Love Or War – As the first episode of Dangerous Liaisons begins, locals go to the opera. Genevieve de Merteuil (Lesley Manville) sits above them and thinks about having sex with a man. She doesn’t know how she can tolerate the touch of her husband again now that he is her glorious release. Genevieve confesses that she has become reckless with her reputation. She asks her lover to keep the letters safe. It is Paris 1783. Camille (Alice Englert) and Valmont (Nicholas Denton) climb a fence and run through the crowd. They kiss as the spectacle around them continues. Queen Marie Antoinette steps out on the balcony and says her husband sends another man to the Heavens to find his god. An air balloon is launched. Camille tells Valmont she would’ve gone far from here if she could fly.

She would’ve taken every star she could reach since she has always wanted the stars. Once they go inside, Valmont says he cannot give her the stars, but he can give her Paris. She asks her mapmaker to take her away to a place where they can always be together. They discuss going to the mansions of Saint Honore where the wolves are disguised in fine clothes. He believes he has a plan so they can be together. They have sex. Camille suggests everything is a map and they can find their way to the things they want. The following day, Valmont asks Camille to marry him. She wonders if he has forgotten her debt. Pascal believes he can find the money because he loves her, but Camille says he can’t afford her. When Camille gets back home, she tells Victoire (Kosar Ali) that he asked her to marry him. Victoire hopes she said no because he lets her do this.

Camille goes to the spot so she can sell herself, but changes her mind when she thinks about Pascal. When a potential buyer begins harassing her, another man attacks him and stops him. Camille thanks him, kisses his hand, and calls him a gentleman before leaving. Gabriel hits the man again. Rose (Mia Threapleton) walks around and sees the other women with men. Camille comes in and is confronted by Madame Jericho (Clare Higgins) who hopes her pockets are full. When Camille promises to do better tomorrow, Jericho says she will or she’ll bring the men to her herself. Camille goes back to Victoire to tell her that she can’t do it anymore so she is going to marry Pascal. Victoire doesn’t think it is possible due to her debt to Jericho. Camille heard that Victoire has been here since she was a child so she hopes she doesn’t mind if she puts her faith in love.

They argue briefly before Camille asks her to stop sulking. She tells Victoire that they’re getting out of there since she will never abandon her. Later, Valmont meets with Genevieve and admits her visit is above suspicion. She makes him tell her that she is his only lover. She wants the letters back because she is not going to let him destroy her. Pascal says he will have his title and she will have her letters. She tries to get them using other methods to no avail. When Pascal returns, he asks Azolan (Nathanael Saleh) to clean up the place and find them something other than bread to eat. Azolan reminds him that they don’t have any money. Pascal says that will soon change and he promised him the brightest future when he took him on. Azolan works on the cats because they belonged to Pascal’s mother and he knows he loves them. Pascal reveals they’re there to remind him of everything he doesn’t have.

He is surprised they underestimated him enough to think he’d keep the letters there. He suggests Genevieve needs to be reminded of the words she has written. Her husband has one of the oldest titles in France and all of the power that comes with it. Pascal doesn’t think she’ll risk her marriage after seeing the letters again. Azolan liked her because she used to give him oranges. Pascal thinks the days of oranges may be behind them. At work, Emile (Matthew Steer) approaches Pascal to ask about his money only to find that he doesn’t have it. Pascal asks for a line of credit until the end of the week. Emile admits it isn’t easy to get him these apartments at a moment’s notice. He tells him that the rent is double or he can find someone else. When Pascal retrieves one of the letters, he is nearly caught by Emile who tells him that they’ve found the river tunnel.

As the others prepare to map one of the slums, Pascal leaves after saying he has a prior engagement. When he walks by, Rose blurts out that she can make him happy. He ignores her and continues. Victoire tells him to be careful because Camille will think it means something that he is back. He tells her to take a lover whether it is male or female. Once Camille sees him, she reveals that her answer is yes. After they have sex, Victoire interrupts them to tell Camille that Jericho wants money. Pascal tells Camille that the money is in the bag and he knows the night will clearly cost him everything. When she checks the bag, she finds the letters from Genevieve. Once he reveals who wrote them, she gets mad only for Pascal to say she never gives anything of her life. Camille believes she is a fool for waiting for him while she is too, but Pascal insists it isn’t the same. He explains that Genevieve will give him anything he wants.

