#and the vast difference between s1 vs s2 stephen
Explore tagged Tumblr posts
Text
I think the best way I could describe this episode is 'fear'. The absolute fear that Thomas feels after Jane's death when reality begins to weigh on him. The complete devastation in his eyes when Mary told him that Stephen had returned, the way that his relationship around Henry is different. Henry isn't a friend to him, he's a dangerous person, but now he realizes he's stuck. The way he accidentally let it slip that he would retaliate against Henry, in front of Risley, and the cold fear that we see in his face.
Thomas is genuinely terrified. I don't think he believes death, is looming in the air, but he knows that something is going to happen. And i mean, the fear he is feeling was enough to get him sick, and nearly die. It brought back his Italian fever but this time, it was worse, much much worse.
He can't even talk straight, he can't walk straight, he can't think. Thomas, a man who has been nothing but brave and resilient his whole life is finally being broken down, and finally succumbing to fear. Which is something he truly, truly, never thought he'd be able to feel fully.
What did Anne say in the first season, "Fear can unmake a man" , and well...it's happening.
#wolf hall#thomas cromwell#mirror and the light#wolf hall spoilers#and the vast difference between s1 vs s2 stephen#oh he most CERTAINLY came as an enemy and a rival that is not backing down#it's not just that he dislikes thomas#he has already made it his personal goal to bring thomas down#it's not enough that thomas is sick because of him#its not enough that he is embarassing thomas ; he is going to make it his goal to kill him#he wants to make thomas afraid#he wants thomas to know that he has his position and his life in his hands - because that is how thomas made him feel in s1/the books#so he's giving it back#but worse#i know the huge focus is clearly between thomas and henry#but the main villain has entered the stage and he is psychologically torturing and breaking thomas down#and he absolutely loves how scared he makes thomas#which is absolutely gut wrenching#i have my personal thoughts about stephen's portrayal in wolf hall-he very much gets the anne boleyn treatment#buuuut im not gonna act like he isn't a compelling villain#and the ONLY one aside from Dorthea -who has been able to completely break and tear Thomas down#and render him completely helpless#he always knew how to break him and how to hit where it hurt#because they are so similiar and they don't even realize that#Do i like this stephen better than I do s1#NAUR#but i think he brings it
22 notes
·
View notes