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There are so many things that can be said about The Tudors.  The costumes and sets are amazing.  The cast is rich and full of great depth.  In some ways - I'm always waiting for an episode to come along that maybe isn't up to par - that misses the mark of all the elements that make this show what it is.  And each week, I'm reminded that this show is one of the best things on TV.  It just keeps getting better!  How is that possible?  Kudos to everyone involved - not only for the third episode of season three but for all the episodes from the show's run.  You hit it out of the park every time!

This episode was overflowing with strong storylines.  From family dynamics to war to love.  As we continue to watch Henry slip into the tyrant he surely became - I'm mesmerized by the levels that Jonathan Rhys Meyers brings to the character.  He went from hysterical to cunning during the scene when he was discussing with Holbein about the fight the painter had with his mistress Misseldon's fiancé.  His facial expressions were too perfect.  And jokingly screaming at him - "You're an artist!" - it was a riot! 

But I'm getting ahead of myself.  You're all here for somewhat of an episode review and not my blatant admiration and love for all things Tudors.  :)

The episode begins during Christmas 1536.  Lady Mary is now a feature player at Court and is seen seated at the royal area with the King and Jane.  The two women in Henry's life decide to surround him by more ladies - presenting Lady Elizabeth.  I was a bit shocked at how easily Henry accepted her, given how blatant he has been in previous episodes this season about not desiring to take care of her.  And doubting that she was, in fact, his child.  Is he accepting of her now because both Jane and Mary presented her?  Is he accepting because it's the holiday season and he's feeling charitable?  I have no clue - and it would've been nice to have seen it explained a bit.

Even though there is joy in the kingdom at Christmastime, there is also great unrest.  Robert Ask meets with King Henry to discuss the rebellion.  Henry says that he has been persuaded by the writings of Ask and that he is persuaded by the needs of his people and not riches (yeah right!).  Henry states that he'll honor the pledges of Charles Brandon and also that he agrees with Ask about the issues with Cromwell.  Do you buy it? 

Mary goes to see Ask and she wishes him well.  Very interesting that he mentions that he wants her to be Queen, as do a majority of the people of England.  Wonder if this will get back to Henry?

The ever creepy Sir Francis Bryan has taken another mistress.  The man who can't leave well enough alone decides to start an affair with Edward Seymour's wife - that would be the Queen's brothers wife.  Quite the tangled web Bryan weaves.  In some ways I think the guy just has a death wish.  The woman even tells him that if Edward finds out - he'll kill him.  That only seems to encourage Bryan - who later flaunts a little wink in the woman's direction while she's standing right next to her husband.

Speaking of her husband - what is it with all the brothers of the Queen being total jerks?  First we have George Boleyn who was ... well, I'm sure you've seen the episodes.  And now we've got Edward?  The guy couldn't tell his sister that their father had passed away a week prior?  And that he'd already had the funeral?  For goodness sakes - what's the point in that?

Back to mistresses - Henry has continued his affair with Lady Misseldon.  He's so smitten he even had a painting of her done by Hans Holbein.  Another thing I wish we'd see fleshed out a bit more - it's apparent that he's taken with her.  But aside from the brief interlude we saw - there's no explanation for it.  Henry had dozens of mistresses - what is it about this one that makes her special?  Will we get more details? 

Jane finds out that Henry has taken Misseldon for a mistress.  But instead of being upset, she seems rather accepting.  Very different from Anne Boleyn. 

The other huge part of this episode focused on the rebellion.  After initially promising to forgive everyone - he now states that all northerners must sign an oath pledging to honor him.  If they don't sign?  Execution.  Charles Brandon is very concerned by this change of events - the northerners will know that his word is being broken.

I found Brandon's complete switch a bit confusing.  Wasn't it just last week that he was stating to the King that he'd make all kinds of ridiculous pledges that he wouldn't keep?  Why does it matter now?  Why is he getting upset about it?  Did he think he'd have the option of swaying the King towards the pledges?

But Brandon has no choice and must attack the northerners.  They are caught off guard, having believed everything Brandon had told them.  Oops!

Constable, the one who doubted Brandon's word from day one, is forced to face Suffolk.  He admits he led the revolt and is condemned to be tortured at the Tower.  But before he goes, he screams that Brandon broke his promises.  Surprise, surprise.  Brandon issues an execution order for 74 people who won't sign the oath. 

The execution scene was brutal.  It's terrible that so many people were executed for their beliefs.  I can't imagine what it must have felt like for the families of those executed. 

Brandon watches the executions from the sidelines and is obviously distraught.  Brandon has never struck me as the type of guy who was all about war and death.  I think at his core, he wants to do right by the King.  I think back to the episodes in the first season where you really got a feel for what good friends they were.  It's terrible that Brandon is in this position where he has to do something so terrible for fear of losing the love and favor of the King. 

Cromwell, who's equally as sleazy as Bryan but in a very different way, informs Brandon that the King is displeased with him.  Over 40,000 people in the rebellion and he only executed 74?  He has to go back and try harder.  When Brandon discusses with his wife that he has to kill thousands of men, women and children - she asks what he'd do if it were his children he'd have to kill.  And sadly, he admits he'd probably do it.  All to stay in the good graces of the King.  Even with such a bold statement - I have to believe that if it came down to that - Brandon wouldn't do it.  But maybe I'm wrong.

Unfortunately for Robert Ask, he is sent off to the Tower.  He's shocked - Brandon had promised him safety.  I thought the filming of the interrogation between Cromwell and Darcy/Ask was brilliantly done.  Switching between both.  Following the Q&A with Cromwell, Ask is visited by the King.  Henry tries to persuade him to believe that the rebels are vagabonds and not doing the work of God.  We're left watching Henry ponder what to do next.

And then we're taken to a scene with three heads on a stick - always a pleasant sight.  Constable's head is in the middle, surrounded by two other leaders in the rebellion.  Guess Henry got his message across.

And finally - we're left with great news.  The Queen is pregnant!  And not only that - but she's craving quail eggs, yummy!  The King, who is always kind unless he's cheating on you, even has special quail eggs delivered.  He's got to feed his Queen!  How will this all play out next week?  If you saw the previews - you may have an idea.

Until next time!  Don't miss an all new Tudors next Sunday, April 26th at 9pm EST.   

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