Episode 10 Versailles

This programme contains some strong language

and some scenes of a sexual nature.

SHE SOBS

Hyah!

I've been expecting you.

Perhaps, sorceress.

But can you predict your own future?

Search the room!

Sir?

Found a friend of yours?

Bind her!

-HE READS:

-The French, heroic and fearless to a man,

battled with bravery, brain and brawn.

Sundering the enemy's spirit, they attacked at dawn.

Cutting a swathe through the Dutch heartland to hurt,

so they ran like children for their lives,

under William's underskirt.

APPLAUSE

Your love of detail and fidelity to the truth

can only be applauded, Thomas.

Don't you agree, brother?

Makes French breasts burst with pride, brother.

I cannot put a value on the work you do for us.

One day soon, I shall reward you in full.

Thank you, Sire.

The witch has been arrested, Sire.

We found numerous potions

and Satanic materials.

Bring her to me.

To the palace?

Never show fear to the devil.

We also discovered a book, Sire.

Containing names of all those who sought her help.

She is the source of the poisons, Sire.

How many were involved?

Too many to count.

# I'm the king of my own land

# Facing tempests of dust I'll fight until the end

# Creatures of my dreams raise up and dance with me

# Now and forever

# I'm your king! #

We meet again...my king.

You would be advised to show respect.

SHE LAUGHS

You stand accused of witchcraft and sorcery.

And plead guilty on both counts.

Of what do you stand accused?

Tyranny?

Arrogance? Vanity?

The Marquise de Montespan spoke very highly of you.

Her hands are clean.

She only came to me for a love potion.

Don't try and tell me it didn't work.

I would have expected more humility, in your predicament.

It benefits me nothing, with my fate decreed already.

You will leave this life imminently, that is certain.

They tell me Good Friday is an apt time for a sacrifice.

You ridicule your maker?

The only one who could give you forgiveness?

I do not seek forgiveness.

I'm not the sinner here.

You and your lord have no dominion in my world.

Deny me and you deny God.

I serve the true master.

I offer myself as a sacrifice to him.

Heretic!

Blasphemer! You preach treason!

I believe in justice.

And one day...

..you'll face yours.

You have the gall to threaten me?

We are equals, you and I.

You cannot choose to be born a king

any more than I chose to be a pauper.

I am chosen by God!

Your lord giveth and he will taketh away!

History will record your fleeting moment in blood!

A tide is coming that will sweep you away!

All of Versailles will see you burn for this.

I will not be vanquished while my agents are at large.

I have sown the seeds of sedition

that will turn this edifice and its master to dust!

A tide!

Find who they are.

WHISPERING

Show a brave face so there could be no suspicion.

Stay away from me. I want nothing more to do with you.

Put a foot wrong and we are both up to our necks in steaming horse dung.

It's over. Nothing can be proven.

And in time, it will all be forgotten.

It hasn't even started yet.

WHISPERING CONTINUES

HE COUGHS

What will you have me do?

Water, please.

HE COUGHS

-WEAKLY:

-Thank you.

HE SIGHS

Hercules rid the world of the poisonous hydra

by chopping off all its heads.

His Majesty has come to the wrong room, perhaps.

It was you I came to see.

It has been a long time.

Not since you have been with another woman.

-You're wrong.

-Why not?

I have been occupied.

With Madame Scarron?

That is careless talk.

And she is Madame de Maintenon now.

What have you been up to?

Keeping a low profile.

Waiting.

Hoping.

The waiting's over.

I hope so.

As do I.

I knew it.

I know you better than anyone.

I knew it was a lie when you said you did not love me.

Everyone lies sometimes.

I've never lied about my feelings for you.

But in other things?

I have nothing to hide.

There is sin in thought, as well as deed.

Well, then, I have nothing to confess.

Except that I love you.

And I will do anything I can to have you back.

For that, you must tell me the truth.

Well, come to me, my king.

I will show you that I have no secrets.

SHE BREATHES HARD

Finally...the scales fall from my eyes.

And you have betrayed me for the last time.

SHE HYPERVENTILATES

SHE SOBS

Luxembourg, my good friend!

I need your help with a dilemma.

Of course.

I'm in two minds how to deal with my enemies.

Do I educate them, or punish them?

Depends what they've done, Sire.

