Also, Louiss eyes are wet earlier than you recount, namely in the first shot after she says can you hear the flowers? The Kings son. Pretty sure he was not the one who did the poisoning thing. King Louis is in a bit of a pickle. Claudine confirms poison and Louis huddles with his advisors: he wants to know if any English are at court. 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. And then down by the promontory. Montcourt pauses its clear he recognises Rohans voice. She seems like she has genuinely been brought in as a main character simply to drive the wedge deeper between Louis and Philippe, but not contribute anything herself to most of her scenes! You said We now join Rohan with the Dauphin, riding out with the Kings Guard. In one of the episodes did we see Clermont messing with the doctors box of bottles.. we then learn Henriette is Philippes wife. I am a true friend of the king. but Louis knows. The midwife and doctor were horrified but there was nothing she could do!!! To which Marchal says: you are the daughter of a Huguenot conspirator to the King, funded and supported by William of Orange. But Sophie says her mother paid that price, she is merely trying to survive and thought Marchals protection would ensure it. AAAAAAHHH. Now, seeing as sister-in-law wasnt even a thing then, this would be like actually shagging your sister. 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. At some stage, Musket Mike (the masked man) is outed as a Kings guard. Marchal is still ordering: Get his Majesty to safety, at once! His guards rush in to remove him, they scuffle and Louis yells: get your hands off me! He was brought up and ruled as absolute monarch, and believed for the good of France. In the show Philippe tries time and again to offer his support and love, but is constantly betrayed or rejected (this happened with the historical figures, too. Not so much. Colbert: You believe her highness is poisoned? Marchal replies cryptically: I believe. Charming. The only protection offered is by Louis. They grew up knowing what their duty was as prince and princess. Whats wrong? This is who they truly are in this one moment of grief. And we came here for a visit. elisabetta, oopsI should say figure, not charactersorry, english is not my first language . But Sophie declares she has no life: what her mother told her was a lie. Protocol demands that he stays, Philippe says tightly. Unfortunately, Louis paranoia and selfishness blind him to this. (since you mention here she is his love). When Marchal goes down and Montcourt takes the knife, Louis lunges, some more fighting with Marchal again entering the fray.. and then OMG Marchal is stabbed!!! Totally inappropriate time to mention it. We are back at the sickbed, where Henriette sleeps and Montespan silently weeps at the bed. Though only a few actually act on it. Marchal is having a hard time believing Montcourts usual crapabout returning to court because he is a true friend to the king and was his duty to inform him of a threat to Henriettes life. Marchal is surprised but pleased: attracting the flies to the paper. You are both the angels at my shoulder, says Louis, which reminds Marchal of the Parthenays and Montcourt. What a great mix of observation and humor. But to his brother? She is not indulgent in it. 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. Heres a thought: what is your view to Claudine? Louis adds, almost contemptuously: you never understood politics. 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. I was merely pointing out how such treatment of his wife would hardly help warm her feelings towards him. See above comments about Henriettes powerlessness as a woman. Only honestly acknowledging that Philippes glorious death in battlesomething that would not displease Philippe, himselfwouldnt necessarily break her heart. The one she loves the most. I think this comes down to loyalty one would assume the Kings guard would be fiercely loyal to the crown so no one would suspect any plotting. It is featured in several shots when Louis & Philippe are arguing and she reveals shes preggers as well as when Louis comes to confront her about not wishing to live with the doubt about the child. And stunned when Louis says shes in his bedchamber. Historically, poison was definitely suspected in Henriettes death and briefly, heres how it went down: It was 1670 and Henriette was pissed off she couldnt be with Louis at Versailles, and of course Monsieur knew this, so he ordered her to accompany him to Saint Cloud. UHGGH. Henriette answered Montagu with a shrug: she did not know. They have some banter, and Rohan invites the boy to play a game A game of war? The Dauphin says excitedly. 