Critic’s Rating: 5 / 5.0
5
The wolves are no longer at the gate because they’re roaming The Serpent Queen’s corridors.
It has to be said that the storytelling of this series is genuinely astonishing.
From the wardrobe, hairstyles, and locations, The Serpent Queen is a force of entertainment ingenuity.
For most people, period pieces can be a hard sell because most audiences crave action and laughter.
But The Serpent Queen’s writers bring unprecedented expertise to their storytelling.
This series is rife with glitz and glamour with a shine that can be seen reflecting off any dagger.
However, in The Serpent Queen, the real danger lies not in the weapons but in the people who don’t need a blade to cut down their enemies.
And viewers are getting a crash course in royal warfare with the perfect level of over-the-top historical retelling.
Minnie Driver Chews Up Every Scene As The Not-So-Virgin Queen Elizabeth
Speaking of over the top, how incredible has Queen Elizabeth been? She trotted down the palace corridor at the opening like a lion stalking its many victims.
I can’t get over how incredible the character is, from her lines to her wig.
She came to France to stir up confusion, chaos, and calamity. While that isn’t great for the other characters, it’s incredibly entertaining to watch.
Queen Elizabeth is a complete force of nature as she manipulates her way through the royal court.
Minnie Driver (The Witcher: Blood Origins) is chewing up every scene in a role made for her.
The fact that she could deliver such an incredible performance while sweating under all those layers is top-tier talent.
There wasn’t a single moment when she wasn’t one hundred percent herself. She has enough cleverness to fill the space under those huge dresses.
Plenty of room down there for Louis to his queen smiling all the way to war.
The Bourbons Continue To Go To Bat Against The Serpent Queen With Constant Comedic Failure
If this episode made one thing clear about the Bourbons, it’s that they are complete idiots. At least Louis and Antoine are.
Antoine’s wife and son seem to have their actual wits about them. And Jeanne has to be a favorite among viewers because the queen of Navarre is hilarious.
The way she and Antoine argue is the kind of married couple bickering comparable to Fred and Ethal on I Love Lucy. It is absolutely hysterical.
Jeanne doesn’t care one bit about Antoine and Antoinette’s illicit affair.
The writers are going for it with the Bourbons on The Serpent Queen because the whole family feels like the comic relief of the show.
Louis, played by Danny Kirrane of The Sandman, and Antoine, played by Nicholas Burns of Black Mirror, have to be the worst conspirators in history.
Antoine is definitely not a fan of Edith, but watching him squirm when he returned to her camp was so funny.
Those brothers act as if they are part of the first royal family, with their immense entitlement.
I genuinely hope they don’t go anywhere because it has been wildly entertaining to see how easily these men are manipulated by the women around them.
The Guises Are Falling Apart At The Seams With Antoinette Scrambling To Find A Needle
Speaking of manipulation, what the hell is going on with the Cardinal? People generally get better once they’ve found God.
He seems to be on some downward spiral. How he interacts with everyone around him makes it seem like he’s strung out.
I have to admit that some of Edith’s teachings aren’t exactly wrong, but they’re ideals that can be had without the institution of religion.
Now Antoinette has to step in because the holy order of flowing robes and oversized crosses showed up to investigate her son.
At least Francois is off the chopping block and out of the dog house for now.
Although, I wouldn’t put it past him to do something drastic about his brother.
Their bond seems rooted in living up to their mother’s expectations, and their brotherhood seems tenuous at best.
So, while I don’t think Francois, played by Raza Jaffrey of Code Black, will kill his brother, the duke is likely to do something extreme to bring his brother back to reality.
The Cardinal is in for a rude awakening once he discovers that God hardly ordained Edith’s poison survival.
The Serpent Queen Continues To Defy Expectations By Utilizing Inspired Storytelling
One of the biggest mysteries since The Serpent Queen Season 2 Episode 2 was how Edith kept surviving the attempts on her life.
Now we know. Or, at least, we know how she survived the poison.
If Catherine’s conversation with Angelica is to be taken seriously, Edith was never actually given poison.
While that is a sound and logical explanation, it would’ve been more interesting if it had actually been poison.
And while Angelica is likely still on the queen’s hit list, The Serpent Queen has far more critical issues to deal with.
First, there’s her brother, who we’re pretty sure is actually blood-related but conspiring against her.
Perhaps his plan is less about Catherine and more about gaining the power, wealth, and respect he feels he is owed.
Lord knows Catherine can’t afford to lose any more children. Hercule is dead, and Elisabeth is married off. The only ones left standing are Charles, Anjou, and Margot.
Some of Catherine’s children are already not long for this Starz series.
Charles is practically at death’s door. Margot is a dreamy-eyed, naive, and whiney princess.
Then there is Anjou — the pretty prince with a temper that could rival a bull.
Although, I will say that one of the best parts of the episode was watching Anjou and Queen Elizabeth’s sarcastic sparring.
There may be more of their sharp dialogue if Charles ends up in the same way as Hercule.
The Not-So-Virgin Queen stated that she would marry whoever won the fencing match.
That red-headed agent of chaos knew the tea and did not hesitate to force everyone’s hands.
I don’t care if Elizabeth is the technical villain. Minnie Driver is serving Queen while Catherine continues to be Mother.
With only two more episodes of The Serpent Queen Season 2, more bodies could hit the floor before we reach the end.
That doesn’t bode well for Anjou and Margot.
But in all truth, is anyone besides Queen Elizabeth having an easy time this season?
The Serpent Queen continues to defy expectations by utilizing inspired storytelling with phenomenal acting dressed up in award-winning costumes and makeup.
So, be sure to keep your sword drawn. We may only have two more episodes, but this has only been the calm before the storm.
Do you think Charles will survive his injuries?
How do you think Catherine will handle it if she loses another child?
Drop a comment below to let us know, and join me again when I review the next episode of The Serpent Queen!