In the days when it was only you who /truly/ had my back. This is who they truly are in this one moment of grief. She finally asks. They had children. Even the bouncing hair. What? 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. Louis paranoia about his little brother is completely unfounded. And there is also Dangerous Liaisons, but that is set in the 18th century. Henriette gasps, crying and in pain. They have some banter, and Rohan invites the boy to play a game A game of war? The Dauphin says excitedly. And just like that, the light dims in his eyes, his face twists and his zealotry is gone. Hi Janet! Is there anything more beautiful than the scent of blossom in the air? Henriette gets out softly. And Rohan chuckles and I well. Claudine and Philippe converse, with Claudine saying she feels they are not through the worst. I was never a fan of the character of Henriette, I just cant see how she wronged Philippe more than he did her. And for those who love her. Philippe replies ominously: we are all of us in sickness here. Bontemps says: protocol demands that if the air is impure and if you are at risk, you must leave immediately. (this is true) Marchal strides in to take command. Henrietta 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, who had recently returned to the Royalist side. Henriette, however, was never robust and often experienced such terrible pains in her side that she would lie on the floor to find respite. Ive mentioned before that his intimate interactions with women in the show are used as a form of punishment towards those who have hurt him Louis (with Louise and Henriette) and the Chevalier (with the maid). He was distraught when she died, and was fully intent on punishing those responsible (as poison was indeed thought to have killed her). The door suddenly opens, Claudine walks sombrely in. Beating your wife was also quite legal, acceptable and, indeed, expected. The Mysterious Death of Henriette, Duchesse d'Orlans Absolutely enjoyed your recap of the finale. We are back at the sickbed, where Henriette sleeps and Montespan silently weeps at the bed. 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. Yep. We see his offer to help refused time and time again. Louis has not (even though yeah, okay, protocol). In reality it only took a very short time for the plan to take full effect. Versailles recap: episode eight - from la petite mort to une grande 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. Noemie Schmidt: Yes, totally stuck. . But here, now? Philippe had a relationship with the man he loved while Henriette continued to sleep with the man she loved. The sudden onset of Henriettes illness, the severe pain and the short time between the onset of her symptoms and her death suggested to her contemporaries that she had been poisoned. First of all, ladies, stop spewing vitriol. She later dies in her bed. In one of the episodes did we see Clermont messing with the doctors box of bottles.. Gladly. Louis is disbelieving: And sacrifice your future to see me suffer? Philippe glances around the salon then says: What does a King know of sacrifice?, Louis cant believe it. Anne, Hi Jules He gives as good as he gets and so much worse. We must get the king and the queen and yourself to safety at once. And the penny drops for Bontemps, his look of dismay so clear. Henriette screams and they both surge to the door then suddenly stop. she was the one who found it, actually. She is a woman, she is his subject. He cares for her, but anytime he has to choose between Chevalier and her, he always choose the former. Im guessing they were pretty equal. Ridicule. I think I enjoyed your reviews as much as the show itself. I also cannot figure out why Louis and others speak freely in front of the guards when even they are unsure of their loyalty. Enriched my enjoyment of the show, and got a bit more educated on the courts history as well . It is one or the other. Philippe replies calmly: You acted out of pride. I thought so but no. I pity Henrietta. 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. As to fiction I found the ones I did read ended up thrown against the wall. 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. I will speak to whomever I like. Louvois: I know this is true. A page for describing Characters: Versailles. While making this video i was inspired by the scene when Henriette talks about her first mask ball. She has no one to keep him at bay but the king, if he chooses. Her intent is not to hurt Philippe by sleeping with Louis, she simply doesnt care (and I dont blame her). Point 5: Ah, Henriettes remark about Philippes glorious death in battle. Not so much. Poor Philippe is helpless do something, woman! She has to find the source, which means poking about on Henriettes body, causing agony with every poke. I am waiting eagerly for the second season and I really hope to see you write about it then. And in the context of the show, I did find it a nice touch, the apology to him. At the time of his birth, his parents had been married for 23 years. Fashion. 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. Bontemps moves her along. Royal FamilyKing Louis XIV Arranged Marriage: To Marie-Thrse Boom, Headshot! Nothing. Lot of time on my hands at the momentLULZ. Also it will set Louis in a collision with Phillipe who did not want his wife to go to England for the negotiations. I am a true friend of the king. but Louis knows. 