Category: Wolf Hall

Wolf Hall on PBS, Episode 2: Entirely Beloved

"I'll say this for you. You stick by your man."
-Henry VIII
source: BBC
source: BBC

Entirely Beloved… Wolf Hall!  This is dark, witty political drama at its BEST with superb writing, directing, and acting. Damian Lewis and Mark Rylance absolutely STORM it together, and it’s just pure pleasure to watch, think, and write about Wolf Hall!

Entirely Beloved is a quite INTENSE and wonderfully scripted episode in which we closely witness the relationship between Cromwell and Henry evolving. Continue reading “Wolf Hall on PBS, Episode 2: Entirely Beloved”

A Wolf Hall Junkie’s Year Long Journey with Wolf Hall

“Henry VIII is a monster, but he’s our monster.
 We’re perversely proud of Henry.”
 Hilary Mantel
source: farfarawaysite.com
source: farfarawaysite.com

Tell me… what are the odds your favorite actor plays your favorite historical monster in a mini-series based on your favorite book? I know 🙂 And, not just that, but the mini-series had its world premiere on BBC2 on January 21 — literally as my birthday gift! A-M-A-Z-I-N-G!

I have had this amazing journey with Wolf Hall. It started on a sunny and cold Saturday afternoon in New York City at the Belasco Theater last January and has come full circle with the first rendezvous with Thomas Cromwell and Henry VIII. Continue reading “A Wolf Hall Junkie’s Year Long Journey with Wolf Hall”

In Defense of “Skinny” Henry

source: farfarawaysite.com
source: farfarawaysite.com

I don’t know about Damian Lewis, but I am a bit sick and tired of reading on social media and elsewhere about people being suspicious about the “skinny” Henry VIII on Wolf Hall 🙂

So, in defense of skinny Henry… I present the evidence 🙂 Continue reading “In Defense of “Skinny” Henry”

Wolf Hall 1: Three Card Monty Taught by a “Monstrous Servant”

“It’s no roistering doistering Tudor romp.” – Damian Lewis

Indeed. Be forewarned, in Wolf Hall, viewers will get no heaving bosoms, no bodices ripped by spoiled princes with fickle insatiable appetites. The King’s private life and private matters are very much the subject of this drama, but the King’s chambers are very much off limits to the camera throughout this series.

Wolf Hall is about Thomas Cromwell. Cromwell did all his most significant work during the reign of Henry VIII, thus, Wolf Hall is also about Henry VIII, but only insofar as the King is the patron and leader and provider of opportunity behind Cromwell’s ideas. Lots of things changed in fact and in spirit during this time in English History. Since England was such an expansionist empire, these ideas rippled throughout the world, and, even you, especially you, dear America, were a beneficiary of the ideas born in the time this story is told.

Continue reading “Wolf Hall 1: Three Card Monty Taught by a “Monstrous Servant””

Wolf Hall on PBS, Episode One: Three Card Trick

“Perhaps you should teach me your Three Card Trick… in case we both end up on the streets.” -Cardinal Wolsey

source: BBC
source: BBC

“Three-Card Trick” is a slow-burning episode that sets the scene for Wolf Hall. We get to meet our protagonist, Thomas Cromwell, and find out about his personal tragedy — from his humble beginnings as a violent blacksmith’s son to losing his wife and two daughters to “sweating sickness.” Cromwell starts at the bottom, escapes from home at an early age, spends time in Europe, learns trade, fights for France, and is now a pretty affluent lawyer in the service of Cardinal Wolsey, the Lord Chancellor of the King Henry VIII. Still, our Thomas is “Master” Cromwell — or  “a person” as Duke of Norfolk likes to call him — essentially, he doesn’t have a title. Continue reading “Wolf Hall on PBS, Episode One: Three Card Trick”