The Serpent Queen

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!

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?