Are there more shows you will review? Director Daniel Roby Writers Simon Mirren David Wolstencroft Stars George Blagden Alexander Vlahos Tygh Runyan See production, box office & company info King Louis is in a bit of a pickle. Lulz. You clever, clever bastard. There are a few movies I enjoy that are fairly accurate. ), Back to Louis outside his bed chamber, where Henriettes screams of pain can be heard. Because no one knows that Cassel is one of the conspirators (and UGH I dont know WHY the Chevalier just didnt tell Marchal or Louis???) Back to Henriette, who is now laid out on a bed, hair done, powdered and dressed in her finest gown. 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. Philippe adds: .or two, perhaps. And he strides off. In any case, Philippe is Louis victim but definitely NOT Henriettes. 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. Now we are with Marchal, who is interrogating Henriettes ladies, Sophie included. 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. They take her hands. That was your promise to me. The next shot is of Montespan, entering her rooms, where she briefly cries then quickly gains control with a deep breath. It is always Louis for her. The characters almost act as it never happened. I neglected to include the phrase in my opinion. The Chevalier looks a little panicky or is it my imagination? Close the doors! The Queen adds: we must put her in the bed. Louis nods; in she goes. However there is a new addition, a large portrait of Louis now hanging on wall near the door (replacing a previous smaller ND painting of flowers). Yep. You died of a cold, or a simple infection or someone sneezing on you. Revealing nothing. The two are not mutally exclusive. 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)? A subtle yet interesting choice made by production to change the portraits in Henriettes chambers. THIS. Duchess Henriette becomes suddenly ill when she returns from a visit to her brother in England. Ugh. Philippe and Henriette were forced into a marriage with someone they didnt love or care for. They had children. Coming from the quills of noted showrunners David Wolstencroft and Simon Mirren, both known for gripping series with a conspiratorial bent (i.e. 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. Totally inappropriate time to mention it. 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). I love it). That doesnt mean a woman would feel affection for her abuser. Louis orders the Versailles garden to be brought into Henriette's deathbed scene. 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. Louis is calm but angry: then you set yourself against me. Philippe pauses, looks incredibly sad for a moment, then briefly nods. Something must be done! Louis demands and now NOW he is looking scared, helpless and not at all like the King. We see his offer to help refused time and time again. In between re-watching S1, of course. Brilliant writing. Montcourt tried to tell me the same. Claudine confirms poison and Louis huddles with his advisors: he wants to know if any English are at court. Your email address will not be published. But Marchal continues calmly. She also miscarries a baby that was either her husband Philippe's or the King's, no one is sure. but the show never uses his name, referring to him only as his title of Chevalier, probably to avoid confusion . 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. Henriette. Ive found some interesting, unedited sources about him and I hope to write very soon a book to make some justice to this very, very mistreated character. Is there anything more beautiful than the scent of blossom in the air? Henriette gets out softly. Both of them were in love with other people when they were forced to marry and they both were aware of that. UGH D: Hi Jules, I have thoroughly enjoyed reading your reviews as much as I have enjoyed watching Versailles. And Montespan was married too, so in the eyes of the church that was double adultery. I really enjoy your reviews. Aaaaaand now. The death of someone so young was often attributed to poison. He expressed his doubts to the grief-stricken Charles II, who earnestly believed that his sister had been murdered. Merci! I wonder what theyve got in store for us. How can people not see Rohans calculating glances, his sly little looks? Rohan. Bontemps is still confused: you told us Montcourt was to blame. How can he be so sure? 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. Season Two Mike and the last of Rohans men are massacred in a last stand by the musketeers, led by Fabien Marchal. And Louis coming out the good guy. I certainly cant say for certain what the writers intent was with that scene, but in this writers opinion it is multilayered a) to show Philippes slow growing resentment towards his brother: he says I want a boy, just like my brother. Having spent the first episode ripping their kit off at any opportunity, the court of Versailles has taken an oath of chastity. He is the villain if you are looking for one. : . Philippe, despite their mutual loathing, was upset and distraught, so suspicion then fell to the absent Chevalier de Lorraine, who at the time was still in exile in Rome. Guilt often manifests itself in an outward show of rage. Claudine and Philippe converse, with Claudine saying she feels they are not through the worst. 