It's undeniable that the framing narrative of 'The Serpent Queen' captivates my attention more than the nostalgic glimpses into Catherine de Medici's life story, which dominate our viewing time. Perhaps this is due to Samantha Morton's brilliant portrayal of the formidable witch-queen, her absence on-screen leaving a void. But there's also a certain allure in witnessing this formidable yet flawed woman mentor a young, well-intentioned maid in the art of being just enough of a force to avoid exploitation. And Rahima, unfortunately, seems to be a magnet for those seeking to take advantage.
With her newfound favor from Catherine, Rahima's official appointment as her maid in "To War Rather Than to Bed" despite a previous dismissal, she's sure to attract even more unwelcome attention. Her education in Catherine's ways will undoubtedly become invaluable. This aspect of the story intrigues me the most.
Turning to the past, however, the prospects look bleak. Catherine's inability to conceive poses a significant threat to her position at the court. With Henri indifferent to her, preferring the aging Diane de Poitiers, Catherine's future seems uncertain. The marriage hangs in the balance, with Catherine's dowry unpaid and Diane doing all she can to undermine the union and marry Henri herself.
Henri's soft nature is a liability in this aristocratic world. Though he favors Catherine, and she inexplicably loves him, he refuses to consummate their union. In desperation, Catherine resorts to flirting with a stable hand, hoping to conceive a child she can claim as Henri's. However, Diane's spies are ever-watchful, and the stable hand is poisoned to silence him.
Amidst this turmoil, King Francis, enraged by defamatory illustrations depicting him with the Pope, uncovers one such image in the stable hand's home. This discovery leads to the introduction of Henri's deranged brother, Francis the dauphin, who shoots the stable hand's wife and attempts to coerce Henri into murdering the man and his son. Henri resists but is eventually coerced by his brother, father, and Diane to stab the man, sparing only the child.
Surprisingly, King Francis emerges as the most rational figure in this chaos. Despite his role in the stable hand's death, he still seems open to reason (except for young women of his acquaintance, who find themselves in dire straits). Catherine seizes this opportunity, manipulating him to ensure her marriage to Henri remains secure until she can conceive a child. She even manages to lure Henri into her bedchamber, though one can imagine she wished it wasn't necessary.
As always, "To War Rather Than to Bed" concludes with Catherine imparting a crucial lesson to Rahima: the use of gunpowder to obliterate one's enemies. After all, why not?
