This is Louis in control, in power, and he delivers a malevolent, threatening banter that is fabulous to see. You see it in Ep3 where he yells where is MY wife? You see it in Ep2 with his angry speech to Louis: do you tell yourself that when you are fucking MY WIFE? In so many subtle ways Philippe is being demeaned by Louis. The camera hovers over the prone Henriette then pans up from the bed, like we are her soul being released from her body. The camera pans up to show the Queen on her knees in prayer, then a select few further back (I see Colbert, Louvois, Montespan, Sophie, Cassel). b) To show a glimpse of vulnerability for Henriette because for all her power, she is still the property of her husband and can be treated as such. Versailles - Stagione 3 Episodio 10. Montcourt looks nervous, says he doesnt know what he means. Point 9: And again, who can blame her. At some stage, Musket Mike (the masked man) is outed as a Kings guard. Season 1 | Season 2 Getting Started | Contributor Zone Contribute to This Page Add episode My biggest problem with Henriette/Louis is that I find it highly doubtful that Louis would have sex with her. In one of the episodes did we see Clermont messing with the doctors box of bottles.. Louis reels off a list of people who were with Henriette on her journey, people that must be interrogated. We cut to the forest, to the two Kings Guards in their blue livery, leaning by a tree as Rohan and little Louis still mock fight. Admittedly, its in the middle of a shag, when she is distracted, but still. Do you believe these women feel less pain and violation because the behaviour is condoned by the society in which they live? In my opinion, I agree with Teresa. THIS. Cue some fabulous visuals of doors closing, pikes crossing, the golden gates slamming shut and locking. The Dauphin hides stealthy behind a tree, looking for Rohan. He sent poison to Paris, where it passed through several hands before ending up in the jug containing the chicory water. Having spent the first episode ripping their kit off at any opportunity, the court of Versailles has taken an oath of chastity. I thought so but no. But in context, with everything else going on in the show and with what Philippe deals with, I can understand why he did it. UHGGH. Louis looks strained, says: I do not regret sending her. Such emotion. The only protection offered is by Louis. Jules! many things. Louis looks at him as he goes on: I believe this palace is a symbol of our king. Is he for or against le roi? The two are not mutally exclusive. This doesnt do good for her position, unloved by her husband and no one would stand at her side, should French and English go to war. She is used by the king to hurt his brother. Oh, and she was the one who prepared Henriettes tea. Especially in S1, I got the feeling that they gave a lot of Lorraines personality traits/reactions/behaviour to Philippe. Good idea, he says breathlessly. Philippe strides in slow-mo through the corridors, arms swinging, hair bouncing, coat swaying and with a tight, determined expression on his face. And there is also Dangerous Liaisons, but that is set in the 18th century. Now that *would* be naive. First to Henriette, and after she was poisoned, to Elizabeth Charlotte, Princess of the Palatinate. All I could find were negative. But here, now? She is later arrested as the poisoner as her son is released, but ridiculed from court. Philippe had a relationship with the man he loved while Henriette continued to sleep with the man she loved. I love this show <3. Check back soon for my overview and wrap up of the entire season. Hi Theresa, and thanks for your comment. Then he turns and suddenly a Man In a Mask is standing there. Henriette. Ive mentioned before that his intimate interactions with women in the show are used as a form of punishment towards those who have hurt him Louis (with Louise and Henriette) and the Chevalier (with the maid). UGH D:. And it certainly wasnt the unwavering, steadfast, loyal or constant love that one would most want from a beloved one. I wonder what theyve got in store for us. It was generally believed that she had been poisoned by one of her husband's friends, but historians have concluded that she died of natural causes, perhaps of a ruptured appendix. Beating your wife was also quite legal, acceptable and, indeed, expected. But Sophie declares she has no life: what her mother told her was a lie. Protocol demands that he stays, Philippe says tightly. It was quite the method du jour to get rid of a person, as the series has shown. Today, speculation has attributed Henriettes death to intestinal blockage, ectopic pregnancy or tuberculosis affecting the peritoneum. She brought honour on herself and glory to our court. Claudine confirms poison and Louis huddles with his advisors: he wants to know if any English are at court. Henriette, Duchesse dOrlans, the sister-in-law of Louis XIV, took a drink of her usual chicory water and immediately clutched her side, crying out in pain. Does Henriette mind being used by Louis? In between re-watching S1, of course. Bontemps suddenly appears; Henriette has been calling. We were young. It would be an outrageous thought. Merci! Let me know when the doctor arrives, Louis says, and leaves. So how could you be scared? Your loyalty can lie with Philippe while still acknowledging that Henriette is also a victim and not