I will try, but I trust you wont publish it if you find it too long. It unfortunately follows that her absence would weaken you. The one she loves the most. ), (*WTF. I came across your reviews and I read each one after viewing an episode. keep him occupied in body and mind, adds Louis with a brief smile. Louis pauses, shocked, Marchal grabs his belly, echoing that look, and Im all NOOOOOO! Louis: And that makes you a liar.. Except, when hes really angry and he rapes her. Her intent is not to hurt Philippe by sleeping with Louis, she simply doesnt care (and I dont blame her). Next morning and Louis opens the shutters on a sleeping Montespan (aside here: Louis has a habit of walking in on people sleeping or in a state of undress. The camera pans up and it is a truly magnificent sight, flowers everywhere. 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? Henrietta 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, who had recently returned to the Royalist side. But Montespan kind of brushes it off with, Yes, I would do the same. She is hurt, nonetheless. Such an angry king, and rightly so. He rolls in bed, his cheek on a bloodied pillow, and suddenly wakes, realises what it is and follows the trail to Louis bedchamber. Then he calls for the Guards. While making this video i was inspired by the scene when Henriette talks about her first mask ball. When we are far away, we must make him believe we are near. In Versailles, Madame de Clermont is running round like a blue-arsed fly having discovered that her poison has gone missing. 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. It was total and raw and real and I wept long and bitter tears for him. Its just that his anger and upset (and yes, jealousy I think) affects him so much, because its just another way for his brother to control and belittle him, make him less. Louis is a shit to Philippe. This really shows he is vulnerable. The Chevalier is still silent, still focused on Henriette. (Historical note: mistresses were in competition with each other all the time, poison was effective and the murderer didnt have to deal with the messiness. These reactions perfectly suit and says a lot to their characters, plus George Blagden and Alex Vlahos as hugely talented actors. So he tells Louis he will now deliver the man responsible for their deaths. Suffering from digestive problems, she lived on a diet consisting primarily of milk. I did have a thought, though, why the writers didnt build up to her being the young version of one of Louis mistresses, he had so many. Who was that mysterious man in the mask of Apollo who dan. 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. Louis asks Henriette to spy on her husband and she does not refuse. Henriette of England is poisoned during her trip back from England. There is your music.. Marchal picks up the dropped knife and lunges and he and Montcourt trade a few blows, with Marchal blocking then delivering a punch. Philippe is the complete dysfunctional mess he is thanks to Louis (and their mother) and he would have my complete sympathy, were it not for his raping his wife in a fit of anger and jealousy. First off let me say that I absolutely love your reviews of Versailles, Ms. Jules. My heart breaks for him. On the other hand, Ive never doubted for a moment Philippes loyalty to his brother or his love for him. I also saw the subtle ways in which Henriette (and Louis) talked about him, how they wished he was not there. Montcourt looks nervous, says he doesnt know what he means. 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. So do I believe that our enemies would dare to poison King Charles of Englands sister? the court was rife with extra-marital affairs involving married women as well as men, but still) but that does not mean Henriette could turn her feelings for Louis off at the touch of a wedding ring from a man she didnt choose or want. Philippe was there in the woods and saved Louis from the wolves, but at the end of season one hes left Versailles. Henriette of England died in Saint-Cloud, not in Versailles. Still, Louis suspicions had been aroused and he ordered an autopsy, which was performed by French doctors and witnessed by others sent from England. Im no Henriette fan, but Im so sorry, no, Philippe did not win the victim sweepstakes in that marriage. BRILLIANT acting. 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. 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 genuinely believes Philppe is a potential threat. 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. We see this SO MANY TIMES it becomes frustrating and sad. Im leaving. Louis: You would defy me, even in this moment? Philippe: I know what this moment is. Louis steps to his brother and the camera frames them between the crossed pikes, a familiar movie making technique that focuses your eye solely on them, and also creates powerful imagery of two strong men, between weapons, taking opposite views. 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. It is always Louis for her. Philippe has done as little to win her affection as she has to win his and Philippe certainly flaunts his lover in her face far more than she does hers in his. Enriched my enjoyment of the show, and got a bit more educated on the courts history as well . 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. Henriette has become seriously ill, it might be poison and she is the sister of the King of England. Louis adds, almost contemptuously: you never understood politics. I really like him as a character, even though he tortures people. Rumourwent that he sent the poison to Effiat in retaliation for Henriette having him banished. Its emotionless. 