Never Let Them See You Cry

1527  Hever Castle England – The episode begins with Anne Boleyn (Amy James-Kelly) waking up from a bad dream in which her bed was on fire. A maid approaches with a note.

George Boleyn (Jhon Lumsden) says rumors circling at court suggest King Henry VII (Max Parker) is contemplating an annulment from Katherine of Aragon (Jurgita Seduikyte). Mary Boleyn (Louis Brabin-Platt) assures him that the Pope would never approve an annulment. Thomas Boleyn (Adam Astill) reminds them that Catherine can’t get pregnant. Mary asks Anne if King Henry truly said he was going to marry her. She says of course.

Tower Of London – Anne tells Tower of London Constable, William Kingston (Steffan Boje) that King Henry’s invitation to return to court and the promise to openly profess his love for her is validation.

Greenwich Palace – During an encounter at court, Katherine tells Anne that Henry gifted her a necklace that was his mother’s. She describes Anne’s pendant as “sweet” before walking away.

Anne tells Lady Worchester “Lady W” (Nikhita Lesler) that Katherine thinks she’s a “joke.” Lady W reminds her that she’s trying to take Katherine’s husband. Anne suggests he isn’t in love with her. Lady W says Katherine ended up with King Henry after her first husband died. Anne suggests they had little choice when Cardinal Wolsey (Callum Coates) enters. He informs her that King Henry wants her to have his former rooms before warning her still will probably be temporary.

King Henry tells Anne that they’re going riding. She questions if his stamina is good enough to keep up with her.

Anne asks King Henry how the annulment is going. He admits to having not touched Katherine in years. She tells him that rumor has it, he’s ordered all Bibles in English to be burnt. He says the Bibles and the people responsible for them. He falls to the ground as a gunshot rings out. Frantic, she rushes over to him as he laughs. Appearing to be upset, she walks away. He tries to console her when she says, “Gotcha.” They kiss briefly before she pulls away. She says her baby must be the next King of England. He tells her that is what he’s always wanted. She says he must marry her to have her. He assures her that he will.

Tower Of London – Anne admits to falling in love with Henry on their meeting. She tells William that Henry’s stance on heresy was obvious, so she couldn’t tell him everything. She says with her controversial books, she’s a bit of a heretic.

Greenwich Palace – George informs Anne that King Henry appointed him Esquire of the Body and Master of the Buckhounds. Handing her a copy of William Tyndall’s “The Obedience of a Christian Man,” he says Tyndall believed the King should be of a higher power than the pope. He warns her to not let the King find out when Jane Boleyn (Sophie Boettge) approaches. Anne conceals the book behind her back.

During a card game with Katherine, Henry and Anne play footsie under the table. When Anne wins, Katherine heads to her room.

Tower Of London – Anne tells Cromwell that Katherine should’ve accepted the marriage was over. She says Henry loved her more than he ever loved  Katherine.

Greenwich Palace – Anne tells Henry that Katherine believes she’s his mistress. He suggests the Pope needs to be convinced that their marriage was never valid. She asks what’s his strategy. He says Katherine denied sleeping with his brother is why the church approved their marriage. She asks if he believed Katherine wasn’t telling the truth.

Tower Of London –  Anne says Wolsey was convinced to hold a divorce hearing but Katherine still refused to walk away.

In July 1529, a court of Blackfriars tried Henry and Katherine’s marriage. Henry informs Anne that Cardinal Lorenzo Campeggio refuses to pass judgment on Katherine. When he warns her that Wolsey says it’s done, Anne says, “Like hell, it is.”

A smug Wolsey suggests they accept what cannot be changed. Anne sarcastically reminds him of his mistress and two kids. Holding up William Tyndall’s book, he warns her to not aim higher than Henry’s mistress.

Anne admits to the book belongs to her. He demands to know where it came from. He informs him that the book suggests the King should only answer to God. Wolsey approaches to see Anne has already confessed. Henry says they need to talk.

The historians tell viewers that Henry banishes Wolsey from court because he failed to secure his annulment. He dies en route to the Tower of London after his arrest.

