TV Review: The Tudors: Season 4, Ep.1

The Tudors: Season 4, Ep. 1 sees the king of England, Henry VIII (Jonathan Rhys Meyers), marrying his fifth wife, seventeen-year-old Catherine Howard (Tamzin Merchant). This queen is nothing like the ones that proceeded her – she is far more immature, only looking to herself and the king’s pleasure. Henry, in the last season of The Tudors, said “it would take a good sport to make me feel amorous again.” The king is happy again but her daughter, Mary Tudor (Sarah Bolger), is not. She can not stand her new step-mother, even though she is trying to be nothing but nice to her. It’s never explained what generates the disgust.

The best addition to the series this season is Henry Howard, Earl of Surrey (David O’Hara). Half the people in the king’s court Howard can not stand and he is causing big waves with his open abhorrence. The king new retainer Culpepper (Torrance Coombs) is twisted and the best part (or the worse) is that its below the surface, only coming out it certain venomous sexual situations. If some of the men in the king’s service are so enthralled with the king’s extremely young wife, why don’t they acquire one for themselves? The King’ s wife was found in an orphanage. They could find theirs under a similar domicile or have an arranged marriage setup. Why rape? Why not just go to a brothel?