Light

As I write I am already bereft as Wolf Hall has come to an end. The final episode tore at my heart and had me wiping away tears.

It's hard to put into words just how magnificent it has been - from the very beginning until the heartbreaking end. If you want an example of acting/writing/directing mastery then look no further. I am in awe of the immense talent involved and I fear nothing will ever come close to this level of excellence again.

Thank you from the bottom of my heart to every single person involved. You have no idea just what you have created! I will rewatch every episode time and again. It's been a panacea for my soul and for that I am immensely grateful. 10/10.

Dear Bored; anyone who has actually studied this character...Henry...and his circumstance will have easily come to the realization that in contrast to the dry facts in the books, we are invited to witness the actual emotions and difficulties of the various characters, as opposed to the dry facts as presented in our high school history books: to understand that they, like yourself, were real boots on the ground humans...but unlike ourselves, involved in dramatic life-changing circumstance--not the infantile Trump or Trudeau--though both risk changing our world very much for the worse.

For that matter, why bother exploring the actual lives of any of the substantial characters who have altered the history of the world? As a test, why not ask your circle of friends and admirers if they would watch an extended series exploring and explaining your personal life?

Probably the greatest performance of one of our greatest actors. What Rylance conveys (or conceals) of Cromwell's every thought is an acting masterclass. The supporting cast has been universally excellent - Damien Lewis's progression from capricious braggart to sorrowful monarch is never less than compelling. Peter Kosminsky's direction never draws attention to itself, is always in the service of Hilary Mantel's epic chronicle. It's hard to think of a better translation of novels to the small screen since perhaps the adaptation of Le Carré's Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy with Alec Guinness in his late career prime.

Why all this reverence for this controversial historical character? The last episode is pure hagiography for a character that was anything but a saint. But is it great TV? Judging by most of the reviews in the British media it is something short of a masterpiece. Well, it is like TV drama by numbers: populate the screen with tons of artful historical settings, parade cohorts of self-important characters who utter platitudes under their breath hoping they would sound witty, spiritual and deep, smear the odd tear on central character's face and, by all means, maintain on the soundtrack a plaintive choir boy alto throughout key scenes. Did Thomas Cromwell really deserve his lot? After the longueur of the six episodes of The Mirror and the Light, I honestly did not care any more.