Well, if I came upon information incriminating someone I trusted...

..how should I deal with that betrayal?

There's only one way to deal with a traitor, Sire.

Well, even if it was someone like you?

If you tell me the truth...

..you can leave through that door.

If you do not, you will leave through that door.

My...my wife's father was obstructing our investments.

She wished him dead.

I heard about Madame Agathe.

For a price, she supplied poison.

We invited him around for supper.

It saddens me deeply that you didn't come to me.

I'm a reasonable man. I've always helped those loyal to the Crown.

I feared you would not listen unless it was part of your plan!

Because I frighten you?

Huh! Is that it?

Because I am a tyrant?

You killed a nobleman in my palace.

I beg forgiveness, Sire!

I will devote my life to your service without question.

I appreciate your honesty...my friend.

Thank you, Sire.

Did you really think that I could let this go unpunished? Hm?

After all I've given you?

France rewards her loyal servants!

And she punishes those who betray her!

Strike now, without mercy.

And the Marquise de Montespan?

Not yet.

SHOCKED GASP

STARTLED GASPS

I am innocent! I am innocent!

FAINT WAILING

-WHISPERS:

-They're arresting half the court!

Calm yourself.

We two remain in the clear.

But for how much longer?

I say we make a tactical withdrawal.

And I say we push ahead.

With what?

There is one person who deserves punishment above all.

HE BREATHES HARD

What are you going to do with them?!

Go get me something to drink.

Go!

Where are we going?

It's all about...anticipation.

It's beautiful.

Much better seen from the outside.

I thought we were going somewhere private, away from prying eyes?

Well, we can always do that,

but I'm in a more...romantic mood.

I mean, what is life worth if you can't

bask in beauty and talk about poetry?

The words of love!

These days, my writing is mostly about military matters

and the king's ambitions.

And he's always asking you to write such guff,

but deep down, you are a poet. A lover.

-Like me.

-THOMAS CHUCKLES

You have an understanding of a deeper truth.

The reality behind the facade.

-Hm.

-I mean...

..take Versailles, for example.

It is truly a triumph in style over substance

which has my brother written all over it.

Hm! I can imagine.

Same goes for the war. He has you writing all that propaganda

when the truth is, things are obviously in chaos.

I'm sure His Majesty has matters under control.

He knows as much about military strategy

as I do about basket-weaving.

THEY CHUCKLE

I mean, why would you withdraw all of your troops from Holland

when we all know that's where the real war is won or lost?

The king expects me back in court.

I mean, we could just have sex, if you'd rather?

Hm! Maybe later.

DOOR CLOSES

-WEAKLY:

-Is that you, my dear?

FOOTSTEPS

You must be losing your sight.

I can still detect a bad smell.

It was you, wasn't it?

You betrayed me to the king.

Why would you think that?

A sudden enthusiasm for my company from Monsieur

and a strong urge to divulge secrets of state.

His Highness has a penchant for male company, perhaps.

Even yours.

Did you betray me to the king?

Look at me!

What do you think?

CASSEL CHUCKLES

I warned you!

Didn't I?!

CASSEL STRUGGLES TO BREATHE

THOMAS GRUNTS

THOMAS GRUNTS

What are you doing?! Get off!

I'm sorry.

-WEAKLY:

-Sophie!

What did he say exactly?

Word for word!

I said you were making a mess of it

by withdrawing your troops from Holland

so you could focus on tackling the east.

And then he left.

He was due to speak with me. An hour ago.

You think he's seen through it, Sire?

We were drinking.

-WHISPERS:

-It was in the heat of passion.

That's exactly what we agreed, isn't it?

You took him for a fool.

It was an error of judgment, and not for the last time.

That's not fair!

I'm the one selling his arse for France!

Find him! Maybe it's not too late to retrieve the situation.

He must not leave the palace!

Why would you hurt a dying man?

There's no time to explain.

I must leave tonight, and I want you to come with me!

Why should I trust you?

Listen, if they catch me, they will kill me!

Why? What have you done?

What kind of outlaw are you?

One who knows all about you.

That you are a Protestant

and your mother conspired against the king for William of Orange.

So that's why you befriended me?

You're a spy, too?

Yes, but then I fell in love with you.

Are you coming with me or not?

