Written by John Edward Betancourt Emma McDonald, Samantha Morton, Bill Milner, and Minnie Driver as Rahima, Catherine de Medici, King Charles IX, and Queen Elizabeth I in Episode 206 of ‘The Serpent Queen’ – ‘Courting the Valois’. (Photo Courtesy of STARZ.
Caution: This article contains spoilers for Episode 206 of ‘The Serpent Queen’. To revisit the previous episode, click here.
It is definitely safe to say, that fans of the hit STARZ series, The Serpent Queen, and fans of television in general, have been anxiously awaiting one particularly big moment from this series. in that, we knew it was only a matter of time before Minnie Driver and Samantha Morton were going to share the screen as Queen Elizabeth I and Queen Regent Catherine de Medici, respectively, and well… it doesn’t get more epic than that. For Minnie and Samantha are two of the best in the business, and the thought of them interacting and putting on an acting clinic in the process is truly a dream come true and well… that moment finally arrived in the next episode of the show, and it did not disappoint. Simply because this duo finally shared the screen in ‘Courting the Valois’ and they were truly electric. Courtesy of moments where Catherine and Elizabeth jabbed at one another and played the rival game and having these two top talents make that happen was compelling and amazing, and kudos to Erwin Stoff (Executive Producer) and Justin Haythe (Showrunner) for assembling this iconic television moment. For it was a true treat and added to an amazing story that further made the Serpent Queen, the Serpent Queen. Due to the fact that Elizabeth arrived in France with guile in her heart. For she planned to basically rot France from the inside and make Charles another boy toy, to rule it from afar and well, what she had planned was terrifying. For she revealed to Louis, that the Bourbon family was to deliver a cadre of weapons from her personal stock to arm Edith’s little cadre of believers. All so that escalation could take place and so France would be destabilized, and of course… by having the King in her stead, he would follow her tragic advice and allow for her to take charge and well, she started that process by playing the family like never before. For she pitted brother against brother, by having Anjou and Charles play the rivalry game since she recognized the King was the jealous type and that worked to sow discord and elicit control and if by Charles survives his injuries from a hunting accident and whatever else is going down internally, she may have him lock, stock and barrel.  Emma McDonald and Ashley Thomas as Rahima and Alessandro de Medici in Episode 206 of ‘The Serpent Queen’ – ‘Courting the Valois’. (Photo Courtesy of STARZ.
Which are moves that caught Catherine by surprise. For she did not expect her family to falter and cozy up to Elizabeth’s tricks with such ease, but… Catherine’s desire for peace has indeed blinded her to where her family is at and where others are at as well, since we came to learn that the Guises were also making moves behind the scenes, and letting treachery grow to see how it could benefit them. Not to mention, Catherine came to realize that her absolute inner circle was not trustworthy in the slightest. For it was revealed that dear Rahima, who has been at Catherine’s side for so long, is building a nest egg from the royal coffers and she is not alone in such matters, since it was brought to the Queen’s attention that Alessandro’s figures were not adding up.
For he indeed was stealing from the crown as well and making moves that would benefit his name and his standing over anything else. Even going so far as to charm the Queen of England and showcase his skills because he truly wants the world and well, despite her best efforts to believe that a firm and observing hand would quell such matters, deep down, Catherine knew that bad things were on the horizon. That she was being tested like never before and that prompted her to finally lash out in anger when Ruggeri pointed out such matters in the most direct manner possible. Making it clear that Catherine’s patience is wearing thin, and that she knows her rule is threatened and that her power is slightly diminished and that’s… not a good thing for the others. After all, the last time this happened, in her youth no less, she made incredible moves to gain agency and standing. But now, she has power, and she is back in the same position and soon, the Serpent Queen will strike without warning. But while we wait for her true ascension to the dark throne, we can celebrate, the show’s best episode to date. Because this one had it all, top tier acting, amazing writing and epic, game-changing moments that built tension and gravity for the final two episodes of the season. Which means it is equally as safe to say that we are all clearing our schedules in anticipation of next Friday night, to see what lies ahead now that Catherine is backed into a corner… and coiled. Until next time. Watch ‘The Serpent Queen’
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