TURN: WASHINGTON'S SPIES

Full Name:	Culper Ring
Nationality:	American
Organization:	None
Occupation	Agency

Creator:	Craig Silverstein
Time Span:	2014 - 2017

ABOUT THE SERIES

The Culper Ring is an unofficial group of operatives working for General George Washington.

The time frame for their activity is the Revolutionary War staged by the American Colonies to gain independence from British rule under its monarch, George III. Open hostilities had already been underway for a year and a half following the "shot heard round the world" in April of 1775 when, in October of 1776, circumstances arose which would see ordinary farmers leave their fields to serve the rebellion in an unusual way.

As stated in the opening of the first recorded adventure: "Autumn 1776. Insurgents have declared war against the Crown. Following a successful naval landing, His Majesty's Army has forced Washington's rebels into the wilderness. New York City serves as military base of operations for the British. The Loyalists of nearby Long Island keep vigilant watch out for sympathizers and spies."

The name of this group of untrained but extremely earnest operatives comes from a play on the name of a county in Virginia, Culpeper. There are really two leading figures in the organization but no member is without merit and use. Those two key people are:

Abraham Woodhull - given the aliases of Samuel Culpeper and Samuel Culper, Woodhull was a farmer on New York's Long Island when trouble in the form of British soldiers came to plague his life and he chose to fight back.
Benjamin Tallmadge - boyhood friend of Woodhull, Tallmadge had already left the region to join the Continental Army and was closely working with its leader, Washington.

Together these two would, at the request of General Washington, create a small but highly effective intelligence network throughout a large portion of the 13 colonies and would provide tremendously helpful information on British troop movements and strengths, helping greatly to win the war.

TELEVISION


Number of Episodes:	40
First Appearance:	2014
Last Appearance:	2017
Network:	A&E

REGULAR CAST
Jamie Bell	Abraham Woodhull [ 1-4 ]
Seth Munrich	Benjamin Tallmadge [ 1-4 ]
Daniel Henshall	Caleb Brewster [ 1-4 ]
Heather Lind	Anna Strong [ 1-4 ]
Meegan Warner	Mary Woodhull [ 1-4 ]


1	Pilot Episode S1-1, first aired 04/06/2014 Director: Rupert Wyatt Writer: Craig Silverstein At the dawn of the Revolutionary War, struggling Long Island farmer Abraham Woodhull is recruited by the Colonial Army to spy on the British.

2	Who by Fire Episode S1-2, first aired 04/13/2014 Director: Ed Bianchi Writer: Craig Silverstein Abe must discover who murdered a Royal Officer before Anna is framed for the crime. Ben and Caleb brutally interrogate Simcoe.

3	Of Cabbages and Kings Episode S1-3, first aired 04/20/2014 Director: SJ Clarkson Writer: Michael Taylor On the run from the British, Ben is betrayed by his own militia. Abe travels with Richard to New York to spy. Mary confronts Anna.

4	Eternity How Long Episode S1-4, first aired 04/27/2014 Director: Adam Davidson Writer: Andrew Colville Abe and Richard struggle with British orders to dig up local gravestones. Ben and Caleb conspire to get their intelligence to General Washington.

5	Epiphany Episode S1-5, first aired 05/04/2014 Director: Michael Uppendahl Writer: Aida Mashaka Croal Set during the twelve days of Christmas, Caleb and Ben follow mysterious orders as General Washington's Army crosses into enemy territory.

6	Mr. Culpeper Episode S1-6, first aired 05/11/2014 Director: Eagle Egilsson Writer: Mitchell Akselrad En route to New York, Abe is ambushed by a desperate patriot. Washington charges Ben with the task of creating America's first spy ring.

7	Mercy Moment Murder Measure Episode S1-7, first aired 05/18/2014 Director: Nick Copus Writers: Joseph Bellotti, Andrew Colville, Michael Taylor When an old threat returns to Setauket, Abe risks everything to protect Anna. Rogers travels to a prison ship seeking a mysterious man.

8	Challenge Episode S1-8, first aired 05/25/2014 Director: Jeremy Webb Writer: LaToya Morgan Against Abe's wishes, Anna searches for enemy intelligence at an exclusive gentleman's party hosted by British spymaster John Andre.

9	Against Thy Neighbor Episode S1-9, first aired 06/01/2014 Director: Ken Fink Writer: Michael Taylor Simcoe ignites a political witch-hunt to weed out rebel conspirators in Setauket. Washington assigns Ben to a secret mission.

10	The Battle of Setauket Episode S1-10, first aired 06/08/2014 Director: Oliver Hirschbiegel Writer: Craig Silverstein Mary grapples with the realization that Abe is a rebel spy. Ben and Caleb lead a raid on Setauket to save the Patriot families.