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. Cassel passes him and bows. Lot of time on my hands at the momentLULZ. Heres a thought: what is your view to Claudine? He certainly is darker, more angry and violent than he was in real life. Societal expectations do not alter basic human reality. He gives as good as he gets and so much worse. 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. Not so much. 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. But his family and France are divided. Aaaaaand there we have the end of the episode and the end of Season One. 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. 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. People lived for it, and reputations and lives could be ruined with one well-placed rumour. Also it will set Louis in a collision with Phillipe who did not want his wife to go to England for the negotiations. My loyalty still lays with Philippe as her husband, he has a right to lay claim to his wife. Then he calls for the Guards. When we are the kings enemy, we must make him believe we are his friend. It is featured in several shots when Louis & Philippe are arguing and she reveals shes preggers as well as when Louis comes to confront her about not wishing to live with the doubt about the child. Is he justified in knocking her across the room? Eg; Louis shuts him (from preventing Henrietta to go to England) up by releasing Chevalier. Okay, is Louvois just being a dick? However, the court (and her brother, Charles II) was told she died of natural causes so he could hardly behead anyone for murder after that. What to expect from the future? Henriette, however, happens to be in love with the king and, more importantly, it seems he with her. A fabulous shot of Versailles under construction and we are back inside, in Louis' chambers conducting business. My loyalty still lays with Philippe as her husband, he has a right to lay claim to his wife. Henriette, Duchesse dOrlans, 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, however, was never robust and often experienced such terrible pains in her side that she would lie on the floor to find respite. AAAAAAHHH. Henriette gasps, crying and in pain. Louis is a shit to Philippe. Excellent. Versailles 2015 - S01E10 - Bring the Garden Here (High MP4) (WEBM) (Aired: 14 Dec. 2015) Duchess Henriette becomes suddenly ill when she returns from a visit to her brother in England. And silently walks to the window. 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. You see it in Ep3 where he yells where is MY wife? You see it in Ep2 with his angry speech to Louis: do you tell yourself that when you are fucking MY WIFE? In so many subtle ways Philippe is being demeaned by Louis. Husbands have being raping their wives since time began from royalty down to peasants and it was classed as taking their marital rights . Seems likely in the show (historically, this is not so the case at all). And we came here for a visit. Thank you, Amy! <3 <3 I love the outfit on the fashion doll that we see when Philippe and Lorraine flounce into the salon full of cloth and trinkets, and later we see that same coat on Philippe as they stroll the gardens :), Your email address will not be published. Marchal is cool: I am not here to answer you. Sophie is equally cool: Then neither am I. He suggests she reconsider, that she has her life to lose if she doesnt. Quite a few. To affect the hearts and minds of people. 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. I cannot even imagine his reasoning for this, however I do know historically, Henriette desperately did want to be Queen of France, as did her mother want it, but at the time, she didnt have the pedigree, being the sister to Englands heir who wasnt even on the throne at the time. LOUIS. b) To show a glimpse of vulnerability for Henriette because for all her power, she is still the property of her husband and can be treated as such. Arguably, as a man, it was within Philippes power to end his relationship easily enough whereas Henriette, a woman, would very possibly not have had that same power. No doubt those in Philippes camp played on that too, to taint Henriette even more (Guiche UGH. Hi, As to fiction I found the ones I did read ended up thrown against the wall. First off, let me preface my response with the qualifier that I know very little about the historical figures on which these characters are based. Toodles. When we are near, we must make the enemy believe we are far away. But she is human and she can feel jealousy and make inappropriate remarks at inappropriate moments. While making this video i was inspired by the scene when Henriette talks about her first mask ball. 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. Or twenty, I suppose. But I still dont get why he doesnt just dob them both in.? 