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Where to begin, where to begin?
Okay, so I was wrong on
my guess of who the cloaked figure was. I started getting
emails on Monday about who most people thought was the assassin.
Charles Brandon was the person with the most votes. Then I
received an email from someone who had already seen episode three
and let me know I might be disappointed.
 First
and foremost, I'm not able to find anything by doing a quick search
on Google for an assassination plot relating to Anne. Was
there one? If so,
let me know. Assuming that there wasn't - I find this
storyline a bit far fetched. Was it done for dramatic
purposes? As you may know - I'm not one to find fault with the
lack of historical accuracies with the show. But this one did
seem a bit out of the norm. Someone actually being killed at
Anne's coronation? A bit odd - if it never really happened.
Anyways - the situation with the cloaked figure was a bit
anti-climatic. The suspense that was built around this
character for two episodes was intense. To have it be some
random person who hadn't been involved with the show thus far was a
bit of a let down. That said - it was interesting to see that
the Pope was aware of the plot and supportive of it. And not
only that - but encouraged the cloaked figure to return to England
and become a martyr. Interesting stuff.
This
episode was incredibly fast paced. We go quickly from Anne and
Henry consummating their relationship, to Anne becoming pregnant, to
their secret wedding, Anne's eventual coronation and the birth of
her first daughter, Elizabeth.
But
what's that they say in the opening credits? That you have to
go back to the beginning?
I
found it rather comical that Mr. Boleyn's henchmen along with that
of Charles Brandon were having a sword fight over name calling in
regards to Anne. Is that really necessary? Brandon's guy
was outnumbered and murdered. You know this fight will only
further fuel the bad blood between Boleyn and Brandon.
Thomas Cranmer has been named Archbishop of Canterbury.
Although I'm sure Henry had faith that he was the right man for the
job - I think he was more motivated by having Cranmer finally annul
his marriage to Catherine. The Pope was accepting of the
appointment, pondering what harm a "nobody" could inflict on their
church. Oh, if only you knew.
Despite Cranmer's official decree about the annulment of Catherine
and Henry, the Pope condemns the separation. He states that
the marriage between Anne and Henry is null and void. And that
Henry has until September to reunite with Catherine or he will be
excommunicated.
How
touching was the scene when Charles Brandon went to visit Catherine?
Although he goes there on behalf of the King - advising her she can
not use her title, that her household expenses are cut, etc. - you
can tell he is absolutely torn up at having to do so. When
Thomas Moore visits her later, at a point at which she is sick and
frail, he lets her know that he is advising everyone to stand up for
her and speak their minds about what has happened. So many
people are on her side. And her speech about sorrow and God?
Beautiful. No one could have delivered that more eloquently
than Maria Doyle Kennedy.
 Speaking
of brilliant performances - how wonderful was Natalie Dormer in this
episode? At the beginning of the episode - Anne seemed very
sure of herself. But it quickly becomes apparent that she is
scared. Almost immediately following her coronation - it seems
that the relationship between her and Henry changes. They go
from being very close to being very distant. And the smile
which had constantly been on her face has now disappeared. She
seems unhappy.
Anne
doesn't further her cause when she turns down Henry's advances.
Sure, she's late in her pregnancy - but he seems rather put off by
the whole situation.
Which
leads to a rather comical scene with Charles and Henry. You
have to love that the second Charles sees an opportunity to get
Henry away from Anne - he does so. He arranges a little get
together between the King and one of Anne's ladies - Lady Eleanor.
They play chess ... and well, you know where that goes.
And
finally - Anne gives birth to a baby. Both she and Henry were
certain it would be a son. Henry was walking around court
boasting about it. Imagine their surprise when the child born
is a girl. That little girl would later be regarded widely as
one of the greatest rulers England has ever known - Queen Elizabeth
I.
When
Anne said she was sorry to Henry for the fact that she had a
daughter, my heart just broke for her. And his reaction ... so
frustrating. Although the words he said were comforting - that
they'd have plenty of time to have boys - the tone with which he
said it was frustrating. And that he went from Anne's bedside
to Lady Eleanor's was infuriating.
I
guess the old King Henry is back.
Random
Notes
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I love that Anne continues to taunt Wyatt with her status. And
not only that - but teasing him about her being pregnant.
There are times where she can be rather dignified but also times
where she can be rather childish. And I love that he falls for
it every single time.
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I'm sure I'm the only one who was laughing when they hid the guy
killed by the assassin under a table. And things just kept on
rolling. Nicely done. :)
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Smeaton hitting on George Boleyn? Classic.
(images are
copyrighted by Showtime Networks, Inc.)
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