The Best Episodes of The Tudors Season 1

Episode Rankings

1. #1 Fan Favorite
   

   7.4/10(1595 votes)

   #1 - In Cold Blood

   S1:E14/1/2007

   Henry prepares for war with France but receives cautious counsel from the powerful Cardinal Wolsey, who urges a treaty; the king learns that his queen's lady-in-waiting Elizabeth Blount is pregnant with his child.

   Directors:Steve Shill, Charles McDougall

   Writer:Michael Hirst

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   Directors:Steve Shill, Charles McDougall

   Writer:Michael Hirst
2. 

   7.5/10(1256 votes)

   #2 - Simply Henry

   S1:E24/8/2007

   Henry contemplates an alliance with Holy Roman Emperor Charles V of Spain despite his "Field of Cloth of Gold" ceremony celebrating allegiance to France, and executes a rival; Elizabeth gives birth to the king's illegitimate son.

   Director:Charles McDougall

   Writer:Michael Hirst

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   Director:Charles McDougall

   Writer:Michael Hirst
3. 

   7.5/10(1149 votes)

   #3 - Wolsey, Wolsey, Wolsey!

   S1:E34/15/2007

   A visit from Charles V forces Henry to conceal his growing disaffection from Queen Katherine, who is the influential Spanish monarch's aunt - even as Henry comes face-to-face with the seductive Anne Boleyn for the first time.

   Director:Steve Shill

   Writer:Michael Hirst

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   Director:Steve Shill

   Writer:Michael Hirst
4. 

   7.7/10(1084 votes)

   #4 - His Majesty, The King

   S1:E44/22/2007

   As a reward for his denunciation of Martin Luther, the Pope christens Henry “Defender of the Faith,” but a brush with death causes the king to seek a solution to his lack of an heir. Princess Margaret marries the decrepit King of Portugal reluctantly, but the union is short-lived; Henry's desire for Anne Boleyn intensifies when Anne goes home to her family estate.

   Director:Steve Shill

   Writer:Michael Hirst

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   Director:Steve Shill

   Writer:Michael Hirst
5. 

   7.6/10(1015 votes)

   #5 - Arise, My Lord

   S1:E54/29/2007

   Henry is shocked when he learns that his ally, Emperor Charles V of Spain, has released France's King Francis I from prison. He's equally surprised when Anne Boleyn turns him down after offering to make her his sole mistress.

   Director:Brian Kirk

   Writer:Michael Hirst

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   Director:Brian Kirk

   Writer:Michael Hirst
6. 

   7.6/10(962 votes)

   #6 - True Love

   S1:E65/6/2007

   As King Henry gains in confidence, his displeasure with the way the Catholic church handles his request for an annulment of his marriage to Katherine of Aragon grows. As a result, Cardinal Wolsey's position is weakening, leaving him vulnerable to his enemies.

   Director:Brian Kirk

   Writer:Michael Hirst

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   Director:Brian Kirk

   Writer:Michael Hirst
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7. 

   7.7/10(950 votes)

   #7 - Message to the Emperor

   S1:E75/13/2007

   England's population is suffering, both from a lack of food and from a lethal plague called 'The Sweats'. As a result, King Henry feels depressed and not his usual, confident self. He starts having doubts about the future and his ability to rule the country. Fortunately for him, a change is coming up.

   Director:Alison Maclean

   Writer:Michael Hirst

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   Director:Alison Maclean

   Writer:Michael Hirst
8. 

   7.8/10(926 votes)

   #8 - Truth and Justice

   S1:E85/20/2007

   A papal envoy has come to discuss the annulment of the King's marriage to Katherine of Aragon, as requested by the King. The outcome of these discussions will determine Cardinal Wolsey's future career as well as the King's romance with Anne Boleyn. These discussions will also influence the nature of the relationship between England and Rome.

   Director:Alison Maclean

   Writer:Michael Hirst

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   Director:Alison Maclean

   Writer:Michael Hirst
9. 

   7.6/10(888 votes)

   #9 - Look to God First

   S1:E95/27/2007

   Cardinal Wolsey's fall is quick and pitiless. Stripped of office and authority, he is banished from the court and sent far from his much-beloved King. His unlikely successor is Sir Thomas More, a man unlike the overbearing Wolsey in every way but one...his loyalty to Henry.

   Director:Ciarán Donnelly

   Writer:Michael Hirst

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   Director:Ciarán Donnelly

   Writer:Michael Hirst
10. 

    8.1/10(974 votes)

    #10 - The Death of Wolsey

    S1:E106/3/2007

    Cardinal Wolsey is down but not yet out. Although exiled, he tries to gather last-minute support from his old enemy, Queen Katherine. She hesitantly agrees to his plan, as she finds herself in a situation similar to that of the fallen Cardinal. But their plot is intercepted by the King's new advisors and Wolsey must pay the ultimate price.

    Director:Ciarán Donnelly

    Writer:Michael Hirst

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    Director:Ciarán Donnelly

    Writer:Michael Hirst