Critic’s Rating: 4.5 / 5.0
4.5
If there is one thing you never want to do, it’s piss off The Serpent Queen.
The aptly titled “Judas” episode took all the drama of the royal family and court and threw it into a blender.
What we are now seeing is the calm before the storm.
Because there is no doubt that heads will roll once Catherine finishes mourning for Hercule.
Not only does she have the death of her youngest son to contend with, but a complete religious uprising is practically at her front door.
However, with a cast of characters, each with their own agendas, some problems may find a way to fix themselves.
Related: The Serpent Queen Season 2 Episode 1 Review: Grand Tour
The Serpent Queen Has Raised The Stakes For A New Standard Of Period Dramas
While period dramas are nothing new, especially if you watch the BBC, the quality of programming has steadily risen.
It’s become more pertinent to differentiate one series from another.
But The Serpent Queen seems to have been cherry-picked from some of the best shows.
As a satire of historical accounts, the series takes advantage of its loose retelling by adding meticulously placed visual details.
From the duke’s magnificent hair to Aabis’s septum piercing, the series certainly likes to make subtle references to its fully fictionalized story.
Even with a few nods to modernized characters, the Starz series still excels at living in the era of the show.
Minnie Driver’s Queen Elizabeth is a total icon and statement with her over-powdered face contrasting with an impossibly red wig.
When you combine fantastic acting with perfectly stylized costuming and sharp dialogue, you have a series that cuts through every other period drama like a knife.
By putting so much effort into each aspect of The Serpent Queen, the series goes from feeling like a Renaissance festival to a surreal look at history.
However, the show’s strength lies in how well the writers can bring the characters to a relatable place for audiences despite the apparent gap in eras.
A Mother’s Job Is Never Done, And Catherine Is One Hell Of A Mother
Related: Lady in the Lake Series Premiere Review: Well-Behaved Women Seldom Make History
Speaking of gaps, Catherine came home not only to a dying son but to the continued divide between the people of France.
It doesn’t seem like the queen can catch a break from one end to the other.
It’s impressive that the writers managed to fit so much into just the first few episodes of the season.
But sure enough, Catherine has had to deal with religious zealots and infighting in her family and court.
And now she has multiple monarchs at her door.
Both literally and figuratively.
And though she now has a brother, that has yet to be seen as good or bad.
Played by Ashley Thomas of Black Cake, Alessandro de Medici has not proven where his loyalties lie.
By now, Catherine is well versed in how quickly family relations can spoil.
Especially at a time when marriage was the go-to glue for holding together a kingdom.
And even though Catherine loves her children very much, there is sure to be a reckoning.
I’m almost positive the only thing that saved everyone from getting sent to the guillotine was the loss of Hercule.
Related: The Serpent Queen Season 2 Episode 2 Review: Second Coming
Once the sadness subsides, it will undoubtedly be replaced by a venomous rage that The Serpent Queen will unleash against all who oppose her.
Even if that means her own son, Charles.
The Serpent Queen Has Birthed A Brood Of Self Sabotaging Snakes
Though it was hinted at in The Serpent Queen Season 1 Episode 1, Catherine made it very clear that there are unnatural feelings among the royal family.
You would’ve had to have been blind to miss it.
She outright told Margot to use her brother Charle’s affections for her to coerce him.
As you might recall, she wanted the duke out of jail.
The king only agreed to it after Margot said she didn’t have feelings for the Guise brother.
And I don’t think anyone is ready for another House of the Dragon situation.
I don’t know if Margot is as naive as she seems or just playing her cards close to her chest, but she needs help.
If her feelings for the duke are genuine, then the princess needs a reality check.
Also, it would help if someone told her that he enjoys the company of other men over women.
Related: Sunny Season Premiere Review: Rashida Jones is a Force Among Bots, Blood, and Bad Booze
So, that’s one incest-leaning king and a princess with rose-colored glasses.
Then there’s one prince with murderous temper tantrums while another has died young.
It’s a wonder that Elisabeth has managed to avoid all the family drama.
However, there’s a good chance that Catherine’s youngest daughter is headed for her own devastation.
The Serpent Queen Is A Game of Cat And Mouse With Snakes Waiting In The Wings
With the introduction of Philip, son of the Holy Roman Emperor, Elisabeth may want to trade her dresses for a suit of armor.
From lighting a maid on fire to almost violating a horse with a hot poker, this guy is going to be more trouble than he is worth.
Still, watching him get kicked back to the Dark Ages by a royal steed was hilarious.
However, none of the family drama compares to the mounting enemies and possible war on the horizon.
It’s terrible enough Catherine has to deal with the Guise brothers and their constant scheming.
One brother, played by Raza Jaffrey (Code Black), is trying to court his way with a princess despite not having any persuasion for women.
Then, there is the cardinal, who is as subtle as a shotgun.
Related: The Serpent Queen Season 2 Episode 3 Review: Death of Prince
As a religious man, seeing him whisper into Anjou’s ear like a devil on his shoulder was unnerving.
To be fair, Charles de Guise is dressed in all red.
Speaking of red, who knew Queen Elizabeth had so many wily ways up her frilly, puffed-up sleeves
If she is that strategic at getting Louis to sign some papers, imagine what she’s like when she doesn’t get her way.
And yet, beyond all the royals is the real reason to worry.
I don’t know what game Edith is playing, but the so-called prophet survived the fire only to play in it.
If you feel things are headed for a similar storyline from Game of Thrones, you’re not alone in that thought.
If there is one thing The Serpent Queen deserves praise for, it’s its seamless handling of so many stakes without any of them detracting from the overall plot.
Typically, a story with so many angles and arcs can feel convoluted, but the more, the merrier with this series.
The Serpent Queen is as cold and sharp as the blades the characters use to cut down their enemies!
What was the most shocking thing about this episode to you?
Related: Orphan Black: Echoes Season 1 Episode 1 Review: A Beautiful Bird in a Cage
Do you think Edith’s popularity is about to falter, or is she here for the long haul?
Drop a comment below to let us know, and join me again when I review the next episode of The Serpent Queen!
