Ep 1. In Bed with the Enemy

In Bed with the Enemy, the first episode of The White Princess, brings us the story of Princess Elizabeth of York, daughter of King Edward IV and Queen Elizabeth Woodville. After her father's death, Elizabeth and her siblings are confined to the sanctuary of Westminster Abbey, where they can be protected from their uncle, Richard III, who has taken the throne.

As the episode starts, we find Elizabeth (played by Jodie Comer) dreaming of the night she first met her future husband, Henry Tudor (Jacob Collins-Levy). It was at a party during her father's reign, and they danced together, unaware that they would be betrothed for political reasons years later. Now, in sanctuary, Elizabeth is desperate for news of Henry, who is in France assembling an army to fight against Richard III and claim the throne.

Richard III (played by Kenneth Cranham) is a formidable foe, but Henry's cause is helped when Margaret Beaufort (Michelle Fairley), his mother, arranges for him to marry Elizabeth. Margaret believes that Henry has been chosen by God to be the next king, and she will do whatever it takes to make sure that he succeeds. Elizabeth is hesitant at first, but Margaret convinces her that it is for the good of the country.

The two women start to form a relationship that is complicated by their different backgrounds and motivations. Elizabeth is afraid of being used as a pawn in Margaret's political games, but Margaret sees her as a way to legitimize Henry's claim to the throne. Meanwhile, Elizabeth's mother, Queen Elizabeth (Essie Davis), is fiercely protective of her daughter and suspicious of Margaret's true intentions.

As the wedding approaches, tensions run high in Westminster Abbey. Richard III's spies are everywhere, and the sanctuary is not as safe as it once was. Elizabeth is also dealing with some personal demons. She has been having nightmares and visions of her dead brothers, who were supposedly killed by Richard III. She is afraid that she will be haunted by them forever and that their deaths will never be avenged.

The wedding itself is a tense affair, with both sides trying to outdo each other in terms of grandeur and ceremony. Elizabeth is stoic throughout, but it is clear that she is aware of the enormity of what is happening. She is marrying a man she barely knows, taking a huge risk, and putting her entire family in danger. But she is also hopeful that this marriage will bring peace to England and end the years of civil war.

The episode ends with Henry and Elizabeth retiring to their bridal chamber, where they are finally alone together for the first time. Elizabeth is nervous, but Henry is gentle with her, and they start to get to know each other better. But even as they lie together, they both know that their lives are still in danger. Richard III is not going to give up his throne without a fight, and their union could be the spark that sets off another round of bloodshed.

In Bed with the Enemy is a strong start to The White Princess, setting up the key players and the various conflicts that will drive the rest of the season. Elizabeth is a sympathetic lead, and Comer does an excellent job of conveying her fear, uncertainty, and determination. Fairley is also a standout as the scheming Margaret, who is willing to do whatever it takes to see her son crowned king. The episode is well-paced, with enough intrigue and action to keep viewers hooked. Overall, it's a promising start to what looks to be an exciting and emotional season.