All I could find were negative. This doesnt do good for her position, unloved by her husband and no one would stand at her side, should French and English go to war. Is that understood? and pushes past them. 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. That was your promise to me. 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. He was shut out of his mothers (Anne of Austria) last moments, while Philippe was in attendance, where, despite her appalling treatment of her second son, he openly wept and grieved. Yes, she says and does little things that hurt Philippe, but he does the same and muchoh so much!worse to her. Montcourt tried to tell me the same. (Same with the Chevalier and his jealousy of Philippes wives. But not at the hands of Henriette, who really had little power in the situation. He is the villain if you are looking for one. Hi Jules, I must thank you for your detailed writeup of all ten episodes of Versailles. Aaaaaand there we have the end of the episode and the end of Season One. Pretty sure he was not the one who did the poisoning thing. Back with the sick princess and Claudine is fiddling with potions while Henriette writhes and vomits blood. What a pain! By this stage both Henriette and Marie Thrse of Spain now knew what it felt like to be jilted and cast aside in your loved ones affections by another attractive court lady. A rant about the UK press and their Versailles reviews. 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. The fact that she could feel anything at all for him (beyond disgust) by the end surprises me. Another suggestion is that she had porphyria, although she displayed none of its symptoms. Point 4: This point actually supports my own. Get Marchal pissed at you. We were taking the air with our governess when we made a break for freedom. Id be happy with either, tbh! Now, seeing as sister-in-law wasnt even a thing then, this would be like actually shagging your sister. I dont know how others look at Henriettas character, but to me, shes just trying to survive and continue loving the man she loves, which is Louis. Now, if she had been his second cousin, and never saw each other until she married his brother, then I can maybe see them having an affair. Only a year or so to go until a new season arrived on fledgling network Ovation, its U.S. cable home. Bontemps: For you, Sire. Shine on Bontemps, you unsubtle diamond, you. Philippes distress is written all over his face, while Louis just looks angry, eyes flinty, mouth flat, jaw clenched. 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. 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. 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. 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. Then, as they both walk through the salon (Vaux de Vicomte again) and to the doors, the guards bar their way and Louis enters. Princess Henriette 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 (1613-1700), who had recently returned to the Royalist side. (Historical note: this happened and wasnt at all odd) The door suddenly opens, the Queenis standing there. 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. I think we see fairly good evidence in episode 7 that not only does Philippe support his brother, but that he is honestly frightened of the idea of running the country and has no desire to take his brothers place (his anger at being overlooked for the regency is more due to his hurt that no one supports him or takes him seriouslyhis experience all his life). But I said lets make it our fort. For once in your life you played along. Louis is a shit to Philippe. We see about ten hooded figures, along with the Unmasked Man whom Rohan freed from jail. 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. Ill tell you, though, that, like you, I totally adore Philippe in this series, the actor is great and some King/brother interaction is well done. 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. Right away, I am feeling negative towards them both, and yes, judgey about Henriette. Claudine doesnt know how long Henriette has left, but it is her wish to see you both. Also, Henriette has asked to be carried to the garden so that she might be surrounded by her favourite flowers. (Philippes gentle smile is so bittersweet here!) Not so much. Montcourt 10 episodes, 2015 Gilly Gilchrist . In any case, Philippe is Louis victim but definitely NOT Henriettes. Revealing nothing. Trusting Philippe and involving him in the running of France would make him a better, stronger king. I realise a woman was expected to stay faithful to her husband even while it was acceptable for him to have mistresess (ha! Colbert tries to push his point when Louis enters. 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. Right. Philippe has been by her side throughout this. 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. And, more importantly, Henriette NEVER RAPED Philippe. Maybe that is where she got the poison she used on Fabien?, de Clermont went to a brothel to obtain poison and the love potion Lauren (Marchals henchwoman) tells him thats what she observed. 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. I just discovered Versailles this week and watched it in quick succession!!! Desire for glory. I can see where the series cliffhanger is heading, besides the obvious unmasking of Rohan as a traitor. Even if I ignore the historical figures behind the show and what I know of their real lives, I cant ignore the historical setting or the social arena in which the show is played. I have heard many say they see angels before they die. (Ahhh! The Chevalier is still silent, still focused on Henriette. They have some banter, and Rohan invites the boy to play a game A game of war? The Dauphin says excitedly. She doesnt want to speak of him. P.S. And for those who love her. Philippe replies ominously: we are all of us in sickness here. Colbert: You believe her highness is poisoned? Marchal replies cryptically: I believe. When we are near, we must make the enemy believe we are far away. You did this to her. Louis looks shocked: Brother. Philippe will have none of it: We warned you. Josephine Wilkinson is an academic and author. Merci! Lot of time on my hands at the momentLULZ. Nothing. <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. There is your music.. Such emotion. Bring the garden here, Louis commands * (YES I called this line too I am KING OF THE LAB! Henriette, however, happens to be in love with the king and, more importantly, it seems he with her. Duchess Henriette becomes suddenly ill when she returns from a visit to her brother in England. So Louis settles into sleep. And Louis weeps. Do you believe these women feel less pain and violation because the behaviour is condoned by the society in which they live? 