White Queen Episodes 2-3 Recaps: God Save The Queen

Since its been a while since my last review (and English history can be very confusing), here's an overview of the show. Per the press releases, "White Queen" is based on Philippa Gregory’s novels about the Wars of the Roses (which were a series of wars fought between the Houses of York and Lancaster for the English crown). It is the year 1464 and the York family's Edward IV (played by Jeremy Iron's son Max) has just defeated the Lancaster family's Henry VI. Edward falls head over heels in love with a widow named Lady Elizabeth Woodville (played by Rebecca Ferguson). She is not only a Lancaster but also a commoner. Her family supported Henry for king and not Edward.

Episodes 2 begins as Elizabeth (who has already married Edward) is about to be crowned Queen (against the wishes of Warwick). During a procession through the streets, she is enthusiastically greeted by the citizens (many of whom love her because she is a Lancaster). Elizabeth's mother, father and brothers are proudly at her side. Her husband and her two sons from a previous marriage observe the ceremony from behind a screen.

The queen gives birth several times but to only daughters. Warwick continues to scheme by trying to marry off his two daughters to the King's two brothers. Margaret Beaufort (who is slightly cuckoo) believes she had a vision from God that her son Henry Tudor (age 5) will ascend to the thrown.

Some three years later Warwick turns on Edward and captures him. He kills Elizabeth's father and brother and imprisons Edward. His daughter marries Edward's brother George. Ya can't trust anyone around here.

At first I didn't like the show but I think it's growing on me. I still think the part of Edward was miscast. It's not that Max Irons is doing a bad job but he doesn't seem to have the star power to carry off such a role.

From Wikipedia:

2	"The Price of Power"	James Kent	Emma Frost	23 June 2013 (2013-06-23)	17 August 2013 (2013-08-17)	5.70
An extravagant coronation is planned in an attempt to silence critics of the marriage between Elizabeth and the king. Warwick's discontent with Edward's choice quickly makes itself known, as he refuses to allow his daughters to become her ladies-in-waiting. Margaret Beaufort, whose son Henry Tudor has a claim to the throne, sides with Warwick and Edward's brother George, Duke of Clarence, in the hope that her child will be returned to her. Meanwhile, Warwick makes use of his elder daughter Isabel in an attempt to unify the Nevilles and the Yorks by marrying her to the Duke of Clarence, heir apparent to King Edward.
3	"The Storm"	James Kent	Emma Frost	30 June 2013 (2013-06-30)	24 August 2013 (2013-08-24)	5.32
After a rebellion by the Earl of Warwick results in the deaths of Elizabeth's father and brother but fails to put George, Duke of Clarence, on the throne in Edward's place, an uneasy peace is concluded between Warwick and Edward. It lasts only a short time before they rebel again and are forced to flee to France. Their supporters in England, including committed Lancastrian Margaret Beaufort, are left to face the consequences. Seeking vengeance for her father and brother's deaths, Elizabeth and her mother Jacquetta turn to the occult, with devastating consequences for Isabel Neville, who loses her baby while en route to France with her husband.

Grade: 4 Monsters (out of 5). The costumes and cinematography are beautiful. I'm so glad I didn't live back then. There's too much planning and scheming. I need to lay down after watching this show.