My thoughts on the Tudors so far.
This will likely contain spoilers to anyone who hasn't watched episodes 1 through 5, so I recommend that you do not follow the cut if you don't want to be clued in on what happens (although you probably know most of it from history, anyway). Those who do click the cut, it's your decision!
Added warning: Mature subjects abound.
All right, so it's obvious that Showtime is trying to rival HBO's past glory with Rome. It basically used the same fundamental, i.e. popular time in ancient history with the added 'umph' of being 'risque' in sex scenes.
When Rome featured this (love to Rome) it was a newer idea. I mean, you saw sex in movies and so forth, but it was entirely rare for actors to prance about naked (many times in full frontal nudity) and playing out sexual acts. At least in America ... but that's a whole different thought line!
Rome ended (we mourn ...) and now, almost immediately to pick up the slack (angel's sing!) is the Tudors. Now, I'm not saying I don't like the show ... obviously I like it enough to cap and base it, but I'm saying it's really obvious that it's trying too hard.
Critics complain there's too much sex. Well, two thoughts on that. Yeah, I guess in a pre-Rome world, there's a 'lot of sex' in Tudors. Or at least, there was in the first couple episodes. Still, the most we saw were breasts and a guy's butt (even if the butt was nice). You could walk outside and see that on public beaches today, no big deal. On the other side, compared to Rome (which this was obviously striving to be) they fell short.
Sort of ironic.
Like Rome, Tudors follows history but loosely. The main events are still there, but the details have been edited with artistic liberty. No big deal (unless you're anal about that sort of thing, in which case I'd recommend you stick with the history channel). I'm not saying Showtime's not 'yay' for putting out the Tudors, hell ... it gives me something to watch now that Rome's gone (we mourn ...) but it needs to stop being something it isn't.
It can't be the "risque show on the block," it's been done. The critics aren't getting it because it's not breakthrough anymore and they're probably tight lipped people who's idea of being saucy is adding extra pepper in their dinner every night. Er, another thought line there. Moving on.
Please, Showtime, you've been hired on for another season. That's great, considering that the Tudors didn't do AS well as you hoped! So do something different with it. The acting is great, love to hate Henry, etc. If you make your own standards, you might actually earn extra respect for what you're trying to do.
Onto the characters ...
Henry: Great. Definitely disturbed in the head, but that's what we're taught in history anyway. About time a show actually centered around his imbalance (or whatever it was).
Katherine: Wonderful. She's strong but subdued and really has the regal air of a queen. She played the part wonderfully, you really grew to love the character and was pissed off at Henry-the-Wacked for throwing her off. Showed a real personality to her, a humanity that was obvious in the scenes portraying her love for (and from) the people of England. I think that she honestly loved Henry (for whatever reason). If that doesn't make someone a saint, I don't know what does.
Lady Blunt: Perfect portrayal of the typical Henry romance. There had to be one in the show to show us what he normally was like. See girl. Like girl. Want girl. Have girl. Find new girl. History says that Henry's greatest thrill was the hunt (in women and in animals) and once he conquered his pray, he grew bored, took his toys and went home. This is usually seen using Mary (Anne's sister), the idea being Henry got her pregnant instead, but this works just as well.
Wolsey: While I love the actor chosen, the overall feeling I get when watching him is "eh." Theories usually dictate that Wolsey was conniving and satisfied his own means to an end while kissing royal behind. He had a mistress (secret that wasn't a secret) and had a very tight hold on the king. This Wolsey is ... "eh." He does have power, but while it's subtle and smart it doesn't always work. He follows what the king says without putting up much of a fight (subtle or not) and sabotages himself without much effort. It's not as sharp as I would have liked him to be, more of an old dog that sits by the fireplace and whos master kicks him every once in a while to show a sign of life.
More: Poor More. I do like what they did with him! He was an idealist, a humanist, and it really does show. I wish there was more of him, but I suppose you shouldn't have too much of a good thing or it'll go back quicker. I'm interested in seeing how close they keep to the story, if he really rejects Henry's position with Katherine and refuses to sign the letter to the Pope (i.e. getting himself beheaded). Henry runs hot and cold with his relationships in the Tudors, I can see him turning against More, so I hope they stick to the important facts. Liberties are one thing, total "acid dream" is something else.
