Mike did. At some stage, Musket Mike (the masked man) is outed as a Kings guard. In Ep 3, I believe this is the first time we see the painting, it is in Louiss chambers, to the left of the fireplace on an easel on the floor. He expressed his doubts to the grief-stricken Charles II, who earnestly believed that his sister had been murdered. The writers do it over and over again, in tiny little ways that is infuriating (Philippe with his sad puppy eyes Nooooo!) She stays. Philippe: And so do I.. He feels betrayed. 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. Eww. 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. No wonder Philippe feels the need to claim what is his. Lulz. Louis paranoia about his little brother is completely unfounded. Ah, but not so devout that Louis followed all the teachings. I was highly frustrated with the artistic liberties the authors took, and some just pretty much made up shit, totally contrary to history . Is she a villain for this because of the thinking of the day? In reality it only took a very short time for the plan to take full effect. She causes her father distress, embarasssment, hurt. We are shown much more of Philippes inner mind and his relationship to Louis than anyone else. Did not see this one coming! Point 8: Again, refer to comments on Henriettes lack of power as a woman and as a subject of the king to say no to said king. Totally inappropriate time to mention it. When we are the kings enemy, we must make him believe we are his friend. Menu. Remember, Henriette, as a woman, is completely powerless. Lets just say, Henriettes jealous behaviour is a far cry less despicable than Philippes.). We now see Philippe, so resigned, with tears down his cheeks, then Louis with a no, this is NOT happening. look on his face, eyes still dry. How can people not see Rohans calculating glances, his sly little looks? Bontemps moves her along. Because the whole world gave you counsel. And Louis is still on a roll, caught up in his speech about grandeur and nobility and the endurance of a legacy: .the song we sing here, brother, I mean it to be played forever. And suddenly, as he stares at Philippe, his face alight with the emotion of a true believer, the cries of Henriette are heard. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Yes, it was common to talk about marriage that soon! The Henriette thing is just one more on the heaping pile of shit. The door suddenly opens, Claudine walks sombrely in. Its my weekly sin, I confess, Im too addicted to this period to miss it. 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. Is he for or against le roi? Philippe had a relationship with the man he loved while Henriette continued to sleep with the man she loved. Vatel (with Uma Thurman and Gerard Depardieu). Previously, we see Masson offer the same bottle offered to Louis when the king is sick (and Masson reels off a list of ingredients), and the bottle being secretively replaced, so Masson definitely did not know it was poisoned. At the time of his birth, his parents had been married for 23 years. Cassel passes him and bows. I have one comment / correction on what you wrote on Henriettes death scene. But of course, she wants to know what happened to her mother in exchange for that information. We see Louis expression crumple, and he blinks, almost disbelievingly, and then Philippe is out the door. Charming. These scenes are odd for me to watch, but by now, I have totally put aside any frustration when the show deviates from what I know of the actual history. Rohan slits the other guards throat, watches from a distance as the young prince has a sack put over his head then bundled off. 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. Excellent. : . That doesnt mean a woman would feel affection for her abuser. He has poisoned all of them. We could never invade the entire world but the world can imagine us as their centre. What a pain! Quite a few. And she is the only one who knew who prepared Henriettes chicory water. [4] Both of them were in love with other people when they were forced to marry and they both were aware of that. Cultural factors, too, played a part. If anything, his expression pays deference to her status as a princess, hes contemplating his own mortality. Im going to be stalking these recaps in the arduous wait for season two. It is not clear in the show. 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). *Another side-note: When the Chavelier mentions that Louis does not look for beauty so much as character, umwas he talking about Henriette? Montcourt tried to tell me the same. Yes, of course its common knowledge that Louis is shagging Henriette. The cost is justified a hundred fold! ..And Philippes face that little sigh, the look he is incredulous. BRILLIANT acting. I think it would be naive of us to assume that was the first (or only) time that happened. Yep. when Philippe asks if he were to die, her troubles would be solved. Last scene, with Louis silent and stoic, standing on a stone that overlooks a glorious view of the forest with Versailles in the distance. Especially as her lover was the king. And I do not regret it for an instant. Like he is trying to justify himself. Im no Henriette fan, but Im so sorry, no, Philippe did not win the victim sweepstakes in that marriage. But that was the thinking of the time. the rest will do her good, Bontemps says. At least there is a modicum of decorum. How do we find the poisoner? He sent poison to Paris, where it passed through several hands before ending up in the jug containing the chicory water. Claudine confirms: We have no choice. Such emotion. Louis: And that makes you a liar.. Thank you (and I agree with you on all pints!!! Today, speculation has attributed Henriettes death to intestinal blockage, ectopic pregnancy or tuberculosis affecting the peritoneum. But lets compare: Henriette is jealous. Also, Louiss eyes are wet earlier than you recount, namely in the first shot after she says can you hear the flowers? Does all this excuse Philippe raping Henriette? The Queen rushes to her side as she collapses and Louis commands Bontemps to fetch his doctor. P.S. They had children. I will also add that while Louis uses her to hurt Philippe in a very deliberate and calculated manner, I dont believe that is Henriettes intent at all. And c) to show the resentment Philippe has for his wife, a woman whom he has to share with his brother, and he cannot do a damn thing about it. I was merely pointing out how such treatment of his wife would hardly help warm her feelings towards him. 