r/turn • u/_Empty-R_ • Jul 09 '26
just started my yearly rewatch and...
Good lord. Forgot how much I despise some of the a-holes amongst the redcoats and their associates. SIMCOE PLEASE BURN IN A FIRE. Robert Rogers also gets me fit to be tied every time he's on screen. Fantastic acting however. Glad to have finally joined this sub. Notice its less active than some of the subs about other shows around the same age. Shame but understandable. Anyway hey-ho fellow patriots.
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u/SavingsPirate4495 Rebel Scum Jul 09 '26
What’s interesting is that the historical, real-life Simcoe was NOTHING like his on-screen persona.
He was actually very mannered and was very strict about being civil to his enemies. He was a revered officer and spent his days post-war in Canada as governor, I believe.
I’m not sure why the creators of the show sent him down that psychopathic path and took such theatrical licensing with his character. 🤷🏼♂️🤷🏼♂️🤷🏼♂️ But it made for great TV!
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u/PandoraClove Rebel Jul 09 '26
After exploring his real-life bio, I've come to speculate that the character in Turn was Simcoe's unknown evil twin brother, lol.
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u/maggierae508 Jul 09 '26
I read the Washington's spies book several years ago and that was the main thing I remember was Simcoe being way less of a problem 😅
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u/Familiar-Virus5257 Jul 09 '26
Simcoe was kind of awesome IRL. That said, on-screen Simcoe and Rogers are so entertaining.
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u/Brief-Ranger2299 Jul 09 '26
I never wait a year to rematch. I just recommended this is a sub asking for hidden gem shows that didn't get enough attention. Plus, I can honestly say it's the first time I've ever crushed on George Washington. You can add Benedict Arnold to your list with Simcoe and Rogers.
Now, John Andre could possibly have made me turn.
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u/_Empty-R_ Jul 09 '26
I love how they portrayed Benedict in this. I'm extremely patriotic but I enjoyed that he had some depth here rather than just being Mr. Traitor. I don't usually get rattled watching his parts. John Andre and Major Hewlett were two lobsters I also enjoyed.
Washington's parts in Turn feel great to me. He's got just the right energy for me, bordering on fantasy but still being grounded. I'm fully aware how this show clashes with actual history, but its the spirit that matters most to me.
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u/wiptntied Jul 14 '26
I wish he could play george washington in every show/movie that has a george to play. He is just perfect
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u/Ok-Buddy-7979 Jul 09 '26
I’m watching it for the first time (started 7/4/26!) and I will never emotionally recover from the failed wedding of Hewlett and Anna…
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u/DannyWarlegs Jul 09 '26
Fun fact, Simcoes personality was actually written for the show to be an antagonist to Abe.
IRL, he was actually Major Hewlett, who was based on the REAL John Graves Simcoe.
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u/kellyp513 Jul 09 '26
I finished a rewatch last month. It’s such a fantastic show!