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. I enjoyed them very much, I must saymuch more than this series, which is good entertainement, but, God, so FAR from being historically correct, in so many ways. Claudine tries to give her something for the pain but she wont swallow, her throat is closing up. 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). What will be his legacy? Not so much. In one of the episodes did we see Clermont messing with the doctors box of bottles. (For the record, I am speaking strictly of the characters in this drama, not the historical characters). Pretty sure he was not the one who did the poisoning thing. It is Louis who victimises Philippe and he does it in every way he can think of. Remember, Henriette, as a woman, is completely powerless. Henriette says a glorious death in battle would not displease him. Philippe: my brother always trusted you. Claudine: I am honoured. Philippe whispers: I dont believe I know what it feels like. .. Emo Philippe, so dark and tortured! Snake! They exchange silent looks for a moment, then Philippe says quietly, Do you remember our fort?. Louis turns in slow-mo, the expression on his face revealing nothing. To affect the hearts and minds of people. Louis staggers to his feet, Montcourt bleeding out on the floor, and he goes to Marchal, who has collapsed near the fireplace. Louis has not (even though yeah, okay, protocol). Seriously, he could have married her to any noble and they would have looked the other way at the cheating. What does she say? A subtle yet interesting choice made by production to change the portraits in Henriettes chambers. The writers could have written a scenario where Henriette willingly sleeps with Phillipe to make Louis jealous and to provide in an explanation in the event she becomes pregnant. If you have to, just close your eyes and think of France. She puts her foot in her mouth. She is used by the king to hurt his brother. Then Philippe walks out, still dressed in his nightshirt and robe, barefoot. Vatel (with Uma Thurman and Gerard Depardieu). Henriette, however, was never robust and often experienced such terrible pains in her side that she would lie on the floor to find respite. She is powerless. NOOOOOOO. Well, my thought is Philippe angrily claiming his conjugal rights may well have happened before. Why? He rolls in bed, his cheek on a bloodied pillow, and suddenly wakes, realises what it is and follows the trail to Louis bedchamber. Though it was true that he was saddened by Henriettes death, I dont felt that he was actually that hell bent on punishing those who were or at least believed to be responsible for her death, due to the lack of evidence among other factors. A hundred years ago. It is always Louis for her. Such an angry king, and rightly so. And she was having an affair with the Comte de Guiche. Henriette portrayed by Pierre Mignard, 17th century, Henriette, Duchesse d'Orlans, the sister-in-law of Louis XIV, took a drink of her usual chicory water and immediately clutched her side, crying out in pain. Im no Henriette fan, but Im so sorry, no, Philippe did not win the victim sweepstakes in that marriage. Montcourt is stabbed by Louis XIV while facing off with him and Fabien Marchal. Philippe is most definitely not the victim in his marriage. 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. The first time we see Philippe is with his lover. Copyright 2023 History Today Ltd. Company no. It ended up working even better than planned and within a very short amount of time, Louis fell for Louise de la Valliere who was originally meant to be a decoy but became his first official royal mistress. While your character and scene analyses tend to differ quite a bit from my own (perhaps because of that?? 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. Another grabs him, covers his mouth, and more appear to shoot a guard. Here it is, mes amis! UGH, Henriette. See above comments about Henriettes powerlessness as a woman. Henriette is viewed as property. BRILLIANT acting. Just another way Louis is emasculating him, making him a laughing stock in French society. but the show never uses his name, referring to him only as his title of Chevalier, probably to avoid confusion . She is a toy left to gather dust on the shelf and which Louis has taken from him just to prove that he can. I kind of doubt it). Philippe has been by her side throughout this. It was all out there. Eg; Louis shuts him (from preventing Henrietta to go to England) up by releasing Chevalier. I can see where the series cliffhanger is heading, besides the obvious unmasking of Rohan as a traitor. In the days when it was only you who /truly/ had my back. Spooks), it was no surprise when this drama arrived with a hearty dollop of sex, violence, tension, and intrigue. Louvois and Marchal agree. Is he for or against le roi? It is not clear in the show. He cripples himself with his own paranoia. 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. They talk about whats happening Marchal is questioning people, and Sophie was taken in that morning. *insert sound of breaking heart here*. Speculation that Henriette had been poisoned began straight away. 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. More of an extreme sadness at his wifes pain. we then learn Henriette is Philippes wife. So anyways, off we go. 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. 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. Hi Laura! Are there more shows you will review? King Louis XIV (George Blagden, left) and Henriette (Nomie Schmidt) arrive at "Versailles" in the Ovation series. I realise that you are not a fan of the historical figure but I am speaking strictly of the character. Bontemps moves her along. However, lets assume they are both equally dire sins. It could possibly be the same spot from Ep1, when he confronted the wolf and Philippe rode in to rescue him. 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. First to Henriette, and after she was poisoned, to Elizabeth Charlotte, Princess of the Palatinate. Im genuinely curious to know why you consider Philippe the victim and Henriette the traitor in that relationship. 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. 