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. He was named Louis Dieudonn (Louis the God-given) and bore the traditional title of French heirs apparent: Dauphin . the kiss between the Chevalier and Philippe happens after the war, after Philippe has seen Louis bring Henriette to the front. Anne. I also read your discussion between yourself and Teresa about episode 10. Menu. Just airing in the U.S. and Im having surgery Friday so I dont know if Ill catch it. Louis replies how else was I to keep you close. I was highly frustrated with the artistic liberties the authors took, and some just pretty much made up shit, totally contrary to history . She puts her foot in her mouth. Anyhow, just wanted to say They could not be more different in this moment. Charming. Does she want to end things with Louis? 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. Her mother (a french princess) is dead, and shes alone, probably the only English in the palace. Such was the hygiene of 17th century France. Im no Henriette fan, but Im so sorry, no, Philippe did not win the victim sweepstakes in that marriage. It was total and raw and real and I wept long and bitter tears for him. Bontemps moves her along. My sources tell me that sadly, we will have to wait until March 2017 (Yes, NEXT YEAR!!!) The camera pans up to show the Queen on her knees in prayer, then a select few further back (I see Colbert, Louvois, Montespan, Sophie, Cassel). plus its almost as if he has something to say, to hide. 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. God knows the wolves might have taken us but what did we know? Finally, did the male medicin drink the vial of poison accidentally or on purpose? Both of them were in love with other people when they were forced to marry and they both were aware of that. Versailles - Stagione 3 Episodio 10. 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. Gaston de Foix was arrested and tortured as the potential poisoner by Fabien. However, lets assume they are both equally dire sins. Do you even think hed allow her to end things? *Disclaimer* I do not own any of the audio or footage included in this. A subtle yet interesting choice made by production to change the portraits in Henriettes chambers. 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. She is used by the king to hurt his brother. Rohan took him riding. Then he screams out: CALL THE GUARD!. Then she says: can you feel my skin? And reaches out first to Louis, then Philippe. Copyright 2023 History Today Ltd. Company no. Claudine Masson Fabien Marchal Henriette of England Henriette and Montespan Fabien and Sophie Isabella Braganza Claudine and Fabien Marie-Thrse and Montespan Versailles (series) Sophie de Clermont Philippe of France Henriette and Louis Philippe and Liselotte's Wedding Chevalier and Henriette Categories You really point out a lot of details one might miss when watching the episodes for the first time. Grrrr well Im not writing all that over again. It happened so fast, but did Fabien Marshal shoot Charlotte Parthanay, and if so, why? In between re-watching S1, of course. but afte I cliked submit my comment didnt appear. Exactly. 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? Montcourt denies it: No, Sire. I blame it all on Louis! The camera pans up and it is a truly magnificent sight, flowers everywhere. My loyalty still lays with Philippe as her husband, he has a right to lay claim to his wife. They are singing. Minor detail maybe, but not sure if that doesnt change the meaning of the next bit somewhat? And in the context of the show, I did find it a nice touch, the apology to him. His belief was shared by Elizabeth-Charlotte, Philippes second wife, who named the culprits as Lorraine and the Marquis dEffiat, an equerry, who had acted without Philippes knowledge. 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. Despite being a dab hand at treating people who have been poisoned, the doc announces that she . What if the poison spreads? I think he also wants reassurance that Louis cares for him as much as he cares for Louis. Thanks for reading! This is who they truly are in this one moment of grief. Thanks for the correction I listened to that audio over and over but couldnt quite get the last word! (We wont even go into whether or not that maid wanted to be drug into the bedroom by Philippe after his jealous strop with the Chevalier or his sneaking into Louises bed. I believe Louis did love her. Just because the thinking of the day viewed a woman as mere property and not a person in her own right does not mean she isnt a human being with the same feelings and needs as any other. needless to say, all my writing is copyright to me, so don't be a dick and steal it. There are a few movies I enjoy that are fairly accurate. In reality it only took a very short time for the plan to take full effect. He looks nervous and steps to Cassel, but Cassel rises and bows, along with everyone, as Louis enters. UGH D:. Aaaaaand now. Everyone shares a look because, yeah, they know. 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? But his treatment of her does make me think, rather than an actual person, the writers have quite subtly used her as a tool: she is the only person Philippe can take his frustrations out on he knows she loves Louis, and at that point Louis is still very much in love with her Philippe knows this, and punishes Louis the only way he can, but punishing his mistress. And if you reread my words very carefully, you might realise that I never once touched on the legality of it. And suddenly Philippe is the calm one, says gently, brother and the look on his face, as the tears trickle gently down his cheeks the quiet sadness as Louis stares at him, then his realisation that this is it. 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. we then learn Henriette is Philippes wife. Henriette, however, was never robust and often experienced such terrible pains in her side that she would lie on the floor to find respite.