection, etc. would probably have found themselves on the Tory side in the 1770s. Law and order sometimes come with oppression and people have different tolerances for oppression. This is clearly demonstrated in the pilot.

One reviewer said that the pilot was historically inaccurate. I do not think so. So far, it seems about as close to accurate as the passing years allow.

A good drama will allow for differences in personality and honor among its characters. Hopefully, British soldiers, for example, will display different temperaments and varying degrees of honor. In the pilot, it seemed that will hold to be true.

I am rating this show highly and hoping that future episodes live up to its promise.

UPDATE after watching 4 episodes: I am really enjoying this show. Throughout there are references to developments in the war that I know of, as we are treated to activities behind the scenes. As the story develops, we find that the characters are not one-dimensional.

UPDATE 5/31/16: I should have updated long ago. This is one of the best dramas on television and surely deserves a grade of "10".

This got real good in a hurry

[callen83 · 10/10 · 9 June 2014]

It's AMC folks. They tend to start slow. But good Lord episodes 8, 9 & 10 picked up the pace in BRILLIANT fashion. The characters have developed perfectly, the impossible relationships they all kept during such confusion is wonderful & historically accurate (history major here). I love Woodhall & Anna Strong's relationship. Their chemistry is spot on. Sure, the formation of the ACTUAL spy ring has taken longer than I'd have liked. But they're clearly getting there, and answering the questions I've had in time. Well done, AMC. This could have swung badly, and instead picked up to be one of my new favorites, on par in terms of weekly anticipation, with Thrones. Cheers. God Bless America & God Save The Queen :)

A point of view from over the pond.

[antsquires74 · 8/10 · 15 April 2014]

I wasn't expecting too much from this despite the excellent trailers because, generally speaking, the Brits don't come across too good in ANY respect when it comes to the American portrayal of the War of Independence (Patriot for example)or in any other TV show for that matter.

As other posters have said, some productions would have you believe that the British were a force of occupation fighting against every American on the continent rather than the Maturing of a country no longer needing its parent to push it around.

Im delighted to say that, so far, this production bucks the trend and is actually seemingly fair handed to all belligerents and doesn't compel the viewer to focus on the 'Evil Brits' or 'Saintly Patriots' from a moralistic or even worse, a jingoistic, standpoint.

I feel as though I will actually enjoy this without the worry of having every British character being used as a disreputable, thieving, tyrannical Murderer that Hollywood and some US TV shows seem to delight in portraying....

Looking forward to more of the same...

Best of TV..Great Intrigue & Great characters!!

[holly-58112 · 10/10 · 7 June 2015]

I absolutely love TURN! This is simply a PHENOMENAL SHOW with a great cast. It's every bit as much intrigue as Sherlock and Holmes & King Henry the 8th meeting up with all the modern day politics of Scandal and the patriotism of West Wing....It's even better as it's based on our OWN history! Amazing story of events that happened in our own backyards! Every time I watch I want to learn more. Go online and you will be impressed to learn how much of this history actually happened. The writers have done a great job. They really bring history alive with all the virtue and vices of these people from angst, passion and arrogance to the sacrifice, drive and courage of these people. Lieutenant Simcoe is a despicable savage but I can't wait to see what he will do next and how the spy network & local people work to take him & others down! Watch it and pass it on! It will make you proud to be an American! I want to see more! SPREAD THE WORD TO HELP IT GROW.

Turn season two?

[My-Two-Cent · 9/10 · 9 June 2014]

I found this series to be outstanding.. It's well written & well acted but for some reason it hasn't "caught on" is it because people are more interested in UNreality T.V. or would they rather watch something that doesn't take up to much space in their brain or (in my opinion) did AMC not do enough to promote this gem of T.V. shows? Well, in the end the reason doesn't really matter because as of right now season 2 isn't gonna happen & that's a crying shame.. The characters in this show are so likable even the villain Capt. Simcoe is one you love to hate but he would be missed if he were to be killed off.. In closing My-Two-Cent are merely My-Two-Cent & with those two cent you'r not gonna be able to pay the bills so AMC will most likely cancel a great show & we will be left wondering if Simcoe ever gets whats coming to him or if Abe Woodhall ends up with his first love Anna Strong & these are questions I want answers to so I hope & pray that AMC makes the right decision & renews this wonderful show..!