the villain (the real villain here is Louis). Rohan took him riding. Then he screams out: CALL THE GUARD!. So anyways, off we go. Societal expectations do not alter basic human reality. Next time we see the painting in Ep 6 it has been moved to Henriettes room on her dressing table. Marchal: The King once told me, he warned me quite clearly that his enemies would seek to destroy those closest to him. The mortality rate was very high, thats why people had so many children so often. Henriette feels nothing for Philippe, he not having put any more effort into endearing himself to her than she to him and he also complicating things for her where Louis is concerned. Louis persists. The midwife and doctor were horrified but there was nothing she could do!!! The moment stretches and Claudine shakes her head: she will not survive the poison. We see a shot of Philippe and Louis: Philippe is stunned and mega sad. She could not affect change herself. Similarly, perforation of the gall bladder may have led to an excess of bile leaking into the peritoneum causing the corruption and gangrene reported by her doctors. Her cheeriness disguised the fact that she was unwell. That Henriette was such an effective way of hurting Philippe is down to Philippes viewing her as his property, not because he felt any true affection for her (at least, not until closer towards the end, when I do believe he really does care). Saint-Simon asserted that Louis was so thankful that his brother was innocent of the crime that he decided not to prosecute the perpetrators. Really enjoyed reading your reviews, which I found halfway the show. Right. Marchal picks up the dropped knife and lunges and he and Montcourt trade a few blows, with Marchal blocking then delivering a punch. 1556332. He deserves a truly powerful, unpredictable, fun, intoxicating woman who pulls the rug from under him, and he enjoys it. The Mysterious Death of Henriette, Duchesse dOrlans, Toad Testicles, Foul-Beard and Broad-Arse. Anyhow, just wanted to say We establish right from the start that she has no powershe was forced to marry a man she did not want because the king wants to keep her close. Philippe was there in the woods and saved Louis from the wolves, but at the end of season one hes left Versailles. (*cries*), Bontemps goes to see Louis. He is the villain if you are looking for one. The opening episode of Versailles season two featured fortune tellers and laser beams. Get Marchal pissed at you. And even after watching both seasons 1 and 2 of Versailles, I wouldnt say that he loved her a lot but on the show it was to a certain degree. Anne, Hi Jules haha that last message should have ended (I agree with you on all POINTS) not pints . By this stage both Henriette and Marie Thrse of Spain now knew what it felt like to be jilted and cast aside in your loved ones affections by another attractive court lady. Another scene now, with Rohan getting ready for his ride, and a servant girl by the name of Marie entering, demanding her money. They fear she might have been poisoned, so King Louis XIV shuts all access To Versailles. Finally, did the male medicin drink the vial of poison accidentally or on purpose? Okay, Im gonna walk you through what I see, so bear with me. Totally inappropriate time to mention it. Pot, meet kettle. And she was having an affair with the Comte de Guiche. I do. Lot of time on my hands at the momentLULZ. So, he loves Henrietta as a friend, or simply to rival his brother? But enough with this. YAAAAAY! And Philippe is the one who looks tortured, he is the emotional one, while Louis remains stoic. It is fascinating to compare Philippes two moments of deep anguish side by side: when the Chevalier was arrested, we saw his total and complete breakdown, the slow crumple of his expression from shock, to horror, to abject grief, then as he collapsed to his knees and rocked while he wept. Much kudos to Nomie Schmidt for a brilliantly sad scene, aided by the backing music and the strength and emotion of George Blagden and Alex Vlahos. However, lets assume they are both equally dire sins. Sorry to jar you There are just some things I couldnt overlook, and I admit I was looking at Henriettes character so closely, to see if the screenwriters would sweeten her up from her historical figure. Maybe that is where she got the poison she used on Fabien? It is a controlled grief. Notify me of follow-up comments by email. Louis: And that makes you a liar.. I think Teresa is being a bit naive re. Dear Anne, Im guessing I know a fair bit more about rape, the history of rape, the history of rape within marriage and womens rights (and lack thereof) than you realise. We will never know if Louis and Henriette ever did consummate their attraction, but the gossip of the time most definitely swayed in that direction. What shall I do! Poisoned? However, I do have a comment to make about your previous post that you believed that Louis loved Henriette, however I dont completely agree with you on this one. The Kings son. Speculation that Henriette had been poisoned began straight away. She is in love with him and, as you say, it seems its been going on for a long time. A letter from the King of Sweden has arrived, telling Louis he has agreed to break his alliance with the Dutch and support the French. Only Versailles is now about as sexy as Robot Wars. He rolls in bed, his cheek on a bloodied