John Adams

John Adams

He united the states of America.

Ended First aired 16/Mar/2008 United States English 2 season(s) 9 episode(s)
Drama
Adapted from David McCullough's Pulitzer Prize-winning biography, this lavish seven-part miniseries chronicles the life of Founding Father John Adams, starting with the Boston Massacre of 1770 through his years as an ambassador in Europe, then his terms as vice president and president of the United States, up to his death on July 4, 1826.
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Source: America/New_York · Your timezone: America/New_York

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TimeScore 33% Skip It
Binge Meter 48% Slow Burn
Episode Pulse Quiet 40% activity score
Drop Rate 0% Very Low

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Seasons & Episodes

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Season 1 · Miniseries
7 episode(s) · Air date: 16/Mar/2008
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Season Overview

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S1E7
Peacefield
Air date: 20/Apr/2008 · Time: 20:00 · Runtime: 60 min
Summary

In retirement John Adams laments the perils of a long life; loss of loved ones and growing irrelevance. But out of tragedy John rekindles his broken friendship with Thomas Jefferson and lives to discuss John Quincy's ambitious presidential agenda with him.

Summary

In retirement John Adams laments the perils of a long life; loss of loved ones and growing irrelevance. But out of tragedy John rekindles his broken friendship with Thomas Jefferson and lives to discuss John Quincy's ambitious presidential agenda with him.

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S1E6
Unnecessary War
Air date: 13/Apr/2008 · Time: 20:00 · Runtime: 76 min
Summary

Following the peace treaty with England President Adams struggles to avoid war with France despite pressure from his Federalist cabinet and French provocation. John finds the price of peace to his career and the price of his long career of public service to his family is indeed high.

Summary

Following the peace treaty with England President Adams struggles to avoid war with France despite pressure from his Federalist cabinet and French provocation. John finds the price of peace to his career and the price of his long career of public service to his family is indeed high.

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S1E5
Unite or Die
Air date: 06/Apr/2008 · Time: 20:00 · Runtime: 61 min
Summary

John Adams chaffs under the mantle of Vice President for its utter lack of authority and responsibility. Despite his abhorrence of the divisiveness of political parties John is drawn to the Federalist camp favoring a strong executive. Divisions even reach into the President's cabinet, exacerbated by war in Europe.

Summary

John Adams chaffs under the mantle of Vice President for its utter lack of authority and responsibility. Despite his abhorrence of the divisiveness of political parties John is drawn to the Federalist camp favoring a strong executive. Divisions even reach into the President's cabinet, exacerbated by war in Europe.

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S1E4
Reunion
Air date: 30/Mar/2008 · Time: 20:00 · Runtime: 63 min
Summary

Following the surrender of the British, John secures a long sought loan from the Dutch and returns to Paris to oversee the peace treaty. John can no longer bear his absence from Abigail and invites her to Paris which immediately overwhelms her with it's opulence. John is appointed ambassador to England but soon longs to return home to participate in the formation of the new government and, like Abigail, to be reunited with the children. They return home to an overwhelming welcome and John reluctantly returns to public service.

Summary

Following the surrender of the British, John secures a long sought loan from the Dutch and returns to Paris to oversee the peace treaty. John can no longer bear his absence from Abigail and invites her to Paris which immediately overwhelms her with it's opulence. John is appointed ambassador to England but soon longs to return home to participate in the formation of the new government and, like Abigail, to be reunited with the children. They return home to an overwhelming welcome and John reluctantly returns to public service.

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S1E3
Don't Tread on Me
Air date: 23/Mar/2008 · Time: 20:00 · Runtime: 66 min
Summary

Over the emotional objections of Abigail, John Adam and his son endure turbulent seas and an encounter with the British Navy to join Ben Franklin on a diplomatic mission to Paris. But Ben cannot restrain John's abrasive personality which is even less well suited to Paris than Philadelphia.

Summary

Over the emotional objections of Abigail, John Adam and his son endure turbulent seas and an encounter with the British Navy to join Ben Franklin on a diplomatic mission to Paris. But Ben cannot restrain John's abrasive personality which is even less well suited to Paris than Philadelphia.

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S1E2
Independence
Air date: 16/Mar/2008 · Time: 20:00 · Runtime: 88 min
Summary

After viewing the dead and wounded on the battlefield of Concord, John Adams takes up the cause of Independence. Frustrated by the caution of delegates from colonies that do not share Massachusetts plight, the inexperienced politician is abrasive, obnoxious and even insulting. But with the advice of Abigail and Ben Franklin he soon learns he has allies, to cultivate them, to bide his time and to seize opportunities. Following John's nomination, George Washington takes charge of the army and enjoys successes despite supply shortages. Back at home, Abigail and the children risk supporting the war effort in most tangible ways but find Mother Nature more threatening.

Summary

After viewing the dead and wounded on the battlefield of Concord, John Adams takes up the cause of Independence. Frustrated by the caution of delegates from colonies that do not share Massachusetts plight, the inexperienced politician is abrasive, obnoxious and even insulting. But with the advice of Abigail and Ben Franklin he soon learns he has allies, to cultivate them, to bide his time and to seize opportunities. Following John's nomination, George Washington takes charge of the army and enjoys successes despite supply shortages. Back at home, Abigail and the children risk supporting the war effort in most tangible ways but find Mother Nature more threatening.

