Starz’s Becoming Elizabeth episode five opens in the dead of night, with a restless Princess Elizabeth (Alicia von Rittberg) rising from bed. Her Lady-in-Waiting Kat Ashley suggests she return to bed but, instead, Elizabeth looks out the window. She sees that Thomas Seymour remains outside in the pouring rain and requests he be brought inside.
Thomas (Tom Cullen) has spent three nights looking up at her window and although he’s chilled to the bone, he claims his compass always points him back to Elizabeth. She suggests he’s only there because his wife, Catherine, is dead. Elizabeth wonders if Catherine ever asked about her and confesses she felt awful for what they’d done and who she’d become.
Thomas declares his thoughts of Elizabeth would keep him awake. He thinks they came together because they were in love, but Elizabeth says it happened because she was naïve and foolish.
Thomas continues to insist they should be together while Elizabeth stands firm in her refusal to yield.
Meanwhile, Edward Seymour – Duke of Somerset – receives Sir Pedro (Ekow Quartey) and the French ambassador at his home at 3am. Edward (John Heffernan) asks if the French would like Boulogne back at a fair price. The French ambassador knows what game Edward’s playing, trying to save face now that the French have Mary, Queen of Scots.
If France wants Boulogne, then they need to withdraw from Scotland. The ambassador signs off on the deal.
Pedro returns to Framlingham Castle and Princess Mary (Romola Garai) is astonished to learn Edward Seymour sold Boulogne back to France. He did so without King Edward’s permission and Mary believes the country’s falling apart because of the Duke of Somerset’s influence on her brother.
In Norfolk, angry townsfolk gather and form a rebellion against all lords and ladies. “Kill all gentlemen!” says their leader, and the crowd roars in approval.
Princess Elizabeth returns to court and is shocked to encounter Thomas Seymour in the halls. He requests she follow him, and they have a quiet chat. Elizabeth asks if he truly loves her, and Thomas is surprised she didn’t believe it the multiple times he’s told her his feelings.
“If you love someone, you wouldn’t hurt them,” says Elizabeth.
Thomas suggests she’s the liar since she has told him she wants him but now seems not to love him. He was blissfully happy in her presence before and even now as she tortures him, he wants to spend his future with her.
He asks if he can be part of her life forever, and Elizabeth shyly replies yes. (She can’t hide her feelings.) Thomas wants to marry the following day, but Elizabeth believes they need to ask the council’s permission first. Thomas knows that will never happen; his brother wouldn’t allow it.
Thomas thinks they should marry and then present the news to the council as a fait accompli. Elizabeth is unwilling to put herself on the outs again after struggling to get back in her brother’s good graces. She believes Thomas’ brother will accept their marriage, given that she’s the King’s sister. Thomas knows his brother will never believe he’s fit to marry a princess.
“I love you. That makes you fit,” says Elizabeth. “I choose you. That should be enough.”
Thomas remains unconvinced. Elizabeth’s certain King Edward will understand.
Edward Seymour’s at archery practice when Thomas joins him. Thomas begins by thanking his brother for his hospitality but quickly changes the subject and asks for his blessing to marry Elizabeth. Edward reacts with a laugh, thinking this is a joke. It’s not, and Edward realizes that and says no.
Edward stalks off and Thomas grabs a bow and arrow, aiming it at his retreating back. He, quite wisely, decides not to shoot.
Robert Dudley (Jamie Blackley) helps Elizabeth from her carriage as she arrives at court after being summoned by her brother. Robert confirms that Princess Mary’s Catholic mass has caused King Edward to hold more prayer meetings in response.
It turns out King Edward didn’t summon Elizabeth; Edward Seymour is the one who requested a meeting. Three portraits are on display in the room and Edward informs Elizabeth her brother wants her to wed. “To remain unmarried is simply too much of a risk, both to the country and to the new church,” says Edward Seymour.
Edward promises they’ll choose the man, and Elizabeth interrupts him to ask if this is his decision. He insists it’s King Edward’s wishes. Elizabeth wonders if he spoke to his brother and he claims he hasn’t.
Robert Dudley runs into Elizabeth after the meeting and they engage in a friendly, flirty chat.
Next, Elizabeth finds Thomas Seymour and informs him his brother wants her married in order to make a foreign alliance. Thomas is shocked and upset and storms off.
King Edward (Oliver Zetterstrom) reluctantly meets with Bishop Gardiner (Alex Macqueen) who is interested in making sure the young King’s aware of all that’s going on. Gardiner has news from Mary that could be interesting, and Pedro joins the men to hand over a note from Princess Mary.
The council gather for a meeting and Thomas Seymour has a seat next to Henry Grey (Leo Bill). They gossip about Edward Seymour but then the room falls silent as King Edward enters. He shares the letter from Princess Mary which accuses the Lord Protector of making a mockery of everything King Henry VIII stood for. A rumble is heard around the table as King Edward reveals Edward Seymour secretly wants to sell Boulogne back to the French.
Henry Grey’s the first to speak up, demanding Edward Seymour answer for his actions. Edward turns his attention solely to King Edward as he states the deal’s already done. They can break the deal and bankrupt the country or fill their coffers with France’s money.
Edward Seymour swears he’s acting in King Edward’s best interest. He grabs his papers and leaves the room, angry at being confronted by the council and his King.