Camille thought he wanted her. Pascal claims he did it for them because a wife’s action can ruin her husband. After she admits she doesn’t like him blackmailing her, Pascal asks how they’re supposed to live otherwise. She has nothing and his stepmother made sure he will have nothing. His love for her is the only thing he is sure of. Camille asks him to stop this then. She won’t be betrayed by him. It is either love or war and there is nothing in between. Pascal agrees to burn the letters that he kept specifically for this plan. He doesn’t seek to destroy Genevieve and only wants a better life for them. Pascal wants her to come away with him and insists Jericho won’t matter. He’ll come to their bridge at ten tomorrow night so they can go far away and start again. The following day, Victoire goes to Valmont’s workplace in hopes of finding the remaining letters. Once she finds them, she nearly gets caught so she has to flee.

Pascal gets another letter. He tells Azolan to burn it because there will be no more letters. As he leaves, he says he is going to see his wretched stepmother. Ondine de Valmont (Colette Dalal Tchantcho) tells him that grief slows the passing of time so she hasn’t changed much since his last visit. He knows she has been dancing and dining along the Champs Elysees. He wants her to give him enough money to buy a piece of land somewhere in the south. She offers him some advice when she tells him to give his soul to God. Pascal thinks all of this should’ve been his when his dad died, but she poisoned his father against him. Ondine believes she earned it. She can’t give Pascal anything because all of it is for her son. Camille doesn’t think she’ll be able to afford her debt no matter how much she works. Victoire warns her that Jericho would rather see her dead than free.

Camille admits that is why they cannot make a mistake tonight before mentioning her meeting with Pascal. Victoire doesn’t think she can trust Pascal. As Pascal gets ready to leave, he receives another note. It says that the writer has a gift waiting for him. Jericho tells Camille that she has a gentleman for her. It is the man who protected her earlier and he knows all about her. He explains that he is an officer with the Unit of Moral Discipline so he has good prospects. He eventually reveals that his name is Gabriel (Hilton Pelser). When she gives his money back and says she has to be somewhere, Gabriel gets mad and reminds her that he is not an insignificant man. He tries to force her to stay until Victoire puts a knife to his throat. He quickly knocks it to the ground so Camille grabs it and makes him go outside.

After that, Rose tries to stop them from leaving unless they give her something. She eventually lets them go for free. Camille and Victoire go to the bridge to wait for Pascal. When he doesn’t show up, Camille suggests something must’ve happened even though Victoire doubts it. Camille asks her to change how she feels about him. Pascal meets with another woman who offers him a trinket for her trinket. Victoire informs Camille that there are more letters from other women and all of them write about love. She is encouraged to read them so she will never cry for him again. Pascal tries to convince his other woman to give him money for a shared place. While Camille is busy looking through the letters, Pascal finishes and leaves in a hurry. Camille tells Victoire that they’re going somewhere. They visit Genevieve’s house and say they have news of Valmont. When Genevieve sees them, she asks Majordome to throw them out.

She changes her mind when she learns that they have Pascal’s letters. Pascal makes it to the bridge only to find that Camille has already gone. Camille tells Genevieve that she isn’t there to blackmail her although she is offering her freedom. She goes on to say Valmont is dead to her. Genevieve finds it funny that her rival is a girl from the slums, but Camille argues they’re only rivals if they still desire him. Camille says Valmont has put her at great risk so she cannot go back to her old life. She has been in a great house before. Camille knows how wealth and power can protect so she wants to learn that privilege. She wants Genevieve to teach her in exchange for her letters. Pascal tries to find Camille only to learn that she ran out on them. He is told she’ll be done for when Jericho finds her. Later, Genevieve learns that her husband has left Saint-Dominque and will return before the month is out.

Genevieve is surprised that Camille’s hands are not worn or calloused. She thinks she can create a history for Camille, but it isn’t possible for Victoire. When Camille refuses to let her go, Genevieve says she must be her deaf and silent maid. She gives them books and tells them to read to help with their conversations. Genevieve believes he made them fall for him by playing on their needs so she wonders what Camille needed. They briefly talk about how many lovers he had before Genevieve says they must change her appearance to ensure her broken heart doesn’t show. Berthe is asked for a full wardrobe for the season. Genevieve finds a scar on Camille’s wrist as they begin picking outfits for her. When Camille breaks down, Genevieve tells her that Pascal does not deserve her pain. She gives Camille advice for letting men believe they pick women at their ripest and sweetest.

