If you were to check my recently watched Netflix queue this very moment, you'd find none other than The Tudors at the top of the list. Like many series I've had the privilege to binge-watch, this matter truly wasn't any different. Now, I feel as though I repeat myself in these reviews and such, but if I do end up watching as much content as I can in one sitting, then I think that's a pretty good indicator in whether or not I find it to be gratifying. In this case in particular, I sat on my sofa in high anticipation for the ensuing episode to commence when a notification suspends my screen and asks if I am, indeed, still watching. "Yes", I click in repugnance - but it wasn't until I peered over to the clock that I realised that nearly four hours had passed. Oops. I know that this show, for instance, certainly isn't for everyone. In contrast, I tried watching the ever-so-popular The Walking Dead, but it just wasn't something that intrigued me. |
"You think you know a story, but you only know how it ends.
To get to the heart of the story, you have to go back to the beginning."
All right, that's enough of the babble. Ever since I had watched the film The Other Boleyn Girl three or so years ago, my infatuation for the Tudor monarchy in 16th century England couldn't be contained. Subsequently after, I had purchased the novel which it was based off of, as well as immersed myself in similar stories of the middle age/renaissance time period. It wasn't until a few weeks ago that I finally took it upon myself to watch the series, as I found it an atrocity that I had not yet been acquainted with it. You see, I had viewed the pilot episode perhaps a half a year ago or more - but if you know me well, you'd know that I have a tendency to divert from things that may not grasp my utmost attention right away. When I first began The Tudors, I was absentmindedly comparing it to the splendor of The Other Boleyn Girl - particularly the fervent differences between Jonathan Rhys Meyers and Eric Bana as their respective roles as King Henry VIII.
Now, as with a lot of my previous reviews, there are disputes concerning historical inaccuracy, and I'll have to admit it - The Tudors definitely has its fair share of them. But if you ask me, I think that makes it all the more fun. After all, it's not a documentary. However, I'll join anyone in saying that obnoxious and obvious mistakes concerning setting, costume, or just over all mood in a historically-based production are never a joy to have to tolerate (the CW's Reign for instance). It's no question why Showtime's interpretation of the Tudor reign had been so successful - it balances the intrigue of politics and status of the time, as well as the corruption that taints the Catholic Church and the religious upheaval of Martin Luther's ideas. The dangerous love affair of Henry VIII and the beautiful Anne Boleyn threatens the reign of Queen Catherine of Aragon, and goes into depth to establish the lengths a king is willing to go to maintain both his power and his desires.
Now, as with a lot of my previous reviews, there are disputes concerning historical inaccuracy, and I'll have to admit it - The Tudors definitely has its fair share of them. But if you ask me, I think that makes it all the more fun. After all, it's not a documentary. However, I'll join anyone in saying that obnoxious and obvious mistakes concerning setting, costume, or just over all mood in a historically-based production are never a joy to have to tolerate (the CW's Reign for instance). It's no question why Showtime's interpretation of the Tudor reign had been so successful - it balances the intrigue of politics and status of the time, as well as the corruption that taints the Catholic Church and the religious upheaval of Martin Luther's ideas. The dangerous love affair of Henry VIII and the beautiful Anne Boleyn threatens the reign of Queen Catherine of Aragon, and goes into depth to establish the lengths a king is willing to go to maintain both his power and his desires.