Becoming Elizabeth (2022) s01e03 Episode Script

Either Learn or Be Silent

1
[Edward] Stop holding Mass.
[Mary] The Holy Father being mocked
by my one true king,
it cleaves me in two.
All seek to use each other.
Choose who you wish to think
is using you.
This risks everything my life
my neck.
[Elizabeth] And mine, sir.
[Thomas] Was that meant to be
some kind of warning to me?
That poor stag.
Do you think of me, Elizabeth?
[Elizabeth] All the time.
Mary, she's left court,
returned home to Framlingham.
She wants me to be her advocate.
I should stay out of their game.
I wouldn't choose sides.
[Edward] Who do you have
in your prayers, Elizabeth?
I have our sister, Mary.
And for what do you pray?
[Elizabeth] For her to convert
so that her soul can be saved.
[dramatic music plays]

[liquid trickling]
[Catherine sighs]

[sniffs]
You are with child.

For certain?
[doctor] You doubt me, madam?
I

I have so many things to do.
A baby is God's will.
It is a death sentence.
For me for the child.
[doctor] Why must women
always speak in such absolutes?
Such fancy.
Never would a man predict his
death at the first news of war.
Then men are the fanciful ones.
Yes?

[sighs]
[Jane] My mother lives.
Your mother lived.
The Lord Protector's wife
has been delivered safe of ten children.
The Lord Protector's wife?
I doubt anything could kill her.
Whatever protection she has,
I doubt I share.

[groans]
Your baby is blessed.
If you and Sir Thomas were my parents
I-I honor my parents, but
I wouldn't be unhappy
if-if you were instead.

[both laugh]
[footsteps tapping]
I know I'm merely a humble admiral.
It's not my place to ask,
but there's a man
sitting on one of our
most uncomfortable chairs.
He says he was sent for you
by Robert Dudley.
I haven't seen this messenger.
Can't help you.
[Thomas] But you can.
And you must.
Because you're my Elizabeth.
No one else is to play with you.
Do you understand?
[Kat] It seems as though
there's a plan for everyone
except the princess.
Kat, are you even aware
you are still talking?
It's my wife. She approaches.
Wife!
Husband. Daughter. Household.
Elizabeth and I were just
watching the sky from our window here,
we were wondering if the, uh
the clouds foretold our futures.
For if they do,
I fear we are running into
a rather large number of sheep.
[laughter]
She's meant to be here
reading her lessons,
not gazing out of windows.
[Catherine] Is that
why you are so unsmiling
at our interruption, Elizabeth?
You've been caught idle.
Kat, surely anyone with sense
would look between these two
and know it would be him at fault,
not that demure, earnest little angel.
[Thomas] Yes, indeed,
why have you dressed today
as if you've recently been widowed?
Has it been so long
since we lost the king
and she her father?
Yes, but spring
has come and gone, my love.
All should be renewed.
Perhaps that's what the, uh,
sheep are telling us.
[chuckles]
They're lambs.
- And it's spring.
- [laughs]
[Thomas] We are to be reborn.
[laughs]
Sir!
Your stepmother and I, we forbid this.
[soft music plays]

[Elizabeth gasps]
- [gasps]
- [laughs]
[chuckles]

[fabric tearing]

- [breathing shakily]
- [Catherine] Go on. [laughs]

Oh, you cannot leave her
only half reborn.
She must be freed properly,
- even if it must be by force!
- [yelps]
[laughter]
[both yelping and laughing]

[laughter]

If you do still mourn him,
know that the dead want us free,
for they are.

- [fabric tears]
- [yelps]
[Catherine laughs]

[laughs]

[laughs] Look at you.
[breathing shakily]
I I have news.
News? What news?
What news can rival Elizabeth right now,
standing unburdened as she is,
all at once?
- Yah!
- [Elizabeth yelps]
[laughter]
[Thomas] No, no, no, no!
[laughs]
Uh-uh! No, no, no.
No, no. [laughs]
[laughs]
No! No, no, no, no! Ow, my
- [Elizabeth exclaims]
- Ow!
[choking laugh]
You've got me. You've got me.
You've got me.
[laughter]
[dramatic music plays]

[singers vocalizing]

[footsteps tapping]
[Pedro] I would not keep
reading a letter
that has caused as much pain
as that one has.
It's not the words that pain me
but its meaning.
[Pedro] All the same.
[tense music plays]

[Mary] So
it seems Elizabeth,
as my father did,
will dance on a string for Catherine.
Why else,
when I ask my sister
to help bring peace,
would she choose war?

