Saint-Simon asserted that Louis was so thankful that his brother was innocent of the crime that he decided not to prosecute the perpetrators. I just discovered Versailles this week and watched it in quick succession!!! Duchess Henriette becomes suddenly ill when she returns from a visit to her brother in England. And I do not regret it for an instant. Like he is trying to justify himself. Ridicule. 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. Husbands have being raping their wives since time began from royalty down to peasants and it was classed as taking their marital rights . Sometimes, truth is stranger than fiction - and other times, period dramas take a little artistic license . 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. Just airing in the U.S. and Im having surgery Friday so I dont know if Ill catch it. Philippe and Henriette were forced into a marriage with someone they didnt love or care for. She allows grief but only briefly. So Louis settles into sleep. She is in such a tizzy that she barely gives her daughter, Sophie, the. At the time of his birth, his parents had been married for 23 years. She later dies in her bed. but it would cause her too much pain. The two are not mutally exclusive. 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? Louis approaches and she wakes. for all of these. 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. We now join Rohan with the Dauphin, riding out with the Kings Guard. And remember you can also start at the beginning and read my reviews of EpisodesOne, Two, Three, Four, Five, Six,Seven,Eight. You mentioned the Charles Beaubrun painting of Louis & Philippewell I was noticing how this stunning piece travels around the palace in season one. Then Philippe walks out, still dressed in his nightshirt and robe, barefoot. even if it turned out his brother was the poisoner. To bring them over to us. I have never posted a comment on your website before and this will be the first time that I have ever written a comment here. Yes, it was the thinking of that time but wouldnt that make her a victim of circumstances, rather to be pitied than villified? Now this is fascinating. She causes her father distress, embarasssment, hurt. Love your delicious commentary, brava! 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. And silently walks to the window. Well, my thought is Philippe angrily claiming his conjugal rights may well have happened before. Louvois and Marchal agree. 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. 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. A yellow Spanish topaz, buried in the mud. LOUIS. Close the doors! The Queen adds: we must put her in the bed. Louis nods; in she goes. Does she want to end things with Louis? Finally, did the male medicin drink the vial of poison accidentally or on purpose? These reactions perfectly suit and says a lot to their characters, plus George Blagden and Alex Vlahos as hugely talented actors. Then, as they both walk through the salon (Vaux de Vicomte again) and to the doors, the guards bar their way and Louis enters. And then down by the promontory. Is Philippe a victim? Marchal: The King once told me, he warned me quite clearly that his enemies would seek to destroy those closest to him. OMG he hits Marchal across the face with the candlestick, Louis lunges, Montcourt throws him off and the King smacks his head on a table. Point 6: Not her greatest moment, no. Is it fair? She is subject to the whims and wishes of her king and lover, of her husband and even of her husbands lover. All I could find were negative. Which one? Louis asks. The sad irony here is, I do think Louis cares very much for Philippe but he cannot let his armour of paranoia down enough to recognise Philippes loyalty and the fact that he can trust his brother. And she was having an affair with the Comte de Guiche. did the male medicin drink the vial of poison accidentally or on purpose? Director Daniel Roby Writers Simon Mirren David Wolstencroft Stars George Blagden Alexander Vlahos Tygh Runyan See production, box office & company info Neither of them showed much interest or affection for the other, both clearly preferring their lovers. *Deeeeeep breath* Okay. Hi Jules, I must thank you for your detailed writeup of all ten episodes of Versailles. This scene is barely seconds long, but oh, so telling as to her character. I think Teresa is being a bit naive re. And Philippe says calmly and quietly: There. fantastic bog! We see a quick shot of Montcourts body being dumped from a cart into the muddy swampiness, to join other rotting, decaying bodies. Back to Henriette, who is now laid out on a bed, hair done, powdered and dressed in her finest gown. I very much enjoyed reading them and especially liked your additional facts about the historical events and figures. Then Ep 8 miscarriage scene the painting is no longer on table. Louis has not (even though yeah, okay, protocol). YAAAAAY! Thank you so much for your in depth response to my question. Brilliant writing. Whew! Hes not gonna tell him of Rohan outright, is he? Points 1 and 2: We establish that both people are in love with someone else. And the only reason she is such a powerful weapon against Philippe is because Philippe views her as nothing more than his property to do with as he wishes. Louis reels off a list of people who were with Henriette on her journey, people that must be interrogated. He had mistresses, for example. 