Wolf Hall - The Mirror and the Light

[virgocatlover]

Series 2 is confirmed to start Sunday 10th November.

Almost 10 years after the first series, I'm excited to see the third and final novel brought to life.

Interesting article about Cromwell’s execution—less brutal than we fear.

thehistorypress.co.uk/article/thomas-cromwell-and-the-ungoodly-executioner/

Cromwell's glares at Wriothesley during his interrogation were so powerful. Mark Rylance's ability to act with facial expression alone is incredible.

I'll miss this series.

Rafe was very well acted. Really moving.

I would have liked a “so now you get up” flashback 😭

Me too, I loved the last bits of the book with the flashbacks and the motif of the river- from a boy lying being kicked by his father in Putney, to being beheaded just a few miles down the river….but what a life in between. But the vision of Cromwell in his peaceful Abbey is quite a nice way to leave it I suppose.

Sadler was sent to the tower, but was released. He continued to serve Henry, including multiple trips to Scotland and dealings with Mary, Queen of Scots. He did retire when the other Mary became Queen of England, but returned once Elizabeth was queen. He was put in charge of guarding Mary, Queen of Scots when she was imprisoned in England, and he was on the council that sentenced her to death.

He was briefly arrested, but released and continued in service to Henry. He was Ambassador to Scotland and was one of those responsible for gathering evidence against Catherine Howard. He served Edward VI and was a supporter of Jane Grey. Understandably, he was not in favour with Mary I (lucky to survive that, I think) but later served Elizabeth I.

I'm one of those who think Rylance was miscast as Cromwell.

But he was superb in this episode.

The scene were he said goodby to Rafe will stay with me.

Thank you so much, and I'm very grateful you didn't laugh at my pathetic plea.

I'm going to fire up the iplayer shortly and settle down to watch.

@DontStopMe thanks for the additional information - I didn't know about Mary, Queen of Scots. He had quite a career!

That was very well done. Rafe had me in its. I found it interesting he was shown more upset than Cromwell’s son.

the best historical series on telly since "I, Claudius", which is about the highest praise I can give.

Agree, it struck me as a bit odd too.

I did a bit of “The Googling” and although this was the time of “the mini Ice Age”, apparently there was a drought across Europe in the summer of 1540 with temperatures far above normal.

I was thinking exactly same.
Willing him to remove it for a clean chop, as it were.

But at that point I couldn’t watch and found myself googling why Norfolk spoke of hanging dogs at the end of the hunting season!!

MN for any of you planning on ever holidaying in Spain you might want to Google that subject too….!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I can’t even bring myself to write what they do
It’s Yulin every year but in Spain

Superb ending to a superb series.

Eta: I wish Hilary Mantel had lived to see it.

As everyone says, just beautifully done. Great work by Mark Rylance. Wolsey in the crowd (and Cromwell obviously addressing him, not the King) was a master-stroke.

Agree. Brilliantly done.

I was dreading it but they did it as beautifully as it could be done. Very different to Anne's execution scene.

I too was waiting fearfully for the "So now get up...." but that ending was so moving. Mark Rylance was perfect choice for me, wonderful actor.

I like how they finished up with 'reaction shots' of the other characters. And of course the ditzy Katherine Howard getting dressed for her wedding, that same day. It's not an original technique but it was really well done.

It reminded me a little of 'Ann of the Thousand Days' when you see Henry hearing the shot fired from the Tower. Just for a moment he looks pensive, but then turns around and instructs his minions to 'Mistress Seymour's house', before racing off like an excited teenager.

I, Claudius is a classic.

Hard to believe it was made nearly half a century ago.

I'm quite surprised it hasn't been remade since, but maybe that's a good thing.

It was brilliantly done - I was very nervous to watch the end too but it is fine.

It's not in the books but I would have liked a coda - showing Henry a year later, accusing his ministers of causing him to put to death 'the most faithful servant he ever had'.

Just like in previous episodes we saw him remark about how 'I miss the Cardinal of York'.

Astonishingly well done. Superb tv - superb source writing from Hilary. I commented to dh about how on earth we were going to find anything to follow that for our Sunday evening tv.

Loved this series, Mark Rylance is brilliant in it.
Was also thinking about the last scene in the book- the up you get flashback- but ending was much gentler.
Will miss watching this on Sunday nights, get very few high quality historical dramas these days

I also really enjoyed his conversation with Brandon which I don't remember at all from the book but was clearly Mantel's writing - 'you couldn't go robbing with Henry, he'd run off and leave you with your leg over the sill'.

I'll have to re-read it.