John Adams meets the King of France

[charlesvanderhoog]

You must understand that by the end of the 18th century (in the upper classes) really everybody in Europe up to and including Russia could speak French. French was only supplanted by English by the end of the 19th century, and, frankly, after 1918. It would be like an ambassador coming to see the American president of our day and not knowing a word of English.

[fliegeroh]

In the 1970's version of "The Adams Chronicles", there was a much better representation of this exchange. The King addressed Mr. Adams in French and when he did not respond, an aide told the King that he didn't speak French. The King just bowed slightly and said "Welcome, Mr. Adams." I think that was closer to what happened. Yes, Adams was mortified that he couldn't speak French but the King didn't rub it in. He was happy to have the United States as an ally against the British.

[novadawg]

It’s not that the King and Court were just lolz aDaMs DoNt SpEaK FrEnCh¿! French was the language of European diplomacy. To send a diplomat anywhere who didn’t speak French would have been considered on the same level of sending someone to cooking competition who’s only ever microwaved hot pockets. It’s more of a smack on America than Adams, as it makes the colonies appear an uneducated backwater.

[CodaMission]

Louis: Doctor Franklin! You are the talk of Paris! Both your experience with science and with the ladies...
Franklin: Day and Night, Sire, I'm hard at work.

[colingreaves]

The comparison between Adams meeting Le Roi here and then meeting King George is very telling. The ostentatious, over stylised French Court with Franklin (who jokes about shagging day and night), compared with the British Monarch, alone in his throneroom talking openly about his feelings for the colonies and their independence. It really stands out for me

[michaelallens]

The entire population of Quebec when you visit: "You don't speak French?"

[sigmaxxiv]

King's Advisor: "Mister Franklin is accompanied by a Mister Adams."
Louis XVI: "Do you come from Paris sir?"
Adams: *smirk*
Louis XVI: "You don't speak French?"
King's Advisor: "Mister Adams doesn't speak a single word of French."
Louis XVI: *laugh* "Not a word?!"
Franklin: *nervous diplomat noises*

[theprofessional]

For people that do not understand the scene . In that time, the diplomatic language of Europe was French not English all the monarchies, aristocrats, and ambassadors all spoke French. If somebody like, Adam did not speak French they saw him as like a peasant as nothing.

[kinggeorge]

The portrayal of Louis XVI might be the single most innacurate thing in this series. Even ignoring the fact that the guy portraying him looks absolutely nothing like Louis XVI. King Louis was notorious for being very shy and trying to be nice to everybody, even to those who clearly didn't respect him. If that situation ever happened, King Louis would probably be the last to laugh. He'd rather offer Adams a conversation in English - he spoke the language fluently since he was a teen.

[-KillaWatt-]

During this time it was not uncommon for someone in the King/Queen's court to document everything they say. Sort of like an early stenographer. In Britain they have a library of books that simply document what the King/Queen said during their reign. In this same series we actually see some of this being used. When Adams meets with King George, the conversation during that scene is considered almost verbatim to what was really said. Anyway, I say all this because I wonder if King Louis' court did the same thing? Perhaps the "day and night I'm hard at work" joke was actually said.

[KikomochiMendoza]

The king laughs, but it isn't John Adam's head on a basket later on in life.

[SkepticalChris]

You'd think that Franklin would act as translator for that moment, to introduce John Adams to King Louis.

[muratdagdelen]

Haha, what a funny guy, I hope He would have a long and happy life with loved ones...

[T-bbT]

The king says "Dr Franklin...people talk a lot about you in Paris....science experiments..and ladies" and Franklin wittily replies: "Sire, day and night, I stay active"

[kolboy]

The fact that it took months to travel to France from America and he’s still never bothered to learn French

[fh.s.k.]

literally me as a new student in a French class

[DVX_BELLORVM]

I know that I'm picking nits at a 14-year-old series here (which I generally loved), but their stereotypically foppish and inaccurate depiction of the French court really irked me. Adams certainly clashed repeatedly with Vergennes, but the French foreign minister -- much less the shy and reserved Louis XVI -- never would have committed the diplomatic sleight of mocking him in public. The heavily-powdered face was also several decades out of fashion by the 1770s in favor of a more naturalistic look.

[adrianmunoz]

I fuckin love how King Louis just props up and announces his leave and just takes off immediately after his non-interaction with John Adams!
🤣🤣🤣

[frankrigal]

The french king Louis XVI not only sent his navy, the most powerful in the world at that time, to help the american war of independence, but he gave de equivalent of today's 100 million USD to back it up, and a loan of 160 mill USD, which was never paid back. And by the way, Adams and Franklin were 5, 5 and 5, 7 in size. The king was 6, 4, and strongly built. So much for gratitude and historical truth.

[waleabiodun]

Brilliant acting by the King. Faultless!