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Everything has been
building up to this episode. The undeniable chemistry between
Henry and Anne finally comes to a head. The Queen seems aware
that something different is happening with her husband - that his
admiration for one of her ladies in waiting isn't only skin deep.
And we see Margaret put into motion an event that will change her
life. What was fantastic about this episode was not only in
how in satisfied the viewers desires but also "wetted the appetite",
to quote Mr. Boleyn, for things to come.
 This
episode was very focused on three main relationships: Princess
Margaret and Charles Brandon, Queen Catherine and King Henry, and of
course the King and Anne Boleyn.
At the end of last
week's episode, I couldn't stand Princess Margaret. There was
something incredibly annoying about her. She seemed spoiled
and entitled. That all changed this episode. There is
still a fire in her - a trait that I believe she shares with her
brother. In this episode, however, there were a few moments
where another side of her emerged. When she was marching up
the aisle to marry the very scary King of Portugal, you wanted to
make her run the other way. Even during that scene it was very
evident how the whole tragedy was going to get played out.
Gabrielle Anwar did an amazing job in this episode.
The relationship
between Margaret and Brandon is complex. At the beginning, I
couldn't help but wonder if she was with him to a) get out of
her marriage or b) tick off her brother. I suspect it was a
little of both. It becomes very evident though that there is a
mutual affection between the two. That it wasn't just fun and
games. And maybe I'm crazy, but I get the impression that
Margaret is something of a female version of Brandon. I get
the sense that she has had some wild fun in her days. That is
part of what makes their match so wonderful to watch. They
taunt each other, they play off of each other - but you also get the
sense that they have deep feelings for one another. The look
in Brandon's eyes when Margaret was marrying the King of Portugal
was priceless. You could see it was killing him. And for
the wild playboy of the King's Court to want to be distraught over a
woman - that's definitely saying something. And for the
record, who knew card playing could be so steamy?
Next we get into
the relationship between Queen Catherine and King Henry. I
continue to be blown away by Maria Doyle Kennedy's portrayal.
With a quick glance of her eyes, you can tell everything she is
thinking. She continues to be this perfect mixture of
strength, vulnerability and heartache. Your heart hurts with
her for what she's going through. She loves Henry with all her
heart and would move heaven and earth to give him a son. But
it's the one thing she can't provide him. And it's the one
thing he won't live without.
Anyone have guesses
what the note was that the Queen wanted to have delivered to her
nephew, the King of Spain?
Email us!
In this episode it
also becomes very clear that the Queen knows that Anne Boleyn and
her husband have something going on. Again - it's nothing she
said. It was all with the eyes. Her eyes were telling
the entire story. And in that one instant - you become a bit
angry at Henry for being such a jerk and cheating on his wife.
That is - until ....
 You
see Henry and Anne together. Finally, after three episodes of
taunting and teasing, we get to see them interact on a more intimate
level. Gone are the cute curtsey's, the dream sequences, and
the stolen glances. And Henry isn't holding back. Aside
from sending her beautiful jewels, which she returned (go Anne!), he
lets her know that he desires her with all his heart. Nothing
like cutting to the chase!
I'm also amused by
his jealousy. From asking her former lover Thomas Wyatt if he
loved her to nearly choking Anne and asking who she was "dallying"
with - he definitely isn't about to let anyone get in his way of
what he wants. He is beside himself with desire for Anne.
I loved the scene when Wolsey was meeting with the King and Henry
was so pre-occupied with thoughts of Anne that he could barely
speak.
Aside from the
relationships, there was a lot of other things at play in this
episode. We are introduced to Thomas Cromwell, someone who
obviously has history with Cardinal Wolsey which can never be a good
thing. We also find out he's a Lutheran. I thought the
analogy that they had planted a seed was a good one - both
figuratively and literally.
The King was also
injured not once but twice in this episode. The first incident
during a jousting match. He forgets to put down his visor and
Knivert knocks him off. When Henry said he was alright and
wanted to go again, Knivert knew he was going to have to take one
for the team. There was no way Henry was going to walk away a
loser. Knivert obviously threw the match and nearly lost an
eye.
The second injury
was far more serious. While showing off and attempting to
vault himself over a tiny ditch, which led me to wonder why couldn't
have walked around it, Henry lands face down in the mud. While
the jokesters in his brat pack laughed away one of Henry's men
jumped in to save him. He was submerged in mud for a spell and
was rather hurt. Does anyone have guesses to what may have
happened to him? It looked to me like maybe he had a fever.
Thoughts? Feel free to
share them with us.
I had to look away when they were drawing his blood.
Fascinating that they thought that could cure you in those days.
Finally, and maybe
most shocking, we are left with the image of Margaret killing her
husband, the King of Portugal. It was fairly evident
when she looked out over the water and knew that Brandon would be
leaving shortly that she had to resolve the situation immediately.
Given that he was so old - will his people assume he died of old
age? Or will they suspect her of foul play?
Random Thoughts and
Questions
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I loved the
guys mocking Henry when he was having relations with the French
woman. Classic. I also loved Brandon telling the
King he'd treat Margaret like his own sister. Her reaction
was priceless.
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LOVED when
Wolsey was reading Henry the response from Martin Luther.
About him being prone to tantrums. I love that upon
hearing that - Henry went into a tantrum. Nicely done.
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I also loved
the log scene with Compton. That guy is a pure jokester.
I think I called it in my
episode 1
review. ;)
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Did you catch
the scene with Tallis and Compton? A bit of foreshadowing.
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I was a bit
baffled that Wolsey was setting up intimate relations for the
King.
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I miss Thomas
More. Can we get more scenes with Thomas More please?
Until next week
.... 
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copyrighted by Showtime Networks, Inc.)
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