Original subtitles

Previously on The Serpent Queen...

I think we have a fucking problem.

Queen Elizabeth of England...

With whom you've committed treason.

arrived early this morning

as a prospective bride for the King of France.

Welcome to our humble home.

I'm onto you. This is a play, isn't it?

Well, I'm here to reassure you

that we remain committed to your cause.

I hope you will accept a gift.

Weapons, four wagons full.

I will accept your gift.

We represent the Catholic League of France.

I think we need to talk about your son.

Which one?

You can see what I cannot see.

Would you like to be of use to me?

Yes.

I realize I misunderstood about us.

You didn't misunderstand.

I'd like you to return to my service.

Whatever I can do, Your Majesty.

My brother, I want to know what he does at all times.

Everything was stolen from me,

and I intend to get it back fivefold.

Do you know Sisi, grandniece of the Holy Roman Emperor?

As it happens, we have a great deal in common.

Do you know the more time I spend with you,

the more I question whether I have, in fact,

been presented with the right brother?

What do you think about a fence to settle things?

It's my intention to marry the winner.

Doctor!

Doctor!

- Synced and corrected by synk - - www.addic7ed.com -

Despite my best efforts,

our challenges mounted by the day.

Sister Aabis.

Are you ready to admit God the Savior into your life

and abandon your Catholic masters?

I am.

A wise choice.

Are you looking for this?

Your Majesty.

You've examined the king?

Considering his breathing, heart rate,

and family history,

I believe the king's symptoms point to only one diagnosis...

consumption.

I've heard that word far too many times in my life.

I do not wish to hear it again.

I'm sorry.

But I see no benefit in not telling you the truth.

Does he know?

If he does, he's not admitted it to himself.

And how long does he have to live?

Difficult to say.

You've served us a long time.

You've always told us the truth.

But if the king's condition

becomes public at the wrong time,

it will undermine his authority

when the country is at its most vulnerable.

Therefore...

if you breathe a word of this to anyone,

including the king himself...

I will have you beheaded for treason.

But if you keep it a secret,

I will always make sure you have

whatever it is you need for your own condition.

How is my brother the king?

Need you ask?

What?

Look, I did what you asked me to do.

I gave him every opportunity to win.

Did you?

It was your pride and vanity

that led to the death of your brother Hercule

and now possibly your king.

Do not say that.

And why shouldn't I say it, when it is true?

I have indulged you for far too long.

And all your life, you have caused me shame

but never more than today.

But now, once and for all,

you will hide away your deviant nature.

You will deny what you are

and get along like the rest of us

so I can fix this mess you've made.

Do you understand?

Do you understand?

Yes, Mother.

But don't doubt for a second

that whatever it is that shames you about me...

well, it lives in you as well.

Though it pains me to admit it,

he was right, of course.

What's all this?

Join us.

I'd rather stand.

It is our understanding

that you've grown quite fond of Princess Margot.

She's a pretty girl.

She's a child.

She's of age.

For a dirty old man like you, maybe.

Francois, please, do not forget your manners.

Manners?

What the fuck is this?

This is God's natural order.

The king is unduly influenced

by the Protestants in his court.

Entertaining the heretic queen was the final straw.

His brother Anjou and his predilections

are destined to mark him as an equally unsuitable ruler.

There is a great reckoning coming.

All true believers will seek a new king to rally behind.

A marriage between yourself and the Princess Margot

would create a new line, a purely Catholic line.

The Guise line.

You want me to be king?

Until an heir is of age.

What's this?

A petition from the Catholic clerics

to name you as head of state.

You can't do this.

We represent the Catholic Church,

with all the wealth and the power of the Vatican behind us.

In truth, we can do whatever we want.

And what do you think Catherine is gonna say about this?

Catherine has lost her influence,

as have her sons.

I think we can agree

time is up for the Valois court.

And if I refuse this insanity?

Do you know how we punish members of the clergy

who adopt the new faith?

It's a method that was perfected in Madrid

during the Grand Inquisition.

