The next shot is of Montespan, entering her rooms, where she briefly cries then quickly gains control with a deep breath. You went north, I went south and she went west and by the time they righted themselves we found our way down by the mill stream. throughout the show, we see Louis attempts to belittle and emasculate Philippe. Around 5pm on 29th June Henriette drank chicory water, then keeled over saying Ah! Especially in S1, I got the feeling that they gave a lot of Lorraines personality traits/reactions/behaviour to Philippe. we then learn Henriette is Philippes wife. 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. That she could feel no affection for the man she was forced to marry, a man who could never feel anything for her and who also raped her, is not at all surprising (even while considering that marital rape was acceptable at that time). Heres a thought: what is your view to Claudine? Philippe and Henriette are quite possibly the two people Louis loves most, and yet he uses and hurts them both repeatedly to get what he wants and because he is paranoid about his brother. He took the bottle to drown his sorrows as it were, after he hit Claudine, feeling remorse, I would think. I can see where the series cliffhanger is heading, besides the obvious unmasking of Rohan as a traitor. Id be happy with either, tbh! Philippe and Henriette were forced into a marriage with someone they didnt love or care for. Duchess Henriette becomes suddenly ill when she returns from a visit to her brother in England. I let a wolf back into my barn! Montcourts hand slides to his hip, Marchal sees this (good Chief of Police *pets his pretty head*) and Montcourt still denies, Louis accuses him of poisoning Henriette. 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. 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. And Montespan was married too, so in the eyes of the church that was double adultery. I just rot an extremely long omment Then she says: can you feel my skin? And reaches out first to Louis, then Philippe. Is Philippe a victim? 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. And yes, the Chevalier does live to quite a ripe old age . It was so good. And suddenly Marchal has his ah-HA moment. Henriette, however, happens to be in love with the king and, more importantly, it seems he with her. many things. Louis looks at him as he goes on: I believe this palace is a symbol of our king. Montespan banters but Louis doesnt bite. Jacques 10 episodes, 2015 . In one of the episodes did we see Clermont messing with the doctors box of bottles. Philippe is jealous. And then Marchal throws Montcourts words back at him: and when we are the Kings enemy, we must make him believe we are his friend, right? Yessss. The writers of the show took quite creative liberty with the relationships some turned out to be clever and well-written, some I just eye rolled SO HARD. Even Louis at this stage is getting sick of it and announces he is going to war. Another grabs him, covers his mouth, and more appear to shoot a guard. and Nine. Or because she cant look him in the eye and admit it? Louis summons the Dauphin to show him how to be a good king. Anything Henriette had done to Philippe, he had done to herand worse. If anything, his expression pays deference to her status as a princess, hes contemplating his own mortality. From the bed, Henriette says pitifully, Dont leave me and straight away, we know who that is aimed at. We see this SO MANY TIMES it becomes frustrating and sad. 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. My biggest problem with Henriette/Louis is that I find it highly doubtful that Louis would have sex with her. Ugh) and oh dear, the Chevalier looks so panicked, so worried by the Ducs appearance is it because he thinks people will start accusing him again of treason? Yet how much pain are you willing to endure before you get what you want? And it certainly wasnt the unwavering, steadfast, loyal or constant love that one would most want from a beloved one. Who was that mysterious man in the mask of Apollo who dan. It could also be argued that Philippe is relatively powerless, but only where Louis, his older brother and his king, is concerned. She is later arrested as the poisoner as her son is released, but ridiculed from court. Ive said this before in comments. Sometimes, truth is stranger than fiction - and other times, period dramas take a little artistic license . (Same with the Chevalier and his jealousy of Philippes wives. It was very clear from episode 1 that you were not a fan of Henriette and I found that quick jarring to read in your reviews. Still with the playing of games, the half-truth words. Which one? Louis asks. Montcourt tried to tell me the same. "Versailles" and I met by chance on Netflix. And Louis weeps. Thank you. his majesty knew this day would come. Marchal picks up the dropped knife and lunges and he and Montcourt trade a few blows, with Marchal blocking then delivering a punch. They fear she might have been poisoned, so King Louis XIV shuts all access To Versailles. She gasps and the priest enters silently. Duchess Henriette becomes suddenly ill when she returns from a visit to her brother in England. *That should have read historical figures not historical characters! Finally, a scene with the Chevalier!!! You died of a cold, or a simple infection or someone sneezing on you. Right away, I am feeling negative towards them both, and yes, judgey about Henriette. Philippe weeps. Montcourt is stabbed by Louis XIV while facing off with him and Fabien Marchal. Ugh. When we are the kings enemy, we must make him believe we are his friend. Louis reels off a list of people who were with Henriette on her journey, people that must be interrogated. UGH, technology! Brilliant writing. Ill tell you, though, that, like you, I totally adore Philippe in this series, the actor is great and some King/brother interaction is well done. The Angelique series of movies from the 60s are highly camp, and put Philippe in a terrible light, but they are funny. Montcourt is confused. The rape thing was upsetting. See above comments about Henriettes powerlessness as a woman. My sources tell me that sadly, we will have to wait until March 2017 (Yes, NEXT YEAR!!!) 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. 