The Tudors - Television Season 1 Review

Since I began playing the newly released Crusader Kings 3, I've developed a much deeper appreciation and understanding for the royal affairs of the Middle Ages. Considering I suck at the game, I felt that I needed advice from someone with experience on ruling over uncooperative vassals and adulterous wenches. The first name that came to mind was King Henry VIII, however he appears to have been dead for quite some time. Thankfully, all is not lost as I can at least retrace the mad king's steps through this show. 

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Where You Can Find It: I caught this one on Netflix, however I must admit that I originally viewed this series the first time on DVD.

General Information
The Tudors is a historical drama based on the real life of King Henry VIII. It was produced by a collaboration of American, Canadian, and English companies in which it was initially released on Showtime Networks. Season one was initially released on 1 April 2007 and was quickly renewed for a second season on the same month. It was nominated for the Golden Globe for Best Drama Series in 2007 and its main star, Jonathan Rhys Meyers was also nominated for an additional Golden Globe as Best Actor in a Television Drama. Despite that, the show received only slightly above-average reviews. Something I thought was interesting in my research on this show was that it was primarily filmed in Ireland instead of England. It was also apparently a huge hit in Ireland, as the majority of its awards were received from film guilds there.

The Story
King Henry VIII (played by Jonathan Rhys Meyers) is entering the world of international politics as a young man while struggling to have a son with Queen Katherine (his dead-brother's wife). Near the beginning of the season, Henry suffers an accident that makes him realize his own mortality and pushes him to question why he cannot have sons. This coincides with a plot by the Boleyn family to use their daughters to seduce the king and earn his favor. Anne Boleyn (Natalie Dormer) wins his affections, which causes him to pursue an annulment with Katherine in favor of remarrying Anne.

What is seen as a simple matter of marital relations becomes the backdrop for a cutthroat battle of intrigue as pro-Katherine factions attempt to block the annulment while pro-Boleyn factions try to push the issue through. As it is an annulment, and not a simple divorce, the Catholic Church plays a predominant role in the story with Cardinal Thomas Wolsey (Sam Neil) acting as a major influence. While this is all going on, the court must cautiously mind the mercurial mood of Henry.

I really enjoyed this first season as it really takes it's time with the story it wants to present. I'm aware that much of the events of the show have been compressed to maintain the dramatic momentum, but I was able to really appreciate that Anne's seduction of Henry was lengthy and well-planned. The show could've easily jumped straight to Henry having Anne as a mistress, but showed welcome restraint in this. Henry's impending collision with the Catholic Church is another element that I was glad was prolonged as it showed how Henry was willing to bend over backwards and exhaust all avenues of getting his annulment.

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But isn't that your job though?

Something else that I think this show does really well is that it keeps the sense of intrigue and drama pumping despite the fact that these are (mostly) historical figures in which many viewers know how the story/characters will end. Unlike Game of Thrones, we sort of know who will die and who won't die, but the story remains as compelling. I personally loved Wolsey's predicament as he was essentially forced to pursue an objective he did not want as he hates the Boleyns. The only issue I had with this season was its relatively tame finale. A major character dies, however much of the plot did not seem to be at a good pausing point.

Special Effects/Atmosphere

There were times that this show looks a little too clean or neat, however the dialogue of the show makes me believe this is almost intentional as there seems to be a Shakespearean vibe to it all. The sterilized feel is typically only noticeable in scenes that are outdoors, as the indoor set-design looks really great. The costume design really makes everything come to life as the outfits look incredible and are even more noticeable in international settings like when Henry goes to France.

As far as special effects go, I have no complaints about the few actions sequences, however viewers should know that this is a show that is mainly about people talking. I believe there is one scene near the beginning where there is some blatantly awful green screen that looked like a screening of Pirates of the Caribbean was going on behind Henry as he spoke.

The Acting
There are quite a few performers that blew me away with this show. First and foremost is Natalie Dormer's portrayal of Anne Boleyn. She makes the art of seduction come off naturally easy, and her ability to transition from simpering smile to disgusted sneer is amazing. I think season two will give her even more opportunities to flex her acting muscles and I'm excited to see how she does in future work.

