The Serpent Queen
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Im going to be honest, this episode was a real nadir of the series for me.
This one is not it, though.
The sheer NUMBER of times I went What!!
The incredibly gross behavior of the Guise mother!
But lets get into it.
Mistake number one: Henri goes to the front to fight against the Holy Roman Empire.
Well, he goes to strategize against the Holy Roman Empire, because Diane persuades him not to fight.
Thats right, Diane is there!
She convinces him she should go, which sounds very unlikely, but sure.
And you have to look at it so much here!
It is harsh, but I blame the wig.
I mean, also the direction, but definitely the wig has a big part to play.
In Catherines head, I imagine its veryJafar-at-the-end-of-Aladdin.
This is a workplace.
No one being the Bourbons and the Guises.
(Antoinettes weird incest vibe this episode is not it, by the way.
It feels unnecessary and I hate it.
Catherine has other ideas.
She calls a meeting of the Third Estate and nervously goes in to address them.
She is specifically cutting out the Guises and Bourbons from the process, which is a bold move.
The Bourbons say fuck.
Antoine is playing it for broad comedy, and I am here appreciating it.
They are basically the Laurel and Hardy of the 16th-century French court, as far as I am concerned.
Henri, meanwhile, has been in a war tent with Diane and Francois Guise.
A child brings Francois flowers!
Henri thinks theyre for him and it is very embarrassing!
Who else are you here to impress?
but asks him for another favor.
Its to speak to Roy!
Hes upset that the nobles take his shit from him.
Which is fair, I would also be upset about that.
This is the 16th century!
England has not evencut off its kings head yet!
The idea that someone would get in front of a monarch and say this.
and CUTS HIS THROAT IN FRONT OF EVERYONE, I said What?!?
And proceeded to be dumbfounded for a good few minutes.
This whole scene is like a fever dream.
I cant believe it happened.
And it did not, by the way!
This did not happen IRL.
Unless she did and it was covered up, but why, what was the bourgeoisie going to do?
Have some sort of revolution?
That doesnt sound like France.
In thanks for murdering a guy, Henri gives Diane the passed-around house of Chenonceau.
Catherine mutters Who will rid me of this woman?
which isa fun callbackto Henri II of England and Thomas Becket.
Then Catherine sends one of Marys ladies-in-waiting to Marys room.
And thats why you never do a favor for Catherine de Medici.
