We are treated here to a firestorm that involves Henry VIII's efforts to get his marriage to Catherine of Aragon annulled. He, of course, claimed that the marriage was never consummated. There is the crude joke about his coming out of his bedroom saying that he was in Spain last night. Cardinal Wolsey, who has a moral compass, with his dear confidante, Thomas Cromwell, try to stay afloat, despite the vengeful oversight of the monarch. Catherine is out, of course, and enter Anne Boleyn to try to produce an heir for Henry. Cromwell, who must navigate alone because his mentor is so ill, tries to "keep the faith." Cromwell came from common stock, growing up as a blacksmith, abused both verbally and physically by his father, a true beast. There is an interesting scene as Thomas goes along with his wife's wishes and visits the awful man (with a devastating flashback presented for us). All the subtext is in place and we are ready for the ride, going into the second episode.
Review of Three Card Trick
