Original subtitles

[Antoine] Previously on The Serpent Queen...

[Ruggieri] I'm sorry to hear about Hercule.

He didn't deserve what happened to him.

Who really gets what they deserve in this world?

I'd like nothing more than to retire.

How can I with a psychotic sadist

waiting in the wings?

To ensure glory, we must have a solid bond of trust.

Now take off all your clothes.

So I have decided that the House of Guise

will fund the construction of a grand palace

that will make all Frenchmen proud,

regardless of their faith.

What a pretty idea.

[Alessandro] Catherine says you are to give me what I need,

anything I desire.

You can I ask,

but I won't necessarily give it to you.

So what would you say if I told you

I could arrange another miracle?

[Montmorency] The Duke of Anjou is confined to his quarters.

Your time will come.

She'll turn on you, too, believe me.

Promise me no harm will come to Edith.

A condition for your queen?

Cross me on this, and we will be enemies.

[Edith] The Black Queen sent this woman to kill me.

We drank that poison together,

and yet here we are.

Are you with us, Sister Aabis?

[dramatic rock music plays]

♪ ♪

[Catherine] The location for the new palace is perfect.

It's just as I imagined.

[Alessandro] Seems you have vision, Your Majesty,

in addition to your other gifts.

- You flatter me. - [laughs]

I wonder why.

It's easier to flatter with the truth.

I admire what you're doing.

You are a humanist who sees worth in everyone,

no matter their station.

I can't help but wonder what we might accomplish

were we free of the usual constraints.

What did you have in mind?

America, a place we could bring people together,

unbound by the old laws

and outdated prejudices of Europe.

[dramatic music plays]

I happen to have a controlling interest

in a new settlement in Florida.

Think of it, a colony in your name

where your policy of tolerance would be law

and you would become rich

trading new resources with the vast world.

But not before I provide a substantial outlay

from France's treasuries, hmm?

All I ask is an investment to get things started.

Then you do not plan on returning to Florence?

Ah.

Florentines have never been keen

on a bastard as their duke.

Well, I'm sorry to hear that.

But before I can help you build a new country,

I must first unite my own.

[Charles] Hello, Margot.

Do you know Sisi?

Grandniece of the Holy Roman Emperor.

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

Yes.

How wonderful for you both.

Are you waiting for someone?

Mm? No, no, just, um, reading.

Well, I just adore reading outside.

Perhaps I could join you one afternoon.

It is my opinion that reading is best enjoyed

as a solitary pastime.

But if it is your scheme to marry my brother

and we become sisters-in-law, we will have plenty of time

to bore one another.

There's no point rushing things.

I don't believe I'm scheming at anything.

[Charles] Please forgive my sister.

Margot thinks saying things no one else would

makes her brave.

She forgets, no one else says them

because they are boring and uninteresting.

Oh, he must like you.

He's usually much more indulgent of me.

[horse neighs]

Who is that with Mother?

[Margot] I think he has something to do

with your new palace.

He's terribly handsome.

Is he?

I don't see it myself.

- [Catherine] Ah. - [Charles] Hello, Mother.

You know Sisi?

[Elizabeth] Of course.

Aren't you going to introduce us to your friend?

Ah, I had hoped to introduce you formally.

Charles, may I present the Duke of Florence,

Alessandro de Medici.

It's an honor, Your Majesty.

Ah, so a relative of some kind.

You, you're a fool.

I told you what would happen if you went after Edith.

I would ask you to adjust your tone when addressing--

And I would ask you to fuck off.

- [Sisi gasps] - Who are you to ask me anything?

I'm her brother.

Her what?

I thought you were an only child.

As did I.

Can someone tell me what is happening?

What is happening is, your mother

sanctioned a political assassination

without your authority.

If the situation was dangerous before,

it is now uncontrollable.

And you have your mother to thank.

♪ ♪

- How dare he? - Is it true?

I must confess, this was a contingency

I had not anticipated.

