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The show keeps getting better and better.  How is that even possible?

First, allow me to speculate on who I think cloaked figure is that wants Anne removed.  If you don't want to read my guess - skip the next two paragraphs.

There were several clues this episode in terms of who the cloaked figure could be.  First, the room in which he was cutting the cards.  It was not a fancy room.  If it were, it might suggest someone higher up in court.  It was an average room.  Second, the boots the cloaked figure was wearing.  I strongly believe I've seen them on someone before.  And not only that - but the apparel the person is wearing in general is not the clothing of someone high up in court.  The person also would have had to been on the trip to France - considering that he almost was able to make good on his promise.  So who do I believe the cloaked figure is?  Thomas Wyatt.

I do not believe that he is doing it because he wants to aide the people who are attempting to bring down the King.  I think he is someone who was burned by Anne and simply wants her to pay for her actions.  When Wyatt was at the table with Smeaton and they were talking about Anne - I found his statement very eerie.  That he keeps attempting to pull himself from the fire, but everywhere he looks - the fire is around him.

So what do you make of my guess?  Do you think I'm right?  If not, let me know!    

Moving on - there is so much going on in each episode these days that it's hard to do them as a straight episode review (from start to finish).  So I'm going to have to break it in to categories.  Hope you don't mind.  :)

Henry & Anne

I love the dynamic between these two this season.  I'm fascinated by how easily Anne is able to calm Henry down when his temper flies off the handle.  When he became enraged that Catherine sent him a goblet for Christmas - there was Anne asking him to not let her ruin their holiday.  His anger quickly subsided and everything went back to normal.

What's also touching this season is to see their playful side.  They seem very at ease with each other.  Anne wants to make Henry proud at all costs and he simply wants to make her happy.  With these early episodes, it's hard to imagine what will come.  Sad - and hard to imagine.

I thought the scene with Anne discovering the card with her head chopped off was priceless.  Bravo to Natalie for hitting the nail on the ... um ... head.  This is the first inkling we've seen that Anne seems to know what her fate will be.  That somehow this fairytale she envisioned for herself may not turn out the way she planned.  And instead of a furious Anne - one we may have seen last season - she seems calm in a very unsettling way.  Does she know that the road she has taken will bring about a terrible outcome?

In this episode Henry also bestowed upon Anne an official title (Marques of Penbrooke) which came with land, a crown and a cape.  Way to go.  She was also bestowed the official jewels of the Queen of England.  Wasn't that nice that Henry offered to take them in for her?  I guess he'll have to do that for all his other wives down the road as well.  Poor things.  Nothing like second hand jewelry.

Henry was also kind enough to take Anne to France and formally introduce her to the King of France as the future Queen.  How fun to see that guy again.  One must wonder what secrets he has on her.  Is it her relationship with Wyatt?  Please don't let it turn out that she had previous relations with the King of France!  I thought it was great to see Mary Boleyn again.  Was rather odd, as five minutes before she appeared on screen I was wondering "Whatever happened to that Mary Boleyn?"  And there she was.  Poor girl, sounds like she has been in a rut since her relationship with Henry.

And finally - Anne and Henry consummated their relationship.  If you know history - you know the outcome isn't what Anne would've hoped.  But alas, that seems to be the nature of things with that poor girl.

Charles Brandon

Charles, Charles, CHARLES!  Last season it was a man who was desperate to do anything to please the King.  This season?  He's all about pointing out the woman the King is going to marry has had several previous liaisons.  At the end of the day - and I could be wrong - I think he's pointing these things out because he truly cares about Henry and doesn't want him to screw up his life. 

Either way - it was amusing to see him banished from court and then very quickly brought back.  Makes me believe that the only reason Henry banished him was to appease Anne.  And once she was satisfied, he brought Charles back.  Silly boys.

Also, I loved that Charles stood up to Mr. Boleyn.  It's no secret that I despise Mr. Boleyn, so I'm really glad to see anyone refusing the guy and putting him in his place.  Go Charles!        

Thomas Moore

Poor Thomas.  One can't help but feel bad for the guy.  He was put in to a public position which he did not desire.  And then the King started going against everything he believes in. 

Thomas has finally had enough and resigns from his role as Chancellor.  Henry allows for the discharge.  In a telling scene - Thomas more or less states that if Henry had reconciled with Catherine - everything would have been repaired.  Thomas knows he has said too much - but one must realize that he had no other choice at this point.  He had to speak his mind.  He walks away and Henry looks like he has just had the wind knocked out of him.  Is it because of what Thomas said or because of what he'll now have to do to his friend?

I thought it was brilliant that when Moore resigned - he said he wants to be in the service of God.  Given that Henry has been forcing everyone to pick a side (me or the church) - Moore's statement was very telling. 

Thomas takes a stroll with his daughter and prepares her for his death.  He asks that the family guide him as a martyr, as it will make his death easier to accept.  He'll be willing to die if he knows he's doing it for the right cause.

The Church

This episode was full of matters relating to the church.  The basic essence is that Henry is demanding all clergy clarify who they are the subjects of - his or the pope?  Henry wants them to be solely devoted to him and not to the church.

After much debate - the clergy agree to be subjects of King Henry.  Moore is devastated by the news.

While I'm on the topic of the church - did I hear Cromwell and Mr. Boleyn properly?  Did they say that it's not their goal to reform the church but to destroy it?  !!??

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All in all - a great episode.  At times I wish the pace could slow down a bit.  As someone who doesn't have a deep understanding of the English Reformation - it would be great to allow more time for understanding.  ;) 

Random Notes

-  Anyone notice how it went from winter to spring rather quickly in this episode? 

-  Why is Wyatt hitting on Lady Elizabeth?  And who is she, exactly?

-  Who in the world is that guy that is always with Mr. Boleyn?  An interesting fellow who always has a smug look on his face.  He must have picked that up from Mr. Boleyn.   

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