Political strategies, betrayal, passion, and glittering costumes are the watchwords of the British mini-series released on March 5, 2024: Mary & George. Suitable themes to highlight the life of King James I and his favorite George Villiers.
A class story
If you had the opportunity to climb the social ladder, to have a status that gives you respect and admiration, would you take this chance?
In the series, it is evident that the Countess of Buckingham did not hesitate to take every opportunity that came her way (and if she didn't, created it) to improve her position in society. Mary's desire to preserve and then increase the capital's family (social, economic and symbolic) can be seen from the first episode with the birth of her second child: Georges Villiers.
George's position does not give him any advantage since, being the second son, he will not be able to inherit anything, and he will have nothing to offer, which greatly reduces his social value. In order to avoid this terrible fate, Mary decides to send her son to France so that he can learn the mechanics of the high class.
This excursion aims to allow George to win over a rich woman and take possession of her fortune. However, the youngest wants to stay in his town and marry Jenny, a servant, but that is out of the question for Mary. George is the only person who can allow the family to gain power, since John, the eldest, does not have the necessary resources. If I were a man and I looked like you, I would have ruled the f*cking planet, Mary points out to her son.
Why is Mary so obsessed with power? Probably because she was a simple servant before marrying her husband, George Villiers. The union of the two was impossible because of the gap between their respective social classes. However, to make this possible, George paid the Beaumonts to make them pretend that Mary was part of their family.
Years later, George tells Mary of his regret, because for him, everything the Villiers have built will disappear with John. That's why it's not surprising that George leaves nothing to his wife after his death. To send her son to France and not hinder her plan, Mary is forced to remarry again.
Despite his reluctance, George eventually went to France. Over there, he learned many things, including the carnal pleasure between men. After all, a body is a body.
Expand your horizons and aim higher
Mary Villiers is an opportunist. When she realizes how much King James I likes to spend time with men, (especially those who are young and handsome like Robert Carr, Earl of Somerset), she decides to use George to gain entry into the court of the king and dominate it. The mission to seduce the king imagined by Mary then begins.
George truly becomes his mother's puppet in this moment. She tells him what to do and what to say to gain the favor of the king. Despite several failures and George's growing annoyance, Mary does not give up. She wishes to have the king in the palm of her hand. For this, she will not hesitate to throw her son into the lion's cage. The wild animals are extremely ferocious since the Earl of Somerset is well aware of being in an ejection seat. He knows that George has aroused the king's curiosity.
The favorite will then do everything to prevent George from taking his place. George is humiliated, harassed, criticized and everything is done so that he has very little contact with the king. Finally, it was after one of Earl of Somerset's schemes during a hunting trip that George had his first intimate relationship with the king.
From that moment on, everything comes together for the Villiers. George grows closer to king, Mary makes sure not to lose her status, even if it means ousting everyone who could jeopardize her plan.
Thanks to the alliances that Mary maintains, the family's rise is rapid and meteoric. However, George gains more and more power with the king and escapes his mother's control. He decides to ally himself with Francis Bacon to achieve his goals. The youngest follows in his mother's footsteps: why stop when you can have more?
Power ends up swallowing up George who follows the advice of the wrong people. He does not follow societal and political codes and he tends to act impulsively (which often attracts the wrath of the king). He calls himself a "king", behaves like one, blinded by power. Nothing seems to stop him. He never seems to have enough. Sex, money, properties, titles, he monopolizes everything without the slightest hesitation, ultimately making him resemble his enemy: the Earl of Somerset.
A series that is both comic and dramatic
Mary & George is a historical series, sprinkle with drama and comedy. This mix allows the series not to be boring to watch. Despite the jumps in time, the scenes follow each other considerably well, even if there are some points that could be clarified and some inconsistencies. Furthermore, there weren't many scenes that could really move the viewer, which is disapointing.
It's a series that highlights several elements such as historical facts, but also brings in themes like sexuality, homosexuality and bisexuality, magic, sexually transmitted diseases, abortions and the class system. It's interesting to be able to make the comparison with today's world and to see the changes that have taken place in society over time.
→ Rating: 6/10
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