Previously on The Serpent Queen...
Does Mary have a claim to the throne?
Fifteen years had passed.
Mary had been with us on account of her betrothal to our eldest son.
Ruggieri had disappeared from my life.
Montmorency had not been seen for many years.
You know Antoinette of Guise?
She's returned to the courts
since the untimely death of her husband.
Merde!
My dear cousins have taken
to seizing the homes of prominent Protestants.
Colonel Guise has now claimed Chenonceau for himself.
Surely we could discover some utility in each other.
Thought you two were done with each other.
Gold can poison the mind,
but just enough will preserve your youth.
When you are king,
you will put Catherine on your Privy Council.
Lead a garrison of men to the border.
Will that suffice?
I give you your king.
You have a message from the Holy Roman emperor.
You're quiet today.
The letter you saw me receive last night contains evidence
that Queen Mary is conspiring with her cousin,
Queen Elizabeth of England, against me.
But I thought they hated each other.
Well, apparently, the only thing they hate
more than each other is the thought of me,
a commoner, on a throne of Europe.
There may be more correspondence
hidden within Mary's rooms.
I would search for them myself, but it would raise suspicion.
Perhaps you could help me.
You want me to search Mary's rooms for you?
I would not ask if the situation were not so grave.
There's a man watching us.
Where?
There, in the trees.
I don't see anyone.
No, I'm sure I saw him.
The forest is full of creatures.
Perhaps you mistook one.
All I ask is that you consider my request.
The fate of the country hangs in the balance,
not to mention my own.
And yours.
Our fates are intertwined.
Now, should I continue my story?
Though the death of King Francis had made me queen,
it was in name only.
Your Majesty, would you like me to have breakfast brought?
Are you all right?
See this?
It's a pair of Cs, for Catherine.
With an H overlaid for Henry.
It's romantic, no?
But if you look at it this way,
the Cs become a D, for Diane.
I would not be so disrespected if Ruggieri were here.
He's the only one,
the only one who never underestimated me.
Because he tells you what you want to hear.
It's his only real talent.
Perhaps.
And perhaps I became pregnant by some coincidence.
And perhaps you lost yours the same way.
It doesn't matter.
That man asks too much for what he gives in return.
Not if it's worth it.
I'd like to be alone with the queen.
Turns out you were right about the Holy Roman emperor.
The garrison wasn't enough to dissuade his aggression.
You were right about that too.
I will ride out at the head of my troops
tomorrow morning.
May God protect you.
I'll need someone to run things while I'm away.
Wouldn't require much, just...
someone to keep an eye on the functions of government,
so I've decided to make you regent.
But Antoine of Bourbon is rightfully regent.
Mm. If you follow the rules of succession, yes,
but I'd rather it was you.
And I have the power to make these decisions, so...
you will have the highest authority in the land.
Just till I'm back.
Because I know I can trust you.
He was right.
He could trust me to be regent.
Even if he couldn't love me as a wife.
You asked for me, madam?
I need more.
As you wish.
Leave the bottle.
I told you, too much can drive a person mad.
Made my father do unspeakable things.
To you?
Till I made him stop, that is.
You know how to look after yourself.
I admire that.
Yes, and that's why I have to stop coming here.
Oh?
The Queen might discover our relationship.
Her punishment would be severe.
Mm.
You must pick a horse.
There can only be one winner.
I did not make the rules.
In fact, I despise them.
But they are what they are.
Nothing personal.
Twice a day, no more.
Hmm.
I'm very grateful.
I will need more gold
if I am to continue supplying you.
I can get you more whenever you need.
Together, we could accomplish great things, Angelica.
Thank you for agreeing to be regent.
Yes, very good of you to, uh... step in.
Come back to us.
I'll do my utmost.
I want you to put aside your differences
and I want you to serve your regent while I am at war, yes?
We remain your faithful servants.
Good.
- Cunt. - Cock.
- Kiddie-fiddler. - Pig-fucker.
Oh, grow up.
Thank you.
It'll be you going to war next.
M-Ma-Mary says I should focus on my strengths.
And what does Mary say that those are?
The-the study of scriptures.
