Philippe has been by her side throughout this. The first one we ever played in, says Philippe. When we are near, we must make the enemy believe we are far away. Enriched my enjoyment of the show, and got a bit more educated on the courts history as well . I also saw the subtle ways in which Henriette (and Louis) talked about him, how they wished he was not there. And to Ainee for perspective. I thought so but no. Philippe looks up to Louis with wet puppy eyes, Louis looks at Philippe, his all flinty and hard. 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. And then down by the promontory. Is it fair? Louis adds, almost contemptuously: you never understood politics. It would be an outrageous thought. 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. They grew up knowing what their duty was as prince and princess. At least thats always been his excuse. (aaaand check out the looks on Louis and Bontemps faces as I randomly paused right here. poison, death and departures Versailles episode 10. 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. I also cannot figure out why Louis and others speak freely in front of the guards when even they are unsure of their loyalty. And so was she. Season Two Mike and the last of Rohans men are massacred in a last stand by the musketeers, led by Fabien Marchal. Yes, it was the thinking of that time but wouldnt that make her a victim of circumstances, rather to be pitied than villified? And she is the only one who knew who prepared Henriettes chicory water. Do you see them now? Louvois has been a kind of double agent all along, directed by Louis himself to assume the role of critic and conspirator. 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. Episodio 10. Does Henriette mind being used by Louis? What if the poison spreads? You went north, I went south and she went west and by the time they righted themselves we found our way down by the mill stream. We are NOT touching her! Philippe finally says. Ugh. 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. We were young. Vatel (with Uma Thurman and Gerard Depardieu). There is, replies Louis. If anything, his expression pays deference to her status as a princess, hes contemplating his own mortality. Thank you. She causes her father distress, embarasssment, hurt. Philippe had stillborn twins and a daughter, a son who died at 2 and one at 4, plus two miscarriages. 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. I think I enjoyed your reviews as much as the show itself. Our dear Henriette. Louis just nods, gives Philippe a look (who is standing near the doors, looking so alone and sad, I just wanna hug him!) 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. I first read your reviews right after watching the entire series and then again after recently rewatching all 30 ep again. Louis, who never forgave a slight, always ensured that the guilty paid dearly. *insert sound of breaking heart here*. Lets just say, Henriettes jealous behaviour is a far cry less despicable than Philippes.). 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. Or twenty, I suppose. thank you.. Check Ovation for times and how you can watch Ovation in your area. But he will not be resting for long the door opens later and we see a pair of bare feet, the hem of a nightgown, both bloodied, as they enter. But that was the thinking of the time. People lived for it, and reputations and lives could be ruined with one well-placed rumour. 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. Is it a bigger crime than boy love? Such emotion. In Paris, says Colbert. Her confessor, however, urged her to accuse no one but to make her death an offering to God. Seizing upon Henriettes dying reproach of Philippe, he asserted that she had been the victim of a plot orchestrated by Lorraine, who held Henriette responsible for his exile and sought revenge. 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 Chevalier looks a little panicky or is it my imagination? So many questions.. let me see: did Fabien Marshal shoot Charlotte Parthanay, and if so, why? If you have to, just close your eyes and think of France. She also miscarries a baby that was either her husband Philippe's or the King's, no one is sure. Moreover, we cant fault her anymore for continuing her relationship with Louis (as if she would have had the power to end it anyway) than we can Philippe for continuing his with the Chevalier. I have one comment / correction on what you wrote on Henriettes death scene. Another suggestion is that she had porphyria, although she displayed none of its symptoms. Next time we see the painting in Ep 6 it has been moved to Henriettes room on her dressing table. Henriette says a glorious death in battle would not displease him. Louis staggers to his feet, Montcourt bleeding out on the floor, and he goes to Marchal, who has collapsed near the fireplace. They fear she might have been poisoned, so King Louis XIV shuts all access To Versailles. And poor Philippe, who is distraught about his wife, its just another snub for him, isnt it? A hundred years ago. Even though Henriette had a history of pains (since 1667) and drank only milk and basically ate nothing (she was considered quite a stick in the fashion of the day, and some historians suggest she suffered from anorexia), the poison theory stuck. Hold onto this moment, I told you. She was 26. We see about ten hooded figures, along with the Unmasked Man whom Rohan freed from jail. Toodles. I know times and attitudes were different then, but a person violated still feels violated, whether they are allowed to acknowledge it or not. ), Back to Louis outside his bed chamber, where Henriettes screams of pain can be heard. Finally, did the male medicin drink the vial of poison accidentally or on purpose? for Season 2. Beating your wife was also quite legal, acceptable and, indeed, expected. The Kings son. I do like that though they have their disagreements, Bontemp genuinely respects Fabien, and despite his anger, I think Louis does too. Shes genuinely quite sweet, but tenacious something Im sure our Head of Security will appreciate). A brief scene follows, showing Rohan and the Dauphin sword playing and pretending a jolly game of war in the forest, thenwe are back to the Kings bedchamber where Henriette sleeps and Philippe is outside in the antechamber, brooding by the fireplace as Louis walks in. 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. So do I believe that our enemies would dare to poison King Charles of Englands sister? Louis smacks it away with the poker, Marchal steps in, Montcourt grabs a candlestick. And here is where Im a bit uncertain, but didnt she make that remark after Philippe raped her? Historically, poison was definitely suspected in Henriettes death and briefly, heres how it went down: It was 1670 and Henriette was pissed off she couldnt be with Louis at Versailles, and of course Monsieur knew this, so he ordered her to accompany him to Saint Cloud. The next shot is of Montespan, entering her rooms, where she briefly cries then quickly gains control with a deep breath. And even if not, we see what Philippe is capable of when hes in a jealous snit. Eg; Louis shuts him (from preventing Henrietta to go to England) up by releasing Chevalier. Points 1 and 2: We establish that both people are in love with someone else. Jules! Anything Henriette had done to Philippe, he had done to herand worse. but the show never uses his name, referring to him only as his title of Chevalier, probably to avoid confusion . A page for describing Characters: Versailles. For the record, I dont think Henriette would actually like to see Philippe die, but she would like to be shot of him. If Id been in her shoes, I think Id have given a flat affirmative. And the person either asserts himself or is subjugated to the will of others. She is subject to the whims and wishes of her king and lover, of her husband and even of her husbands lover. I kind of doubt it). Only 4 of his children grew up, and even then, another died at 27. Philippe turns to the guards, stands patiently at the crossed pikes as Louis stares at his back. Also it will set Louis in a collision with Phillipe who did not want his wife to go to England for the negotiations. At the time of his birth, his parents had been married for 23 years. I just found out your site and I must congratulate you for your beautifully written reviews. He tucks Louis in then gets into his small cot (that looks like a camping bed), fully clothed. Then he turns and suddenly a Man In a Mask is standing there. And if you reread my words very carefully, you might realise that I never once touched on the legality of it. I could see the Chevalier if not Philippe taking on Sophie as a sort of pet, his project, I imagine the Chevalier would have adored trying to corrupt a sweet young thing like Sophie. 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. Henriette, however, was never robust and often experienced such terrible pains in her side that she would lie on the floor to find respite. Henriette says to Philippe: Im sorry. 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. Theyve always known. At some stage, Musket Mike (the masked man) is outed as a Kings guard. Then he calls for the Guards. (Historical note: mistresses were in competition with each other all the time, poison was effective and the murderer didnt have to deal with the messiness. 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. 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. She rises and silently leaves, then more people walk in to pay their respects the Chevalier included. I realise a woman was expected to stay faithful to her husband even while it was acceptable for him to have mistresess (ha! 