‘Dangerous Liaisons’ Recap: ‘It’s War’

Written by John Edward Betancourt

Caution: This article contains spoilers for the finale of ‘Dangerous Liaisons’. To revisit the previous episode, click here.
​
One thing that fans of the STARZ series, Dangerous Liaisons, can agree upon… is that the series will forever stand as a definitive look at the concept of revenge. Simply because this series… explored every single facet of this dark act and all the ups and down it can entail. For we’ve seen Valmont and Camille swell with joy over the opportunity to make those that have hurt them pay, and we’ve watched them suffer as the dangers both external and internal regarding revenge, presented themselves to these star-crossed and toxic lovers. In fact, the series has been so thorough in its examinations, that all were left wondering, if it had one last lesson to send our way for the finale, since no stone was left unturned in this journey.
​
But there was indeed one final lesson left for us to learn about revenge, one that just so happened to be simple and sublime in nature. But before we dive into that very lesson, it’s best we discuss the other critical event that took place in ‘It’s War’. Because this is at its core a prequel story to the iconic novel we know and love, and of course… Jean is nowhere to be found in that tale, but Camille held the title of de Mertueil, and the enjoyed the power of that name and the wonder of Jean’s estate. Leaving all of us to wonder what became of Jean in the time between this story and the ‘ending’, and this episode informed us of that. For we came to learn that Victoire was not in fact, murdered… but chosen to be trafficked in the Labyrinth Club and when Camille discovered this, she was beyond furious.

For this was not what she signed up for in matters in power, and she could only ponder upon how many more women suffered at his hands, and those worries and her care for her dear friend… led to an explosive confrontation in her new home. One that ended, in Jean’s death. Which in turn, gave Camille newfound power and direction, the kind that gave Majordome, power and agency untold. The kind that allowed for him to reclaim his birth name of Etienne and to declare loyalty to the woman that ended the madness that Jean created, by taking that corpse and tossing it on the road so it would seem a drunken accident occurred. Giving Camille and this household unprecedented freedom to operate as its new owner saw fit. But before Camille could enjoy those spoils, all things revenge had to be handled at the all-important Opera. 

---

Where at long last, Jacqueline was forced to watch in horror as the story of Camille and the pain she endured played out on the stage, in front of the Queen. In fact, the drama was so very real regarding this play that Chevalier added a little spice to truly make it worth Camille’s while, by calling out Jacqueline mid play. A move that was met with controversy and shock and pain for Jacqueline, the kind that was only amplified further by the moment we and Camille have been waiting for. Wherein she finally confronted her tormentor and unleashed her fury through poisonous and hurtful words. Completing her revenge and shockingly, that bile, combined with Jacqueline being committed for the embarrassment this brought forth, made it seem as though… there was no lesson to be learned. Especially since Valmont would soon be at her side.
​
But alas, the lesson was indeed waiting for us. For Camille’s desire to forge ahead, regardless of consequence and regardless of cost… came back to bite her at last. For Gabriel as always, put in extra regarding the cases he works upon, and that brought him to Camille’s new home and seeing her again… after she had ‘died’, with the understanding such an ‘end’ was designed to wound him and take vengeance upon him for his overzealousness, was enough for him to use this moment to gain leverage against her in the name of his wounded heart. Wherein she was forced to cast Valmont away and shatter their love. All in the name of maintaining her freedom and her future, one that took on new life post revenge. For not only was she alone in this massive house, with no one close to her, but the burn of revenge wasn’t cooled in the slightest.

That means, that the lesson at hand… was what kind of hell and destruction revenge will bring into our lives when we refuse to let it go. Which is… quite simple in nature, but that’s the thing… it is supposed to be. For there is no positive outcome to this kind of revenge, or this kind of obsession with it. It consumes us, it rips us to shreds and leaves us a former shell of the person we once were. Which makes this a tragic ending for certain, but the right one. For what would a show about revenge and toxicity be without taking the dangers of that to completion? So, now that we have the full picture, we can properly bid farewell to this series and revisit it as we see fit. For this is the end the journey, and what a powerful and fascinating journey it was, since shows so rarely look at toxicity and the dangers of revenge in such a dynamic and honest light.

---

Powered by JustWatch