Round Two: Turn

Turn: Season 1, Episode 2 “Who by Fire” (C+)

I want to like this show since I think its premise is strong and it has the capacity for greatness. I also know that other shows such as “Hell on Wheels” which have started out slowly have ended up being terrific. I’m not sure that’s the case here, however, and I don’t think I’ll stick around long enough to find out. This show isn’t about just one spy, and instead there are numerous elements spying for different sides, and they’re all converging in one very small center of the universe. It seemed a bit immediate for Major Rogers to travel to speak to Abraham personally, and have him end up right by his side as he was piecing together what was going on out loud, complete with illustrative dead body to make sure his points hit home. I don’t really understand how this is all so sustainable since it seems abundantly clear that Abraham, who always wears a suspicious look as he glances around constantly, is hiding something and working with both sides. His father will certainly realize soon enough, especially since he already suspects Anna’s allegiances. All of the characters seem very exaggerated, particularly the loyal Brits, and it makes this show feel the opposite of authentic (not that I lived in the 1700s, but it does feel like they’re putting on more of an act than they should be). More than anything, that applies to Samuel Roukin’s Major Simcoe, who could have been headed for certain execution but is now going to be around for the foreseeable future.