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. She also miscarries a baby that was either her husband Philippe's or the King's, no one is sure. Love your delicious commentary, brava! Thank you for the recaps, I am with you on all things you write about Monsieur Marchal, he is everything! Yes, of course its common knowledge that Louis is shagging Henriette. Only honestly acknowledging that Philippes glorious death in battlesomething that would not displease Philippe, himselfwouldnt necessarily break her heart. Claudine doesnt know how long Henriette has left, but it is her wish to see you both. Also, Henriette has asked to be carried to the garden so that she might be surrounded by her favourite flowers. (Philippes gentle smile is so bittersweet here!) Louis is greeted by Bontemps in his chambers, who enquires about Henriettes health. Her intent is not to hurt Philippe by sleeping with Louis, she simply doesnt care (and I dont blame her). Menu. Louvois has been a kind of double agent all along, directed by Louis himself to assume the role of critic and conspirator. on The finale. Do you even think hed allow her to end things? Philippe raping his wife. Eww. Now, seeing as sister-in-law wasnt even a thing then, this would be like actually shagging your sister. Keeps your brothers power in check and offers a direct connection to England. He cares for her, but anytime he has to choose between Chevalier and her, he always choose the former. Fashion. 1556332. His face may be handsome but now he just reminds me of a ferret. It is so reflective of the dilemma she has created for herself. Montcourt looks nervous, says he doesnt know what he means. 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. We see Louis take what is rightfully and lawfully his his wife. The Mysterious Death of Henriette, Duchesse dOrlans, Toad Testicles, Foul-Beard and Broad-Arse. Even if I ignore the historical figures behind the show and what I know of their real lives, I cant ignore the historical setting or the social arena in which the show is played. Montcourts eyes drop to Louis hand and suddenly he pulls a knife. Cassel leaves, then Montcourt walks away in the direction of Rohan who is discussing the Dauphins outing with a guard. Louis strolls over to the fireplace and picks up a poker, calmly summarising whats happened on his roads, his people dying, attempts on his own life, and now his beloved Henriette. Henriette 12 episodes, 2015-2017 Anatole Taubman . Colbert: You believe her highness is poisoned? Marchal replies cryptically: I believe. She could not affect change herself. Louis persists. Just airing in the U.S. and Im having surgery Friday so I dont know if Ill catch it. Henriette, however, happens to be in love with the king and, more importantly, it seems he with her. Mike did. We are back at the sickbed, where Henriette sleeps and Montespan silently weeps at the bed. I do think it is out-of-character for the Philippe we know and love on the show, not just historically inaccurate, to force himself on her. Louis walks in and replies: because I ask him to do so. Ahhhhh-HA! 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). Rohan slits the other guards throat, watches from a distance as the young prince has a sack put over his head then bundled off. I am tired of waiting for you to keep it, says the Queen casually as she gets into bed with Louis then settles down. Both of them were in love with other people when they were forced to marry and they both were aware of that. Panoramica: After crushing the Protestants and thwarted Leto, Louis feels invincible. I just wanted to tell you that I enjoy your reviews and will keep reading them through saison 2. 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. There are times when I will shout (in my head), Just leave this place and run back to England.. John Clare 191 subscribers Henrietta of England, Duchess of Orlans rushes to Louis XIV's chambers after being poisoned. The episode starts in Madame de Montespans bed, with Louis awake and staring at the ceiling. Basically he can do what he wants, but she is not allowed to. When we are the kings enemy, we must make him believe we are his friend. In Paris, says Colbert. Im going to be stalking these recaps in the arduous wait for season two. Anything Henriette had done to Philippe, he had done to herand worse. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. See production, box office & company info. We now join Rohan with the Dauphin, riding out with the Kings Guard. Were just waiting for it to take root., Now we are outside in an antechamber again, where Colbert is frantic that Henriette must be moved, that she cannot be treated in the Kings chamber. I think Philippe will always blame Louis for Henriette's death, and I can't see when they'll ever be reconciled again. There are only two men in this court who move freely between the outside world and the Kings inner circle, but only one who has never raised a single voice against him. Bontemps is surprised: the Kings brother? NO, BONTEMPS. Bontemps suddenly appears; Henriette has been calling. for Season 2. I find it interesting that Louis feels the need to add: she came to find me, to put the doubt on Montespans face to rest. She is in such a tizzy that she barely gives her daughter, Sophie, the. I just rot an extremely long omment Even the bouncing hair. And Montespan was married too, so in the eyes of the church that was double adultery. Hi Jules and Aly, Last scene, with Louis silent and stoic, standing on a stone that overlooks a glorious view of the forest with Versailles in the distance. Then he calls for the Guards. (yeah, I know I said I liked Marchal/Claudine, too! And dragging Effiat into it too, for a) being a mignon loyal to the Chevalier, and b) his familys involvement in the Fronde, during Louis XIIIs reign. Of course, nothing happened and the doctors said colic but nine hours later, she was dead. (*cries*), Bontemps goes to see Louis. Close the doors! The Queen adds: we must put her in the bed. Louis nods; in she goes. She actually says I could never love you well which does change the context somewhat. Oh, Louis most definitely would choose France over his brother. I do. Then he says I pay you to spy on others, not on me. . Hi Jules, I must thank you for your detailed writeup of all ten episodes of Versailles. "Versailles" and I met by chance on Netflix. LOUIS. And Marchal sees this too, his eyes flicking down to focus on them, then showing us aflashback of the dying girl, Charlotte de Parthanay, whom he held in his arms in Episode Three, where she says she saw angels. My biggest problem with Henriette/Louis is that I find it highly doubtful that Louis would have sex with her.
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