Ready For More

[Stephen_BU · 7/10 · 9 April 2014]

I saw the commercial for this show during the season finale of 'The Walking Dead' and it had me hooked. The show had a lot to set up in the beginning and some might have said it started slow, but it couldn't have finished stronger. The last scene of the episode reminded me of the last scene of 'The Godfather' in the way that the main characters made a pledge for loyalty, but were really organizing a secretive attack. I'm amazed at how many future plot points were developed in one episode (the father, the wife, the ex-fiancée, the murder mystery, the internal American spy, etc). This show looks like it has so much to offer and I will tune in for the rest of the season.

2020 is the perfect time to watch this series!

[freejoyhart · 10/10 · 20 September 2020]

It's a crazy world out there in 2020 currently, and discovering this series comes at the perfect time. With all the craziness during this election; the fires in the west, the polarization of our government; the lies, the pandemic; all of it; this series couldn't have come at a better time. I only just learned of it. And it does my heart good to see how our country was formed! Each night as I watch this series, I find the hope and passion that I once had for this country, that, at least, for awhile, I lost. It's an incredible lesson for today in that we watch our country be earned. I've heard our country be called, "The Great American Experiment" as if to insinuate that, as all experiments, ours could fail. And nowadays it seems to be failing. But watching this series I am reminded of the tremendous passion and true grit it took to form our nation. And yes, it could still fail. But this series is reminding me that Americans have true grit and are made of stuff that is resilient. Watching what our ancestors endured back in the 1700s has made me, once again, believe in who we are. This country was forged by people who wanted true freedom and the right to choose their own destiny. We still want that! We are Americans, and we will get through this time as well.

You have to know history, but other then that it's amazing

[lanezachary2 · 6/10 · 16 April 2014]

Yes, the acting could be better, but how TURN takes a different viewpoint on American history is extremely charming. It's about American spies and based on one of the many books about Washington's Six, but other than little historical inaccuracies it's a great show. Still, in order to enjoy this show you have to know a good amount about Revolutionary War history before you can absorb the full effect, yes the soap opera aspect is there and not exactly important, but some people need some love story to keep watching. Overall, TURN is well made and it's a great show for history buffs or just people who enjoy learning about untold history.

A Toss-Up

[B24 · 5/10 · 29 July 2015]

Here we have a beautifully filmed drama actually made in Virginia rather than Hungary about the War for Independence. Using Williamsburg as a stand-in for Philadelphia is a winner, even though Philadelphia at the time probably looked more like a small version of London. But I quibble. The main fault of this series is that it is precisely what a number of the negative reviewers have stated: actual history is distorted, serving only as a crutch for a mediocre soap opera. Professional actors tend to be melodramatic when their characters lie outside a contemporary setting. Thus for example George Washington's personal agony is presented not as a great man's victory over doubt and frequent indecision, but rather as a method actor's exercise in resistance and transference made possible by interaction with a slave whose fictional character seems to come straight out of the 21st century.

I concur as well with those who have pointed out flaws in the use of language and strangely unclear accents, many of which sound less like Yankee speech of the time and often, anachronistically, Irish. At one point a character uses the questionable "reoccurence." The British major pronounces "schedule" in the modern American way. And so on.

In short, I like the cinematography and sets but hate abuse of history and weaknesses in writing and a generally uneven cast.

Wow!!! I think AMC hit it again!!!!

[friedenberg-ingrid · 8/10 · 6 April 2014]

Excellent first episode!!!! Great acting, direction, cinematography, production and plot!!! I'm a fan of shows set in that period of our history, but it can get very dark and tiresome sometimes. "Turn" has that quality that will make you wanting more, at least this is what I am taking from the first one hour and a half of the season premiere. I have a feeling that will drive and attract people to visit "Williamsburg" in Virginia, to be part of the story of that time. I have to say that I am very impressed by Jamie Bell's performance as "Abe Woodhull" as well Heather Lind as "Anna Strong". I think they will be a big hit, as I have a feeling that they might get "closer" again. Also Jamie Bell was "Billy Eliott" in the movie. How cool is that? Can't wait for next week's episode!!!!