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. Says you made me marry him. Fact-checking Versailles: how historically accurate is the BBC drama? Thank you. 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. We stake our claim or we are ploughed into the field. Marchal picks up the dropped knife and lunges and he and Montcourt trade a few blows, with Marchal blocking then delivering a punch. There is, replies Louis. I like the show, the actors and the plot. So anyways, off we go. 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. Are you suggesting that she would have the power to deny the king even if she wanted to? And Montespan was married too, so in the eyes of the church that was double adultery. Claudine then enters and grills Bontemps, the Queen and Philippe about the symptoms while Henriette gasps in pain on the bed. Duchess Henriette becomes suddenly ill when she returns from a visit to her brother in England. Nor can I hold her responsible for the fact that Louis uses her as a weapon against his brother. NOT AT ALL acceptable in the eyes of pretty much everyone. 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. And who can blame her? Its my weekly sin, I confess, Im too addicted to this period to miss it. He genuinely believes Philppe is a potential threat. but afte I cliked submit my comment didnt appear. I also cannot figure out why Louis and others speak freely in front of the guards when even they are unsure of their loyalty.. The advice you took came from only one source. the door opens, and Montespan enters. UGH, technology! I realise a woman was expected to stay faithful to her husband even while it was acceptable for him to have mistresess (ha! And Louis is left in the salon, framed by the door, the guards, and looking incredibly vulnerable and alone. We see Louis take what is rightfully and lawfully his his wife. Only a year or so to go until a new season arrived on fledgling network Ovation, its U.S. cable home. 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). Is it fair? Louis drops the poker, approaches Montcourt. Rohan slits the other guards throat, watches from a distance as the young prince has a sack put over his head then bundled off. 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? 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. They could be far away from the victim at the time of death, so it would be difficult to definitively pin on anyone. While it seems like shes being unfair to Philippe, he doesnt really put up an effort to make himself lovable most of the time. Shes genuinely quite sweet, but tenacious something Im sure our Head of Security will appreciate). Whats wrong? Ugh. Get Marchal pissed at you. Philippe raping his wife. Philippe has been by her side throughout this. Hi Jules, I must thank you for your detailed writeup of all ten episodes of Versailles. Jacques 10 episodes, 2015 . SYNC. ? Brilliant. Such a beautiful moment, with Philippe building on their complex relationship, reminding Louis of a more simplistic time. I also read your discussion between yourself and Teresa about episode 10. 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. But Marchal continues calmly. They fear she might have been poisoned, so King Louis XIV shuts all access To Versailles. (For the record, I am speaking strictly of the characters in this drama, not the historical characters). I am looking at her now. No. Henrietta of England and Her Tragic Life of Calamities and Heartbreak Im going to be stalking these recaps in the arduous wait for season two. Some were obviously written for massive impact. Her husband is openly gay and has no problem flaunting it in the public. hes a critic, but there is another who has been hidden before us. Philippe is clearly shocked and my heart is just going HHHHHHHGGGGNNNNN. And Bontemps replies: we are all proud of her, Sire. Louis: And now someone is trying to destroy me, by destroying her. Rohan appears: And they will not succeed I came as soon as I could I wish to offer myself to you as your subject and as your friend. UGGGGGH. For her lot to improve, she could only hope for things to happen. 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. Louis orders the Versailles garden to be brought into Henriette's deathbed scene. Pot, meet kettle. 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. She allows grief but only briefly. Except, when hes really angry and he rapes her. But she is human and she can feel jealousy and make inappropriate remarks at inappropriate moments. And suddenly Marchal has his ah-HA moment. 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. I was highly frustrated with the artistic liberties the authors took, and some just pretty much made up shit, totally contrary to history . But your first strike would have to be true. A begrudging father/daughter mentor role, and she eventually warms him up a bit? As Montcourt is delivering this little speech, the camera angle singles out the massive symbolism in the shot: the angels on his leather sash belt. 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.