The camera pans around him and yet still, not one muscle is out of place, not one twitch of emotion. But your first strike would have to be true. However, I do have a comment to make about your previous post that you believed that Louis loved Henriette, however I dont completely agree with you on this one. Either way, she's dead now. ), I think your recaps are wonderful and I enjoy reading them every bit as much as I do watching the programme! 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). She had always been painfully thin and Louis once tactlessly referred to her as the bones of the Holy Innocents. Except, when hes really angry and he rapes her. Id be happy with either, tbh! To bring them over to us. Marchal commands to clear the room, Louis adds: Not you, Montcourt. and the doors are sealed: no one enters. In every possible way. .. now, I am not saying that Colbert is implying Philippe poisoned his wife, but it sure sounds like it. Im no Henriette fan, but Im so sorry, no, Philippe did not win the victim sweepstakes in that marriage. The first time we see Philippe is with his lover. There could have been some anger involved without resorting to rape. I can see where the series cliffhanger is heading, besides the obvious unmasking of Rohan as a traitor. Is he justified in his behaviour towards her? 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. But that was the thinking of the time. Should Claudine be villified for showing up her father? They fear she might have been poisoned, so King Louis XIV shuts all access To Versailles. Henriette is restrained by Philippe, the Queen and Bontemps, and Philippe is clearly suffering as he listens to his wife muffling her screams. I love these seemingly random yet distinct choices made by directors and production designers. There are times when I will shout (in my head), Just leave this place and run back to England.. God knows the wolves might have taken us but what did we know? We will never know if Louis and Henriette ever did consummate their attraction, but the gossip of the time most definitely swayed in that direction. Is it any wonder she couldnt work up any concern over the possibility that her rapist might die in battle? I also saw the subtle ways in which Henriette (and Louis) talked about him, how they wished he was not there. This is who they truly are in this one moment of grief. They have some banter, and Rohan invites the boy to play a game A game of war? The Dauphin says excitedly. Aaaaaand there we have the end of the episode and the end of Season One. Are you suggesting that she would have the power to deny the king even if she wanted to? She rises and silently leaves, then more people walk in to pay their respects the Chevalier included. 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. No wonder Philippe feels the need to claim what is his. 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. 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. Henriette and Philippe | Versailles Wiki | Fandom See production, box office & company info. Of course not. Jules! 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. But in context, with everything else going on in the show and with what Philippe deals with, I can understand why he did it. Are there more shows you will review? UGH, Henriette. It is Louis, and not Henriette, whom I see as the one who does the greatest harm to Philippe. The writers do it over and over again, in tiny little ways that is infuriating (Philippe with his sad puppy eyes Nooooo!) Just another way Louis is emasculating him, making him a laughing stock in French society. *Disclaimer* I do not own any of the audio or footage included in this. Such an angry outpouring from Louis, however, would have been out of character and no one else reported that he said any such thing. 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. It was all out there. (For the record, I am speaking strictly of the characters in this drama, not the historical characters). The Henriette thing is just one more on the heaping pile of shit. She could not affect change herself. Not only did they grow up together but they were first cousins and Louis was a devout Catholic. 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. We defended our position from the Spanish all morning and in honour of your distinguished service. He is beyond selfish and his cruel behaviour is at the root of all of their misery. He takes her hand and closes his eyes and for a moment he is vulnerable. We found an old building a sorry shack made of stone and moss. Right. Yet how much pain are you willing to endure before you get what you want? when Philippe asks if he were to die, her troubles would be solved. More of an extreme sadness at his wifes pain. Louis XIV of France | Versailles Wiki | Fandom Obviously he loves Chevalier. The characters almost act as it never happened. 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. 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. IDK??? Marchal: The King once told me, he warned me quite clearly that his enemies would seek to destroy those closest to him. Louis summons the Dauphin to show him how to be a good king. Philippes distress is written all over his face, while Louis just looks angry, eyes flinty, mouth flat, jaw clenched. At least thats always been his excuse. (aaaand check out the looks on Louis and Bontemps faces as I randomly paused right here. He is genuinely happy to see the Chevalier and shows it. 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. Because Sophie steals any scene shes in with Henriette, hands down, and she even maintains a presence with Montespan, too, though Montespan is clearly the dominant one in most dynamics (the Chevalier excluded, of course swans fat flippers come to mind!) We were taking the air with our governess when we made a break for freedom. Anne. There are a few movies I enjoy that are fairly accurate. