7.4/101,474 votes#1 - In Cold Blood
Season 1 Episode 1 - Aired 4/1/2007
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.
Director: Steve Shill, Charles McDougall
Writer: Michael Hirst
7.5/101,169 votes#2 - Simply Henry
Season 1 Episode 2 - Aired 4/8/2007
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
7.5/101,071 votes#3 - Wolsey, Wolsey, Wolsey!
Season 1 Episode 3 - Aired 4/15/2007
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
7.7/101,003 votes#4 - His Majesty, The King
Season 1 Episode 4 - Aired 4/22/2007
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
7.6/10943 votes#5 - Arise, My Lord
Season 1 Episode 5 - Aired 4/29/2007
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
7.6/10898 votes#6 - True Love
Season 1 Episode 6 - Aired 5/6/2007
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
7.7/10884 votes#7 - Message to the Emperor
Season 1 Episode 7 - Aired 5/13/2007
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
7.8/10864 votes#8 - Truth and Justice
Season 1 Episode 8 - Aired 5/20/2007
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
7.6/10834 votes#9 - Look to God First
Season 1 Episode 9 - Aired 5/27/2007
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: Ciaran Donnelly
Writer: Michael Hirst
8.1/10911 votes#10 - The Death of Wolsey
Season 1 Episode 10 - Aired 6/3/2007
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: Ciaran Donnelly
Writer: Michael Hirst
The Best Episodes of The Tudors Season 1
Every episode of The Tudors Season 1 ranked from best to worst. Discover the Best Episodes of The Tudors Season 1!
The Tudors is a history-based drama series following the young, vibrant King Henry VIII, a competitive and lustful monarch who navigates the intrigues of the...
Genres:DramaRomance
Network:Showtime
Season 1 Ratings Summary
"In Cold Blood" is the best rated episode of "The Tudors" season 1. It scored 7.4/10 based on 1474 votes. Directed by Steve Shill, Charles McDougall and written by Michael Hirst, it aired on 4/1/2007. This episode is rated 0.1 points higher than the second-best, "Simply Henry".