Mm. Like most who suffer from physical afflictions,
Francis is very close to God.
What others see as weakness, I see only as strength.
Your Majesty.
Well, that can be no bad thing.
Show our enemies no mercy, Father.
We will pray for you.
Ah.
Diane, what are you doing?
I have decided I shall accompany you to the front
and bring you luck.
Diane--
I can outride most of your men.
Would you have me sit and pine when I can be useful?
I only hope the Duke of Guise can keep up.
I certainly intend to try.
Very well.
Can I ask you something, brother?
Of course, brother.
Why the fuck did you agree
to surrender your regency to Catherine while the king is away?
Well, the king asked me. What was I supposed to do?
You were supposed to say no.
I didn't care that my husband took Diane
to battle with him.
With any luck, they would be captured,
held for ransom that I would be slow to pay.
All that mattered was that it was my time to govern.
Regent of all France.
Not bad for a commoner.
Look, the Holy Roman emperor,
his battalion is much larger than ours.
Our only advantage is geography.
We should take them by surprise, approach from
- the ridge before daybreak... - Yeah?
And drive them into the forest.
Yes, they wouldn't expect it.
If you were to send half your men on foot
into the dark of the forest
and then make the approach from above a feint,
they would still react as if it's not and they would do as you say, no?
Yes, if our riders made a hell of a noise on the way down,
then there they would meet our men in ditches that we've dug.
Waiting to cut the enemy to pieces.
Exactly.
Just like madam said.
Excellent plan, Your Majesty.
Montmorency would be proud.
Yeah, well, it's what he taught us, isn't it?
Anticipate an enemy's reaction and use it.
Mm.
Didn't think you were paying attention.
Always.
Are you the queen's dressmaker?
What's it to you?
I'm hungry.
So go to the kitchen.
I worked as an apprentice for a dressmaker.
Perhaps I could work for you.
All I want is a place to sleep.
I don't need any help.
Now fuck off.
Catherine asked for you.
Did she?
You're never where you say you're going to be these days.
I've been busy.
What's that you've got in your hand there?
Nothing.
Nothing?
Show me.
It's a present for you, actually.
Now you've spoiled the surprise.
You told them I requested a Privy Council meeting?
Of course.
Where are you going?
The regent's called a Privy Council meeting.
You mean the merchant's daughter?
A Guise does not come when called by someone like that.
Or are you her dog?
Okay, Mother.
What would you want me to do?
As I am a member of the king's Privy Council.
Yes, the king's Privy Council.
Make her come to you.
Tell her I'm indisposed.
Privy Council meeting.
Sit down, Antoine.
Is the cardinal going?
He has been called.
That doesn't mean he's going.
Find out.
We're not gonna sit there like a big pair of tits,
waiting for him.
No. He'd just love that, wouldn't he?
Yes, because then we would look weak,
and we would not get what we want.
Right. Of course.
And-and-and what is it we want, exactly?
To finish our meal without being burdened
by the whims of someone who shouldn't be regent.
Right.
It's just that...
well, it-it all seems a bit pointless
when we might actually help govern.
Pointless or not, it's the family business, Antoine.
If you don't like it, you can always
go and help Father tend to Mother's gardens.
I knew I would be tested,
but I had no idea it was gonna be so soon.
Ah, Your Majesty.
Have you, uh,
have you come for confession?
I have nothing to confess.
Please.
I missed you at the Privy Council meeting.
Yes, a member of my, uh, flock was in need.
I've had a message from the king.
He will need more funds if he is to keep fighting.
I'm afraid you're-you're showing your inexperience.
The Privy Council can't give you what you need.
For that, you have to go to the treasury.
Oh.
Thank you.
You will, however,
find the treasury empty.
Well, how can it be empty?
Your Majesty, have you not seen
how these frugal Protestants spend money?
Of course, you could go to Parlement to request funds,
but unfortunately the majority
are not made up with the nobility or clergy
but of the mercantile class.
You should get along with them well.
Meaning?
Just that you are so likable.
Not what she meant.
So how do you propose I win their support?
The Third Estate is divided evenly between Catholics,
who will always vote the way I tell them,
and members of the new religion of whom you can expect
nothing but backstabbing and disloyalty.
