'The Tudors' review

Season three proves it's still good to be king

By Katherine Spiers

Posted March 31, 2009

Special to Metromix

England’s most famous king has been the subject of many a movie and mini-series, but ‘The Tudors’ is the first full-fledged series about the horny, murder-y monarch. With the third season gearing up, there’s no doubt that his life—and the considerably shorter lives of some of his wives—makes for good watching.

The season starts around the time that Henry (Jonathan Rhys Meyers) takes his third wife, Jane Seymour (Annabelle Wallis). Wedded bliss aside, he sustains a wicked leg injury (foreshadowing here), there are battles over religion raging all over England and he ‘s considering beheading his oldest daughter Mary. That’s a lot for one guy to deal with, right?

Women troubles seem to finally be the last of Henry’s concerns, since he’s married a quiet woman who bears him a son, Edward—making Jane the love of Henry’s life. But poor guy. Things just never go his way.

The buzz: The appeal of the show goes beyond history buffs and jousting fans. The language is nowhere near Shakespearean, so it’s easy to get into, but the stories are still fantastic—and largely based in fact. Five hundred years later, those Tudor shenanigans are still pretty out there.

The verdict: This season changes course as Henry becomes more power-hungry than sex-crazed…But of course, it’s still all about ego. The whispered conversations and astounding costumes that made the first two seasons so good are still there, and not to worry: there are also still plenty of boobies to behold.

Did you know? Henry actually did have a son by the time Edward was born, but alas, Henry Fitzroy, Duke of Richmond, was born out of wedlock, and thus not a contender for the throne, and not an object of Papa Henry’s affection.

Season three of 'The Tudors' premieres on Sunday, April 5, at 9 p.m. ET/PT on Showtime.