Well, my dear readers, I am writing at a furious pace to tell you about a series I have been binge-watching. It’s called Turn: Washington’s Spies, and I’ve watched Series 1 and 2 to date. It definitely gets five stars from me.

The series spans the events from 1776 to 1781 and features Abraham Woodhull, a farmer from Setauket, New York, and his childhood friends. They form an unlikely group of spies called the Culper Ring, which eventually helps to turn the tide during the American Revolutionary War. The series begins in October 1776, shortly after British victories, recapturing of Long Island and the Port of New York for the Crown, leaving General George Washington’s army in dire straits.

The show is based on a true story, but fictionalized. The costumes and attention to detail immerse you in the time period.

Season One’s greatest strength is its patient, immersive storytelling. Rather than rushing headlong into espionage theatrics, Series One takes time to establish Setauket as a lived-in community, making the risks of spying feel personal and devastatingly real. The show captures the moral ambiguity of the era: loyalties are divided, neutrality is dangerous, and survival often requires compromise. The often testy relationship between Abraham, and his father is a microcosm of what’s happening in the nation overall. This slow-burn approach pays off by grounding the suspense in genuine human stakes rather than spectacle alone.

The pace in Series Two goes up a notch as things start to become critical for both the spies and the Continental Army.

The best thing about the show is the various characters. My favorite one is Simcoe, a psychopathic British officer who keeps both the sense of threat and intrigue running high.

Running a close second is Anna Strong, who is a spy and at the start, runs the local public house. Her perceived main contribution in the ring was to relay signals to a courier who ran smuggling and military missions for General George Washington. She has a complex, fluid relationship with Abraham, and plays a vital role in what is achieved.

What more can I tell you? It’s currently on Netflix.