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Talk about a WOW episode.  There was so much content and so much ground covered in this eighth episode of season two.  The cast continues to WOW with their range and intensity, the filming continues to WOW with its beauty and the writing continues to WOW us.

This was the episode where we are really introduced to Lady Jane Seymour - the woman who would become King Henry's third wife.  It's clear that Henry is very taken with her and she with him. 

But truth be told - I don't feel the chemistry between these two.  Maybe it's done this way on purpose - as a complete opposite to the courtship he had with Anne.  Anne and Henry were fire and passion.  And although that was very exciting at the start of their relationship - I think that their personalities being so similar (headstrong, stubborn) is part of what led to their downfall.

With Jane, Henry seems to be on his best behavior.  When Henry is nearly killed in a jousting tournament (more on this later) - he believes it's because of Jane that he was saved.  He saw her face in a vision and came back.  Since the accident - he has had her ribbons around his hands.  Ahh, young love.   

As one can imagine, this is not sitting well with Anne.  Even before she has evidence - she is weary of Jane becoming one of her ladies in waiting.  She even mentions that she's afraid to kick her out because of the reaction the King may have.

When Anne finally does stumble across the new lovers in a passionate kiss - she is beside herself in anger and grief.  Although Henry is initially able to calm Anne - she eventually suffers her final miscarriage.  The King is now convinced that he will not be able to have a son with Anne and puts in to motion his plans to take another wife.  He states that his marriage with Anne was guided by witchcraft and shall be null and void.

Despite his downfalls - I've always had a bit of a soft spot for King Henry.  Sure, he can be an arrogant jerk at times.  But the final scene in this episode made me truly hate him.  Maybe because I know what the end result will be and where that leaves Anne.  But I hate how easily - it seems - he was able to write her off.  In this scene - I had to wonder if he ever truly loved Anne or was only with her for his own purposes.  When she was not able to provide him a son - he had no problem finding a way to discard her. 

I have to again applaud Natalie Dormer in this episode.  Her pain and anguish was gut-wrenching to watch.  She knows that she has lost not only her son but also the King.  She is a woman at the end of her rope and she knows it.  For her to call out the King that this is not only her fault but his was a powerful move.  In terms of the series - I think that moment sealed her fate.  For her to call him out on cheating on her and that he broke her heart - you could see it pained him momentarily.  But he immediately gained his composure and went about with his plans.

As previously mentioned, the King was seriously injured in a jousting incident in this episode.  In real life, this injury would be what led to a drastic change in Henry.  What was very telling in this scene was Charles Brandon's behavior towards the Boleyn's.  It's very evident he despises them - and when George went to help the King, Charles pushed him aside.

It was very interesting to see the plan that was put into motion had the King not lived.  Elizabeth would become Queen and Thomas Boleyn (Anne's father) would have become Lord Protector.  In essence, he would have been the King.  Life would have been much different for the Boleyn family had the King not lived. 

I found it very touching how devastated Anne was during this situation.  Again - I think she truly loved and cared for him.  How interesting it was to see her praying in church and to then have Cromwell follow in behind her.  They share brief glances - but I was struck by the fact that this was a man she had really called to task the previous episode.  And it became very evident in this episode that Cromwell does not care for her.

Another interesting element of this episode involved the Pope declaring that he would ex-communicate the King.  And not only that - but he was calling on the King of France to declare war against England.  Although the King of France seemed in agreement about ex-communicating King Henry, he did not seem to want to take on the battle of war with England.  I thought it was a bit funny that the Pope could've cared less and everyone started applauding the move.

King Henry is also in the process of renewing his relationship with the King of Spain.  It's a tricky prospect as he was Queen Katherine's nephew.  The King of Spain agrees to a reconciled relationship - and even acknowledging Anne as the Queen but only under one condition - that Lady Mary be recognized as the King's legitimate heir.  That should be interesting.

Other interesting notes:

-  I thought it was rather telling that with Jane Seymour, we now have the same father/brother situation that we had with Anne.  They seem a little easier on her though - actually asking if she wants to be Queen. 

-  George Boleyn's wife finds out the truth that he is having a relationship with Mark Smeaton.  Was she really that surprised?  Seems she had been on to the fact before they were even married.  Quite the dramatic one, Mrs. Boleyn.

-  Wyatt seems rather torn up over a girl that he was only involved with briefly (at least on the series).  Granted, her death was hard to stumble upon - I'm sure.  Speaking of which - have we ever determined why exactly she killed herself? 

Next week should be an amazing episode.  I'm really having to restrain myself to not watch it via OnDemand.  It's the beginning of the downfall of Queen Anne Boleyn.  I suspect we're going to see great things again from the cast next week - particularly Natalie, Jonathan and Nick Dunning.

Until next time!

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