Episode: 2.07 "A Marriage of Inconvenience" & Episode 2.08 "The Prodigal Father"
Directed by: (2.07 & 2.08) Edward Bennett
Written by: (2.07) Steve Bailie & (2.08) Susie Conklin and Adrian Hodges
Air date: (2.07) 27 February 2015 & (2.08) 6 March 2015
Reviews so far:
Episode 2.01 "Keep Your Friends Close"
Episode 2.02 "An Ordinary Man"
Episode 2.03 "The Good Traitor"
Episode 2.04 "Emilie"
Episode 2.05 "The Return"
Episode 2.06 "Through a Glass Darkly"
Treville - Poor Captain. The last two episodes weren't easy for him. He got shot, had to go through incredibly painful (and experimental) surgery and slowly recovered from his physical wound but finally revealed his darkest secret and almost lost his close friend. Hovewer, he did get a chance to interact more with his Musketeers once again. And in the end, got back Porthos' trust after confronting his father, so there were good things happening to him too. Also, even though he doesn't have his title, he's still very much the Captain. For his people and the Queen, for sure. Despite Rochefort continuously trying to humiliate him, it takes far more than his tricks to break Treville's spirit. The Captain stands proudly and I hope we'll see him on a more successful path at the end of the season.
Porthos - "No man has ever worn the uniform with more dignity and courage than you." It's impossible not to agree with Treville. Porthos has always been everything the Musketeer should be and his struggles with feeling like he didn't earn his position were a truly sad view. I'm glad that the secret is finally revealed and Porthos and Treville are on good terms once again. I'm sure we all wanted that to happen, but I still wish that things with Porthos' father didn't go so badly. It must be horrible to discover you're related to such terrible people. And they really were... evil, cruel and pretty much heartless family. It's a good thing Porthos had a wonderful mother and great new family ("All for one"). It was such a heartwarming, bonding moment for all the Musketeers. And exactly what we needed after the painful operation scene in "A Marriage of Inconvenience". Despite their conflict, I loved how Porthos still cared about the Captain and wanted to find the person responsible for shooting him, even more than all the others. There's a great father-son, mentor-student dynamic between them and it might be one of the best on the show. Great to see two episodes in the row with a little more focus on Porthos, especially since it often seems like there's not enough of his character on the show. And last but not least, I'm glad we got more of his scenes with Aramis, they were my favorite duo in season one, so I'm always happy to see their friendship and support for each other.
- Finally, we got Aramis ending his relationship with Marguerite, I thought it was pretty clear when he suggested she should focus on finding a suitable husband for her back in "Emilie", but things quickly got complicated on the way. And since this couple has been one of the weakest plots of this great season, it's good we can (mostly) move past it. "Mostly", because Marguerite's jealousy ends up making things much, much worse with Rochefort, as she helps him confirm the link between Aramis and the Queen when she brings him the Musketeer's jewelled cross. Ironically, the cross never actually had anything to so with the affair between the two, as it was a thank-you gift from Anne after Aramis saved her life at the beginning of the show. Maybe it won't be used as an effective proof of their treason, then. It's really a shame our Musketeer didn't notice anything suspicious in Marguerite's behavior. She's probably the least interesting character of the story for me at this point, but I felt pretty bad for her, she clearly didn't mean to cause anyone harm and I have a bad feeling she might become Rochefort's victim in the end. Changing subject, I loved Aramis and Porthos going together to meet the father of the latter. The two having each other's back is always great to see. And now I'm very interested to find out how things will change once the truth about Aramis and the Queen will come to light (probably next episode). Looks like, it's Aramis who might need his friends "all for one" support in the upcoming hour.
