This is a weekly discussion of The Tudors. SPOILERS below!
I know I’ve mentioned this before, but this show is moving so fast! I can’t believe Queen Jane is dead already. The show has managed to cover almost a year and a half in just 4 episodes. (Henry and Jane married in May 1536 and she died in October 1537).
I’m really glad we are done with the whole peasant rebellion thing. I think the show does much better when it focuses on intrigue. The whole Robert Aske situation was heartbreaking – I had a lot of trouble watching the scenes with him. I am glad that Charles Brandon showed up to his hanging. It seems as though he will be haunted by what he has done for some time, though he told his wife that he has a clear conscience.
I do like it when the show is subtle, rather than depicting gory violence. Brandon saying the Lord’s Prayer while listening to the villager’s screams was much more effective than actually showing them being rounded up and murdered (and/or hanged.) Though after that, they showed the body of the child, along with all the other bodies, which was horrible.
One thing I have liked about the peasant rebellion scenes, especially in this episode, was their juxtaposition with life at court. They are two completely different worlds.
Mary seems eager for marriage, though from history, we know that this marriage doesn’t actually end up taking place. I wonder what goes wrong for her? It’s amazing how much Henry has come to rely on Mary in the short time she has been back at court. It’s nice that the formality in their relationship has melted away a bit.
Ahh, Jane. I was sad to see Jane go – I felt like we hardly got to know her. I know I said earlier that I didn’t think Henry actually loved Jane, but I take that back. This episode has some of the most tender moments between the two of them, from when she was washing her hair to his prayer at her deathbed. I think he held her at an arm’s length until she got pregnant. And it was touching that he saw her as more than a baby-making machine, which is what I was a little afraid of.
It’s easy to see Henry being horrible to those around him, but hard to remember how much heartbreak he suffered. First Anne (who he was convinced betrayed him) and now Jane – it has to be difficult. I wonder if he’s going to just lose it after this.
This was a great episode. I felt like the season has been a little off so far, but this one put it right back on track. Also, the show (unsurprisingly) was renewed for another season, and at this rate that will probably take us to the end of Henry’s life!
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I love The Tudors. I like how they touch on the the different things that go on throughout Henry VIII’s reign. I amazed out how they rushed through his marriage with Jane. Princess Mary does eventually marry but not during her father’s reign. She marries Phillip of Spain and its an unhappy marriage as they are rarely together.
I love The Tudors. I like how they touch on the the different things that go on throughout Henry VIII’s reign. I amazed out how they rushed through his marriage with Jane. Princess Mary does eventually marry but not during her father’s reign. She marries Phillip of Spain and its an unhappy marriage as they are rarely together.
@Shannan – I love the show as well, it’s so well done. Re: Mary, I definitely know the history, but I am always curious about how the show will handle events, as it is not always historically accurate!
@Shannan – I love the show as well, it’s so well done. Re: Mary, I definitely know the history, but I am always curious about how the show will handle events, as it is not always historically accurate!
This *was* a great episode. I loved that scene with Brandon alone saying the Lord’s Prayer. That was so well done. And poor Aske…
I hadn’t realized that Mary and Jane were that close. But the birth scenes showed Mary’s steadfastness.
I loved the hair washing scene; it was so tender.
I’m guessing the show will have Henry block any marriage of Mary’s that would strengthen Catholic ties.
Like I said on Twitter, I wonder if we are going to get to see any of Elizabeth’s childhood.
So we will see Anne of Cleves next and then next season is Katherine Howard and Catherine Parr. Do we know if the show will continue? I hope so.
This *was* a great episode. I loved that scene with Brandon alone saying the Lord’s Prayer. That was so well done. And poor Aske…
I hadn’t realized that Mary and Jane were that close. But the birth scenes showed Mary’s steadfastness.
I loved the hair washing scene; it was so tender.
I’m guessing the show will have Henry block any marriage of Mary’s that would strengthen Catholic ties.
Like I said on Twitter, I wonder if we are going to get to see any of Elizabeth’s childhood.
So we will see Anne of Cleves next and then next season is Katherine Howard and Catherine Parr. Do we know if the show will continue? I hope so.
Oh, I forgot to comment on Henry’s wound — I think the ramifications of that had to affect his mood and patience. He was in pain, he was getting fat, and the wound was supposed to have emitted a foul odor. By the time Catherine Parr married him, he must have been pretty unappealing.
Oh, I forgot to comment on Henry’s wound — I think the ramifications of that had to affect his mood and patience. He was in pain, he was getting fat, and the wound was supposed to have emitted a foul odor. By the time Catherine Parr married him, he must have been pretty unappealing.
I read online the show will not continue past next season and will depict Henry’s last two marriages. The synopsis with a quote or two from JRM was that he was glad it would be ending because he was not interested in gaining the weight required to portray Henry in later years. It was apparently difficult for him to depict Elvis at his heavier stage of life and the thought of having to gain that much weight again did not appeal to him.
I wish SHO would reconsider the decision to end after next season and have another actor portray Henry. I too would like to see Mary’s reign and Elizabeth’s.
This episode was a mixed bag of highs and lows. I loved the scenes with Henry and Jane and for the most part Charles, although there were a couple of spots that seemed like the writers just threw something out there and left it hanging. Like his wife mentioning she is with child and then walking away. We get that she was not happy he had to be brutal “for his king” but that comment just sort of hung in the air and then nothing.
Eye-Patch guy (I’m forgetting his name right now) is beginning to grow on me. I didn’t like him at all at first, probably due to his harsh comments to Mary, but his character is beginning to have some greater depth.
Can’t wait till Sunday night.
I read online the show will not continue past next season and will depict Henry’s last two marriages. The synopsis with a quote or two from JRM was that he was glad it would be ending because he was not interested in gaining the weight required to portray Henry in later years. It was apparently difficult for him to depict Elvis at his heavier stage of life and the thought of having to gain that much weight again did not appeal to him.
I wish SHO would reconsider the decision to end after next season and have another actor portray Henry. I too would like to see Mary’s reign and Elizabeth’s.
This episode was a mixed bag of highs and lows. I loved the scenes with Henry and Jane and for the most part Charles, although there were a couple of spots that seemed like the writers just threw something out there and left it hanging. Like his wife mentioning she is with child and then walking away. We get that she was not happy he had to be brutal “for his king” but that comment just sort of hung in the air and then nothing.
Eye-Patch guy (I’m forgetting his name right now) is beginning to grow on me. I didn’t like him at all at first, probably due to his harsh comments to Mary, but his character is beginning to have some greater depth.
Can’t wait till Sunday night.