Montmorency has never seen reason

when it comes to that girl.

Please excuse me.

- Uncle. - Your Majesty.

♪ ♪

Welcome to court.

[people grunting]

[Antoinette] Antoine, you-you--

oh, you big beast, oh.

[Antoine] Say that again.

Oh, you massive beast.

[Antoine grunting]

- Stop, stop, stop. - What is it?

♪ ♪

Carry on, carry on. Oh.

- An... toine. - [Antoine grunting]

Ant--[moaning]

♪ ♪

Another miracle.

God be praised.

Is that what you think?

♪ ♪

[Ruggieri] Well, you know me.

I don't believe in magic,

and I don't believe in miracles.

But I believe in faith.

Pray for rain, and if it rains,

who's to say the cause?

Isn't that what you used to tell me?

Someone wanted a miracle,

and someone benefited from providing one.

At this point, it doesn't really matter what happened,

does it?

People believe,

and there's nothing more dangerous than that.

You're up against God now.

Tell me...

how can I protect my children?

Perhaps you should be more concerned

about who will protect you from them.

Now that Montmorency no longer trusts you

to protect his ward, he'll certainly manipulate

the king's insecurity over your tendency to rule over him.

You learned how to manage the Guises and the Bourbons.

Keep them in competition so they never accumulate

enough power to oppose you.

You'd have me set my children against one another?

That ship has already sailed, hasn't it?

♪ ♪

I hear you have a brother now.

He must be such a comfort to you.

He is.

A man you've never met walks into your life

and tells you he's the family you've always wanted.

So many confusing feelings, I imagine.

Hard to see straight.

♪ ♪

Morning, Throckmorton. What's the latest?

News from France, Your Majesty.

Ah.

♪ ♪

Hmm, seems our piece of gutter trash

is rising faster than we thought.

I never doubted her.

I don't know about you,

but I suddenly feel a hankering for the continent.

Shall we take a trip?

I do love a sea crossing.

You are such a romantic.

It's true, I am.

I'd ask you to stay, but I don't have a chair.

- Off you go. - [Throckmorton] Your Majesty.

♪ ♪

I'm afraid my son is not feeling very well.

[gasps] Your Grace, forgive my intrusion.

[Charles V] Oh, nothing to forgive.

[Elisabeth] I will leave you.

No, don't go.

[chuckles softly] You know...

my son wasn't always as cruel as he became.

[laughs]

No, in fact, he was a good boy, gentle.

[chuckles]

He had a small dog he loved.

He was totally devoted to that dog.

He used to carry it with him everywhere.

Of course, I mocked him relentlessly

for the depth of his feeling.

Told him it made him... soft.

So to prove me wrong,

he threw it out the window.

♪ ♪

[sighs] Perhaps...

you might return and read to him.

[chuckles]

The sound of your voice

might provide some peace for both of us.

Come on, now.

♪ ♪

[door creaks]

Ah, Elisabeth.

Good of you to see to our guests.

I will be leaving now that you're here.

[Charles V] Come on.

But I will return again soon.

Oh, thank you.

♪ ♪

Sweet girl.

You're lucky to have her.

I'm sorry for your suffering.

There is only grief at my time of life.

The accomplishments, pfft,

mean nothing.

All I can think of now is...

♪ ♪

...what will become of him when I'm gone?

Well, I'm afraid I have one more grief

to lay at your feet.

Our false prophet Sister Edith

survived the assassination attempt.

If there was any doubt, it would appear that God

is indeed on her side.

[chuckles]

Our heroine in the forest has returned for a third act,

which means the English

will see an opportunity on the continent.

That heaving virgin,

she knows talent where she sees it.

- [liquid pouring] - As it happens,

I'm on the verge of a trade deal with the English queen.

You think she will be satisfied with a trade deal

when she could claim half of Europe?

She won't be able to resist,

whereupon my generals will demand

safe passage through France to defend the empire.

