Queen To Be – As the first episode of Queen Charlotte begins, Charlotte (India Amarteifio) breaks a statue and flees the palace. Adolphus (Tunji Kasim) hears the crash and rushes out to find out what happened. Later, Charlotte leaves in a carriage with her brother. They argue about her appearance with Adolphus saying she is ridiculous to the eye. Charlotte goes on and on about her outfit. He understands that she is upset and emotional, but Charlotte says she is angry and cannot breathe due to her outfit. Her brother tells her that she was chosen and this is a great honor although Charlotte doesn’t believe so right now.

Adolphus says they picked her because she is special. Again, Charlotte refuses to believe that. She believes there is a reason they wanted her, but she doesn’t think it is a good reason. She threatens to bounce if he doesn’t turn the carriage around. Adolphus suspects he should’ve taken a firmer hand with her when their mother and father died. He reminds her that he is in charge so she won’t be making any decisions. Adolphus says they’re the British Empire and they are a tiny province in Germany so they had no choice. He knows one of them has never married someone who looks like them, but he can’t question the most powerful nation on Earth.

Adolphus instructs her to shut up, do her duty to her country, and be happy. He apologizes before saying there are worse fates than marrying the King of England. In the future, Queen Charlotte gets a visit from a doctor in the middle of the night. Although she suspects her husband is dead, the doctor says he is quite hearty. She would have him beheaded for interrupting her beauty sleep if she could. The granddaughter of King George the Third and Queen Charlotte died in childbirth along with her baby. The Crown has a crisis on its hands that Queen Charlotte must find galling. They can only hope Queen Charlotte finally turns her matchmaking energies on her own family.

She has 13 children and not a legitimate heir among any of them. Princess Augusta (Michelle Fairley) checks over a young Queen Charlotte and says she will make as many babies as possible for her son. Brimsley (Sam Clemmett) is asked to take Charlotte to the seamstress to have her gown fitted. Charlotte tells Augusta about the gown she already has, but Augusta wants her to wear their traditional, simple gown. As they walk to the seamstress, Charlotte tries to get Brimsley to walk with her. He explains that isn’t how it is done since he is supposed to walk behind her. In private, Princess Augusta talks to others about how brown Queen Charlotte is.

They believe it is a problem although it’d be difficult to cancel the trade deals and wedding at this point. Augusta discusses her options with Lord Bute (Richard Cunningham) and others. Augusta says the King’s choice has been most intentional. They will expand the guest list and add to Charlotte’s court. A bunch of invitations are sent out. Young Agatha Danbury (Arsema Thomas) has sex with Lord Danbury (Cyril Nri). Once they visit, Lord Danbury tells her that he may have a surprise. She leaves the room and complains to her servant about not warning her about that. The servant explains Lord Danbury was excited about being invited to the royal wedding.

Agatha will attend the new Queen as part of her court. Meanwhile, Charlotte tries to find out what the King looks like or whether he is mentally slow. She asks to use the chamber pot so she can have some time alone. The Danburys arrive at the palace for the wedding. Brimsley searches for Charlotte who has gone missing. Augusta approaches the Danburys to welcome them. She tells them that they’ll receive the official proclamation from the King so they will be honored as Lord and Lady Danbury now. She thinks it is time they were united as a society. Brimsley tells others about the bribe being missing. King George (Corey Mylchreest) finds Charlotte trying to climb the wall so he asks if she needs assistance.

She explains she wants to escape because she is worried the king could be a beast or a troll. Charlotte claims she doesn’t care what he looks like, but she doesn’t like not knowing. George soon makes it clear who he is. Charlotte apologizes for trying to escape. George asks Charlotte what she wants to know about him. Charlotte says everything. George reveals he was born prematurely and everyone thought he was going to die but he didn’t. He likes science. George promises that he is neither a troll nor a beast. Adolphus comes out angry until he realizes that his sister is with the King. George tells him that Charlotte was just deciding whether she wants to marry him.

He insists the choice is entirely up to Charlotte. Once Charlotte makes up her mind, the wedding goes ahead. They get married and dance to celebrate. Before Charlotte’s brother leaves, he tells her that he’ll pray she soon has children. Lady Agatha Danbury introduces herself to Charlotte and says she will be on her court. George says he has a surprise for her. He takes her to the house that he had redesigned just for her. As for George, he has an estate in Kew. Charlotte thinks they should do what married people do. George just wants to go to Kew. He believes it’ll be easier that way. When Charlotte questions him, George yells that he decides because he is the king.

Brimsley follows Charlotte who orders him to stop following her. In the present, Queen Charlotte approaches her children. She reminds them that the only heir to the throne is dead. Charlotte says it is time to find husbands and time to trade in the mistresses for respectable wives. She wants one of them to make her a royal baby. In the past, Charlotte sits alone and questions whether she should’ve climbed over the wall.

 

Queen Charlotte Review

After the first episode of Queen Charlotte, the series is really a double-edged sword at this point with some highs and some lows. Those who enjoyed Bridgerton will obviously be able to overlook those issues and enjoy the series for what it is. The camerawork is great and the show looks amazing although it might be a little too spotless for the time period.

The costumes are nice as well so it is clear that the budget wasn’t at the bottom of the barrel. One issue is the dialogue which attempts to be too modern at times. The pacing is very slow since this episode could’ve gotten to the point so much sooner. Instead, it felt like Charlotte was nonstop whining about something or another for 30 or 40 minutes before the wedding which viewers knew was coming one way or another.

It is questionable whether the series needed to blend the past and present, but that might make more sense in future episodes. The series may get better now that the wedding is out of the way. We’ll have to see how the characters develop and where things go from here. The opening episode scores a 5.5 out of 10. Recaps of Queen Charlotte can be found on Reel Mockery here. Find out how to support our independent site at this link. Learn more about advertising on Reel Mockery here.