The Tudors: Episode 1
Just a reminder that The Tudors premiers tonight on Showtime. You can also view the episode On Demand, or for free online.
Use the comments section of this post to discuss the episode. Any comments I may have will be posted in the comments section as well.
This is the first of a ten-part series. If I like the show, and others want to talk about it as well, this may become a weekly feature here on the blog, like the Slings & Arrows thread that just came to an end along with the series. Let me know what you think.
WARNING: Comments may contain further discussion of the show, including potential spoilers. Click through only after viewing the episode. Commenters may discuss this episode as freely as they like, but are asked not to spoil future episodes they may have seen online or elsewhere.
By the way, did you know that the beginning of the Tudor dynasty is marked at the end of Shakespeare’s Richard III, when the Earl of Richmond (a Lancaster) marries the Princess Elizabeth (a York), uniting the two houses, ending the War of the Roses, and becoming King Henry VII? That’s hot.
April 17th, 2007 at 2:00 pm
Well, I finally got around to watching the first episode. Honestly, I’m a bit underwhelmed. I don’t care about the historical accuracy, because that’s not what this is, but as a piece of entertainment, I found it lacking.
The plot was interesting, but the characters were two dimensional and the dialogue was stilted. It was like they had an outline of what they wanted to do, and just filled in the script like paint by numbers. There was an attempt at using heightened language to give a historical feel, but the writers didn’t have a knack for it, and the language was cautious and without texture.
But it was visually compelling, and some of the actors gave wonderful performances despite having little to work with. And Henry VIII is certainly worth a chance. With a potential war looming, an uprising imminent, and a fateful meeting with Anne Boleyn on the horizon, there is potential here yet. Perhaps we’ll chalk up the pilot to opening night jitters and the need for extra exposition, and we’ll become more comfortable with this team’s product as they do.
And if we don’t, we’ll chop off its head and watch another show.
July 22nd, 2007 at 10:12 pm
Jaime King…
I Googled for something completely different, but found your page…and have to say thanks. nice read….