I have watched all episodes twice. I wasn’t keen on the Anna/Woodhull liaison, although I could understand her — she had been told that her husband was dead; and she was highly emotional (not a good condition for a spy). But it was inexcusable for Abe. Furthermore, it required that they kill a British soldier to keep from being found out. All very tawdry.
However, in real life — there were 10 years difference in their ages (Anna was older), there is no evidence that they engaged in an adulterous affair, and Abe did not marry until AFTER the Revolution. (Although Anna and Selah had a child later on — after the Revolution — that they named Abraham Woodhull.)
Furthermore, Abe’s father, the Judge, was NOT a Tory sympathizer in real life.
My comments about “teens” is that I have some grandchildren arriving for a visit this weekend, but I’ll pick and choose as to which episodes to allow them to watch — if they are even interested. It’s also pretty violent. I just hope that they don’t take next year’s series too far afield in the romance department.
I’m having a hard time getting into Turn. I was very excited about the concept and really want to like it, but the plot is largely incomprehensible to me, the light treatment of major events (Trenton) is annoying, the constant dour mood and pained looks of younger Woodhull is a real downer, the angst between him and Anna is like watching modern teen drama play out (thankfully my kids have outgrown that — I don’t need it in my TV programs), the use of 21st century slang is horribly irritating and ridiculous, and the opening credits music and graphics are just plain awful (they should have hired Rob Lane and Joseph Vitarelli to write the music — their John Adams opening music is amazing).
Other than that, I really like the show.
Yes, the character of Anna thinks her husband is dead, but she know’s that Abe’s wife is very much alive.
I will have to get the book. I was not at all familiar with this story until I watched the series.