They're skinned alive

and then burnt at the stake.

I've seen it.

It takes a while.

And when the flame reaches the exposed flesh,

the pain is said to be unspeakable.

So if you will not do this for France...

perhaps you'll do it for your brother.

It will take a moment for my son to consider your proposal.

We will leave you to confer

as a family.

What the fuck have you done now?

Your Majesty, it is my honor

to present this model of the Tuileries Palace.

I have tried for a perfect match

between French and Italian cultures.

And you have achieved it.

You have a rare talent, Alessandro.

Won't it take ages to build?

Like anything worth doing.

It will be a fitting monument

- to your rule. - Mm.

A home fit for a king and his new queen.

It is my hope that we would have broken ground

by the time Princess Sisi visits us again.

Sisi?

Why would Sisi come here?

I guess she can't stay away.

As it happens, her uncle sent word of her return this morning.

And as you two got along so well,

I thought you would welcome the news.

That doesn't seem particularly appropriate

if I am to be betrothed, does it?

Rahima, would you kindly entertain my brother for me?

What are you up to?

You asked Sisi to come here.

Why?

I am simply obeying an instinct.

Your heart obviously lies with Princess Sisi.

Otherwise, you would have won the fencing match.

Of course I would have won.

I got dizzy, that's all.

Of course.

I can see that.

But Queen Elizabeth might not agree with me.

Then she is a fool.

Mm, perhaps, but I fear you have lost favor

with the English queen.

In fact, I suspect her affections

have turned towards your brother.

Anjou?

That's scraping the bottom of the barrel, isn't it?

Anjou's energy is a better fit for the English queen,

whereas Princess Sisi would make a fine consort.

Sisi is not a queen.

But she will take care of you.

Why not be happy?

You really expect me to believe your concern is my happiness?

Hello, you.

Why all broody?

Haven't you heard?

We're on the verge of civil war.

Aren't we always?

At least in my family, we are.

Seems somewhat worse this time.

I've figured out how I'm going to get away from all this.

I'm going to the New World.

You should come with me.

I mean, we'd have to get married first.

Just as a formality, of course.

You put that thought out of your mind. Do you understand me?

Why?

It is not safe for you to be close to me.

Of course it is.

You have no idea who I am, do you?

- Yes, I do. - Do you?

You see, little girl...

I started all this.

I set that church on fire to set all of France on fire,

and it worked, because that's the sort of man I am.

Do you understand me?

You lied to me.

Of course I lied to you.

I liked your fantasy of me,

so I chose to indulge it.

But now your innocence is too close to stupidity

to be charming.

So do us both a favor

and stay the fuck away from me.

Do you understand, little girl?

Please stop calling me that.

Thank you for agreeing to see me.

Of course.

And how is the king?

He is well.

His pride hurt more than anything.

My dear Catherine,

the repeating of a falsehood does not make it true.

I know consumption when I see it.

Such a cruel disease.

My own sister succumbed,

drowning in her lungs.

It was a torture that distorted her mind.

Do you know she was not always known as Mad Mary?

She was quite sweet when we were children.

I hope that you can understand the sensitivity

of this information.

Of course.

As I hope that you will see the need

to preserve the treaty between our two kingdoms.

We are in agreement.

We must find a way to get what we want.

It is my belief that we will come to terms on Calais

and on trade routes

and even on your annoying cousin Mary.

Well, that is very good to hear.

But, according to patriarchy,

we must bind our kingdoms together

like neighboring farms breeding swine.

An ugly business, but it is the way of the world.

I believe you may be willing to consider Anjou

as a prospective mate in place of his brother.

You are even more pragmatic than I'd imagined.

One might mistake it for carelessness.

That would be a miscalculation.

Of course.

Ah, Throckmorton.

Well, this is quite unexpected,

change in loyalties so quickly.

And yet you get along with Anjou.

He does amuse me.

Marriages have been built on less.

Anjou did win the match,

and after all, I promised my heart to the winner, didn't I?

Indeed you did, Your Majesty.