- Rochefort started the season as a very interesting, intriguing villain, then it became clear he's absolutely insane and brutal, now I don't think his level of creepiness could be any higher after the events of last episode. His suspicions and threatening Marguerite in "A Marriage of Inconvenience" made him more dangerous than ever. But I would never imagine it could end like this. After his success in the previous episode, he had a painful realization in the following hour and even though I've heard the spoilers about this last scene, I was still truly shocked to see it all happening. And the way he changed so much, so quickly, from the crying, desperate man, looking for a confirmation of love to the monster who brutally attacks the woman he's obsessed with, was disturbing and hard to watch. But, a shout-out to Mark Warren for making such a powerful impression on the viewers, amazing work! The threat directed towards the Queen in the final seconds of "The Prodigal Father" was probably the biggest cliffhanger the show has done so far. And with Rochefort gaining the King's complete trust (and possibly some damning documents in his possession signed by Louis), things are not looking good for Queen Anne, Constance and the Musketeers.
- There's not a lot to say about the King in the last two episodes. The events that took place in "Through a Glass Darkly" cost him his sense of security and he isolated himself from everyone other than Rochefort. He remains completely blind to the actions of his "trusted" man. He's paranoid that everyone is trying to kill him and only trusts the one person who's actively working against him (and apparently poisons him in the next episode if we're to believe the promo) to protect him. Hopefully, he hasn't completely lost it and will come to his senses in the end.
Queen Anne - Since the Cardinal's death, the Queen, instead of becoming more of the King's trusted advisor, has been losing her influence over Louis. The distance between them is one of the reasons why Rochefort managed to gain the King's trust so effectively. I was hoping things might have changed a little after "Through a Glass Darkly", where Louis did show some concern not just for "his" son but also for the Queen's safety and finished the episode in need of her support but it looks like Rochefort took advantage of the situation and isolated the King from everyone, including Anne, which now makes things drastically worse when it comes to the question "who would King believe with the two being at odds?". It doesn't look good for the Queen. Or Aramis. Anne and Constance's friendship remains one of the best things about season two for me and I think their conversation, where the Queen reveals the truth about her child's father and how she really feels about her position was probably my favorite moment of the episode. Queen rooting for at least Constance to be free to find her happiness was both a beautiful and a sad sentiment. Despite the awfulness of the last scene in "The Prodigal Father " it was good to see Anne finally finding out the truth about Rochefort and fighting back. Nothing will be the same after that.
- It only took two episodes to completely change Constance's position. First, she bravely admitted to her husband it's over between them with painful consequences, only for him to be killed a few scenes later. She then tried to give herself time to adjust to new circumstances, before officially staying with D'Artagnan and it didn't take long for someone else to notice her unconventional charm and offer her the safety and love in marriage. It was actually quite predictable for Lemay to have feelings for Constance but still, his sudden confession took both her and me (with many other viewers) by surprise. My favorite thing about her in the last two hours of the show, is probably "I'm only just getting started" line. It worked so well for her in the scene and I really hope it is a great new beginning for Constance's role in the story. Despite so many (obvious) signs that seem to predict her death, most recently, her husband's blood literally on her hands, I choose to believe it's all just a way to make things more intense (with high stakes for the characters) in the finale. If you know me, you know I'm always rooting for a happy ending and Constance definitely deserves one.
- Oh, D'Artagnan, I was really hoping we're past the whole "one step forward, two steps back" development phase of the character. Sadly, his conversation with Constance next to the Bonacieux' grave made a truly bad impression on me. Sure, the guy wasn't great, but it doesn't mean I find it okay to express how happy one is he's dead and want to officially get together with his wife, right after he died,
at the graveyard. Of course, things will definitely get better for both D'Artagnan's character and his relationship with Constance, but still, I wish we could avoid the moments like this one. Other than that, I liked his scenes with the Fake Princess Louise, who was a pretty interesting character and quite a scene-stealer. And his support for his friends is always great to watch. There were many great fighting scenes for the Musketeers in these two episodes and it's good to see how easily they all manage to fight off their opponents when they work as a team. And Athos with D'Artagnan continue to be a great duo.
