We find Mr. Adams having to leave his family again to venture out to Paris for a diplomatic mission. It's 1777, the war has commenced, however an alliance with France is key to victory. With his son, and future president, John Quincy in tow, Adams braves the high seas and gets to Paris to find out that Ben Franklin has done quite a bit of schmoozing already. Not to mention the fact that the French aren't taking too kindly to Adams' snippy and direct persona. John Adams goes, then, to Holland to seek assistance, but again fails.
At the same time his wife Abigail is distraught with not only her husband's long term departure, but with the infrequency of their correspondence through letters. She stays strong though with the news the war is being won. John Adams may soon be coming home. And a new country is being born.