[whistles]
Into the Lord Protector Somerset's hand,
but no one else's.

[Dudley] Release Gardiner, really?
So we are to have a Catholic
sit on our council
- and that will
- [Somerset] Yes.
And that will perhaps
assure Princess Mary
that a Catholic slaughter
is not on our agenda today.
Stay there.
[door clatters and creaks]
[Gardiner] And finally, he comes.
Trust me, I would not be here
unless I had to be
Bishop.
The king, he has
[chuckles]
strong opinions.
Hmm, so did the old king.
Is that not the point of the council,
to temper strong opinions?
[Somerset] There will be a great
many more about your release.
[Gardiner] Hysterical Protestant squawk.
Keep them in cages.
Hysterical?
Sir, it is the faith of England now.
The king's faith, my faith, sir.
[laughs, sighs]
Catherine Parr will object, of course.
Catherine Parr.
[Somerset] Well, I believe
she has reason enough.
You tried to have her
executed for heresy.
I know what you did,
you did at the entreatment of your soul.
But I do ask that if your soul
starts entreating you again,
you might want to leave it here
in the Tower.
A man rend his soul from his body, hmm?
You may as well his head.
You may as well
Stephen.
[tsking]
[indistinct chatter]
Are you allowed to come in with me?
[door latch clatters]
[Catherine] She's here now. Come on.
[breathing shakily]
[tense music plays]

[door slams, latch clatters]

Mary's angry at us.
Mary?
[Thomas] My wife's jewels
did not sate her, then?
So we're trying another gift?
The release of the Catholic bishop here?
This is no gift.
This is trying to repair
the damage of her letter.
My letter?
You wrote a letter to your sister, Mary,
I've just been told.
Apparently, she was much alarmed by it,
about how you told her
that you and your brother,
the king, are united
against her.
No, not-not against.
Mary was feeling compelled
to protect herself.
What the Princess Mary
deems protecting herself,
I would not like to know.
As a Catholic, she has great support
and could pose a threat to the crown.
Well, I didn't do anything.
Tell Mary that!
I didn't ask her to do this!

[dramatic music plays]

[horse chuffs, whinnies]
[Thomas] Anyone else
you've declared yourself
and this great household
of four an enemy of?
My sister asked me a question,
and I answered.
Oh, dear, we have angered
the princess, Thomas.
She feels we have been unfair.
It is unfair that life is unfair,
no matter if I am executed or tortured,
no, no, because I have been unfair.
I know when my father was dying,
the bishop tried to oust you
from court, but it's
Oh, I can believe it was reported
as an ousting to you.
It was a question of faith.
I know you and some other women
were questioned, but the
[Thomas] She doesn't understand.
Catherine

she doesn't understand.

Your father had a strong will.

He was a loaded cannon,
and the game of court
was to see which gunner
could fire his rage
in the right direction.
And then we all realized he was dying.
And the Bishop Gardiner's mind
went straight to,
with your father gone,
who would whisper in your brother's ear?
No doubt he wished it would be him
and that Catholicism
would regrip our nation.
And because I, like a mother,
love Edward as if he were my son
and, like a Protestant,
love my God as if
well, as if he were my God
the bishop sought to condemn me
and find some wrongdoing of mine
so that he could remove me from Edward.
So he questioned my friends.

Anne Askew had to be carried
to the stake.

Her legs were no longer really legs.

And then they burned her.
God rest her soul.
And then your father sent for my arrest
for the third time in his life,
affirming that death
should be expedited
on a woman he had married.
So it would have been your mother
the great whore
that silly girl, and then me.
It was the bishop
who ended up in the Tower,
Catherine, not you.
Forgive me, Thomas,
but I cannot fuck
the threat away this time.

