Wolf Hall is a masterpiece. But it moves slowly and its easy to get lost. Most characters are introduced by name, (not a
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Archived from the IMDb Discussion Forums — Wolf Hall
CoastalCruiser — 9 years ago(May 12, 2016 09:37 AM)
Wolf Hall is a masterpiece. But it moves slowly and its easy to get lost. Most characters are introduced by name, (not all though!), but you have to be watching closely. And if you dont know the Tudor story the names often have little meaning. Moreover, its also hard to know where you are geographically at times, and even more so, WHEN you are. There are two flashbacks into the past, and they don't give you the old wavy screen trick to indicate a time jump. The following breakdown of the 20 scenes in episode one Three Card Trick attempts to guide you past these hurdles to make for a more enjoyable viewing experience.
Scene 1 October 1529 The kings men attempt to relieve Cardinal Wolsey of The Great Seal
The location is Cardinal Wolseys extravagant residence, York Place. The first character seen is Thomas Cromwell, standing in an upstairs window, his silhouetted back to the camera. He is watching the approach of riders Norfolk (the Duke of Norfolk) and Suffolk (the Duke of Suffolk). Norfolk is the one who speaks first once inside, and is on camera left when standing in front of Cardinal Wolseys desk. Cromwell is seen coming down an interior stairway. His face is finally revealed when he extinguishes the lantern and whispers into Wolseys ear.
[Cardinal Wolsey is a close advisor to King Henry VIII, and currently in charge of getting the Pope to sanction an annulment of the kings marriage to Queen Katherine of Aragon. Cromwell is a pivotal character in that he is destined to become prominent in the Kings court, picking up where Wolsey will leave off. The men bearing the titles of Duke of Norfolk and Duke of Suffolk are referred to by their titles rather than their personal names. Norfolk is the Uncle of Anne Boleyn, the woman who ultimately will replace Henrys present wife. Norfolk is happy to see Wolsey go because the cardinal has failed to secure the annulment in order that the king can remarry and hopefully beget a son. Norfolk also resents Wolsey for being a common man, a butchers son, not an aristocrat.]
Scene 2 October 1529 Exiting York Place
Cromwell and the cardinal confer inside. When departing by boat a new character appears whom Cromwell refers to as George. It is writer George Cavendish, the biographer of the Cardinal Wolsey.
[Clearly Norfolk and Suffolk got their paperwork together because Cardinal Wolsey is evacuating his residence at York Place.]
Scene 3 TIME JUMP Flashback to 8 years earlier in 1521 Cromwell meets Cardinal Wolsey
A masquerade ball at Windsor Castle. Anne Boleyn is showcased dancing with her ill-advised suitor Harry Percy, 6th Earl of Northumberland. Annes father, Sir Thomas Boleyn, is shown lower right at the start of the scene. A conversation between Wolsey and Boleyn overrides the music.
The scene jumps to Wolseys office where the conversation is actually taking place, presumably sometime after the ball. A man standing in the shadows is identified as Secretary Stephen Gardiner. Then a man standing further into the shadows is identified as Thomas Cromwell.
[Harry Percy and Anne Boleyn were each already promised in marriage to others when they met and fell in love. This scene is about getting the two separated and back on path. After the meeting with Sir Boleyn, Thomas Cromwell is meeting Cardinal Wolsey for the first time. Cromwell states he is from Putney, which is in Surrey country south of London. It is shown that Cromwell is already resented by Stephen Gardiner, who is a Bishop. This may be because Cromwell too is a commoner, but historically the two men were at odds due to Cromwell supporting the Reformation and Gardiner set against it.]
Scene 4 Still 1521 - Cromwell goes home
Austin Friars, London. Cromwell returns home from his meeting with Wolsey and greets his wife Liz (Elizabeth). The following morning we meet their daughters, Anne (older) and Grace (younger). A letter from their son Gregory is read. We arent told where Greg writes from. We then meet Cromwells ward Rafe Sadler, as well as his sisters son Richard.
[An important event in this scene is the delivery of Tyndales New Testament, which is one of the first English language versions of the Bible. This event informs us that Cromwell is in the Reformation camp, a movement which Cromwell and King Henry will later use to leverage the goal of getting the King a new wife.
Scene 5 Still 1521 - Cromwell returns to York Place
No new characters
[Cromwell is now in the employ of Cardinal Wolsey and the two men get to know each other by sharing stories. The current strategy to obtain the annulment is revealed.]
Scene 6 TIME JUMP Fast forward back to real time, 1529
We rejoin the cardinals exodus from York Place. The boat ride up river has terminated and at nightfall we find the entourage approaching Esher Place, where Wolsey will reside in exile for four months. Esher Place is also in Surrey county. Musician Mark Smeaton is introduced when Cromwell asks him to go play for Wolsey. We see biographer George Cavend