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(S02E09) "These bloody days have broken my heart. My lust, my youth do them depart. And blind desire of ambitious souls who haste to climb, seeks to revert. And about the throne, the thunder rolls." --Sir Thomas Wyatt (voiceover)

This was a dark episode. As much as I disliked Anne during her ascension to the throne and sided with the steadfast and pious Queen Catherine, I hated seeing Anne's demise come to a head this episode. Somewhere along the way, Anne became the victim on this show. The Tudors, in my opinion, has done a good job of creating a multi-faceted character on the part of Anne Boleyn. Once a villain, she ended up a sacrifice to male-dominated political power play.

The angles of the religious men were great in this episode. I didn't expect either of their reactions: Brereton's agreeing with the charge and Cranmer's shock at the arrest of Anne. Directly after Brereton admitted to sleeping with queen (which we know, according to the show, is not true at all), I got it. Of course, he would want to martyr himself to kill a woman whom he believed to be a witch. But, I really didn't see it coming so I was pleasantly surprised. And Brereton got out of being tortured!

Then there's "Emo-Cranmer," less "emo" tonight than usual. I almost forgot about him. The archbishop was smart enough to catch himself in defending the queen to Cromwell. But, just moments later, we got a glimpse of the purity of his heart in wanting these reformations. I loved his expression when Cromwell charged him with finding a reason why Anne and Henry's marriage is null and void.

I haven't discussed Henry in awhile. Real historical happenings aside, Henry is a truly fascinating character. In one moment, I hate his immaturity and selfishness. And in the next, I feel bad for him because he is constantly pulled in different directions with really no one (save perhaps Charles Brandon) to trust or look to for counsel. For example, tonight I was appalled at how he fawned on Jane Seymour. He just wants to snap his fingers and marry someone else. And now, several people will have to die for it. However, later on, when he cried to the Duke of Suffolk--a scene I found immensely touching. It was clear that he loved Anne and felt betrayed by her.

It looks like next week we'll see Anne's beheading. But, of course, that can't take a whole hour (maybe on Showtime it can). So here's a wish list from me for the second season finale. First, I want to know what happens to Thomas Boleyn after his children are dead. Second, I want to see what happens to both Princess Elizabeth and Princess Mary (since presumably Elizabeth has lost all rights to the throne). I'm sure we'll get more of Jane Seymour, so I'm not even including her and her family on my list. However, my last wish list item is this: I want to know what becomes of King Francis and the Bull of Excommunication. That wasn't even touched on tonight.

What did you think of this episode? Are you ready for the finale of The Tudors?

Some other comments and questions:

• That was some torture that Mark Smeaton had to go through. Remember when I was thankful that they didn't show Bishop Fisher's or Thomas More's beheading? Yeah, I take it back after I had to watch Mark Smeaton get his eye popped out (or in, as it were). I have no stomach for that stuff.
• Best line of the night: "I'm the only one who's guilty." Sir Thomas Wyatt to Thomas Cromwell
• A close second for best line of the night: "In this slippery world, you represent for me all that is innocent, everything that is good, unsullied, uncorrupted." King Henry VIII to Jane Seymour
• Nick Dunning was brilliant tonight. He only had two scenes really (not counting the one with the Spanish Ambassador because it was just more of the same Thomas Boleyn) but he was compelling in both of them. What a dad too, right?
• I was surprised that they didn't show Anne's trial at all. I thought that was a bad move. I would have liked to see her speak to all the lords. I wanted to see them condemn her.
• Why was Thomas Boleyn imprisoned? Madge Shelton said that Lord Rochford had been in Anne's rooms during her confession but I never heard anything about his being arrested, charged or questioned.