Critic’s Rating: 4.5 / 5.0
4.5
Clear the way and make room, for The Serpent Queen is coming, and she is not happy!
If there is one thing anyone who has seen this series can say, it’s that the show is not afraid to play fast and loose with its characters.
The Serpent Queen displays a unique talent to keep the pace from declining or the story going stale.
Though the characters are more or less dealing with the same issues they’ve had since the start of Season 2, the series has managed to keep things fresh.
The Serpent Queen’s story slithers into the hearts and minds of fans, consuming them completely with its powerhouse of actors and ridiculously impressive costuming.
The Serpent Queen Is Always Dressed For Another Funeral While Elizabeth Serves Queen of Hearts Realness
We absolutely have to discuss the wardrobe and styling of The Serpent Queen.
Whoever is in charge of dressing these characters deserves an Oscar because the costuming on this show has been a masterclass in talent.
It might be a little late to point this out, but Catherine really and truly only wears black. The woman looks like she’s always on her way to attend a funeral. See what I did there? Too soon?
Then there is Queen Elizabeth (Minnie Driver), portrayed as the opposite of Catherine. Where The Serpent Queen favors black ensembles, Elizabeth looks like the Queen of Hearts.
She is always a flourish of campy colors that perfectly match her extreme and slightly deranged personality.
While viewers may not always retain what a character said, they’ll likely remember the costume if it makes a big enough splash.
The women aren’t the only ones getting the glam treatment because Francoise’s hair has not moved an inch since The Serpent Queen Season 2 Episode 1.
That’s quite the feat, considering he was thrown in jail, where I doubt he was given more product to keep that beautiful head of hair so strategically styled.
We can understand why Princess Margot is so taken with the handsome duke.
Catherine’s Kids Can’t Catch A Break To Save Their Lives. Literally.
However attractive Francoise is, it doesn’t explain why the princess seems slightly unhinged or severely naive.
Seriously, the girl has some blinders situation going on. It’s not like she just met the duke yesterday. Why is she acting like some giggly schoolgirl?
In addition, she acts weird and antagonistic every time the topic of Charles’ prospects comes up.
We already know Charles (Bill Milner) has unnatural feelings for his sister. Margot may reciprocate those feelings a little. I hope not, though, because that’s just nasty.
Someone needs to tell her the king is not long for this world, so they can kiss and say goodbye already.
Then there is Anjou. I think God may have been a little drunk when he made Anjou. The man is not a man at all. He’s a boy playing at being an adult.
He has no self-control and then simpers like a pitiful, tantrum-throwing child whenever he’s called out.
Believe it or not, I actually like Anjou. He’s a fun character who keeps things interesting.
However, the orgies and drunken debauchery are going to get old. It would be nice to see him take control of his life and take responsibility for his actions.
Princess Elisabeth would do well to stay in Rome with her invalid, sadist husband.
Either way, Catherine’s family is barely holding on by a thread. Members keep dropping like flies one way or another.
A Lack Of Loyalty Means There’s No Love Lost In Spilled Blood Of A Family Traitor
Raise your hand if you didn’t trust Alessandro as far as you could throw him. That’s what I thought.
Granted, with a show like The Serpent Queen, few characters are worth trusting. And it’s hard not to roll your eyes at the idea of a long-lost brother.
Still, like Catherine (Samantha Morton), we hoped there might be some genuine sibling affection. Alas, The Serpent Queen is relearning her rule of not trusting anyone.
However, the arc with Alessandro and Rahima felt forced.
They barely had a few scenes together, but that’s all it took to start an affair.
With everything else going on in the series, Alessandro and Rahima seem like small potatoes.
It’s as if the writers needed a way to make it seem like everyone was against Catherine.
That said, I am entirely willing to overlook the forced plot because everything else in The Serpent Queen has been amazing. Also, Catherine has bigger fish to fry.
Come Hell Or High Water, The Serpent Queen Is Not Going Out Without A Fight
Edith has embraced her villainous role with the fully armed followers at her back and call.
From the Bourbons to the Cardinal, Edith has been cutting down Catherine’s support left and right.
We’ve started to see the false prophet’s true nature, but it’s The Serpent Queen viewers need to keep their eyes on.
Whatever that wily woman has planned will likely remind everyone she is the head boss in charge.
It needs to be said that the real evil in Season 2 isn’t the Bourbons, the Guises, Queen Elizabeth, or even Edith. The real villain of this story is religion.
As one of my favorite lines from Derry Girls goes, “You are not different religions. You are just different flavors of the same religion.”
It’s ridiculous how much power the church held in those days. As mentioned by one of the Vatican lackeys in the episode, the church can do whatever it wants.
Catherine’s plan will likely cause a major power shift in France and possibly Europe as a whole.
Either way, The Serpent Queen Season 2 finale will be an epic installment to close out this fantastic season.
There are many possibilities as to what might happen, but I have a request. Hopefully, Queen Elizabeth will make another appearance.
I need just one more of her sharp quips and elegantly underhanded comments.
The Serpent Queen’s second Season has delivered one amazing episode after another, never letting the plot or pace suffer.
Hopefully, future historical retellings will take a clue from this Starz series, especially since it boasts a perfect Rotten Tomatoes score.
Grab some armor because the next episode is the big one. Keep your fingers crossed that we get at least one “off with their head” from Catherine.
Who do you think will end up ruling France?
What could Catherine be planning against Edith?
Drop a comment below to let us know, and join me again when I review the next episode of The Serpent Queen!