Athos - Athos' angry reaction at the truth about young girls being sold off in an auction was spot-on. It was hard not to share his feelings regarding this distubring discovery. In that single moment, my appreciation for his character only went higher. It's also always great to see him being there for his friends and his growing bond with D'Artagnan. Him still caring so deeply about Milady is getting more and more obvious, with him offering her all of his savings in "A Marriage of Inconvenience". At the same time, he doesn't believe that she can change and refuses her offer to help. There's still so many contradictions in their story. This week Athos showed his vulnerable side when he admitted "he gave her everything" but still there's the simple fact, he
didn't actually give her a chance in the events after Thomas' death. I'm glad it seems we're getting closer to the confrontation with Catherine and maybe we'll finally get to know the full story soon.
Milady de Winter - Milady continues to be quite a scene-stealer, despite not having a lot to do in the last two episodes. Her interactions with Athos are always great to see, as they reveal a more emotional side of both characters and their complicated history. I'm very interested to find out what's Milady's plan against Rochefort, it does seem like she already has one, after confronting fake princess/assassin she went straight to Rochefort, almost admitting she knows about his Spanish connections. Clearly she's not on his side in the fight against the Musketeers and I can't wait to see her team up with our heroes in the next episode once again. She's a strong ally and her sarcastic remarks are a perfect match to Athos' usual comments. Entertaining scenes are pretty much guaranteed, then. Though I remain both excited and worried about Catherine's arrival to confront Milady. There's just so much potential in this plot!
Notes, thoughts and quotes:
Best Character: Porthos
Best Duo: Porthos and Aramis & Anne and Constance
Most Intense Scene: Rochefort attacks the Queen
Most Painful Scene: Treville's operation
Favorite Scene: Anne encourages Constance to fight for her happiness
Best Reaction: Athos' anger when he discovers what Eleanor and Levesque are doing
Most Helpful/Most Sympathetic: Doctor Lemay
Most Disturbing: Young girls being sold off to men in an auction
Most Creepy: Rochefort
Best Cliffhanger: Anne stabs Rochefort after he attacks her and he screams there's treason in the castle
Memorable quotes:
1. Porthos "
For a while there, you almost had me believing you. God knows, I wanted to. But you had to overplay your hand. This picture? It's not my mother. You thought I was too young to remember her, but one thing you never forget is your mother's face. You probably bought this in some junk shop somewhere, thinking I wouldn't know the difference between one black woman and another."
2. D'Artagnan: "
I've never killed a woman before but for you I'd be willing to make an exception."
3. Aramis: "
All for one." Porthos: "
Yeah, I know."
4. Louise "
I haven't seen the King since we were children." Athos "
He's barely changed."
5. Milady: "
I'm not finished yet. Not by any measure."
Favorite to Least Favorite Season 2 Episodes Ranking:
1. Through a Glass Darkly
2. Emilie
3. An Ordinary Man
4. The Return
5. The Prodigal Father - Great episode with great character moments and very important hour for the season's main plots.
6. Keep Your Friends Close
7. A Marriage of Inconvenience - It was a very good episode, but not one of the most memorable ones for me. Though the ranking sure needs a re-watch to be sure of this order.
8. The Good Traitor
In case you haven't read it yet, you can find Sandi's preview for the next episode here. Don't miss all new The Musketeers which airs on Saturday March 14 at 9pm on BBC America and Friday 20th March at 9pm on BBC 1 in the UK!
And now, what did you think about "A Marriage of Inconvenience" & "The Prodigal Father"? Any favorite scenes/quotes in the episode?
Hi everyone!
ReplyDeleteIt's a double review today, since I wasn't able to write the one last week. Apologies for this delay, working overhours every day is no fun. Anyway, I'm so excited about the final two episodes! But I already miss the show so much. It's been such a fantastic season!
Another great review, I love reading your take on the characters. (Though you are a cruel, cruel woman for cutting Rochefort's rather fine chest out in his photo there :p )
ReplyDeleteMilady has become one of my favourite characters this year, I have really enjoyed watching her journey without the Cardinal forcing her hand. Her street smarts and sarcasm make her a very intriguing person to follow imo.
I'm also loving Anne, she's had some great scenes this year. I love how strong she can be in the face of the challenges against her, Ali plays her so well in those moments!
