Your Reviews: Episode 3
Your Reviews for Episode 3:
"This series has me spellbound."
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"The BBC never fails to amaze me with the quality of its TV dramas. This series has me spellbound. Quality acting from the leads, beautiful photography, haunting music and the director leads you through the story at a splendid pace."
Steve Robertson, Cardiff
"Episode 3 was magnificent, from the agonising of Queen Elizabeth over whether she should sign Mary Queen of Scots' death sentence, to the victory over the Armada and sadly to Robbie's death. It was mesmerising to watch and I cannot wait to see the final episode next week to see what happens between Elizabeth and the Earl of Essex."
Jane Baker, Newark
"I think the acting is terrific, especially Anne-Marie Duff. The only disappointment for me was Mary Queen of Scots - anyone who knows the story knows that her life, and in particular her beheading, is the most dramatic in history, and she went to her death unshaken. The potential for drama was completely lost. However Anne-Marie Duff keeps me glued to the screen, next time do Mary please."
Tim, Stockport
"Duff's portrayal eclipses that of Glenda Jackson."
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"I knew from Episode 2 that this would be a very special series, yet this episode exceeded all expectation. There is something so unsettling about Anne-Marie Duff's resemblance to the portraits Elizabeth herself tried to have banned that I feel sure I must be watching the real Good Queen Bess. Duff's portrayal eclipses that of Glenda Jackson and the BBC has shown itself to be on top once more with historical drama. I love it - bring on the DVD."
Andy, Sheffield
"The programme was excellent. However a small mistake was made in this episode when the Queen referred to 'claptrap'. Claptrap was a word that originally meant trickery to cause an audience to clap, and did not come into use until the 18th century."
David Stokes, UK
"Shame about the music in Episode 3. A lute was playing at one point - but it was not the Elizabethan instrument. The one we heard was the type played decades after Elizabeth's death.
Anachronisms like this can be irritating. The Helen Mirren Elizabeth* was spoiled for me when Dudley put a telescope to his eye - again decades earlier than the invention of the telescope."
Bill Samson, Dundee
"I continue to be pleasantly surprised by this. It knocks spots off the awful Helen Mirren*/Jeremy Irons* version; has a refreshingly lively script; and, so far, hasn't put too may feet wrong in terms of historical accuracy. And when a letter is quoted in the script, it's nice to find that the original has actually been consulted to get it right. Nice one BBC; it was hard to see what could be added on this subject given the trail blazing of Elizabeth R*, but The Virgin Queen has proven to be well worth watching."
Ian G, St Albans
"Elizabeth is far too undignified, unregal and unreal."
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"I've been sitting on my hands with this because if I don't I'm going to throw something at the TV soon!
Oh dear what a disappointment this series has turned out to be. Elizabeth is far too undignified, unregal and unreal. Dudley is bland, uncharismatic and boring. This was apparently one of the most charistmatic, ambitious and brilliant men in the kingdom and that just wasn't there. The costumes' inaccuracy (allegedly carefully researched) annoyed me too, stretching from 1540's to 1600's in one episode, and even one scene. Sussex hadn't aged at all since episode 1, Burghley just had a cloak and greying beard and Dudley's makeup was unconvincing."
Tess, London
"I've now watched the third episode and read the reviews of the first two here on this page and I have a question or two:
Where on the tin does it say that the BBC will guarantee 100% historical fact? Or spend a fortune on making the costumes look 'just so'?
My love of history is immense but I'm quite capable of researching facts in a multitude of locations - library, online, cable TV etc. No big deal.
Yes, there have been some inaccuracies but to dwell on these is to miss the essential points. The BBC set out to entertain with an historical DRAMA. Possibly to also provoke debate, further research and create interest in our heritage.
Whatever.
I'm with Aunty on this one. Great entertainment. Genuinely riveting and flows along with captivating music. Casting has been very good overall, and the actors have helped hugely in making this feel real.
Thanks to all involved - I've had a reason to stay awake on Sunday evenings!"
Paul Watson, Luton
"It is a testament to the programme that I have been so enthralled that, even though we did not see the death of Robert Dudley, the scenes where Elizabeth was told about it had me in tears. I was not entirely convinced when I heard of the casting of Anne-Marie Duff but this episode completely confirmed that the choice was inspired."
