Jonathan Rhys Meyers in "The Tudors"
courtesy of SHOWTIME
"The Tudors" (SHOWTIME)

"The Tudors" is winding down its first installment of episodes. The season will conclude on June 10 and up till then there will be a new episode each Sunday night at 10. There are already plans afoot to have a follow up season next year that will take the tale of Henry VIII and his fits and foibles even further.

In the meantime the story of Henry (Jonathan Rhys Meyers) is focusing on his plan to rid himself of his wife, Katherine of Aragon (Maria Doyle Kennedy, so he can wed the women who has him in thrall, Anne Boleyn (Natalie Dormier). This means he must have Katherine put on trial so that he can prove their marriage was invalid.

Overriding all this is the fate of Cardinal Wolsey (Sam Neill). He has been riding high in Henry's favor but suddenly his inability to get an annulment of Henry's marriage from the Pope brings him crashing down. He takes desperate measures to shore up his supporters but it seems his fate has been written in stone.

All of this makes for fascinating viewing. Children could learn from this history lesson were it not that the film is full of graphic nudity and sexual situations. There also scenes of persons being burned at the stake and beheaded.

The acting in this series gets better and better. Jonathan Rhys Meyers has grown into the role of Henry and now has his obsessiveness down to a science. Henry is a spoiled pampered king who lives by "my way or the highway." He is determined to get rid of Katherine, no matter the cost. He will sacrifice everything to reach that goal.

Dormier is wily and seductive as Anne Boleyn. She is a pawn in the game of politics in her country and she is a willing participant. She knows how to press all of Henry's buttons, and she does so with glee. At the other end of the spectrum is Maria Doyle Kennedy's performance as the stately and almost saintly Katherine. She truly loves Henry and will not give up without a fight.

Sam Neill has one of his best roles in ages as Wolsey. This character has to be evil, crafty and yet at times pitiable. Neill makes all of these facets come to life in this complex man. And as the storyline ends Jeremy Northam emerges as a strong player as Wolsey's replacement More.

So between now and the finale that airs on June 10, "The Tudors" becomes more and more complex and more and more enjoyable. Tune in every Sunday night at 10 to SHOWTIME for a series that delivers a history lesson told in a ribald manner.
 

 

 

 

 

©2007 Jackie K. Cooper

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