My father would never
have let you be executed.
Yes.

Just his mind was dependent
on whomever he had last spoken to.
The bishop's Catholic tricks
are all played out.

His release, a gift
in honor of your sister's
obsessive belief
in her own persecution.
Let's hope that Mary has fun
with her new toy, huh?

If only, Elizabeth,
you hadn't got him out of the box.

Freedom comes by the leave of others,
I've learned.
I have mine by leave
of the Lord Protector.
So have you.
Do you not believe his word?
I have seen the Lord Somerset
uses a lot of them.
- [Mary laughs]
- [Gardiner] I do not believe
he has the ability to keep his word.
Schoolmasters have more authority.
Is he Protector or a nurse
keeping a smile on children's faces?
He is a politician.
Since when is England
ruled by them, hmm?
We are led by men
and strength and faith.
I notice wisdom is not on that list.
Is it not wise to follow God?
I do.
Well, that is good to know.
For I feared you'd chosen king over God.
I've chosen my brother.
Over your faith?
You may think a little boy
rules this country.
It's a fanatic and his handler.
You say you've felt alone,
but you've not been.
You have the backing of every
single Catholic in this country.
It's you that's blind to them,
not the other way round.
You wish me to tear apart my own family
and my own country?
[Pedro] My mother would tell me
I have a-a weakness
for dangerous friendships.
She did not like the boys
I would play with as a child.
Princess, it seems we share this trait.
You have a most dangerous friend indeed.
[suspenseful music plays]

[Thomas] Ah
it is the maker of fine messes.
I thought you angry.
I am. As I said, a fine mess.
You come here so I can scold you again?
[slurps] Mm. Do you like punishment?

Even men, limited though we are,
can possess more than one
emotion at a time.

Catherine is angry.

Yes. Yes. Yeah, she is.
And as far as I'm aware,
she possesses very little
desire to fuck you,
so winning her around
may take some time.

Do you think me a fool?

For the letter?

Do you?
I may have been foolish,
but I'm not a fool.
Do you think I think you're stupid?
I think you may think me a child.
[scoffs]
It's quite extraordinary
how people can
see so much
but they cannot see themselves.
Your brother believes himself in charge.
My brother believes himself peacemaker.
And you believe yourself a child?
No. I feared you saw me as one.
Don't worry.
I can see you.
I can see you
very, very clearly, Elizabeth.
[dramatic music plays]

[chuckles softly]
I'm just excited.

[door clicks open and shut]
[footsteps tapping]

I think you and I
have your brother wrong.
[Thomas] Must we discuss my brother
at this very moment, my love?
I think he doesn't scheme
and plot against you and I.
I think he doesn't think of us at all.
[sighs] The bishop is not a threat.
He is a sign of our irrelevance.
Your brother doesn't plan
to turn Edward against us,
just forget us.
By next Christmas, we'll be lucky
to be invited to court at all.
[Thomas] Jane Grey.
We've said this. She marries Edward.
[Catherine] He never sees her.
You and Henry Grey
sit in council meetings
mute and nodding,
lest risk being thrown from them.
And I am barely allowed to court at all.
- [Thomas grunts]
- [Catherine giggles]
Who is to promote this pairing
if we cannot see or speak to half of it?
Elizabeth is at least
in favor with Edward.
- Her birthday.
- Mm.
Elizabeth will be 15.
[Thomas] Uh-huh.
[Catherine] We arrange a celebration.
The king loves his sister.
Let's get him here with us,
with Jane, our jurisdiction.
Where you, not your brother,
is in charge.
[Thomas chuckles]
[soft dramatic music plays]
Kat.

[Kat chuckles softly]

[Kat] My birthday girl.

[Catherine] Oh. [gasps]
You look beautiful. Show me.

Oh, ready for this party
and ready before me.

[sighs] Beauty really is
wasted on the young.
You don't use it or believe it,
and then just when you
start to, it disappears.

But it leaves the vanity behind,
for the sake of irony, probably.

Hmm.
Hmm.

