Ep 3. Episode 3

The Tudors season 1 episode 3, named "Episode 3," continues the dramatic story of King Henry VIII's early years on the throne. The episode begins with Henry's advisers discussing the political situation in Europe and the need for England to form alliances with other countries. The main focus of the episode, however, is on Henry's troubled relationships with his wife, Catherine of Aragon, and his longtime mistress, Anne Boleyn.

As the episode opens, Anne is still in France serving as a lady-in-waiting to Henry's sister, Mary Tudor. Henry is growing increasingly infatuated with her, despite the fact that she has been playing hard to get. He sends her a series of love letters, which she initially rebuffs, but eventually agrees to meet with him in secret.

Meanwhile, Catherine has been unable to conceive an heir for Henry and is growing increasingly desperate. She seeks advice from her confessor, who suggests that she take a vow of chastity in order to please God and increase her chances of bearing a child. Catherine reluctantly agrees, but her decision causes tension between her and Henry, who argues that it is her duty as his wife to bear him a son.

As Henry's frustrations with Catherine mount, he begins to turn to Anne more and more. He sends her expensive gifts and even tries to arrange for her to be appointed as a lady-in-waiting to his own wife. Anne, however, refuses to be a pawn in his political games and insists that she only wants to be with him on her own terms.

The tension between Catherine and Anne comes to a head when Anne is caught dancing with one of Catherine's courtiers. Catherine accuses her of trying to steal her husband and orders her to leave the court. Henry is furious with Catherine for mistreating Anne and begins to see her in a new light. He becomes convinced that his marriage to Catherine is invalid because she was previously married to his older brother, who died shortly after the wedding. Henry consults with his advisers and begins to think seriously about seeking an annulment from the pope.

As the episode draws to a close, Henry's infatuation with Anne has reached a fever pitch. He invites her to his chambers and they finally consummate their relationship. Anne tells him that she loves him, but warns him that she will never be just another mistress. Henry assures her that he intends to make her his queen, but the road to that goal will be a long and difficult one.

Overall, "Episode 3" is a riveting installment in the Tudors saga, full of political maneuvering, romantic intrigue, and simmering tensions between the various characters. As Henry's obsession with Anne grows stronger, it becomes clear that their relationship will have far-reaching consequences for England and for the Tudor dynasty as a whole.