Grand Tour – The episode opens in 1572, with the royal family’s entourage traveling through France. King Charles IX (Bill Milner) is now old enough to carry out his duties. Catherine de Medici (Samantha Morton) insists on a grand tour to show their loyalty to their subjects. Upon arrival at a village, Prince Hercule (Scott Folan) teases Charles about his wetting the bed until the age of 12. After a previous foot massage by two nuns (Iliona Thiriet and Shiraz Tzarfati), Cardinal de Guise/Charles Guise (Ray Panthaki) orders them to give him his shoes. Charles emerges from the carriage. Princess Margot (Philippine Velge) crowns him before he greets his subjects. The people charge the royal family. Montmorency (Alexandre Willaume) suggests the children return to the carriage but Catherine insists they wait. Charles, Margot, Hercule, and Elizabeth cower as the people kneel. Catherine smiles.

The Cardinal calls the people “animals.” Antoine de Bourbon (Nicholas Burns) says they are God’s people. Francois de Guise (Raza Jaffrey), Louise De Bourbon (Danny Kirrane), and Montmorency stand when Charles enters the room. The Cardinal speaks out against the grand tour. Louis argues that it is an imposition on the Catholic church. Antoine assures The Cardinal that his opinion doesn’t matter. The Cardinal warns of what will happen when the people stop listening to him. Catherine tells them that it was intended to urge the French people to stand behind Charles. He compares the people to animals that need direction. Montmorency says the Cardinal underestimates the people of France. Catherine believes her plan has been successful. Louis agrees before suggesting the French enter a trade deal with England. The Cardinal reminds him that England is ruled by Protestant Queen Elizabeth. Francois fears it would cause riots but Louise disagrees. Catherine says it is best to wait until France becomes a secular state to promote an alliance with England. The Cardinal reminds her that the Catholic Church has been around for 1,600 years. She says if it doesn’t evolve, it will die. Charles supports Catherine, regardless.

The lacemaker, Bernard (Paul Mauch) offers Rahima (Sennia Nanua) 5% of his profit from each sale. She insists on 8%. When he accepts, she delays her decision until later. After reading letters, not meant for her, she orders Tancrede (James Gerard) to repair the seals and deliver them to the recipients. From experience, Charles expects Anjou’s toast will include an insult. Anjou reminds him that he could order him imprisoned in the dungeon. Charles suggests he teach Anjou a lesson like before. Anjou insists he gets it cleared through Catherine first. The insults continue. Anjou warns that Catherine will never give up her rule. Charles assures him that it would be no different if he was king. Anjou boasts of having loyal friends who would kill him if he asked. Hercule scolds him. Anjou claims it was a joke but continues taunting Charles until he gets upset. Elisabeth suggests Catherine stop wearing black. She claims to be in mourning. Aabis (Amrita Acharia) urges her to start courting again. Catherine says the country needs her. Margot believes Catherine’s grand tour was to strengthen her own power, not the country. A short time later, Catherine intervenes to break up the fight between Charles and Anjou. Charles vows to teach Anjou a lesson if Catherine doesn’t do it before leaving. Anjou wants to be a Privy Counselor. She says he has the wrong temperament for it and urges him to support Charles as his king.

Cosimo Roggieri (Enzo Cilenti) sends Delphine (Clarisse Lhoni-Botte) away with a bag of herbs. He teases Catherine about her grand tour. She suggests he supports her policy. He assures her that the king will need to instill fear in the people to rule but she disagrees. She believes a king loved by his people will have their protection. Catherine shares a recurring dream with him. She discovers a mirror in the woods. It changes into a bird’s nest with 10 eggs but only one bird flies away. When a snake emerges from one of the cracked eggs, she pulls back. Ruggieri says eggs represent her 10 children. She refuses to sacrifice her children.

