If you get the DVD mini-series, John Adams, you’ll see that Part 3, Join Or Die, is the first part on the second DVD. The story moves one after the creation of the Declaration of Independence, and Mr Adams faces new more earnest challanges. Now, sent as an ambassador to France to join Benjamin Franklin, the object is to get Naval support, and fast, for the urgent needs of the fight against the British.

The Basic Story (Spoiler Warning)

John argues with his wife whether it is good for the children, and their relationship, for him to leave her so soon after the many times he’s left the family before to work in the Continental Congress (and elsewhere in the 10+ years they’ve been married—they’ve been apart more than they have been together). The couple thought he would be able to retire from civil duties, but the United States newly formed alliance has other plans for Mr Adams.

The first item on the agenda is joing Benjamin Franklin in France to form an alliance and get Naval support. John takes his son along with him, John Quincy. Once in France, John finds out that France has already given them support, but the news had not had time to reach Adams before he left America.

That’s the bad news. The worst news is the support is not enough, and it seems to Mr. Adams that Mr. Franklin is doing nothing about it. Adams pushes harder to get more than what has already been agreed. In the end, after much heated discussion and waiting, John’s efforts are fruitless. The Congress sends Mr. Adams away to Holland to get financial support there.

In Holland, John is met with no better success. The negotiations with the Holland authorities goes well, but they will not lend money to a new country without some assurance their investment will be returned.

Mr. Adams son, John Quincy, has the opportunity to travel to Russia along with another American to serve as a secretary. Without hesitation, Mr. Adams sends his boy with the man. It will be some time before they meet again.

While still in Holland (or maybe it was he had moved to the Netherlands?) Adams gets gravely sick and has to be bedridden. the condition nearly takes his life. The good news at this time is that the war with the British is finally over. Washington is winning the war, and Mr. Adams mission can now subside. Still, at the end of this part, John is still very sick and delirious. It seems that there is no assurance that all will be well.

The Good

A great deal of perspective is unfolded in this part about the relationship of America with France. You get the see the stark contrast in their lifestyle and worldviews. France revels in all sorts of immorality, whereas, America would never even think of all the perversions they practice at such a difficult time as this.

The Bad

John Adams cannot help the urgency, whle all around him, it doesn’t seem that anyone is taking the matter seriously about the war. Not even Mr Franklin, the primary ambassador to France, is making so little headway it doesn’t seem his efforts are making any difference at all. Adams means to confront Franklin with the news that Adams is being sent away from France, and Franklin is having a bath with a french lady. To Adams, it seems that no good will come of leaving Franklin in France, but it is out of his power to do anything about it.

These things are bad—not in the sense as inaccurate with history, but as in… The entire story dwelt on the failures Mr. Adams faced during this time, but did not show a glimpse of the successes going on in the war. Nothing was shown of the entire war with the British. There was no action or glimpse of Washington. As a whole, this part could have used more pep. It was even disappointing to see Adams get the news of the end of the war when he was deathly ill. Nothing went good for him. Of course, that’s history and cannot be helped, but for film’s sake, they could’ve given a little attention to the good things that happened during the same time.

The Verdict

I give it 2.5 out of 4 stars. There was just so much that went untouched in this time of history. It dwelt on all the failures of Adams, but not any successes. Now, it may be true that it is historically accurate, but then I guess my rating still cannot be helped. I give it what it deserves.

This being said, I still think the series is superbly executed, and I eagerly anticipate watching the next installment.