My father always told me one must honor one's word.

Although he did say the same thing to my mother,

so... who knows what he meant?

I have an idea.

Why don't we go and tell my new suitor

the happy news right away?

Oh, but it is late.

Not too late for Anjou, I'm sure.

Isn't that right, Throckmorton?

Never, Your Majesty.

Unless, of course, you're having second thoughts about the union.

Of course not.

What fun.

Music?

How festive.

Could he be expecting us?

Come to think of it, another time would be better.

Nonsense. I love a party.

Allow me.

Anjou.

- Anjou. - What?

Well...

what are you staring at?

I imagine you have lots to discuss,

mother to son.

I'll leave you to it.

Adieu, my prince.

Can you shut the door?

I'm not quite finished.

Rahima!

Rahima!

Ah, Catherine, I was so worried

we wouldn't be able to say our goodbyes.

I didn't want to wake you.

Thought you might need your sleep after all the excitement.

My lady-in-waiting neglected her duties this morning.

But you're not leaving us, are you?

With our business unfinished?

But of course I am.

Surely, you must agree that things have changed,

what with one of your sons being medically unfit

and the other one apparently in possession of sexual needs

I couldn't possibly meet.

Come on.

We both know a marriage of this kind

can make room for any number of eccentricities.

They are private matters.

Until they are not.

When word gets out and every royal house

hears about Charles and Anjou,

whoever marries them is going to be a laughingstock.

And you will make sure that word gets out.

Because you had no intention of marrying either of my sons.

You came to France for whatever advantage you could find for England.

But, of course.

It must be a challenge

to have to pose as an outrageous, giggling flirt

to get what you want.

I would be careful, because given time,

it may prove difficult to know which is a pose

and which is not.

Let me explain something to you.

Men have been marrying women off

for thousands of years.

My own father, for example,

was a pigheaded fool, but his will was irresistible.

He defied a Catholic God, and the whole country went with him.

Your late father-in-law, Francis I, was almost his equal.

But they did what they did as men,

unapologetic in their appetites.

You and I don't have such luxury.

So yes, I must pose as a virgin and you as a witch

to get what we want.

When I became queen,

I decided no man was ever gonna marry me off.

I was simply going to drive up the price,

playing one suitor off against another.

So yes, you're quite right.

Of course I came here looking for the best deal for England

and not a husband.

And it turned out, it was not you who presented it to me.

But you found it.

Yes, in the most unlikely place.

Oh, this might be of interest to you,

as it appears you don't have the slightest idea

what's going on beneath your own roof.

Frankly, I'd expected a bit more

of the Serpent Queen of France.

I would get your house in order if I were you.

And I wish you all the best with that.

- We've got a problem. - Another one?

Look.

Oh.

We need to leave... immediately.

Where are the Princes of the Blood?

Well, to be honest with you, I have no idea.

Would seem that my lords and masters

have exiled themselves without me.

May as well take him.

On what charge?

I'm sure they'll come up with something.

I didn't do nothing.

Where is Rahima?

She failed in her duties, and I was at a disadvantage

with Queen Elizabeth.

I demand an explanation.

Lady Rahima had business away from the palace today.

What business?

Sure you want to know?

I should get back.

Aren't you tired of being at her beck and call?

It's my position.

Doesn't have to be.

Why?

Are you gonna make me a duchess?

Haven't you heard?

Titles are dying out.

They're almost meaningless.

Besides, I can do better.

I approached Queen Elizabeth

with my plan for investment in the New World.

Behind Catherine's back?

Behind Catherine's back, no.

I saw an opportunity, and I took it.

She can't begrudge me that.

You don't know Catherine.

It's too late.

Elizabeth will fund my endeavor.

We'll be partners in trade.

I came to France to see if my connection to Catherine

would increase my fortune.

Now it has.

Are you using me too?

Of course,

the same way you are using me.

For pleasure.

Seems to me the most rational thing in the world.

She's infatuated with you.

Is she?

If that's what it means when you do not

see someone for who they are.