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. Who seeks to harm Henriette? And if you reread my words very carefully, you might realise that I never once touched on the legality of it. I must be poisoned! so Philippe ordered her dog to be fed the water. It is a controlled grief. 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. Anne. He is genuinely happy to see the Chevalier and shows it. *Disclaimer* I do not own any of the audio or footage included in this. She is only ever Louis sweet, nubile mistress or Philippes overlooked wife, never her own person, she isnt seductive and outgoing like Montespan or scheming like de Clermont or genuinely sweet with a backbone like Sophie, shes just a soft-spoken waif who huffs when she doesnt get her way, cries when shes put in a difficult position, doesnt seem that clever but knows exactly where to strike thatll heart the worst mentioning Francoise Parthenay when Louis has refused to talk about the Chevalier, for one. And even after Louis became tired of Louise, he didnt run back to Henriettes arms either, instead he turned to Montespan who became his next mistress. Grrrr well Im not writing all that over again. And the person either asserts himself or is subjugated to the will of others. Henriette was more than happy to become second only to Marie-Therese. Nup. For one thing, Anne of Austria, Henriette and the Comtesse de Scissons and even Louis XIV partly himself were in real life all part of a plan to distract the court and other gossip mongers from spreading further lies, gossip, rumors and to provide a cover up for Louis and Henriettes affair which was more of a fling than an actual full fledged affair. Right away, I am feeling negative towards them both, and yes, judgey about Henriette. We defended our position from the Spanish all morning and in honour of your distinguished service. Yes. Also thanks for your detailed and in depth reviews. She also miscarries a baby that was either her husband Philippe's or the King's, no one is sure. Marchal, his shirt now stained with his wound, stumbles into the antechamber, to Bontemps and says: Listen to me. Especially in S1, I got the feeling that they gave a lot of Lorraines personality traits/reactions/behaviour to Philippe. Sad to hear well have to wait a year for the next season Are there similar shows to this you could recommend? Philippe was the one in strident dissent! Thanks for your great reviews! Moreover, we cant fault her anymore for continuing her relationship with Louis (as if she would have had the power to end it anyway) than we can Philippe for continuing his with the Chevalier. I will speak to whomever I like. Louvois: I know this is true. Wow that was odd. Shes genuinely quite sweet, but tenacious something Im sure our Head of Security will appreciate). Bontemps: For you, Sire. Shine on Bontemps, you unsubtle diamond, you. Since the first stone was laid in this expansion. I especially like the pairing of her and Marchal. . And were never coming back. The Chevalier makes the sign of the Cross (like the good Catholic he is), sweeps a look across the room to Cassel? poison, death and departures Versailles episode 10. No. For her lot to improve, she could only hope for things to happen. I know times and attitudes were different then, but a person violated still feels violated, whether they are allowed to acknowledge it or not. Just because the thinking of the day viewed a woman as mere property and not a person in her own right does not mean she isnt a human being with the same feelings and needs as any other. I thought so but no. What to expect from the future? she was the one who found it, actually. Louis walks in and replies: because I ask him to do so. Ahhhhh-HA! Oh, Louis most definitely would choose France over his brother. And Louis is left in the salon, framed by the door, the guards, and looking incredibly vulnerable and alone. But in context, with everything else going on in the show and with what Philippe deals with, I can understand why he did it. Im merely suggesting you might save some time. Marchal persists, pointing out that Louvois always disagrees frequently and loudly with the Kings decisions. 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. To bring them over to us. And the only reason she is such a powerful weapon against Philippe is because Philippe views her as nothing more than his property to do with as he wishes. We see a lovely shot of Versailles outside, then cut to the Kings bedchamber, where the flowers and hedges are neatly arranged around to the bed. They fear she might have been poisoned, so King Louis XIV shuts all access To Versailles. Even the bouncing hair. But that was the thinking of the time. This scene is barely seconds long, but oh, so telling as to her character. I choose to believe it was a mistake on the writers part and will simply fast forward over it when I rewatch. First of all, ladies, stop spewing vitriol. I like the show, the actors and the plot. Brilliant writing. Louis: you are grieving. Philippe shakes his head: I grieve alone. Louis swallows then says: You will marry again. Philippe interjects: I simply want to live. Louis: It is your duty. Philippe hisses: I have had my fill of duty. Louis asks Henriette to spy on her husband and she does not refuse. Louis decides to go to Paris to bless the sick. Spooks), it was no surprise when this drama arrived with a hearty dollop of sex, violence, tension, and intrigue. They grew up knowing what their duty was as prince and princess. I cannot even imagine his reasoning for this, however I do know historically, Henriette desperately did want to be Queen of France, as did her mother want it, but at