11	Thoughts of a Free Man Episode S2-1, first aired 04/13/2015 Director: Gary Fleder Writer: Craig Silverstein A spy in London sends an urgent message to America. Mary impedes Abe's attempt to restart the spy ring. Benedict Arnold arrives in camp.

12	Hard Boiled Episode S2-2, first aired 04/13/2015 Director: Andrew McCarthy Writer: Michael Taylor Abe continues his mission in New York, while Simcoe adjusts to his punishment. Mean while Andre seduces Peggy.

13	False Flag Episode S2-3, first aired 04/20/2015 Director: Allison Anders Writer: LaToya Morgan Ben sets a trap to capture a traitor in camp. Richard discovers Abe is conspiring with Major Hewlett. Caleb collides with Robert Rogers.

14	Men of Blood Episode S2-4, first aired 04/27/2015 Director: Kate Dennis Writer: Alexander Rose Abe tries to recruit a new agent; Caleb and Rogers race to hunt down intelligence from London; Andre's history is exposed.

15	Sealed Fate Episode S2-5, first aired 05/04/2015 Director: Keith Boak Writer: Mitchell Akselrad Abe makes one last effort to recruit a spy inside New York. Ben must determine who is a double agent.

16	Houses Divided Episode S2-6, first aired 05/11/2015 Director: Jeremy Webb Writers: Michael Taylor, Craig Silverstein Anna, Ben, and Caleb devise ways of rescuing the abducted Major Hewlett. Mary attempts to motivate Judge Woodhull into action.

17	Valley Forge Episode S2-7, first aired 05/18/2015 Director: Kimberly Peirce Writer: Aida Mashaka Croal George Washington teeters on the edge of madness. Abe and Hewlett endure great hardships at the hands of their respective captors, though the latter's ends unexpectedly.

18	Providence Episode S2-8, first aired 05/25/2015 Director: Michael Uppendahl Writer: Andrew Colville The French join the fray. Caleb makes an uncomfortable trip and Abe makes an even more uncomfortable choice. Robert Rodgers finds himself unexpectedly unemployed.

19	The Prodigal Episode S2-9, first aired 06/01/2015 Director: Eagle Egilsson Writer: Michael Taylor Abe returns from prison with critical intel. Tensions rise between Hewlett and Simcoe. Arnold rescues Peggy from a rebel mob.

20	Gunpowder, Treason, and Plot Episode S2-10, first aired 06/08/2015 Director: Jeremy Webb Writer: Craig Silverstein Abe plots to assassinate Major Hewlett, then receives a proposition from an unlikely ally, Robert Rogers. Ben fights at the Battle of Monmouth (June 28, 1778). Benedict Arnold continues to covet Peggy Shippen.

21	Valediction Episode S3-1, first aired 04/25/2016 Director: Michael Nankin Writer: Craig Silverstein Abe covers up a murder with an unlikely accomplice. Elsewhere, Benedict Arnold abuses his power as he settles into a new home in Philadelphia.

22	Cold Murdering Bastards Episode S3-2, first aired 05/02/2016 Director: Keith Boak Writer: Michael Taylor Anna tries to save the ring after Abe's cover is blown; and Benedict Arnold seeks Washington's help against charges of treason. Meanwhile, Townsend sends a signal.

23	Benediction Episode S3-3, first aired 05/09/2016 Director: Jeremy Webb Writer: LaToya Morgan Peggy manipulates Benedict Arnold into contacting the British. Caleb sets an ambush for Simcoe. Meanwhile, Anna tries to save Major Hewlett's life.

24	Hearts and Minds Episode S3-4, first aired 05/16/2016 Director: Deborah Chow Writer: Michael Taylor Ben is rescued by a mysterious woman. Abe tries to stop Anna from marrying Hewlett. Benedict Arnold begins negotiations with the British.

25	Hypocrisy, Fraud, and Tyranny Episode S3-5, first aired 05/23/2016 Director: Keith Boak Writer: Libby Friz Townsend uncovers a British counterfeiting operation. Rogers threatens to destroy Abe's spying ring. Meanwhile, Simcoe threatens Richard.

26	Many Mickles Make a Muckle Episode S3-6, first aired 05/30/2016 Director: Marvin Rush Writer: Mitchell Akselrad Washington attends Benedict Arnold's ball in Philadelphia. Abe races to stop Rogers before he reaches Townsend. Meanwhile, old friends and enemies intersect.

27	Judgment Episode S3-7, first aired 06/06/2016 Director: Omar Madha Writer: Scott Gunnison Miller Mary tries to kill Simcoe on her own, wounding him in the ear. Benedict Arnold defends himself in his own court-martial. Meanwhile, Ben reunites with the woman who saved his life.

