While it feels like it’s been forever since the first season of The Serpent Queen, it really hasn’t been that long. That being said, however, I was thankful AF for the recap at the beginning and also upset with my mind for all the things that I had forgotten. I genuinely loved the first season of the show and laughed through most of it.
Well that being said, I also thought I was drunk through most of it because I couldn’t believe what I was watching. It was just all over the place – but it was a show that chaos worked for. I don’t think that a lot of shows would take a chance the way that The Serpent Queen does and that is definitely their loss. Then again, not many studios are willing to do what Starz does (and does well).
But where I can go on with my praise and love for the show, I do have to admit that the season premiere of The Serpent Queen sadly disappointed me. It was way too chaotic and there are so many things that you are left to deduce for yourself. Little did I know that suddenly it would become a mystery due to a time jump and playing a game of trying to figure out who is who. Pro tip: Old dude on the privy council is Montmorency. You’re welcome.
Then there is the fact that there are so many plot lines going on in this episode that you can’t blink. If you do, there is the chance that you will never catch on to what is happening. There are all of the things that are happening with the monarchy, Catherine wanting to maintain control, which child is which, the old dude in the woods, the seamstress, the Guises and the Bourbons, and then the King. There are storylines of hiding peoples sexuality, marrying people off for status, and of course there is murder.
Through it all what you do get is the knowledge that Catherine de’ Medici is always playing a game. We’ve known that since the first season. She’s willing to do whatever it takes to stay alive and stay in charge. What she doesn’t count on though is what the Guises and the Bourbons are willing to do behind her back. What she doesn’t know, she can’t out maneuvar and that in itself is a huge issue.
We know that these were definitely not the best of times. Nothing good is going to happen and the show (despite its many storylines) does a good job of setting that up. The Bourbons and the Guises are equally as stupid and the cause of the chaos. Yet also, the blame for what is to happen can in part be Catherines blame. She worked so hard to maintain control and to keep France as a super power.
The Protestants want acceptance and the Catholics want power. Catherine has had her family out on a tour of the country to “relate to the people” but they can’t even relate to themselves. Her son wants to rule on his own, but fears his Mom (as we all would) and her daughter is not afraid to call her out for the things that she’s done. The Bourbons and the Guises are both trying to advance their religions and using their contacts to do just that. But while the events in the show are supposed to take place in 1572, we quickly realize that the show is playing fast and loose with the timeline.
I was just trying to watch this episode without having to rewind or look up season one reviews over and over again to figure out what was happening. Charles, Alexandre, Hercule, Elisabeth, and Margot – Catherine’s children – were the most interesting parts about the episode. Why? You hoped that they were setting them up for a bigger part in the second season. The Bourbons and the Guises? They were the least interesting – but it’s because of their drama. And TBH, I would be fine if we didn’t have to deal with them. Though I do think the Guise’ bros are hot, they are so overwhelmingly annoying that I wasn’t going to be sad if they disappeared. François – there is that whole issue of him and the massacre at the end of the episode that really just made him not so damn cute at the end.
While the whole last fifteen minutes of the episode we’re led to believe that King Charles may be in the church that has been set on fire, truth is we don’t know. If he is, Catherine is going to loose her s*** and it ain’t gonna be cute.
One thing that I have learned in watching this show is that through the ages – all these people in court placed too much worth on other peoples respect – something that François’ Mama makes sure to use against him. She tries to act like she cares about him, but well she’s fooling no one here. What she is doing is making us all realize that we should be thankful that our Mama’s ain’t that bat s*** crazy.
OTHER THOUGHTS
- Rahima ain’t playing. She’s making sure that she’s living by the knowledge is power thing
- François, before you burnt down the church, I woulda told you to live in your truth, but now you just gross
- François, also, dude – you don’t put things in writing. As obvious by this episode, people are always willing to sell you out for a dollar
- I would really appreciate people calling each other by their names
- Catherines kids straight u seem to hate each other. What is what about?
- Ruggieri still freaks me out.
- The seamstress in the castle still scares me.
The Serpent Queen airs new episodes Fridays on Starz.