My lady, no.
That is not advisable.
People talk of her enough.

People well know and remember
Anne Boleyn was my mother.
Why can I not?
Is this remembrance,
or is this celebration?

Love?
Is that wrong, to love my mother?
[Catherine] No.
But it is unwise.

Come.

There.
[breathes deeply]
Beautiful.
[tense music plays]

[indistinct chatter, laughter]

They were starting to doubt me.
Are you ready for your surprise?
Your Majesty!

[crowd cheering]
[laughs]
[exciting music plays]
[fireworks whistling and popping]
[laughs]

Jesus.
Had no part,
nor the Lord,
either one of them.
All this for me?
[crowd cheering]
[Catherine] He's fine now. No harm done.
You won't remember the noise
at all, will you?
[indistinct chatter]
- [laughs]
- Five, six.
Your go.
No!
[indistinct chatter, laughter]
I didn't know
what the surprise would be,
but I'd have wagered
half a crown it'd be loud,
seeing as Sir Thomas arranged it.
[laughs] I thought my father was loud,
but Sir Thomas is the loudest man
I've ever known, maybe ever was.
I'd wager another half a crown
my father was louder.
Your father doesn't count.
I said man.
Your father was a king.
You're just afraid
of losing half a crown to me.
If your father was a man,
that means you are a man.
You know yourself that's not true.
If you are anointed and chosen by God,
it's not exactly fair to go around
comparing yourself to normal men, is it?
Because I would win?
And as if you have need of half a crown.
[dog whining]
The Protector would say so.
Even when I propose church reforms
Propose? Your Grace, you are the king.
[laughs]
Did no one tell you?
[dog whining]
[Elizabeth laughs]
I already gave you your present.
You've not mentioned it.
[Elizabeth] I didn't tell anyone.
Everyone gets angry
if you talk about the hunt.
Which is unfair,
as I felled a grown stag,
and no one even talks about it.
Is it your best present?
What gift did the ruthless turtledove
and that
That what?
That unstable popinjay give you?
What did they give me?
- [Thomas] Cheers!
- [laughter]
Somewhat forgotten now,
though, aren't you?
It is your birthday, after all.
I could stab you, Robert.
You did arm me, after all.
What is this game?
Jane Grey and the king?
There you go. All in one.
[Robert] They often ask
for him to see her,
but the Protector never allows it.
[Thomas] Go on.
[Robert] I suppose
he can't stop it here.
[laughter]
[percussive music plays]
[indistinct chatter, laughter]

[laughs]

[laughter]

[Elizabeth] Sir.
Christ, Elizabeth.

He set the river on fucking fire.
Your brother at least
understands entertainment
and rewards, even.
If I really did believe, as you seem to,
that I must forever placate
and prevaricate
as if the Privy Council
were a gaggle of maids,
I would lose all hope
for England and its countrymen.

And for the future.

And for all mankind.

- [goblet clinking]
- A toast
for the princess on her birthday.
And a toast
for our king.
[all] The king!
- The king.
- To the king.
Could I say something?
Brother
our Lady Jane
wishes to sing you a song.
She will say she doesn't,
but don't believe her.
She's long been practicing.
She has even been so bold
as to choose a love song.
[crowd murmuring]
[scoffs]
Jane, Jane, come.
[lively music playing]

What is this?
Even I can divine the true purpose
of these celebrations.
And they're not for me.
You want Edward to take note of Jane.
He can take note now.
That a day can serve
more than one purpose
I didn't realize
was so great an offense.
The offense is that
I was not trusted to know it.
See, I thought I was protecting you
from your previous foray into politics.
This is happening
because of Gardiner
because of your sister.
And you attempt to berate me
for not trusting you?
Child.
[Henry coughs]
- [harpsichord playing]
- [Jane] And I were a maiden ♪
As many one ♪
For all the gold in England ♪
I would not do a miss ♪
For all the gold in England ♪
I would not do a miss ♪
And I were a maiden ♪
As many one is ♪
For all the gold in England ♪
I would not do a miss ♪
For all the gold in England ♪
I would not do ♪