Can I count on you for your support?
That depends on what you're willing to do for me.
There are certain properties currently in Protestant hands
that I believe would be better off
under the curation of the Catholic Church.
Your own brother is in harm's way,
and yet you are haggling.
We don't worry about Francois.
Francois can look after himself.
He always has done. Isn't that right, Mother?
I have never condoned special treatment
for either of my boys.
The country must come first.
I admire your patriotism.
There is no higher purpose.
Except my line.
God, of course.
I'm willing to put up the money,
but I need protection from that fucking cardinal and his brother.
I'm not building those ships
to have them taken off me by a grown man in a skirt.
Show me the, uh, sketches again?
Ah.
Mm. Yeah.
Fascinating. Isn't it, Antoine?
- What? - These.
Yes, absolutely.
And, in return, what could we expect?
Twenty-five percent of the profits.
- Make it 50. - 50?
You have come to us for protection.
It comes at a cost.
You're just as bad as the others.
Ah, Your Majesty.
Your Majesty, may I present Pierre Marques.
It's an honor.
I hope I'm not interrupting.
No, actually, we were just leaving.
We'll be in touch.
Your Majesty.
So, so sorry we couldn't make it to the Privy Council meeting.
There's just... so much going on at the moment.
- Right, Antoine? - Hmm?
Uh, yes, of course. It's-it's exhausting, really.
- Endless. Go, go, go. - Mm.
I presume you know why I'm here.
The war. I heard. Terrible business.
Obviously, we'd love to help rally Protestant support,
but more contributions to the treasury at this point,
well, it's a bitter pill to swallow.
I mean, that man you just met had his home taken from him
for no other reason than being a Protestant.
On the other hand, I may be able to deliver the votes
if you were to make a... gesture in return.
What sort of gesture?
I think having a member of the Catholic clergy
on the Privy Council is a little...
outdated, don't you?
You would have me remove Cardinal Guise
from the Privy Council?
It would be a start.
Protestants are not interested
in these old grievances and wars.
They are for hard work and making money.
As am I.
Are you?
Trading on your inherited status at every turn
seems a more accurate description of your agenda to me.
Ah, it's a fair point.
Drop your cocks, grab your socks.
Time to go and kill some Spaniards.
Charming.
Still raining.
Is it now?
We can't wait any longer.
Good a day to die as any.
All right.
His Majesty does not intend to fight, I hope.
Of course. I'm their leader.
I will ride into battle at the head of my men.
You're more than that. You're the king.
What will become of the French people if something happens to you?
Diane, my father led from the front.
Forgive me, but your father was not the intellect you are.
I loved him as you did, but...
the duke will agree he was not a strategist.
When he was captured a-at Pavia,
he left you and your brother in his stead.
Do you think your son would survive such a fate?
I would never, never subject my son to anything like that.
Of course not.
But you said you wanted to learn from your father's mistakes.
Bloodying your sword is not what makes you a great king.
Diane.
- War is not a game... - Diane...
in which to prove yourself.
Now men's lives are at stake.
I don't ask you to think of me.
I don't ask you to think of what would become of me
if something happens to you.
I ask you to think of France.
Francois.
What do you think?
I think madam sees the situation clearly.
I shall ride into battle, carrying your colors proudly.
He thinks I'm a coward!
To be a great king, you must be willing to make decisions
that are not popular nor flattering.
Francois would never be capable of such sacrifice.
He will never be a leader of men.
Only you have that wisdom.
I knew I wouldn't get any help
from the Guises or the Bourbons,
so I would have to find another way.
I don't know why I ever agreed to join Parlement.
No good ever comes of it.
Well, there's always a first time, isn't there?
From what I understand, the regent is her own woman.
No one is their own anything.
Least of all a woman.
You have done well...
displayed a subtlety of understanding
for the whims of court that were lost on your father.
M-mother...
...has it ever occurred to you
that your constant underestimation of the man
may have just, you know, sapped his confidence?
And if you just loved him properly,
he-he might've done more.
No.
The truth is, he was a dullard.
Poor man.
You, on the other hand,
appear to take after my side of the family.
I'm almost proud of you.
