User Reviews

I looked forward to this show based on the casting. I subscribed to Starz just for this show. I was impressed at the start. Julianne Moore's performance is consistently excellent. I think the script has let Nicholas Galitzine down. He has no opportunity to show any acting chops. He is basically modeling his way through the show so far. He is also poorly directed. In a scene where his character George plays a musical instrument, he has his eyes closed while playing. This is a poor choice when the audience is looking to connect with him. He is described and perceived by others as a strikingly beautiful boy. The role is reductive. He become a not very interesting object, boy toy. Everyone manipulates him and he seems to lack agency. Also Tony Curran is miscast. It is hard to believe that anyone of any gender would find him attractive. Plus he does not appear Kingly. So even the appeal of power is not well portrayed by him. There is no chemistry in any of the sex scenes with King James and george. I actually feel a bit repelled by their coupling. If they had cast a good looking King it could have been effectively erotic. Big fail there. The best scenes involve Mary. Bacon is an interesting character. Mary's 2nd husband is interesting, as well as the woman who refuses to let her daughter marry the oldest of Mary's sons. But George's scenes have bored me. Giving him pix and having him spend an episode sick in bed. What a waste. Unfortunately I don't think this is turning out to be the career opportunity for Nicholas Galitzine that it could have been had the script writing for his role been better. The character needs a better arc. What is his aspiration? What is his flaw? Is there a consistent antagonist, since Somerset died? Do we see his struggle and do we find it interesting? Since George has made it to Court and James favored one, Mary's story has become less interesting.