Summary
Episode 8 brings a strong finish to an otherwise below-average series.
I expected My Lady Jane to have a frantic ending. The series has embraced the scenario that Lady Jane Grey and Guildford Dudley were too late for their feelings, and it certainly feels that way in Episode 8, at least for a little while.
“God Saves The Queen” plays with this scenario of a hellbent Queen Mary having a bit too much fun. Jane was imprisoned in the Tower of London, and she was offered a horrific deal: denounce Ethianism, claim her husband Guildford tricked her, and she shall be freed. Of course, all Jane cared about was saving her husband, so she was never going to do that. Meanwhile, Guildford was trapped in a secret prison for Ethians, taunted by Lord Seymour with his death all but surely confirmed. Even his brother and father try to save him, but that’s unsuccessful, too.
But when the end of My Lady Jane came, it was not that simple for Queen Mary to execute Jane and Guildford. In this alternative history, Jane has nine lives.
How Did Jane and Guildford escape execution?
Lady Jane Grey (played by Emily Bader) in ‘My Lady Jane’ (Credit – Prime Video)
Mary decided to be creative on execution night: Guildford Dudley would be burned to death, and Lady Jane Grey would have her head chopped off. As they are brought before the crowds, Jane is regretful for not telling Guildford that she loves him.
But, as the executioner is about to execute Jane, a bird strikes him down, and then a flock of birds descends onto the crowd. Leading the charge is Suzanne, Jane’s former maid. It looks like King Edward’s plea to the Ethians to save Lady Jane Grey so he can retake the throne has worked, and in return, he will be expected to offer the Ethians freedom.
Amongst the chaos of the Ethians fighting the Royal Guards, Jane rushes to save Guildford, who is about to be engulfed by flames. However, she’s unable to cut the rope. In a moment of pure love, Jane is ready to accept her fate and die with him by burning to death — it’s at this moment Jane and Guildford finally confess their love for each other.
However, to help save them both, Guildford turns into his Ethian horse and rides off with Jane mounted on him. What does this mean for the lovebirds? Who knows. It can be assumed at this point that Queen Mary, who is dismayed that her plans to execute them failed, will try to stay in power. However, expect King Edward to be looming.
It’s possible that Guildford and Jane will go into exile and enjoy their blossoming marriage for a while, but something, or someone, will entice them to return to the kingdom.
Either way, Episode 8 was an exciting end to Season 1, which was under average from a storytelling and production standpoint.
Court Documents
Here are other notable points from Episode 8 of My Lady Jane Season 1:
- Mary tells Seymour that she does not intend to marry him but has found him a bride.
- Lord Dudley and Stan try to save Guildford from the secret prison. His father, Lord Dudley, tells Guildford to forgive himself and not to blame himself for his mother’s death.
- Jane tries to poison one of the guards with a poisonous moss she found at the side of the tower, but he’s been too kind, so she changes her mind. She also fails to poison Queen Mary when she places the poison on her lips and tries to kiss her.
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