Margaret: Nice strong woman character, iffy on the choice in actress to an extent. I'm not so sure I like her too much, though I totally agree with her anger at Henry. Let's face it, the guy was a bag of manure to her. Total ass.
Knivert: Not enough of him, yet, for a proper analysis.
Brandon: Downplayed. First off, I was getting the "Pullo" vibe off of him. It's hard not to be bias, but I suppose he's a nicely shaped rogue if you haven't seen Rome before to size him up that way. Would have liked more of him. The transition between himself and Margaret was 'eh' ... more time spent with Henry's sex scenes and less with anything else.
Howard: I really *like* this actor. Granted, that says nothing about the character, but as little as we've seen of him so far he's not bad. Great profile, though. Ahem.
Anne: Arrrg. Arg, arg, arg. Okay, I am not happy with how she turned out. Don't get me wrong, the actress is beautiful, but they really played down the women powerhouses in this show. Much like Wolsey, she turned out to be 'eh' instead of a really rich character. Not so much of the emotional toying, she fell in love with him and became a sap. There have been accounts of her falling in love with him before, but she always kept her head on straight until the deed was done and they were married. Really disappointed. The testosterone level of this show is so over balancing it makes the feminist part of me twitch. "Bend over!" "Yes please, I'd like some more!"
Thomas (Boleyn): Yeah, this was pretty accurate. Eager for any alliance that would put him ahead, willing to use his daughters for said advancement. Nothing wrong there.
Cromwell: Reminds me of Mr. Bean. Not enough of him, yet, to make a decision.
Compton: Interesting ... gay twist there. Didn't see it coming until the whole watching-the-organ scene. I was like "Hmmmm, I sense man love" but wasn't 100% sure until it actually happened. I'd have to look up more history on this dude before making a decision.
Stafford: Hehe. He was funny. Until he lost his head.
So far I'd rank the show a "B-". Nothing extraordinary, but nothing horrible either. Viewer-worthy. Really great scenes, beautiful sets and actors. Great for bases! ... ahem. In any case, the short end:
Henry's insane. Katherine rocks him. Wolsey needs to grow balls. Anne needs to grow balls. Less Rome, more uniqueness.
Thank you and have a nice day.
Addition: The above are my opinions. I.e. Mine. I.e. You don't have to share them, and I don't expect you to, however in stating your own please remember to be respectful and considerate. That's all.
Added warning: Mature subjects abound.
All right, so it's obvious that Showtime is trying to rival HBO's past glory with Rome. It basically used the same fundamental, i.e. popular time in ancient history with the added 'umph' of being 'risque' in sex scenes.
When Rome featured this (love to Rome) it was a newer idea. I mean, you saw sex in movies and so forth, but it was entirely rare for actors to prance about naked (many times in full frontal nudity) and playing out sexual acts. At least in America ... but that's a whole different thought line!
Rome ended (we mourn ...) and now, almost immediately to pick up the slack (angel's sing!) is the Tudors. Now, I'm not saying I don't like the show ... obviously I like it enough to cap and base it, but I'm saying it's really obvious that it's trying too hard.
Critics complain there's too much sex. Well, two thoughts on that. Yeah, I guess in a pre-Rome world, there's a 'lot of sex' in Tudors. Or at least, there was in the first couple episodes. Still, the most we saw were breasts and a guy's butt (even if the butt was nice). You could walk outside and see that on public beaches today, no big deal. On the other side, compared to Rome (which this was obviously striving to be) they fell short.
Sort of ironic.
Like Rome, Tudors follows history but loosely. The main events are still there, but the details have been edited with artistic liberty. No big deal (unless you're anal about that sort of thing, in which case I'd recommend you stick with the history channel). I'm not saying Showtime's not 'yay' for putting out the Tudors, hell ... it gives me something to watch now that Rome's gone (we mourn ...) but it needs to stop being something it isn't.
It can't be the "risque show on the block," it's been done. The critics aren't getting it because it's not breakthrough anymore and they're probably tight lipped people who's idea of being saucy is adding extra pepper in their dinner every night. Er, another thought line there. Moving on.
Please, Showtime, you've been hired on for another season. That's great, considering that the Tudors didn't do AS well as you hoped! So do something different with it. The acting is great, love to hate Henry, etc. If you make your own standards, you might actually earn extra respect for what you're trying to do.
Onto the characters ...