Elaine, Newcastle upon Tyne
"If The Virgin Queen doesn't win awards then there is no justice in the television world."
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"This programme has been brilliant. I was crying with joy at England's victory and crying with sorrow at Dudley's death. If The Virgin Queen doesn't win awards then there is no justice in the television world. I can see Anne-Marie Duff with a best actress award, she's more than worthy. She's amazing!"
Sarah Simpson-Eyre, Nottingham
"This series has been excellent for MUCH more than the main actors (who are brilliant). The music is compelling, sinister, ecclesiastical, and conveys all the breadth of the period so effectively. I hardly stop whistling or humming it. Equally, the lesser parts in the series have been captured with the eye of a miniature painter. The Fool was excellent - surely he is a circus performer? Wonderfully evocative costumes, and the faces in the Army, well they told a thousand stories of their own! Well done Beeb, this is what I pay my licence fee for."
Richard Hubbard, Milton Keynes
"Once again, a very good programme is being ruined, by the dreadful modern camera work, which is far too close-up and jerky. Why, oh why, do you persist with this awful method? Another criticism is the poor diction of some of the actors. Anne Marie Duff is excluded from all criticism. She is excellent in the part, and we can hear every word clearly. Tom Hardy, however, is at times almost impossible to hear, and seems unable to open his mouth when speaking; another modern trait."
Mike and Margaret Webbon, Barton-on-Sea, Hampshire
"The way the camera moves into close up, thus creating wonderful photgraphic magic for a costume drama, is positively sublime. Also love the theme music running throughout this wonderfully refreshing slant on a well documented, historical tale."
Ann, Yorkshire
"The BBC should use historical drama to encourage an interest in period music, not make its own up."
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"What on earth is going on with the music in The Virgin Queen? Did anyone working on the series research Elizabethan music at all? The episodes start with some ghastly tub thumpy folk rock, totally out of place, and the tension throughout the programme is 'carried' by excessive use of drum sounds that sound more African than Elizabethan. I can't watch it. The BBC should use historical drama to encourage an interest in period music, not make its own up."
Anthony Glovo, Hampshire
"Absolutely brilliant. The death of Robert Dudley nearly reduced me to tears. It was upsetting as he loved the Queen very much. Tom Hardy played a fantastic part in this drama, you couldn't have picked a better person.
Elizabeth's speech to her army was fantastic. It was just like being there. Anne-Marie Duff was the best person you could have picked for the Queen. This is one of the best dramas I have seen in a long time."
Kathryn Kaminski, Plymouth
"Just beautiful. The power in the writing, the evocative soundtrack and the impassioned acting - especially the humility shown by Queen Elizabeth - has left me on the verge of tears all day long today. Stunning."
Chris Wright, Manchester
"The BBC Drama department has really outdone itself this time. It was encapturing to the eye of both myself and my child. It drip fed you the plot and although some of us may know the outcome, it still made it seem as if it were new to you."
Josh, Oxfordshire
"A really gripping historical drama."
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"I have been really impressed with this series on Elizabeth. The acting, the music and the costumes have made it very enjoyable and moving to watch and have evoked the period well. Despite there being some historical inaccuracies, this has been the first drama on Elizabeth I have seen which has portrayed more obscure actual events that are usually left out of films/dramas about her. It certainly has more historical accuracy than the Cate Blanchett film*, good though that was.
I think Anne-Marie Duff has taken on the role with conviction and that all the acting is of a high standard. Thanks to the BBC for producing a really gripping historical drama."
Madelaine, London
"Although the order of events may not be entirely accurate and artistic license has indeed been employed I absolutely love this series. I can get historic facts from the many books I read but Anne-Marie Duff and Tom Hardy, especially, allow me to relate to their characters as people. I can begin to understand the relationships not just in terms of facts and dates but in terms of feelings and emotions. Its brilliant and I will be sad when it finishes."
Philippa Brewell, Kidderminster
Read a synopsis of Episode 3 »
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Behind the Scenes
Rummage around the wardrobe department »
Preview Clip
Episodes
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