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. Why is this so? Henriette wanted to go!). First of all, ladies, stop spewing vitriol. again, another shagging time between Henriette and Louis, when Louis friends have been murdered and she mentions the fact she was jealous of the dead woman. I choose to believe it was a mistake on the writers part and will simply fast forward over it when I rewatch. This really shows he is vulnerable. ), I think your recaps are wonderful and I enjoy reading them every bit as much as I do watching the programme! The Angelique series of movies from the 60s are highly camp, and put Philippe in a terrible light, but they are funny. And in the context of the show, I did find it a nice touch, the apology to him. Pot, meet kettle. Admittedly, its in the middle of a shag, when she is distracted, but still. Claudine then enters and grills Bontemps, the Queen and Philippe about the symptoms while Henriette gasps in pain on the bed. Henriette screams and they both surge to the door then suddenly stop. The Mysterious Death of Henriette, Duchesse dOrlans, Toad Testicles, Foul-Beard and Broad-Arse. Henriettes liver and intestines were found to be badly corrupted, while her duodenum, gall bladder and the lower portion of her abdomen were filled with evil-smelling bile. While it seems like shes being unfair to Philippe, he doesnt really put up an effort to make himself lovable most of the time. And yes, the Chevalier does live to quite a ripe old age . We now join Rohan with the Dauphin, riding out with the Kings Guard. Louis finally nods to the guards, the pikes are uncrossed and Philippe takes a breath and walks out without a backwards glance.The Chevalier gives him a few feet head start, then strolls after him, hands behind his back, not looking at Louis, not bowing. First off let me say that I absolutely love your reviews of Versailles, Ms. Jules. Unfortunately, Louis paranoia and selfishness blind him to this. 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). Which one? Louis asks. 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. They fear she might have been poisoned, so King Louis XIV shuts all access To Versailles. But not at the hands of Henriette, who really had little power in the situation. 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. While your character and scene analyses tend to differ quite a bit from my own (perhaps because of that?? 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. Another possibility is that Henriette suffered from anorexia nervosa, which is often characterised by increasing frailty and hyperactivity; the summer of 1670 had been particularly hot and Henriette would swim in the river; unable to sleep, she walked in the gardens at night. The Kings son. Rohan is the Masked Man! Yes, absolutely. And in 1671 during Louis three day visit to the Prince de Conds Chteau de Chantilly, the Master of Festivities and Pleasures Franois Vatel killed himself over the late delivery of fish, and Louis was quickly hustled away (as shown in the wonderful 2000 Gerard Depardieu movie, Vatel)), So we see Claudine striding to the bedchamber but her way is barred. 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? 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. Anyhow, just wanted to say And for those who love her. Philippe replies ominously: we are all of us in sickness here. And Louis, who is being so totally duped, is convinced by Rohan to take his son, the Dauphin, out to ride, so he is far away from the cries of pain. Its my weekly sin, I confess, Im too addicted to this period to miss it. It is one or the other. Philippe replies calmly: You acted out of pride. Copyright 2023 History Today Ltd. Company no. Rohan slits the other guards throat, watches from a distance as the young prince has a sack put over his head then bundled off. (Historical note: it was forbidden for the King to be in the presence of death. She finally asks. Jules! 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. Lets just say, Henriettes jealous behaviour is a far cry less despicable than Philippes.). Also, Louiss eyes are wet earlier than you recount, namely in the first shot after she says can you hear the flowers? They walk into a salon, where Montcourt is playing cards, and everyone suddenly stops talking when Marchal meets the mans eye. Moreover, we cant fault her anymore for continuing her relationship with Louis (as if she would have had the power to end it anyway) than we can Philippe for continuing his with the Chevalier. Rohan grabs her by the throat, saying it is not yet clear to him what she has done to earn her money, then demands she clean his room before leaving. Louis. So he tells Louis he will now deliver the man responsible for their deaths. 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!. Sometimes, truth is stranger than fiction - and other times, period dramas take a little artistic license . Hes not gonna tell him of Rohan outright, is he? My bed your last stop before retiring. Thank you all! And even if not, we see what Philippe is capable of when hes in a jealous snit. They exchange silent looks for a moment, then Philippe says quietly, Do you remember our fort?. Her father was King Charles I of England, her mother the youngest daughter of Henry IV of France and Marie de' Medici. 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 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. Like only a brother can. Philippelooks into the fire, whispers, I was so proud of you. Only 4 of his children grew up, and even then, another died at 27. 