I will have no reason to stand in their way.

You will have no reason to refuse.

French Protestants will join Queen Elizabeth.

The Catholics will stay with me.

And the continent will be cut in two.

[grunts]

♪ ♪

Perhaps we were deluded to think

it could be any other way.

After all, violence is what lies at the heart of man,

and it appears he will have it.

♪ ♪

I wonder if you two really know what you're doing.

I mean, why play double agent at court

when it's clear the promised land

is with Sister Edith?

I suggest you do not concern yourself

with matters you cannot understand.

Yeah, don't-don't trouble yourself with any of that.

Why wouldn't I trouble myself?

The truth is, you're both idiots.

And if it weren't for the involvement

of Queen Elizabeth, I would get as far from this

as I possibly could, with Henri safely by my side.

I won't have you dragging him down as well.

- Very good of you, Mother. - [door clatters open]

[footsteps tapping]

- [Louis] Oh. - [all] Your Majesty.

What a charming family tableau.

I've tried to domesticate the animals as best I could--

prayer, regular family meals.

Life is what happens around a table, I always say.

Yes... bliss.

Uh, c-c-can I offer you a drink?

We abstain, of course, but we're allowed a tipple

when we have guests.

- [fingers snapping] - No, thank you.

I'm not staying.

I only came to welcome Louis home.

- [Louis] Mm. - [Catherine] I thought we might

discuss your recent trip abroad.

How does Queen Elizabeth feel

about all these unruly Protestants

we've got here on the continent?

I hope it's not putting her off our trade deal.

On the contrary.

Like you, she is committed to trade and prosperity

and wants to avoid religious war at all costs.

Rest assured, Queen Elizabeth

has no ambitions on the continent

apart from economic.

So commerce, not conflict, then?

- Precisely. - Got a good ring to it.

[Louis] Mm.

- Indeed. - [Louis] Mm.

- What a relief. - [Louis and Antoine chuckle]

♪ ♪

He's lying.

Unsurprising. I'll find out what I can.

Do it quickly.

You think she bought it?

Of course she bought it.

I have that effect on women, Antoine.

[Antoine chuckles]

[bell tolling]

[ethereal choral music plays]

♪ ♪

[door clatters open]

[door slams]

♪ ♪

Laying it on a bit thick, aren't you?

Don't think anyone's watching.

[dramatic music plays]

♪ ♪

When we were kids,

I was the one who wanted to be a priest.

You were the one wanking in the confession booth,

which makes the fact that you became a Cardinal

particularly funny.

Yeah, well, maybe the joke's on me.

Maybe this... thing that I've resented my whole life

happened for a reason.

Maybe, or maybe it's entirely fucking random

like everything else.

[grunts]

What happened in the church that night, Francois?

[Francois] I don't want to talk about it.

Because you locked the doors,

and then you set it alight with them all inside.

But then what?

What you'd expect.

Screaming.

Then the screaming stopped.

Then the screaming stopped, but they didn't die,

did they, Francois?

What difference does it make?

Oh, oh, it makes a difference.

Why now all of a sudden?

Because it happened again.

They tried to poison her, this preacher in the woods.

She looked her poisoner in the eye

and she drank the poison,

and it had no effect on her.

Now, look, once, yes, maybe you can call it luck.

Twice, in my eyes, that is divine grace.

[Francois] No, you don't believe in anything.

And what if that's the problem, hmm?

What if God...

put me in these...

ridiculous robes only to have the truth

revealed to me by a simple peasant, hmm?

Jesus Christ.

Don't let Mother hear you talk like that.

She'll cut your balls off, or I will.

♪ ♪

[indistinct chatter]

Just the man I wanted to see.

And why is that, my lady?

I thought you'd have much to regale me with

after your trip.

I couldn't tell you about that.

They'd, uh, cut my balls off and serve them on toast.

What's left of them.

God knows they, uh, eat everything else.

