Edward Seymour visits his brother, Thomas, who’s being held in the Tower for attempting to kidnap King Edward as Starz’s Becoming Elizabeth episode six opens. Thomas (Tom Cullen) refuses to explain his actions and Edward’s forced to leave without obtaining any details on his brother’s plan.
Edward Seymour (John Heffernan) joins King Edward (Oliver Zetterstrom) while he’s falconing, and the king’s confused as to why Thomas and Elizabeth would move against him. He’s worried about the extent of the conspiracy and saddened he was betrayed by people he thought loved him.
King Edward also doesn’t understand why his people are rebelling and slitting the throats of the nobles. Edward Seymour’s unable to get him to understand they’re upset about religious reformation.
The King’s in such a rotten mood that he demands the falcon be skinned alive.
Princess Elizabeth (Alicia von Rittberg) has been anxiously awaiting her interrogation and when John Dudley (Jamie Parker) arrives at Chelsea Manor, she demands to know when he’s going to question her. John believes he’s in for a battle of wills and apologizes for delaying her interrogation. He did so so that they could get an unwilling Kat Ashley to confess.
Kat revealed everything she knew about Thomas Seymour’s actions while he was married to Catherine Parr, including how reckless he was around Princess Elizabeth. John Dudley asks what she and Thomas did when there weren’t any witnesses, and Elizabeth claims nothing untoward happened.
Princess Elizabeth denies knowing Thomas Seymour’s plans and says the fact he acted in such a way toward her brother proves she never really knew him. Elizabeth acknowledges she understands she’s in a fight for her life and demands any evidence John Dudley has against her.
John explains he’s aware Thomas wanted to kidnap King Edward and marry her, and Kat confirmed the marriage plans. Elizabeth stands firm in her denials of knowing what Thomas Seymour had planned, but John needs further information proving Thomas is guilty.
Their verbal battle reaches the stage where Elizabeth finally understands that in order to save herself, John Dudley needs hard proof of Thomas’ guilt. Only one of them can be innocent, and John asks for her to say what it is that she needs him to know.
Princess Elizabeth confesses Thomas acted inappropriately around her, and occasionally Catherine joined in. Kat had nothing to do with it and is completely innocent. Elizabeth claims she acted as she saw fit at the time; she can’t deny that.
After Catherine died, Thomas proposed to her but she wanted to obtain the approval of her brother and the council while Thomas did not. If he did what he’s accused of, then Thomas deserves to die.
As John Dudley’s leaving, Elizabeth asks if she proved her innocence. “You told me what I needed to know,” replies John.
Rebels continue to ambush lords and ladies on the road, slitting their throats and stealing their possessions.
The council meets and Henry Grey (Leo Bill) demands justice, citing Thomas’ actions as adding fuel to the rebellion’s fire. John Dudley reveals Princess Elizabeth said Thomas is guilty, and Edward Seymour reacts by ordering Dudley to track down the rebels. As for what will happen to Thomas, Edward hasn’t decided yet.
John Dudley chases after Edward as he leaves the meeting, confused as to why he needs to be the one in charge of stopping the rebels. John believes Edward’s a fool and that he refuses to admit Thomas has committed treason. “He is a villain. Can you not see that?” asks John.
Edward stalks off while John continues to follow, pleading with him to understand the gravity of the situation. They argue over who should squash the rebellion, and John expresses his belief that Edward is responsible for it in the first place because he’s stoked the religious reform. His actions have set the country on fire. John thinks Edward Seymour needs to go do what he does well – fight. He’s not suited for negotiations and diplomacy.
Edward’s heard enough and demands John Dudley obey him. After all, he’s the Lord Protector as well as the king’s uncle. Edward yells an order for John to show mercy to the rebels at John’s retreating back.
Robert Dudley (Jamie Blackley) asks to say goodbye to Elizabeth before they head out. John reluctantly agrees and instructs his son to tell the guards and Elizabeth that she’s free to go.
