I love the Abigail/John scenes, many of which are based on actual letters between them. But my favorite moment of these is the triumphant sending of saltpeter, with Abigail running through the Braintree fields, singing all the (women's) groups of multi-faith she managed to corral, "All for you, John!" With William Daniels grasping her love in his hand before marching into the chamber to order poor, long-suffering McNair to buy every pin in Philadelphia.
Franklin, of course, gets some of the very best lines, both witty and perceptive, including "If we don't hang together, we will most assuredly hand separately."
Jefferson's evil smile at Adams when refusing to back down about "inalienable".
"New York abstains. Courteously."
"The man could deprrrress a hyena."
I always felt Dickinson was particularly mean in his response to Reverend Witherspoon's bewildered observation about his aunt in New Brunswick. I would have had a good laugh if it were at Adams, who would fire back, or Franklin, who would have quipped, but Witherspoon is an innocent character who has done nothing to offend Dickinson.
Washington has transported 8 of Lewis Morris' children safely from his ruined estate and the 4 oldest boys are in the army. Unassuming Mr. Morris has at least 12 children. And of course, Mr. Livingston has been presented with a new son by the noble stork, and is going home to celebrate and pop a cork, with all the Livingstons together, back in Old New York.
I agree one my favorite exchanges is "A week. The entire world was created in a week." "Some day, you must tell me how you did it." Adams: "DISgusting." All the time knowing that Martha's on her way over.
Franklin: "John. You can dance!"
Adams: "We still do a few things in Boston."
Which was preceded by the sweet, hesitant and courtly preparation for the dance between him and Martha.
Oh, too many more...
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