(For the record, I am speaking strictly of the characters in this drama, not the historical characters). the first time we see Henriette is with Louis, and Louis mentions her husband. We are NOT touching her! Philippe finally says. They exchange silent looks for a moment, then Philippe says quietly, Do you remember our fort?. He cripples himself with his own paranoia. 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. Her husband is openly gay and has no problem flaunting it in the public. but the show never uses his name, referring to him only as his title of Chevalier, probably to avoid confusion . We are back at the sickbed, where Henriette sleeps and Montespan silently weeps at the bed. Therefore, my thoughts are strictly about the characters. Philippes distress is written all over his face, while Louis just looks angry, eyes flinty, mouth flat, jaw clenched. I just found out your site and I must congratulate you for your beautifully written reviews. Back outside, to a view of Versailles under construction (I love these pre-glory shots!) Philippe turns to the guards, stands patiently at the crossed pikes as Louis stares at his back. Pity that they made his character too emo, too frustrated and angry with the world, when he actually was full of joie de vivre, always smiling, always chattering, always ready to find the good in every person and every sistuation. Yes. NOOOOOOO. You couldnt guarantee any would survive. But for that one unforgivable act, I could have felt real sympathy for that walking, talking mess of dysfunction. No doubt those in Philippes camp played on that too, to taint Henriette even more (Guiche UGH. While your character and scene analyses tend to differ quite a bit from my own (perhaps because of that?? Some were obviously written for massive impact. 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. It is a controlled grief. 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! King Louis is in a bit of a pickle. : . I know this coming years later, but to Theresa THANK YOU SO MUCH. And the person either asserts himself or is subjugated to the will of others. Let me know when the doctor arrives, Louis says, and leaves. As she made her last confession, the English ambassador, Lord Montagu, asked Henriette if she believed she had been poisoned. You did this to her. Louis looks shocked: Brother. Philippe will have none of it: We warned you. Louis staggers to his feet, Montcourt bleeding out on the floor, and he goes to Marchal, who has collapsed near the fireplace. My sources tell me that sadly, we will have to wait until March 2017 (Yes, NEXT YEAR!!!) Affair of the Poisons | Versailles Wiki | Fandom The king himself suspected that Henrietta might have been poisoned and ordered an autopsy to be carried out. But lets compare: Henriette is jealous. You mentioned the Charles Beaubrun painting of Louis & Philippewell I was noticing how this stunning piece travels around the palace in season one. BRILLIANT acting. Just airing in the U.S. and Im having surgery Friday so I dont know if Ill catch it. Henriette. 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. It is Louis who victimises Philippe and he does it in every way he can think of. We see Louis take what is rightfully and lawfully his his wife. Romantic wouldnt work, but she could become a protge of his. Henriette of England | Versailles Wiki | Fandom Philippe strides in slow-mo through the corridors, arms swinging, hair bouncing, coat swaying and with a tight, determined expression on his face. Philippe is no more vulnerable to the hurt and damage done to him than she is to the hurt and damage done to her, simply because he is a man with rights and she is a woman with no rights. Is it a bigger crime than boy love? Nup. Bring the garden here, Louis commands * (YES I called this line too I am KING OF THE LAB! Henriette of England is poisoned during her trip back from England. Colbert and Louvois look considerably worried. My bed your last stop before retiring. Philippe weeps. Philippe had a relationship with the man he loved while Henriette continued to sleep with the man she loved. I am looking at her now. Versailles - Season 1 - IMDb I look forward to reading your reviews on the next series, when it comes out. many things. Louis looks at him as he goes on: I believe this palace is a symbol of our king. And it certainly wasnt the unwavering, steadfast, loyal or constant love that one would most want from a beloved one. Then the camera pans to the door and Philippe enters, says to him quietly, were leaving. In the end though, nobody was actually tortured or executed on charges of killing her. First off let me say that I absolutely love your reviews of Versailles, Ms. Jules. Although Lord Montagu accepted this, he had misgivings. And Montespan was married too, so in the eyes of the church that was double adultery. Two steps behind him, as protocol dictates, is the Chevalier. The French musical Le Roi Soleil is always great to watch. 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. Philippe was the one in strident dissent! Do you see them now? 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. I have known your website for some time now but hadnt had much time to write a post until now. Who's who in Versailles S1-3? A guide to the French court Another suggestion is that she had porphyria, although she displayed none of its symptoms. It is my experience that it is only those closest to a man that can inflict the greatest pain. I blame it all on Louis! And Philippe is the one who looks tortured, he is the emotional one, while Louis remains stoic. Thank you. The fact that she could feel anything at all for him (beyond disgust) by the end surprises me. The moment stretches and Claudine shakes her head: she will not survive the poison. We see a shot of Philippe and Louis: Philippe is stunned and mega sad. They take her hands. While it seems like shes being unfair to Philippe, he doesnt really put up an effort to make himself lovable most of the time. Philippe and Henriette are quite possibly the two people Louis loves most, and yet he uses and hurts them both repeatedly to get what he wants and because he is paranoid about his brother. Only 4 of his children grew up, and even then, another died at 27. 