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. Cultural factors, too, played a part. Keeps your brothers power in check and offers a direct connection to England. It could possibly be the same spot from Ep1, when he confronted the wolf and Philippe rode in to rescue him. I do like that though they have their disagreements, Bontemp genuinely respects Fabien, and despite his anger, I think Louis does too. The camera then cuts to Rohan, drinking and brooding in his room, absently stabbing the table with a knife as he glares at a portrait of Louis-as-a-boy (which is a gorgeous portrait and includes Philippe, apparently in a private collection and attributed to artist Charles Beaubrun. He says quietly: She knew what she had to do. Then he calls for the Guards. OMG he hits Marchal across the face with the candlestick, Louis lunges, Montcourt throws him off and the King smacks his head on a table. She is subject to the whims and wishes of her king and lover, of her husband and even of her husbands lover. The steps, the swinging of the arms, the movement of the coat and their cravats. Im thinking no. He is clearly upset. Learn how your comment data is processed. Lets just say, Henriettes jealous behaviour is a far cry less despicable than Philippes.). Now this is fascinating. Not sure and he leaves. Philippe adds: .or two, perhaps. And he strides off. And suddenly Marchal has his ah-HA moment. Louis staggers to his feet, Montcourt bleeding out on the floor, and he goes to Marchal, who has collapsed near the fireplace. 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. 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. And here is where Im a bit uncertain, but didnt she make that remark after Philippe raped her? In perfect sync. This scene is barely seconds long, but oh, so telling as to her character. THIS. Rohan. Bontemps is still confused: you told us Montcourt was to blame. How can he be so sure? The advice you took came from only one source. the door opens, and Montespan enters. Well, my thought is Philippe angrily claiming his conjugal rights may well have happened before. She is gravely ill. Montespan pauses for a second, then declares she must go to her (because you know, Montespan is supposed to be one of her ladies-in-waiting). Louis walks in and replies: because I ask him to do so. Ahhhhh-HA! The wedge is firmly being driven between Philippe and Louis, all their arguments and conflict and opposition for each other has been carefully constructed and built up over the last nine episodes, into this final one. Jules! Photograph: BBC. I think he also wants reassurance that Louis cares for him as much as he cares for Louis. Philippe raping his wife. The flowers theyre singing. and she is gone. Back with Marchal, interrogating Louvois this time. Duchess Henriette becomes suddenly ill when she returns from a visit to her brother in England. He is the villain if you are looking for one. When we are near, we must make the enemy believe we are far away. Another scene now, with Rohan getting ready for his ride, and a servant girl by the name of Marie entering, demanding her money. We see Louis take what is rightfully and lawfully his his wife. However, the court (and her brother, Charles II) was told she died of natural causes so he could hardly behead anyone for murder after that. Husbands have being raping their wives since time began from royalty down to peasants and it was classed as taking their marital rights . He is beyond selfish and his cruel behaviour is at the root of all of their misery. Queen Marie-Thrse noted that everyone was talking about Henriettes death and the manner of it. I hope the surgery went well, Heather! I know this coming years later, but to Theresa THANK YOU SO MUCH. 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. Obviously he loves Chevalier. Copyright 2023 History Today Ltd. Company no. She is in love with him and, as you say, it seems its been going on for a long time. But that was the thinking of the time. It happened so fast, but did Fabien Marshal shoot Charlotte Parthanay, and if so, why? Philippe was there in the woods and saved Louis from the wolves, but at the end of season one hes left Versailles. In which case, I dont blame her one bit! The French musical Le Roi Soleil is always great to watch. Louis is a shit to Philippe. Does she want to end things with Louis? Anyways, he says: we cannot be seen together anymore. Also thanks for your detailed and in depth reviews. We were taking the air with our governess when we made a break for freedom. Its emotionless. I can see where the series cliffhanger is heading, besides the obvious unmasking of Rohan as a traitor. You, me, Henriette. He rolls in bed, his cheek on a bloodied pillow, and suddenly wakes, realises what it is and follows the trail to Louis bedchamber. Only a year or so to go until a new season arrived on fledgling network Ovation, its U.S. cable home. No, of course she doesnt. Lulz. Is he for or against le roi? Neither of them showed much interest or affection for the other, both clearly preferring their lovers. I am sobbing. I realise a woman was expected to stay faithful to her husband even while it was acceptable for him to have mistresess (ha! 