Elizabeth is shocked to learn it was Robert Dudley who took down Thomas Seymour as he was attempting to escape. Robert suggests Elizabeth not cry for Thomas, and she points out she isn’t crying; she’s just only sad over what’s transpired.
Robert informs Elizabeth she’s no longer under arrest and that he’s leaving to go to Norfolk to put down the rebellion. She begs him not to go and he asks her to look at his bruised, injured face. He hates that she can’t see Thomas for what he is.
Henry Grey, Bishop Gardiner, and other members of the council meet with King Edward while he’s bathing. They call for Thomas Seymour’s execution and have come up with 33 charges against him. King Edward remains in a foul mood and asks what Edward Seymour has to say about this. The order to executive Thomas would require both King Edward’s and the Lord Protector’s signatures.
A few minutes later, King Edward signs the order.
Next, Henry and the men present Edward Seymour with the order. If he doesn’t also sign, then he can step down as Lord Protector. “We have rebellions across the country…we have a war in Scotland…and you’re concerning yourselves with this?” asks an angry Edward.
They suggest if he doesn’t sign, it will be a show of weakness.
Princess Elizabeth pushes her way through guards and bursts into King Edward’s room. Princess Mary (Romola Garai) is already there, and Elizabeth gives her brother a hug before asking him to have goodwill toward her. She assures her brother she didn’t conspire against him and wouldn’t marry without his permission.
Mary calls her sister a fool for not joining her at Framlingham and avoiding this situation. “You are too headstrong,” says Mary. “There’s always a price.”
King Edward believes Thomas should spend his life in the Tower, but Princess Elizabeth is certain traitors deserve death – no matter who they are. Princess Mary appears to reassess her sister and Edward doesn’t respond.
Bishop Gardiner and Henry Grey conspire to remove Edward Seymour from the position of Lord Protector. Henry believes all members of the council should be equal, as per King Henry VIII’s will. But Gardiner has other ideas.
Gardiner leads a secret meeting with Princess Mary and suggests she become the new Lord Protector.
Meanwhile, John Dudley and his sons, along with other men, arrive at Stanfield Hall in Norfolk after passing dead bodies of lords and ladies on the road. John Robsart and his family welcome then to Stanfield, and later over dinner John Dudley declares that the leader of the rebels, Robert Kent, will hang.
John explains the Lord Protector ordered him to show mercy to Robert Kent’s followers. John Robsart’s pretty daughter Amy (who has caught Robert Dudley’s eye) disagrees, wondering if they’re just supposed to ask the people who plow the fields not to murder them.
Amy and Robert flirt after dinner, and John Dudley teases his son about moving on quickly.
Edward Seymour pays another visit to his brother in the Tower. Thomas is in the middle of writing a letter that isn’t a confession but rather what Edward labels as “poetry.” Edward explains there won’t be a trial and Thomas is shocked, demanding to know why not. Edward confirms they spoke to Thomas’ men and have obtained confessions. They know what Thomas had planned, and Edward demands to know what he was going to do with King Edward.
Edward Seymour confirms Thomas has been found guilty of treason and people (including every member of the council) are calling for his head. Thomas doesn’t believe King Edward would allow it, but Edward tells his brother the king has signed the order.
Thomas continues to play the victim and blames his brother for everything that’s happening. He thinks Edward has won again, and then asks if his brother is going to allow them to execute him. Edward says he is, even though the pain of that decision will remain with him every day.
Edward begs his brother to accept what he’s brought upon himself and prepare his soul for death. Edward promises to take care of Thomas’ child after his execution.
After his brother leaves, Thomas writes a note to Elizabeth and hides it in his shoe.
Morning arrives and Thomas’ clothes are laid out for his execution. He whispers a request to his servant, Richard, as he dresses, telling him about the note and requesting he deliver it to Elizabeth after his death.
