SubscribeRoyal intrigue! Here are 'The Tudors'' secret Emmy plans
NEWS UPDATE 4/22 — Showtime has announced that Jonathan Rhys Myers is no longer considering episode 203 to be his Emmy reel. READ MORE - CLICK HERE!
Stay tuned for the episode of "The Tudors" that will air Sunday, April 27. Showtime informs Gold Derby that No. 205, "Anne's Family's Power is Jeopardized," is the one the network plans to submit to Emmy judges in the race for best drama series--if the show makes the top 10 runoff after a popular vote of 14,000 academy members, which seems likely. At that point, the strength of just one episode will decide if "Tudors" can pull off a historic breakthrough and become the first non-HBO cable series nominated for best drama series. Or best series, for that matter. None has managed to make the comedy cut either, come to think of it.
There is still time for switcheroos to be made by network execs, who are currently seeing the final season episodes, like No. 10, for the first time. So these decisions aren't royal decrees. In order to lighten the workload involved in shows officially entering the Emmy race, the TV academy asks networks to make early episode declarations, which can be changed later with ease as long as the initial filings are made on time.
It's a good thing that Showtime can change its mind about the episode planned for Jonathan Rhys Myers: last Sunday's segment, No. 203 ("Henry Marries Anne in Secret"). Yeah, it's great TV that finally gives viewers the Big Payoff of the Cranky King's wedding to Anne Boleyn, but Rhys Meyers doesn't get much screen time to showcase the kind of dramatic grandstanding that voters expect. So Showtime is also considering No. 210, whatever that is. Details haven't yet been disclosed.
Here's what happens in No. 203: Henry harrumphs, "The annulment of my marriage (to Catherine) must be declared immediately!"
You see, the belly of his mistress, Anne, is ballooning fast and he needs to make a decent queen out of her, pronto.
He installs a new, wimpy Archbishop of Canterbury to make the proclamation the Pope will not, then he finally weds Anne in a quiet, vaulted place.
Afterward, they proceed to the coronation, traveling by regal carriage through the empty streets of London. (Obviously, his subjects ain't too crazy about his new queenie.) An assassination attempt against Anne seems to go unnoticed.
Next comes the grandiose coronation during which Henry jumps up, snatches the crown from the archbishop and places it upon Anne's head as he booms, "With this — St. Edward's crown — I do so solemnly crown you queen of England!"
A few nights later, he cuddles up with Anne in bed, but she shoos him away, saying, "Can't now! Our baby!" His highness is not amused.
He's also not smiling with the baby is born and it turns out to be a girl. "I'm so sorry!" Anne sighs.
Randy Henry's a good sport about it, noting, "You and I are both young. With god's grace, boys will follow."
Not not anytime soon. Not with Anne. Next scene we see him eyeing the sexy Lady Eleanor, who he corners in a game of nude chess. Checkmate!
You see, this episode is fun, yes, but I don't spy an Emmy-worthy performance here. No, no, no.
See the full, prelim list of "The Tudors'" Emmy campaign -- CLICK HERE.
(Photo: Showtime)
This was the wrong episode for the Emmy campaign. The next ep should be the one (where Sir Thomas More is executed). Wait until you see it. Truly amazing television!
Posted by: Andre Wiggins | April 22, 2008 at 02:01 PM