The Musketeers - Episode 1.05 - The Homecoming - Preview & Teasers

It’s a Porthos episode this week, we already know that he grew up the orphan of a slave woman on the streets of Paris and fought his way up to the elite ranks of the king’s guard, but this episode goes a long way in showing just how far he had to come in order to overcome his start in life. After waking up in the gutter next to a dead body, with the mother of all hangovers after his birthday celebrations, he finds himself swiftly arrested by the Red Cloaks, taken before the judge, and sentenced to death. All before the poor man has even been given a chance to sober up!

At least Porthos has friends at court who will save his neck, or should that be friends at courts. There’s the King’s Musketeers of course, who spend much of the episode looking for clues, examine evidence, questioning witnesses and doing other mundane police work...there’s even the obligatory morgue visit to see what the coroner has to say, it’s all very C.S.I. Then there’s the Court of Miracles, based in the city slums and ruled over by Porthos’ old friend and sometime rival, Charon (Ashley Walters; Top Boy, Truckers). They abduct him en route to the gallows in order to keep him safe, but is being in the middle of a den of robber, beggars, whores and thieves really the safest place to be?

The guest casting is fantastic again, the stand out probably being the marvellous Anton Lesser (Game of Thrones, Ripper Street) as Emile De Mauvoisin, father to the dead lad that Porthos wakes up next to. He is an actor I have admired for some time and would love to get a chance to see him on stage in Shakespeare, he has such a presence on the screen that all his scenes are a delight; his last few with Hugo Speer especially so. Ashley Walters is someone I don’t always connect with, loved him in Hustle and Top Boy but didn't get on with his turn in Doctor Who so well last year for example, but he does a grand job as Charon. He reminded me a bit of Jonathan Rhys Meyers’ Henry VIII at times with his performance, but that’s no bad thing as there are many similarities between the two roles and it was original enough not to be a pastiche.


The Homecoming airs at 9pm on Sunday 23rd February on BBC 1 and BBC 1 HD, below are a few dialogue teasers to see you through until then. Don't forget to come back to vote in our poll after the episode and let us know what you thought.


“It’s science! You can learn a great deal from a fresh cadaver”

“I have a reputation to think of, people here believe I just saved the life of a murderer”

“Jean did not find selling his conscious as easy as his father did”

“It’s a warning; do nothing unless you are attacked”

“You've always loved him; I was just the one who was left”

“The inhabitants of the court are violent and feral, persuading them to join the march of progress is no easy task; they remain strongly attached to their depravity”

“Musketeers, always good for a little street theatre”

“I don’t know when I was born, this is just the day I picked when I was a kid; one day is as good as another to celebrate”

“Porthos fought harder than any of us to become a Musketeer, he wouldn't give us up that lightly”

“You can dress your dog in a fine suit, but once a mongrel always a mongrel”


Trailer Teaser

“One thing you need to learn D’Artagnan, don’t get involved”

About the Author - Sandi

Sandi is part of the Senior Staff at SpoilerTV having been a contributor from back in the Lost days of DarkUFO, and who now writes previews for Banshee, The Musketeers, Atlantis, and other BBC shows. She also enjoys watching and commenting on other shows such as Sons of Anarchy, Hannibal, Game of Thrones and Elementary.

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