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). Thanks for reading! Nor can I hold her responsible for the fact that Louis uses her as a weapon against his brother. Henriette says to Philippe: Im sorry. Lulz. THIS. Le Roi Danse, which is all about the rise and fall of Lully, Louis XIVs court composer (French, but hard to find with English subtitles). We see this SO MANY TIMES it becomes frustrating and sad. To affect the hearts and minds of people. And then of course, Philippe rapes her (only the once? There was no indication of poisoning, so death was attributed to cholera morbus caused by corrupt and boiling bile, which had led to gangrene in the entrails and other parts of the lower abdomen. Oh, and was it common in this era to talk about new marriages literally 2 minutes after your wife/husband died? Henriette is Philippes wife, his property, his to do with as he wishes. 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. Thank you (and I agree with you on all pints!!! How can you be scared? (sweet Philippe!) 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! Then he says I pay you to spy on others, not on me. . She also miscarries a baby that was either her husband Philippe's or the King's, no one is sure. Louis adds, almost contemptuously: you never understood politics. In walks Philippe, now fully dressed (and what a fine figure he is!) And that is the problem you face, Montcourt. Earlier that day, a servant spotted one of Philippes mignons and Grand Equerry (Master of the Horse), the Marquis dEffiat, drink water stored in a cabinet near Henriettes chambers, wipe the glass, then go on his way. I choose to believe it was a mistake on the writers part and will simply fast forward over it when I rewatch. I love this show <3. *Another side-note: When the Chavelier mentions that Louis does not look for beauty so much as character, umwas he talking about Henriette? 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. But Marchal continues calmly. 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. 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. Charming. In reality it only took a very short time for the plan to take full effect. Henriette drew the worst cards of all four players in those stakes. And Louis weeps. But that was the thinking of the time. Once again, Louis behaviour, as reported here, is uncharacteristic. Point 7: Chevalier moves in on Henriette the moment her husbands back is turned. Hi, And, more importantly, Henriette NEVER RAPED Philippe. 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 if the poison spreads? I respect the fact that two people can look at the same thing and see it from completely different angles and come away with completely different interpretations. Dieu. I hope the surgery went well, Heather! Hi Jules and Aly, The Henriette thing is just one more on the heaping pile of shit. Bring the garden here, Louis commands * (YES I called this line too I am KING OF THE LAB! The camera hovers over the prone Henriette then pans up from the bed, like we are her soul being released from her body. Required fields are marked *. Heres a thought: what is your view to Claudine? In Versailles, Madame de Clermont is running round like a blue-arsed fly having discovered that her poison has gone missing. needless to say, all my writing is copyright to me, so don't be a dick and steal it. So how could you be scared? She gasps and the priest enters silently. But she is human and she can feel jealousy and make inappropriate remarks at inappropriate moments. Im thinking no. Seriously, he could have married her to any noble and they would have looked the other way at the cheating. Such emotion. 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). From the bed, Henriette says pitifully, Dont leave me and straight away, we know who that is aimed at. Youre brought up, its your duty. FOCUS. I just rot an extremely long omment There was an attempt on her life before. At least there is a modicum of decorum. What a total prick ). The midwife and doctor were horrified but there was nothing she could do!!! Louis paranoia about his little brother is completely unfounded. Not Marchal! Henriette has become seriously ill, it might be poison and she is the sister of the King of England. 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. I couldnt honestly say. yet so satisfying to watch because.. yeah. 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. Right. Dance. 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). Philippe had a relationship with the man he loved while Henriette continued to sleep with the man she loved. Marchal, his shirt now stained with his wound, stumbles into the antechamber, to Bontemps and says: Listen to me. 