The Serpent Queen
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Here we are atThe Serpent Queenfinale.
I love a big dramatic coronation scene, so that accounts for at least three points right there.
But perhaps I am getting ahead of myself.
This show really highlights how excellent some people are at plots and schemes and how terrible others are.
When it comes to plotting, I am the Antoine of my generation.
Why would you scheme when you could order a milkshake!
(Wizards, amirite?)
Fortunately, Rahima finally gets to narrate an episode.
Rahima goes to Ruggieris forest encampment, where he gives her a knockoff of Elizabeth Is royal seal.
I assume you could be killed for possessing something like this?
They killed people for way, way less back then.
So now Montmorency and the Bourbons lose the element of surprise, and everything goes sideways for them.
Louis says, Fuck this, and rides off, continuing the Bourbon Boys hold on my heart.
She tells Antoine to run to a nearby farmhouse, then asks Montmorencys forgiveness.
You made all these choices; dontdilutethem.
Catherine tells him that Antoine stabbed Montmorency and ran off.
She wants Antoine alive, only its not clear why until later.
(Spoiler: because of schemes!)
This is the wrinkle in the actual plan of succession.
Despite this kidnapping thing, they still need Antoines sign-off on a new regent.
Maybe because of laws?
Im not an expert in 16th-century French jurisprudence.
The Guises want Montmorency as regent.
When stopped by a guard, she says shes Sister Grace of the Sacred Order of the Diminutives.
He asks if shes joking and Mathilde says, You think Id make that up?
(Hes soreedy.)
Antoine calls her bluff, saying he has no idea if Louis is even actually imprisoned.
Watching Antoine make a smart move is like watching Michael Scott nail that paper sale at Chilis.
Catherine de Medici: so complicated.
A true onion of a person.
But, like, aschemingonion.
Much of the drama here all comes down to the farmhouse and the signing over of the regency.
She tells him theyll keep cutting bits off if he doesnt make her regent.
Antoine is going to sign, but then Montmorency and the Guises charge in with guns??
Now she just has to convince her dying son to co-sign.
A 16th-century womans covert-power-grab work is never done.
Mary announces shell write to her cousin Elizabeth, who will definitely help her.Ahahahahahaha.
And then we are back to Rahima telling Catherine the end of the story!
How, you ask?
Step 1: Mary sends a letter to Elizabeth I.
Step 2: JK, because the letter never reaches Elizabeth.
Step 4: Profit.
She also asks if Catherine did it all for power.
Rahima gives Mary the letter, and Mary immediately packs up for Scotland.
Everyone is there, setting the stage for season two.
Whos literally holding the crown?
Trust no one, Rahima tells us.