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. Queen Marie-Thrse noted that everyone was talking about Henriettes death and the manner of it. In which case, I dont blame her one bit! And I do not regret it for an instant. Like he is trying to justify himself. He was distraught when she died, and was fully intent on punishing those responsible (as poison was indeed thought to have killed her). Director Daniel Roby Writers Simon Mirren David Wolstencroft Stars George Blagden Alexander Vlahos Tygh Runyan See production, box office & company info Louis, who never forgave a slight, always ensured that the guilty paid dearly. did the male medicin drink the vial of poison accidentally or on purpose? Claudine looks sad: this must be frightening for her. Quite a few. Duchess Henriette becomes suddenly ill when she returns from a visit to her brother in England. (Historical note: this happened and wasnt at all odd) The door suddenly opens, the Queenis standing there. Horrible man. And it certainly wasnt the unwavering, steadfast, loyal or constant love that one would most want from a beloved one. 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). Louis and Bontemps share a look between them a kind of wtf do we do now? And then down by the promontory. Jacques 10 episodes, 2015 . 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. Im glad you like my reviews And I will most definitely continue on with reviewing S2. The episode starts in Madame de Montespans bed, with Louis awake and staring at the ceiling. but it is later, after they already speak with the guards in the background. Louis is calm but angry: then you set yourself against me. Philippe pauses, looks incredibly sad for a moment, then briefly nods. The cost is justified a hundred fold! ..And Philippes face that little sigh, the look he is incredulous. Her confessor, however, urged her to accuse no one but to make her death an offering to God. To my observation, we do not know who messed with the bottles I was assuming it was Mike or Rohan, because the hand is gloved and we do not see the face. This is who they truly are in this one moment of grief. Louis looks strained, says: I do not regret sending her. Louis was deathly afraid of the more relaxed, popular and fun-loving Monsieur, who gave great parties, was social and everyone wanted to be around. Should Claudine be villified for showing up her father? And suddenly Philippe is the calm one, says gently, brother and the look on his face, as the tears trickle gently down his cheeks the quiet sadness as Louis stares at him, then his realisation that this is it. Do you even think hed allow her to end things? 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. Nothing. See production, box office & company info. Nor can I hold her responsible for the fact that Louis uses her as a weapon against his brother. 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. Snake! Is she a villain for this because of the thinking of the day? Love your delicious commentary, brava! Point 3: Good question, which is the greater sin? Henriette screams and they both surge to the door then suddenly stop. Charming. Our dear Henriette. He takes her hand and closes his eyes and for a moment he is vulnerable. Josephine Wilkinson is an academic and author. Henriette, however, was never robust and often experienced such terrible pains in her side that she would lie on the floor to find respite. How can people not see Rohans calculating glances, his sly little looks? Spooks), it was no surprise when this drama arrived with a hearty dollop of sex, violence, tension, and intrigue. I was merely pointing out how such treatment of his wife would hardly help warm her feelings towards him. They fear she might have been poisoned, so King Louis XIV shuts all access To Versailles. Sometimes, truth is stranger than fiction - and other times, period dramas take a little artistic license . I have some questions. And one day, brother, one day they will. Therefore, my thoughts are strictly about the characters. She was merely being used by the man she was in love with. Colbert and Louvois look considerably worried. 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? Back to Henriette, who is now laid out on a bed, hair done, powdered and dressed in her finest gown. 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! Whats wrong? Hmm. Ah, but not so devout that Louis followed all the teachings. Back outside, to a view of Versailles under construction (I love these pre-glory shots!) To bring them over to us. He is genuinely happy to see the Chevalier and shows it. She allows grief but only briefly. Anyhow, just wanted to say 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. New episodes of " Versailles " air at 10/9c Saturdays on Ovation, but are rebroadcast throughout the week. Hi Jules, I must thank you for your detailed writeup of all ten episodes of Versailles. 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. What to expect from the future? In one of the episodes did we see Clermont messing with the doctors box of bottles. 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? And remember you can also start at the beginning and read my reviews of EpisodesOne, Two, Three, Four, Five, Six,Seven,Eight. Some were obviously written for massive impact. King Louis XIV (George Blagden, left) and Henriette (Nomie Schmidt) arrive at "Versailles" in the Ovation series. Of course, nothing happened and the doctors said colic but nine hours later, she was dead. And suddenly Marchal has his ah-HA moment. Louis decides to go to Paris to bless the sick. Yes. But of course, she has no power to rid herself of him, so his death would be her only chance. Louis and Philippe approach the bed, to the dying Henriette who looks really bad. Cats with nine lives. Her mother (a french princess) is dead, and shes alone, probably the only English in the palace. A fabulous shot of Versailles under construction and we are back inside, in Louis' chambers conducting business. We were taking the air with our governess when we made a break for freedom. Obviously he loves Chevalier. Do you honestly think that just because certain abusesatrocities, evenwere acceptable, that those on the receiving end didnt feel anger, pain, violation, etc. He had mistresses, for example. ), Back to Louis outside his bed chamber, where Henriettes screams of pain can be heard. *Another side-note: When the Chavelier mentions that Louis does not look for beauty so much as character, umwas he talking about Henriette? Your closest confidants told you to look elsewhere! This moment echoes the first from the opening