That was awful.
[Henry] Jane!
That was shit.
[laughter]
[dramatic music plays]

You were right.
I'm bait for my brother
so Jane could promote herself
as a bride and as a queen.
Such cunning.
There was I, fooled by her tears.
What have I done wrong, Robert?
[Robert] Well, do I have
your leave to speak freely?
I'd hate to presume
the right to an opinion again.
You have my leave.
- If this is about the recital
- I wouldn't call it that.
It's ritual humiliation, perhaps.
[Elizabeth] She could have said no.
She could have said I was joking.
She could have fainted
if she was so terrified,
so humiliated.
You wield your power
as a royal readily enough,
so you clearly have not forgotten it,
but perhaps just mind that
others have not this power.
It wasn't even about her.
It was because Thomas and Catherine
think I'm too naive to see their plan.
Well, I can.
Stop giving looks.
I've given you leave to speak.
If there is something you wish to say
I can only marvel at how at one time,
armed with only a dagger,
a full-grown deer was your prey
and at another, an unhappy,
timid child is sport enough for you.
You don't know her.
You know me. Why can't you take my side?
I will always be on your side,
against those that wrong you.
But when you use your energy
in shitting on those weaker,
I choose neutrality.
All I can think is that
it makes an ugly world indeed.
[scoffs]
I am ugly?
[laughs] Yes.
That's exactly what I said,
a clever deduction indeed.
But of course, Princess,
you are so very, very clever.

[Henry grunts, whip cracks]
[breathing shallowly]
[muffled grunting, whip cracking]

Your Grace.

Are-are-are we missed?

God, this girl makes herself
a nuisance twice over.
What is this, my lord?
No matter for the guest
of honor to worry about.
I asked you a question, my lord.
I-I-I confess,
my wife is the one skilled
in the parental arts.
I succumb to the bruted discipline.
I am quite the peasant sometimes.
You think beating my kin discipline?
The recital was quite unplanned
on Jane's part.
Must I rip my dress open
for you as well, sir?
If Jane's behavior needed remonstration,
perhaps mine also?
Don't be absurd
Is that what I am now?
I am her father, Your Grace.
But your duties as parent
are presently fulfilled
by the Lord Thomas and Lady Catherine.
Oh, I could fetch Thomas to beat her.
Next time, sir
do.
Were you never beaten by your ladies
when you were my age?
I'm sure it was unpleasant
to be you just then.
But it's most unsettling
to be me and to have caused it.
- I think my singing caused it.
- [Elizabeth chuckles]
Well, we share the blame, then.
[Jane winces]
He ripped this.
[gentle music plays]
You will wear a dress of mine.

I know it seems
that I only care for myself.
But it is not because
I do not care for others.
I never had the power to affect
anyone else's life, I suppose.
I was unaware of that fact about myself
until quite recently.

Until just now, in fact.
My dress is only for tonight.
Do not spoil it.
Else my revelation of tolerance for you
will be short-lived indeed.

- [door latch clatters]
- [gasps]
[gasps]
Jane, she asked me
Everyone's just downstairs.
I don't know if we should
Are you drunk?
Jane
she asked me what my grievance is
with my brother.
I imagine the answer took several days.
[chuckles]
And-and, um
I've been thinking.
And I think it's that
he does not trust me.
He doesn't tell me his mind.
You don't know
how it pains me to be like my brother,
however briefly.
Do you know how awful it is
to be forced to live with that bastard?
I'm his hostage.
What?
What, you don't want me tonight?
I want to understand things better.
You have a wife. I'm not her.
You and her had secrets from me.
You're not, um cannot be jealous.
You and me have bigger secrets from her.
Do you love me?

How can you ask me that?

Let me ask you.

Do you love me?

- Yes.
- [chuckles]
More than a person should be able to.
More than someone should.

More than is safe.

I don't want your answer.

I'm afraid to know it.
You shouldn't be.

You shouldn't be.

Oh, God! Jesus, what?
[tense music plays]

No.
Catherine.
In the morning.
Catherine.
In the morning, I said.
Should I go talk to her?
Explain to her she didn't see anything.
She said the morning.

