Ep 7. Part 7 - Peacefield

John Adams season 1 episode 7 titled Part 7 - Peacefield is an excellent piece of television that showcases the multi-layered life of one of America's founding fathers, John Adams. This episode is the seventh installment of a thrilling biographical miniseries, based on the Pulitzer prize-winning biography written by David McCullough, chronicling the life of the amiable attorney from Massachusetts, from his early days as a revolutionary to his presidential tenure between 1770 and 1820.

The episode opens with Adams returning home to his beloved Peacefield, thirty-two years after he left for Philadelphia to attend the Continental Congress. Adams is filled with nostalgia, reflecting on all that has transpired since his departure, including the independence of the nation he helped found, the deaths of several close friends, and the political storms that have battered him alongside his family. The mood of the scene is contemplative and cathartic.

As Adams gets settled into his old family farm, the episode follows his life in the present, including interactions with his family and children. In one scene, Adams is seen walking with his daughter, Nabby, when she collapses in agony. This scene tells the story of Nabby's illness, which has been affecting her painfully for some time and how Adams can't stop worrying about his daughter. The condition of Nabby also bears the weight of the uncertainty of Adams's future.

Next, the audience is allowed an inside look into the intricacy of the business of farming, as Adams and his family are seen working hard to prepare for winter. The former President is seen tending to his crops and attending to the animals he raises on his farm. This scene is indicative of how challenging and time-consuming not just farming but also daily life can be. It helps to highlight Adams's characteristics of diligence, calmness, and duty above everything else.

Later, Adams has a touching scene with his old friend Thomas Jefferson, who paid a visit to Peacefield. They discuss how the world is changing and reminisce on old memories, talking candidly about their concerns for the future. As the episode unfolds, the story focuses on the once-close friendship that has now become embroiled in political rivalry. The audience is shown how the sparks of opposing beliefs fly when Adams and Jefferson's past differences quickly turn to open conflict.

The episode also tackles Adams's rocky relationship with his son, John Quincy, who feels neglected by his father's political pursuits. The father-son relationship between Adams and John Quincy is complex, and viewers get a window into the difficulties that arise from John Quincy's view of how his father's misconceptions affected his early life. With the argument that gets stirred up, there is a sense of deep pain and regret in their conversation, giving the scene an emotional weight that is both powerful and compelling.

As the episode unfolds, Adams is presented as an aging man, struggling to come to terms with his waning abilities and an unpopular reputation. The episode illustrates how battles look different when fought at a distance and how it is impossible to avoid the eyes of history. The tension is palpable, and we see how Adams confronts harsh realities, like the ongoing political chaos in America, his friend Jefferson's ascent to the Presidency, Thomas Paine's accusations against him, and other disappointments.

In the end, Part 7 - Peacefield is an excellent episode that highlights the depth and complexity of John Adams's character, life, and experiences. This chapter in John Adams' story is intriguing, emotional, and poignant. It is an enthralling exploration of the spirit of America, one that uncovers the inner struggles and triumphs that marked the life of one of the nation's founding fathers. The episode helps to cement the series' legacy as a beautiful work of art, with skillful writing that evokes sympathy and respect for history's greatest heroes.