'Franklin' Finale: Benjamin Franklin to John Adams, 4 key characters who deserved better portrayal in Apple TV+'s biographical drama
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Apple TV+'s 'Franklin' began with high expectations but quickly lost our interest within the first few episodes.
Despite the poorly written screenplay, we persevered through to the finale to advise our readers on whether the series is worth their time. Unfortunately, the series not only suffers from a lackluster storyline, but the character arcs are also poorly developed, leaving fans of historical dramas disappointed.
The series introduces us to some of the most important figures from history who contributed to the independence of America. Sadly, even those interested in learning in detail are disappointed by the half-baked characters.
1. John Adams
John Adams, who served as the second president of the United States from 1797 to 1801, is one of the supporting characters in Apple TV+'s 'Franklin'.
The character, portrayed by Eddie Marsan, is introduced midway, as he arrives in France to replace Franklin.
John Adams' contributions to the American Revolution are sidelined while in a pursuit to showcase him as a man whose only role was to oppose everything Franklin had to say.
The shallow portrayal of his character disrupts any remaining interest we had in the show, making it difficult to stay engaged.
We cannot stop ourselves from drawing comparisons with HBO's 'John Adams' which was set in a similar timeline and portrayed the same men such as Adams and Franklin, and yet turned out to be an amazing addition to the history genre.
2. Benjamin Franklin
As the name suggests, Benjamin Franklin is the star of the series. The narrative revolves around his endeavors in France and his diplomatic brilliance in securing America's independence.
The creators of the series have attempted to portray Franklin (played by Michael Douglas) not only as an accomplished inventor and hero in American history but also to highlight his light-hearted, gentle persona.
From his casual romantic escapades to his quick wit and relationship with his grandson, these elements are designed to help viewers connect with his character.
However, these attempts backfire as the storyline feels stretched by tiny, irrelevant scenes that lead nowhere, detracting from more important elements and events that deserve focus.
Franklin's role in HBO's 'John Adams' was far more likable while the Apple TV+'s version of Franklin fails to charm us.
3. Temple Franklin
Temple Franklin, played by Noah Jupe was quite a likeable character in the initial episodes of 'Franklin'. However, our interest started to fade away as soon as he deviated from the charming teenager he once was.
His growing fondness of the French costumes and lifestyle makes for one thing, but the overemphasis on his rash behavior sets us off from the main plotline.
His character neither adds depth to the story nor progresses the narrative, leaving us frustrated.
4. Jacques-Donatien Le Ray de Chaumont
The contribution of Jacques-Donatien Le Ray de Chaumont (portrayed by Olivier Claverie) has been heavily neglected in the series. He was the one who provided initial assistance to Franklin and even let him stay in his mansion for eight years.
However, his opinions and reactions to the diplomatic developments have been completely skipped even in the last episode when he is left penniless.
The legacy of these important figures deserved a better portrayal, if not for the viewers who devote eight hours to this boring show.
'Franklin' trailer
'Franklin' is available to stream on Apple TV+