the time, she didnt have the pedigree, being the sister to Englands heir who wasnt even on the throne at the time. She cant honestly say that the death of the man to whom she is shackled in a loveless marriage, who feels no attraction for her and never can but can easily enough rape her, who stands between her and the man she truly loveswouldnt be entirely unwelcome. According to the Savoyard ambassador, the king vowed that, if Henriette had indeed been poisoned, those involved would be tortured to death, including the chevalier de Lorraine, Philippes favourite, if he were implicated. Theyve always known. As she said, she was only voicing what they were both thinking. Anything Henriette had done to Philippe, he had done to herand worse. Philippe of course blames Louis for Henriette's poisoning as he was the one who sent Henriette as an ambassador abroad even though everyone begged him not to. Henriette is Philippes wife, his property, his to do with as he wishes. Henriette screams and they both surge to the door then suddenly stop. Ita all so quick, and beautifully choreographed. Everyone shares a look because, yeah, they know. She allows grief but only briefly. Not only did they grow up together but they were first cousins and Louis was a devout Catholic. The three remaining lived to be 59, 49 and 68. It would be an outrageous thought. She has no one to keep him at bay but the king, if he chooses. In one of the episodes did we see Clermont messing with the doctors box of bottles. Why should we fault Henriette for not ending her incestuous relationship with her brother-in-law, the king, but Philippe can be forgiven for continuing his homosexual relationship with the Chevalier? Dance. No one enters. My bed your last stop before retiring. yet so satisfying to watch because.. yeah. Pity that they made his character too emo, too frustrated and angry with the world, when he actually was full of joie de vivre, always smiling, always chattering, always ready to find the good in every person and every sistuation. The king himself suspected that Henrietta might have been poisoned and ordered an autopsy to be carried out. We learn that she has loved Louis since they were children. She is later arrested as the poisoner as her son is released, but ridiculed from court. Coming from the quills of noted showrunners David Wolstencroft and Simon Mirren, both known for gripping series with a conspiratorial bent (i.e. Louis and Philippe approach the bed, to the dying Henriette who looks really bad. Despite being a dab hand at treating people who have been poisoned, the doc announces that she . Apparently de Clermont gave Marchal the names of the conspirators against the king, and all the names of those who shared her allegiance. *Deeeeeep breath* Okay. 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. I am tired of waiting for you to keep it, says the Queen casually as she gets into bed with Louis then settles down. Let me know when the doctor arrives, Louis says, and leaves. Here it is, mes amis! his majesty knew this day would come. They exchange silent looks for a moment, then Philippe says quietly, Do you remember our fort?. They fear she might have been poisoned, so King Louis XIV shuts all access To Versailles. We see this SO MANY TIMES it becomes frustrating and sad. I am looking at her now. Duchess Henriette becomes suddenly ill when she returns from a visit to her brother in England. I was never a fan of the character of Henriette, I just cant see how she wronged Philippe more than he did her. I can see where the series cliffhanger is heading, besides the obvious unmasking of Rohan as a traitor. Hold onto this moment, I told you. They could be far away from the victim at the time of death, so it would be difficult to definitively pin on anyone. What? Philippe adds: .or two, perhaps. And he strides off. Anyhow, just wanted to say And stunned when Louis says shes in his bedchamber. Well, my thought is Philippe angrily claiming his conjugal rights may well have happened before. I was searching online for reviews/explanations of this show I was never educated about Frances history because I come from the other side of the globe and coincidentally stumbled upon your website, much to my delight. She actually says I could never love you well which does change the context somewhat. Thank you so much for your in depth response to my question. But I said lets make it our fort. For once in your life you played along. Henriette has become seriously ill, it might be poison and she is the sister of the King of England. Louis is calm but angry: then you set yourself against me. Philippe pauses, looks incredibly sad for a moment, then briefly nods. Philippe is most definitely not the victim in his marriage. For the record, I dont think Henriette would actually like to see Philippe die, but she would like to be shot of him. Louis persists. As her husband, Philippe, rushed to her bedside, Henriette chided him, Alas, Monsieur, it is a long time since you loved me, but this is unjust. Alerted, Henriettes lady-in-waiting watched the duke closely, but he showed no indication of guilt and every sign that he was distressed by his wifes condition. We see a quick shot of Montcourts body being dumped from a cart into the muddy swampiness, to join other rotting, decaying bodies. Henriette answered Montagu with a shrug: she did not know. UHGGH. I think Teresa is being a bit naive re. thank you.. (its only 16mins and 50 seconds in not that I was counting *innocent whistle*) Filmed in the Chteau de Maisons in Maisons-Lafitte, in the Salon dHercule, he strides past Montcourt, demands to know what he is doing. 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 characters almost act as it never happened. Aaaaaand now. He is genuinely distraught, going to a collapsed Henriette on the floor while Louis is just standing there, seemingly frozen. Nice one, Montcourt. I love this show <3. Close the doors! The Queen adds: we must put her in the bed. Louis nods; in she goes. She is currently working on a biography of Louis XIV. Once again, Louis behaviour, as reported here, is uncharacteristic.