Henry: Great. Definitely disturbed in the head, but that's what we're taught in history anyway. About time a show actually centered around his imbalance (or whatever it was).
Katherine: Wonderful. She's strong but subdued and really has the regal air of a queen. She played the part wonderfully, you really grew to love the character and was pissed off at Henry-the-Wacked for throwing her off. Showed a real personality to her, a humanity that was obvious in the scenes portraying her love for (and from) the people of England. I think that she honestly loved Henry (for whatever reason). If that doesn't make someone a saint, I don't know what does.
Lady Blunt: Perfect portrayal of the typical Henry romance. There had to be one in the show to show us what he normally was like. See girl. Like girl. Want girl. Have girl. Find new girl. History says that Henry's greatest thrill was the hunt (in women and in animals) and once he conquered his pray, he grew bored, took his toys and went home. This is usually seen using Mary (Anne's sister), the idea being Henry got her pregnant instead, but this works just as well.
Wolsey: While I love the actor chosen, the overall feeling I get when watching him is "eh." Theories usually dictate that Wolsey was conniving and satisfied his own means to an end while kissing royal behind. He had a mistress (secret that wasn't a secret) and had a very tight hold on the king. This Wolsey is ... "eh." He does have power, but while it's subtle and smart it doesn't always work. He follows what the king says without putting up much of a fight (subtle or not) and sabotages himself without much effort. It's not as sharp as I would have liked him to be, more of an old dog that sits by the fireplace and whos master kicks him every once in a while to show a sign of life.
More: Poor More. I do like what they did with him! He was an idealist, a humanist, and it really does show. I wish there was more of him, but I suppose you shouldn't have too much of a good thing or it'll go back quicker. I'm interested in seeing how close they keep to the story, if he really rejects Henry's position with Katherine and refuses to sign the letter to the Pope (i.e. getting himself beheaded). Henry runs hot and cold with his relationships in the Tudors, I can see him turning against More, so I hope they stick to the important facts. Liberties are one thing, total "acid dream" is something else.
Margaret: Nice strong woman character, iffy on the choice in actress to an extent. I'm not so sure I like her too much, though I totally agree with her anger at Henry. Let's face it, the guy was a bag of manure to her. Total ass.
Knivert: Not enough of him, yet, for a proper analysis.
Brandon: Downplayed. First off, I was getting the "Pullo" vibe off of him. It's hard not to be bias, but I suppose he's a nicely shaped rogue if you haven't seen Rome before to size him up that way. Would have liked more of him. The transition between himself and Margaret was 'eh' ... more time spent with Henry's sex scenes and less with anything else.
Howard: I really *like* this actor. Granted, that says nothing about the character, but as little as we've seen of him so far he's not bad. Great profile, though. Ahem.
Anne: Arrrg. Arg, arg, arg. Okay, I am not happy with how she turned out. Don't get me wrong, the actress is beautiful, but they really played down the women powerhouses in this show. Much like Wolsey, she turned out to be 'eh' instead of a really rich character. Not so much of the emotional toying, she fell in love with him and became a sap. There have been accounts of her falling in love with him before, but she always kept her head on straight until the deed was done and they were married. Really disappointed. The testosterone level of this show is so over balancing it makes the feminist part of me twitch. "Bend over!" "Yes please, I'd like some more!"
Thomas (Boleyn): Yeah, this was pretty accurate. Eager for any alliance that would put him ahead, willing to use his daughters for said advancement. Nothing wrong there.
Cromwell: Reminds me of Mr. Bean. Not enough of him, yet, to make a decision.
Compton: Interesting ... gay twist there. Didn't see it coming until the whole watching-the-organ scene. I was like "Hmmmm, I sense man love" but wasn't 100% sure until it actually happened. I'd have to look up more history on this dude before making a decision.
Stafford: Hehe. He was funny. Until he lost his head.
So far I'd rank the show a "B-". Nothing extraordinary, but nothing horrible either. Viewer-worthy. Really great scenes, beautiful sets and actors. Great for bases! ... ahem. In any case, the short end:
Henry's insane. Katherine rocks him. Wolsey needs to grow balls. Anne needs to grow balls. Less Rome, more uniqueness.
Thank you and have a nice day.
Addition: The above are my opinions. I.e. Mine. I.e. You don't have to share them, and I don't expect you to, however in stating your own please remember to be respectful and considerate. That's all.