28	Mended Episode S3-8, first aired 06/13/2016 Director: Kate Dennis Writer: Andrew Colville The Culper Ring is resurrected in time to save Washington's army. Simcoe terrorizes Setauket as he hunts for Rogers. Meanwhile, Anna infiltrates New York.

29	Blade on the Feather Episode S3-9, first aired 06/20/2016 Director: Jeremy Webb Writer: Alexander Rose Benedict Arnold plots to turn over West Point to the British. Andre negotiates for Peggy. Meanwhile, Abe plots revolt in Setauket.

30	Trial and Execution Episode S3-10, first aired 06/27/2016 Director: Andrew McCarthy Writer: Craig Silverstein A march to the gallows for the captured spies on both sides. Meanwhile, Benedict Arnold demands glory revenge.

31	Spyhunter General Episode S4-1, first aired 06/17/2017 Director: Craig Silverstein Writer: Craig Silverstein Benedict Arnold rounds up spies in New York. Abe plots to destroy essential British supplies, but he will need his father's help.

32	The Black Hole of Calcutta Episode S4-2, first aired 06/17/2017 Director: Andrew McCarthy Writer: Michael Taylor When one of the Culper Ring members is captured, Arnold seeks to interrogate him - with the help of a ruthless Colonel Simcoe.

33	Blood for Blood Episode S4-3, first aired 06/24/2017 Director: Keith Boak Writer: Scott Gunnison Miller Abe's scheme to rescue Caleb turns deadly. Anna faces a difficult decision. Arnold suspects Peggy is keeping a secret from him.

34	Nightmare Episode S4-4, first aired 07/01/2017 Director: Jeremy Webb Writer: Mitchell Akselrad Amidst a growing rebellion in camp, the Culper Ring must chart a new course. Arnold finds an unlikely ally. Rivington teaches Townsend a lesson.

35	Private Woodhull Episode S4-5, first aired 07/08/2017 Director: Henry Bronchtein Writer: Andrew Colville Seeking revenge against Simcoe, Abe travels to New York and meets Benedict Arnold. Meanwhile, a visitor from Anna's past comes to the continental camp.

36	Our Man in New York Episode S4-6, first aired 07/15/2017 Director: Eagle Egilsson Writer: Alexander Rose The plot to kidnap Benedict Arnold is hatched. Peggy learns Cicero's secret. General Washington and the French clash over strategy.

37	Quarry Episode S4-7, first aired 07/22/2017 Director: Omar Madha Writer: Libby Friz Ben's plan to kidnap Benedict Arnold conflicts with Abe's plot to kill Simcoe and shifting loyalties turn old enemies into allies.

38	Belly of the Beast Episode S4-8, first aired 07/29/2017 Director: Nick Copus Writer: Mitchell Akselrad Abe settles his score with Simcoe. Ben makes a passionate appeal to Washington. Caleb seeks redemption.

39	Reckoning Episode S4-9, first aired 08/05/2017 Director: Eagle Egilsson Writer: LaToya Morgan Washington heads south to lay siege to Yorktown but must convince Clinton he is heading to New York. Abraham joins the Continental Army. Peggy goes into labor.

40	Washington's Spies Episode S4-10, first aired 08/12/2017 Director: Jeremy Webb Writers: Craig Silverstein, Michael Taylor The fate of the Culper ring is revealed. The war for American independence ends with the British Evacuation of New York City and America struggles to begin.

COMIC BOOKS, GRAPHIC NOVELS, AND MANGA

Number of Stories:	2
First Appearance:	2014
Last Appearance:	2015


1			Turn: Origins Published by AMC Contributors: LaToya Morgan (writer), Steve Ellis (artist) Copyright: 2014 A digital comic produced and released by AMC, the story details the early years of the founding members of the Culper Ring from their childhoods into their early adulthood.

2			Turn: Rivals Published by AMC Contributors: LaToya Morgan (writer), Chris Hunt (artist) Copyright: 2015 A digital comic produced and released by AMC, the story details the history between to rivals in the Revolutionary War: George Washington on the side of the Rebels and Robert Rogers fighting for the British.

REFERENCE BOOKS

Number of Books:	1
First Appearance:	2006
Last Appearance:	2006


1			Washington's Spies: The Story of America's First Spy Ring Written by Craig Silverstein Copyright: 2006 A history book detailing the formation and actions of the real-life Culper Ring, researched at the Library of Congress and other sources.

MY COMMENTS

I watched the first two or three episodes back when this show first came out and really enjoyed it. Why I didn't continue remains a mystery because the acting was darned good and characters were compelling. Life, I guess, and my aging memory not remembering to set the recorder to AMC.

Based on the plaudits I have seen about the show and the fact that it lasted four impressive seasons says a lot about the quality and the positive reception the episodes received.

My grade reflects those favorable reviews though it is lowered a tad because whatever the reason was for my not watching more, well ...

GRADE

My Grade: A-

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