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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!
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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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Thanks Sandi for the preview :) I understand you initially received the wrong copy this week and so it's all the more appreciated! I was wondering if there were any Aramis/Porthos moments this week (I'm really hoping "Porthos fought harder than any of us to become a Musketeer, he wouldn't give us up that lightly" is Aramis)? Thanks again!
ReplyDeleteThank you for the preview, I was really looking forward to read it ^^ I was wondering if the other 3 musketeers were having good scenes during this episode, or is it just Porthos? I love every characters, and without making the show less good, I think that for some episodes, some characters are less present on screen than others because of the plot. (I don't know if what I wrote is understandable ! I'm so sorry !)
ReplyDeleteOnce again, thank you so much for taking the time to post this preview !
You're welcome. Yes, I got the wrong one, and then was away until this evening so I apologise for being a bit late this week, I know it can be a pain to be kept waiting!
ReplyDeleteI'm afraid that isn't an Aramis line, but it is a sentiment that he feels throughout the episode, in fact he corrects one other person for even daring to think for a second that Porthos may have done anything wrong, he is very loyal to him. There is also a fun, though dangerous, little scene at the start during the birthday celebration that shows how much he trusts Porthos.
No worries, sorry it's so late! I understand what you mean, Porthos spends very little time with the other three in this episode but we do see all of them for about the same amount of time on screen. Athos, Aramis and D'Artagnan work pretty hard to clear his name, while Porthos is in the Court of Miracles for almost all of the episode where we learn a lot about him, if that makes sense.
ReplyDeleteThank you ! I'm glad they all get a fair amount of time on screen. I need my Aramis fix (sorry I'm going to go to sleep, I don't know what I'm saying anymore...)
ReplyDeleteThis scene... ? (spoilers !) http://luckyaerith.tumblr.com/post/77281686988/spoilers-for-the-musketeers
ReplyDeleteHaha, yes :)
ReplyDeleteEp 6 is an even better Aramis one ;)
ReplyDeleteThanks for the reply. I'm really glad they're giving Porthos a back story, from what I've heard of the other adaptations he's used mostly as comic relief.
ReplyDeleteI'm guessing that's the copy you received earlier this week? ;)
ReplyDeleteI couldn't agree more, I really like Howard Charles in the role too as he plays the range of emotions well imo
ReplyDelete;))
ReplyDeleteYeah I think the casting is spot-on for all the characters. On a side note, do you think they'll recast the Cardinal?
ReplyDeleteI shall refrain from asking questions (with great difficulty!) ;) Must have been a nice surprise in any case!
ReplyDeleteHmm, not sure, I hope not. May be they'll bring in Cardinal Mazarin earlier than history allows just to cover Capaldi's departure?
ReplyDeleteI am also trying hard not to say too much :( lol
ReplyDeleteSo glad to see The Musketeers back this Sunday! I hope fans will remember to tune it! :) I want the ratings to keep being excellent!
ReplyDeleteThank you for the preview, as always! We all appreciate it, as you already know!!!
I'm glad we get to learn more about Porthos. I especially can't wait for a later episode when it is said that he'll have a real love interest. What can I say? I love romances! One of the actresses posted that info on her twitter. :)
Sorry to bug you with the same question! But are there any good D'Artagnan/Constance scenes in episode 5 OR episode 6 (since you also saw it)? I get the sense that since it's a Porthos episode, we probably won't get much with them in episode 5. But is more on the way in episode 6 at least?
Thanks again! And sorry for being so repetitive!!!
Oh... but you will say more after Sunday, please ....? (Your last answer tortures me !)
ReplyDeleteTuesday, that's the BBC's deadline for online outlets I'm afraid :)
ReplyDeleteCheers, sorry it's late this week. I hope that people tune in too, I really do feel that it's just on at the wrong time unfortunately. The two children I coach both really got into this week and they are both much younger than the target age. I discreetly jumped a couple of scenes due to the youngest only being 7 (like the shot of the murder in bath in ep 1) and just explained what happened instead and they both lapped up all the action and humour. I think the politics goes a little over their heads at times, but the young teen was certainly interested in some of it and asked me to explain the history of it all in some cases. This really would do better on at 7.30pm or 8pm, and toned down just a little, and it would do much better viewing figure wise imo.
