The Tudors

[Honeybee]

This series ended in 2010, but I have a feeling that when the hype for the Superman film that's coming out with Henry Cavill that it will revive interest.

Of course, it's absolute rubbish when it comes to accuracy. Henry VIII never gets fat. Princess Mary is gorgeous (as is everyone else). But it's no less accurate than The Other Boylen Girl. In short, it's historical fan fiction.

It's no surprise to me that the gorgeous Henry Cavill is now starring in a major big budget action film - Superman no less - I think he kind of steals the show from Jonathan Rhys Myers from episode one. And since Henry VIII was a bastard, they do kind of keep him a bastard. But they allowed Charles Brandon (Cavill's character) to evolve into this tormented man of conscious. And I love that his teenage wife from the later series quickly becomes the brains of the operation. I think that was true to history. Brandon's wife Katherine was an exceptionally smart woman.

And I loved Natalie Dormer's portrayal of Anne Boylen. I think she did better than Natalie Portman in the big budget Hollywood version. Historical inaccuracies aside, Dormer captured the women's contradictions.

On the slash side, it also plays with the speculation that Anne Boylen's circle was a gay one, led by her brother George. George is rather abusive to his wife, and they use that to explain why she turned on Anne and George at the trial.

Anyhoo, this is series where the second male lead is named Charles and turns out to be more interesting and popular than the hero. Where have I heard that before?

[crystalswolf]

I am curious about the show since I've started watching the Lost Girl series. Kris Holden-Reid.

[Honeybee]

Yes, Holden-Reid is in The Tudors. In the first season, Henry VIII is surrounded by a clique of good-looking, fun-loving young courtiers. Holden-Reid is one. Cavill is another. Anne Boleyn doesn't show up until the end of the season, I believe and even that compresses time. The first season is supposed to take place in Henry VIII's mid twenties.

[Mistress Euclid]

Holden-Reid plays Compton, right? The Lord who falls in love with the musician? Such a bittersweet plot, that. It was a standout. I also like the S&M thing between Mary and Brandon. Cavill is just delicious.

I said this in the neutral zone, but The Tudors is one of the rare shows I don't find much to slash in. I never say anything but friendship between Brandon and Henry. But I did see loads of inappropriate chemistry between Brandon and Anne!

But the scene that makes me melt is the one where Brandon is in bed with his second wife - and their child joins them, as Anne's fate is being sealed. I just find something so beautiful, and you just know how lucky Brandon is.