I am so glad I discovered this show. It's a Spanish show, and I had never heard of it until I did a search looking for a movies about royalty and struck gold. As soon as I learned that the Spanish had made a Tudors-esque show about Isabella I of Castile and Ferdinand II of Aragon (their English names), I was chomping at the bit to see it. Note: The Spanish names are different from the names the people are known by in English history (why we need to translate names into English is beyond me), and I will refer to the characters by their Spanish names for the most part (Fernando instead of Ferdinand, Enrique instead of Henry, etc.) The only place the 13 marvelous episodes can be watched right now is dramafever.com, a hulu-type site, which offers the show in Spanish with English subtitles. As a bonus, the commercials are all in Spanish, which makes them more enjoyable
("McDonalds -Me Encanta").
 |
| Portrait of the real Queen Isabel I |
It begins with Isabel being crowned Queen of Castile after the death of King Enrique, her older half-brother, and then goes back in time to show how she got there. The real testament to the talent of the writers is that the show still makes you wonder if she will ever become queen, even though we have already seen that it will happen. It's all about the journey -the how. The show always keeps you guessing. Some things you think will be a big deal are unexpectedly resolved, and other things that you think will be minor take you by surprise by becoming major plot points.
There are many different characters all operating under their own political agendas, and they are all fascinating in their own way. People are vying for power, changing sides, plotting against each other, and just generally keeping things interesting. The actors are all terrific, and look more like normal people than the glamazons of The Tudors. Isabel (Michelle Jenner), for example, while beautiful, is not the stereotypical model/actress you often see. She only wears makeup on her wedding day, and even then reluctantly and only on her eyes. The exception is Fernando's mistress before meeting Isabel, Aldonza de Ivorra -she is a bit cookie-cutter, and seems to have been cast mostly for her boobs, as she is topless a lot. A lot.
 |
| Isabel, Princess Juana, and Queen Juana. |
Another great thing is that there are not many "bad guys." Aside from Pacheco and his younger brother, most of the characters are likeable in their own way. The main focus of the show is the battle between Enrique (and his young daughter Juana, who may or may not be legitimate -a question history still has not answered, though the show seems to favor the idea that she was legitimate) and Isabel for the throne. Isabel's faction feels she should be Enrique's heir, while Enrique obviously favors his daughter, and different powerful figures jump on the two bandwagons and face off: the devious Pacheco and his bloodthirsty younger brother, Pacheco's influential uncle (Carrillo, Bishop of Toledo), Enrique's friend Beltran, Isabel's mentor Chacon, Chacon's nephew Cardenas, noble bodyguard Gonzalo, the powerful Mendoza family, loyal and likeable Cabrera, Cabrera's wife and Isabel's best friend Beatriz, Isabel's brother Alfonso, Enrique's wife Juana, and more. I never found myself joining Team Enrique or Team Isabel. Both sides were likeable, they just had very different agendas.
 |
| Isabel and King Enrique. |
Enrique is considered a weak king by many. Unlike, say, Henry VIII, who didn't put up with any crap (and would lop off your head if you looked at him wrong), Enrique is quick to forgive, and follows his heart instead of his head. His mood can be changeful. He has strong morals, however, and shows tolerance for other religions, even embracing some of the Moorish customs. This, and his disregard for traditional aristocratic roles, enrages some of the powerful aristocrats. His long-time supporter, Pacheco, is enraged when Enrique takes Beltron de la Cueva, a lesser born man, into his inner circle, but Enrique insists on granting him favor, showing Pacheco a scar on Beltron's torso: "You didn’t see the sword thrust that caused it. You were not there. I was. On the brink of death at the Moorish border. None of the nobles did anything to save me from death. Only Beltron. And he was about to lose his own life. Look at it closely, Pacheco. Look. Look at it closely. Every time you don’t understand why I want Beltron by my side, remember it."
 |
| Pacheco, Marquis of Villena. |
Pacheco, livid, begins to turn against Enrique, and this is when his Uncle, Carillo, puts forth the idea of supporting Enrique's stepbrother and stepsister, Alfonso and Isabel:
Pacheco: How dare he treat me like that? And in front of that sissy. He must prefer him to his wife, that’s why she won’t get pregnant.