Genevieve tells Camille about her marriage and how she dealt with it. Her one mistake was Valmont because she allowed the truth of what she thought and felt to show. Genevieve urges her to learn how to hide her pain so she can survive in the world where men have all the power. Gene meets with Pascal and tells him she has been searching for his title, but it is not Vicomte. She surprises him by saying it is blackmailer. She only needs to call it out and he will be dead in society. When he threatens to send a letter to her husband, Gene tells him to send it if he has it. When he leaves in a hurry, Camille joins Genevieve who welcomes her to the opera. Pascal finds the letters missing. Gabriel visits the church to talk about evil coming upon her and himself.

 

Dangerous Liaisons Review

Dangerous Liaisons obviously has a lot of history although the television series is drastically different from the source material. It was only inspired by it instead of being solely based on it. The opening episode did an okay job of setting up the story and introducing the characters. The camerawork early in the episode was a bit too shaky and stylish, especially during the sex scenes, but it calmed down and improved during the latter portion of the episode.

The performances are good enough from the main characters to make things interesting. Unfortunately, the first episode had certain issues that will probably give viewers concerns. It doesn’t feel like there is much in terms of originality here since it is like a less risqué version of Harlots which also had Lesley Manville taking a woman under her wings.

Almost everything has been done before so it may be difficult for Dangerous Liaisons to stand out from other similar shows. Although it is only the first episode, there were silly moments that just didn’t sit right with me and some that made me cringe. Most involved one character that needlessly argued with everyone else and caused the scenes to be ineffectively comical.

While it may be best to give it a few more episodes, the first one wasn’t compelling enough to make me want to mark my calendar. The episode scores a 6 out of 10. Recaps of Dangerous Liaisons can be found on Reel Mockery here. Using ad blockers for a more enjoyable browsing experience and still want to support us? Learn how to do so here.

 

Dangerous Liaisons 2022 TV Show Cast

The 2022 Dangerous Liaisons TV show showcases international talent with the majority of the cast coming from England. While there are other notable names on the list, viewers will likely be most familiar with Harlots star Lesley Manville. The English star has been busy lately appearing in television shows like Magpie Murders, Sherwood, and The Crown, and narrating Life After Life. She is joined by Alice Englert, Nicholas Denton, Hakeem Kae-Kazim, Hilton Pelser, and Kosar Ali.

Lesley Manville as Genevieve de Merteuil

The always reliable Lesley Manville plays Genevieve de Merteuil who risks her marriage and reputation by getting involved with a younger man named Pascal Valmont. She spills her guts in letters that are eventually used by Valmont to blackmail her. Genevieve will be given a potential reprieve when Pascal has a falling out with Camille.

Alice Englert as Camille

Australian actress Alice Englert is Camille who is also in a relationship with Pascal Valmont. Camille sells her body to pay off her debt to Madame Jericho. While Camille wants her freedom, Jericho will do whatever it takes to keep her. Camille finds out about Pascal’s letters and how he is using them to blackmail Genevieve de Merteuil so she tells him to stop. Once she learns that he has been communicating with other letters and believes she has been stood up, Camille decides to team up with Genevieve and set her free from Pascal’s clutches.

Alice Englert has also been in New Worlds, Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell, Top of the Lake, and The Serpent.

Nicholas Denton as Pascal Valmont

Fellow Australian actor Nicholas Denton stars as Pascal Valmont. Denton played Angus Fitzgerald in the Australian drama Glitch. Pascal is a mapmaker who was cut off from his family’s wealth by his stepmother when his father passed away. He is adamant about having more and being more so he’ll do anything to achieve these goals. Although he claims to be in love with Camille, Pascal has been involved with several other women and keeps letters from them to use for blackmail.

He will soon face the scorn of two former lovers when he no longer has the upper hand.

Kosar Ali as Victoire

Dangerous Liaisons is the biggest role for British actress Kosar Ali to date. Besides Dangerous Liaisons, Ali also played in the television series PRU. Victoire is a close friend of Camille and stays at Madame Jericho’s brothel. She looks out for her friend and tries to convince her to stay away from Pascal who she doesn’t trust. When Camille seeks help from Genevieve, Victoire is right by her side.

Other Cast Members

• Hakeem Kae-Kazim – Majordome
• Hilton Pelser – Gabriel Carre
• Nathanael Saleh – Azolan
• Colette Dalal Tchantcho – Ondine de Valmont
• Clare Higgins – Madame Jericho
• Matthew Steer – Emile the Map Maker