Ep 2. Entirely Beloved

It is the year 1529 and Cardinal Wolsey has been removed from his position as Lord Chancellor. Thomas Cromwell, a lawyer who used to work for the Cardinal takes his place, but he is not immediately welcomed by the other courtiers who see him as a commoner with no aristocratic connections. Cromwell is aware of this and understands that he needs to work hard to gain their trust and respect.

The episode opens with Anne Boleyn, King Henry's new love interest, accompanying the King on a visit to the French ambassador. Her presence is not welcomed by some of the aristocrats who disapprove of Henry's divorce to Catherine of Aragon and the subsequent break with Rome. They believe that Anne is pushing the King towards Protestantism, which they fear will lead to anarchy and chaos. Thomas More, a devout Catholic, is particularly vocal in his opposition to Anne and her Protestant beliefs.

Thomas Cromwell, on the other hand, is more pragmatic. He realizes that Anne's influence on the King could be a powerful tool in his efforts to break with Rome and establish a new Church in England. He also sees her as a potential ally in his plan to consolidate his power at court.

Cromwell convinces the King to summon the Papal envoy and make a case for an annulment of his marriage to Catherine. He sees it as an opportunity to undermine the authority of the Pope and establish the King as the head of the Church in England. He works closely with Anne and her father, Thomas Boleyn, to gather evidence that will support the King's case.

As the political maneuvering continues, we also see glimpses of Cromwell's personal life. We see that he is a loving husband and father, mourning the loss of his daughter and trying to provide a good life for his son. We also see his loyalty to Cardinal Wolsey, who he sees as a mentor and a father figure.

The episode ends with the King's envoy returning from Rome with disappointing news. The Pope has refused to grant an annulment and has threatened to excommunicate the King if he proceeds with his plans to break with Rome. Cromwell realizes that he needs to come up with a new strategy if he is to secure the King's divorce and establish the new Church in England.

Entirely Beloved is a captivating episode of Wolf Hall filled with intrigue and political maneuvering. It deftly balances the personal and professional lives of its complex characters while laying the groundwork for the dramatic events to come. The performances are uniformly excellent, particularly Mark Rylance as Thomas Cromwell and Claire Foy as Anne Boleyn. The production design is also superb, bringing to life the opulence and decadence of the Tudor court in stunning detail.

Overall, Entirely Beloved is a must-watch episode of Wolf Hall that will leave viewers eagerly anticipating the next installment in this mesmerizing historical drama.