The Tudors

            Only four seasons long, The Tudors is a fantastic series.  It centers on Henry the VIII of England played by Jonathan Rhys Meyers.  This is quite a task since the show spans I do not know how many years, six wives, and a lot of physical changes.  For the most part, Mr. Rhys Meyers does very well.  I cannot imagine it is easy to play someone so much older and dying as is the case in the final season.  He not only portrays Henry VIII as the traditional view, stubborn and unyielding, but as a human with moments of feeling and caring.  This must have been a hard balance to master on such a historical figure.  

                Although the series is short, there are quite a few cast changes.  This is not because cast members leave the show, but Henry VIII has a tendency to get rid of people.  Frequently.  Whether they are thrown out of court or killed, characters come and go often.  One character that remains is Charles Brandon, played by Henry Cavill.  He is a really interesting character.  Throughout the show he changes drastically and develops to be one of the few people with an actual conscience.  This causes him to get stuck between a rock and a hard place.  It is his conscience and what he believes is right versus what Henry VIII wants and risk of beheading.  Clearly a rock and a hard place. 

                While Henry VIII and Charles Brandon are two of the few characters that make it through the whole series, it does not mean the others are not strong and memorable.  This is especially true when it comes to the wives.  Each of the six is so distinctly different and play an important part of the storyline as long as they are around.  Then there are all the members of court.  I have never seen so much conniving!  No wonder Henry VIII felt betrayed so often, despite the fact that quite a bit was his own doing.

                Even if you are not a history person, I recommend this show.  The storylines are captivating.  I always anxiously awaited the next DVD to see what was going to happen.  I am pretty sure everything was not 100% historically accurate, but I enjoyed each episode anyways.  The costumes were beautiful and the sets were very well done.  I was sad the series did not continue on with Henry VIII’s children; Mary, Elizabeth, and Edward, but it was understandable.  The series was mainly about Henry VIII and it should end with his death.  I apologize if I ruined that for anyone.