But of course, she has no power to rid herself of him, so his death would be her only chance. 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. Back outside, to a view of Versailles under construction (I love these pre-glory shots!) ? Why is his passion for the man he loves to be forgiven and Henriettes passion for the man she loves to be used against her? I have one comment / correction on what you wrote on Henriettes death scene. You can ask to reproduce it, though - just contact me. Seems likely in the show (historically, this is not so the case at all). Josephine Wilkinson is an academic and author. Back to Henriette, who is now laid out on a bed, hair done, powdered and dressed in her finest gown. A page for describing Characters: Versailles. He did it with Prince Annaba, with Philippe and the Chevalier, with Philippe in the bath whether its just him thinking hey, Im the King, I can do whatever TF I want or some other deep need to catch people unawares, I do not know). Hi, 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? 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. poison, death and departures Versailles episode 10, Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window), Click to share on Tumblr (Opens in new window), Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window), Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window), The finale. All I could find were negative. To affect the hearts and minds of people. Anne, Hi Jules 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. No wonder Philippe feels the need to claim what is his. There was an attempt on her life before. Learn how your comment data is processed. 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 to Marchal in his office, interrogating Montcourt. Women were not allowed to practice medicine at that time and her father clearly disapproves, particularly as she grows more skilled and knowledgable than him. Henriette wanted to go!). Plus he told Louis he didnt recognise the sender of the notes which is technically true. forgot to add the bit about similar shows. I have some questions. 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. 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. Bontemps says: protocol demands that if the air is impure and if you are at risk, you must leave immediately. (this is true) Marchal strides in to take command. Also it will set Louis in a collision with Phillipe who did not want his wife to go to England for the negotiations. Aaaaaand there we have the end of the episode and the end of Season One. Louis wakes to the sight of Henriette, blood down her gown and from her mouth, saying help me please. Even gravely ill, she still choses Louis over her husband. Only Versailles is now about as sexy as Robot Wars. Marchal, his shirt now stained with his wound, stumbles into the antechamber, to Bontemps and says: Listen to me. Let me know when the doctor arrives, Louis says, and leaves. They exchange silent looks for a moment, then Philippe says quietly, Do you remember our fort?. 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. Is Philippe such a child and so lacking in self-restraint that he cant wait a few extra moments until they, too, were behind closed doors? Montcourt pauses its clear he recognises Rohans voice. She could have answered with an honest yes but she evades the question. The Angelique series of movies from the 60s are highly camp, and put Philippe in a terrible light, but they are funny. Even if Louis were to let her go, she would then be relinquishing the love of her life to sit lonely and chaste in her apartments waiting for her husband, a man who feels no attraction or interest for her at all. 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. He sent poison to Paris, where it passed through several hands before ending up in the jug containing the chicory water. Nor can I hold her responsible for the fact that Louis uses her as a weapon against his brother. 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. A begrudging father/daughter mentor role, and she eventually warms him up a bit? he is troubled, hearing Montcourts whispers in his head: When we are the kings enemy, we must make him believe we are his friend. and so on. Moreover, two years later, Louis invited Lorraine back to court and into the royal favour, which he would not have done had he believed Lorraine was the murderer. And Philippe is the one who looks tortured, he is the emotional one, while Louis remains stoic. I think he has done his younger brother irreperable harm and, at times, I wonder if he wouldnt throw Philippe to the wolves if it suited him or France. I just wanna smash his smug ferret face. Princess Henriette was born on 16 June 1644, on the eve of the Second Battle of Newbury during the Civil War, at Bedford House in Exeter, a seat of William Russell, 5th Earl of Bedford (1613-1700), who had recently returned to the Royalist side. Spooks), it was no surprise when this drama arrived with a hearty dollop of sex, violence, tension, and intrigue. Marchal commands to clear the room, Louis adds: Not you, Montcourt. and the doors are sealed: no one enters. 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 never a fan of the character of Henriette, I just cant see how she wronged Philippe more than he did her. So he tells Louis he will now deliver the man responsible for their deaths. 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. Point 5: Ah, Henriettes remark about Philippes glorious death in battle. She is subject to the whims and wishes of her king and lover, of her husband and even of her husbands lover. How can you be scared? (sweet Philippe!) Obviously he loves Chevalier. I know this coming years later, but to Theresa THANK YOU SO MUCH. NOOOOOOO. And Louis weeps. Maybe that is where she got the poison she used on Fabien? The first time we see Philippe is with his lover. Louis decides to go to Paris to bless the sick. 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. Admittedly, its in the middle of a shag, when she is distracted, but still. And Bontemps replies: we are all proud of her, Sire. Louis: And now someone is trying to destroy me, by destroying her. Rohan appears: And they will not succeed I came as soon as I could I wish to offer myself to you as your subject and as your friend. UGGGGGH. Good idea, he says breathlessly. King Louis is in a bit of a pickle. Is it any wonder she couldnt work up any concern over the possibility that her rapist might die in battle? 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. Oh, Louis most definitely would choose France over his brother. Cassel passes him and bows. the first time we see Henriette is with Louis, and Louis mentions her husband. I love this show <3. Point 10: The abnoxious snog in front of Henriette. At the time of her death, it was widely believed that Henrietta had been poisoned and the prime suspects were her husband, Philippe and/or his lover, the Chevalier de Lorraine. his majesty knew this day would come. Hi Jules and Aly, 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. So to me, this indicates hes still quite scared. but it would cause her too much pain. It is Louis who victimises Philippe and he does it in every way he can think of. You really point out a lot of details one might miss when watching the episodes for the first time. 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 was Season 1. Excellent. Mainly wanted to know about Chevalier after last weeks tearful declaration of love. 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). I love these seemingly random yet distinct choices made by directors and production designers. #JesusTakeTheWheel What a scene. Seriously, he could have married her to any noble and they would have looked the other way at the cheating. 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. Next time we see the painting in Ep 6 it has been moved to Henriettes room on her dressing table. What about the angels? he asks, after Montcourt nervously says hes been praying for Henriette. 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. This is clearly frustrating for Bontemps, this is against all protocol, and Bontemps is nothing if a creature who takes comfort (and even enjoys) the routine of protocol. Art. keep him occupied in body and mind, adds Louis with a brief smile. Louis summons the Dauphin to show him how to be a good king. Especially as her lover was the king. The steps, the swinging of the arms, the movement of the coat and their cravats. He tucks Louis in then gets into his small cot (that looks like a camping bed), fully clothed. When we are near, we must make the enemy believe we are far away. on The finale. It was really interesting reading both of your viewpoints. When King Charles hears that his beloved sister has been poisoned in France, it is only a matter of hours before a declaration of war. Louvois: a war they cannot afford to win. Colbert now counsels Louis on the shift of power should Henriette die: Henriettes very existence strengthens your position. We found an old building a sorry shack made of stone and moss. I do like that though they have their disagreements, Bontemp genuinely respects Fabien, and despite his anger, I think Louis does too. The best visual of the whole episode. In one of the episodes did we see Clermont messing with the doctors box of bottles. While your character and scene analyses tend to differ quite a bit from my own (perhaps because of that?? In between re-watching S1, of course. Stars: George Blagden, Alexander Vlahos, Tygh Runyan Director(s . Your email address will not be published. Henriette is viewed as property. She had always been painfully thin and Louis once tactlessly referred to her as the bones of the Holy Innocents. But his family and France are divided. He deserves a truly powerful, unpredictable, fun, intoxicating woman who pulls the rug from under him, and he enjoys it. Suffering from digestive problems, she lived on a diet consisting primarily of milk.