It was very cruel re: the chest ;)
ReplyDeleteI have to agree with you over Milady. I have really loved how her character has developed this year and I am so intrigued as to what is in store for her. I am hoping she will be in season 3!
Another thing that I have enjoyed is the growing relationship between Anne and Constance. Ali and Tamla have been so good this year. Ali in that last scene with Rochefort was superb!
Thank you for this review Justyna - it is fabulous!
ReplyDeleteI too found d'Artagnan's words beside the graveside a touch insensitive and inappropriate when I first saw the episode. However, on re-watch I can understand why he reacted in that way - he is young, passionate and hot headed plus he has been waiting for Constance for a long time and he probably thought she was pushing away from him again. He also knows that Bonacieux cursed them before he died, so he's still probably feeling raw from that. However, I did feel it was a little unfair on Constance.
My favourite line has to be "I've never killed a woman before but for you I'd be willing to make an exception."
Thank you!
ReplyDeleteYeah, I can't wait to re-watch the season! And young, passionate and hot headed is a great desciption for D'Artagnan :) Also, great line, definitely one of my favorites! I couldn't stand that woman so I absolutely loved this moment ;)
Agreed on both things!
ReplyDeleteAnne and Constance's relationship has quickly become one of my favorite friendships on the show! And Ali had so many great moments this year!
Great review yet again. I especially like your points about Milady and Athos..
ReplyDeleteHmmmm, being a fan of d'Artagnan has been hard this week - lol - both as a result of the episode itself and many peoples' negative reaction to it. Whilst D'Artagnan's words to Constance were a bit harsh and he perhaps shouldn't have said them at Bonacieux's grave, I do think he believed that Constance was pushing him away again and if that's the case, I think they were justified. Constance isn't as open about her feelings as d'Artagnan and she didn't reassure him in that moment, she just started talking about Anne needing her more than ever and looking for all the world like a woman who might drown in guilt and despair. D'Artagnan had the right to speak his mind if he was feeling pushed away again and I also wonder if he had his own death on his mind at that point - we know he won't die anytime soon but he doesn't know that..
"No man has ever worn the uniform with more dignity and courage than you." I loved when Treville said this and I'm pleased it was highlighted here. It's pretty astoundingly true, and I love that Treville so easily recognizes this, just as in the first series he said something about Porthos working harder than anyone to become a Musketeer, and wouldn't give up on them so easily. Such core parts of Porthos's character.
ReplyDeleteAnd can I just say I love the way Porthos is looking at Aramis in the "All For One" pic. His half-smiles are the best, and I'm terribly shallow sometimes.
Loved the quotes you picked. Thanks for the recap.
I read his harshness as a possible reaction to Bonacieux's cursing them, and all the implications of that, possibly creating a sense of urgency for d'Artagnan about being with Constance and sealing the deal as soon as possible. She's not aware of those parting words. I also understood her need to work through some guilt over the situation, and I get not feeling deserving of happiness. I thought they both acted in reasonably flawed-human ways.
ReplyDeleteIt does seem like the producers have pushed the 'flawed button' even more than last year, especially where Aramis and d'Artagnan are concerned. I just hope all the lads get to be their more heroic selfs by the series final..
ReplyDeleteOh, I definitely think he could have been more understanding, but I get his frustration. I never for one moment thought that he wouldn't wait for her. We know he would. ;)
ReplyDeleteIf characters were always perfect, they'd be pretty boring to watch. I liked his impatience. He's always been impatient and impulsive. Sometimes that's charming - like when he blurted out that he loved Constance in Season 1 or when he challenged Aramis, Porthos and Athos to fight hims simultaneously.
ReplyDeleteSometimes it's frustrating - like when he told off Constance in 2x01 or when he expressed his impatience with her throwing somewhat artificial obstacles in their way in 2x08.