What if I make it worth your while, huh?

♪ ♪

How was jolly old?

Weather was shit.

♪ ♪

Food was shit.

♪ ♪

What about the company, hmm?

[Catherine] I called all of you here today

because I believe that Queen Elizabeth

may have taken a hostile position towards France.

[Louis scoffs]

I see no reason to make that presumption.

In fact, as I told the Queen Mother,

it was my studied opinion that Queen Elizabeth

hopes to be a friend to France.

And it is my studied opinion

that the Second Prince of the Blood

may be thinking with the wrong part of his anatomy.

Therefore, Charles,

you must sign a temporary decree

banning all English ships from crossing the Channel.

On what basis?

Prudence.

A temporary ban would halt the supply

of any weapons or equipment that may aid and abet

a Protestant uprising in France.

Charles?

We have other, more urgent business to consider.

What could be more urgent

than the defense of our kingdom?

I think it should be your trustworthiness

we debate here,

not that of the Second Prince of the Blood.

You may bring in the witness.

[door clatters open]

♪ ♪

[Louis clears throat]

♪ ♪

[Charles] Montmorency has found a witness

who will prove that you, Mother, planned and carried out

an extrajudicial assassination attempt,

thereby undermining my authority

and jeopardizing the peace.

♪ ♪

You may speak.

Go on.

I mixed a powerful poison

so someone else could slip it into the drink

of the Protestant leader.

On whose orders?

The Queen Mother's.

[Montmorency] Hmm.

[Angelica] Aabis, the Queen Mother's seamstress,

had access to Edith and was the one

that carried out this plot.

♪ ♪

I speak only the truth.

♪ ♪

[Charles] I'm only sorry

my mother involved you in this.

You are a loyal servant to the crown.

♪ ♪

Your Majesty, I, for one, am shocked

that the Queen Mother could display such disloyalty.

Shocked? How many fingers did she leave you with?

And to think the Queen Mother had the temerity

to question my character.

It's just sad, really, isn't it?

- Mm. - Mm.

Mother, what do you have to say for yourself?

You have made it clear you do not respect my judgment.

But to think you would proceed on such a course

without consulting me...

I'm deeply disappointed by your betrayal.

You are quite right.

I must admit my guilt.

In my overzealousness to protect my children,

I overstepped.

And I only hope that you believe me

when I say that my intentions were good.

However, considering my misjudgment,

I feel it is in the best interests of the council

that I resign from my post immediately.

- What? - Really?

[Charles] But why?

Well, clearly, it is time for me

to withdraw from governmental duties

and concentrate on being a better mother.

I-I mean, there's no reason to rush into anything, right?

Have faith in yourself, my dear boy.

It is time.

♪ ♪

Oh, there is just one more thing, um,

my last official act, if you like.

I wonder if you would honor a mother's wish by...

healing the rift between her sons.

I have in my possession a letter,

a confession from one of Anjou's friends

saying that he was responsible for Hercule's death.

You see, Anjou allowed himself to be led astray,

and he is eternally sorry.

He should be released.

And you have this letter?

I-in my chambers.

I am happy to show it to the king.

- [Charles sighs] - We will consider the matter.

I was addressing my son.

♪ ♪

If this letter exists, it will be done.

♪ ♪

Your Majesty.

♪ ♪

Just leave it on the chair and fuck off.

[pigeon cooing]

[Catherine] I see you have not taken well to solitude.

♪ ♪

[Anjou] You know, I can see everything from up here,

every petty betrayal, every ugly display of vanity.

[Catherine] You need a bath.

Oh.

Well, I thought, if I'm gonna be a political prisoner,

I might as well dress the part.

Next week, I'm going on hunger strike.

And I was hoping you would tell me how sorry you were

for your brother's death.

Of course I am.

[Catherine] And not only his.

Every lake in France has a drowned

Protestant child in it.

Mother, I'm sorry.

I'm sorry for all of it.