A Fantastic New Show

[adamhart87 · 10/10 · 15 April 2014]

It usually takes me couple of episodes to decide if the story will be good or not. I've watched the pilot and the 2nd episode and all I can say is that it's going to be a huge show. It leaves you wanting to watch the next episode. i don't want to ruin the episodes but honestly it will hold you in constant suspense throughout. The filming and acting is great along with the well written script. After reading some reviews that its not historically correct you can argue that most films or shows on true stories are not exactly depicted as what really happened. Nevertherless its entertaining and something different to watch. Brilliant ! Well done AMC for releasing another great show after walking dead.

Turn: The True Story of George Washington's Spies AKA America's First Ever Secret Service is APPROVED as quality entertainment

[gwyyynth · 10/10 · 3 October 2018]

There are forty episodes, spanning over four seasons, so there is quite a lot to be entertained by, and spans over the true American history that covers the years of 1776 through 1781. There was so much detail and accuracy, it could actually be shown in a college US history class for three credit hours to fullfill the US History lesson requirement.

Some of the parts were SLIGHTLY "Hollywoodized," like the charaterization of British Captain John Graves Simco. I am not sure he was truly that evil, upon further research, but he did live to be a ripe old age, despite so many attacks against his life, by the American rebels, so the main part of his character was true.

I would say though upon research that 90% of the forty hours of this saga were totally true, and worth it's weight in gold as worthy of the true history buff's time.

I recommend TURN: George Washington's Spy Rng to everyone who likes quality entertainment based on true stories.

Watch 'til i drop!

[edchombeau · 10/10 · 31 December 2017]

After reading Bill O'Reilly's ; "Killing England" ; now seeing this TV series for the first time on NETFLIX; is a wonderful compliment to the historically written recreations of our Revolution. I recomment Both for those who like history recreated like ittrally was. Being of French ancestry; I've also studied how Ben Franklin, in Paris, at every good news opportunity , got King Louie to send his Navy and troops to turn the"tides of war" over for a victory for the Patriots . I'm sure there will be a movie on good ol Ben Franklin!And Lafeyyete.

Turncoat

[iquine · 8/10 · 3 August 2017]

(Flash Review)

This show picks up the battles after America declared its independence. You are given the neat perspective of the spies who work on behalf of George Washington the General and how some serious old school spying was done. A far cry from the high tech world of James Bond. The show is highly realistic and authentic to the period. There are lots of characters to keep straight and keep track of, which requires focus and/or rewatching a few scenes twice to catch everything. It is entertaining and the editing mixes up crisp and eloquent dialog, with some battles, subtle spying, a dash of romance and some bloody moments. Very enjoyable yet requires astute focus.

It took 3 days to binge this series

[evelynebaz · 10/10 · 28 June 2020]

I grew up on Long Island in the 50s. I never knew the history of the island until now. I've read reviews that this story wasn't 100% accurate, but I don't care. The story was wonderful, landscapes were breathtaking. I could wait to see how it ended, however when the final scene was finished I felt sad. Not because of the way it ended, but I will miss watching these hero's everyday. Guess I'll just have to watch it again!

Enjoyable if you can take it for what it is: a TV show

[chnutscher · 6/10 · 14 August 2019]

Enjoyable if you can take it for what it is: a TV show

As neutral swiss I don't have to stand at attention when the USA "win" again, so my review maybe less prejudiced.

I think that if you can accept this serie as "just" a TV show around true events, where some liberties must be taken to make it sufficiently entertaining, then you should be able to enjoy it.

I liked the settings, costumes and gear, much effort was put in to make it look realistic. Also the acting was quite convincing (within the given plot), IMO clearly above average, none of the major figures disappointed. I liked particularly the acting of Heather Lind (didn't know her before) playing Anna Strong, the acting looked very professional. And also Angus Macfadyen as Robert Rogers was great IMO, one of the most original figures in the serie. The plot however was too adventurous in several parts, what in retrospective IMO was not really needed, less free interpretations around the true events would not have hurt the attractivity of the serie.

The series moved me to read into the true events to find out many historical figures (of course) where taken in complete disregard of the known facts. First of all the "evil" Simcoe, a grossly misrepresented figure, definitely needlessly overdrawn, also a lesser brutal version would have done well in the series. In contrast, I found that the ambivalent figure of Benedict Arnold was put better in scene.