Carillo: Don’t believe the rumors you spread. Remember your enemies used to say the same of you and the King.
Pacheco: Don’t change the subject! I educated him, got rid of anyone who stood in his way to the throne. And he repays me like this?
Carillo: Calm down.
Pacheco: Why would I? Damn our need for kings if they’re going to be like him. He doesn’t like his position. I have to do everything. He’d rather play the lute, talk to poets, and buy exotic animals. Do you know what he gave the ambassador of India? Gold? Spices? No! What for? A leopard.
Carillo: A what?
Pacheco: A leopard. A kind of lynx, but with fewer whispers. Everything is collapsing yet you’re able to laugh?
Carillo: Relax. We still have more cards to play. Remember when we talked about the heir presumptive, Prince Alfonso?
Pacheco: Perfectly.
Carillo: I received a letter from his tutor, Don Gonzalo Chacon. You know him well. One can deduce that King Enrique has not paid the amount agreed upon when his father Juan II died, leaving his stepmother and his siblings Isabel and Alfonso penniless. In case something happens to the King, we should probably start thinking about the next one.
I actually liked Enrique. I thought he was conscientious. I appreciated that he tried to avert war out of consideration for his people:
Juana: They’re denying our daughter’s right to the throne. What else I there to think about?
Beltran: An immediate answer is needed. If you allow them to offend you once and go without punishment, nothing will stop them.
Enrique: I think I should talk with them.
Mendoza: Are you going to negotiate? The people expect authority and leadership from their king, Your Majesty.
Enrique: And I say there will be negotiation. Summon Pacheco. I know him well. I know how to handle this.
Archbishop: You cannot negotiate. Your Majesty, you’ll be seen as the most cowardly of kings. We must go to war.
Enrique: And you, will you go to war? No, you’ll be in your church praying. It’s easy for you to send the children of others to die in the battlefield.
I also thought he was a very sad character. He hated the plotting all around him, and wanted to have a peaceful, happy life, but it was not to be:
Little boy: Do you want to play?
Enrique: It’s too late to play. I should have done that long ago.
Little boy: Is being King worth it?
Enrique: No. It’s not worth it.
Isabel is an interesting and complicated character. She is deeply religious and virtuous, but while some think this will make her weak and predictable, she is willing to stretch the rules and even her principles in order to obtain her goals if need be. She is fiercely devoted to Castile, putting her duty to Castile above all other things, even her own happiness at times. Isabel is tough and intelligent, and politically savvy, frequently using words to pacify her allies when they waver from her cause. For example:
Carillo: Why don’t you listen to me? You don’t take any of my advice. I think I have the right to know if my words have any effect. I want to know if you take me into account.
Isabel: I beg you to leave Your Eminence and me alone. [The others leave]
Carillo: My lady, I’m obliged to remind you. I convinced the Aragonese, I took you out of Ocana, I brought Fernando, I –
Isabel: You’re the reason why I’m here. I know. Don’t doubt that for a second. Without you, none of this would be possible. I’m indebted to you.
Carillo: Your future and that of Castile will be golden with the Lord’s help. I want to know if I’m in or out of that future.
Isabel: You are in, Monsignor. You are in.
She is lucky to have some very good, devoted friends. Her mentor, Chacon, is like a father to her, and a steady, wise influence in her life, though politics begin to have an effect on him that he regrets:
Cardenas: I’ve been in politics for too long.
Cardenas: Why do you say that?
Chacon: Because I’m not happy for a good man who’s recovering.
Cardenas: The good of the majority should be held before that of the individual.
Chacon: That’s right, and that’s why I did it. I’ve seen a lot of people I love dying. I want you to witness what I’m about to say and remind me of it if I don’t do it. I swear that I’ll leave it all when Isabel becomes Queen. I would have fulfilled my mission, and you will be my substitute.
Cardenas: No, thank you –
Chacon: You will be my substitute. I will go back with my wife to live the days I have left in peace. Without hoping a good man to die like I’m doing now. For Castile’s future.