Well, then she is infatuated with the idea

of not being alone.

And I didn't deprive her.

Did you hear something?

A bird.

When I leave, I want you to come with me to the New World.

A place you can be your own woman,

not take orders from anyone.

Will you do that?

I will consider it...

on one condition.

I owe you nothing.

Likewise.

From this water, you are reborn in second baptism.

Do you feel a weight is lifted from you?

I will when you hold up your end of the bargain.

My child, what is it?

Nothing that concerns you.

Is it my son?

Has he tried to break the understanding between you?

I fear I will never be the same ag...

- again. - Oh.

My poor child,

I know how hopeless it all seems,

but you do not have to feel this way.

You see, the duke is a wounded man.

Something terrible happened to him in the war.

He was vague on the details, but as a result,

he does not think himself worthy of love.

You must persuade him otherwise.

I believe he could be the man he truly wants to be

with me.

It fills my heart to hear you say that

because I believe it too.

Will you allow me to help you, hmm?

Yes.

Yes, of course.

The, uh, House of Bourbon

would like to publicly commit our loyalty

to you and your cause.

My sources tell me you are only here

because Catherine discovered your treachery.

While it's true our disagreements

with the House of Valois have been revealed

perhaps before our liking,

we have never wavered in our efforts

to bring down Catherine and her family.

I know what she's capable of.

And Antoine knows what I am capable of.

Yeah, unfortunately, yes. Yes, I do.

Your wife and son have proven devoted pilgrims.

Henri...

do your father and uncle believe in our cause?

Are they pure of heart?

Um...

I fear they're not.

What?

In fact, in the past,

they've even tried to lead me astray.

- But... - What are you doing, Henri?

- Please-please don't. - But...

they can be taught

and, given the proper guidance,

they could benefit our cause.

In fact...

were they to accept second baptism

to prove their loyalty...

I believe they could begin their journey toward the light.

Absolutely.

Willing and able.

Then so it shall be.

To the lake.

I thought I would be too late.

What, you thought I'd abandoned you?

We're bound together, whether we like it or not.

I have been made a fool.

Yeah, you could say that, I suppose.

Here.

Sit.

Tell me what I have not seen.

Queen Elizabeth has bested you.

Edith's power is growing. And you are surrounded by traitors.

So you're fucked from every angle.

So there's a poppet

for each member of the court who has betrayed you.

Six poppets.

Six traitors that must be dealt with.

Montmorency.

The Bourbons.

The Guises.

My lady-in-waiting, Rahima.

My brother Alessandro.

But who is the sixth?

Your visions haven't shown you?

No, but they torment me.

If you drink this...

you will see.

What's in it?

You don't want to know.

I'll be your guide.

All of it.

Been asleep for hours.

So what did you see?

My face...

was covered in blood.

And there was a woman giving birth in my bed.

And inside the swaddling...

there wasn't a baby.

There was a nest of snakes.

Then the sixth traitor is a child.

Mine?

Who can say?

Hello, Mother.

I hope this isn't a bad time.

Not at all.

What can I do for you both?

I just heard the bad news

about Queen Elizabeth's rejection of the king's proposal.

Such difficult days we live through.

Life seemed so much simpler when I was a girl.

I suppose everybody says that, but...

when I look at what young people have to face today,

I am quite sure of it.

The miracle is that hope springs eternal in the young.

Like rising damp.

Indeed.

It is my understanding that my son and your daughter

have fallen in love.

I suppose you were aware.

I must confess, I did not know it was so serious.

I once told you that you would have to take a side.

Why not take the side of love?

Love?

Yes.

Mother, it is my opinion that a union like this,

based not on politics but on genuine affection,

is precisely what the French people crave.

Hmm.

It's the sort of thing that justifies the existence

of poetry, of art, of fashion,

of everything that makes us so...

French.

Not to mention that if I'm not mistaken,

with Queen Elizabeth's rejection,

you are left with no way to pay for the palace by the Seine.

