Look, we’ve all dated that person that we wish we hadn’t. But we also get to that point in life where we are like, it’s a kill or be killed world. Elizabeth has definitely learned both of these lessons and I have to admit that I am applauding that she’s putting herself first.
Currently, I am sitting on a flight back to New York, and yes, I have screeners, so I should have had this done. But I am late all of the time lately, so it is what it is. But buckle in bitches, cause this girl has had a Xanax, is pissed off, and anxious. So I am just gonna be blunt AF.
We picked up this episode right where we left off, kinda. No sense of time really hits me with this show. Only the knowledge that I could not live or survive during this Tudor time. Life was way too much about rumors and assumptions and also a life of having to be celibate. I couldn’t hang. Rumors would kill me.
Also being accused cause of the company I keep? Nope. Hard pass. I would be done.
Elizabeth is being accused of conspiring to kidnap/kill her brother. She’s being forced to prove her innocence, which I am also having a hard time understanding, because the basics are that they will get the answer that they want out of you, no matter if they have to torture you for it.
And there in lies the issue. So in this kill or be kill world, she decides that she’s putting herself first. After all, she’s lived her life knowing that she could be killed at anytime, because of her fathers whims. Look at what he did to her Mom. She knows that she’s got the people that she needs to protect and those that she should not care about.
What makes me hate this even more is that Robert Dudley’s Dad is the one trying to get answers out of her, and like is there no loyalty. There sure is – the only loyalty being to ones self in this time. He wants to get ahead, and so he basically gets what he wants out of Elizabeth by saying that Kat has made some admissions. Elizabeth though is careful. She’s aware that Kat could make some admissions, but she also knows that Kat is loyal and loves her like a daughter and would not do anything that compromises her or Elizabeths life.
Elizabeth has the same loyalty. So she does what she needs to do in this kill or be killed world. She tells a version of the truth, implicating Thomas as guilty. Hey, in that time period, someone was going to have to die, and she really didn’t know what Thomas was going to do. It’s strange to me to a point, because Elizabeth loves Thomas, but also it’s like does she really? She’s a child. And she’s a smart one too because what she does ensures that she and Kat will be okay.
Thomas though, he’s gonna die. There will be no trial, there will be nothing and no chance for him to tell his side. He’s going to be beheaded.
Personally, I think that Thomas wasn’t guilty by reason of insanity. Lets take a look at all that man has gone through. He’s grieving the loss of his wife, he’s feeling inferior to his brother, and his quest for power has left him struggling. I am shocked that the only person that saw that was his psycho brother.
Yes, we’ve talked before how the Lord Protector, is only about protecting himself. Yet here we are with him shocking me and wanting to save his brother. We’ll put that on his bingo card for doing things we never saw coming.
THE LORD PROTECTOR
With Thomas in the tower, The Lord Protector wants him to talk to him. He wants to protect his brother, while remaining in power. But the truth is that he can’t keep his brother from getting beheaded.
Even though he tries to, the truth is that it leads to his downfall. The world around him, doesn’t like him, and he knows it. But it’s the first time that we’re seeing that he really does love his brother and wants to make sure that he’s there to get him out of it.
But eventually he realizes that he can’t. And since he can’t he gives in and signs his brothers execution papers. I can’t even imagine how painful that is, because again, it’s family.
Thomas Seymour may have lost his mind, but for the first time we’re seeing that his brother loves him. And that’s something we never thought we’d see. It’s something that Thomas has wanted his whole life, but he didn’t ever see it, until it was too late.
THE ATTEMPTED COUP
During this time – Henry Grey of all people – has a plan to get rid of the Lord Protector. He doesn’t like him, but does anyone really like anyone in this show? Me thinks not.
The thing that surprises me is that Henry had the balls to go around him and to the king, in order to get Thomas Seymour executed. Then even more, he had the balls to go to Mary to propose that she be the new Lord Protector.
But Henry is a man who wants power. He’s a man who doesn’t want to be in the back of the room. He wants to be seen. Yet, what is shocking is that others follow him.
Thomas Seymour did a lot of shady things. We’ll be the first to admit that. But the way that Henry is pressuring the Lord Protector to kill his brother, one has to wonder what kind of a***hole he is. Henry is one, we get that. Yet we have to wonder, with the way things were back then, how he gathered others to follow suit and they all retained their heads.
Everyone hates Henry. But maybe, just maybe, everyone hates the Lord Protector more.
THE LORD DUDLEY
Have to admit that Lord Dudley isn’t my favorite person, but he’s smart. He knows how to keep those he needs to close and those that he needs to take down – he’s ready to take on the world.
He’s a bad father, I will say that. He’s so tough on his sons.
He’s sent off to squash the rebellion – which Dudley is pissed about. He doesn’t know what to do. The Lord Protector tells him to show mercy to the rebels. When he realizes that he’s being forced out, he sends word to the Dudley that he needs him.
Dudley, being the man that he is, sees the opportunity here. He has played both sides, and right now that means that he has a chance to make his move.
So he does what he needs to do. He goes to Dudley, but what he makes it seem like he’s doing it rescuing the King. Effectively this makes the King happy and Dudley becomes the new Lord Protector.
When the King and Dudley return to court, it’s Mary that is iced out. Everyone else is basically put on notice, that they can’t mess with Dudley. Then again, maybe Dudley also put a mark on his back for messing with them.
OTHER THOUGHTS
- I can’t even talk about Thomas Seymour’s beheading except it made me gag
- Elizabeth being smart and not reading the letter that Thomas left her, showing her allegiance to her brother – smart move
- Robert Dudley has it bad for Elizabeth and I ship them so hard. I know they don’t end up together, but I want them together.
- Girl flirting with Robert, back off.
- When Robert visits Elizabeth, all I could think of was the song from The Little Mermaid and started singing, KISS THE GIRL.
Becoming Elizabeth airs Sundays on Starz.