Cardenas, Chacon's nephew, is another bright adviser, willing to do anything asked of him by Isabel or Chacon. That usually means traveling a lot. Isabel sends him hither and yon from country to country as though he could just catch a plane, poor fellow.
Another friend, Gonzalo, is a strong, honorable, and devoted bodyguard, trusted by Alfonso and Isabel with their lives. He does cause Chacon some concern, however, when his respect for Isabel begins to seem like it could be something more: "The problem with appreciation is it can be confused with something else...Isabel’s destiny is to rule Castile. There can be no affections the crown cannot allow. Those are distractions."
 |
| Gonzalo. |
Beatriz is another long-time friend of Isabel. Her presence is a great comfort to Isabel. She marries a good, honest man, Cabrera, who is loyal to the King, but manages to remain friendly to Isabel as well. Though angry about an arranged marriage to Cabrera at first (while still determined to obey her father and marry him), Beatriz soon realizes his qualities, and her cool resignation turns to love:
Cabrera: I don’t want to seem pretentious, but even in tough times, I can assure you that you’ll want for nothing. I am His Majesty’s butler and the treasurer of Segovia and Cuenca. But I suppose you already knew that.
Beatriz: My father knows, and that’s enough.
Cabrera: I know how close you are to Dona Isabel. And I have no intention of separating you from her. You can still be her confidant.
Beatriz: As you wish, my lord. [When he offers her a flower, she rolls her eyes] Thank you
Cabrera: Regarding our home, if you accept me as your husband, you should know that it will be you-Beatriz: Listen, Don Andres. It’s pointless to keep going around in circles. ‘If you accept me.’ You’ve already reached an agreement with my father. I have nothing to accept or refuse.
Cabrera: My lady, I went to your father because I’ve thought of you since I first saw you. You wore less luxurious garments, but you were as beautiful as you are today. And you were hungry.
Beatriz: I have a soft spot for sweets. It’s a defect I can’t help.
Cabrera: Your defects must be wonderful. And there’s nothing I would like more than to enjoy them by your side. But it’s your approval I want. Not your father’s. Take all the time you need. And whether it’s a yes or a no, I’ll listen to you and accept it. Let’s be clear on one thing. You won’t be forced to the altar. Not with me. My lady. [He leaves, and she smells the flower]
 |
| Beatriz and Cabrera. |
They also have Carillo, who is a powerful supporter, but it is clear that first and foremost he is looking out for his own interests. He is instrumental in arranging the marriage between Isabel and Fernando of Aragon, opening negotiations with Fernando's father, King Juan II of Aragon:
Carillo: Tell me, Majesty, what agreements did you have with my nephew? I think that our friendship, and the information, I bring deserves an answer to my question.
Juan: We were negotiating Fernando’s wedding to his daughter.
Carillo: With Beatriz? Don’t fool yourselves. There’s a better candidate than her to be Fernando’s wife.
Juan: Who?
Carillo: Isabel. She has the king’s blood, she’s Fernando’s age and she’ll end up wearing Castile’s crown on her head.
Juan: You’re very sure of it.
Carillo: I swear on my life, Isabel will be queen.
 |
| Juan and a portrait of the real Juan II of Aragon. |
 |
| Isabel and Fernando. |
Isabel: Fernando.
Fernando: I know what you’re about to say. I shouldn’t have been so rash with Carillo. We shouldn’t each be fighting our own war. I’m sorry, Isabel. But the day will come when I won’t obey him. I hope you’ll smile then, too.
Isabel: When that day comes, I’ll support you.
They share love and mutual respect, but Isabel is a strong-willed woman, and not about to stand in Fernando's shadow:
Chacon: What worries you?
Chacon: Your husband. What will he think of not being present at the proclamation?
Isabel: Fernando will understand. He’s fought for this moment too.
Chacon: What if he doesn’t? His character is as strong as yours.
Isabel: Then he will learn something important. He might rule over Aragon, but I’m the one who rules in Castile.
 |
| Fernando and Carillo spar. |
I guess you haven't seen season 2 yet. Believe me, there's enough "bad guys" to go around. Starting with Isabel and Ferdinand. It's full of vile, creatures pretending to be servants of God, during the Spanish Inquisition.
ReplyDelete