Do you think she'll really go for it?
- What choice does she have? - She's the queen.
Far as I can tell, she has infinite choices.
Do you really think she wants to explain to the king
why she failed to send him what he needed to win?
She's already been replaced in the bedroom.
'Course not.
To understand people,
you must know their desires and their fears.
That way you have leverage, Antoine.
That's how the world works.
They're ready for you.
I stand before you today
because our beloved France
is at war.
At this very moment,
King Henri and his soldiers
are risking their lives
fighting for French sovereignty.
In order to succeed,
they will need food,
weapons, horses,
and armor--
all of which cost money.
To the Catholic members,
let it be known
the Crown has always appreciated your loyalty.
To the Protestant members of the body,
there is no reason
you should not be free to prosper.
No one should take from you
what you alone have built.
In return for your support,
a representative of your choosing
will be granted a private audience with the king,
during which time you will be free to air your grievances
without middlemen
getting in the way for profit.
It is the king's desire
to make tolerance the law of the land.
This is what resides in the king's heart.
And if you knew him the way that I know him--
his generosity,
his kindness,
his loyalty--
you would have no choice
but to answer your sovereign's call
at France's hour of need.
The military shall have our support, Your Majesty,
in return for the king's ear.
Oh, fuck.
People
only ever want to be heard.
She's a natural, wouldn't you say?
She's a fucking problem is what she is, Antoine.
She just won the Protestants' support without our help
and without giving us anything in return.
Do you know what that makes us?
Assholes?
Precisely.
- You came home. - I did, thanks to you.
Diane.
I'm glad you're safe.
Now, any trouble while I was away?
Nothing important.
Brother, no new holes in you, I trust?
- None that I've noticed. - Please.
In honor of your victory, Duke.
Thank you, my child.
Why don't you present them to our king?
No, no.
No.
No, you should celebrate your-your triumph, Francois.
That was your triumph, Your Majesty.
Your strategy. Well, yours and... madam's.
Francis.
Why did your father fight the Holy Roman emperor?
I-I already told you. For the sovereignty of France.
Yes, but... they worship the same God.
Would-wouldn't it have been better
if they'd just joined forces and fought those who do not?
My father knows best.
Yes. [laughs] Of course he does.
- Gentle, for fuck's sake. - Listen to you.
Riding around the place,
fighting with anyone you can get your hands on.
Truth is, you're a fucking baby.
After you finish washing my ass,
I'll get up and teach you how to speak to your betters.
Yeah? I'd like to see you try.
Hello, Mother. I'll be out in a minute.
No rush.
Hope I'm not interrupting.
Of course not.
The more, the merrier.
So, did you bring me a present?
I was gonna get you a buxom Belgian maid
to comfort you in your long nights of the soul,
and then I remembered you took a vow of celibacy.
Mm, more of a suggestion than a vow, actually.
And guess what.
If I decide to break it, I can forgive myself.
No, your brother has been far too busy
for dark nights of the soul while you've been gone.
Isn't that right, Charles?
You may go.
No, he's nearly finished.
Oh, I can bathe my own son, can't I?
No, your brother has been letting himself be outmaneuvered
by that slow-moving dolt married to the king
while you managed to carry the king's colors
onto the battlefield while he watched from the sidelines.
With help from Diane.
Yes, well, she will regret that.
Maybe Catherine is the one we should watch.
Okay.
Is this really necessary?
Oh, I'm sorry.
Am I being unfair?
Have I said something untrue?
The queen wanted something from you,
and instead of extracting a price, you let her go around you.
Now, hmm, what does that make you?
Go on. Say it.
It makes you...
Irrelevant.
Precisely.
Not like your big, strong brother.
Why do you do that to him?
You know he doesn't like it.
Oh, well, that's his problem.
He's always been so straightforward.
Not like you in your pretty little skirts.
YetI did not choose this.
Shame.
Would you like to have a little cry over how unfair life can be?
You know, there's two schools of thought when it comes to parenting.
One is to love your child unconditionally
so they suffer the delusion the world will do the same.
The other is to break them before the world does it more cruelly.
And I wonder what school of thought you fall into.