Charles asks Margot if Catherine will ever give up her rule. He recalls their father was miserable and drank too much. She asks if he knows why before urging him to be his own person. He kisses her cheek and thanks her for the advice. Elsewhere, Montmorency approaches Sister Edith (Isobel Jesper Jones) as she feeds peasants. He tells her about the grand tour which she believes will fail. Edith stresses the need for the people to have food and shelter. He claims to be doing his best. She assures him that he could have done more if he was the royal regent. He says Catherine was the better choice. She questions his judgment of people. He reminds her that he chose her. She sarcastically says she may have manipulated him.

The Cardinal and Francoise are unwelcoming to their mother, Antoinette Guise (Beth Goddard) when she arrives unexpectedly. She voices concern about how Catherine’s policies why impact the House of Guise. She explains her brutal plan to cause conflict between the Protestants and Catholics. She believes Catherine and Charles will take the Catholics’ side. Francoise refuses to involve himself in Antoinette’s war. The Cardinal supports the idea. Elsewhere, Antoine is beginning to see the Cardinal’s point of view. Louis stresses the need for France to open backchannel negotiations with England. Antoine reminds him that Catherine isn’t ready to make a trade deal with England. Louis insists on bringing Jeanne d’Albret (Rosalie Craig) and Henry IV (Angus Imrie) to court. Antoine admits to being terrified of his wife.

Margot tells Francoise that she was sickened by the grand tour and doesn’t like being part of Catherine’s game. He leaves his book for her. Elsewhere, Montmorency informs Catherine that Jeanne is expected to arrive at court. She says Antoine is up to something because he generally cannot stand being around Jeanne. She asks if he would speak to Charles on her behalf. A short time later, Montmorency tells Charles that it will be some time before people of tolerant of other religions. Charles questions if Catherine will ever let him govern. Montmorency vows to support Charles once he is ready.

Antoine and Louis awkwardly entertain Jeanne and Henry. They ask her to confide in Lord Throckmorton about their interest in a trade partnership with England. She reminds him that France is determined to destroy Protestantism and the Kingdom of Navarre where she is queen. Louis says once France is a secular country, it will have far more wealth than Navarre. If their plan is a success, she and Henry could have substantial influence there. Believing the treaty would include religion, she agrees to speak with Throckmorton. Elsewhere, Matisse (Mikael Mittelstadt) confesses to attending a Protestant service. He invites Aabis to go with him. She promises to consider it.

Louis and Antoine convince Charles that he is loved by the people. Charles believes France would thrive under international treaties because no country would benefit from war. Antoine and Louis praise his views and urge him to show Queen Elizabeth and the people that he is open to Protestantism by attending a service. Charles agrees to consider it before walking away. Louis calls him a wanker.

Thomas (Robin Greer) sells a bundle of Francoise’s letters to Antoinette to support his father’s illness. A short time later, she threatens to expose Francoise’s love for Thomas if he doesn’t help her. She assures him that his sexual preference makes her no less proud of him. Elsewhere, Rahima (Emma McDonald) eavesdrops on Catherine and Montmorency’s discussion. He claims Edith’s father tried to sell her to him. He wanted to kill him but she stopped him. Catherine invites him to stay, so they can comfort each other.

Charles tells Antoine and Louis that he accompany them to the Protestant church tonight. Edith is leading a Protestant service when Francoise arrives and orders the church to be burnt. Matisse, Edith, and the others in attendance appear to be trapped inside the burning church. At the palace, After paying Tandrede for information, Rahima barges into Catherine’s chamber to find Montmorency in her bed. They visit Charles’ chamber to find it empty. Catherine orders something to prepare her horse. The church is burning as the episode ends.

 

The Serpent Queen Review

The series is tainted by weak writing and lackluster acting through no fault of the cast which just followed the director’s lead. Samantha Morton is a seasoned actress but she isn’t the ideal Catherine de Medici who is being portrayed as a domineering force in English society in the 16^th century.

The story is dull and at times unbearably boring. The characters are one-dimensional and lack any unique qualities to make them stand out. The story progression is slow and the dialogue is too often repetitive.

The episode deserves a 5.5 out of 10. Get more The Serpent Queen recaps here. Support Reel Mockery by donating. Learn how advertising with us can help build brand awareness. Join our newly established forum to discuss the latest TV shows and movies.