Starz’s Becoming Elizabeth season one draws to a close with episode eight, “To Death We Must Stoop.” The season finale finds King Edward VI battling an illness and those around him maneuvering for positions of power in case the young Edward dies before naming an heir.
Episode eight opens two months after King Edward (Oliver Zetterström) displayed the first symptoms of an illness. Edward’s recuperating in bed as the episode begins, with doctors and attendees declaring he’ll be well soon. (They don’t actually believe that.)
John Dudley (Jamie Parker) fears Edward’s death is imminent and sends a letter to Princess Mary, hoping to mend their relationship to keep his own head should she succeed Edward on the throne.
While services are held offering prayers for King Edward, Princess Mary (Romola Garai) is greeted by an enthusiastic crowd as she arrives to be with her younger brother. John Dudley, who’s on his best behavior, greets her and requests three actions from him. One, release Bishop Gardiner from the Tower. Two, allow her to take a Catholic service. And three, “Get out of my f*cking way.”
King Edward cries as Mary strokes his face, upset that his work will be undone once she’s crowned. Mary begs him not to cry but will not promise to convert. Elizabeth (Alicia von Rittberg) watches and flees the room without speaking.
Princess Mary has the nerve to greet her sister, and Elizabeth reminds her she’s aware she sent letters to the Danish royals basically calling her a whore. Mary breaks down in tears and apologizes, torn up about the rift in their relationship and Edward’s condition.
Princess Elizabeth and John Dudley have a private chat, and he questions whether all the deaths and money spent have been worth it since a Catholic will rule soon. Neither is pleased about the prospect and it’s obvious Dudley would rather have Elizabeth crowned Queen.
Princess Mary arrives at Somerset House, the home of Edward Seymour (John Heffernan), and his children request battle stories from Sir Pedro (Ekow Quartey). While he entertains the children, Mary meets with Edward and reminds him of his previous promises. She doesn’t trust him, but she agrees with his vision of England. However, before she agrees to work with him, he must admit that he failed.
She lets bygones be bygones and suggests they “play from the same side” moving forward.
The council meets and Henry Grey (Leo Bill) warns John Dudley that nothing good will come from having allowed Edward Seymour back on the council. They both notice Edward now appears to have Princess Mary’s ear (and support).
John Dudley returns home and confronts his son, Robert (Jamie Blackley), who has announced he’s leaving court. John’s upset Robert was gone for five days before even sending a messenger with the news he’s taking a leave. Robert’s mother was worried that he died, and for that Robert apologizes. He’s now ready to return to court and John’s not only pleased, he’s also ready to allow Robert to marry Princess Elizabeth.
John’s had a change of heart since King Edward is dying and since he’s certain that when Princess Mary takes power, she’ll have him executed. He just hopes she won’t kill his sons, too. John’s resting his hope for their future on Robert marrying Elizabeth. If Robert doesn’t want to do that, he might be safer returning to wherever he’s been.
John leaves the room and notices Amy Robsart for the first time. He realizes his son has already made his decision on who to wed.
Robert and Elizabeth have a private chat and Robert confesses his father gave him permission to ask for her hand in marriage. Unfortunately, it’s too late. Robert has already married Amy! Elizabeth is shocked and Robert assures her he loves Amy. Elizabeth suggests he couldn’t possibly love Amy if he truly loved her. Robert’s forced to insist he never loved Elizabeth if that’s the only way she’ll believe he now loves his wife, Amy.
Princess Mary, Edward Seymour, and Sir Pedro discuss what to do when King Edward passes. Edward points out that Mary is the rightful heir, and Sir Pedro reminds him the council doesn’t like him or Mary. Mary notes their two biggest threats are John Dudley and Elizabeth, and they decide to approach them to see where they stand separately.
Edward reminds John Dudley that Princess Mary is the rightful Tudor heir. He promises he can make Mary forget if John Dudley joins them in installing her as Queen. John refuses to accept the inevitable – unwilling to allow a Catholic to rule.
Princess Elizabeth wakes to find Mary watching her, unable to sleep. Mary suggests a hunt to distract them, and Elizabeth goes along, although she appears leery of her sister’s motivations.
Mary and Elizabeth ride away from the group, and Elizabeth’s thrown from her horse when Mary comes to a sudden stop. Mary demands to know if anyone’s come for her and Elizabeth insists no one has. Mary reminds her God decides who sits on the throne, obviously convinced Elizabeth is a usurper.
“As long as you remember your place, sister, then all will be well. I swear it,” says Mary.
