Whitehall (Season 1 Episode 5): “The Roles of the Game”

Episode 5- The Roles of the Game King Charles has proven to be a ruler who plays by his own rules. His queen, Catherine, is trying to play by his rules, but tests their limits as she goes, and Barbara is playing by a set of rules all her own. While the rest of the subjects and servants of the court play their part as pieces in this royal game, other players are showing their hands, and what happens because of that remains to be seen. A Lady of the Bedchamber for the queen has plans with a man of parliament to find unfavorable information about the new queen who, shockingly enough, isn’t Barbara. But perhaps most intriguing is the arrival of the son of King, who is a product of one of his many dalliances. By all appearances, he is an innocent child. However, our dear Barbara, who is never far from the mischief of the game, and Earl of Rochester, may have found a card to play with him. Games of sport. Games of chance. None as scandalous as the game of life in the kingdom.

Episode 5 of Whitehall brings in some fun and a bit more mischief. With each episode, the authors of this serial seem to be pulling out all of the stops leaving no one safe from the repercussions of royal life. Catherine’s will continues to grow stronger and seems to have the King’s attention for the time being. Whether or not it will last remains to be seen, because Whitehall continues to be full of surprises. The royal court is in recess but be ready for their return in the coming weeks. Until then, catch up on or simply enjoy once again episodes 1-5 of Whitehall.

Read our other episode reviews of Whitehall.