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. 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. She is later arrested as the poisoner as her son is released, but ridiculed from court. And Philippe is the one who looks tortured, he is the emotional one, while Louis remains stoic. I was more appalled at Louis seeming lack of concern for his brothers life. 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. According to the Savoyard ambassador, the king vowed that, if Henriette had indeed been poisoned, those involved would be tortured to death, including the chevalier de Lorraine, Philippes favourite, if he were implicated. Perfectly written line is delivered perfectly by perfect actor. Of his power, of his country. He expressed his doubts to the grief-stricken Charles II, who earnestly believed that his sister had been murdered. Similarly, perforation of the gall bladder may have led to an excess of bile leaking into the peritoneum causing the corruption and gangrene reported by her doctors. His contemplation is silent. Duchess Henriette becomes suddenly ill when she returns from a visit to her brother in England. The first time we see Philippe is with his lover. Why should we fault Henriette for not ending her incestuous relationship with her brother-in-law, the king, but Philippe can be forgiven for continuing his homosexual relationship with the Chevalier? 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. (yeah, I know I said I liked Marchal/Claudine, too! Louis looks mega pissed. And our enemies have stopped at nothing to destroy it. I cannot permit it, he says. They are singing. Minor detail maybe, but not sure if that doesnt change the meaning of the next bit somewhat? Hi Janet! Gaston de Foix was arrested and tortured as the potential poisoner by Fabien. Henriette gasps, crying and in pain. Poor Philippe is helpless do something, woman! She has to find the source, which means poking about on Henriettes body, causing agony with every poke. Keeps your brothers power in check and offers a direct connection to England. There is no change. Still wouldve loved to read your long comment was it complimentary? Henriette says a glorious death in battle would not displease him. Back with the sick princess and Claudine is fiddling with potions while Henriette writhes and vomits blood. And what better way to keep Louis safe than have his Head of Security plant one of his spies in his bed? Henriette wanted to go!). Louis summons the Dauphin to show him how to be a good king. Only Versailles is now about as sexy as Robot Wars. 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). And Louis coming out the good guy. I must be poisoned! so Philippe ordered her dog to be fed the water. 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). 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. Lets just say, Henriettes jealous behaviour is a far cry less despicable than Philippes.). Point 9: And again, who can blame her. Anyways, he says: we cannot be seen together anymore. First off let me say that I absolutely love your reviews of Versailles, Ms. Jules. Is it a bigger crime than boy love? I think Philippe will always blame Louis for Henriette's death, and I can't see when they'll ever be reconciled again. The door suddenly opens, Claudine walks sombrely in. Not long to go now, and we are with Marchal, who lies in bed, wakes suddenly and touches his stomach wound, which bleeds through the bandage. If she dies it might lead to accusations and risk any potential alliance with England. A begrudging father/daughter mentor role, and she eventually warms him up a bit? 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. And laudanum as a sedative was much used at the time. Hell, HIS WIFE is shagging his brother. Louis asks Henriette to spy on her husband and she does not refuse. It is Louis, and not Henriette, whom I see as the one who does the greatest harm to Philippe. 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. Louis stares out the window in the antechamber, servants bring in food, but Marchal suspects poisoning and sends it back until its safety can be confirmed. Colbert tries to push his point when Louis enters. The characters almost act as it never happened. Im going to be stalking these recaps in the arduous wait for season two. Incest or homosexuality? 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. 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. In one of the episodes did we see Clermont messing with the doctors box of bottles. Women are still being raped today in societies which condone such behaviour towards women and which deny women their personhood. Louis walks in and replies: because I ask him to do so. Ahhhhh-HA! The flowers theyre singing. and she is gone. Or survival. he starts to pace: here comes the lecture. But your first strike would have to be true. Her mother (a french princess) is dead, and shes alone, probably the only English in the palace. My heart breaks for him. Some were obviously written for massive impact. She is used by the king to hurt his brother. 