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Oftentimes there
are shows that build up a great hype and then are not able to
deliver. After hearing about The Tudors for months, I
was starting to wonder if this would be one of those cases. A
show with great trailers and great press - but one which would fall
flat on screen.
I had nothing to
worry about. The Tudors is a visually stunning and
exhilarating masterpiece.
 Our
first introduction to His Royal Majesty finds him in a furious
anger. His uncle, Ambassador for Italy, has been murdered by
the French and young King Henry is ready for war. This first
impression leads us to believe that this King is powerful and in
control. It's only later in the episode that we realize the
young Henry is persuaded by people around him who seemingly only
have their best interests at heart.
We see that King
Henry is passionate in many regards - from his friendships, to his
athleticism, and to his relationships with women. He seems a
loyal and steadfast friend who is very close with his inner circle
(Charles Brandon and William Compton). He is also a man who
excels in sports. But his overwhelming passion appears to be
his admiration for the women in his court.
Speaking of which -
can someone explain to me what Henry was doing with that fruit
before he went to visit his wife, Catherine of Aragaon? It
seems obvious that he was doing something so that he would get out
of his "duties" - but what was the purpose?
Email me and let me know!
Back on topic, we
find out that one of Henry's conquests has resulted in a pregnancy.
I found it fascinating how cold the Cardinal was to Lady Blount.
Given his role in the church - I would have expected him to be more
warm. That was the first inkling that maybe this Cardinal
wasn't who he seemed to be. That maybe he was one of the
people in the King's inner circle who was in it for himself.
That said - you do have to respect the Cardinal in some manner for
persuading the King to handle the issue of his Uncle's passing by
signing a peace treaty as opposed to invoking a war. Even
still - you know his reasons for doing so aren't pure. And it
makes him a very troubling character.
I especially
enjoyed the scene of Sir Thomas More at home with his family
immediately following the excitement that was taking place at
Whitehall Palace. It was an interesting means of showing the
differences and further validated why Sir Thomas More did not want
to live with the Court. But even at the end of the first
episode - I'm not clear on Mr. More. I don't believe him to be
corrupt like the Cardinal is. Unless you look it up on
Wikipedia, you won't know the answer. Does anyone have any
guesses what was going on with his back during the scene when he was
praying?
 The
cast that is assembled for this show is phenomenal. Jonathan
Rhys Meyers is King Henry VIII. He deserves an award
for his role. I loved it when Henry was asking Thomas Boleyn
about the King of France - whether he was vain. What was most
amusing is that it appears there is no one more vain than Henry
himself. It was an interesting dialogue that really gave
insight into the King. That scene alone makes it appear that
the King really wasn't interested in avenging the murder of his
Uncle. But rather that he wanted be the one in control.
And he wants to better - in all regards - than the other King's.
Sam Neill is perfect as the corrupt Cardinal Wolsey. Maria Doyle Kennedy brings a great mixture of strength
and confusion to her role as Henry's first wife - Catherine of
Aragon. And of course I'm endlessly amused by Henry's jesters
- Henry Cavill as Charles Brandon and Kris Holden-Reid as William
Compton. What a merry bunch of jokesters. One has to
wonder if that group ever takes anything seriously.
And then there is
Natalie Dormer as the ill-fated Anne Boleyn. We've only just
seen a glimpse - and of course we can't wait to see more!
Until next week
....
(images are
copyrighted by Showtime Networks, Inc.)
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