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. You said everything that should have been pointed out a long time ago, with counterpoints and parallels that shone a light on some arguments and favoritism that , within the context of the show not history, were just mind boggling. By this point, Louis had basically forgotten about and gotten over Henriette though this was much to her displeasure and chagrin. Shes genuinely quite sweet, but tenacious something Im sure our Head of Security will appreciate). Maybe that is where she got the poison she used on Fabien? If she dies it might lead to accusations and risk any potential alliance with England. The Dauphin hides stealthy behind a tree, looking for Rohan. Louis: And that makes you a liar.. Another grabs him, covers his mouth, and more appear to shoot a guard. Do you even think hed allow her to end things? Enriched my enjoyment of the show, and got a bit more educated on the courts history as well . He cripples himself with his own paranoia. Henriette says to Philippe: Im sorry. She is simply besotted with Louis, so in love, that shed do anything he told her to. But I still dont get why he doesnt just dob them both in.? I do. We could never invade the entire world but the world can imagine us as their centre. Except, when hes really angry and he rapes her. I have never posted a comment on your website before and this will be the first time that I have ever written a comment here. Admittedly, its in the middle of a shag, when she is distracted, but still. Sad to hear well have to wait a year for the next season Are there similar shows to this you could recommend? Her confessor, however, urged her to accuse no one but to make her death an offering to God. Duchess Henriette becomes suddenly ill when she returns from a visit to her brother in England. Right away, I am feeling negative towards them both, and yes, judgey about Henriette. Hi, Oh, Louis most definitely would choose France over his brother. 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. He weeps for the loss and I am sure he also weeps for the helplessness he must now feel, a man so powerful and commanding, who rules a country and its people a true King and yet, still unable to save her. He goes on to make threats and trouble for her. And one day, brother, one day they will. the rest will do her good, Bontemps says. 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. I know historically Philippe did leave Versailles for a time, but season two Louis without Philippe will be interesting because while Louis takes shots at him every chance he gets, at the end of the day Philippe is the only true person around him besides Bontemps. I think that if he really loved Henriette that much, he wouldnt have gotten over her so quickly and easily, once they dangled a pretty, young blonde newcomer court lady to distract him. They fear she might have been poisoned, so King Louis XIV shuts all access To Versailles. However, lets assume they are both equally dire sins. Panoramica: After crushing the Protestants and thwarted Leto, Louis feels invincible. She later dies in her bed. His belief was shared by Elizabeth-Charlotte, Philippes second wife, who named the culprits as Lorraine and the Marquis dEffiat, an equerry, who had acted without Philippes knowledge. Is he justified in his behaviour towards her? And also shout out to Hannah for being a a much needed third voice. Such emotion. ), Back to Louis outside his bed chamber, where Henriettes screams of pain can be heard. Montespan banters but Louis doesnt bite. After their conversation about stealing Philippes glory and the fact that Louis never liked sharing. And there is also Dangerous Liaisons, but that is set in the 18th century. So thats why I believe that the most that Louis felt for Henriette was that he only loved her a little or to some degree but not enough. Its really sad, she could have been a great queen with Louis (he might not be faithful to her, but they will have live better than now), but the turns of fate, made her his brothers wife instead. I think it would be naive of us to assume that was the first (or only) time that happened. My loyalty still lays with Philippe as her husband, he has a right to lay claim to his wife. First off let me say that I absolutely love your reviews of Versailles, Ms. Jules. Yep. Philippe and Louis have all the best monologues and the writing is brilliant, so in character. 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. The fact that she could feel anything at all for him (beyond disgust) by the end surprises me.