How Grows the Tudor Rose?

Two disappointing wives have gone to their graves. The meddlesome Sir Thomas More has been martyred for his morals, and the newly unfettered King Henry now listens to no reason but his own. The lovely and biddable Jane Seymour has the rising sun of Henry's favor. Jane is no giddy girl or power hungry player though, and is soon well educated in just how quickly the King's favor may be withdrawn if she does not live up to her chosen motto, "Bound to Obey and Serve".    

Mary, Henry's child to his first Queen, must barter with her cold and calculating father if she wants to keep her head, or even the right to call herself Princess. Tiny Elizabeth, daughter of the ill-fated Anne, is but an illegitimate inconvenience to Henry and a budding source of resentment for Mary. Thomas Cromwell, like others before him, enjoys the gifts and titles that Henry showers upon his successful favorites, but will he find himself stricken down with the speed of Cardinal Wolsey when the King's favor turns to drought?   

Ominous rumblings across England's countryside meet the state's decision to dissolve local monasteries. The common people are displeased by the generally destructive and disrespectful attitude adopted during this reaping of church wealth by the King's officers. While Henry is pleased by the generous influx into his Treasury, he is completely unprepared to deal with the reality of his people's displeasure. We've seen how he's dealt with his women... How will Henry deal with disruptive and disloyal subjects? All these trials, and still... no heir? Certes! The King is most sorely vexed!  

~~~ My Thoughts~~~  

Season Three of Showtime's lush period piece, The Tudors, begins with a plethora of food for thought as well as an entertaining feast for the eyes. History is written by the victors, as they say, and it is difficult at best to look back across time to guess at the motivations of any man, let alone a King. The team of writers, actors, costumers, etc. assembled for The Tudors does an amazing job of coming together to present grand historical events and larger than life individuals in an intriguing, beautiful and very real way.

While we may not understand their personal motivations or the full weight of the societal constraints they operate under, we can believe that these were living people who could be consumed by rage or overcome with joy. In today's society, successfully producing a male heir does not hold the significance it did in the 1500's, but no one can mistake it's importance to Henry as we watch him bend his will to achieving this consuming desire. Tudors reveals to us the passions that might have motivated each of these historical figures in a dramatic yet personal way that allows viewers to see great monarchs and religious leaders as people full of all the splendor and flaws that fascinate. Correcting their faux pas of blatant historical inaccuracies with greater attention to such detail in Season Two, viewers will be glad to see this key aspect continuing in Season Three in both large and small details.   

The costuming, as always, is utterly fabulous; sure to delight any wardrobe enthusiast. It is easy to see why The Tudors'  costume design team, led by Joan Bergin, has won the Emmy for Outstanding Costumes in a Series two years running. (2007 & 2008) I am forever grateful for the decision to leave behind some of the more outrageous fashion accessories of the era, like codpieces. I think they would have only served as distractions to modern audiences, and feel it was a wise decision. It is difficult enough for us to take anyone seriously in those poofy pants.  

However, the use of specific fabrics in lush colors and textures that convey their expense even to those belonging to our own jaded poly/cotton blend era, truly did lend a "rock star" feel to Henry's character within the first two seasons. In season three, I am amazed at how these clever costumes do suggest a much heavier frame upon the rather trim Jonathan Rhys Meyers. A subtly unfavorable aura is given by much of his wardrobe in this first episode which Meyers uses expertly as a tool to convey the rather rotund personage of Henry Tudor, infamous King of England, as he begins his decline from good health... yet, each outfit is unmistakably a thing of beauty in and of itself.

The King's wardrobe each season has been a marvelously effective tool in conveying aspects of Henry's personality; arrogance, charm, cunning, romantic, or even morose facets of this character have all been aided by a well tailored outfit. Jane's elaborate gowns and many fashionable accessories are flawless additions to this season already. Even the jewelry seen in this season's first episode is wonderfully expressive of the era. These designers continue to amaze me with the dazzling perfection of their artistic execution, and I look forward to this season's wardrobe eagerly.  

The demure and earnest Jane Seymour (Annabelle Wallis) is vastly different from the tempestuous Anne Boleyn (Natalie Dormer). She must employ her strength and determination subtly when the King perceives her honest desire for a reconciliation between Henry and his eldest child as attempted manipulation. Henry takes great pains to leave his newest Queen in no doubt as to her position. Nor does he take kindly to Jane expressing any contrary interest on any subject of even slight importance, which he clearly sees as a distressing procrastination from her only real duty... to produce a healthy heir. Of course, after Anne's many manipulations Henry's somewhat paranoid view of his newest wife may perhaps be somewhat forgiven. One cannot help being curious as to how Seymour's tactics will play out over the coming season, but Wallis is certainly as solid and vivid a presence as was her predecessor, Anne (Dormer). I hope each of the leading ladies to follow are as strong and talented as the first three have been. 

Each member of the cast has given flesh and breath to long dead people of a bygone era. The support they provide for the principle players each season is invaluable, for without them there would be no proper frame within which we may come to know these shapers of history. Together, they weave an intricate and mesmerizing tapestry for audiences. Meyers has done an admirable job in consistently portraying such a mercurial figure as King Henry VIII, and I look forward to the full unfolding of Henry's tale. Henry can go from the heat of passion to the frigid depths of political manipulation without the slightest notice. There is an edge of madness, well hidden but quite discernible, within his eyes.

The lion sleeps no more. This mighty monarch roars, "My will cannot be denied!" with arrogant certainty in the face of all opposition to his every whim. The king has but one true desire now, and no one, whether much beloved or much despised, will be allowed to slow his progress towards this single goal... The King must have an heir, and no peace will be found within his kingdom until his desire is made reality. God save the King!