Truth And Consequences

Dark days pass across the kingdom like ominous clouds... Lord Darcy has given up his honorable head, refusing Cromwell's bait. Good Mr. Aske begs forgiveness of God, his King and the World for his trespasses. Hearts do break and bend over the fate over the goodly Robert Aske.  

Marry! That devil's diplomat, Cromwell is nigh giddy with glee over the matter! The dutiful and kindly Princess Mary however feels guilt for her interest in marriage offers when she should be praying for poor Robert Aske!  

Good Queen Jane and our sorry King are graced with but a small span of days to measure such happiness. Great and glowing with child, she went to child bed and wrestled a fearful long time with the babe. Soon the King must choose between beloved wife and the long hoped for Prince. While Doctors wait with their bladed tools, the news breaks that at last blessed Prince Edward is born!  

Merciful Heavens! Good news, alas, does not have a long life in Henry's kingdom. Queen Jane seems certain to pay God with her life for Edward's. How will our, oft times dreadful and bloody King survive the loss of his one bright light in these darkening days?!  

Lord Suffolk's soul is a bone of contention between God and his fearsome Majesty, King Henry. Mayhap prayer will save you, my Lord, from the carrion banquet you have left for the crows. Surely the news of Lady Catherine with child is a good sign too. Think you? Certes, my Lord! Why look you so pale?  

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~  My Thoughts ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~  

This episode's emotional highs and lows are quite dramatic. For all the important players here there aren't a lot of high points either! Anybody reading this review who doesn't already know could take the time to find out what happens to Queen Jane or Thomas Cromwell because it is all history for us. The Tudors lifts that veil and invites us into the lives of these people. The passing of so many guilty of rebellion in the King's eyes is traumatic in a louder manner than the passing of the Queen.  

Good Queen Jane leaves us with far more grace and pomp, of course. I found the King's pleading prayers at her bedside quite moving. I bet it never crossed his mind how much familial torment and loss he so recently inflicted on others though. Even his own children are uncertain of his love and support! I found the scene with the two Princesses, Mary and Elizabeth, sharing a sisterly bed and discussing their father to be quite an interesting and intimate one.  

As always, the costumes in The Tudors fascinate me and I often find myself drifting off into admiration for some item that has nothing to do with what is going on. Some beautifully intricate piece of furniture, a gorgeously turned outfit, an interesting piece of jewelry, or a beautiful setting are the usual culprits of my drifting attention. This episode was no different on that count! Mary's bejeweled headpiece while talking with the Spanish ambassador about a marriage offer, and Henry's brown outfit during his bedside scene with Jane were particularly beautiful.  

I know I've seen the King's brown outfit before as it seems to already be a favorite this season. I can easily see why! This complex outfit is an amazing rock n' roll confection of sumptuous textures and well matched colors that just screams Royalty. I like to make medieval costumes and the wealth of inspiration worn already this season will require repeat viewings before I catch them all! See? Easily distracted, but my personal enjoyment of The Tudors' fine details acts like Mary Poppins' spoonful of sweetness to help down the dark or tragic moments in this beautiful spun historical drama.    

Rebekah Wainwright (Lady Catherine Brandon) has had a quietly interesting character throughout the series. Natalie Dormer (Anne Boelyn) and Annabelle Wallis (Jane Seymour) had much more prominent roles of course, and they were very well done. Sarah Bolger (Princess Mary) still has much to come if The Tudors continues on past Henry's reign, and Mary has become a favorite of mine. But some of the smaller roles like Lady Brandon or Ursula Misseldon have been extremely interesting, and I look forward to seeing what else these actor may go on to do.  

The Tudors seems to find new ways to blend history, artistry, and entertainment with every episode. Henry has been, as he should be, a very powerful figure in this series, but I would love to see them carry the series with the same excellence through Elizabeth's reign. A crown jewel of the Showtime treasury, The Tudors is well worth repeated viewings!