I have to admit that my knowledge of Sam Neil is almost completely restricted to the Jurassic Park series as he plays one of the main protagonists, Dr. Alan Grant. This show gives Neil a lot more to work with as Cardinal Wolsey's blends deception with sincerity so well that you can never truly know when he's being honest or not. Neil managed to make me both root for and against the same character in a single season, and I'd argue that his performance in this show outshines his time with Steven Spielberg.

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Goldblum isn't here to save Sam Neil this time

This remains the only show that I've seen Jonathan Rhys Meyers in. As the main character of the series, much of this show rests on his shoulders and it's far from an easy task as King Henry VIII is anything but a simple role to play. Nearly every episode involves shouting and threatening, but Rhys Meyers meets his challenge with enthusiasm. Like Neil, Rhy Meyers takes an unlikable character and somehow convinces the viewers to be both disgusted and sympathetic to his cause.

Lastly, I want to point out that Henry Cavill (as Charles Brandon), Maria Doyle Kennedy (Queen Katherine), James Frain (Thomas Cromwell), and Jeremy Northam (Sir Thomas More) all provide an excellent supporting cast. This show was the first show I'd seen that involved many of these performers and they all really help it shine. I'm somewhat dismayed that Henry Cavill took the action hero route in his career after this show, as I think this series demonstrates he has the ability to act in a drama. The only actors I actively disliked was Gabrielle Anwar (Margaret Tudor) and Callum Blue (Sir Anthony Knivert). Anwar's over-the-top feistiness just didn't mix well with the show's themes and Blue was just forgettable.

The Best of the Best: Watching Sam Neil lie so well that both the audience and the characters don't know where his intentions lay.

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Bless you, Sam

The Worst of the Worst: Any use of green screen is so noticeable that I wish they had just gone with a cheaper alternative. I was hoping Captain Jack Sparrow would interrupt Henry's discussion with the Spanish emperor to ask why the rum is gone.

Calhooey Score: 8/10 - Great

Would I Recommend?

Tudors scratches that Medieval period-drama itch with a great focus on court intrigue and politics instead of the standard swordfights. If you like stuff like Game of Thrones, then I think you'll dig this one too. In all honesty, I actually like this more than Game of Thrones.

-------------------------------------------------Spoiler Comments-----------------------------------------------------

• Cardinal Wolsey's pimp-hand is strong. Don't drop his jewelry.
• I can't tell if I liked the episode with the sweating sickness plague. There were times when I thought it had some great atmosphere and acting, but then there were other parts where it felt a little cheesy.
• I felt the final episode ended rather abruptly. Wolsey's death may have been a somewhat decent way to end a season, but it just felt like the season ended too fast.
• Speaking of his death, some of the research I did says that Wolsey died from illness, however I like that the show toyed with this as a potential ruse.
• Another death I looked up was Mr. Fish (the guy that Thomas More burned). Wikipedia tells me that Thomas More did not have him executed, however I have no doubt that quite a few people lost their lives at around that time period.
• Just FYI, I'm a little biased when it comes to my boy, Thomas More. He's my favorite of the Catholic saints.
• I never understood why Callum Blue got such high billing in the opening credits for this season. It seems he doesn't show up in the later seasons and his character was relatively small and completely uninteresting the entire season.

----------------------------------------------------References--------------------------------------------------

*Amazon. (n.d.). The Tudors season one cover image. Retrieved from: https://www.amazon.com/Tudors-Season-Jonathan-Rhys-Meyers/dp/B000P12LWY. 

**WingedFury. (2014, July 8). Seduce me gif. Imgur. Retrieved from: https://imgur.com/gallery/ItsPIde. 

***Cardinal Wolsey Wiki. (n.d.). Cardinal Wolsey image. Fandom. Retrieved from: https://tudors.fandom.com/wiki/Cardinal_Wolsey.
****KrTownley. (2017, July 8). Jeff Goldblum and Sam Neil gif. Tenor. Retrieved from: https://tenor.com/view/lol-yay-awesome-wow-funny-gif-9167654.