[dramatic music plays]

[scoffs]

Mm.
- [dog whining]
- Mm.
[Catherine] They'll be gone soon.
Let's not let it all be a waste.

- [dog whines]
- [sniffs]
[sighs]
[footsteps tapping]
My sister turned 15 yesterday.
Half of London was asked to celebrate
at Chelsea with her.
I was not.
I thought I would.
But if I interrupt
Can prayer be an interruption?
[chuckles]
[Mary] What did you think of our bishop?
[Pedro] I know
who you are now, Princess.
I will not speak
out of turn to you again.
What a shame.
It was probably my favorite thing
to have ever happened to me.
[chuckles]
I thought perhaps
he maybe spoke
out of turn to you, though.
Whether he did or didn't,
I won't be acting upon it.
My sister has refused to tell
my brother I am not a threat.
So I will show them I am not.
If the bishop thinks that cowardice,
then however much it hurts me,
he must then believe me a coward.
You will have to also.
I think no such thing.
If I am seen as a danger,
so, too, is every Catholic in this land.
The bishop thinks only of souls,
not of lives.
And as a Catholic,
right now in this land,
I can tell you I would my life
to not be put in danger
by another's fear for my soul.
Thank you.

I take no pleasure, though,
in making myself small
to ease the fears of men.

[Thomas sniffs]
[tapping]

[indistinct chatter]
[Somerset] Even when we do meet
in your house,
you are late.
Sister-in-law.
Firstly, to be dismissed
in one's own home by a guest
I apologize! Lord, how will
things ever be done with these
constant dances we must perform?
My lady, the king's council,
you have kindly permitted
to meet in your house this morn.
Pray we shall try not
to trouble your hospitality
longer than necessary.
So he can do it.
I am here at the king's request.
What we spoke of last night.
Did no one go to fucking bed?
[Dudley chuckles]
Now?
Why not?
I wanted to hear the king
address one issue.
What issue?
You, sir.
Lord Protector, you have grown too bold.
My father assigned a council
to assist me
while I was not yet of age.
To assist, not rule, not
Who penned this pretty speech
that is recited here?
You, Catherine?
I'm always chastised
for my interruption,
but there sits
the biggest culprit of all.
Hold your tongue, sir.
That villainous bishop
and his seat on the council
must not be seen
as a concession to heresy
but as a sign of its end.
The religious reformation
of this country
must begin in earnest.
Lord Grey says peasants creep to the
What? What is this?
Listen!
I am the king, not you!
I am to be consulted! I am to be obeyed!
I was unaware I did not do so.
Well, now you are.
I am not even given say
over myself, it seems.
My Uncle Thomas told me you
deny him an audience with me.
The Lady Jane
[laughs] The girl needs to discuss
matters of state urgently, does she?
I tend to let Thomas' schemes
peter out on their own,
but fine, let me
extinguish this one now.
The king of England
is not marrying
that man's fucking daughter.
Me, marry Jane?
Your selfless champions
think marrying you
to their little will-less disciple
would secure influence.
We are here to discuss you,
Lord Protector, not Jane Grey.
We're here to do neither.
We're here to do
the business of the realm.
Allow me to conduct it.
I am meant to conduct it!
Enough! Too long have I allowed this!
I thought there no harm
in letting you feel
the breadth of a king's power,
but you have overreached!
Clearly, you are still too young!
I permitted to let you
play at governance
to prepare for the day you do reign.
And that day will come,
but it is not this day, Edward.
You are in this room not to rule
but to learn from those that do.
From me.
But you disrupt your studies
when you quarrel
and you challenge
and you stamp your feet at your teacher.
Sit and learn, sir!
That is all that is required of you.
[indistinct chatter]
[Thomas] Catherine. [clears throat]
Catherine. Catherine.
I mean, that that couldn't have
Our father would say
that my brother was a coil
that if sprung would break his own back.
Lord, we're not gonna have a performance
over last night, are we?
Yes.
Yes, we fucking are.
[tense music plays]

She's waiting.

[Catherine] Come in.

