‘My Lady Jane’ Recap: ‘I Feel Fine’

9/8/2024

Written by John Edward Betancourt

Emily Bader as Queen Jane Grey in Episode 106 of ‘My Lady Jane’ – ‘I Feel Fine’. (Photo Courtesy of Jonathan Prime/Prime Video.)

Caution: This article contains spoilers for Episode Six of ‘My Lady Jane’. To revisit the previous episode, click here.

For the most part, the fascinating (and cancelled too early) series, My Lady Jane, on Prime Video, has managed to steer clear of supremely deep social commentary through its first five episodes, and it makes sense as to why. After all, there was a lot of worldbuilding to accomplish in those early tales, so that we properly understood what was going on and what was at stake. Which is critical to good storytelling and the show has done an amazing job when it comes to this. Since we are indeed immersed in this fascinating alternate world, one where the Ethian/Human conflict has weight and has established what kind of fight lie ahead for the new Queen of England, one Jane Grey.

But pitting everyday people against beings that are human yet harbor a unique gift, does scream of parallels to our own world. As does the prejudices that surround the Ethian people and their abilities. So, it stands to reason that social commentary had to eventually come into play and well, as it turns out, the next episode of the show was the right moment to make that happen. For ‘I Feel Fine’ had a lot to say about the world as it stands and what it might take to finally end some of the prejudices we harbor in society, and it accomplished such a feat by way of Mary. Whose journey we will get to in just a second, because we would be foolish to not point out that this episode featured some epic moments involving King Edward and Guildford. Who found themselves in situations that dug deep into Ethian hate and shame and forced both of them to fight for their very lives.

Which spoke deeply to how the Ethians are in many ways… the stand-in in this story for the LGBTQIA+ community, and how they often face hate and are treated akin to second class citizens by so many. And for some reason, in 2024, that hate is resurgent and strong, and so many are of the opinion that individuals that have been around since the dawn of time are a problem and should be ‘dealt with’ or shunned. Which is of course, a stupid and narrow worldview and that is where Mary’s journey in this story… spoke to how we start to change those hearts and minds, and make it clear that all are one, and all are equal. And it starts, with someone saying enough. Which is precisely what Mary did here.

Because she came to understand that this path was no longer sustainable for English society and was wrong to its very core. So, she forced everyone to work together and see one another as equals and she, of course, proclaimed equality was now the English way. Which spoke volumes to how… we need a voice in our world to do just that. A leader that is brave enough to say what needs to be said and truly speaks to equality. But they also must understand that the first person to do so, will face some real heartache and pain. Because sadly… there will be many who do not listen at first. But those aren’t the ones who are the target audience. It’s the everyday people who are sick of the hate and rhetoric and want a leader to give them license… to repeat that message and spread it far and wide until that chorus drowns out the hateful noise.

But the only question in this story, is whether or not that message will get out to England. Because Mary was able to get some backers in this story, and they stormed the castle and were able to capture Jane. Which the set the stage for quite the penultimate episode. One where Jane will have to face off against hate, and a monstrous family member. But while we wait to see what comes out of that, since we are indeed in undiscovered country here, we can celebrate one stunningly brilliant episode. One that truly went places we’ve been waiting for this story to go, and truly showcased the show’s potential as a series, which does make the cancellation notice a tad more painful. But it is still lovely to see a series say such important truths about what needs to start happening in our world, to make it better and it make it equal for all. Until next time.

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