I hope so.

Because your king needs you.

The threat of war has never been closer.

And I'm concerned about some of the influences

around him,

Montmorency, for one.

And I was hoping

that you could be persuaded to temper his influence.

I'd love to, but it's a bit difficult

now that I'm locked up in my room.

It had occurred to me...

...that perhaps you are not entirely responsible

for what happened to Hercule.

You may have been led astray by your friends,

one friend in particular...

...Lemur.

That's his name, is it not?

Are you sure it's not the other way around?

[Catherine] He has already confessed.

What?

Why would he do that?

Because then you would be free

to take your rightful place beside your brother

on the Privy Council, where you belong.

♪ ♪

All you have to do is sign his confession.

♪ ♪

Mother, he's my best friend.

♪ ♪

[Catherine] I'll leave it with you to consider.

♪ ♪

You see, I needed their rivalry

to maintain the balance of power.

[horse neighs]

[birds chirping]

[indistinct chatter]

[horse neighs]

[sheep bleating]

All new pilgrims are welcome.

[Louis] So I see.

Since the Black Queen tried to have me killed,

my people insist on protecting me.

It seems selfish not to indulge them.

Abundance of caution-- it's wise.

It is a blessing to meet you.

Yes. Hallelujah.

To what do I owe the pleasure of such prestigious guests,

the Bourbon Princes of the Blood?

Um, we're-we're actually traveling

somewhat incognito at the moment.

[Louis] Yes, for the time being,

best keep this between us.

- Mm. - Mm.

We come with an offer of mutual benefit.

The House of Bourbon shares your complaints

against the House of Valois.

We feel your pain.

And we would like to offer our friendship.

And support.

Material support, not just words.

Though not publicly.

No, we must wait for the right time to do that.

You see, we have a silent partner in our endeavors.

Queen Elizabeth has made an overt commitment

to our cause through me.

I am her man in Europe.

And with my backing, there is no limit

to how far your movement might go.

How generous of you.

[both chuckle]

Though I think your partner is not as silent as you think.

She landed in Flanders a day ago.

- Sorry? - W-what?

No, you must-- you must be mistaken.

She landed with a small escort

but with weapons

to help supply the Protestant rebels

led by the Prince of Orange.

[Louis clears throat]

You didn't know?

It's not much of a partnership, then, is it?

Yeah, well, it's-it's a--it's a--

it's a fluid situation, of course, you know?

It's, uh, ever-ever-evolving.

[Henri] Her courier has probably

been delayed in informing you, Uncle.

Yeah, that's right.

Then you may send her word

that my people need protection too.

We will accept weapons and supplies.

And in turn, we will fight alongside these rebels of hers

when the final struggle comes.

Final struggle?

Sounds a bit ominous.

How else do you think this ends?

Tell me...

...Antoine...

♪ ♪

[Louis] Mm.

...are you a true believer?

[Antoine] Um...

y-yeah, yeah, of course.

[Edith] You understand I have to be sure of your commitment.

[Antoine] Mm-hmm.

Do you know what the purpose of life is?

Um...

no, I don't.

To transcend suffering...

Oh.

...so we may pass freely into the next life.

Right.

It is only through sacrifice

that we may be free.

OK.

What have you sacrificed, Antoine?

Um...

♪ ♪

...it-it-it's subtle.

♪ ♪

[Edith] Aabis, would you mind helping Brother Antoine

demonstrate his commitment?

♪ ♪

What-what-what do you think you're doing?

I feel Antoine would understand us better

if he had experienced what we have, don't you?

[Antoine grunts, breathes heavily]

[Edith] When has he ever shown compassion for his fellow man?

Wouldn't he benefit from understanding

what it is to suffer?

[Antoine grunts]

♪ ♪

Aabis, please, you know I've always liked you.

Who are we to deny him that knowledge?

- For fuck's sake! No! - [Louis] Hey, hey, hey, hey.