Well, I've simply prepared you both for life as it is,
not as a mother wishes it were.
You need to make yourself essential
to the governing of this country.
And how do you propose I do that?
You don't know?
You have the piece already in your hand.
Your niece, Mary Stuart,
thinks she's on a mission from God.
You can't buy that sort of singularity of purpose.
All you need to do
is make yourself a conduit to her calling,
and she will give you the throne.
The king has asked not to be disturbed.
Not by me.
By anyone, madam.
He said so?
Quite specifically.
I see.
Oh.
Oh?
Is that how you greet your king?
Your Highness.
I'll tell the queen you are here.
Yes, you do that.
- Good morning. - Good morning.
Would you be so kind as to go for a ride with me?
You.
I have a job for you.
- What? - I want you to follow someone.
Ahh...
Another.
- No. - No?
You take too much.
You have no idea.
I know where you were.
Ah, are you jealous?
You know what Catherine would say.
I don't care what Catherine would say.
You have to pick a horse.
After all, it's not personal.
Those two will cut right through you to get at each other.
Yeah, at least Diane's honest about it.
Do you want to know what I think?
I think you know there's some...
small possibility that you might be loved by me.
And so you will do everything
to make sure it isn't so.
Well, someone once told me
if you love something in this world, you can never be free.
So, I think I'll take gold over love.
Then you'll want this back.
It's beautiful, isn't it?
This is the house the Guises stole off some Protestant, eh?
I met the man.
Well, it's mine now, apparently.
A gift.
A gift to curry favor with the new king.
What do you think I should do?
Accept?
Let it be known that I'm easily bought?
Or turn it down at the risk of the Guises'...
ire?
You'll make the right decision.
Perhaps.
I think you've always seen something in me that I...
have trouble really believing exists.
The same as Diane.
Can I ask you a question?
Is it too late for us?
It is never too late.
Again... I believed he could love me.
When I was in the front, playing the part of a...
a toy soldier
wrapped in cotton,
you... were a real regent.
I want you to have it.
In gratitude for what you did.
I don't need inducements.
But I do have a small favor to ask.
You kept your word.
What else do I have?
I'm impressed.
And I'm free to speak my mind?
You are.
My family came up the same as yours.
Through hard work and trade.
You can trust me.
Finally secure in my position,
I wanted to lend a helping hand to someone in more need than I.
Your Majesty,
congratulations on your victory.
I understand we have a lot to thank you for.
Your loyalty will not go unnoticed.
We only have your wife to thank for that.
She makes a persuasive argument.
She does indeed.
I believe you have something you'd like to say to me?
I do.
I began life as a tailor's apprentice.
Didn't have any schooling.
I worked my way up until I owned the business.
I never asked anything from anyone.
But every time
I have two pennies to rub together,
one of my betters takes them.
Just like they took my home.
Now, they say it's because I worship the wrong God.
It's not.
It's because I'm common.
And when I go to those who are supposed to be my allies,
they take from me as well.
Because... I'm common.
I should remind you who you are addressing.
I know I'm uncouth,
but you need to hear this,
because if free men can't make their way in this country,
mark my words, sooner or later, they'll come for you.
For all of you.
And they'll put all your pretty little heads on spikes.
You know it as well as I do.
You're only hoping it doesn't happen on your watch.
Because you can put on your show with your rituals and your finery,
but you know it won't last forever.
Sooner or later, they'll catch on
and see that you're no different than the rest of us!
How dare you!
The king grants you an audience and you come with threats?
Oh, pshh, a warning.
- Not threats. - It's all right.
- No, it's not.
No, it's not!
If your father could see you show such weakness,
he would be ashamed!
A tailor who thinks he can speak his mind to the king?
I should have you whipped,
and then perhaps you will remember your place!
Who are you to tell me of my place?
The king's mistress is supposed to be invisible,
seen and not heard.
But you, you-you prance around
without even a sense to be ashamed of yourself!
The way you carried on at the coronation?
Did you think they were cheering you?
They were laughing!
- That's enough. - At both of you!
A king who doesn't fight with his men?
- I said that's enough! - Because he'd rather
- be fucking his whore! - He is your king!
Chosen by God!
