geeky
Season one, composed of 10 episodes, begins with the British occupation of Setauket and tells the story of the younger Woodhull makes the transition from a reluctant patriot into the becoming the leading member of what would come to be known as the Culper Spy ring. In the course of this transformation, Abraham comes into contact with a number of noted figures on both sides of the conflict including Continental Army officer Benjamin Tallmage, Captain Robert Rogers (the leader of Rogers Rangers), British Major John Andre (the man who recruited Benedict Arnold to the British side), American Generals Charles Lee and Charles Scott, and the great man himself George Washington.
This series will be more interesting to those who have an interest in American history, and will be especially appreciated by those having an interest in the Revolutionary War. The writers "stick to the script" of Rose's history of the Culper spy ring, but also take dramatic license, mindful of the fact that this is, after all, a dramatic television series.
One of the series' greatest strengths is in its acting. Jamie Bell (who, fifteen years ago, starred as "Billy Elliott") is excellent in the lead role of Abraham Woodhull, ably conveying the character's cleverness, reluctance, fear and trepidation. Strong performances are also delivered by Heather Lind (as Anna Strong, a tavernkeeper's wife who is romantically entangled with Woodhull), Kevin McNally (Woodhull's father, a local magistrate sympathetic to the British cause), Burn Gorman (Major Richard Hewitt, the commander of the British forces occupying Setauket), Seth Numrich (Benjamin Tallmage), Daniel Henshall (as Caleb Brewster, Abraham's contact with the Continental Army), Angus Macfadyen (as Richard Rogers), J.J. Feild (as Major John Andre) and Samuel Roukin (as the sadistic and villainous British Captain John Simcoe). Ian Kahn is especially proficient in the role of General George Washington, conveying correct proportions of Washington's discipline, pragmatism, wise judgement and human imperfections.
The series has not been critically acclaimed, and this is likely because it is best appreciated by those with a keen interest in American history. Having said that, the writers do a good job of portraying what it might have been like to have lived under British occupation during the American Revolution, although they certainly take dramatic license in their portrayal of some of the historic figures (most notably Captain Simcoe). This series is not for everyone, but history geeks and lovers of period pieces will probably enjoy it more than the average viewer. Season two began this past Monday (April 13th) and continues each Monday night on AMC.
As for the actual Culper Spy ring, it was organized by Major (later Colonel) Benjamin Tallmadge under orders from his General, George Washington in the summer of 1778, during British occupation of New York City at the height of the American Revolutionary War. The two main members of the Ring were Abraham Woodhull and Robert Townsend, who used the names "Samuel Culper Sr." and "Samuel Culper Jr." respectively, as aliases. Tallmadge used the alias of "John Bolton."
The Ring's task was to send messages to General Washington about the activities of the British Army in New York City and the surrounding region. The members of the Ring operated in New York City, Long Island, and Connecticut. The Ring's operations continued through the British evacuation of New York in 1783. It provided valuable information to Washington. For example, these spies informed Washington that the British planned a surprise attack on the newly allied French forces under Lieutenant General Rochambeau at Newport, Rhode Island. They also disclosed British plans to counterfeit American currency on the actual paper used for the Continental dollars, prompting the Continental Congress to retire the bills. The ring informed Washington that British Major General William Tryon's raid in Connecticut in July 1779 was a diversion to induce Washington to divide his forces so British Lieutenant General Henry Clinton could attack them piecemeal. The ring also told Washington that Major General Benedict Arnold, had been plotting with British Major John Andre to surrender the vitally important American fort at West Point, New York, on the Hudson River to the British.