TURN Washington’s Spies Review: Please Stand For The “Benediction”

Now in episode 3 of Season 3, TURN: Washington’s Spies has presented a handful of compelling stories to carry it (likely) through the rest of the season. Though often a slog at the beginning of its seasons, this season has proved fast paced, thought provoking and action packed, barely slowing down for the audience to process everything that has happened.

This week on TURN: Washington’s Spies: Anna agrees to marry Hewlett, on the condition that they run away. Tensions between Mary, Anna, Hewlett and Judge Woodhull reach a boiling point at the Woodhull home. Abe tries to talk Anna out of her engagement. Caleb pulls the trigger on the plan to ambush Simcoe at the home of their childhood friend. But, shocker, it doesn’t go as planned. Robert Rogers makes his move on Simcoe. Ben makes his move on their camp’s mole, but runs into a hiccup. Benedict Arnold reaches his boiling point with Washington.

It’s clear that a lot of things happened in this episode. There was plenty of drama, between Abe, Anna, and the rest of the folks at Whitehall. Benedict Arnold inched toward his place in history. On top of that, even, there was action. The battle that took place at the Simcoe ambush was high energy and exciting, especially when Robert Rogers joined the fray. Though I actually thought, at times, perhaps this episode was a little too packed, and maybe one thread should’ve been left out. I know, I know. I’m impossible. I don’t know which one, but I kept feeling like there was too much going on for me to concentrate.

I’m no history buff. I mean, I find history fascinating, and I love historical dramas like this. But, I was prefacing the rest of my review with that fact, mostly because I try to review based on the dramatic happenings of what we’re presented, not what actually happened. So, I apologize in advance to any history buff who finds my favorite plots inaccurate, or insists on the accuracy of my least favorites. I’ll probably look everything up when the show is over. Now, all of that being said, my favorite part of this episode was the slipping of Benedict Arnold. History buffs and ne’er-do-wells like me alike agree on how Arnold’s story turns out. Owain Yeoman has been wonderful as Arnold, showing his true desire to serve his country overshadowed by his personal pride, and his love for Peggy. Ksenia Solo’s Peggy, too, sees an immediate opening to woo Arnold to the dark side and takes full advantage. Though not the most action-packed story thread on TURN to date, the Arnold/Shippen/Andre triangle plot grows thicker by the minute. I’ve actively rooted for Arnold to stick with Washington, even though I know exactly what he’s going to do. That’s the mark of a great story.

If I had to eliminate a story, it would’ve likely been Anna/Hewlett, but only because I don’t like it. I believe Hewlett loves Anna, but I don’t believe her in that she cares for him much. She’s all but admitted that she doesn’t love him, she just wants to save his life. I think, honestly, she just as badly doesn’t want Abe to be the one to kill him. Everything with Hewlett is really about Abe, and the problem I have with it is that the show is peddling that this is about Anna and Hewlett, and it isn’t. Don’t get me wrong, because both Heather Lind and Burn Gorman are fantastic in their respective roles, but the drama between them feels forced.

Ultimately, I found this to be a highly entertaining episode. There was plenty of battle, betrayal, and tension to go around. I found “Benediction”, aptly named, to be appropriately paced and overall, a strong hour of television.

What did you guys think? Did you enjoy this episode? Let us know in the comments!

TURN: Washington’s Spies airs Mondays at 10/9 on AMC