The finance term out of Catherine's book: “ask for a full reckoning of the
realm's accounts” really means “activate a plot to assassinate the entire
line of Bourbons”
Well, to be perfectly honest I had made no notes while watching this one.
There is always a first time for everything. While that is comforting, it makes
it rather difficult to review the episode … Are you still with me? Read on.
I’m still not convinced that it's a good idea to show both courts in the same series. To mix such
rich and full of events stories and periods of time into one (even though they
overlap) makes it very difficult to do justice to both of them. And since it’s
Mary’s reign that the series is about, I’m afraid Elizabethan era will be
severely squeezed and rushed. I am right, if this episode is any
indication.
Considering both queens haven’t changed their respective dresses in the course of the entire episode, lets assume we were shown one day of their lives. And while it was OK for French side, I’m not so sure it was working for the English one. They were running through history at high speed. We saw Elizabeth ask her good friend, a woman who she knew since childhood, for a favor, then she threw this friend under the bus when Council requested it, and then she sent her to prison. All in one day. Elizabeth did not become such a
Meanwhile in France, the family (including Catherine) learns about Francis’ condition. Three characters are now facing the marriage they surely don’t want. As soon as Charles becomes King he will marry Claude off to someone of his choosing. For sure. Why should it be any different for her when Francis is forcing him to wed Mary? Yes, it would secure Mary’s future, and let’s be honest Charles is still a baby who needs constant supervision. None of them is happy about it. Of course this will not happen, but entertaining this idea is quite entertaining. And if it brings Francis some peace, so be it.
After learning that she soon won’t be under King’s protection, Lola reconsiders Narcisse’ proposal and gives a definite ‘yes’ for marriage. If only she knew… Now…. Even though Narcisse was becoming too nice for comfort, and I kept waiting for him to do something nasty, I didn’t think he would do something quite like that. And to Lola! I knew that Lola must have been the last thing on Catherine’s mind, but to discover that Narcisse was behind the rat in a bath was disappointing. He has a peculiar sense of humor, I give him that, but a rodent in a bath! How can you do something like that to a woman you love?! Not to mention rodents are carriers of all sorts of infectious deceases, now, let alone in 16th century. Yak! At least he said he only did it to get Lola, and now he will try to become the man she deserves. Why not just be that man? Then he won’t be Narcisse, I suppose. Of course he is ignorant that it is not the rat that pushed Lola to accept his proposal but the fact that Francis is dying. Despite everything these two make for a fascinating couple.
The most interesting part, from historical prospective, of this episode was the scene between Catherine and Charles. We caught a glimpse of that immense influence she will have on him during his reign. The things she says and does, the way she goes from one son to another, claiming loving both… sometimes I wonder if she loves them at all.
Historical bits
Sir Nicholas (Throckmorton)
was indeed appointed ambassador to France and played a key role in the
relationship between Elizabeth and Mary.
Some observations
Will Leith be honorable enough to save Claude from
possible loveless marriage? What do you think? He has some title now, although
I forgot what it is (or did he loose it together with the land?), but it still
probably won’t be enough…. I don’t
really know what I’m saying, but they obviously are pushing those two together.
Bash is
tracking the killer based on the intel from Delphine. Of course by the time he
finds the future victim, the girl and her boyfriend are already dead. I’m with Leith on this one: it could still be Delphine. And I still don't care.
Wardrobe department
The “Best Dress of the week”
Award goes to both Mary and Lola. The dresses were not fancy, but I absolutely loved them
The “Worst Dress of the
week” Award goes to Elizabeth.
Sorry, the combination of colors is wrong.
Memorable Quotes:
Francis: “I
will not condemn my mother to death. Especially not as my last act as king.”
Sol’s rating: 3, although it was almost 2.5. What do you
think?
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