Summary
The introduction of Minnie Driver’s Elizabeth I adds a jolt of energy to The Serpent Queen.
“Death of a Prince” finally introduces Minnie Driver’s Queen Elizabeth I, which is a big-ish deal since The Serpent Queen Season 2 has in large part been marketed around that inspired bit of casting. I’m pleased to report that her debut in Episode 3 doesn’t disappoint, and gives the show the jolt of energy it needed after two outings of dense palace intrigue that felt very contained to a religiously and economically-divided France.
Oh, and Catherine is also in Italy, so that’s nice.
The Kids Are At It Again
Let’s start with France and get that out of the way. Needless to say, the country is in tumult. The Protestants are up for a fight after the small matter of François burning a church in the premiere, and Sister Edith is now leading a small army of peasants against the monarchy until such time as the Duke of Guise is executed for his crimes.
Edith’s in the right here on paper, but she seems like the power-mad type to me. Let’s see how this develops.
Meanwhile, the royal children remain hopeless idiots, even with Diane’s uncharacteristically wise counsel. Anjou, in particular, is so panicked and annoyed by the peasants that he tries to force Charles to start executing them at random to teach them a lesson. That’s hardly the way to quell an uprising, is it?
This all comes to a head at the end of the episode when Anjou psychotically strangles and drowns a Protestant who offers to re-baptize him for his “sins”. Mental.
Catherine And Alessandro
Nothing much of note happens in Italy in Episode 3, but it’s worth mentioning all the same. Catherine and Rahima are there to secure a loan from the House of Strozzi for the new palace. There’s a caveat to the funding, which is the appointment of the Duke of Florence, Alessandro de Medici, as its overseer.
Alessandro is Catherine’s half-brother, and she delays her return to France to go and see their father’s house.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ow4io7nYi-A
Elizabeth I
So, about Elizabeth. Minnie Driver’s eccentric, quietly psychotic portrayal is just what the doctor ordered and is very much in keeping with the overall style and tone of The Serpent Queen.
Elizabeth is brought into the story, of course, because of that trade deal Catherine authorized in Episode 2. She invites one of the Bourbons to England to discuss it, but her plan is to exacerbate religious discord in France, basically just because.
Elizabeth also has Mary, Queen of Scots, and the other Marys as captives and has had for the last 11 years following the end of Season 1. Elizabeth’s treatment of Mary is indicative of her whole demeanor; she’s ruthless, powerful, and has her own agenda. Her inclusion should really liven up the remaining episodes.
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