Summary The Virgin Queen (TV serial)

1 summary

1.1 episode 1
1.2 episode 2
1.3 episode 3
1.4 episode 4

summary
episode 1

the first episode depicts elizabeth imprisonment in tower of london queen, sister mary i, accused plotting queen s demise, accession throne following mary s death, , coronation. elizabeth imprisoned in tower, accused of participating in thomas wyatt s rebellion overthrow mary. episode hints elizabeth s participation, though evidence of remains highly conjectural. episode establishes elizabeth s relationship robert dudley, , shown in love, despite dudley being married. elizabeth s frustration @ later house arrest @ woodstock manor emphasised comic effect. shown being held @ woodstock release tower until sister s death cancer, when in reality held there year, before being recalled london mary keep closer eye on her. episode depicts legend of elizabeth being told queen of england under oak tree, depicted being in woodstock in reality claimed have occurred @ hatfield house, , utterance of quote work of lord, , marvellous in our eyes...

episode 2

the second episode shows elizabeth several months year after coronation, establishing herself queen, emergence of mary, queen of scots, political rival. episode makes of clandestine romance robert dudley, , resistance marriage. elizabeth shown struggling adjustment being queen, in regard dudley. scene shows elizabeth dreaming of making love dudley, plot of series follows opinion resisted these urges, , remained virgin. episode introduces or further establishes several key characters in story of elizabeth s reign, including william cecil; francis walsingham; katherine ashley; thomas howard, duke of norfolk (elizabeth s cousin); , lettice knollys. depicts courtship philip ii of spain (her sister s widower) , archduke charles of austria. shows elizabeth s dealings cousin mary, queen of scots, including plans marry dudley, means secure political union between england , scotland, , treason of thomas howard. closing scene depicts start of relationship between robert dudley , lettice knollys. midway through episode, elizabeth s contraction of smallpox dramatically depicted, following depiction of death of dudley s wife, amy robsart. circumstances of amy s death remain ambiguous, though episode shows taking own life, in bid curtail dudley s ambitions marry elizabeth.

episode 3

the third episode begins elizabeth s courtship francis, duke of anjou, , ends following destruction of spanish armada. during near death smallpox in previous episode, elizabeth shown wearing ornate red wig or hairpiece has become famous for. episode depicts elizabeth s courtship of anjou nothing more politics, , wish heir, , suggests harboured little real affection him, though many of courtships, remains ambiguous. key point of character drama in episode elizabeth s discovery of robert dudley s marriage lettice knollys, upon shown flying grief-fuelled rage. illness dudley suffered prior death depicted on, though elizabeth remains ignorant of affliction. great focus placed on elizabeth s turmoil on situation mary, queen of scots, executed towards end of episode, act elizabeth shown expressing great remorse in private. impending invasion of spanish armada dealt rapidly, primary scene concerning armada being elizabeth s encampment @ tilbury, gives invigorating speech. these scenes intercut, , followed grief , heartbreak on death of robert dudley, , brief seclusion during celebrations on armada s defeat. episode ends first encounter robert devereux. ending makes of theory devereux son of robert dudley lettice knollys, instead of result of first marriage walter devereux.

episode 4

this episode shows elizabeth in twilight of reign. anne marie duff , sienna guillory given ageing makup in episode, accentuating age in comparison previous episodes, marking them enduring relics of past. episode revolves around elizabeth s relationship robert devereux court favourite, , machinations advancement mother lettice knollys, queen s former handmaiden. enmity between elizabeth , lettice emphasised, , plot deviates established history showing elizabeth did meet lettice before death, albeit briefly , without exchanging words. devereux held pawn between 2 women, love elizabeth on 1 side, devotion mother on other, pressure of causes him great turmoil, bordering on mental instability, culminating in attempt @ rebellion towards end of episode. 1 haunting scene in episode shows devereux walking in on half-dressed elizabeth, , shock when sees queen decrepit , old, without wig or make up. elizabeth 1 remaining relic of england once knew, of friends , trusted advisors having been replaced next generation. emphasis on devereux takes away political problems elizabeth facing @ time, such spain, france , ireland, significant problems in england high taxes , failure of crops, though these events made frequent reference to. episode concludes robert devereux s execution , elizabeth s demise, including encroaching senility , dementia age, , depression on devereux s death. in these scenes, shown delivering famous golden speech parliament. death depicted in more dramatic fashion in reality, refusing lie down in fear not stand again. elizabeth reminiscing of life; walking through crowd of people when father on throne saying bastard , being informed sister mary dead, beloved friend , chief-lady of bedchamber kat ashley smiling @ her, william cecil, 1 true love robert dudley smiling @ , fateful exclamation of have 1 mistress here, , no master! hear me?!

finally, drawn reminiscing when apparently suffers stroke , collapses, advisers, courtiers , ladies-in-waiting rushing assist dies. episode ends william cecil s son, robert, preparing accession of elizabeth s successor, james i. seen discovering elizabeth added clasp ring worn sovereign; opening it, discovers portrait has been hidden. episode ends robert speaking whore anne boleyn; mother.