John Adams

Boston, 1770. In the aftermath of the Boston Massacre, John Adams takes an unpopular stand by defending the accused soldiers. Counseled by his beloved wife Abigail, Adams wins the case. Later, Adams is invited to join the new Continental Congress.

Following a fruitless session of the Continental Congress, a sabbatical at Adams' Braintree farm is disrupted by news of the siege of Lexington and Concord. Later, he jousts with delegates on the idea of independence.

1777. A new period of separation from Abigail looms when Adams is appointed Minister Plenipotentiary to France along with Benjamin Franklin. Abigail insists that Adams take along their son, John Quincy.

1781. Convalescing in Holland, Adams joyously learns the British surrendered to Washington at Yorktown; later, he and Abigail reunite in his opulent mansion in Paris.

Elected America's first Vice President, Adams is scolded by Abigail for his vanity, and is frustrated by his exclusion from President Washington's inner circle.

Abandoned by Jefferson for retaining Washington's cabinet, President Adams holds firm on keeping the nation out of war, despite French aggression and pro-war sentiment among his advisors.

In retirement, Adams starts writing his memoirs, then endures a series of tragedies. At the urging of Dr. Rush, Adams reports the sad news to Jefferson, with the two old friends and adversaries taking solace in a correspondence that mends old wounds.