AMC's Turn - Episode 1.03 Of Cabbages and Kings
On the run from the British, Ben is betrayed by his own militia. Abe travels with Richard to New York to spy. Mary confronts Anna.
"Of Cabbages and Kings" was probably my favorite episode of Turn so far. And that largely is because the show doesn't waste any time on its mustache-twirling villainous British redcoats. Yes, Simcoe is still lurking around everything that Ben and his unit do - campily clapping at their success against the mutiny. But the show doesn't have Major Hewlett reciting lines of Shakespeare, Major John André and his sex antics are gone and Robert Rogers - although the best of these characters - is off doing other things.This episode works to better establish the dynamics of the growing rebellion. The show does understand the mentality of its characters who are trying to fight against their British opposers. When the men traveling with Ben hear news that General Washington has been taken captive, they fear for their lives and try to ensure that they have a future. The family side with which ever side seems likely to be the winning side. They were once proud to fight for their freedom. At one time, they believed in what they were fighting for. But with Washington leading the revolution. Without him, they see their cause as hopeless. They try to forcefully take Simcoe to earn appreciation by the British. Instead, Ben and General Charles Scott outsmart them and they pay for their uncertainty with their lives. And then, it turns out it was all false information. Information is vital for spies and a rebellion. False intel can have deadly consequences. That's what amounted in this plot. It better establishes the stakes of what these people are trying to do.
And then, there's Abe's trip to New York with his father. It's basically a story to get Abe out of town and into a vital area where he gets important information about the British troops. Are we ever given a real reason why Richard trusts his son so unconditionally to do business with his friends up in this busy town? Not completely. The show needed Abe in New York. But at least now, it has established reasons for him to go out throughout this universe. He wants to be a family man and raise some cabbages. So there needs to be a meaningful reason why he goes out to uncover information. So, the circumstances around his visit to New York with his father are sketchy at best. And yet, once he gets there, he finds himself much more capable at both dealing with business matters and learning intel from British soldiers while sharing sauerkraut.
Some more thoughts:
- "Of Cabbages and Kings" was written by Michael Taylor and directed by SJ Clarkson.
- Additionally, Mary proved herself to be an active character. Her perspective is something the show needed to develop. And it is here. Her views on marriage are ahead of her time. All she demands of her husband is respect and responsibility as well as secrecy with any kind of scandal. That's interesting and something that should be dealt with more in the coming weeks.
- Also, Abe and Anna were secretly engaged to each other but he married Mary after his brother, Thomas, was killed and could no longer fulfill the contract established between the two families.
- Jamie Bell's TV baby would much rather look at his fancy hat than at his father's face.
- Although this episode was a step up for the show, it's still only an average drama. I'm unsure if I'll get any more screeners for the rest of the season. I'll keep up with the show but I probably won't be writing about it every week. Of course, I'll check back in for the season finale. But before that, reviews likely won't be happening.
