AMC’s ‘Turn’ episode 8 review: Are you missing out on a great ‘spy’ series?
We haven’t had an opportunity to write much about AMC’s “Turn” this season, mostly based on how the show has aired against some horrific competition. There is “Game of Thrones” on HBO, “The Good Wife” on CBS (at least until last week), and also now comedies on Showtime.
The truth here is that “Turn” does not have a great chance of coming back, mostly because AMC has deviated somewhat from their original “keep a show despite its ratings” model that allowed “Mad Men” and “Breaking Bad” chances to find themselves an audience. Granted, they each also got better ratings. “Turn” is a very good show with suspense and some of the best costumes on TV. The problem with it is that it took a few too many weeks to get going, and many would-be devoted viewers are probably gone never to return.
Tonight’s episode actually had quite a bit going for it, including surprising romance, more twists, and “breaking all the rules” as it applied to that era of America at the turn of the revolution. There were moments that we would classify as genuinely beautiful. It will become ever-easier for the war to tilt in Washington’s favor, at least so long as the opposition does not start to pick up. Ending the episode on a love scene, and not with the traditional posturing, was a nice touch. So often in period dramas we forget about the humanity to focus on “look at how accurate this is” sentiments.
The worst part of this series still remains its name: While “Turn” actually does suit what is going on with the story, it is not entirely grabbing. It doesn’t say anything about what the show is, and you cannot hear that and get excited. While some shows can overcome an obscure name (“Breaking Bad” was a tough one at first), you really have to be above-and-beyond-great to pull that off. Right now, “Turn” is great in the same way that some other cable shows like “Ray Donovan” or “Salem” are. You are entertained, but you may not be telling your friends to tune in … at least not yet. Grade: B+.
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Photo: AMC
TheLastModerate
May 30, 2014 @ 5:47 pm
The first episode was a little exciting, then a bunch of snoozers after that.
Since Washington’s character made his appearance, the show has picked up the pace and is becoming more interesting.
Great acting of the major characters, the minor characters…eh…Mary Woodhull’ s and Abigail, the slave’ s 21st Century American accent takes away from the show a bit.
$15504216
May 26, 2014 @ 4:38 pm
AMC took a good premise and botched it. Instead of a riveting war and spy story it’s all full of existential parental angst, unrequited love, a creepy Brit potential sexual predator, and a lot of hand-wringing about all of the above.
I’m sure AMC will take away from this the lesson that the US viewing public will not watch historical-based shows. That’s not the truth at all. AMC took what could have been a great history lesson and riveting spy story and turned it into an “As the Revolution Turns” soap opera.
Mark Stuber
May 27, 2014 @ 2:05 pm
Actually, those sub-plots you described tie in well to the main plot. These sub plots are part of what motivates the people to spy.
$15504216
May 27, 2014 @ 3:08 pm
Well, the fact that those sub-plots are not historically accurate belie your point. Abe’s father was strongly on the Patriot’s side, not the British’s, and there is no historical evidence to indicate any sort of romantic connection between Abe and Mrs. Strong. In point of fact, Abe married after the war, not during it.
So why did they spy then? Must have been some other reasons. They should have stuck with those.
Mark Stuber
May 28, 2014 @ 11:53 am
How does the fact that these sub plots are not historically accurate belie my point? Do sub plots have to be historically accurate to make a TV drama interesting? No, they don’t. Have you ever heard of the genre of literature called “fiction?” The series, Turn, is not a documentary.
james
May 26, 2014 @ 2:53 am
Less a review and more an asinine opinion on whether AMC will renew. Write a review of the show you ass-hat