Pick a Princess
The third episode of “Marie Antoinette” begins with the Queen falling into a river due to a fight between her husband, Louis, and Provence. Despite the mishap, they all make it to Fontainebleau, their holiday destination. During dinner, they discuss the prospect of finding a wife for Provence, with the expectation that Antoinette gives birth to a son before he does so she can be the one to give birth to the future heir to the throne. Meanwhile, the Spanish princess and the princess of the House of Savoy are suggested as potential candidates. When Provence announces that he has chosen Josephine, who was initially determined to be Louis’ wife, the King orders him to sit.
Reconciliation and Threats
While in Vienna, the new French ambassador visits Antoinette’s mother. Through him, Antoinette’s mother appears to be pressuring the King of France to assist Austria in its invasion of Poland. Lady Du Barry advises the King to ask Antoinette to respect her, but Antoinette dismisses his request. Later, the King pays Antoinette a visit, which terrifies her, and she sleeps with Lamballe that night. Louis also visits her but does not find her there. The next day, the King lashes out at Louis for his inability to enjoy himself with his wife, and the countess informs the King that he will spend his nights alone until the dauphine publicly acknowledges her. The King threatens and blackmails the diplomat into persuading the dauphine to publicly reconcile with the countess at the fete, and the diplomat agrees to complete the task.
Unexpected Marriage
Josephine arrives at the mansion, but she is not what Provence expected, and he flees without meeting her. However, when she meets Louis, he seems more at ease with her than anyone else, upsetting the dauphine. Provence asks the King to return Josephine because he does not want to marry her. The King informs him that they are already legally married. The dauphine tries to reconcile publicly with the countess, but she cannot. When she finally acknowledges her, the King of France assists Austria in its invasion of Poland.
Final Thoughts
This episode of “Marie Antoinette” shows the Queen’s difficulties as a foreigner trying to fit into the French court. It also highlights the King’s manipulative behavior and the pressures of being part of the royal family. The unexpected marriage of Provence and Josephine adds a twist to the storyline, and the threats and blackmailing by the King create a sense of tension and unease. Overall, this period drama appears to have captured the essence of the period and the struggles that came with being part of the royal family.
“This episode of “Marie Antoinette” shows the difficulties that the Queen faced as a foreigner trying to fit into the French court.”
“The unexpected marriage of Provence and Josephine adds a twist to the storyline, and the threats and blackmailing by the King create a sense of tension and unease.”
“Overall, this period drama appears to have captured the essence of the time period and the struggles that came with being part of the royal family.”