- No, no, no, no. Get off! - [Edith] Are you a sinner?

No!

[Edith] Only the flames will purify your soul.

Are you a sinner?

Yes, I've sinned!

How have you sinned? I will know if you lie.

I'm fucking Antoinette again.

Sometimes-sometimes I pretend to be useless

so Louis has to do all the work.

Fuck! God!

I lie! I steal!

Please, for fuck's sake!

[groans]

[breathing heavily]

What the fuck is this?

♪ ♪

Like I said,

we will all be purified in the flames eventually.

[breathing heavily]

♪ ♪

Thank you all so much for coming.

♪ ♪

[breathing heavily]

♪ ♪

[door clatters open]

[Antoinette] Have I told you how nice it is

to have you back?

You haven't, actually.

And I see I'm not the only one

who's pleased you've been released.

I didn't know you'd struck up such an intimate friendship

with Princess Margot.

♪ ♪

Could be useful.

No.

You're full of surprises, aren't you?

I always thought the love of a good woman

would sort you out.

Like Antoine has sorted you out?

As it happens,

Antoine is remarkably talented in certain ways.

Don't you have friends you can talk to

about that sort of thing?

No.

I did when I was younger,

one girl in particular.

We used to play such wonderful games

and share all our secrets,

hours in the woods being animals in the mud.

Oh, it was truly magical.

♪ ♪

Hmm, these things must come to an end.

Games?

Friends.

♪ ♪

- Mother. - [Antoinette] Hmm?

Margot,

she's off-limits.

Do you understand me?

Of course.

I'm not a stone without feelings.

♪ ♪

[person grunting]

[breathing heavily]

Anjou!

Help me!

Can we get on with this, please?

You bastard!

You fucking bastard!

[whimpering]

[Anjou] What's wrong with you today?

Huh?

[Cardinal Guise] I can't stop thinking

about that Sister Edith

and how she keeps cheating death.

Just snap out of it. Stop.

I can't

because everything is making me think about it, OK?

This here,

it's making me think about it.

That girl and her followers

should all be killed immediately.

If for nothing else, it can stop all this hysteria.

Has it ever occurred to you that she...

just might be on a mission from God, hmm?

[blade shings]

No.

You missed it.

Did I?

There's something seriously wrong with your brother.

- I'm aware. - Oh, you're aware?

Well, what are you gonna do about it?

I don't know.

But we have bigger problems.

Apparently, the English landed in the Netherlands last night.

I'd call that an act of war, wouldn't you?

Fuck.

♪ ♪

[Louis] It's starting to smell.

[Antoine sniffs] Ugh.

♪ ♪

[Louis] Oh. [clears throat]

♪ ♪

[Charles] What's wrong with him?

Uh-uh, nothing.

Careless around the fire.

Look, Charles, I know in the past,

I've been apparently a bit of an asshole,

and you've taken a real risk

inviting me to join the Privy Council.

So now that I've had some time to reflect--

not by choice, of course--

I'd just like to say that I am here to help.

I don't want you to regret your invitation.

[Charles] So what are you suggesting?

How do I respond to Queen Elizabeth

landing in the Spanish Netherlands?

What are my options?

I only see one.

You show that bitch who's boss and you send her back

to that miserable island she came from

before she develops a taste for foie gras.

The Holy Roman Empire has requested that France

grant safe passage for her army

to fight Queen Elizabeth's powers in the Netherlands.

Our troops should join them.

It's clearly the only option.

[Montmorency] No, it's not the only option.

If you do as the duke and Anjou suggest,

French Protestants will mobilize as well

and join Queen Elizabeth's forces.

The war will spread.

In addition, we don't even know

Queen Elizabeth means war.

As I'm the only one in here who's actually met her,

I'm sure she's only here as a peacekeeper

to prevent more harm to the Protestants

who, need I point out, have been targeted recently.

Honestly, I'm not just saying this.

She's a wonderful woman.