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). I have some questions. Philippe has no interest in Henriette, is not attracted to her or in love with her. Henriette answered Montagu with a shrug: she did not know. One witness observed that Henriette looked like a dressed corpse upon whom someone had put some rouge, while others thought she had death painted on her face. It was total and raw and real and I wept long and bitter tears for him. Eg; Louis shuts him (from preventing Henrietta to go to England) up by releasing Chevalier. Having spent the first episode ripping their kit off at any opportunity, the court of Versailles has taken an oath of chastity. Oh, and was it common in this era to talk about new marriages literally 2 minutes after your wife/husband died? Point 10: The abnoxious snog in front of Henriette. This is such a clever production team impeccable writing, brilliant cast, sumptuous sets and costumes. Louis approaches and she wakes. and especially when he proved himself in battle and all of Paris cheered him and adored him. SYNC. (Historical note: this happened and wasnt at all odd) The door suddenly opens, the Queenis standing there. , Question, did real Louis also love Henriette, or was it unrequited? Art. Also it will set Louis in a collision with Phillipe who did not want his wife to go to England for the negotiations. Louis smacks it away with the poker, Marchal steps in, Montcourt grabs a candlestick. Obviously he loves Chevalier. Incest or homosexuality? Hi Laura! And she did it willingly. Philippe: Because you told her to. Louis: Because she was born to it. Philippe: Because she loves you. Louis: if we do not have the English, we cannot attack the Dutch. The look on Philippes face is incredulous yes, Louis is talking war when his wife lies dying. Should Claudine be villified for showing up her father? Panoramica: After crushing the Protestants and thwarted Leto, Louis feels invincible. Its stoic. She is in love with him and, as you say, it seems its been going on for a long time. 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. We learn that she has loved Louis since they were children. He is genuinely happy to see the Chevalier and shows it. We begged you. Points 1 and 2: We establish that both people are in love with someone else. He has poisoned all of them. NOOOOOOO. And Louis coming out the good guy. He is always the king, while Philippe gives his emotions (somewhat) free rein. Earlier that day, a servant spotted one of Philippes mignons and Grand Equerry (Master of the Horse), the Marquis dEffiat, drink water stored in a cabinet near Henriettes chambers, wipe the glass, then go on his way. NOT AT ALL acceptable in the eyes of pretty much everyone. Henriette drew the worst cards of all four players in those stakes. I risked my life for your vanity, to rescue your wifes dowry. Louis: I acted for France because I AM FRANCE! Philippe remains stoic this time its Louis getting angry and we know why. 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. In the days when it was only you who /truly/ had my back. Nice one, Montcourt. on The finale. (Historical note: it was forbidden for the King to be in the presence of death. And Louis is left in the salon, framed by the door, the guards, and looking incredibly vulnerable and alone. Episodio 10. I just wanted to tell you that I enjoy your reviews and will keep reading them through saison 2. 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 really interesting reading both of your viewpoints. Seriously, he could have married her to any noble and they would have looked the other way at the cheating. 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. 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. His grip tightens on the poker, even as Montcourt looks actually shocked at that accusation. Beating your wife was also quite legal, acceptable and, indeed, expected. 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. keep him occupied in body and mind, adds Louis with a brief smile. 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. Hes just having some fun. Your question misses the question, Montcourt replies cryptically. Another suggestion is that she had porphyria, although she displayed none of its symptoms. 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. : . They take her hands. 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. A subtle yet interesting choice made by production to change the portraits in Henriettes chambers. He gives as good as he gets and so much worse. For the record, I dont think Henriette would actually like to see Philippe die, but she would like to be shot of him. Its my weekly sin, I confess, Im too addicted to this period to miss it. Henriette is restrained by Philippe, the Queen and Bontemps, and Philippe is clearly suffering as he listens to his wife muffling her screams. The true cause of Henriettes death can never be known, but one thing is certain: this beloved princess was sadly missed. It could possibly be the same spot from Ep1, when he confronted the wolf and Philippe rode in to rescue him. These reactions perfectly suit and says a lot to their characters, plus George Blagden and Alex Vlahos as hugely talented actors. 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. Philippe strides in slow-mo through the corridors, arms swinging, hair bouncing, coat swaying and with a tight, determined expression on his face. The camera pans around him and yet still, not one muscle is out of place, not one twitch of emotion. And the person either asserts himself or is subjugated to the will of others. I think he also wants reassurance that Louis cares for him as much as he cares for Louis. She could not affect change herself. God knows the wolves might have taken us but what did we know? when Philippe asks if he were to die, her troubles would be solved. We must get the king and the queen and yourself to safety at once. And the penny drops for Bontemps, his look of dismay so clear. forgot to add the bit about similar shows. Thank you, Amy! At a Mass said for her soul, Bishop Bossuet conveyed the sense of shock at her sudden death: Oh, disastrous night; oh, dreadful night, in which resounded like a clap of thunder the unbelievable words Madame is dying Madame is dead!. He gets up and leaves, walking through the corridors with a candelabra. HOW DID THEY DO THAT SO PERFECTLY??? The midwife and doctor were horrified but there was nothing she could do!!! Her breath falters: Im scared. And the look on Louis and Philippes faces as they both lean in to comfort her *sobs* Philippe says gently: There is nothing to fear. Henriette: How do you know? Philippe: do you remember before you were born? Yet you heard nothing. Cassel leaves, then Montcourt walks away in the direction of Rohan who is discussing the Dauphins outing with a guard. Called it!) 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. Louis pauses, shocked, Marchal grabs his belly, echoing that look, and Im all NOOOOOO!