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. Colbert: You believe her highness is poisoned? Marchal replies cryptically: I believe. 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. You said The opening episode of Versailles season two featured fortune tellers and laser beams. Does all this excuse Philippe raping Henriette? Shes genuinely quite sweet, but tenacious something Im sure our Head of Security will appreciate). I could never love you morewell. And Philippe replies gently: You did the best you could. Tears now from Henriette: how handsome you both are. And now we are in the last throes of her last moments it hurts and she cannot breathe, they move the pillow. The writers want us to think that evrry time they had kids, he had to rape her? Hi Theresa, and thanks for your comment. Ita all so quick, and beautifully choreographed. A European history-geek friend told me about this show yesterday, so I binge watched the entire series. 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? 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? In between re-watching S1, of course. 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 said everything that should have been pointed out a long time ago, with counterpoints and parallels that shone a light on some arguments and favoritism that , within the context of the show not history, were just mind boggling. Louis orders the Versailles garden to be brought into Henriette's deathbed scene. 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? Are you suggesting that she would have the power to deny the king even if she wanted to? When we are far away, we must make him believe we are near. She is currently working on a biography of Louis XIV. Thank you all! He should be he has not given up either of their names for the part they played in his arrest. Another suggestion is that she had porphyria, although she displayed none of its symptoms. Pale and in obvious distress, she was put to bed, but her pains were so severe that she believed she must have been poisoned and asked for an antidote. As Mme de Svign wrote: She was taken ill and died within eight hours, and we have lost with her all the joy, all the charm and all the pleasures of the Court. the first time we see Henriette is with Louis, and Louis mentions her husband. Philippes distress is written all over his face, while Louis just looks angry, eyes flinty, mouth flat, jaw clenched. Lord. Or twenty, I suppose. But to his brother? 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. Learn how your comment data is processed. (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. And it certainly wasnt the unwavering, steadfast, loyal or constant love that one would most want from a beloved one. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. I first read your reviews right after watching the entire series and then again after recently rewatching all 30 ep again. Anne, Hi Jules Something must be done! Louis demands and now NOW he is looking scared, helpless and not at all like the King. Do you believe these women feel less pain and violation because the behaviour is condoned by the society in which they live? What the king wants, the king gets. Slavery was also an accepted practice of the day. 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. Again, so so love your words. We are back at the sickbed, where Henriette sleeps and Montespan silently weeps at the bed. But that was the thinking of the time. she was the one who found it, actually. The only protection offered is by Louis. When we are the kings enemy, we must make him believe we are his friend. 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???) He is the villain if you are looking for one. and Nine. The writers of the show took quite creative liberty with the relationships some turned out to be clever and well-written, some I just eye rolled SO HARD. Even Louis at this stage is getting sick of it and announces he is going to war. Josephine Wilkinson is an academic and author. *That should have read historical figures not historical characters! Finally, the king weeps for his love, when he is alone. 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 cares for her, but anytime he has to choose between Chevalier and her, he always choose the former. [4] Bontemps moves her along. Who poisoned Henriette in Versailles? I am sobbing. And I see all the little things that Henriette says, her little gestures and actions that bring conflict and sadness to Philippe. Grrrr well Im not writing all that over again. And one day, brother, one day they will. Marchal commands to clear the room, Louis adds: Not you, Montcourt. and the doors are sealed: no one enters. I also saw the subtle ways in which Henriette (and Louis) talked about him, how they wished he was not there. What a great mix of observation and humor. ), I think your recaps are wonderful and I enjoy reading them every bit as much as I do watching the programme!

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