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S1E1
Join or Die
Air date: 16/Mar/2008 · Time: 20:00 · Runtime: 68 min
Summary

In an emotionally charged trial John Adams defends the British sentries involved in the Boston Massacre who contend they were provoked into firing on the assembled crowd. John's success brings him offers of positions in the Massachusetts government. But after John Hancock rouses a crowd to tar and feather a representative of the British East India Tea Company and the British respond to the growing unrest with oppressive measures, John instead speaks against the British policies and chooses to represent Massachusetts in the Continental Congress.

Summary

In an emotionally charged trial John Adams defends the British sentries involved in the Boston Massacre who contend they were provoked into firing on the assembled crowd. John's success brings him offers of positions in the Massachusetts government. But after John Hancock rouses a crowd to tar and feather a representative of the British East India Tea Company and the British respond to the growing unrest with oppressive measures, John instead speaks against the British policies and chooses to represent Massachusetts in the Continental Congress.

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Season 0 · Specials
2 episode(s)
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Season Overview

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S0E2
David McCullough: Painting With Words
Air date: — · Time: 20:00
Summary

In this intimate, informal portrait of an artist as a historian, Pulitzer Prize-winning author David McCullough welcomes viewers into his public and private world, exhibiting the infectious curiosity, humor and humanity that have defined his work and life. Director Mark Herzog travels with the celebrated writer as he delivers a speech to rapt legislators; climbs the same Philadelphia church's steeple tower as did John Adams two centuries earlier; returns to the Massachusetts Historical Society to again study an original Adams letter written to his wife Abigail a day before July 4, 1776; visits his old Brooklyn neighborhood and makes his annual trek across the Brooklyn Bridge; sings songs, paints pictures, and reflects on his undiminished enthusiasm for writing while sitting in his tiny "world headquarters" (shed-like though not a shed, he insists) on the grounds of his home. Accompanied in most of these journeys by wife Rosalee (whom he met the summer before college), McCullough provides an insightful, anecdotal look into his life and career, while displaying a refreshing approachability and genuine interest in people he meets along the way.

Summary

In this intimate, informal portrait of an artist as a historian, Pulitzer Prize-winning author David McCullough welcomes viewers into his public and private world, exhibiting the infectious curiosity, humor and humanity that have defined his work and life. Director Mark Herzog travels with the celebrated writer as he delivers a speech to rapt legislators; climbs the same Philadelphia church's steeple tower as did John Adams two centuries earlier; returns to the Massachusetts Historical Society to again study an original Adams letter written to his wife Abigail a day before July 4, 1776; visits his old Brooklyn neighborhood and makes his annual trek across the Brooklyn Bridge; sings songs, paints pictures, and reflects on his undiminished enthusiasm for writing while sitting in his tiny "world headquarters" (shed-like though not a shed, he insists) on the grounds of his home. Accompanied in most of these journeys by wife Rosalee (whom he met the summer before college), McCullough provides an insightful, anecdotal look into his life and career, while displaying a refreshing approachability and genuine interest in people he meets along the way.

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Cast

Main cast members.

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Paul Giamatti
Paul Giamatti
John Adams
Laura Linney
Laura Linney
Abigail Adams
Stephen Dillane
Stephen Dillane
Thomas Jefferson
Danny Huston
Danny Huston
Samuel Adams
David Morse
David Morse
George Washington
Sarah Polley
Sarah Polley
Abigail Adams Smith
Tom Wilkinson
Tom Wilkinson
Benjamin Franklin
Željko Ivanek
Željko Ivanek
John Dickinson
Rufus Sewell
Rufus Sewell
Alexander Hamilton
Steven Hinkle
Steven Hinkle
Young John Quincy Adams
Madeline Taylor
Madeline Taylor
Young Nabby Adams
John Dossett
John Dossett
Benjamin Rush
Ebon Moss-Bachrach
Ebon Moss-Bachrach
John Quincy Adams
Samuel Barnett
Samuel Barnett
Thomas Adams
Andrew Scott
Andrew Scott
Colonel William Smith
Kevin Trainor
Kevin Trainor
Charles Adams
Mamie Gummer
Mamie Gummer
Sally Smith Adams
Boris McGiver
Boris McGiver
Robert Goddard

Crew

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John P. Goldsmith
Art Direction
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John Warnke
Art Direction
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Michael H. Ward
Art Direction
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W. Steven Graham
Art Direction
No Photo
David Swayze
Assistant Art Director
No Photo
Kathy Lucas
Set Decoration
No Photo
Sarah Whittle
Set Decoration
No Photo
Steve Summersgill
Standby Art Director
No Photo
David Crank
Supervising Art Director
Danny Cohen
Danny Cohen
Director of Photography
Tak Fujimoto
Tak Fujimoto
Director of Photography
Donna Zakowska
Donna Zakowska
Costume Design

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