‘Franklin’ Recap: ‘The Natural State of Man’

Written by John Edward Betancourt

Noah Jupe and Michael Douglas as Temple Franklin and Doctor Benjamin Franklin in ‘Franklin’. (Photo Courtesy of Apple.)

Caution: This article contains spoilers for Episode Five of ‘Franklin’. To revisit the previous episode, click here.
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It really is quite amazing what the Apple TV+ series, Franklin, is managing to accomplish from a storytelling standpoint. For not only is this series educating the audience on a little-known aspect of how the United States of America won the Revolutionary War against the British Empire… but it is also… steadily removing the romantic aura that surrounds this war. For it really is viewed after all these years, as some kind of beautiful and noble quest toward liberty. When in fact, it was war, it was chaotic and little about it was lovely or smooth. Including the alliance born to help America beat back the British, as evidenced by the next episode in this fascinating series.

For ‘The Natural State of Man’ took place in July, well after the alliance was signed. Wherein we came to learn… that the cozy joy that France and America’s ambassadors shared, was fading quickly. In fact, life in France was a bit ho-hum now that both sides were battling the British far and away. For now, routine settled in, combined with outright fatigue regarding the war. So, Benjamin set out to try and liven life up and secure Temple’s future by pushing him toward marriage. But alas, that brought about more conflict and questions. Such as how much longer either side would tolerate one another because of that fatigue. Especially since the marriage was off before planning even began.

Not to mention, the alliance in and of itself was a mess. Because John Adams expected the French to move faster and with a sense of intensity. So that the British would get the message. But that was not the French way. They moved slow, and in a calculated manner and that drove Adams up the wall and prompted him to grate against the government often. Wherein dear Doctor Franklin had to step in and use kindness to gain concessions and what they needed. A process that became the norm and strained the relationship between Franklin and Adams. Since they were often at odds and eager to assert their style over the other, though thankfully they harbored enough respect and desire for the same goal to maintain a status quo.

But even then, chaos continued to reign supreme in this story. In part because there was also a sense of helplessness from so many in this story. After all, they came here to accomplish a goal and really stick it to the British. But instead, there was boredom, infighting and chaos and that robbed so many of a sense of agency or purpose and that made for an explosive finale to this tale. Because Lafayette gave everyone a chance to find what they needed, to bring order to chaos by laying out a plan to attack Britain directly from the sea. Which in theory, would force British forces to pull forces away from America, giving the United States Army the edge it and well, this plan brought forth the chaos in question. Simply because this sanctioned plan inspired Temple to join the fight and feel some sense of duty beyond being a secretary to his grandfather and it also inspired a counteroffensive from evil agents that did not want to see the American side succeed, courtesy of an attempt on Franklin’s life (for history tells us that Franklin survived the incident). One that Bancroft likely helped set up, judging from the look on his face. 

That means the tension and the chaos are about to be elevated. Now that Franklin knows that someone in his inner circle is looking to bring harm to him and the cause, and of course… he will worry deeply about his grandson. All courtesy of the fact that war finally touched everyone in this story, as grand war often does. But that aside, this really was a great episode. One that truly did explore how chaotic the war effort was, and how there was little to romanticize since so many were focused on saving a young nation and earning the freedom they wanted, and how hard that process was, and well… now that Benjamin’s eyes will be opened to some hard truths, it will be interesting to see how he responds to such treachery and the tough road ahead. For it is indeed always darkest before the dawn and clearly at this point, Doctor Benjamin Franklin is watching the clock strike midnight. Until next time.

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