Great job once again Justyna. It's interesting that the first time I watched this episode I had some considerable sympathy for d'Artagnan's frustration with Constance and a certain admiration for his blunt approach, although his timing was deeply inappropriate. However, on repeat viewing, his behaviour is somewhat more questionable, particularly when seen in light of Lemay's approach to her. Yes, d'Artagnan has a complicated and thwarted history with Constance, he's been seriously messed around but it was painfully noticeable that whereas Lemay offered patience, kindness and affection, d'Artagnan appeared petulant once again and aggressive. Lemay offered marriage and stability, d'Artagnan offered an ultimatum and very little indication of how he sees their future together. What was also jarring for me was the clumsy writing (once again) for Constance. In episode six we were left with no doubt of her love for d'Artagnan and yet as she told Lemay that she couldn't accept him, as she was in love with someone else, the dialogue appeared to suggest that this was something of a sudden realisation to her. Very jarring and inconsistent I thought.
ReplyDeleteYeah, the absolute biggest 'gaff' in this episode for me was the fact that Constance was behaving as if she'd only just realised that she loved d'Artagnan, when she'd already told him that in episode 6. It was this 'backwards step' that reminded me that whilst the writing on the show is good, it's not reached the heights of great yet and I sometimes wonder if the writers are trying to juggle too many sub-plots, whilst maintaining Rochefort's storyline throughout.
ReplyDeleteAs for D'Artagnan's behaviour, I've just watched Poldark and the less-than-perfect behaviour of Poldark himself once he realises that his sweetheart Elizabeth is engaged to someone else and it just reminded me that D'Artagnan's strong behaviour is one of the aspects of HIS character that shows him to be passionate, even when it leads to behaviour that's not great - yet both are heroes when they need to be so.
Thank you for reading and kind words :)
ReplyDeleteD'Artagnan for sure has his great and not-so great moments. He didn't make a good impression on me in that particular scene, but he's definitely the kind of character that you just now is gonna surprise in the best way possible in the next one :)
Yeah, loved that Porthos and Aramis' little moment and the half-smile :)
ReplyDeleteI absolutely loved that quote about Porthos and it was the first thing I had to mention in the review for his character. It's so true and well said. Porthos, THE Musketeer :)
Thank you! And once again, thanks for kind words and great comments :)
ReplyDeleteVery much agree about the strange indication that Constance just realized she's in love with D'Artagnan. Didn't make sense, really. And yes, it's the comparison with Lemay's confession that made the scene at the graveyard look even worse for D'Artagnan. Little steps, though. Him working on his immaturity and bad timing is a work in progress ;)
I think you're absolutely right that the one thing his behaviour does indicate is his intense, at times, all consuming passion for her. I also agree that something fundamental is still not there with the writing on the show. It's almost as though the writers aren't communicating properly with each other across the filming blocks (which is odd given Adrian's almost constant involvement). Alternatively it could be that they don't have a clear enough sense of the individual character arcs. Clearly the actors are becoming more than a bit lost too. I would have thought that if she was presented with this, Tamla would have called them on it but perhaps that's not something she feels she would be able to do.
ReplyDeleteI don't think she was behaving like she just realized she loved d'Artagnan. I think it was more about how hard it is for her to not do what society expects her to do. Unlike D'Artagnan, she is more bound by social rules. Marrying days after your husband dies would be pretty unacceptable -- even in our world it would be unacceptable. Even a month is ridiculous.
ReplyDeleteD'artagnan represents an authentic life. He does what he feels is right pretty much always with very little regard to consequences, social or otherwise. This is new and scary territory for Constance. It's the one place where she really is a little cowardly. That has been her story arc all season, right?
Is there an online community to discuss The Musketeers? I really want to join a forum or something like that. It's such a good show!
ReplyDeleteRochefort's chest is becoming a force on its own isn't it!? I wonder if the actor is aware of the sensation! Thank you for the review, it was missed last week. :)
ReplyDeleteSeems like you are not only a Musketeers fan but The Mentalist fan as well! I love both shows, I'm going to miss The Mentalist tho. Anywho, there is a big community here at spoiler tv. It's always fun to join the fun !
ReplyDelete