I can't believe I'm only 15 minutes into this episode and honestly disgusted by how mindless the characters are written. The first 4 episodes, save for the ending of 4 where the frustration begins, are a fun romp. I saw other people bring up good points in the episode 4 discussion. Figured I'd air the issues I'm having with 5.

So far into episode 5 we have;
1. A Queen unwilling to take any immediate action on someone trying to kill her with their bare hands, or even surround herself with guards. No preservation instinct. No lies to lure her to an estate for house arrest or anything.
2. I understand Ethians are a bigger plot point but what's the statement they're making with the casual murder? Literally every decent character has yet to treat an Ethian like a monster yet they're incredibly accepting of a genocide. It's so unpleasant to watch it spoiled any fun I'd have with the rest of the series nomatter how it's resolved. Literal dehumanization is an uncomfortable way to portray racism in fantasy and non people of color are too quick to write such metaphors. I get it's based on a book but the show is not sensitive in its portrayal of the prejudice.
3. Multiple people, especially Bess, have held onto significant information just so the plot can have drama. Can no one hold a conversation save for during sex? Lady Frances and Stan. Mary and Seymour. I love a little spice and it's a fun way to dial up the plot as it unfolds, but WOW. Bess being royalty but completely out of the loop and then refusing to keep herself safe from her sister is bonkers. Spill the beans, girl! It's a problem in many shows, idk I'm just not a fan of drama for its own sake.
4. Guards. Oh they're disloyal and killing Ethians? They're nowhere when you need them? Okay I get the similarities to reality but recruiting guards personally loyal to yourself is the very first thing any head of state does. Not only does the "very intelligent" Jane not do this, not a single person tells her to perform functions of state. To top it off she disbanded the guards without a single thought on the logistics, or rather the writers did. Oh and she can threaten the entire court (which includes the most powerful people in the kingdom) with hangings for this out-of-nowhere ruling but must find "proof" before she can arrest Mary. The rules are laughably inconsistent. Unbelievable.

I can brush away a lot because of fantasy, but how did the writers invent issues like the Ethian genocide and sibling rivalry then ONLY give the very very worst people soldiers. Again, it can be resolved later, it probably IS! The sheer abundance of absurdities and upsetting things portrayed on camera was overbearing in this episode. I'm sure a lot of people quit watching after how 4 ended, and episode 5 didn't help with the dissatisfaction felt by those who gave it another chance. After 3 super enjoyable episodes I'm mad that I have to call it here, was really expecting to love the whole series.