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. Which one? Louis asks. What to expect from the future? 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? I just binge-watched all 2 seasons and now painfully waits for each episode of Season 3 to come out. Louis XIV was born on 5 September 1638 in the Chteau de Saint-Germain-en-Laye, to Louis XIII and Anne of Austria. In summary, of the four people involved in this sad businessLouis, Philippe, the Chevalier and HenrietteHenriette is the most powerless, the one with the least choice in anything. Montcourt is stabbed by Louis XIV while facing off with him and Fabien Marchal. Here it is, mes amis! Season 1 | Season 2 Getting Started | Contributor Zone Contribute to This Page Add episode First to Henriette, and after she was poisoned, to Elizabeth Charlotte, Princess of the Palatinate. How can people not see Rohans calculating glances, his sly little looks? 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. Finally, did the male medicin drink the vial of poison accidentally or on purpose? In one of the episodes did we see Clermont messing with the doctors box of bottles.. Louis just nods, gives Philippe a look (who is standing near the doors, looking so alone and sad, I just wanna hug him!) I like the show, the actors and the plot. 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. And she was having an affair with the Comte de Guiche. Is he justified in knocking her across the room? 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. 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. Henriette and Philippe | Versailles Wiki | Fandom did the male medicin drink the vial of poison accidentally or on purpose? Desire for glory. but it would cause her too much pain. It was really interesting reading both of your viewpoints. 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. You said Henriette mentions the issues she has with the Chevalier. Who was that mysterious man in the mask of Apollo who dan. Charming. 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. 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). There is your music.. Mike did. Versailles recap: episode nine - off avec their ttes! Marchal is still ordering: Get his Majesty to safety, at once! His guards rush in to remove him, they scuffle and Louis yells: get your hands off me! (Same with the Chevalier and his jealousy of Philippes wives. The two are not mutally exclusive. 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. This girl is familiar she was at Henriettes bedside as the princess related the story of her first masked ball to Sophie. In perfect sync. No one leaves. 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). Then Ep 8 miscarriage scene the painting is no longer on table. If Id been in her shoes, I think Id have given a flat affirmative. Then he says I pay you to spy on others, not on me. . ? Is anyone else hoping Fabien takes her under his wing? UGH, Henriette. 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. Fashion. I was highly frustrated with the artistic liberties the authors took, and some just pretty much made up shit, totally contrary to history . A hundred years ago. I am really liking Sophies growth as a character, who is, of course, beautiful, but with attitude and a strong backbone, as we are now seeing. Finally, the king weeps for his love, when he is alone. Louis replies how else was I to keep you close. Louis turns in slow-mo, the expression on his face revealing nothing. 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. Another grabs him, covers his mouth, and more appear to shoot a guard. And she did it willingly. Philippe: Because you told her to. Louis: Because she was born to it. Philippe: Because she loves you. Louis: if we do not have the English, we cannot attack the Dutch. The look on Philippes face is incredulous yes, Louis is talking war when his wife lies dying. Versailles recap: episode eight - from la petite mort to une grande When Marchal goes down and Montcourt takes the knife, Louis lunges, some more fighting with Marchal again entering the fray.. and then OMG Marchal is stabbed!!! Louis summons the Dauphin to show him how to be a good king. Dance. The rape scene was repugnant and Phillipes actions were out of character with the Phillipe we saw in the rest of the season. Apparently de Clermont gave Marchal the names of the conspirators against the king, and all the names of those who shared her allegiance. A yellow Spanish topaz, buried in the mud. But that was the thinking of the time. Only a year or so to go until a new season arrived on fledgling network Ovation, its U.S. cable home. His grip tightens on the poker, even as Montcourt looks actually shocked at that accusation. He genuinely believes Philppe is a potential threat. Societal expectations do not alter basic human reality. hes a critic, but there is another who has been hidden before us. Hes not gonna tell him of Rohan outright, is he? Philippe raping his wife. Admittedly, its in the middle of a shag, when she is distracted, but still. Either way, she's dead now. I am tired of waiting for you to keep it, says the Queen casually as she gets into bed with Louis then settles down. How accurate is Netflix Versailles? Inside Versailles Henriette Sister of King Charles II of England, Henriette - known as Madame - is the wife of Philippe and the mistress of King Louis. Okay, is Louvois just being a dick? I have heard many say they see angels before they die. (Ahhh! What the king wants, the king gets. Rohan slits the other guards throat, watches from a distance as the young prince has a sack put over his head then bundled off. Montcourt pauses its clear he recognises Rohans voice. Louis decides to go to Paris to bless the sick. Is he for or against le roi? 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. Hi, It is so interesting to watch, given a discussion I had on Twitter earlier with some fellow fans. I came across your reviews and I read each one after viewing an episode. Totally inappropriate time to mention it. I wonder what theyve got in store for us. He tucks Louis in then gets into his small cot (that looks like a camping bed), fully clothed. In this respect, they are both on fairly equal footing. But his family and France are divided. He was distraught when she died, and was fully intent on punishing those responsible (as poison was indeed thought to have killed her). Who seeks to harm Henriette? 