Wednesday, April 10, 2024

Winter's Cumin' Streaming 24' - Mary & George - Miniseries

Mary & George is currently airing on Starz in the USA, while it landed on Binge early last month here in Oz.

This British historical drama miniseries is based on Benjamin Woolley's 2017 non-fiction book The King's Assassin.

The main plot is around the affair between James VI and I and George Villiers, 1st Duke of Buckingham. 

The seven-part limited series has received positive reviews from critics.

The brilliant Julianne Moore is lead Mary & George as Mary Villiers, Countess of Buckingham. While Nicholas Galitzine plays Mary's son George Villiers, 1st Duke of Buckingham.

So thank you Sky Atlantic for giving us this rude ass romp! If in the USA there are major spoilers below about the seventh and final episode, War.


In War, the series finale, Mary tracks down Sir Francis in order to avenge Sandie, he reveals George gave his blessing to the killing. 

Whilst in Spain, Prince Charles is presented before the infanta and George philanders. Following setbacks, George ultimately fails to bribe Spain's Chief Negotiator in securing further marriage talks and, humiliated, vows revenge. 

On doctor's orders, King James travels to the countryside to rest. Mary strategically joins him, appealing to his loneliness. George and Prince Charles return from Spain. Though the king is initially disappointed and dismissive of them both, George brings him to the forest and they make love. For one of the last times in the series we get some man-on-man action!

Once again a united front, George influences King James to allow him to address Parliament in order to toughen up on Spanish relations. There, with Sir Edward's support, he encourages full-blown war. King James, who is committed to peace, is shocked to hear of George's betrayal from Mary and sets fire to the forest. When George arrives, the king deems their love affair an old fool's lust, strips George of his titles, and sentences George to hang for treason to both George and Mary's shock. 

He then collapses, and George and Mary return him to the countryside estate, where George smothers him to death so he may not relay his orders to Prince Charles. 

In the next few years, Charles is crowned and Katherine gives birth to a son. In 1628, while at war with France, George is stabbed to death by a former soldier embittered by his disregard for human life and peace.

So it has a kind of Game of Thrones finale to it. Death all around! Julianne Moore was honestly brilliant in this series. A mad, power hungry mother with a seductive son! What a tale. It all streams now on Binge! Oh if you don't like gay sex, don't watch this!

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