My greatest issue with Henriette is that she seems to lack any personality. 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. Such an angry outpouring from Louis, however, would have been out of character and no one else reported that he said any such thing. 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. Gladly. Louis is disbelieving: And sacrifice your future to see me suffer? Philippe glances around the salon then says: What does a King know of sacrifice?, Louis cant believe it. No, of course she doesnt. Snake! It was so good. 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. Is he justified in his behaviour towards her? Philippe raping his wife. 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. 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. You couldnt guarantee any would survive. *The only voice, your own. *Disclaimer* I do not own any of the audio or footage included in this. Women are still being raped today in societies which condone such behaviour towards women and which deny women their personhood. 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. Finally, a scene with the Chevalier!!! 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. Notify me of follow-up comments by email. 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. In the case of Versailles, Bring the garden here, Louis commands * (YES I called this line too I am KING OF THE LAB! You clever, clever bastard. (Same with the Chevalier and his jealousy of Philippes wives. And it certainly wasnt the unwavering, steadfast, loyal or constant love that one would most want from a beloved one. But Montespan kind of brushes it off with, Yes, I would do the same. She is hurt, nonetheless. He sees Louis. Should Claudine be villified for showing up her father? 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. Then he says I pay you to spy on others, not on me. . The Chevalier is still silent, still focused on Henriette. I know this coming years later, but to Theresa THANK YOU SO MUCH. I was more appalled at Louis seeming lack of concern for his brothers life. (its only 16mins and 50 seconds in not that I was counting *innocent whistle*) Filmed in the Chteau de Maisons in Maisons-Lafitte, in the Salon dHercule, he strides past Montcourt, demands to know what he is doing. when Philippe asks if he were to die, her troubles would be solved. But, this is my interpretation or thoughts based on the real life events. 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. Henriette is restrained by Philippe, the Queen and Bontemps, and Philippe is clearly suffering as he listens to his wife muffling her screams. Royal FamilyKing Louis XIV Arranged Marriage: To Marie-Thrse Boom, Headshot! 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. Now that *would* be naive. Louis just nods, gives Philippe a look (who is standing near the doors, looking so alone and sad, I just wanna hug him!) If she dies it might lead to accusations and risk any potential alliance with England. Beating your wife was also quite legal, acceptable and, indeed, expected. She stays. Philippe: And so do I.. We cut to the forest, to the two Kings Guards in their blue livery, leaning by a tree as Rohan and little Louis still mock fight. 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. We begged you. No. And Louvois being the pompous ass he is, says haughtily: Before you speak to me, I suggest you speak to the king. Marchal: I am his Majestys eyes and ears, Msieur Louvois. For the record, I dont think Henriette would actually like to see Philippe die, but she would like to be shot of him. Hold onto this moment, I told you. He should be he has not given up either of their names for the part they played in his arrest. It was really interesting reading both of your viewpoints. 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? Point 3: Good question, which is the greater sin? The state is a person. Im actually in the States where episode seven will be airing tomorrow night, but I read ahead because I know history so nothing coming was really a spoiler (just a condensed timeline). 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. Louis XIV of France | Versailles Wiki | Fandom Admittedly, its in the middle of a shag, when she is distracted, but still. But of course, she wants to know what happened to her mother in exchange for that information. his majesty knew this day would come. 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. And it is on. Her mother (a french princess) is dead, and shes alone, probably the only English in the palace. Did not see this one coming! How can people not see Rohans calculating glances, his sly little looks? Back outside, to a view of Versailles under construction (I love these pre-glory shots!) We learn that she has loved Louis since they were children. Your email address will not be published. It INFURIATED Louis), 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.. Louis: And that makes you a liar.. What about the angels? he asks, after Montcourt nervously says hes been praying for Henriette. Yes, it was common to talk about marriage that soon! Now this is fascinating. Just another way Louis is emasculating him, making him a laughing stock in French society. Then he looks to Rohans hand tapping on the stone, decorated with a ring and the penny drops. And also shout out to Hannah for being a a much needed third voice. Fact-checking Versailles: how historically accurate is the BBC drama? More of an extreme sadness at his wifes pain. He is genuinely distraught, going to a collapsed Henriette on the floor while Louis is just standing there, seemingly frozen. Philippe was the one in strident dissent! Ita all so quick, and beautifully choreographed. Later on, we see the portrait back in Louiss chamber 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. I am waiting eagerly for the second season and I really hope to see you write about it then. Nice one, Montcourt. I could never love you more. ! Louis is stunned: Why are you casting all this rage at me? Philippe: Because you deserve it. Versailles (TV Series 2015-2018) - Full Cast & Crew - IMDb We now see Philippe asleep. But I also know that their greatest plan has yet to show itself. the camera pans to Louis, Colbert, Louvois (clearly worried, as he should be), who says, but what if shes merely ill? Marchal: then your appetite will be merely inconvenienced, Louvois. Bontemps appears. We stake our claim or we are ploughed into the field. As she made her last confession, the English ambassador, Lord Montagu, asked Henriette if she believed she had been poisoned. Not so much. Im glad you like my reviews And I will most definitely continue on with reviewing S2. You really point out a lot of details one might miss when watching the episodes for the first time. The king himself suspected that Henrietta might have been poisoned and ordered an autopsy to be carried out. Still wouldve loved to read your long comment was it complimentary? 