The Tudors

This is definitely one of the more interesting shows in 2007. So far. I came across The Tudors in an advertisement first while scrolling the channels of Starhub but it didn't enter my mind again until I saw a quote by it's main character Jonathan Rhys Meyers in the Life! section of The Straits Times.

Immediately, I was drawn like a guillible moth to a flame by the series even though I knew nuts about English history. But, I was willing to learn so I downloaded the first three episodes of The Tudors.

About twenty mintues into the first episode, I was a goner.

Now, this 10-part miniseries is by Showtime, a channel in the States and you can bet your socks that it will NEVER make its way across the ocean to our miniscule island. Due to simple fact of its mildly explicit content.

You see, Henry the VIII, played by JRM, is no ordinary king of England. His portrayal of the King is different to that of what is being perceived; the fat, unhealthy and ill Henry the VIII. Of course JRM being JRM, is physically fit, atheletic and quite the dashing King he was cast to be.

As the fiery young ruler of England, he has a taste for power and an even larger taste for activity under the sheets. You know what I mean. Put it this way. In every episode, there has to be at least twice or even thrice the number of sex scenes involving either the King or his court members.

Heck, fifteen minutes into the show after a meeting with his minions, the King announces, "And now, it's time for me to play," as he stands and royally leaves his throne.

The kick about this series is that it is purely based on English court history and it's ability to not sugarcoat it and just telling it as it is. The King has sex, so what?? He's human, just like everybody else. Okay well, maybe he has excessive sex.

One of my favorite characters from the show is Charles Brandon, the young King's best friend. He is played by Henry Cavill, this handsome rogue. If you caught Tristan & Isolde, he was there.

Charles Brandon, as its origin, has no title. He's just simply known as Mister Charles Brandon. But because of the King's utmost faith in him, he rewarded Brandon the title of dukedom. Kinda like a longterm service award because Charles Brandon's father was Henry's father's standard-bearer & the two had grown up together.

So now, Charles Brandon is the 1st Duke of Suffolk, a title that angered many in court considering Brandon was nothing more than a punk who couldn't keep his pants on. He has this sexy cleft on his chin and that strong, square jaw thing going on and ooooh well, you know what a sucker I am for clefty chins and square jaws. Heeeeeeeee.

*bursts into girlish giggles*

My initial impression of The Tudors was that it would be boring, droning and an all-out flat monotonous show. But after completing an episode of it, I'm an addict.

There is so much action packed into nearly an hour's worth of commercial-free drama that you start cursing when you're left hanging at the last second. The show is as unpredictable as they can get; you're just bound to question yourself what the motives of various court members are and can't believe that some are even plotting to overthrow the King's cunning advisor.

Which was just as well, since Cardinal Wolsey, played by Sam Neill is one of the villains in the show. And the most underrated because his villainy is so subtle, you won't even notice he's up to no good unless you pay attention.

Shot in Ireland, the show has a very authentic feel to it because of Ireland's massive rolling hills and vast amounts of landscape. The costumes are spectacular, said to be rented from an opera company in Spain and Italy.

Although set in the Renaissance, the costumes gave a very contemporary feel to the actors and I have to admit, I did find the costumes of the actresses rather sexy.

Instead of those poufy-sleeved concoctions that made the royals look like the were hot-air balloons ready for liftoff, think 16th century rockstar with tight leggings, loose flowing shirts --not those puffy ones-- and bling-bling for the guys. Lots of bling-bling.

I'm already five episodes up. Episode 6 is already airing and even before the season ends, they've already got a contract clinched for the second season. Very fast, I know.

Overall, I give The Tudors four popcorn buckets out of five for giving Royally Screwed a whole different meaning. The show really is the real thing. It's raw, human and so real that you can't believe this is the royal family we're talking about although it's more than just sex and ultimate domination. The producers really got their history spot-on albeit a few errors in the time lapse.

It is ironic that Henry VII is so worried about his failure to produce a male heir that unknowingly centuries later, in present time, a female is ruling the countries of Great Britain. Who's got the last laugh now, huh??

I therefore pledge my loyalty to His Highness. Watch this space for pictures.

Laterz...
Lenny