pillow, and suddenly wakes, realises what it is and follows the trail to Louis bedchamber. If you have to, just close your eyes and think of France. He is always the king, while Philippe gives his emotions (somewhat) free rein. Did not see this one coming! Montcourts eyes drop to Louis hand and suddenly he pulls a knife. She allows grief but only briefly. Philippe, despite their mutual loathing, was upset and distraught, so suspicion then fell to the absent Chevalier de Lorraine, who at the time was still in exile in Rome. And here is where Im a bit uncertain, but didnt she make that remark after Philippe raped her? Bontemps: For you, Sire. Shine on Bontemps, you unsubtle diamond, you. I was merely pointing out how such treatment of his wife would hardly help warm her feelings towards him. Im no Henriette fan, but Im so sorry, no, Philippe did not win the victim sweepstakes in that marriage. People lived for it, and reputations and lives could be ruined with one well-placed rumour. when Philippe asks if he were to die, her troubles would be solved. I look forward to reading your reviews on the next series, when it comes out. And then down by the promontory. In the days when it was only you who /truly/ had my back. Claudine looks sad: this must be frightening for her. Maybe that is where she got the poison she used on Fabien?, de Clermont went to a brothel to obtain poison and the love potion Lauren (Marchals henchwoman) tells him thats what she observed. *That should have read historical figures not historical characters! Philippe is clearly shocked and my heart is just going HHHHHHHGGGGNNNNN. You said Do you honestly think that just because certain abusesatrocities, evenwere acceptable, that those on the receiving end didnt feel anger, pain, violation, etc. And Louis is left in the salon, framed by the door, the guards, and looking incredibly vulnerable and alone. Neither of them showed much interest or affection for the other, both clearly preferring their lovers. He takes her hand and closes his eyes and for a moment he is vulnerable. We begged you. Yet how much pain are you willing to endure before you get what you want? We see a quick shot of Montcourts body being dumped from a cart into the muddy swampiness, to join other rotting, decaying bodies. But your first strike would have to be true. I just binge-watched all 2 seasons and now painfully waits for each episode of Season 3 to come out. Coming from the quills of noted showrunners David Wolstencroft and Simon Mirren, both known for gripping series with a conspiratorial bent (i.e. Montcourt is confused. Is it any wonder she couldnt work up any concern over the possibility that her rapist might die in battle? She was merely being used by the man she was in love with. Today you get the chance to kill a king! While hes saying this, Marchal behind them is taking out a knife, and suddenly he slides it across the floor, and Louis picks it up, and Montcourt lunges another candlestick is involved.. OMG And then Louis grabs Montcourt from behind and sinks the knife into him! Seriously, he could have married her to any noble and they would have looked the other way at the cheating. Colbert tries to push his point when Louis enters. The king himself suspected that Henrietta might have been poisoned and ordered an autopsy to be carried out. Sometimes, truth is stranger than fiction - and other times, period dramas take a little artistic license . Aaaaaand there we have the end of the episode and the end of Season One. Im guessing they were pretty equal. That was your promise to me. Gaston de Foix was arrested and tortured as the potential poisoner by Fabien. Then he looks to Rohans hand tapping on the stone, decorated with a ring and the penny drops. A hundred years ago. Louis adds, almost contemptuously: you never understood politics. on The finale. My thoughts on that notorious Henrietta/Philippe scene in episode one is that it is entirely out-of-character for Philippe as we get to know him through the rest of the series. Marchal replies in that cool way of his: we eliminate the suspects. Colbert: eliminating the suspects doesnt mean the same to me as it does to you! Lol. ), I think your recaps are wonderful and I enjoy reading them every bit as much as I do watching the programme! The death of someone so young was often attributed to poison. A yellow Spanish topaz, buried in the mud. . Love your delicious commentary, brava! Would you villify a slave because he hated his master or ran away simply because slavery was accepted at that time and slaves (much like women, little difference there) were considered nothing more than the property of their masters to do with as they please (again, just as a woman was to her husband)? Last scene, with Louis silent and stoic, standing on a stone that overlooks a glorious view of the forest with Versailles in the distance. It was just how it was. At least there is a modicum of decorum. I just rot an extremely long omment but afte I cliked submit my comment didnt appear. She later dies in her bed. We stake our claim or we are ploughed into the field. The historical notes you added were my favourite of all, I love knowing whats accurately portrayed and for the parts that were tweaked, what the actual history was. And before we can check ourselves and reach for the tissues, the priest murmurs, Amen and Philippes expression tightens, his