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STUDIO: Showtime Entertainment
MSRP: $42.99
RATED: NR
RUNNING TIME: 556 minutes
SPECIAL FEATURES:
• Free episodes of other Showtime series
• Tudors production & costume design
• Favorite filming locations
• Free streaming episodes of Dexter via N Technology

The Pitch

"Fit for a King."

The Humans

Jonathan Rhys Meyers, Natalie Dormer, Jeremy Northam, Sam Neill, James Frain, Nick Dunning

The Nutshell

The Tudors chronicles the early life and loves of King Henry VIII (1491 – 28).

The Lowdown

I knew going into this DVD that the series was not going to be historically accurate concerning events and what happened to some people who were part of King Henry VIII's (Jonathan Rhys Meyers) life when he was young. Unlike more recent series (Carnivale, Rome) where attention to detail was pertinent in regards to the times they are based on, The Tudors has put aside several historical events and places with more emphasis on character development and the dramatic elements of telling a story about one of the most dynamic figures in the history of the British monarchy.

The Tudors fits perfectly in with today's style that appeals to a younger audience. The series showcases a very young and thin man who seeks adventure and lives life to the fullest. Nothing is going to keep Henry from having it all which includes lots of sex, dancing, feasting and ruling an empire. Nothing that is except his current wife, Queen Catherine (Maria Doyle Kennedy) who he has lost interest in because she has failed to produce a male heir. This disappointment leads Henry to the arms of another woman, the love of his young life Anne Boleyn (Natalie Dormer) - For those keeping tabs she is the mother of Queen Elizabeth I. Interesting that while King Henry looks youthful Catherine looks much older and worn down.

The Tudors is filled with enough intrigue, romance and suspense throughout the entire first season that will want you to see the second season which premieres in March on Showtime. Throughout season one the series kept me wondering what poor soul was going to be sent to the gallows or prison or how many young damsels King Henry was going to invade and then dispose of. The most interesting aspect of the series is the pending clash Henry will face with the Catholic church who are not the type that take kindly to giving up their power so easily. Which brings me to the most interesting character of the series, Cardinal Thomas Wolsey (Sam Neill) whose power and influence over Henry goes unchallenged for most of the season. Wolsey's behind the scenes manipulating is what elevated The Tudors above just being a series about King Henry's jousting and female conquests.

The season begins with King Henry preparing to go to war with France but is dissuaded by Wolsey who comes up with another alternative. The first episode quickly establishes Wolsey's strong relationship with Henry and as the season progresses it is this relationship that becomes the biggest threat to the young King's future. Jonathan Rhys Meyers does an excellent job at establishing King Henry as a dynamic character who relishes in affairs of the state and making sure his subjects know who is in charge. Jeremy Northam does a decent job at portraying the soft spoken and level headed Sir Thomas More who is always available to counsel the King and at the same time keeps a watchful eye on others who have influence with the King. When Henry finally meets Anne Boleyn the remainder of the series primarily focuses on their growing relationship. I like how this romance was given time to play out as we see the young couple mostly sharing glances and secretly sending each other love notes. Giving this relationship plenty of time to play out is one of the things I appreciated the most in season one.

One of the smaller stories I enjoyed was about King Henry's sister Margaret (Gabrielle Anwar) who is betrothed to the King of Portugal, an old and ugly troll who causes Margaret to pass out when she first meets him. Before going to Portugal, Henry makes his good friend Charles (Sebastian Armesto) Duke of Suffolk and he is commissioned to escort Margaret to Portugal. It is during this trip that Charles and Margaret fall in love which puts her in a position to do whatever it takes to end her marriage to the King. The story had some of the funniest scenes in the series and one of the most compelling.

With only 10 episodes to work with the filmmakers did a terrific job at fleshing out several major characters and allowing various smaller stories come to a satisfying conclusion.

The Package

Offering free episodes of other series seems to be something the studios are going to use from now on. A great way to promote their other shows and on this set one gets episodes of Californication, This American Life and Penn & Teller: BS! Since I'm a Penn & Teller fan that was the first episode I watched and enjoyed the most. The other two series were fun to watch and I may catch up with them on Demand in the future. I couldn't get the free episodes of Dexter via N Technology to work but that could be due to my operating system. The features that are series specific were good but, as with these sort of features they will only appeal to fans of the series.

8.7 out of 10