1531 – Anne describes Wolsey’s replacement, Cromwell, a religious reformer, as being a man of strong principles.

Jane says now that Henry is the Supreme Head of the Church, he can do as he likes. George asks if they should expect a coronation in the near future. Anne receives a sketch of Henry, Katherine, and herself without a head. George suggests she forget about it.

Tower Of London – Anne says the public had mixed views about what happened. She tells William that she and Katherine had their own supporters.

Greenwich Palace – After gifting Anne a gown, Henry says to show him. They make out until she pulls back. He assures her that they’ll be married before inviting her on a trip to France.

1532 Calais France –  Henry tells Anne they’ve come to France to convince King Francis (Matas Dirgincius) to be their “best friend.”

After unknowingly dancing with Anne, King Francis appears shocked to see her. She tells him that she and Henry would like to discuss an important matter. He suggests they get together later.

Anne’s approached by three women. One of the women informs her that Marguerite’s ill. Another lady suggests she’s “allergic to wh**es.” Anne walks away with tears in her eyes. Cromwell warns her to never let anyone see her cry. After telling her that his father was a blacksmith, he says no one believes he should be there.

After reminding her of King Francis’s blessing, he says they’d dare speak to her like that if he’d been present. She assures him that she can defend herself. He says after his father’s advisors questioned his ability to rule England, he told himself that he was chosen by God. He tells her that they can do it. They make love.

A concerned Anne asks Henry if she might be pregnant after last night. He tells her that is a “lovely thought” before suggesting they get married.

1532 Dover – Anne and Henry are married in a secret ceremony.

Anne tells Henry that she’s feeling nauseous. He asks if she needs a doctor. She assures him that she’s never felt better while touching her abdomen. He’s thrilled by the news.

After Henry appoints Thomas Cranmer the Archbishop of Canterbury. He annuls Henry’s marriage to Katherine and declares his marriage to Anne legitimate.

Thomas says no one would have ever thought a Boleyn would take the English throne.

Anne and Lady W show concern about the sex of her baby as the episode ends.

 

Blood, Sex & Royalty Synopsis

Henry seeks an annulment for his marriage with Katherine of Aragon. He must prove to the Pope that Katherine wasn’t a virgin when they married.

When Anne returned to court, she knew it would be difficult to ward off Henry’s advances. She was determined to give birth to the next King of England, which meant marriage before pregnancy.

George gave Anne a copy of William Tyndall’s religious reform book, “The Obedience of a Christian Man.”  Tyndall believed the King should be the Head of the Church of England, not the Pope.

Wolsey and Cardinal Campeggio hold a divorce hearing for Henry and Katherine in Blackfriars. During a breakdown, Katherine swears she was a virgin when they married. This led to Campeggio’s decision to deny the annulment.

Anne threatens Wolsey with disclosing his mistress and children to the church. In turn, Wolsey threatens to tell Henry about William Tyndall’s book. Anne confesses to Henry before Wolsey get an opportunity. She convinces him, to appoint himself the Supreme Head of the Church. Wolsey’s banished from the kingdom and later arrested but dies en route to the Tower of London.

Henry appoints Thomas Cromwell (Stephen Fewell) as his best man. With King Francis’ blessing, they’re secretly wed. Henry’s thrilled when she reports her pregnancy.

Once Thomas Cranmer is appointed the Archbishop of Canterbury, he grants Henry an annulment.

The sex of Henry and Anne’s baby isn’t disclosed.

 

Blood, Sex & Royalty Review

The soundtrack isn’t appropriate for the 16th-century, Tudor period. The pace fluctuates from being unbearably slow to annoyingly feeling rushed. The topics go from being dramatic to cringeworthy in nanoseconds.

The show went a little overboard with the annulment while barely touching on other important aspects. With only three episodes to work with, the scenes needed to be minimized to ensure the most vital aspects are addressed.

It’s questionable if the show brings anything new to the table.

The episode deserves a 6.2. Get more Blood, Sex & Royal recaps here. Support Reel Mockery by clicking here.