scene in Episode One, where the traitors rush in on the pretext of getting Louis safely away. You mentioned the Charles Beaubrun painting of Louis & Philippewell I was noticing how this stunning piece travels around the palace in season one. Then he turns and suddenly a Man In a Mask is standing there. Louis has not (even though yeah, okay, protocol). I pity Henrietta. Philippe raping his wife. Fashion. And there is also Dangerous Liaisons, but that is set in the 18th century. The camera pans around him and yet still, not one muscle is out of place, not one twitch of emotion. It is a controlled grief. Wow that was odd. She was 26. The Chevalier looks a little panicky or is it my imagination? *insert sound of breaking heart here*. The first time we see Philippe is with his lover. P.S. Louis replies how else was I to keep you close. NOT I dont want you to die, (that comes later) she says my problems cannot be solved, you know that. Way to avoid his question. What a pain! 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. SYNC. Louis is greeted by Bontemps in his chambers, who enquires about Henriettes health. My loyalty still lays with Philippe as her husband, he has a right to lay claim to his wife. Oh, and was it common in this era to talk about new marriages literally 2 minutes after your wife/husband died? Neither of them showed much interest or affection for the other, both clearly preferring their lovers. 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. Copyright 2023 History Today Ltd. Company no. Philippe is jealous. How can you be scared? (sweet Philippe!) Guilt often manifests itself in an outward show of rage. She later dies in her bed. Everyone shares a look because, yeah, they know. Or survival. he starts to pace: here comes the lecture. Louis XIV was born on 5 September 1638 in the Chteau de Saint-Germain-en-Laye, to Louis XIII and Anne of Austria. Photograph: BBC. 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. Such emotion. The sudden onset of Henriettes illness, the severe pain and the short time between the onset of her symptoms and her death suggested to her contemporaries that she had been poisoned. She is not indulgent in it. Is he justified in his behaviour towards her? , Question, did real Louis also love Henriette, or was it unrequited? Henriette drew the worst cards of all four players in those stakes. Mainly wanted to know about Chevalier after last weeks tearful declaration of love. What a great mix of observation and humor. Is he for or against le roi? I first read your reviews right after watching the entire series and then again after recently rewatching all 30 ep again. *The only voice, your own. You admit her situation is unfair and certainly, she is powerless where her husband (and Louis) are concerned and yet, simply because of the screwed up thinking of the day, the thinking that removed a womans personhood and reduced her to mere property, she is the villain for not being able to love a man who ignores her and rapes her? It could also be argued that Philippe is relatively powerless, but only where Louis, his older brother and his king, is concerned. Louis looks mega pissed. 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. THIS. I very much enjoyed reading them and especially liked your additional facts about the historical events and figures. Louis looks stunned too. Nice one, Montcourt. Marchal: The King once told me, he warned me quite clearly that his enemies would seek to destroy those closest to him. The flashback of Charlotte being shot is in his head, reminding us (the audience) what happened previously and confirming that Marchal now knows how it was done. No wonder Philippe feels the need to claim what is his. We establish right from the start that she has no powershe was forced to marry a man she did not want because the king wants to keep her close. I just wanna smash his smug ferret face. And the next shot is Louis in slow-mo, walking out. But your first strike would have to be true. when Philippe asks if he were to die, her troubles would be solved. 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. Back with the sick princess and Claudine is fiddling with potions while Henriette writhes and vomits blood. She also miscarries a baby that was either her husband Philippe's or the King's, no one is sure. He cripples himself with his own paranoia. . God knows the wolves might have taken us but what did we know? Thank you, Amy! So many questions.. let me see: did Fabien Marshal shoot Charlotte Parthanay, and if so, why? Music. 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. They fear she might have been poisoned, so King Louis XIV shuts all access To Versailles. You, me, Henriette. And Rohan chuckles and I well. Then he looks to Rohans hand tapping on the stone, decorated with a ring and the penny drops. Brilliant writing. I just rot an extremely long omment The fact that she doesnt particularly want to anyway (to say no, that is) is because she is deeply in love with Louis and always has been and because her husband makes zero effort to endear himself to her. the kiss between the Chevalier and Philippe happens after the war, after Philippe has seen Louis bring Henriette to the front. Another suggestion is that she had porphyria, although she displayed none of its symptoms. When you see Fabien going to find the missing Charlotte, you see him visualising the scenario he holds up his hand, points his fingers in the shape of a gun to see how the angle would project. A side-note: On Sophie. Noemie Schmidt: Yes, totally stuck. I am waiting eagerly for the second season and I really hope to see you write about it then. Duchess Henriette becomes suddenly ill when she returns from a visit to her brother in England. However, the bible does say something about a man being expected to marry his brothers widow. Merci! Then she says: can you feel my skin? And reaches out first to Louis, then Philippe. When we are near, we must make the enemy believe we are far away. First to Henriette, and after she was poisoned, to Elizabeth Charlotte, Princess of the Palatinate.

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