Princess Mary confronts Edward Seymour as he’s on the way to his brother’s execution. She reminds him of the damage he’s done and the lies he’s told about her. She asks if he’ll attend the execution as a brother or as the Lord Protector. Edward says he’s not allowed to be both so it will be as Lord Protector.
Princess Mary reveals she’s been asked to take over as Lord Protector because the council thinks he’s been compromised. She vows to protect her brother and when she walks away, Edward rushes off and grabs King Edward. The current Lord Protector explains Princess Mary is plotting against them and King Edward isn’t safe in the palace. (It’s ironic he’s doing exactly what his treasonous brother attempted to do.)
Edward Seymour hands his son, Edward, a letter to take to John Dudley in Norfolk as fast as possible.
Princess Mary visits Elizabeth, knowing she shouldn’t be alone during the execution.
Edward Seymour and King Edward make it to the river and board a small boat while simultaneously Thomas Seymour arrives at his execution. A crowd has gathered and they jeer him, and Thomas is saddened his brother didn’t even bother attending the execution. He doesn’t make a final statement but instead reminds Richard to keep his promise and deliver the note.
Richard betrays his trust and tells the guards that Thomas has hidden a letter in his shoe. Thomas goes to his death knowing Elizabeth won’t read his note. It takes two blows from the executioner’s blade to remove Thomas’ head.
Princess Elizabeth quietly cries as the bells toll. Princess Mary says, “What cannot be cured must be endured.” Mary speaks gently to her sister, but Elizabeth doesn’t want to be treated like a child and sends her sister away.
John Dudley’s back at Stanfield Hall after tracking down rebels when young Edward Seymour arrives with his father’s letter.
Robert Kent, the leader of the rebellion, is strung up and Robert Dudley delivers a speech to the captured rebels. Robert says they should share the same fate as their leader but instead they’ve been granted mercy. John Dudley listens to his son’s speech and shakes his head when Robert suggests they thank God for the Lord Protector’s mercy.
The letter has angered John Dudley to such a degree that he orders all of the captured rebels to be hanged.
Robert heads to the barn away from the crowd in disbelief. Amy joins him and doesn’t understand why he’s upset. She thinks John, Robert, and the others just saved her family, and unexpectedly she leans in and kisses Robert. She quickly backs away, begging him not to tell her father.
King Edward blames Edward Seymour for everything that’s happening minutes before John Dudley and his men show up.
The Lord Protector hurries outside and apologizes to John for losing his temper, but John is there to retrieve King Edward and try and set the country right. John promises they’ll work together – he as the new Lord Protector and Edward as the former one.
John Dudley proclaims his duty is to his King and his realm.
King Edward has emerged outside and asks John if he’s his savior. “I’m anything you want me to be, Sire,” replies John. King Edward smiles for the first time in days.
Princess Mary has joined the council as King Edward arrives to meet with his advisors. Her presence confirms Princess Mary and some members of the council have moved to name her Lord Protector. John announces to all that he is the new Lord Protector, backed by King Edward. No one – including those who championed Mary – objects.
Kat Ashley returns to Chelsea Manor and is caught up in a loving embrace by Princess Elizabeth. She explains she needs to leave Elizabeth’s service, and Elizabeth assures her she never betrayed her.
Elizabeth doesn’t need to push her way through the guards to speak to King Edward this time. She collects Robert Dudley in a big hug before joining King Edward and John Dudley, and meeting her brother’s new dog.
The siblings are left alone to speak, and King Edward reveals John Dudley said she’s to be trusted. Edward hands his sister the note from Thomas Seymour, assuring her he hasn’t read it. She holds it for a moment, calls it the last words of a traitor, and tosses it into the fire unread.
King Edward smiles and hugs Elizabeth, holding her tight.
- 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 5 “Necessity Compels Me to Plague You” Recap
- Becoming Elizabeth Episode 7 “To Laugh, To Lie, To Flatter, To Face” Recap
- Becoming Elizabeth Episode 8 “To Death We Must Stoop” Recap
