A Brief Overview and Review of Showtime's Original Series The Tudors- The Complete First Season (2007)
Posted: Aug 31, 2009 / 16 Views / comments 0 comments / Print / Text Size: Decrease font size Increase font size / Ask About This Article
This is a brief overview and review of Showtime's Original Series, The Tudors, as it covers the complete first season.
Republish this Article
Copy to clipboard
<div align="left"><h1>A Brief Overview and Review of Showtime's Original Series The Tudors- The Complete First Season (2007)</h1><p>Yes, The Tudors is based on actual historical events from the 1500s. And, yes, your seventh grade history class covered the same subject matter and you nearly died from boredom. After watching, a few episodes of Showtime's original series, however, you'll wonder how anyone could dry out the material enough to be able to make it suitable for minors.</p><br /> <p>The first season covers the early part of the reign of Henry VIII in which he is looking for a legitimate way out of his marriage to Catherine of Aragon, being disillusioned by not fathering a son with her, and the burgeoning love affair with Anne Boleyn. Political intrigue abounds with backstabbing being the name of the game. And, of course, being Showtime, there is plenty of sex and violence. You would say it was gratuitous if it all didn't really happen. Showtime does take <em>some</em> liberties, but they are surprisingly few.</p><br /> <p>Jonathan Rhys Meyers (<em>Match Point</em>) does a superb job of being a temperamental and passionate king. This is the early part of Henry VIII's rule, when he was still young and fit. We'll see how realistic this portrayal stays as we stray into Henry's "fat Elvis" years, but for now Rhys Meyers' male model face and imposing physique work well.</p><br /> <p>Among the noteable cast is Maria Doyle Kennedy (<em>Queer As Folk</em>) as the gracious and dignified Queen, Sam Neill (<em>Jurassic Park</em>) as the corrupt Cardinal Thomas Wolsey, Gabrielle Anwar as the king's fiery sister, and Jeremy Northam as the cerebral Sir Thomas More. A great stand out is Henry Cavill (<em>Tristan and Isolde</em>) as Charles Brandon who lends the right atmosphere of fratboy comradery. The only sour note is Natalie Dormer (<em>Casanova</em>) as Anne Boleyn. She does a capable job of being bitchy and conniving, or as she has been portrayed historically- "proud and cunning", but the chemistry between her Anne and Rhys Meyers' Henry is lacking.<br /><br />The best part of this show, besides it being very sexy and streamy, is how accessible it is. Henry VIII seems like a real man, maybe even one you could root for in different circumstances.</p><br /> <p>All in all, this series is very worthy of watching and you'll want to see what happens next, despite the fact that spoilers are in every history book.</p><div style="padding:0;margin:0;font-size:10px;">(Bukisa ID #141669)</div><p>Content Source: <a href="http://www.bukisa.com/articles/141669_a-brief-overview-and-review-of-showtimes-original-series-the-tudors-the-complete-first-season-2007">A Brief Overview and Review of Showtime's Original Series The Tudors- The Complete First Season (2007)</a> - Bukisa.com</p></div>
Yes, The Tudors is based on actual historical events from the 1500s. And, yes, your seventh grade history class covered the same subject matter and you nearly died from boredom. After watching, a few episodes of Showtime's original series, however, you'll wonder how anyone could dry out the material enough to be able to make it suitable for minors.
The first season covers the early part of the reign of Henry VIII in which he is looking for a legitimate way out of his marriage to Catherine of Aragon, being disillusioned by not fathering a son with her, and the burgeoning love affair with Anne Boleyn. Political intrigue abounds with backstabbing being the name of the game. And, of course, being Showtime, there is plenty of sex and violence. You would say it was gratuitous if it all didn't really happen. Showtime does take some liberties, but they are surprisingly few.
Jonathan Rhys Meyers (Match Point) does a superb job of being a temperamental and passionate king. This is the early part of Henry VIII's rule, when he was still young and fit. We'll see how realistic this portrayal stays as we stray into Henry's "fat Elvis" years, but for now Rhys Meyers' male model face and imposing physique work well.
Among the noteable cast is Maria Doyle Kennedy (Queer As Folk) as the gracious and dignified Queen, Sam Neill (Jurassic Park) as the corrupt Cardinal Thomas Wolsey, Gabrielle Anwar as the king's fiery sister, and Jeremy Northam as the cerebral Sir Thomas More. A great stand out is Henry Cavill (Tristan and Isolde) as Charles Brandon who lends the right atmosphere of fratboy comradery. The only sour note is Natalie Dormer (Casanova) as Anne Boleyn. She does a capable job of being bitchy and conniving, or as she has been portrayed historically- "proud and cunning", but the chemistry between her Anne and Rhys Meyers' Henry is lacking.
The best part of this show, besides it being very sexy and streamy, is how accessible it is. Henry VIII seems like a real man, maybe even one you could root for in different circumstances.
All in all, this series is very worthy of watching and you'll want to see what happens next, despite the fact that spoilers are in every history book.
http://www.bukisa.com/articles/141669_a-brief-overview-and-review-of-showtimes-original-series-the-tudors-the-complete-first-season-2007