What has he done?
My lady?
[Catherine] I will bear it.
I married a man of little wit
or judgment,
a dangerous man.
What has he done?
Nothing.
I thought you found him funny.
I do.
What has he done?
You have been a loving mother to me.
He has been a loving father.
Come, even with your scant knowledge
of a loving father,
you must know that is not true.
I believe you may think
you saw something last night
that you did not.
In our play,
perhaps it seemed otherwise,
but I promise you Sir Thomas
and I did no wrong.
No wrong?
No.
No wrong to me?
No, none.
The legend of Anne Boleyn
will pass through the ages.
I did not believe that you had
been cast in the same mold
as your mother.
So what has my husband done?
Tell me. Now.
Your husband has done nothing else
than show me kindness, my lady.
We cannot replay this moment.

Choose carefully how you act in it.
I have done nothing. He neither.
And I take offense
to your accusation otherwise.
Oh, I have been quite blind.
There has been naught to see.
Quite blind to you.
And I see you now.
I see you clearly now, my love.

I'm the same as always.

[Catherine] I tried to teach
you the way this great game
we find ourselves in is played.
Well, even if I say it myself,
I have been a most excellent teacher.

And lessons are complete.

Or perhaps you never needed them.
You must believe me.

[gasps]
[Catherine] What will it be, then?
"It isn't how it seemed,"
or, "She seduced me"?
You've had enough time to decide.

Lord, even now I see you dancing.
You are in two minds still.
Make your choice,
the apologetic sinner
or defiant husband.
Neither.

I'm the falsely accused.
Forgive me. I skipped ahead.

You are in two minds
over something else.

Choose the wife or choose the girl?

[scoffs]
Are you to walk into court
and tell the king
that, having married his stepmother,
you've had a change of heart
and now wish to marry
his 15-year-old sister?
And then what?
The-the council rejoices
and your brother is taken to the Tower.
[Thomas] I'm glad you know
the truth without me
telling you and my mind
without me speaking it.
Um, d-do you have any need of me at all,
or shall I leave you alone
to this conversation?
I'd have thought it best
I did speak for you.
I will admit, though, I hadn't
expected this response.
What fucking response?
I haven't been allowed to have one.
I need a moment to think.

[Catherine grunts]

I think the princess
should leave this house.

A pity, as the king's favored heir
under our roof and influence
was not unhelpful,
but no matter if you cannot be trusted.

Unhelpful?
You do yourself a disservice
to pretend to be so cold.
Elizabeth has been more to us than that.
She has been my daughter.

What has she been to you?

Or did you think she a better puppet
if you used your cock
instead of strings?
And then one day,
were you to cast me aside?
This has not been part of
some great scheme to power,
Catherine.
Then what has moved you so?

She's beautiful.

And that is all it took?

I'm pregnant.
What? What?
You have been a bracketed branch
of your brother's dynasty.
But now Thomas Seymour and his heirs,
a house all of its own.
That's what I foresaw
until I learned you wanted
to be Thomas Seymour,
beheaded for treason,
lust, and stupidity.
You're pregnant?
Choose her if you want.
It won't end well for her, for you.
They will question how I allowed it.
I could well end up on
the axman's block beside you.
But I will not beg.

Come, you get to decide for everyone.
Would that we lose everything,
or would that you have done
all this and for no reason?
I would that we
had been married long ago.

That that bastard Henry
had never laid eyes on you.

That he still lived
and reigned with some other woman
as his wife.

That there was no
Lord Protector or boy king.

I would that all that is
was not.

[sighs]
[dramatic music plays]

The baby takes a toll upon me.

I am old for a child.
Everyone says so. I need peace.

We are only safe in this life
by the grace of God
and the will of others.

The way the world thinks of you,
what it says, is precious.
It can protect you, or it can end you.
Please
think of that next time.
I didn't
What you've done does not matter.
It's what people think you have done
that is all that matters now.
Go!
I don't understand.
[Kat] Come.

Come.

He is staying?

[gasps]
[Thomas moans]
- [driver shouting indistinctly]
- [horse whinnies]

[melancholy choral music plays]

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