After he leaves, Henry Grey opines that he hopes King Edward will make Edward Seymour pay for abusing his power – once he comes of age. King Edward replies, “The Lord Protector best pray he’s dead before I come of age.”
It’s obvious Thomas Seymour is immediately thinking about how to work this to his advantage.
Thomas whispers to Henry Grey the time’s right to move against Edward Seymour. Henry appears to be considering this until Thomas goes a step too far and suggests they take King Edward into their possession. Henry realizes what Thomas wants to do is both treason and rebellion and tells his friend to go home and go to bed.
“I don’t know if you’re drunk or stupid or mad – but enough,” says Henry.
Henry’s not scared of Edward Seymour, but he is frightened by what Thomas is suggesting. Thomas continues to try and convince Henry that taking control of King Edward is the right move, but Henry doesn’t want to hear another word out of Thomas’ mouth. He begs Thomas to wipe this idea from his mind.
Thomas responds by insulting Henry, which is definitely not a smart move.
Later, John Dudley (Jamie Parker) joins Edward Seymour at his house to discuss how Princess Mary’s spies knew about Boulogne before everyone else did. Edward admits he pays Pedro to spy on Mary, and Pedro told Mary about Boulogne.
John Dudley’s disappointed Edward didn’t let him in on Pedro’s employment as a spy.
Thomas arrives at Chelsea Manor and asks Kat to remain in the room as he requests Princess Elizabeth have patience and give him faith. He has a plan but needs her to have faith in him.
Kat scurries from the room to clear the area of any potential witnesses as Elizabeth invites Thomas to her bedchamber. He accepts the invitation and they’re finally alone. He declares this will be their room as man and wife, reminding her they won’t speak again of Catherine Parr. They’ll only discuss their future.
Their lust and passion take over and Elizabeth declares her love as Thomas holds her against a bed post and enters her. Elizabeth doesn’t look comfortable or to be enjoying herself, but she doesn’t utter a sound.
They lay in bed together until Thomas leaves her side when it’s still pitch black outside, promising to return in the morning.
Elizabeth confides in Kat that she’s sure she’s made the wrong choice. Once again, she’ll be the object of shame and thought of as a whore – just like her mom. Kat disagrees.
“It’s too late for what is good and what is easy, but you can still do what is right,” says Kat. That puts a smile on Elizabeth’s face and she decides they should have music and celebrate – if this is right.
Elizabeth wants musicians, wine, and to celebrate staying alive.
A short while later Elizabeth gets her wish. The wine flows, the music plays, and young women dance in joy.
Meanwhile, Thomas embarks on his dangerous plan to grab King Edward. He only has a couple of associates with him as he heads to Whitehall. His plan is to get King Edward and take him to Elizabeth’s place, Chelsea Manor.
Shots of Thomas arriving at Whitehall are broken up by scenes of Elizabeth dancing and laughing.
Thomas bribes a guard and makes his way into Whitehall while a young man leads his horse away. Thomas sticks to the shadows as he heads to King Edward’s chambers. Either he didn’t know or forgot King Edward has a pet dog as the animal is alerted to his presence, leaves the bedroom, and confronts Thomas in the outer room.
It won’t stop barking – trying to warn its master – and Thomas shoots it dead. (I now fully agree Thomas deserves the punishment coming his way.) Robert Dudley, Guildford Dudley, and King Edward emerge from the bedchamber just as Thomas takes the poor dog’s life.
Thomas blusters out an excuse that he’s simply testing the King’s security, but no one buys it. Thomas promises a guard his neck will snap for allowing him so close to the King. He then hurries out of the room and demands his horse.
Robert Dudley catches up with him and attempts to stop him. Thomas responds by headbutting Robert, causing him to fall down the stairs. He then beats the injured boy before he himself is knocked out by the guards.
Over at Chelsea Manor, Kat gets Elizabeth ready for bed, happy she’s about to marry and set things right.
Morning arrives and Edward Seymour joins the council already gathered and standing silently as King Edward cries over his dead dog. Henry believes Thomas is a madman, but John Dudley suggests that since he had a weapon and a plan, Thomas was attempting to kidnap or kill King Edward.
Edward Seymour is, for once, rendered speechless.
Elizabeth waits for Thomas Seymour, but instead, Anthony Denny arrives with questions. He asks if Elizabeth was in on Thomas’ plans and when she last saw him. Elizabeth lies and says it’s been a while. Anthony demands to know if they were intimate and then quickly explains what Thomas did.
Seconds later, John Dudley and guards arrive with a warrant for Princess Elizabeth and Kat Ashley’s arrests.
- Becoming Elizabeth Episode 1 “Keep Your Knife Bright” Recap
- Becoming Elizabeth Episode 2 “You Cannot Keep the Birds From Flying Over Your Head” Recap
- Becoming Elizabeth Episode 3 “Either Learn Or Be Silent” Recap
- Becoming Elizabeth Episode 4 “Lighten Our Darkness” Recap
- Becoming Elizabeth Episode 6 “What Cannot Be Cured” Recap
- Becoming Elizabeth Episode 7 “To Laugh, To Lie, To Flatter, To Face” Recap
- Becoming Elizabeth Episode 8 “To Death We Must Stoop” Recap