Since the series directly addresses true events, I give a 6/10. Entertainment yes, but overly dramatized out in a lot of parts, I think they should have paid more respect for the facts behind, would have prevented the series to go in such a fiction, but wouldn't necessarily have reduced the appeal of the series.

Excellent

[maggie_mer · 10/10 · 5 July 2017]

My husband and I binged watched the first few seasons on Netflix and couldn't wait for the new season on AMC. The show is excellent and the characters are brilliant. Jamie Bell is outstanding in it and Samuel Roukin plays a villain that you love to hate. All the characters keep you on an emotional roller coaster. AMC nailed it with this show. I have no idea if the historical references are all accurate and I don't care - it keeps you on your toes the whole time.

This

[Headturner11 · 7/10 · 21 January 2023]

And Hell on wheels were two shows I had on the back burner for when there was nothing else I was loving . Fall backs. Well I finished Hell on wheels 2 nights ago and figured I'd revisit this. I had forgotten where I was since it ha been a while and i wasn't as far in as HOW. Any ways It's a bit confusing to me. I think I watched about 6 or 7 episodes last night and ended at 3am on the the first season of 2 before I fell asleep. Liking characters is a big thing for me and so far I've basically have seen most of Bells ( forget his name) character and the woman ( not his wife) forget her name as well. They're ok but I do like the Scott and The Irish guys ( that kind of look alike). I also really like Aldris Hodge and hope he becomes a more integral part of the show. I also like that it's something I like ( so far) with multiple seasons as I think I've run through most everything with over 3-4 seasons. I'll update after I've finished more..

A great story ruined by complete historical inaccuracy

[prmisencik · 1/10 · 15 April 2014]

The series has very nice cinematography. That's all I can say good about it. The rest is so historically inaccurate that it's difficult to even begin a critical analysis. Abraham Woodhull did not marry Mary Smith until 1781, and their first child was not born until after the Revolutionary War was over. Their son was named Jesse. not Thomas, and he was born after two daughters. Anna Smith Strong was 10 years older than Abraham, and they never were engaged. He was 10 years old when Anna was 20, the age she married Selah. Anna and Selah did not operate a tavern, they were landed gentry, living in St. George's Manor. John Graves Simcoe never stayed there. He lived off and on in the Townsend home in Oyster Bay 1778-1781. Simcoe also was not the psychopath as portrayed. Robert Rogers only led the Queen's Rangers until Jan. 1777, after which the command passed on to Christopher French, then to James Wemyss,and then to Simcoe in October 1777. Woodhull's father Richard was not a staunch Tory, but rather was Whig-ish. The abortive raid on Connecticut where Simcoe was captured never happened, and he was certainly never tortured by Brewster and Tallmadge. I could go on and on, but am limited by a text limit. Alexander Rose's book was outstanding, but this series that was based on it, it a farce.

Critics may not like it as much, but I loved it

[funluvver · 10/10 · 27 January 2018]

Because of the ongoing story, perhaps this show is best binge-watched on Netflix than waiting week-over-week for next episodes as many critics back in 2014 and 2015 surely did, but I was enthralled from about the 3rd episode until the end. I finished all the seasons in short order and I am quite sad there are no more.

I understand shows like this are never going to be perfectly accurate - after all, they want to make certain aspects more entertaining for viewers. But the whole idea of this story is thrilling to me, and it caused me to research the actual facts of basically every character in the show. The show strengthened the characters as the seasons went along and none of them really fell apart, which can be common when you have this many characters. The writing was superb and equally matched by the collective acting and their interpretations of the characters.

The final episode did very well to wrap this up and provide closure to the viewer on all characters, which many series do not. This show as a 10 for me.

Absolutely head over heals with this series!!!

[teenagepatriot · 10/10 · 10 April 2014]

This episode was absolutely amazing! I loved every minute of it! I have been waiting for weeks for 'Turn' to air. The actors were perfect! Turn is incredibly inspiring, exciting, and it completely reals you into that period of time. Not only does it tell the story of our great nations beginning, it gives the viewers a sense of the good old American spirit! Which almost everyone could use a little these days. I'm glad AMC picked this story...personally one of my favorite stories. Hoping for many seasons to come!! Can't wait for the next show! I'm wondering what's going to happen with the whole fire thing? Make sure to spread the word about AMC's hit new TV show!! Shout out to Jamie Bell (Abe Woodhull) your hot!;)