Apple TV+’s series “Franklin” often plays like a buddy movie, what with the central relationship of the historical drama being that of Benjamin Franklin (Michael Douglas) and his grandson, Temple Franklin (Noah Jupe). The dynamic between the two is a paternal, mutually respectful, fun-loving one that provides the perspective of both a young and old character trying to figure out what’s going on around them in cosmopolitan 18th-century France. That two-man-team notion was largely cooked up for “Franklin,” because the contingent of Americans on a persuasive visit to France consisted of far more individuals than just Franklin and his familial protege.
Benjamin Franklin Bache, the Founding Father’s other, younger grandson, born to his sole daughter, Sally, also accompanied Franklin on his mission to France. Bache is never depicted in “Franklin.” Nor was the elder Franklin the only official representative of the young United States government. He was accompanied and assisted in his goal to win over the French government to the American cause by diplomats Arthur Lee and Silas Deane.
