Ep 1. In Love With The King

In Love With The King is the first episode of the television series The White Queen. The series is based on Philippa Gregory's best-selling novel series The Cousins' War, which tells the story of the Wars of the Roses in England during the 15th century. Set in 1464, the opening episode introduces the viewers to the world of the powerful and wealthy aristocracy.

The story begins with the kingdom of England in turmoil. The Wars of the Roses have been raging for nine years, between the House of Lancaster, represented by King Henry VI, and the House of York, represented by the Duke of York. The King has been mentally incapacitated since the birth of his son, and his ambitious queen, Margaret of Anjou, has been ruling the country in his stead. The Duke of York, who has a strong claim to the throne, has been gathering support, and his army is marching toward London.

In the midst of all this chaos, we are introduced to the sixteen-year-old Elizabeth Woodville, the protagonist of the series. Elizabeth is a beautiful and charming widow who has recently lost her husband in the wars. She lives in a small manor house in the countryside with her mother and two young sons. She is content with her modest life, but fate intervenes when she meets King Edward IV, the new King of England, who is passing through her village.

In a chance encounter, Elizabeth and Edward are immediately drawn to each other. Despite their different social statuses, they fall in love at first sight. Elizabeth is reluctant to get involved with the King due to his reputation as a womanizer, but Edward convinces her of his sincerity. Their romantic scenes are sweet and tender, with both actors giving convincing performances.

The problem is that Edward is already married to a foreign princess, which makes his relationship with Elizabeth impossible. But Edward is determined to be with Elizabeth, and with the help of his closest advisers, he arranges for his marriage to be annulled on the grounds that he was previously betrothed to another woman. This decision sets off a chain of events that would change the course of English history.

Meanwhile, Elizabeth's mother, Jacquetta, has dark powers that she uses to protect her family. She practices witchcraft, and there are rumors that she has put a curse on the Duke of York's army. Jacquetta is a fascinating character, and her relationship with her daughter adds depth to the story. They are a force to be reckoned with, and they are not afraid to oppose the powerful men who try to control their lives.

The episode also introduces us to other important characters, such as Warwick, the King's cousin and adviser, who is unhappy with Edward's decision to marry a commoner and tries to sabotage the wedding. We also meet Anne Neville, Warwick's daughter, who is engaged to the Prince of Wales, the son of King Henry VI and Margaret of Anjou. Anne is a sympathetic character who has conflicted loyalties and struggles to find her place in the world.

In Love With The King is an excellent opening to the series. It sets up the main conflict of the story, the romance between Elizabeth and Edward, and introduces us to a rich cast of characters. The production values are high, and the costumes and sets are lavish. The acting is superb, with Rebecca Ferguson shining as Elizabeth and Max Irons bringing charisma and charm to the role of Edward. The episode ends on a cliffhanger that leaves the viewers eager to see what happens next. Overall, The White Queen is a must-watch for fans of historical dramas.