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. Henriette feels nothing for Philippe, he not having put any more effort into endearing himself to her than she to him and he also complicating things for her where Louis is concerned. No one leaves. I just wanted to tell you that I enjoy your reviews and will keep reading them through saison 2. Does she want to end things with Louis? There is, replies Louis. She is currently working on a biography of Louis XIV. Why? Her father was King Charles I of England, her mother the youngest daughter of Henry IV of France and Marie de' Medici. Yes, of course its common knowledge that Louis is shagging Henriette. 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. Heres a thought: what is your view to Claudine? Especially in S1, I got the feeling that they gave a lot of Lorraines personality traits/reactions/behaviour to Philippe. Saint-Simon asserted that Louis was so thankful that his brother was innocent of the crime that he decided not to prosecute the perpetrators. And our enemies have stopped at nothing to destroy it. 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. Id be happy with either, tbh! Yes. Slavery was also an accepted practice of the day. A letter from the King of Sweden has arrived, telling Louis he has agreed to break his alliance with the Dutch and support the French. The Kings son. However, Madeleine de Foix, Gaston's mother, defends her son at the salon, but when facing banishment, she stabs Fabien, almost killing him. But Sophie declares she has no life: what her mother told her was a lie. Nothing. And poor Philippe, who is distraught about his wife, its just another snub for him, isnt it? Henriette gasps, crying and in pain. After their conversation about stealing Philippes glory and the fact that Louis never liked sharing. He took the bottle to drown his sorrows as it were, after he hit Claudine, feeling remorse, I would think. ), I think your recaps are wonderful and I enjoy reading them every bit as much as I do watching the programme! Ridicule. 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. (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. Nor can I hold her responsible for the fact that Louis uses her as a weapon against his brother. Protocol demands that he stays, Philippe says tightly. That doesnt mean a woman would feel affection for her abuser. We now join Rohan with the Dauphin, riding out with the Kings Guard. Ive addressed each of your points, but it has run very long and I dont know if it will post in the comments section or not. And who can blame her? Your closest confidants told you to look elsewhere! ? I realise a woman was expected to stay faithful to her husband even while it was acceptable for him to have mistresess (ha! 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. Maybe that is where she got the poison she used on Fabien? The Chevalier looks a little panicky or is it my imagination? We see a quick shot of Montcourts body being dumped from a cart into the muddy swampiness, to join other rotting, decaying bodies. Would you villify a slave because he hated his master or ran away simply because slavery was accepted at that time and slaves (much like women, little difference there) were considered nothing more than the property of their masters to do with as they please (again, just as a woman was to her husband)? 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). She gasps and the priest enters silently. She was 26. Another scene now, with Rohan getting ready for his ride, and a servant girl by the name of Marie entering, demanding her money. 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. Dear Anne, Im guessing I know a fair bit more about rape, the history of rape, the history of rape within marriage and womens rights (and lack thereof) than you realise. And here is where Im a bit uncertain, but didnt she make that remark after Philippe raped her? Colbert looks a bit stunned. When she travelled to England, she was excited at the prospect of seeing her brother, Charles, again. After Philippe shoots a couple rounds into the air he tells Louie, Brother we must go, the wolves will come back and there will be more. Did you have the same thought as I; that while in the moment the characters are talking about the actual wolves, the underlying message is about Louis and the traitors in his midst, starting with Moncourt. Last scene, with Louis silent and stoic, standing on a stone that overlooks a glorious view of the forest with Versailles in the distance. In Paris, says Colbert. Claudine then enters and grills Bontemps, the Queen and Philippe about the symptoms while Henriette gasps in pain on the bed. Seizing upon Henriettes dying reproach of Philippe, he asserted that she had been the victim of a plot orchestrated by Lorraine, who held Henriette responsible for his exile and sought revenge. 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. I just wanna smash his smug ferret face. Queen Marie-Thrse noted that everyone was talking about Henriettes death and the manner of it. The episode starts in Madame de Montespans bed, with Louis awake and staring at the ceiling. You, me, Henriette. PERFECT. Merci! Philippe and Henriette were forced into a marriage with someone they didnt love or care for. Do you even think hed allow her to end things? then goes into the bedchamber. Louis is a shit to Philippe. Henriette 12 episodes, 2015-2017 Anatole Taubman . We see Henriette asleep in the bed. After doing an excellent job negotiating an alliance with England against the Dutch (which was then promptly overturned), Henriette returns to Versailles just in time to be poisoned and die in blood-soaked agony. Only 4 of his children grew up, and even then, another died at 27.

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