[Species8472]

Dillane portrays Jefferson as an elitist who only speaks for the masses, but never really "knows their pain."

Have to disagree. I thought the series did a great job in showcasing Adams as a "federalist" believing in a strong federal government and a forerunner of todays democrats. Jefferson is accurately portrayed as a strong believer in individual rights.

One of the most telling passages in the series is where Adams speaks disparagingly of Jefferson: "he considers himself a republican and believes in the sovereignty of the individual, harrumph!"

[LS]

The problem was, Jefferson never had solutions for anything. Ally with France. Ok, then what? Since we don't have a navy (ooops, TJ opposed building one), we won't be able to keep the country free after Britain declares war. Oppose Hamilton's fiscal policies. Ooops. TJ HIMSELF ordered Albert Gallatin to create the biggest spending (per capita) program in the nation's history, a $10 million roads-and-harbors project when the entire government budget wasn't $10 million. Fortunately, Congress wouldn't pass the program.

TJ built 200 stupid coastal gunboats that were all sunk in the War of 1812. Adams built four frigates that did incredible damage to the British fleet, and made them think twice about attacking American ships.

BTW, the original usage of the term "Federalist," which the miniseries failed to capture, was a group that favored SEPARATION of powers between states and the federal government. The Jeffersonians hijacked it to mean anti-central government.

[SlapHappyPappy]

I have to admit that, at least in the early episodes, Jefferson came across as, well, gay.

And Franklin came across as an ass much of the time.

Still a great series though.