THE TUDORS SEASON 3, 3.8
■ FUNDAMENTALS
| Tudors episode: 3.8
| First aired: May 24, 2009
| Tudors season: 3
| Prod. code: | Writer(s): Michael Hirst
| Director(s):
Jeremy Podeswa
| Name of Episode:
The Undoing of Cromwell | | Guest star(s): |
Mini-synopsis:
Anne of Cleves is doing her best to settle into her new role as Henry's Queen. She informs Princess Mary Tudor that her cousin, Duke Philip of Bavaria, would like to come and meet the King's first daughter, but Mary remains unmoved by the prospect of a Protestant suitor. It's now a month since the wedding, but speculation still surrounds the consummation of the King's marriage. The rumors have substance: Anne leaves the virile Henry cold and he takes no comfort from her patience and understanding. He confesses his difficulties to Brandon but believes that there must be some deeper reason for his bedroom boredom -- it cannot be his fault! He recalls that Anne had already been promised to the Duke of Lorraine's son before he married her. This is why God will not permit him to have a child with her -- it can only be a divine power that curbs his sexual appetites. The King's disinterest in his new wife reflects badly on Cromwell, who pushed through the hasty marriage with Anne. In a desperate mood, he implores the Queen to ‘please' the King -- get pregnant as quickly as possible. Deeply embarrassed and upset, Anne claims that she is doing the best she can. Despite her earlier indifference to meeting a Protestant Duke, Mary finds herself unexpectedly responsive to the dashing and handsome Philip, cousin of her stepmother. Although she maintains an outward indifference, she swoons when she overhears Philips description of her as ‘...the most beautiful creature on God's earth.' Enter into the picture the prostitute-like Katherine Howard (Tamzin Merchant) - barely 17 years old - has been brought to the court where she has had an ‘extreme make-over' supervised by Anne, Edward Seymour's wife. Now transformed into a beautiful young woman, she may be just the tonic for the King's waning desire. At a court banquet, Brandon presents to His Majesty the legal papers he requested which prove that Anne was promised to the Duke of Lorraine's son. With such evidence - and the embarrassing fact that the marriage has not been consummated - there seem ample grounds for divorce. But Henry hardly registers this liberating news. He is transfixed by the presence of Katherine Howard, who has been artfully introduced to court by Edward Seymour and Brandon. Alone in his private chambers, her unaffected vitality stirs the world-weary Henry; her youth and beauty intoxicates his tired body and soul. Meanwhile, Philip seduces a very willing Mary. She feels emotion she didn't think herself capable of. Yet her fragile happiness is short-lived. Perhaps realizing what is about to become of Anne, their King has ordered his immediate return to Bavaria. Henry instructs Cromwell to gift Katherine Howard some lands and houses. And he assures Cromwell, that despite recent hiccups, he continues to hold him in high esteem and trust. Perhaps inspired by such faith, Cromwell convenes a meeting with the Catholic Bishop Gardiner - one of his most fervent opponents - and holds out a hand of reconciliation. It works; both sides promise to put differences aside and proceed in friendship. Henry is smitten...and rejuvenated. He visits Katherine Howard's small house in disguise. They make love on the straw-covered floor. The King's change in mood appears to favor Cromwell most of all. He is made Earl of Essex and magnanimously Vice-Regent and High Chamberlain of England. His power is now absolute, second only to the King's. But his untouchable status is short-lived. In an extraordinary development, Brandon bursts in on a meeting of the Court Council declaring Cromwell a ‘traitor.' His display is aided by the Seymour brothers and Cromwell is forcibly removed - in a state of shock - by Royal guards. In one fell swoop, Cromwell has gone from being the most powerful man in the land to a prisoner in the Tower of London. Henry explains to his nervous new Queen that he is sending her away for a while - to his palace at Richmond - for her health and happiness. She remains unaware that Edward Seymour and the King's counselors are making preparations for the annulment of their marriage. When Anne is informed by the King's representatives of his majesty's decision to annul their marriage, she is stunned. The King now wishes to refer to her as his ‘sister.' All is not lost however -- she will be granted a handsome annual income and several properties. Deprived of any choice, she goes quietly. Cromwell's end is also in sight, but is far less noble. The once all-powerful mastermind of the Reformation is to be hanged alongside an insane and common criminal. His enemies make sure to humiliate him to the very end. As he speaks his last words on the scaffold insisting on his loyalty and faith, his King is far away with his new mistress Katherine, surveying the most magnificent palace he has ever constructed... | | | | 
OUR SEXY KING HENRY VIII
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