The Tudors

I have mixed feelings about this modern production. On one hand, I love the era and am drawn to it. I like many of the characters, the slow pace, and the fairly decent treatment of the topics. On the other hand, I am put off by the “soap opera” elements. When the first series ended with the death of Cardinal Wolsey, I was afraid the series would take a sharp anti-Catholic turn. I am now about half way through the second season, and I am impressed so far. Henry is increasingly erratic and narcissistic. Cromwell is creepy and sinister. Anne Boleyn is conniving, and her father is even worse. Indeed, the only honorable characters are Queen Catherine, Thomas More, and John Fisher. I was deeply impressed with how it portrayed the deaths of More and Fisher. Here is the death of Fisher, which I found incredibly moving.