So, where are we? Still in 1670? I am assuming so, but since the Franco Dutch war didn’t happen until 1672 I could totally be mistaken. Anyway, the ep opens with Louis staring down a telescope – apparently invented by the Dutch – at the enemy lines, who are standing a great distance from the French and drumming away. Louis doesn’t… Read more »
Before we start, let us recap where we are in actual historical events, which are very much different to the show and quite an interesting comparison. Assuming we are mid-to late 1670, these are the facts: Montespan is 30 years old (pushing it a bit by 17th century standards), has been Louis’ mistress for three years and has already borne… Read more »
So we have left Marchal with a knife in his chest… and of course, he pulls it out (noooo!) and yells for the guards. They take him to Claudine and she gets him on the table … business as usual, then. Will he live? “You are a very lucky man…. either your heart is not where it’s supposed to be,… Read more »
I’d been anticipating it for months, and finally, December had rolled around and it was finally here! YAY! I am talking about the National Gallery of Australia‘s Versailles Exhibit, a joint event run by the NGA and the chateau de Versailles. From December until April, we Aussies get to experience a little bit of French culture, with more than 130 items… Read more »
After all the hand wringing from the British media about Canal Plus’ Versailles being waaaay too sexy (read: bordering-on-porn filthy) and the French being so totally blasé about the whole thing (there was not much from Australia or the rest of Europe about the nekkidness either – Australia were more fixated on the glorious hair 😀 ) , I got… Read more »
Here it is, mes amis! The final review of the finale of Versailles. My sources tell me that sadly, we will have to wait until March 2017 (Yes, NEXT YEAR!!!) for Season 2. I am sobbing. In between re-watching S1, of course. So anyways, off we go. And remember you can also start at the beginning and read my reviews of… Read more »
For reviews of previous eps, you can read them here: One, Two, Three, Four, Five, Six, Seven and Eight. SPOILER ALERT!!!! So don’t read if you don’t like that kind of thing. Not that there’s anything wrong with it. EPISODE NINE Nearly finished, mes amis! Get reading for loads of stuff culminating for the final ep. We open with Louis taking… Read more »
For reviews of previous eps, you can read them here: One, Two, Three, Four, Five, Six and Seven. And yes, they are major spoiler-y plus I also talk about the characters and plot and dialogue from a writer’s point of view. EPISODE EIGHT We left the last episode with the Chevalier in jail as a traitor for conspiring to overthrow… Read more »
Read my previous reviews in order – One, Two, Three, Four, Five and Six. And remember, every one of these has major spoilers, so if you haven’t watched them yet (or deeply care about having story details revealed), consider this a warning. I have to premise this review with a confession – this ep and the next were the two… Read more »
Need an earlier episode fix? See my reviews here of One, Two, Three, Four and Five. EPISODE SIX So now the nobles are flooding to Versailles and we open with a magnificent view of the palace under construction (excellent CGI!) and Louis, Philippe and an entourage taking in the building. Louis explains that the nobles and their families will be… Read more »
After earlier reviews of Versailles? Read them in order, they’ll make more sense: Episode One, Two, Three and Four. EPISODE FIVE The scene opens on a bloody battlefield, Philippe cradling his dead horse. Everyone slain. He is clearly shellshocked, with dead eyes and a blank expression, staring off into space. Interspersed with this desolate scene is another – Louis in his tent, dressed… Read more »
If you haven’t already, read my reviews of Episode One, Two and Three. EPISODE FOUR Enter Louis (with a cut on his forehead – “from a hunting accident” we learn later. Very curious but we never actually find out how/why this happened). He is absolutely livid with the news that his friends, the Parthenays have been brutally murdered on his… Read more »