Once things have calmed, she'll go home

with a few Dutch mementos.

- Clogs, Gouda. - Exactly.

What, like she's here on holiday?

She came with a fleet of ships and a load of weapons.

To assure her safety, I'm sure.

But without word to us. So we meet her men with ours.

All true patriots will join the French army.

And those who don't, well, we can do without.

Look, come on, Charles.

Obviously, this has gone on long enough.

I mean, if we'd have cleared that homeless encampment

in the woods when I told you,

the English wouldn't even be here.

But they are, so let's not make the same mistake twice.

Your Majesty, may I suggest another way?

Sit down with Edith and hear her out.

You can lessen the anger of her followers

so they won't be as likely

to join the struggles in the Netherlands.

Then Elizabeth's true intentions will be revealed.

[Anjou] So just to be clear,

you'd like the king to meet with the person

that's responsible for our brother's death?

In my opinion, the person responsible

for Hercule's death is now seated at the Privy Council,

no matter what your mother says!

[Louis] Hear, hear.

[Montmorency] There are no easy choices here,

but there are prudent ones.

Do we even know if she would be willing to meet?

I will persuade her.

[Anjou] Really? Well, that's very kind of you.

It's funny, sounds like you think you're running things.

I cannot be rushed towards any choice.

♪ ♪

I need time.

♪ ♪

[Francois] Right.

Reminds me of his father.

Thanks for all the help.

Come on, let's go.

- [groans] - Sorry, sorry.

[Alessandro] Upon your suggestion,

I instructed the draftsman

to extend the new wing to the river.

You are distracted.

I fear we will soon be at war,

and my children are not prepared for what lies ahead.

I've tried to buy them time, but it's no use.

Subterfuge has only made things worse,

and a treaty no longer holds appeal for my enemies.

You are forgetting the most important one,

the weakness of the human heart.

You mean love?

Or at least marriage.

Even if I could conceive of an appropriate match,

either the Bourbons or the Guises would disapprove.

Then make sure they don't know about it until it's too late.

And the simplest way to do that

is to show people what they want to see

so they don't notice the thing they don't want to see.

♪ ♪

[Catherine] I approve.

♪ ♪

[Elisabeth] Wealth, however modest,

grows through careful deployment

if it is entrusted to a responsible guardian.

[gasps] Oh.

♪ ♪

I admire your dedication.

Well, no harm, I suppose.

Apparently, this was his favorite.

I can understand

why he would find your voice so soothing,

my sweet child.

♪ ♪

You were always the most generous of my children.

♪ ♪

Well, it brings me happiness to be of use.

♪ ♪

You seem troubled.

And the most observant child.

I am... indeed troubled.

Spain and England are preparing for war.

Thousands will die.

How awful.

Is there no way to make peace?

♪ ♪

Now that you mention it,

marriage is the traditional means

to quiet the drumbeat of war.

Well, then there's your solution.

♪ ♪

But who would marry a man in his condition?

♪ ♪

Him?

Yes.

♪ ♪

His father is desperate for someone to care for him.

♪ ♪

If we could answer his wish

and form a union to confirm

our commitment to his Catholic empire,

then war could be averted.

♪ ♪

I have always said that I would never force

my children to do anything.

But destiny has determined that we hold the fate

of thousands in our hands.

Not to mention that his future wife

would be queen of one of the most powerful

empires in Europe.

♪ ♪

I will leave it with you to consider the matter.

♪ ♪

[door clatters open]

[door bangs shut]

[Rahima] Courtesy of Ruggieri.

I wouldn't drink any if I were you.

You know the assignment.

Make sure they think of nothing but you.

There's only one rule.

♪ ♪

No one gets pregnant.

♪ ♪

You're back.

A gift from your uncle,

wine from his vineyards in Tuscany.

He has his own vineyards?

Of course he does.

Would you like to... assume the position?

