‘Becoming Elizabeth’ Recap: ‘Keep Your Knife Bright’

Written by John Edward Betancourt

Caution: This article contains spoilers for the series premiere of ‘Becoming Elizabeth’.
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More often than not, stories that revolve around a beloved historical figure, focus heavily on the moments and days leading up to their ascension to the hero we know them to be… and it makes sense as to why. For we admire these individuals through and through for their ‘final act’ so to speak, since that is when they truly rose to notoriety, and changed the world in some cases. But what truly makes this particular type of story worth our while, is that it also allows for us to learn what pushes a person who harbors a genuinely incredible moral core and soul… to become an icon and embrace the fact that they are about to become an important part of human history. 
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But while those are indeed fascinating stories to watch and read about, since they do provide us with stunning insight into that person and their impact upon the world… there is a slight downside to this type of tale. In that, they simply don’t provide us with the complete picture of the individual in question, they merely provide us with a singular moment of their incredible journey. And what makes that problematic and incomplete, is that the moral core we admire and the acts that they took part in to create their standing in history, are formed long before the big moment in question arrives. For they had to live a life before that point, one that taught them a great deal about what it means to be bigger and more, and surprisingly, there are but a few stories that explore that and that’s a shame.

Because that’s the stuff that truly teaches us about the human condition and inspires us. But thankfully as this era of peak television and pop-culture continues to thrive, there are writers and networks out there looking to begin to explore moments such as those, and it just so happens that last night saw the debut of one such story. For Becoming Elizabeth arrived at last on STARZ and well, this fascinating story is clearly going to take us on an intimate ride with Elizabeth Tudor, one that will absolutely show us the formative moments that made her such an icon and such a beloved queen, centuries after her reign and well… it is going to accomplish this particular feat, by outright plunging us into her life… long before she ever wore the crown. 

For ‘Keep Your Knife Bright’ is a story that opens up, mere hours after King Henry the Eighth has passed into the great beyond, and that has seemingly plunged England into utter chaos. For a leadership vacuum now exists, prompting the deceased King’s inner circle to quickly scramble and secure the Tudor family to keep them safe from enemies and to decide what comes next for the throne. Which as it turns out, involves ascending young Edward to the role of king, making him the sixth Edward to do so and just like that, it appears that life will quickly return to normal and the country will soldier on with a new King guiding them, with help from his inner court of course… and it is that sense of calm that allows for this series to shine in its exploration of what truly forms a leader. 

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Because young Elizabeth, in the midst of her studies and having her life upended, gets a chance to see the succession process firsthand and is also able to see what life is like to be this close to the throne and well… that creates within her, a spark. One where she begins to realize what her standing is and what it might mean to the people and herself for that matter… prompting her to begin to dream about what could be if by chance she were queen. Thoughts that are of course, fleeting in this moment since her brother now serves, but they are important none the less. For that wonder is indeed the bare beginnings of the queen’s life to be and it is fascinating to watch a story take the time to point out the importance of that spark, and what’s truly amazing… is that the wonder of this moment, doesn’t end with lofty dreams of what might be. 
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For a strange world surrounds Elizabeth in this tale, one she’s never quite known because of her isolation for many, many years. One that is full of personal agendas and romance and treachery and well, it doesn’t take long for her to begin to taste bits and pieces of that particular world. Which in this moment, is uncomfortable for the viewer, when one considers that the chief architect of this introduction, the slimy Thomas Seymour. For he is, in essence, grooming and toying with Elizabeth’s emotions in this tale, just because he can. Since women weren’t exactly equals in this time and well, his actions and the world that Elizabeth is now coming to understand… will indeed be critical to the formation of her moral core. Since the hurt she will likely endure in this most dangerous romantic game, will teach her to look objectively before she leaps and to do the opposite of what Thomas is doing when it comes to how she guides and treats others.

But before that day, she will stumble, and she will fall, and she will hurt. But that is… how we form a moral core, and that is… how we learn in life, whether we like it or not. Which in essence, makes this particular series, one of the most refreshing Tudor dramas to ever hit the airwaves. Because it focuses less on the pomp and circumstance of Elizabeth’s ascension to power, and more on the humanity of the icon and the people that surround her. Which is a move that is both bold and brilliant since it shatters the standard tropes surrounding this particular type of story and makes it accessible to all. Since there is drama to behold by way of characters that don’t seem out of place or out of time, because they are as human as the rest of us and still suffer from the same missteps and flaws as we do today. 

However, in order to properly sell that kind of realism and depth, great acting has to be in place and thankfully, that is here as well. For every single actor in this story brings their A game to the table and sell the fear and uncertainty of this unstable time in history, and the humanity needed to make this story so accessible. With Tom Cullen (Thomas Seymour) and Jessica Raine (Catherine Parr) stealing the show at times with their respective examinations of the trappings of power of the era and they of course are bookended nicely by Alicia von Rittberg’s electric and dynamic performance as Elizabeth. Since she brings an innocence and sense of wonder to the once and future queen not found in any other portrayal. If anything, those elements, and the incredible sets and Anya Reiss’ phenomenal script, make this a flawless series premiere. One that sucks you into this world and demands your attention, so that you can finally and properly learn, what creates a great leader. Until next time.

To learn more about the show’s construction and the cast’s approaching to building these rich characters, check out our interviews with the cast and crew, right here.

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