I actually found this episode to be a bit duller in comparison with the two before it. That's not to say I didn't still enjoy it, but when it ended I felt a little depressed and unsatisfied. Maybe that does mean I didn't enjoy it. Hm. Anyway, here's what I thought:
Impressions:
-Of course I was glad when Edward was released from Warwick's grasp - and I loved the dramatic scene leading up to it, when Edward practically told Warwick and George to kill him, because that would be the ONLY way they could beat him!
-Margaret Beaufort is just kind of annoying me. I understand her character, but I feel bad for her husband who just keeps having to deal with her scheming and talking about royal replacement and execution. For considering herself a servant of God, she's pretty spiteful and cruel.
-I actually really enjoyed Anne Neville in this episode! She's starting to stand out a bit more and have a personality, which I didn't really see in the first two episodes. In her sister's moments of weakness, Anne is there to support her. She seems like a naive, but loving, character so far.
-I can't decide how I feel about seeing Edward and Elizabeth disagree and argue for the first time in the series. When Edward announces that he will not punish Warwick or George, Elizabeth is furious. But Edward puts her right back into her place - which reminds me a little of Henry VIII and Anne Boleyn in The Tudors, but Edward is a little less harsh.
-How awkward was the scene where Anne Neville was in Elizabeth's bedchamber and was ordered to stay in the room while Edward and Elizabeth had sex? She was even told to help Elizabeth undress for it - in front of Edward! I cringed for her during this scene.
-I definitely could have done without the love scene between Margaret and her husband...
-Isabel Neville's horrible birth scene in the cabin of a ship was AWFUL! So much blood and too many awkward moments - like Anne being told to reach in and turn the baby around. Once again, I cringed for poor Anne.
Still Jacquetta, although she didn't do much in this episode. She shared in Elizabeth's joy at the expectation of a baby boy, but she didn't have nearly enough screentime.
Richard was great in this episode as well. We saw a little bit of flirtation between him and Anne, which is exciting because I can't wait to watch their relationship develop - though Anne has just been betrothed to the Lancastrian Prince Edward, so we'll have to wait a bit.
Anne definitely moved up in my radar in this episode. Just because most of this episode was about her family's ambition and problems, we saw a lot of her and her sister. I think from here on out she will have a lot more of an effect on the story.
Criticism:
-Unnecessary sex scenes - my usual criticism, though I've begun fast-forwarding through it now because it doesn't add anything to the quality of the episode.
-This episode was just a bit slow-moving. It focused on only a few characters - namely the Nevilles and Margaret Beaufort. Although these were necessary developments in the series, I wanted to see more of Elizabeth and Edward - and Jacquetta!
Final Thoughts:
-I'm excited about the introduction of new characters in episode 4 - Margaret of Anjou and her son Prince Edward. Now that Warwick is allying with the Lancastrians, the story will pick up the pace a bit more and new characters will make it even more dramatic.