Contains spoilers for this episode and earlier episodes.
Anne's father and Norfolk press her to use Henry's affection against Wolsey. Reading the king's letters to them makes the pressure on her private relationship plain, and her developing feelings do not fit neatly into their plan. At court, Catherine still commands the formal respect due to a queen. Anne must curtsy as she passes, even while other courtiers begin testing how much attention they should give Henry's favourite. George's drawing of Anne's falcon attacking Catherine's pomegranate alarms her rather than pleasing her. Anne recognises that an open insult can put her in danger without bringing her closer to marriage.
Wolsey travels to France hoping to gather the cardinals and solve the king's problem while the pope is held captive. Thomas More accompanies him but will not treat political convenience as a substitute for religious authority. Once the pope escapes, the proposed gathering loses its purpose, and the expected cardinals do not arrive. At home, Thomas Boleyn approaches the disgraced Brandon with an offer: help oppose Wolsey and gain a route back to court. Wolsey returns to find Anne already beside Henry when he goes to report. His mission has produced no divorce, and the king's questions make the failure painfully clear. The cardinal has been absent while his opponents increased their access to the person he most needs to satisfy.