Most of the time the movie depicts Abigail alone, wishing John was with her. In the miniseries when Abigail and John were arguing, John would not resolve the problem, instead he would leave for work. The series shows that John did not want to engage in arguing with Abigail and would have rather been working and not fighting with his family. It shows them arguing about John's absence from the family. In the series, Abigail and John's home life is difficult and stressful. If Abigail and John had the same relationship as the series represents, John would not have said that he wishes he was home. On June 30, 1774 , John Adams writes to Abigail saying, 'I regret that I cannot have the Pleasure of enjoying this fine Weather, with my Family, and upon my farm.' John Adams' proves that he and Abigail have a strong healthy relationship because he states that he wishes that he could be home with his family. However, they are not giving up and are staying in touch through writing one another. John wants to be with Abigail and his family, but his job makes it difficult. It is evident that John has lots of love for Abigail and he would never divorce her.

HBO's Miniseries show moments of John and Abigail expressing their love for each other, but never in the form of what the letter shows. By John Adams stating that he will 'never refuse marriage' shows his commitment to Abigail. This differs from the miniseries where Abigail is shown alone and upset with John because of his departure. John writes, 'I find you cannot compel me to pay unless I refuse Marriage which I never did, and never will, but on the Contrary am ready to have you at any Time.' John proves that he is loyal to Abigail through his writings. In the series John comes across as a serious stern husband and a focused 'business man.' However, the letters reveal that John has a much softer side to him that the viewers do not witness. It is very interesting to see how the letters that John writes differ from his personality on the HBO miniseries. He wants to be with her and he does not think that he can continue to live apart from her. People have lost all their good Properties or I my Justice, or Discernment.' John Adams misses Abigail terribly. I see nothing but Faults, Follies, Frailties and Defects in any Body, lately. My soul and Body have both been thrown into Disorder, by your Absence, and a Month or two more would make me the most insufferable Cynick, in the world. In a letter to Abigail Adams, dated September 30, 1764, John states, 'Oh my dear girl, I thank Heaven that another Fortnight will restoree you to me- after so long a separation.

The letters of john and abigail adams