Princess Elizabeth turns to John Dudley after Mary leaves and reveals she would like to be Queen. She wants to be the master of her own destiny, and if she were to rule, she would protect him. However, she’s decided she will not make a move against her sister or actively seek to be named her brother’s heir to the throne.
John Dudley’s furious about Elizabeth’s decision, aware this will likely lead to his death.
Princess Mary gathers Edward Seymour, John Dudley, the council, and Princess Elizabeth as King Edward’s condition shows no signs of improvement. Mary wants to discuss the succession and Dudley points out it’s illegal to talk about it. He’s the only one who speaks up against the discussion. Princess Elizabeth states that their father’s will should be followed as if written by God himself. King Henry VIII’s will names Princess Mary as the heir to the throne in this circumstance.
Princess Mary agrees with Edward Seymour’s description of John Dudley as her enemy. Edward strips Dudley of his title as Lord Protector rather gleefully, just as Robert Dudley arrives to tell his father King Edward’s asking for him.
Mary, Elizabeth, Edward, and John race from the council chambers to find King Edward standing on his own and looking well, considering what he’s been through. John and Edward hug before the King reminds his sisters they’re not allowed in his bed chambers. They depart, leaving a very relieved John Dudley behind with the King.
John Dudley acts quickly after leaving the King’s side, ordering the guards to place Edward Seymour in the Tower. Edward goes without a fight. Princess Mary leaves next without saying a word, but John grabs Elizabeth’s arm as she’s departing. “Gambling on your brother’s death is a cursed hand indeed. You perhaps would have done better to keep me as a friend,” he growls.
Later that evening, John Dudley informs King Edward that Edward Seymour was conspiring against him while he was sick. Dudley wants Seymour executed tomorrow and King Edward agrees. Dudley adds that both Mary and Elizabeth were conspiring with Edward Seymour.
Princess Elizabeth visits Edward Seymour in the Tower at his request. He apologizes for how he acted toward his brother, Thomas, and Elizabeth. He’s aware his brother had the ability to make others lose control and seemed to relish bringing out the worst in people. Elizabeth suggests maybe Thomas was the only one who actually knew any of them.
Elizabeth reveals she’s become wise beyond her years and has figured out you can’t change the game you find yourself in, you can only play it. Edward’s shocked she learned that before he did and thinks this wisdom is why she’ll survive them all.
A celebration is held with toasts to the King’s health. Even Princess Mary and Princess Elizabeth are in attendance, and John Dudley appears to have a better time than anyone as an actor dressed as Edward Seymour is made fun of and dragged away to be beheaded.
The real Edward Seymour is greeted by a loving crowd on his way to be executed. They offer him their blessings and Edward appears touched by their kindness. Before the executioner strikes, he addresses those gathered. “Neither in thought or word or deed did I offend my King or this realm,” says Edward. He asks them to embrace the true faith of the country and the young King.
The executioner removes his head with one blow.
The celebration ends and King Edward speaks with his sisters, with just John and Robert Dudley in attendance. He swats away Princess Mary’s hand and she warns him not to trust John Dudley. King Edward doesn’t want to hear it and accuses them of betrayal. Edward also accuses them of not even loving him anymore.
He knows everything that went on while he was sick and orders his sisters to leave. He assures his sisters he can no longer stand the sight of either of them. After they’ve left, he asks John Dudley what he can do to stop this from happening again. Dudley reminds him there’s someone else at court with royal blood – Lady Jane Grey.
Lady Jane Grey (Bella Ramsey) arrives and passes Elizabeth and Mary on the stairs. They exchange looks but not words.
The relationship between Elizabeth and Mary is strained, and Mary accuses her sister of playing it smart by not taking sides. Mary believes Elizabeth hates her, but Elizabeth claims they love each other. Mary doesn’t agree.
“The truth that hits me, again and again, is that I have no love for you,” says Mary.
She asks how Elizabeth truly feels about her and Elizabeth speaks truthfully. “You make it very hard,” she says. Mary points out that though they both play different games, they both seem to share the same fate.
“While he rules, we do not matter,” says Princess Elizabeth. “Thank God,” replies Princess Mary. Elizabeth laughs as she agrees and adds her own, “Thank God.”
As they’re speaking on the stairs, King Edward is spitting up blood in front of John Dudley.
And that’s the end of Becoming Elizabeth season one. Starz has not announced if there be a season two.
- 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 6 “What Cannot Be Cured” Recap
- Becoming Elizabeth Episode 7 “To Laugh, To Lie, To Flatter, To Face” Recap