Sophie, I'll be at the stables at midnight.

Where the fuck have you been?

Here we go again.

You were with him, weren't you?

I'm not going to have this conversation with you.

Then I'm going round to your little sweetheart right now and

I'm going to rip his throat out.

You're not going to do anything of the kind because you're a notorious coward.

And he's not my sweetheart.

I'm a coward, am I?

Do you really want to see how brave I can be?

Look, it's not what you think.

I think he's a snivelling little bastard, and I'll kill him.

It's a charade.

Louis is using me to feed information to the Dutch.

That's why I'm flirting with him.

HE SNORTS

I've heard some lame excuses in my time.

I come here for sanctuary, escape.

From the heaven on Earth you created?

I now have a record of the poisonings that proves

I've been betrayed by my friends.

Hundreds of them.

Difficult sins to forgive.

Some of them are close, very close.

One in particular.

Then the betrayal is even greater.

An untreated wound can fester in the soul just as in the body.

I know what I must do, so why do I hesitate?

Why do I doubt myself?

Look into my eyes.

I believe in you. You must trust yourself.

You are perfect.

I cannot. It is wrong.

How can it be? God has sent you to me.

You are married.

It is a marriage without love.

And me? What would I be?

Love without marriage?

Whatever exists between us is stronger,

purer than desires of the flesh.

What is going on?

There's one missing.

-Can I help you?

-Yes, I believe you can.

Whether or not you're willing is another matter.

You treacherous bitch!

HE GROANS

I have failed you. Forgive me.

Give him the cell where the rats play.

You are defeated, witch. Where is your dark master now?

In my head, just like he is in yours.

We both know this is not over yet.

You have a very soft heart.

Everybody deserves dignity in death.

I know what you did.

Your name was on a list.

It has now been erased.

Your conscience should remain clean.

And what of your conscience? Is that clean?

I leave the past behind me.

I hope you will do the same.

A word of warning.

Your lover may not be the man you think he is.

Everybody has their secrets.

PHILIPPE: Where do you think you're going?

-What are you doing here?

-I like surprises.

And I don't like people walking out on me.

I'm very sorry. I had certain matters to attend to.

I'm sorry, too.

I came on a bit too strong earlier. Terrible habit.

My passion got the better of me, but I thought I'd stop by and apologise.

See if we couldn't... maybe try again?

That's not very nice of you.

THEY GRUNT

THEY GRUNT AND GROAN

Guards!

My love!

HORSE WHINNIES

THOMAS CRIES OUT

SHE GASPS

HORSE WHINNES

HE MOANS

Stop!

Hold your fire! She is innocent.

Believe me, Sire, I had no intention of causing trouble.

I saw your brother in pain.

My anger was too strong for me.

Enough.

I was driven to action. A-a-a reflex beyond my control.

-I had no time to consider the consequences.

-Silence!

Yes. Of course.

I've brought you here to express my gratitude.

You have shown honour and valour in ridding the palace of a dangerous spy.

And as a reward, you will receive an annual stipend so you are

no longer in debt, nor so reliant on my brother.

And you will be given rooms in the east wing.

On condition that you start to behave as a nobleman.

Your predilection for alcohol and powders will cease

if you wish to remain associated with my court.

Absolutely, Sire. I assure you I...

For God's sake! Will you shut up?

Brother, you are alive.

No thanks to you.

You were in the service of France.

It would have been good propaganda, wouldn't it, had I died?

Your brother sacrifices himself for you.

Please try to be reasonable.

What would you have written on my tombstone?

"Gave his arse for France"?

Brother, please!

If you had died tonight, I would have lost my closest friend.

Why should I believe you?

Because after all we have been through,

after all the hurt I have caused you, you love me as I love you.

If you walk out now, you walk out on that love.

Tomorrow, you will go to war, if that is what you wish.

No sudden, last-minute change of mind?

I want you to go to Holland and destroy William of Orange

for me, for France,

for you.

-AGATHE:

-Cinis. Cinis terra est.

Ibi est terra dea, mortua heic ego sum.

Et sum cinis, cinis terra est,

terra est.

Et fave coeptis

meis hoc quod peto a te,

mortua heic ego sum, et sum cinis,

diva.

I have done things. Evil things.

Go on.