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). My loyalty still lays with Philippe as her husband, he has a right to lay claim to his wife. Still, Louis suspicions had been aroused and he ordered an autopsy, which was performed by French doctors and witnessed by others sent from England. Charming. Philippe and Henriette were forced into a marriage with someone they didnt love or care for. Its really sad, she could have been a great queen with Louis (he might not be faithful to her, but they will have live better than now), but the turns of fate, made her his brothers wife instead. Back with the sick princess and Claudine is fiddling with potions while Henriette writhes and vomits blood. And there is also Dangerous Liaisons, but that is set in the 18th century. We could never invade the entire world but the world can imagine us as their centre. It happened so fast, but did Fabien Marshal shoot Charlotte Parthanay, and if so, why? Husbands have being raping their wives since time began from royalty down to peasants and it was classed as taking their marital rights . Im thinking no. Poisoned? Heres a thought: what is your view to Claudine? They exchange silent looks for a moment, then Philippe says quietly, Do you remember our fort?. Is it any wonder she couldnt work up any concern over the possibility that her rapist might die in battle? The fact that she could feel anything at all for him (beyond disgust) by the end surprises me. Season 1 | Season 2 Getting Started | Contributor Zone Contribute to This Page Add episode throughout the show, we see Louis attempts to belittle and emasculate Philippe. As to it appearing that it seems like it almost never happened. 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? The death of someone so young was often attributed to poison. again, another shagging time between Henriette and Louis, when Louis friends have been murdered and she mentions the fact she was jealous of the dead woman. In walks Philippe, now fully dressed (and what a fine figure he is!) Claudine confirms poison and Louis huddles with his advisors: he wants to know if any English are at court. And Louis coming out the good guy. They talk about whats happening Marchal is questioning people, and Sophie was taken in that morning. She is a toy left to gather dust on the shelf and which Louis has taken from him just to prove that he can. Anyhow, just wanted to say many things. Louis looks at him as he goes on: I believe this palace is a symbol of our king. Louis summons the Dauphin to show him how to be a good king. It was Season 1. She coudnt have said no if shed wanted to. 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. Yet another possibility is that she had a duodenal ulcer which burst, leading to peritonitis. Aaaaaand there we have the end of the episode and the end of Season One. They are singing. Minor detail maybe, but not sure if that doesnt change the meaning of the next bit somewhat? Thank you so much for your in depth response to my question. . 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. 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. 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. Im going to be stalking these recaps in the arduous wait for season two. I think he also wants reassurance that Louis cares for him as much as he cares for Louis. Yep. Montespan banters but Louis doesnt bite. Thanks for your great reviews! and to Marchal in his office, interrogating Montcourt. And Louis weeps. I risked my life for your vanity, to rescue your wifes dowry. Louis: I acted for France because I AM FRANCE! Philippe remains stoic this time its Louis getting angry and we know why. There are only two men in this court who move freely between the outside world and the Kings inner circle, but only one who has never raised a single voice against him. Bontemps is surprised: the Kings brother? NO, BONTEMPS. hes a critic, but there is another who has been hidden before us. It is Louis, and not Henriette, whom I see as the one who does the greatest harm to Philippe. Glad to see he lives on, at least for awhile. I am tired of waiting for you to keep it, says the Queen casually as she gets into bed with Louis then settles down. Except, when hes really angry and he rapes her. The writers want us to think that evrry time they had kids, he had to rape her? Montcourt tried to tell me the same. Merci! And also shout out to Hannah for being a a much needed third voice. So how could you be scared? They fear she might have been poisoned, so King Louis XIV shuts all access To Versailles. HOW DID THEY DO THAT SO PERFECTLY??? The flowers theyre singing. and she is gone. It is clear these two have a long relationship and are not allowing a small (read: large) thing as marriage get in the way. And Rohan chuckles and I well. Rohan is the Masked Man! But his family and France are divided. Point 4: This point actually supports my own. She is only ever Louis sweet, nubile mistress or Philippes overlooked wife, never her own person, she isnt seductive and outgoing like Montespan or scheming like de Clermont or genuinely sweet with a backbone like Sophie, shes just a soft-spoken waif who huffs when she doesnt get her way, cries when shes put in a difficult position, doesnt seem that clever but knows exactly where to strike thatll heart the worst mentioning Francoise Parthenay when Louis has refused to talk about the Chevalier, for one. He has poisoned all of them. Versailles 2015 - S01E10 - Bring the Garden Here (High MP4) (WEBM) (Aired: 14 Dec. 2015) Duchess Henriette becomes suddenly ill when she returns from a visit to her brother in England.