head gently shaking before he steps away from the bed, leaving Louis there. Ita all so quick, and beautifully choreographed. Claudine and Philippe converse, with Claudine saying she feels they are not through the worst. Louis finally nods to the guards, the pikes are uncrossed and Philippe takes a breath and walks out without a backwards glance.The Chevalier gives him a few feet head start, then strolls after him, hands behind his back, not looking at Louis, not bowing. ), (*WTF. And I do not regret it for an instant. Like he is trying to justify himself. oh sorry, wrong show). Even though Henriette had a history of pains (since 1667) and drank only milk and basically ate nothing (she was considered quite a stick in the fashion of the day, and some historians suggest she suffered from anorexia), the poison theory stuck. Women are still being raped today in societies which condone such behaviour towards women and which deny women their personhood. She gasps and the priest enters silently. Im genuinely having real trouble understanding your position here. Also thanks for your detailed and in depth reviews. Much later, the courtier Saint-Simon offered his own thoughts. Because no one knows that Cassel is one of the conspirators (and UGH I dont know WHY the Chevalier just didnt tell Marchal or Louis???) He should be he has not given up either of their names for the part they played in his arrest. After reading your review on epsiode 10, and reading that it ends with Philippe leaving Versailles, I thought back to epsiode one and the moment he finds Louis at his favorite spot in the woods. So that would perhaps put affair-with-sister-in-law a half tick closer to pardonable than homosexuality, which is wholly and completely condemned in the bible. Only a year or so to go until a new season arrived on fledgling network Ovation, its U.S. cable home. The Chevalier looks a little panicky or is it my imagination? Philippe is most definitely not the victim in his marriage. Much kudos to Nomie Schmidt for a brilliantly sad scene, aided by the backing music and the strength and emotion of George Blagden and Alex Vlahos. You dont get to my age and experience with your naivete still intact. It could possibly be the same spot from Ep1, when he confronted the wolf and Philippe rode in to rescue him. Is he justified in his behaviour towards her? Still, Louis suspicions had been aroused and he ordered an autopsy, which was performed by French doctors and witnessed by others sent from England. Hi Laura! You mentioned the Charles Beaubrun painting of Louis & Philippewell I was noticing how this stunning piece travels around the palace in season one. Absolutely enjoyed your recap of the finale. Incest or homosexuality? Theyve always known. Philippe raping his wife. Louis continues to yell: because without me this country will consume itself in nobles squabbles. He paces. did the male medicin drink the vial of poison accidentally or on purpose? But I still dont get why he doesnt just dob them both in.? But he will not be resting for long the door opens later and we see a pair of bare feet, the hem of a nightgown, both bloodied, as they enter. Lets just say, Henriettes jealous behaviour is a far cry less despicable than Philippes.). Only honestly acknowledging that Philippes glorious death in battlesomething that would not displease Philippe, himselfwouldnt necessarily break her heart. Louis just nods, gives Philippe a look (who is standing near the doors, looking so alone and sad, I just wanna hug him!) He has poisoned all of them. The three remaining lived to be 59, 49 and 68. I also cannot figure out why Louis and others speak freely in front of the guards when even they are unsure of their loyalty.. My heart breaks for him. Le Roi Danse, which is all about the rise and fall of Lully, Louis XIVs court composer (French, but hard to find with English subtitles). He was shut out of his mothers (Anne of Austria) last moments, while Philippe was in attendance, where, despite her appalling treatment of her second son, he openly wept and grieved. We awarded it to you for bravery. I think he also wants reassurance that Louis cares for him as much as he cares for Louis. The state is a person. Also, his relationship with his brother was much less complicated than we see in this show, Philippe was a very simple person when it came to feelings, he was affectionate and friendly. It happened so fast, but did Fabien Marshal shoot Charlotte Parthanay, and if so, why? and Nine. Now, if she had been his second cousin, and never saw each other until she married his brother, then I can maybe see them having an affair. plus its almost as if he has something to say, to hide. They walk into a salon, where Montcourt is playing cards, and everyone suddenly stops talking when Marchal meets the mans eye. Dance. Your email address will not be published. A European history-geek friend told me about this show yesterday, so I binge watched the entire series. We could never invade the entire world but the world can imagine us as their centre. I think the problem with him is that we still miss a decent biography, taking into accounts ALL sources and not only the same, always the same stuff as Saint-Simon and such. I am a true friend of the king. but Louis knows. SYNC. A subtle yet interesting choice made by production to change the portraits in Henriettes chambers.