That makes me God's choice!
Or God's whore, if you like!
No God of mine.
Now, if you'll excuse me...
...I think I've had enough.
Quickly, quickly!
Forgive me.
I did it for you.
It needed to be done.
You're my king.
Of course.
Of course. Of course.
Of course.
You are forgiven.
You are-you are forgiven. You are forgiven.
I attempted to find refuge
from the turmoil at court at Chenonceau,
the house that started it all.
Hello, cousin.
Cousin.
Henri and I have decided
we shall make Chenonceau our country home
instead of Chaumont.
Charming, isn't it?
Who will rid me of this woman?
You look familiar.
I hear you tell fortunes.
It's a cheap trick, really.
Tell mine.
Ah.
In a few hours, you'll be shit-faced.
More shit-faced than you already are.
You'll probably get in a fight,
but you can handle yourself, so you'll be all right.
Today, that is.
'Cause you'll get older.
And you'll get slower.
And, eventually, you'll end up dead in a ditch.
Pig food.
Like me.
Despite the fact
that you gave your whole life
to a king and a way of life
that never gave a fuck about you in the first place.
It's no trick.
Turns out, you are a fortune teller.
You all right, son?
I'm fine.
Can I be of any help to you?
I said I'm fine.
Perhaps a place offered for the night.
Protection.
You are offering your charity?
It is a Christian thing to do.
How much for the girl?
She is my daughter.
So? How much?
You insult me.
That enough?
Let me talk to her.
She's young, but she can learn.
She'll make a good wife eventually.
What sort of man sells his own daughter, huh?
It's misunderstood--
I-I didn't misunderstand.
Now, I'd like to think she's not your flesh and blood.
I'd like to think you found her along the way
and you've been passing her off as your own,
but the world is not as I'd like it to be, is it?
So tell me, how does it feel
to know that in a moment's time
when you cease to exist, no one will object,
no one will mourn, no one will even notice?
- I beg you. - Oh, don't bother.
I've killed for the king. I've killed for money.
Neither has brought me as much pleasure
as killing out of sheer distaste.
Spare him!
He's not worth the air he breathes.
I don't disagree.
But he is my father.
Is that what you want?
It is not all I want.
I'm not in the business of granting wishes.
I want you to take me with you.
I don't even know where I'm going.
I know.
As I look back,
one danger only prepared me for the next.
I will do as you ask.
I'll search Mary's chambers for you.
You are a true friend.
After all, one must be a fox
to find the snares
and a lion to frighten the wolves.
Oh.
My dear mother-in-law,
I heard you wished to take a walk with me?
Yes.
It's a small matter of scripture
that I would like to share.
It's a passage that is helping me
through my own grief over King Francis' death.
How thoughtful.
"You will grieve,
"but your grief will become joy.
"But you shall lament and weep
"that the world shall rejoice
"and you shall be made sorrowful.
Your sorrow shall be turned into joy."
Yes. John.
Chapter 16, verse 20.
Precisely.
I see why you think that would be a comfort for me.
My dear, you look cold.
I'm fine.
Nonsense.
Go fetch your mistress a shawl.
What the fuck do you think you're doing?
♪ I bet, I bet, I bet You're wonderin' how I knew ♪
♪ 'Bout your plans to make me blue ♪
♪ With some other guy you knew before ♪
♪ We're two of a kind, You know I love you more ♪
♪ It took me by surprise, I must say ♪
♪ When I found out yesterday ♪
♪ Oh, I heard it through the grapevine ♪
♪ Not much longer will you be mine ♪
♪ Oh, I heard it through the grapevine ♪
♪ And I'm just about to lose my mind ♪
♪ Honey, honey ♪
♪ Heard it through the grapevine ♪
♪ Not much longer will you be my baby ♪
♪ Ooh, ooh, ooh ♪
♪ Heard it through the grapevine ♪
♪ Not much longer will you be my baby ♪
♪ Ooh, ooh, ooh ♪
♪ I'm just about to lose my mind, ha ♪
♪ And I'm just about to lose my mind ♪
♪ And I'm just about To lose my mind ♪
♪ And I'm just about to lose my mind ♪
Yeah, yeah.