'The Spanish Princess' Season 2 Episode 6 Preview: How does Catherine tackle Wolsey's manipulation over Henry?
From being constantly pushed to the side when it comes to political counsel to being blamed for not serving her sole purpose to the kingdom, Wolsey has been a proper shrew to Catherine of Aragon. It is Wolsey's manipulation that propelled Henry VIII's inner madness to have the better of his rational judgment, and thus we came to where we currently are in his and Catherine's marital life. Let's add to that the new addition to Henry's legacy - a bastard son - and Catherine has ample reason to practically banish Wolsey from the kingdom. But she can't; probably why she chooses the other way to go about establishing dominance and reminding the Cardinal just whose head the royal crown rests on.
The upcoming episode 6, titled ‘The Field of Cloth of Gold’ takes us back to yet another crucial chapter of Catherine's history and the prominence she gained in the Tudors' as well. The synopsis teases, “A grand meeting in France forms the backdrop for a political clash of wits between Catherine and Wolsey – while back in London, rioting erupts.” It's interesting how the second season is pacing between the significant events of Catherine with giant leaps of six months at a time within each episode's timeline. But as we stand just two episodes away from the grand series finale, these only make more sense in highlighting the battle the titular princess fought within the walls of her own palace.
Just last episode we saw a plague struck London with Catherine and the rest of the royals receding into quarantine at Wolsey's very own Hamptons Court. There Wolsey had the nerve to force Catherine to endure not the service of her husband's pregnant mistress, Bessie Blount who is her own lady in waiting, but also help the woman deliver the king's bastard. The only condition Bessie had to live to was birth a healthy male heir and once that happened, the game automatically shifted into Wolsey's court. Henry was able to assert that he was capable of birthing a son, thereby procuring what he foolishly thinks is the Lord's favour and blessings. And as for Wolsey's manipulation, Henry's thrill at a male heir was more of a win than Catherine being pushed aside from all matters of the state.
Reduced to a baby-making machine, the torn and tormented Catherine can only expect to use her wits and brain against the conniving Wolsey, and she does just that. Catherine chooses quite the place for affirming the clash between the duo too; as history documents, this grand meeting in the synopsis is quite possibly the meeting between King Henry VIII and King Francis I. This was to reconcile past differences, as shown not that long ago on the Starz drama in the episode 'Flodden' where Henry waged war against France and emerged victorious. But while much can't be said about Henry's true intent as he too can be very discreet about his indiscretions, it can be expected that Catherine will try to assert her prominence over Wolsey through state counsel and the type - now that a ceremonious treaty is being celebrated.
'The Spanish Princess' Season 2 airs on Sundays at 8 pm only on Starz.