A cat fight in corsets.

I genuinely wonder what is the fascination of the Tudors and the like?

Let’s summarize. The beheadings were the featured entertainment of the time (3D IMAX theaters did not exist during those times). The jewels weighed just as heavy on the Queen’s chest as the King’s. The fake smiles of grinding teeth glistened behind silent vows of betrayal and treason. The unspoken sexual encounters attracted hopeful viewers for every season. The conspiracies, the religious debates, the international alliances were not too foreign to today’s global politics and intrigue. Of course, one cannot complain to have the opportunity to see the shirtless Henry VIII, or at least his modern life portrayal, all over again in the reruns.

It’s not the history, is it? I can’t imagine the mass population of viewers going back to check the history books for the controversies of the inaccuracies of the historic events, figures and costumes. Let’s face it, Jonathan Rhys Meyers looks nothing like His Royal Majesty (thank goodness, I may not be watching it otherwise). Even the Other Boylean Girl tells quite a different story about Anne’s and Mary’s powers of seduction.

There is not too much action going on either. Although I wonder if Jason Statham would make for a good Duke of York and such? There was some spear poking on horses. As the crowd of watchers gasped in disbelief one poke even put the King in danger of getting hurt. He had survived, or otherwise I can’t imagine what would happen for the right to fight for the throne. There was an arm wrestling match for the right to come back to court. But there were no special effects. No 3D or 4D glasses wearing kind of action.

Perhaps its an excuse for a power trip? The Machiavellian principles are in full force. Some people just live vicariously. I am sure I could find some folks that would claim that the way of international politics and intrigue haven’t changed a bit since the times of the Tudors dynasty.

It is certainly not the powerlessness of the position of women that is lauded, is it? This was especially true of the numerous starlets that took up the Queen’s seat (There were 6 marriages, allegedly). I have lost track of the bed laying and the illegitimate children. Not to mention the inability to breath – the corsets! And what was with the obsession to have a male heir, legitimate or otherwise?

I am truly enthralled as I watch the reruns of the first season on BBC America. I cannot wait for the Borgias to start!