‘Becoming Elizabeth’ Recap: ‘You Cannot Keep the Birds From Flying Over Your Head’

Written by John Edward Betancourt

Caution: This article contains spoilers for Episode Two of ‘Becoming Elizabeth’. To revisit the series premiere, click here.
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When we last settled in to discuss the phenomenal new STARZ series, Becoming Elizabeth, we talked at length about how the series premiere of this show… did a stunning job of setting up the journey we were about to embark upon. One that would focus heavily on every single formative moment, both good and bad, that Elizabeth Tudor was going to experience on her way to becoming the iconic queen that fascinates to this day. A feat that episode accomplished, by allowing for us to watch in ‘real time’, as Elizabeth embraced the spark of leadership that the current situation of the world afforded her. If anything, taking a moment to revisit the incredible setup that premiere offered us is critical to our discussion today, simply because the next episode reinforced the show’s goal in a supremely bold and dynamic manner.
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For ‘You Cannot Keep the Birds From Flying Over Your Head’ is a story that wasted little time in exploring what comes next for a once and future queen when the spark for leadership is ignited within a great leader’s soul and in the case of Elizabeth… that involved beginning to learn how politics work. Which means that she needed to spend a little time in this story, observing the world around her and the people in her life to see how they conduct themselves and what moves them and upsets them and brings them joy. Since it is crucial for a queen to know her people and their needs and wants and well… thanks to a fascinating crisis of faith within her family, she was able to do just that. 

For the young King rather enjoyed poking fun at Catholicism and believed that the Protestant faith should become the official religion of England, and that of course, horrified Mary, who was devout in her faith and of the belief that it should always be respected. Which immediately caused a divide amongst brother and sister, and that allowed for Elizabeth to just… observe. Observe how faith played a huge part in politics in her world and observe how people used faith and loyalty to try and manipulate others. As evidenced by the fact that Mary and King Edward VI consistently went back and forth with the future queen about where her loyalties should lie and how she should side with one of them as quickly as possible.

Which did indeed teach Elizabeth a great deal about reading people, since it made her privy to a bevy of conversations about appearances and needs and wants and once, she had a good read on the room… the next lesson and progression in her slow ascension to the throne took place. In that, it’s not enough to just be observant and able to read what’s happening around you, one must also learn how to play the game and see where it takes you. And after careful consideration and thought, the kind that weighed both the positive and negatives of the two sides vying for her loyalty, she quickly made efforts to side with her brother. A move that will allow for her to see firsthand, the impact of loyalty, as she begins to toy with the political games of the time and continue her grand lessons. 

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However, while those elements could have carried this episode for the entire hour, since old school politics in this manner are indeed fascinating, we would be remiss to not point out other critical moments in this tale. Such as the fact that Elizabeth’s desire to be more, came forth in her earlier years in other ways one might not think of, as evidenced by how the royal hunt went. Since she was the one who told Robert Dudley to stand aside while she handled the killing blow to the stag they were hunting. A move that really did speak to how she expected to lead the way and how she broke down norms for women in her time, since that was a move that shocked everyone involved and helped her to grow in the process. But sadly… her progress here as someone that wished to stand out, was undermined by Mister Thomas Seymour and his inability… to keep it in his pants.
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Because once again, he lusted after Elizabeth in this tale with impunity and put on all the charms and once again, he found himself denied out of Elizabeth’s understand of morality. But a man like Thomas, who is clearly eager to groom and exert power over women… would not be swayed by a simple no. Which in turn led to some incredibly uncomfortable moments, the kind that saw him toss faithfulness aside and well… assault the young princess in an effort to feel that power and while this was hard to watch for certain, it is critical to show this unhealthy relationship in the raw. For this is a series that aims to parallel how little has changed in our modern world, and that there are indeed men like Thomas out there today… grooming and manipulating in this manner and having that behavior on the screen is critical to educating the rest of us to the signs and the behaviors… to call it out and stop it.

But parallels aside, we would be foolish to not point out the historical accuracy of this particular story as well. Since Edward VI’s policies toward religion were a huge part of his temporary and brief reign, and Mary’s devotion to the Catholic faith is also well known… and a huge part of her time as Queen as well. Which is a decision storytelling wise that makes this… a supremely intelligent show for certain. Because that means it is genuinely faithful to the history and will educate the audience as it takes the time to entertain them, and it will be fascinating to see what other historically accurate Easter eggs writer Anya Reiss has injected into this as we continue our journey through season one of this fascinating and dynamic and downright engaging series. 

But what matters most about this particular tale, is the sheer fact that it did a wonderful job of growing Princess Elizabeth Tudor in an organic manner. Because to rush her development into a queen here, would feel cheap and insulting. But little moments such as these, where she learns from the world and executes accordingly, is the stuff that grounds this show and gives us exactly what we want and need from this series. And it will be equally as fascinating to see what new lesson awaits Elizabeth next week as she continues to inch close and closer to a history that was nothing more than a mere moment and role for her and of course, we simply must know how she is going to handle the advances of Thomas Seymour. As he continues to press his unsettling attempts to make her another notch on his belt, simply because he believes he can. Until next time.

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