♪ ♪

[Françoise] A gift from the Duke of Florence,

straight from his vineyards.

Oh, God, I loathe these old-world wines.

♪ ♪

Though I suspect this particular vintage

will have a certain subtlety

with a degree of panache.

♪ ♪

What's this?

A gift from the Duke of Florence.

♪ ♪

Tell him I'm not interested.

♪ ♪

But he insists.

♪ ♪

In that case, you better come in.

♪ ♪

A gift from the Duke of Florence.

♪ ♪

So what are you supposed to be, then?

♪ ♪

A virgin from across the Channel.

♪ ♪

Boy or girl?

♪ ♪

Let me in, and you shall find out.

♪ ♪

Catherine.

I, uh, sense fornication in the air.

If that is the purpose of your visit,

I'm afraid you've arrived about six years too late.

I'm sorry to hear that.

[Charles V] Mm.

But I might have found a solution to our problem.

♪ ♪

[Charles V clears throat]

[ambassador clears throat]

As the first Prince of the Holy Roman Empire

is, uh, temporarily incapacitated,

a stand-in is required under papal law

to consummate the marriage.

Yes, yes, yes, get on with it.

[breathing shakily]

Yes, that will suffice. Don't you agree?

Oh, more than adequate.

Our two kingdoms are joined in peace and love,

the generosity of which I have never seen.

You have raised an angel.

Hmm.

[applause]

[crickets chirping]

[bird calling, water bubbling]

[person] Bless you.

Who else is ready to be rebaptized

into the true faith?

Only those washed of their sins

will survive in the end of days.

[indistinct chatter]

[ethereal choral music plays]

♪ ♪

Are you ready to renounce all sin?

♪ ♪

I am.

Then I welcome you.

♪ ♪

[dramatic music plays]

[horse neighs, indistinct chatter]

You may not know it now,

but one day, you will thank me.

Either he will revive and owe you everything,

or he will stay like that and never trouble you.

♪ ♪

You'll be under the protection of the Holy Roman Emperor.

It is arguably the best marriage

a mother could hope for her daughter.

♪ ♪

But I will miss you.

♪ ♪

[breathes shakily]

Goodbye, Mother.

♪ ♪

[sobbing softly]

♪ ♪

[horses neighing]

♪ ♪

[gasps]

♪ ♪

I hope you know I would never survive a political marriage.

[Catherine] I'm aware you are not your sister.

In fact, I don't think I see the benefits of any marriage.

Don't be such a cynic.

[Charles sighs]

You slept late.

I slept all day because you made sure of it.

[Margot] Could have been her maid of honor at least.

She would have liked putting me through that.

So it's true, my big sister's gone?

Once again, you go behind my back.

[sighs] A concerned mother

is allowed to arrange her children's futures

the best she can.

It's been that way since time began, and besides which,

peace is worth a wedding.

Well, I hope she'll be happy.

Of course she's not gonna be happy.

She's gonna spend the rest of her life

attending to a man in nappies.

The Bourbons won't stand for it.

No, but at least now we won't have to march

on the Protestants because they'll come for us.

No, they won't,

not when they see who's coming to marry the king.

["I Feel Love" playing]

♪ ♪

[sighs]

♪ ♪

[Donna Summer] ♪ Ooh ♪

♪ It's so good, it's so good ♪

♪ It's so good, it's so good It's so good ♪

Fuck me.

[Donna Summer] ♪ Ooh ♪

♪ I'm in love, I'm in love ♪

♪ I'm in love I'm in love... ♪

Hmm. What a lovely home.

♪ ♪

[Donna Summer] ♪ Ooh ♪

♪ I feel love, I feel love ♪

♪ I feel love, I feel love I feel love ♪

♪ ♪

♪ I feel love ♪

♪ ♪

♪ I feel love ♪

♪ ♪

♪ I feel love ♪

♪ ♪

♪ I feel love ♪

♪ ♪

♪ I feel love ♪

♪ ♪