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. She could not affect change herself. Her cheeriness disguised the fact that she was unwell. Historically, poison was definitely suspected in Henriette's death and briefly, here's how it went down: It was 1670 and Henriette was pissed off she couldn't be with Louis at Versailles, and of course Monsieur knew this, so he ordered her to accompany him to Saint Cloud. He was distraught when she died, and was fully intent on punishing those responsible (as poison was indeed thought to have killed her). He remembers too. Henriette answered Montagu with a shrug: she did not know. Once again, Louis behaviour, as reported here, is uncharacteristic. (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. You! He points and accusing finger. Then he says I pay you to spy on others, not on me. . Kill him, then me, and blame it on him. The three remaining lived to be 59, 49 and 68. FOCUS. But of course, she has no power to rid herself of him, so his death would be her only chance. You dont get to my age and experience with your naivete still intact. Its emotionless. Is he justified in his behaviour towards her? Required fields are marked *. In walks Philippe, now fully dressed (and what a fine figure he is!) Should Claudine be villified for showing up her father? But Louis, he just wanted her close, and so married her to his brother. Well, my thought is Philippe angrily claiming his conjugal rights may well have happened before. The flowers theyre singing. and she is gone. He sees Louis. Bring the garden here, Louis commands * (YES I called this line too I am KING OF THE LAB! I think Teresa is being a bit naive re. And even after watching both seasons 1 and 2 of Versailles, I wouldnt say that he loved her a lot but on the show it was to a certain degree. There is no change. UGH, technology! but it is later, after they already speak with the guards in the background. Her mother (a french princess) is dead, and shes alone, probably the only English in the palace. 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 now see Philippe asleep. 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. How can you be scared? (sweet Philippe!) I very much enjoyed reading them and especially liked your additional facts about the historical events and figures. You have never been a man whos true. Philippe had stillborn twins and a daughter, a son who died at 2 and one at 4, plus two miscarriages. I was highly frustrated with the artistic liberties the authors took, and some just pretty much made up shit, totally contrary to history . Is anyone else hoping Fabien takes her under his wing? We see him silent and sombre, a blank expression on his face. It is only since the end of the 20th centuary up to present day that wives can now shout rape, I know of a woman in the 60s that had a baby and had to be stitched, her husband cut her stitches out and raped her. She has no one to keep him at bay but the king, if he chooses. Yes, of course its common knowledge that Louis is shagging Henriette. 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. 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. Only a year or so to go until a new season arrived on fledgling network Ovation, its U.S. cable home. More of an extreme sadness at his wifes pain. IDK??? Anne. Another scene now, with Rohan getting ready for his ride, and a servant girl by the name of Marie entering, demanding her money. Then she says: can you feel my skin? And reaches out first to Louis, then Philippe. Josephine Wilkinson is an academic and author. Dance. We learn that she has loved Louis since they were children. Henriettes physicians diagnosed colic and assured her that she would soon recover, but it was clear that she was dying. Monsieur de Reynaud is poisoned by an unknown entity. 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. My biggest problem with Henriette/Louis is that I find it highly doubtful that Louis would have sex with her. Henriette is just one more thing Louis takes from Philippe. 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. I am a friend. Louis adds, almost contemptuously: you never understood politics. 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? she was the one who found it, actually. 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. Now this is fascinating. Montcourt declares he only knew her in passing, Marchal calls out his bullshit: but you knew she had malevolent intent. To which Montcourt sarcastically replies: it may have escaped your notice but everyone in this building has malevolent intent. He rolls in bed, his cheek on a bloodied pillow, and suddenly wakes, realises what it is and follows the trail to Louis bedchamber. This is Louis in control, in power, and he delivers a malevolent, threatening banter that is fabulous to see. 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. Nor can I hold her responsible for the fact that Louis uses her as a weapon against his brother. Panoramica: After crushing the Protestants and thwarted Leto, Louis feels invincible. Thanks for the correction I listened to that audio over and over but couldnt quite get the last word! 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. Im merely suggesting you might save some time. Marchal persists, pointing out that Louvois always disagrees frequently and loudly with the Kings decisions. It was quite the method du jour to get rid of a person, as the series has shown. Montcourt to Marchal: You are a fool. Louis replies: And you are a MURDERER! Montcourt continues with the wrong man thing, but Louis will have none of it. 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.