Not So Much By Love As By Awe – The episode opens in 1616. An item is carved out of wax. A cloth label with Corby’s is attached to the front. The Earl of Somerset (Laurie Davidson) escorts a blindfolded King James I (Tony Curran) into a room where soft music is being played. Pretty boys get intimate with him. Later, The king claims to only want him but Somerset isn’t so sure. He questions if Somerset truly loves him or is in awe of him. Somerset says they are one and the same. After the king leaves, Somerset removes the musician’s veil to reveal George Villiers (Nicholas Galitzine). Wiping his privates with the veil, Somerset boasts of the king being his and approaches Countess Somerset (Pearl Chanda). They briefly kiss before shutting their door.

Predicting Mary Villiers’ (Julianne Moore) future, Cunning Mary (Kate Fleetwood) says, “Blood will fall but not yours. Your victory is assured.” When Mary arrives at court, the women are surprised by her attire and makeup. Finding George alone, she asks why he hasn’t written her. He tells her that Somerset has been keeping King James busy. He complains about his poor treatment and questions what happened to Sir David Graham (Angus Wright). When the musicians cover their heads with a veil, George explains why. He admits to getting intimate with the king twice. When Somerset arrives, George leaves. After insulting Mary’s appearance, Lady Hatton (Nicola Walker) claims someone told her that she has a prostitute. Mary spits on the floor. Everyone bows when Queen Anne (Neil Edmond) and King James arrive. Somerset and the king put on a performance for the guests. Sir Edward Coke (Adrian Rawlins) apologizes for Lady Hatton but Mary refuses to accept it. He vows to unite Frances Coke (Amelia Gething) and John Villiers (Tom Victor) in marriage if it is possible when the king’s feet hit him in the nose.

Blood pouring from his nose, Sir Edward leaves the party. King James recognizes Mary as George’s mother. He says George is a good boy. Mary complains about his poor treatment when Countess Somerset questions her sobriety. Lady Hatton joins in to insult Mary. Somerset intervenes to stop Mary from attacking her. The king expresses his desire for a peaceful party. Emerging from the room, Mary encounters Queen Anne who demands to know why George has not replaced Somerset in the king’s bed. Mary says he needs more time. After an insult from the queen, Mary goes outside to vomit. The Earl of Essex (Matt Barkley) says her anger is a win for them.

George is watching the party from an upper balcony when Sir Francis Bacon (Mark O’Halloran) approaches. He questions how the “Cent c*nt,” Somerset became king and offers to be his guide.

The Earl of Essex tells Mary that he was married to Countess Somerset until she utilized his impotence against him to get a divorce. He claims she cast a spell on him on their wedding night. He warns Mary that the countess will want revenge for crossing her in public. He urges her to leave the court. Mary questions why he did not leave. He says she utilizes him to warn others to not cross her and threatens to make his life worse if he leaves. Mary orders Sandie (Niamh Algar) to follow the Earl of Essex but she refuses to go without the promise of money.

Sir Bacon complains that King James allows Somerset to control the levers of state. George asks why he does not like Mary. Sir Bacon says she is not who he thinks she is which confuses George. He urges him to stop moping because the king yearns for him. He assures him that Somerset will fall and he needs to be there when it happens. George asks what he should do if Somerset does not fall. Sir Bacon says then take it.

George sees Camden Billy (Henry Felix) is injured. Billy says it costs more to hurt him. Mary finds the Earl of Essex in a church. He claims Countess Somerset had Sir Thomas Overbury put in jail after he disputed their divorce and the Somersets had him poisoned. After Cunning Mary reads Mary’s palm, Mary pretends to see the end of those involved in Overbury’s death, except for Countess Somerset. She says the guard, lady-in-waiting, Lieutenant of the Tower, apothecary, and the witch who cursed him will hang. Later, Mary delivers evidence of those involved in Overbury’s murder to Sir Edward. He asks if she wants him to prosecute them. She says to wait until the evidence is made public but hide it well from Lady Hatton. She vows to take him on her and George’s ascent.

Sick, George asks Somerset to stop the threats and asks for more time with King James when he enters the room. Somerset asks the king who he prefers to spend more time with. George collapses to the ground. Believing George has the pox, the king orders him to leave and only return when he is better.

Sandie joins the Villiers’ staff to care for George. He asks if they have met. She says he probably passed her family’s farm. He questions if he has been cursed. Sir Francis Bacon claims Lady Hatton has been saying Sir Edward is preparing to file murder charges about Somerset and the countess. He claims Somerset asked King James for a pre-emptive pardon. The says the Privy Council refused to sign it and assures him that it is the end for the Somersets.

Mary presents the wax voodoo doll utilized to curse George to Anne Turner (Lydia Fleming), Countess Somerset, and Somerset. Turner tosses it in the fire. Mary reminds them of the harsh penalty for witchcraft. She says they will learn more when the Overbury’s murder case goes to court. Somerset asks what is her evidence. Countess Somerset calls her “pathetic.”

Gervase Helwys (Michael Ballard), Mr. Franklin, Richard Weston (Simon Bass), and Anne Turner are hanged for their connection to Overbury’s murder.

Somerset urges George to write King James to ask for his pardon, so they can share him. George says the king returned all of his letters. Somerset asks him to speak to him in person before confessing to love him. George calls him a liar. After intimacy, Somerset admits to not caring if the countess hangs as long as he lives. George says he wants their time together to be the last thing on Somerset’s mind before he hangs.

Countess Somerset is on trial for Overbury’s murder. Holding up a wax voodoo doll, Sir Edward says there are letters of her correspondence with the witch responsible for it. The witch fled the city. She claims Somerset is innocent. Somerset denies any knowledge of the murder. Mary is in the courtroom when Somerset is found guilty. She complements Sir Edward. Lady Hatton assures her that Frances will never John. King James asks for Mary’s forgiveness and admits it hurts to see him in her face. He questions if there is a voodoo for him. She assures him that the curse has ended when George removes his veil. He regrets not responding to his letters and invites him to accompany him to Scotland. George performs for the king. After Countess Somerset gives birth, the baby is taken away and she is hanged.

Mary demands Sir Bacon to stay away from George. He claims to have warned Sir Graham to not blackmail her. He says she and Sandie have done much worse. She warns him against threatening her as George continues to play. The episode ends.

 

Mary & George Review

Mary goes to court only to find she and George are a target of the Somersets. George is ready to give up but Mary is destined to get even. She reaches out to Countess Somerset’s ex-husband, the Earl of Essex who is the victim of witchcraft. He tells her that the countess ordered Sir Overbury imprisoned when he disapproved her their divorce and marriage to Somerset. Mary seeks out the witch, Cunning Mary responsible for the spell. Cunning Mary gives her the countess’ letters and the voodoo doll that later sends her to the gallows.

Somerset convinces King James to give him a preemptive pardon but the privy council strikes it down. George contracts the pox and is removed from the king’s court. Somerset asks him to ask the king to pardon him, so they can share him. He confesses to love him. George has sex with him to give him something to think about before he is hung.

Somerset and everyone involved in Overbury’s murder is hung. King James is elated to see George and invites him to accompany him on a trip to Scotland.

 

The episode deserves a 4. Get more Mary & George recaps here. Support Reel Mockery by donating. Learn how advertising with us can build your brand awareness. Join our newly established forum to discuss new TV shows, movies, crime, and many other topics.