Unless you appeal to the Catholic Church,

which nowadays means going through the Catholic League.

Somewhat unyielding in their views,

but as it happens,

I enjoy considerable influence in those circles.

Do you?

If our families were to be rejoined,

I would be happy to assist.

And you, Margot,

can you examine yourself

and tell me that this is something that you really want,

that you are not simply intoxicated

by the intrigue of a court romance?

I can,

and I do.

Will you allow it?

I will do everything in my power to make you happy.

Thank you, Mother.

The king will object.

So you must leave it with me to persuade him.

Can we agree on that?

Of course.

Thank you.

Little madam.

Oh, Your Majesty.

You're surprised to see me?

Well, you, uh, rarely come for service.

It is true.

Something was ruined for me by the nuns who raised me.

Sadists, all of them.

The truth is, I've never understood why people

fight over religion.

The differences between the faiths

have always seemed so insignificant to me.

I've often thought I'd be the same

whether I were born a Mohammedan or a Jew.

How about you?

I believe there are false prophets.

Do you believe Sister Edith is one?

I think God should be the one to judge.

May I say,

I've sensed a renewed power to your faith.

And that is why I am here,

because if faith can ease the pain of a mother

who has to watch yet another one of her sons die,

then I don't care where it comes from.

I-I don't know how I can survive another loss.

The king is ill?

As my priest,

I hope I can trust you to keep this a secret.

The king cannot be undermined at such a critical time.

Of course.

You are totally right, Your Majesty.

Your secret is safe with me.

Will you pray with me?

Yes.

Yes, it would be my honor.

Hail Mary, full of grace,

the Lord is with thee.

Blessed art thou amongst women,

and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus.

Yes, my child.

Bless me, Father,

for I am about to sin.

You mean you have sinned in the past?

No.

When I feel it coming on,

I just can't stop it.

The feeling is...

overwhelming.

So the Catholic League would like the Duke of Guise to be king?

Apparently.

And he gave this to you?

I took it

while he was indisposed

with a bell in his ass.

Your country will not forget your service.

Hello, Rahima.

Françoise.

Yes?

I'm sorry that Queen Elizabeth has returned to England.

If I could, I would have prevented you

from going into Anjou's rooms.

Perhaps it was for the best.

It actually reminded me

of one of the first lessons I ever taught you.

Trust no one.

So you do remember.

Of course.

Well, I'm glad.

Did you manage to look over my brother's books?

You were right.

Of course, it was my mistake.

Everything was in order.

I am grateful.

The time comes when we all must choose a side.

She chose hers.

What the fuck do you want?

Forgiveness.

Only what I said to you

may have been unforgivable.

I once told you

that you must lock away that which makes you different.

That which some might call the perversity in you should be hidden

because it is shameful.

But I now know

that I was wrong.

And to deny your true nature would be death.

Even if I had the power of the Almighty...

I wouldn't change a single hair on your head.

Because then you wouldn't be you.

And it is your nature

that just might save our family.

One day soon,

I will come to you and ask for help.

I only hope that you can answer that call

despite the harm I have done to you.

This certainly is a reduced Council.

Anjou has recused himself for the time being.

Perhaps it will be more efficient.

Perhaps it is better to recognize when we are beaten.

It appears Queen Elizabeth has armed Edith and her followers,

who also have the support of the Princes of the Blood

and the mercantile class they represent.

So we only have one choice.

Bring Edith into the fold, or fight a civil war

it is no longer certain we will win.

Yeah.

I have called you here today

because I have made a decision.

I've agreed to go with Montmorency to meet Edith and broker a peace.

So that's what you

get for killing a prince these days, is it,

a peace deal?

I am curious.

How did Montmorency persuade Sister Edith to meet with you?

He was baptized into her faith...

as I plan to be.

I, uh...

I think the king has proven his wisdom.

Do you?

When I convert to the new religion,

Edith's army will be loyal to me.

The Catholics will retaliate.

Maybe,

but the Valois line remains a Catholic one.