I accuse myself of sins of the flesh, of pride.

And of wrath. And other things that I dare not mention.

Are you truly sorry for these sins?

I am.

Then the Lord will forgive you.

You will now say the Act of Contrition.

My Lord God, I am heartily sorry if I have offended you.

I detest all of my sins

because I dread the loss of heaven and the pains of hell.

I firmly resolve, with the help of your grace,

to do penance and amend my life.

Amen.

I look forward to seeing you at communion.

With his grace's permission, I shall remain to pray.

Of course.

You did well to stay.

Versailles is fun when you get used to it.

Versailles will be fun when it gets used to me.

If a man dies, will he live again?

Can death be defeated?

It is only through the power of light

that the long shadow of death

can be banished.

Today is a day of resurrection.

Of hope.

Of peace.

HE GRUNTS

The witch spoke of other agents.

You will tell me who they are.

That won't be necessary. Why don't we talk about this like gentlemen?

Perhaps not.

I can save the King's life.

But not if you touch another hair on my head.

In return, you will give me full amnesty

and safe passage to Bordeaux.

PLIERS CLANK

Only the King can grant such a wish.

Act fast or he'll grant no wishes at all.

The ghosts of his victims are here for revenge.

You will be freed only if the King survives.

Can I trust you?

SCUFFLING

If he dies, you die.

CHURCH BELLS RING

CHORAL MUSIC

SHE SNIFFLES

Per huius vini mysterium

eius efficiamur divinitatis

nostrae fieri dignatus est particeps.

Lava mea, Domine,

ab iniquitate mea et a peccato meo munda me.

Hm.

Easter Sunday.

A sermon.

Prayers.

Tick...

tock

Tick...tock!

THEY SING

Corpus Christi.

SHE SOBS

Doors!

Corpus Christi.

SHE SOBS

NO!

It's poison, Sire.

De Foix confessed.

Who else? He cannot have done this alone?

HUSHED MURMURS

SHE CRIES

Someone tried to poison me while I worshipped God.

-I am innocent, Sire.

-Innocent?

Yet you procured poison.

It was a mistake. I did not go through with it.

And the heretic priest,

Etienne Guibourg?

A Satanic mass!

The blood of a child spilled!

No! I could never do such a thing!

But you went to see him. Admit it!

Everything I did, I did for you.

-All I wanted...

-Enough!

I gave you my heart.

My soul.

My love.

That love has died.

It cannot die.

I made you who you are.

I made you complete.

I cannot live without you.

You cannot live without me!

That was true once.

But not now.

Without you...

..I am myself.

I will leave,

if that is what you want.

You will never hear from me again.

No.

You will remain here at Versailles.

An anonymous noble without the king's favour.

That will be your punishment,

to bear the guilt and shame forever.

You will leave behind the life you once led.

You will attend prayers and mass.

You will neither drink nor gamble.

You will be known for your piety and your humility.

You condemn me to death!

The Marquise de Montespan

who had the world and the King of France at her feet...

..no longer exists.

SHE SOBS

Even the darkest night gives way to dawn.

And if you are killed? What of our son?

You will find someone else to take the role of the father.

We will write each other every day.

I want a full report on your health and wellbeing.

And remember, this is Versailles.

You should be happy.

SHE SCOFFS

How do I look?

Passable.

I thought you'd be pleased for me.

And I thought you'd be grateful to me.

Didn't I save your life?

So why risk it now...

..on a stupid battlefield?

I will always love you.

But there are things that I must do

before I can love you again.

As I wish and you deserve.

CHEVALIER SOBS

Go.

CROWD SHOUTS

-MAN:

-Where's your trickery now, witch?!

DOOR CLANKS

Take him to the pyre.

HUSH DESCENDS

-CROWD CHANTS:

-Long live the King! Long live the King!

Long live the King!

FIRE ROARS AND CRACKLES

SHE GASPS

The Sun King!

SHE SCOFFS

It is for his greed that you toil.

For his vanity,

you suffer!

Rise up and fight!

I urge you!

Find your power!

Your days are numbered,

Louis, King of France!

You and your spawn

shall wither and decay!

Your flesh eaten by the worms of tyranny!

SHE GASPS

SHE SCREAMS

FLAMES ROAR

SCREAMING STOPS