After his illness in Amsterdam, John Adams is gratified when the Dutch lenders inform him about the granting of the credit he had requested on behalf of the United States. He is elated, to say the least, but he is asked to move on back to Paris, where Benjamin Franklin, and Thomas Jefferson, have been active in seeking the French help to further their cause.
At the same time, Abigail Adams gets to join her husband in Paris, where they reconnect after so many years of separation. Abigail has left their growing children behind. Their romance reignites as befitting two persons that love passionately the other. Abigail, though, is none too happy with the ways of their French hosts. She is a practical woman who is sure of herself and does not have the affectations of the people around her. She finds a good friend in Thomas Jefferson, who is now in France, mourning the death of his wife Martha.
No sooner have Abigail settle in Paris when an order comes from America for John to move to England as ambassador to the United States. He is in for an awakening when he is coached in the protocol for his introduction to king George III, a man he despised. Yet, he goes on with the ritual of presenting his credentials to the monarch. We watch him hesitating as he takes the steps that will put him face to face with an former enemy.
After the life in London, John and Abigail return to America. They are met by their children, who by now, are fully grown. It is a happy reunion for the Adams, who go back to the farm and to their quiet life. This sort of retirement is again short lived. He has been tapped to be George Washington's vice president, something that takes him a while to get through his head.
Michelle Ashford collaborated with Kirk Ellis in this chapter. Tom Hopper does wonder in showing the viewers the passionate love of Abigail and John in scenes that gives us a sense of what really must have been the way they felt about one another.
Tom Wilkinson has a marvelous scene when John goes to demand an explanation for his leaving France and sent to England. He finds the great man playing chess with Judith Magre in what could be considered a compromising position that is played with subtlety and it is is a lot of fun to watch. Stephen Dillane's take on Thomas Jefferson is effective. Sarah Polley is seen briefly as Nabby Adams and Tom Hollander is excellent playing king George III.
This fourth installment is a fine example of what this adaptation accomplishes. It is the love of John and Abigail, and the way we see them loving one another, what makes "John Adams" human. Thanks to Paul Giamatti and Laura Linney, these historical figures are given a life of their own.
At the same time, Abigail Adams gets to join her husband in Paris, where they reconnect after so many years of separation. Abigail has left their growing children behind. Their romance reignites as befitting two persons that love passionately the other. Abigail, though, is none too happy with the ways of their French hosts. She is a practical woman who is sure of herself and does not have the affectations of the people around her. She finds a good friend in Thomas Jefferson, who is now in France, mourning the death of his wife Martha.
No sooner have Abigail settle in Paris when an order comes from America for John to move to England as ambassador to the United States. He is in for an awakening when he is coached in the protocol for his introduction to king George III, a man he despised. Yet, he goes on with the ritual of presenting his credentials to the monarch. We watch him hesitating as he takes the steps that will put him face to face with an former enemy.
After the life in London, John and Abigail return to America. They are met by their children, who by now, are fully grown. It is a happy reunion for the Adams, who go back to the farm and to their quiet life. This sort of retirement is again short lived. He has been tapped to be George Washington's vice president, something that takes him a while to get through his head.
Michelle Ashford collaborated with Kirk Ellis in this chapter. Tom Hopper does wonder in showing the viewers the passionate love of Abigail and John in scenes that gives us a sense of what really must have been the way they felt about one another.
Tom Wilkinson has a marvelous scene when John goes to demand an explanation for his leaving France and sent to England. He finds the great man playing chess with Judith Magre in what could be considered a compromising position that is played with subtlety and it is is a lot of fun to watch. Stephen Dillane's take on Thomas Jefferson is effective. Sarah Polley is seen briefly as Nabby Adams and Tom Hollander is excellent playing king George III.
This fourth installment is a fine example of what this adaptation accomplishes. It is the love of John and Abigail, and the way we see them loving one another, what makes "John Adams" human. Thanks to Paul Giamatti and Laura Linney, these historical figures are given a life of their own.
