While the Mary/Lola drama provides the angst, the King Henry and Kenna subplot provides the tension.
: It forces a wedge between Mary and Lola that isn't easily fixed. Lola is left with "zero options," and Mary is left feeling isolated in a court where she thought she had true allies. The Dark Side of Kenna and Henry [S1E14] Dirty Laundry
: Kenna’s safety becomes a major concern as Henry’s obsession and instability grow. His "power trip" from a previous accidental death suggests he is becoming a lethal threat to the women around him. Catherine and Henry: The Comedy Duo While the Mary/Lola drama provides the angst, the
: It balances light-hearted moments (Catherine/Henry) with soul-crushing drama (Mary/Lola/Francis), setting the stage for a more mature and complicated second half of the season. If you'd like to dive deeper, would you prefer to focus on: Character analysis of the Mary/Francis/Lola triangle? The Dark Side of Kenna and Henry :
: By widening the lens to include the struggles of the ladies-in-waiting and the King’s mental state, the show feels more like an ensemble drama than just a Mary-Francis romance.