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. Everyone shares a look because, yeah, they know. And it is on. UHGGH. Yep. The mortality rate was very high, thats why people had so many children so often. My biggest problem with Henriette/Louis is that I find it highly doubtful that Louis would have sex with her. What if the poison spreads? Lets just say, Henriettes jealous behaviour is a far cry less despicable than Philippes.). And Louis coming out the good guy. UGH D: Hi Jules, I have thoroughly enjoyed reading your reviews as much as I have enjoyed watching Versailles. Get him out! Henriette cries. And laudanum as a sedative was much used at the time. Henriette screams and they both surge to the door then suddenly stop. Duchess Henriette becomes suddenly ill when she returns from a visit to her brother in England. Yet you heard nothing. Louis persists. Though it was true that he was saddened by Henriettes death, I dont felt that he was actually that hell bent on punishing those who were or at least believed to be responsible for her death, due to the lack of evidence among other factors. Philippe of course blames Louis for Henriette's poisoning as he was the one who sent Henriette as an ambassador abroad even though everyone begged him not to. Still, Louis suspicions had been aroused and he ordered an autopsy, which was performed by French doctors and witnessed by others sent from England. She brought honour on herself and glory to our court. Louis meanwhile, is disorientated (and by this time I am wondering where the guards are with all this noise, despite Marchal telling them not to disturb them). SYNC. Does she want to end things with Louis? Snake! Point 6: Not her greatest moment, no. No. She could have answered with an honest yes but she evades the question. 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). 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. Montcourt tried to tell me the same. Henrietta of England - Wikipedia Philippe had stillborn twins and a daughter, a son who died at 2 and one at 4, plus two miscarriages. 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? Also it will set Louis in a collision with Phillipe who did not want his wife to go to England for the negotiations. You clever, clever bastard. his majesty knew this day would come. forgot to add the bit about similar shows. 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. I find it interesting that Louis feels the need to add: she came to find me, to put the doubt on Montespans face to rest. *The only voice, your own. I will come, says Philippe. I will speak to whomever I like. Louvois: I know this is true. 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. Check back soon for my overview and wrap up of the entire season. 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. UGH. What shall I do! Im thinking no. There was an attempt on her life before. And to Ainee for perspective. But that was the thinking of the time. However, the bible does say something about a man being expected to marry his brothers widow. 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. How can you be scared? (sweet Philippe!) But gossip is gossip and it was particularly rife and vicious in those days. She rises and silently leaves, then more people walk in to pay their respects the Chevalier included. Women are still being raped today in societies which condone such behaviour towards women and which deny women their personhood. Henriette says to Philippe: Im sorry. Bontemps: For you, Sire. Shine on Bontemps, you unsubtle diamond, you. The Angelique series of movies from the 60s are highly camp, and put Philippe in a terrible light, but they are funny. needless to say, all my writing is copyright to me, so don't be a dick and steal it. Spooks), it was no surprise when this drama arrived with a hearty dollop of sex, violence, tension, and intrigue. Last scene, with Louis silent and stoic, standing on a stone that overlooks a glorious view of the forest with Versailles in the distance. Louis adds, almost contemptuously: you never understood politics. The two Ms still fight, and Louis approaches, holding the poker. The Dauphin hides stealthy behind a tree, looking for Rohan. Cue some fabulous visuals of doors closing, pikes crossing, the golden gates slamming shut and locking. 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. The three remaining lived to be 59, 49 and 68. I love these seemingly random yet distinct choices made by directors and production designers. 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. Pretty sure he was not the one who did the poisoning thing. In every possible way. .. now, I am not saying that Colbert is implying Philippe poisoned his wife, but it sure sounds like it. Claudine confirms: We have no choice. The state is a person. They grew up knowing what their duty was as prince and princess. And stunned when Louis says shes in his bedchamber. 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. Enriched my enjoyment of the show, and got a bit more educated on the courts history as well . As to fiction I found the ones I did read ended up thrown against the wall. The midwife and doctor were horrified but there was nothing she could do!!! #JesusTakeTheWheel What a scene. Thanks for reading! I know times and attitudes were different then, but a person violated still feels violated, whether they are allowed to acknowledge it or not. Point 10: The abnoxious snog in front of Henriette. Guilt often manifests itself in an outward show of rage. And then down by the promontory. Sometimes, truth is stranger than fiction - and other times, period dramas take a little artistic license . Yes, it was common to talk about marriage that soon! 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. 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. So to me, this indicates hes still quite scared. Still wouldve loved to read your long comment was it complimentary? And then of course, Philippe rapes her (only the once? Back with Marchal, interrogating Louvois this time.