There is so much that Becoming Elizabeth does right and sometimes, we’re just like meh. This episode was definitely a mix of both.
Sometimes we have to remember that Becoming Elizabeth is in a different time, so that we don’t get so angry at the way that men treat women and the way that anyone seems to think that being aggressive is the only way to get things done.
But here we are, an episode that revolves around wanting to marry off Elizabeth and Mary, and Edward letting power go to his head. The three of them should be working together – you know siblings and all – but they instead are all plotting for their own good. All I can think is that even though you’re fighting with your sister and brother, Elizabeth, shouldn’t you all be finding a way to work together and compromise?
I would think that family would work together, but again, different time and different place, and I guess power does weird things to people. And when the person who is manipulating the most out of power is the Lord Protector, Lord Dudley.
Edwards been given more of a saw of what happens in the country, because LP (cause I am tired of typing out Lord Protector) knows that’s what he needs to do to stay in favor. He’s implementing strict protestant reforms and that effects a lot of people, but most of all – in Edwards immediate life, that effects Mary.
Mary, as we know, is a devout Catholic. She has been told that she can practice her religion, but to do it quietly. Only, the thing is, that she is no longer being allowed to do that. Dudley has raided her church for everything, and she’s been told it’s going to paying for the countries wars/needs. Mary is devastated and she’s angry.
Then, to top it off, she’s been told that she needs to marry a Protestant. We all know that Spain isn’t about to be happy about that and it will be a cold day in hell before they let Mary suffer. She’s greatly important to them. The ambassador from Spain and Pedro – they have her back and want to keep her safe.
But what they want her to do is flee England and go to Spain.
One thing I can admire about this time is the devotion to ones country. But I also think that for Mary, it’s because she’s in line to the throne. She knows what she could be giving up if she leaves.
She knows that what could happen is she is branded a traitor.
Meanwhile, Elizabeth is informed that her brother wants her to marry. This is not something that she wants to do, and she’s made it known. She’s suffering from the repercussions to Thomas Seymour’s actions, but Elizabeth (though the words out of her mouth are different) is also suffering internally. She “loved” (and yes, I use the word loved loosely) Thomas and she’s doing what she needs to do to stay alive, even if that mean she’s gotta play the game.
Neither Mary or Elizabeth want to get married. I don’t believe that it is for wanting love, but I do believe that it is because they both want a say over their own lives. That and the fact that I don’t think that anyone should have to marry someone that they don’t want to, I can get behind. Hell, I think that they should run or tell their little brother that he doesn’t know shit.
Mary reaches out to Elizabeth, as she wants her to talk to Edward for her. I wonder what she thinks that Elizabeth can do, because Edward is trying to marry her off too. Like, I think Mary expects more of her sister than is fair. Granted, Mary is fucking scary, so I would want to do what she asks. But Mary shouldn’t put so much pressure on her sister to be something that she’s not.
It’s just not fair. Nothing really is.
When Elizabeth tells Mary that she can’t talk to their brother, because they expect that same thing of her, Mary looses her shit. She’s angry at Elizabeth, like irate. She’s petty AF, in my opinion.
She should be asking what they can do together to solve the issue. But instead she’s telling her sister off and riding off. She used her words to give the preverbal fuck you to Elizabeth.
Elizabeth knows that there is no need to fight all of this, because she doesn’t have a say. So she’s gonna do what she has to do. Robert, on the other hand, isn’t willing to just let her give up and do marry anyone. She knows that he’s fighting a loosing game, but he’s willing to fight even if she isn’t.
He tells his father that he wants to marry Elizabeth, that she shouldn’t have to marry some Prince and be shipped off. I applauded this, because I want Robert and Elizabeth together (even though, I know history). Well I applauded until his father slapped the shit out of him for thinking such things.
The LP does not win a father of the year award. Douchebag of the year, yes. Father of the year, no.
I know that during that time period, as with now a days really, marriage in royal circles is a transaction, a political move. It doesn’t mean that it’s right. Robert and Elizabeth together would be a power move, even if his Daddy doesn’t see it that way.
The Danish prince has been invited to England, to meet Elizabeth for the possibility of marriage. When Elizabeth decides to give in and shows up to the castle to meet the prince, she’s informed that he’s not coming. That he’s not interested. And well, she goes off.
Both Mary and Elizabeth are willing to stand up for themselves, but to work together and stand up for each other – that’s a different story.
While all of this has happened, Mary has decided that she must leave England. She takes off with Pedro to meet the Spanish ship waiting for her to take her back to Spain. They ride through the night and when they get to the shore to where she needs to leave, she decides that she needs to stay. She doesn’t want to leave England.
This means that she is on her own, and with everything that has been happening in this country, I think she’s making a dumb choice. She could go to where she would be protected, but she’s devoted to her country.
Elizabeth and Mary are both strong women and they definitely are playing games. But they are playing the game that keeps them alive. I can respect that. Hell, I admire that.
OTHER THOUGHTS
- LP is a douche and I would like him slapped silly please.
- Robert retreating when his Dad slapped him and Elizabeth rejected him – I get it.
- Elizabeth telling Robert that she doesn’t love him and doesn’t want to run with him – I think she’s lying.
- Mary irritates me, even though she scares me.
- Edward coughing up blood – well, that terrifies me. But also, that means he’s sick. And so I wonder what that is gonna mean.
- Watching someone burned at the stake – I almost threw up.
- Elizabeth and Lady Jane’s argument – I woulda dropped Jane straight to the ground.
Becoming Elizabeth airs Sundays on Starz.
