Franklin: (all episodes)
April 15, 2024 9:35 PM - Season 1, Episode 1 - Subscribe
At age 70, Franklin outmaneuvered British spies and French informers while engineering the Franco-American alliance of 1778.
Thoughts after episode 3:
* Michael Douglas is quite interesting as Franklin. Everyone else (especially most of the French), not so much.
* I love how Lafayette looks exactly like the original one and is as enthusiastic as you'd expect.
* I rather enjoyed Tanner and Lafayette's insta-friendship. Tanner drunk and partying, less so. I'm really not sure why his dad's in jail?
* Interesting choice to bring a printing press to France, sir.
* Franklin basically admits he wasn't that into his wife. His new French lady friend seems to feel the same about her husband.
* There's lots and lots and lots of actual French with subtitles on this show. I do kind of have to agree with the person complaining on IMDB that the show is really filmed dark (like everything else...sigh) as well.
I dunno, I may stick with it for all eight. Anyone else try it?
Thoughts after episode 3:
* Michael Douglas is quite interesting as Franklin. Everyone else (especially most of the French), not so much.
* I love how Lafayette looks exactly like the original one and is as enthusiastic as you'd expect.
* I rather enjoyed Tanner and Lafayette's insta-friendship. Tanner drunk and partying, less so. I'm really not sure why his dad's in jail?
* Interesting choice to bring a printing press to France, sir.
* Franklin basically admits he wasn't that into his wife. His new French lady friend seems to feel the same about her husband.
* There's lots and lots and lots of actual French with subtitles on this show. I do kind of have to agree with the person complaining on IMDB that the show is really filmed dark (like everything else...sigh) as well.
I dunno, I may stick with it for all eight. Anyone else try it?
Watching episode 4. Hmmm. So far I like Franklin. I am not fascinated by all the pompous French people, though, and this show appears to be mostly pompous French people.
posted by jenfullmoon at 10:05 PM on April 21, 2024
posted by jenfullmoon at 10:05 PM on April 21, 2024
Okay, "You are going to make a splendid pair and I am going to take a piss" and Franklin somehow agreeing to marry his teen nephew off just got funny.
Also, did they get the kid to sign off on some bad things and he wasn't paying attention?
Just what you needed: to be drunk, pissing, and interrupted by John Adams.
posted by jenfullmoon at 10:37 PM on April 21, 2024
Also, did they get the kid to sign off on some bad things and he wasn't paying attention?
Just what you needed: to be drunk, pissing, and interrupted by John Adams.
posted by jenfullmoon at 10:37 PM on April 21, 2024
John Adams being a jerk and being thrown out and Franklin calling him out for it is a delight. Meanwhile, Tanner turns into a French 'tudey young man. "I'm a MAN now," "no, you're just another arrogant French jerk" is the vibe.
Here is a podcast on the show.
posted by jenfullmoon at 9:41 AM on May 7, 2024
Here is a podcast on the show.
posted by jenfullmoon at 9:41 AM on May 7, 2024
Actual lines: "Would you say the king likes you?" "Well, he did not have me strangled."
Also, Franklin is propositioned for sex and tells the lady he has a rash and gouty legs. Come to me, you unplucked flower!
Gross disgusting young males are eternal. "I loathe you all and wish you nothing but an eternal dose of the clap!"
posted by jenfullmoon at 10:14 AM on May 7, 2024
Also, Franklin is propositioned for sex and tells the lady he has a rash and gouty legs. Come to me, you unplucked flower!
Gross disgusting young males are eternal. "I loathe you all and wish you nothing but an eternal dose of the clap!"
posted by jenfullmoon at 10:14 AM on May 7, 2024
Yeah, I'm clearly the only one watching this. Episode 7, where is Franklin? It's just Temple (possibly) knocking up an actress, who gets an abortion, and then Temple drinks and whores around and gets into fights.
Honestly, Michael Douglas is great, but seriously....all....these...French...people...and....arrogant...attitudes and so much French. It's a lot. It's a lot lot lot. Pompous people everywhere. I realize that's exactly the point, but maybe that's why it hasn't caught on (besides Apple TV).
posted by jenfullmoon at 11:53 AM on May 17, 2024
Honestly, Michael Douglas is great, but seriously....all....these...French...people...and....arrogant...attitudes and so much French. It's a lot. It's a lot lot lot. Pompous people everywhere. I realize that's exactly the point, but maybe that's why it hasn't caught on (besides Apple TV).
posted by jenfullmoon at 11:53 AM on May 17, 2024
Yeah, I finished it. Too much Frenchness. Temple's decided to be a gross young male. Franklin goes home.
posted by jenfullmoon at 3:21 PM on May 18, 2024 [1 favorite]
posted by jenfullmoon at 3:21 PM on May 18, 2024 [1 favorite]
Thanks to my declaration to watch it above (and I have watched 7 minutes of it so far!), I've been following your updates with appreciation.
With the French campaigning against each other for front of the guillotine line, would you still recommend watching or just lowering expectations?
posted by Atreides at 8:06 AM on May 20, 2024
With the French campaigning against each other for front of the guillotine line, would you still recommend watching or just lowering expectations?
posted by Atreides at 8:06 AM on May 20, 2024
Honestly, I'm not sure. I had to look up recaps on my phone to get the political plots. Michael Douglas, John Adams and ladies were interesting. The Frenchness got really hard to take. REALLY hard to take. Probably a 2 star review from me because everything non-Franklin was much.
posted by jenfullmoon at 12:37 PM on May 20, 2024 [1 favorite]
posted by jenfullmoon at 12:37 PM on May 20, 2024 [1 favorite]
jenfullmoon, if it's any consolation, I am watching now, though am only up to episode 3 with the Chevalier d'Éon just having arrived.
I'm just waiting for Adams to show up, because so far this is moving at a glacial pace toward the alliance in February 1778. It seems 1777 is going to be a long slog of Frenchy Frenchness and so.many.bad.wigs.
Michael Douglas is very charming, but in my mind, 1776's Howard da Silva will always be Franklin.
posted by The Wrong Kind of Cheese at 10:53 PM on May 25, 2024 [1 favorite]
I'm just waiting for Adams to show up, because so far this is moving at a glacial pace toward the alliance in February 1778. It seems 1777 is going to be a long slog of Frenchy Frenchness and so.many.bad.wigs.
Michael Douglas is very charming, but in my mind, 1776's Howard da Silva will always be Franklin.
posted by The Wrong Kind of Cheese at 10:53 PM on May 25, 2024 [1 favorite]
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posted by Atreides at 11:38 AM on April 16, 2024