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. To affect the hearts and minds of people. I choose to believe it was a mistake on the writers part and will simply fast forward over it when I rewatch. Easily tired, she withdrew whenever the party stopped for the night, usually going straight to bed. And the person either asserts himself or is subjugated to the will of others. So Louis sequesters the palace. Hi Janet! yet so satisfying to watch because.. yeah. Or twenty, I suppose. It is my experience that it is only those closest to a man that can inflict the greatest pain. Even the bouncing hair. The midwife and doctor were horrified but there was nothing she could do!!! PERFECT. Claudine then enters and grills Bontemps, the Queen and Philippe about the symptoms while Henriette gasps in pain on the bed. Ugh. 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). Now, seeing as sister-in-law wasnt even a thing then, this would be like actually shagging your sister. And what better way to keep Louis safe than have his Head of Security plant one of his spies in his bed? Colbert and Louvois look considerably worried. They could not be more different in this moment. I also read your discussion between yourself and Teresa about episode 10. Also, his relationship with his brother was much less complicated than we see in this show, Philippe was a very simple person when it came to feelings, he was affectionate and friendly. Yes, it was the thinking of that time but wouldnt that make her a victim of circumstances, rather to be pitied than villified? I love this show <3. 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. 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. 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). Then Philippe walks out, still dressed in his nightshirt and robe, barefoot. What a pain! Another scene now, with Rohan getting ready for his ride, and a servant girl by the name of Marie entering, demanding her money. To spare his feelings? 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. 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. Philippe had stillborn twins and a daughter, a son who died at 2 and one at 4, plus two miscarriages. He sees Louis. Also it will set Louis in a collision with Phillipe who did not want his wife to go to England for the negotiations. What shall I do! He cares for her, but anytime he has to choose between Chevalier and her, he always choose the former. A subtle yet interesting choice made by production to change the portraits in Henriettes chambers. *That should have read historical figures not historical characters! Our dear Henriette. I will speak to whomever I like. Louvois: I know this is true. Some were obviously written for massive impact. Royal FamilyKing Louis XIV Arranged Marriage: To Marie-Thrse Boom, Headshot! And Philippe is the one who looks tortured, he is the emotional one, while Louis remains stoic. Claudine confirms: We have no choice. In any case, Philippe is Louis victim but definitely NOT Henriettes. Colbert tries to push his point when Louis enters. Gaston de Foix was arrested and tortured as the potential poisoner by Fabien. Rohan is the Masked Man! What a total prick ). Yes, absolutely. A day later, I was hooked. Oh, Louis most definitely would choose France over his brother. NOT AT ALL acceptable in the eyes of pretty much everyone. LOUIS. Louis is greeted by Bontemps in his chambers, who enquires about Henriettes health. I think he has done his younger brother irreperable harm and, at times, I wonder if he wouldnt throw Philippe to the wolves if it suited him or France. The Kings son. He looks nervous and steps to Cassel, but Cassel rises and bows, along with everyone, as Louis enters. Why? BRILLIANT acting. 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. Rumourwent that he sent the poison to Effiat in retaliation for Henriette having him banished. 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? It was total and raw and real and I wept long and bitter tears for him. I will try, but I trust you wont publish it if you find it too long. Henriette mentions the issues she has with the Chevalier. Louis stands outside: her life is in your hands, he says ominously. 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!) poison, death and departures Versailles episode 10. Is there anything more beautiful than the scent of blossom in the air? Henriette gets out softly. SYNC. Louis looks stunned too. She is simply besotted with Louis, so in love, that shed do anything he told her to. 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. 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. Says you made me marry him. Philippe adds: .or two, perhaps. And he strides off. Bontemps is a little freaked: Th-this is highly irregular, your Majesty. But the IDGAF expression on the Queens face is priceless. Marchal, his shirt now stained with his wound, stumbles into the antechamber, to Bontemps and says: Listen to me. Therefore, my thoughts are strictly about the characters. But she is human and she can feel jealousy and make inappropriate remarks at inappropriate moments. Check back soon for my overview and wrap up of the entire season. And if you reread my words very carefully, you might realise that I never once touched on the legality of it. Thank you! And it certainly wasnt the unwavering, steadfast, loyal or constant love that one would most want from a beloved one. While it seems like shes being unfair to Philippe, he doesnt really put up an effort to make himself lovable most of the time.