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 The
fifth episode of Season Two of The Tudors was the best episode of
the series thus far. It's not hard to understand why this is
the episode they chose for Emmy consideration. If Jeremy
Northam, Jonathan Rhys Meyers and Natalie Dormer are not at least
nominated - it will be an outrage. And if the show isn't
nominated for an Emmy - there will be no words.
Again
I was floored by the performances of Jeremy, Jonathan and Natalie.
There are so many more rich layers to these characters this season.
Jonathan mentioned in a recent podcast that last season was were
they were trying to get their footing. But now they know these
characters inside and out. And they play them differently.
This
episode was heart wrenching. We knew this day would come -
that Sir Thomas Moore would be executed for not taking the oath.
It's written in the history books - there really was no way around
it.
Jeremy is playing Sir
Thomas Moore with such strength and such dignity. He remains
committed to his conscience. When his family begs and pleads
with him to take the oath - he again stays true to his beliefs.
He knows that his family will be pushed in to poverty - but asks
that they not be angry with him. That this is what he must
do.
I found the speeches
that both Moore and Fisher gave at their executions to be
beautifully written. The fact that Moore asked for those
watching his execution to pray for King Henry was very touching.
And that he also wanted the King to know that he died still being
his loyal servant, but God's servant first. An important
distinction.
Henry's response to
Moore's execution was painful to watch. A scream of total
pain. This was not the outcome he desired. It's evident
by the multiple opportunities he had given to Thomas to take the
oath. But as Henry mentioned in another beautifully written
speech in front of the cross - why was Thomas Moore's vanity more
important than that of a King? I guess if you put yourself in
each of their shoes - their pride was at the heart of it all.
Moore's belief in his faith was strong and he was not going to be
swayed. And Henry's belief in the actions which he had to take
were strong. The clash of their pride led to Thomas Moore's
execution. But as is evident (and I believe also documented
historically) - it took a toll on Henry.
As a side note - did
anyone notice Henry's reaction to Anne and her family walking into
the home? My immediate take on that scene was that he was
wondering if she had really been worth all this. He became
supreme head of church and state so that he could marry her.
Was it worth it? Was it worth the execution of his dear friend
Sir Thomas Moore? It appeared to me that Henry was beginning
to have his doubts.
Natalie also continues
to shine as Anne Boleyn. She suffered a miscarriage in this
episode. If anyone is curious - the words that she says when
Henry walks away from her bed after stating that they must keep it a
secret was - "Thank you, your majesty." I had to rewind it to
hear it - as she said it so softly.
One of the things I
despise about Henry - but I'm sure was custom back in those days -
is his complete lack of sympathy for Anne when she goes through
trials and tribulations. Could he not have comforted her a
little after she miscarried? And the scene later in the show
where he comes to her bed and asks her not to weep - was that
sincere? I couldn't really tell. What are your thoughts?
Email them to us.
 Even though Henry's
actions might get under my skin a bit - no one upsets me more than
her father Thomas Boleyn. WHAT A JERK! To be attacking
her - that she must have done something wrong to lose the baby?
Who is he kidding??!! And then when he got on his high horse
about Mary marrying a commoner - I was just floored. History
has shown that Anne was quite frustrated by her sister Mary's
actions. But in this episode, it appeared that at the start of
the conversation - she wasn't nearly as angry as her father was.
And she banished her from court because she knew it was what her
father was demanding. But maybe I misread that too. :)
It also appeared in this
episode like Anne was going a little crazy, no? Smearing the
wine all over her lips was a bit odd. But then it became
apparent that she's very concerned about about Elizabeth becoming
Queen of England. As her brother pointed out - given the act
of succession, she has nothing to worry about. But she's also
very aware that Henry can take away what he has given. Very
aware. But to want Lady Mary dead? Seems a tad odd.
I wrote this on our
forums
last week - but wanted to bring it up in this episode review as
well. I'm struck by the fact that Anne has absolutely no one
around her that supports her. Her father is corrupt.
Henry shows little support or sympathy for her. Her brother -
although he seems at times like he cares - seems to only be doing
the work of his father. And her sister is off in her own
little world. It's a shame that Anne has no one she can lean
on.
Overall - a wonderful
episode. I've never been brought close to tears by this show,
but this one was close! I was very moved by the words Sir
Thomas Moore spoke before his execution. No longer having
Jeremy Northam as part of The Tudors will be a tremendous loss.
I will truly miss his presence on the show. And as we all know
- we'll be losing another key player in the series before the end of
Season Two. I suspect that one will hit me even harder.
I've heard from a lot of you that you are also not happy with the
series of events that will unfold in the last episode. I hear
you, loud and clear.
Random
Notes:
- What was up with
Henry picking up that random chick in the woods? Was it just
to show that he can?
- I love Charles
Brandon and want to see more of him. It looks like that will
happen with the next episode, where he goes back to being the jerk
we all know and love. :)
- It almost
appeared that Anne was flirting with Smeaton. Guess she
doesn't know that he's involved with her brother?
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copyrighted by Showtime Networks, Inc.)
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