Ep 5. Heart Versus Duty

The Spanish Princess is a compelling historical drama based on the novel "The Constant Princess" by Philippa Gregory. Set in the 16th century, it follows the fascinating story of Catherine of Aragon, the Spanish princess who was married off to Prince Arthur of England as a young girl. After Arthur's untimely death, Catherine is left in limbo, waiting for her fate to be decided by the English court.

In episode 5, titled "Heart Versus Duty," we see Catherine's struggles as she tries to balance her aspirations with her duty to her family and her country. Her love for Prince Harry (later King Henry VIII) is becoming more and more apparent, but she knows that she must put those feelings aside and marry his older brother, Prince Arthur, in order to secure a strong alliance between England and Spain.

As she prepares for her wedding day, Catherine is plagued by doubts and fears. She confides in her confessor that she is unsure if she can love Arthur and that she fears he might be too weak to become a good king. She also worries that she will be seen as a failure if she does not produce a male heir to the throne. Meanwhile, her Spanish entourage is working to put on an impressive show for the English court, hoping to impress them with their wealth and culture.

The wedding day arrives, and Catherine and Arthur are married in a lavish ceremony. Catherine is shocked to find that Arthur is not the weakling she thought he was; on the contrary, he is intelligent, charming, and kind. The couple seem to genuinely like each other, and they are congratulated by their respective families and the court.

However, the honeymoon period is short-lived. Arthur falls ill shortly after the wedding and Catherine is forced to nurse him, putting her own health at risk. As Arthur's condition worsens, it becomes clear that he will not recover. Catherine is devastated, not only because of the loss of her husband but also because of the political implications of his death. If she does not marry Harry, England and Spain's alliance will be weakened, and Catherine will be left vulnerable.

As the episode ends, Catherine is faced with a difficult decision: stay in England and try to make a life for herself there, or return to Spain and wait for her family to arrange a new marriage for her. She is torn between her duty to her family and her love for Harry, and the choice she makes will have far-reaching consequences.

Overall, "Heart Versus Duty" is a poignant and intense episode that showcases both the political and personal struggles of its heroine. The performances are strong, particularly Charlotte Hope as Catherine and Angus Imrie as Arthur. The cinematography and costumes are lavish and gorgeous, transporting us back to the Tudor era. Fans of historical dramas and romance will find much to enjoy in this episode and the series as a whole.