My parents have watched a LOT of PBS over the years, and some of this has rubbed off on me. I can’t stand stuff like Frontline, but I imbibe some of the entertainment and it takes some work to recognize the subtle biases being pushed.
I fully expect Wolf Hall to feature a sympathetic homosexual character, who is unjustly persecuted for what he does, and probably has to undergo some kind of horrific conversion therapy. At least that’s been de rigeur for Miss Fisher’s Murder Mysteries, Call the Midwife, and Downton Abbey. Whatever agenda Hollywood determines is vital to promote, the BBC catches on and follows suit.
I’m not personally watching Wolf Hall. I have watched Downton from the beginning and I really question if it is good for me or not. There is more bias besides the homosexual agenda bit. They are constantly showing how good the modern world is and how it saved us from Victorian oppression, especially the women and the lower classes. Furthermore, such costume dramas as these are apt to draw us into a world of gossip and detraction. It’s hardly better than a daytime soap opera but with better production values.
One thing I have to wonder about Wolf Hall is the religion woven into the fabric of the times. Downton is bereft of any kind of mention of the faith, which is perfectly normal for television and film, but jarringly bizarre for a time and place when faith defined people’s character. Faith is supposedly kept to a minimum to avoid offending people. Now Wolf Hall comes out, and faith is a bit more in the forefront, and we see the true colors of those who are purporting to entertain us.
On Midwives last week, one of the main characters had homosexual tendencies, is prosecuted and has to take medicine to curve his tendencies but he stays with his wife and child. An interesting take especially in today’s world.
I too watch these shows but really try to do it sparingly. I did watch last year’s Downton Abbey.series. There was one scene where Mary brings up catholic as if bad. I like that Edith did not have an abortion as recommended. This is more of a romance story. I think they play too much on the love as if nothing else matters although we all know that finding a wealthy husband is most important.
I am glad you brought up the idea of how great the modern world is portrayed probably because of the English? Hadn’t really thought about that one.
Wolf Hall is not a series that everyone should be watching. It certainly shouldn’t be watched by anyone young. It is a series that is palatable to watch but only if you have a very strong sense of catholic history. Watch A Man For All Seasons 2 or 3 times first. Watch Thomas Becket.
It is purely a propaganda piece. No doubt about it.
Yet the Tudor period of history is one of the most difficult to understand but also one of the most crucial to know about because it explains what happened during the reformation in Britain.
The call for an end of priestly celibacy is probably one of the biggest things for the reformers. Luther marries, as does Zwingli and Calvin. These were catholic religious clerics. I am interest in how they will handle Archbishop Cranmer who wife died during childbirth and later he becomes a cleric.
Cardinal Wolsey is thought to have had possibly 2 children. Who knows for sure?
King Henry had a big ego as most kings do so an English bible might have appealed to him as well as being head of the Church.
King Henry seems to be the central figure but really he is just a pawn. He already has it all, married and mistresses and power. The one thing he needs is the son to carry on the Tudor line. Women were not seen as able to do that,( Mary I might have been able to do it if the marriage had taken place early on and there was no dispute).King Henry wants a male heir and probably many heirs.
King Henry doesn’t initially like the “Luther” reformation and tries to have it suppressed. Meanwhile Scotland has John Knox.
Not in series I believe but we also have the humanist movement and Erasmus.