And if I were to marry a Catholic royal,

like Princess Sisi, grandniece of the Holy Roman Emperor,

the Catholics may be appeased.

Maybe.

You want to bet the country on a "maybe"?

What other choice do we have?

It is the right choice.

I am pleased to hear you say so.

I worried you would try to stop me.

No.

Perhaps I have been overzealous

in my efforts to protect you, my king.

But all I have ever wanted for you is independence.

And if you have come to believe that a compromise

with Sister Edith is the way forward,

then I support you.

In fact, I would like to accompany you

to offer my blessings.

- Really? - Of course.

Then I would like that.

You are my king,

and I'm loyal to you above all else.

Your Majesty, you are most welcome.

Are you here for salvation?

I am.

And you?

I am here for peace.

I would like to speak with the Queen Mother alone.

If that would be agreeable to you?

Of course.

What the fuck was that?

Be patient.

You'll get what you came for.

I'm surprised you would come.

You are the new power in the land.

I thought I would show you the respect you are due.

Is it not more accurate to say

that when the king's grand tour failed to unite the people,

you hoped Queen Elizabeth would marry one of your sons

to replace me in the people's hearts?

But she refused.

So now you hope the king's baptism

will inspire my followers to lay down their arms

and serve as his loyal subjects.

I do.

And what do you have to offer in exchange for this peace you seek?

The conversion of a king is not enough?

Well, it might be.

But the conversion of a dying king...

is a different matter, wouldn't you agree?

I see I can keep nothing from you.

It came to me in a vision.

It seems you come for my friendship empty-handed.

Not exactly.

You're quite right.

My son is not long for this world,

and his brother is a well-known deviant.

It will be the end of the Valois line.

So what happens next?

Antoine of Bourbon is next in line to the throne,

but he is guilty of treason

and would never be accepted by the French Catholics.

Nor, as I'm sure you are aware,

is he a true believer of your faith.

His son Henri, however,

is a different matter.

If he were to marry a Catholic princess

and produce a son,

the people would rally around the new line,

a new Protestant line.

The king would be yours to control.

And who, out of curiosity,

is the lucky bride in this new world order?

My daughter Margot.

You expect me to trust you?

Yes.

Because as soon as the marriage is consummated,

I will sign the regency over to you.

And you will be the most powerful person in France.

I'm common.

As am I.

You may tell me

that you have no desire for earthly power

and that your kingdom lies in heaven,

but somehow

I do not believe you will.

I wonder.

What would your son say

if he heard you give away his legacy so easily?

Well...

he would despise me more than he already does.

You mistake me for one of the pieces

you move around the board so easily.

No.

I have learned the hard way that you are no such thing.

Oh, Sister Edith, I am tired of this game.

All I want is to not bury any more of my children.

Only the Almighty decides who we bury.

Now...

I think we've kept them waiting long enough,

don't you?

♪ I lost my heart ♪

♪ Under the bridge ♪

♪ To that little girl ♪

♪ So much to me ♪

♪ And now I moan ♪

♪ And now I holler ♪

♪ She'll never know ♪

♪ Just what I found ♪

- ♪ That blue-eyed girl ♪ - ♪ That blue-eyed girl ♪

- ♪ She said, "No more" ♪ - ♪ She said, "No more" ♪

- ♪ And that blue-eyed girl ♪ - ♪ That blue-eyed girl ♪

- ♪ Became blue-eyed whore ♪ - ♪ Became blue-eyed whore ♪

- ♪ Down by the water ♪ - ♪ Down by the water ♪

- ♪ I took her hand ♪ - ♪ I took her hand ♪

- ♪ Just like my daughter ♪ - ♪ Just like my daughter ♪

- ♪ Won't see her again ♪ - ♪ See her again ♪

♪ Oh, help me, Jesus ♪

♪ Come through this storm ♪

♪ I had to lose her ♪

♪ To do her harm ♪

- ♪ I heard her holler ♪ - ♪ I heard her holler ♪

- Synced and corrected by synk - - www.addic7ed.com -