During its inaugural season, "The Serpent Queen" flirted with the supernatural, often using it as a metaphorical tool to illustrate the intricate legacy of a notorious monarch. Many envisioned Catherine de Medici as a witch, and in a sense, she embodied that image; the series depicted her indulging in the company of sorcerers, brewing potions, and experiencing prophetic dreams, all of which amplified her already legendary reputation.
However, Episode 6, titled "The Last Joust," takes these elements a step further, blurring the lines between fantasy and reality in a way that begs the question: should we believe that Catherine truly wields some dark, mysterious power? In her visions, Catherine foresees Henri's death in a joust and Diane falling from a lofty ledge, and astonishingly, one of these predictions materializes, a direct consequence of Catherine's manipulation, hinting at a genuine force at her command – or perhaps the magician Ruggieri's.
This is a unique territory for a period drama to traverse, but it certainly adds an intriguing layer to the narrative. Following her betrayal of Rahima in the previous episode, Catherine visits her in her cell, employing psychological manipulation while recounting her past, which involved a continuing alliance with Ruggieri despite his warnings of dire consequences.
Catherine's argument against Diane is valid; she accuses her of blinding Henri from his royal duties, not just because he prefers her bed to his wife's. With her escalating addiction to gold, Diane poses an even greater threat than before, and the stakes are higher than just the royal court; all of France stands to suffer.
Diane's influence is particularly significant in the matter of Mary Stuart, who is betrothed to the dauphin, Francis, and holds a claim to the English throne that could be bolstered by the Holy Roman Emperor upon her marriage. However, Mary is viewed as a zealot, and her presence in the court could inflame the Protestants. Diane favors the union as the Cardinal has proposed a new tax for every wedding bell toll across France, the proceeds of which would flow into her and her daughters' pockets. The Guises support the union for obvious reasons. Initially, the only obstacle to the marriage was Henri, who, fortified by an abundance of Dutch courage from his wine consumption, boldly refused Diane's wishes.
Catherine strives to make every moment count. After her exchange with Henri, she cunningly sends Mathilde to summon Montmorency to the privy council, labeling him as an "unbiased consultant." She alerts the Bourbons that the King has enacted stringent measures, outlawing all official festivities, royal weddings included. She subtly hints to Mary that Francis' fertility is questionable.
Naturally, Diane is outraged, and given Henri's utter lack of backbone, he eventually caves in, not only to the wedding but also to the idea of inviting the Holy Roman Emperor in person. This revelation dawns on Catherine – Henri is feeble, will never prioritize his country or wife over Diane, and poses a dire threat to France. Therefore, she turns back to Ruggieri.
On the fateful wedding day, Rupert Everett portrays the deplorable Charles V with impeccable grandeur. So does Montmorency, whose absence has dulled his ability to speak truthfully, instead voicing what people desire to hear. He bluntly tells Henri he's even more foolish than his father suspected, which doesn't sit well with the inebriated King. At his weakest and most exposed, Catherine asks Henri to participate in the joust, reminiscing about their first encounter. She urges him to wear a green sash, reminiscent of her dream, with Ruggieri's charm tucked within.
During the joust, as anticipated, Henri meets his fate. In the modern era, Rahima recognizes this as murder, likely assuming Catherine is evil. Catherine chuckles, reminding her that they're not so different, but ensures to halve her rations before departing. At the episode's climax, she informs Ruggieri that Rahima will comply as expected, as they both gaze ominously at Mary and the Marys. What sinister plot does Catherine have in mind?
