Contains spoilers for this episode and earlier episodes.
Preparations for a court pageant bring Anne Boleyn into Henry's sight. The performance and dancing offer her a chance to attract his attention while Princess Margaret tries to persuade her brother to release her from an unwanted marriage. Anne also ends her connection with Thomas Wyatt, leaving him to deal with a rejection he cannot easily accept. Catherine, meanwhile, welcomes the developing imperial alliance and hopes her position beside Henry can improve. Their conversation turns to her first marriage and her love for the king, but his moment of affection does not become the private reunion she wants that evening.
Wolsey works to secure the new arrangement with Emperor Charles, including another proposed marriage for Princess Mary. The visitors understand the cardinal's ambitions and offer help with his hopes of becoming pope. Beneath the formal welcome, Richard Pace becomes the target of Wolsey's search for someone to blame over information passed to France. Wolsey accuses Henry's secretary of spying and has him taken to the Tower. Pace protests that the accusation is false, but Henry allows Wolsey's account to stand despite his unease. The episode closes with Pace isolated in his cell while the cardinal remains secure at court. Anne's new access to Henry develops alongside this much harsher demonstration of how court power is defended.