ReplyDeleteOne of the teasers above is about Porthos' love interest this week, it's not very straightforward but plays out well. She's a very strong and likeable woman, and the two of them balance each other out well, you can see they really have cared for each other in the past and now too. Constance isn't in this episode at all though I'm afraid, but you'll see her in the trailer in a scene with Aramis which I think you will like a great deal, she is fab in it! :)
Sandi, thanks so much for the reply! :) And always take your time! We're all busy with our daily hectic lives!!!
ReplyDeleteToo bad Constance isn't in the new episode. I guess since Milady missed last episode, it was Constance's turn to miss it this week. :( Oh well. It will be strange to not have her in an episode...
About the Constance scene in the trailer for episode 6, it's not her slapping Aramis again? Is it? Since I'm the biggest D'Artagnan/Constance fan, I don't really like Constance sharing scenes with Aramis due to his womanizer status!!! Plus, some viewers are liking Aramis with EVERYONE (now apparently with Porthos in the romantic sense a lot and Queen Anne of course). I just don't need for anyone to start liking Constance with Aramis...
We can consider ourselves lucky to have our own spy to give us some foretaste ^^
ReplyDeleteNo, not a romantic scene at all! Sorry, I didn't think you would think that, I should have made that clearer, it's something any Constance fan will like. I really can't say any more than that I'm afraid, other than I don't think that there is any need for D'Artagnan/Constance shippers to worry at all.
ReplyDeleteOn the Aramis womaniser side of things, I really feel that much of it isn't really intentional at times with him, he just enjoys the company of strong women (I'm not necessarily talking about Constance here, but others) and finds it easy to connect and talk to them. But more importantly he listens to them, responds to what they say in a sympathetic manner and treats them as an equal. This is one of the reasons that they fall for him imo.
You've just decribed him very well... In his character description, the BBC wrote that "His love of women is notorious but he is very far from being a routine womaniser" and that "he possesses a deep insight into human nature". He can't help being so charming all the time poor Aramis I think it's in his nature. (And being played by Santiago Cabrera is not helping either I suppose...). Constance and d'Artagnan already share a strong bond, and I don't think those sweet scenes from last episode were for nothing. I can't imagine why the writters would be going that far from the book.
ReplyDeleteWhat you've just wrote is not helping at all waiting quietly for next episodes... especially when you say things like "ep 6 is an even better Aramis one" or " he just enjoys the company of strong women (I'm not necessarily talking about Constance here, but others)". Sandiiiiii.... I know you like Aramis' character too, so I can't wait to see more !
I can't see them straying too far from the books either when it comes to D'Artagnan and Constance either if I'm honest, the two of them have chemistry and her husband has been set up as the villain of the piece, so I think it will proceed pretty much as normal.
ReplyDeleteDon't worry ;) I'm just an enthusiastic fan, but I can control myself =D I'll continue fishing for little bits of info and making personnal theories on everything lol
ReplyDeleteThanks, Sandi! I actually didn't think you meant a romantic scene at all. I guess what I've noticed is that whenever Aramis shares a scene with anyone (even or should I say especially Porthos), SOME viewers tend to view that in the "shippy" way. He is an attractive man who has charisma. So I think if Constance shares any type of a scene with him, no matter how far from romantic it is, you'll get some viewers turning it into romantic or something like that. That's why I'd prefer he doesn't share much screen time with Constance. :) Especially if he is teaching her how to sword fight or ride a horse, that would disappoint me because I was hoping that D'Artagnan would do all of those things with her. And I can't help but think that is what you're hinting at since you've said that Constance fans will enjoy the scene. Well, we all love a tough and strong Constance. So I can only think of Aramis teaching her how to sword fight or do something courageous. And I'd prefer D'Artagnan would be the one helping her with all of those things! :) :) Remember how popular the scene was with D'Artagnan teaching Constance how to shoot? Fans loved that moment a lot. I just don't want a moment like that with Constance and Aramis.
ReplyDeleteAnd about him being womanizer, I didn't mean it in the negative way at all. Aramis is a kind and compassionate man. So I meant that he loves women in general. Like you've said, I completely agree. And I love Aramis with Queen Anne. I enjoyed their chemistry the most.
Honestly, the writing is SUPERB for this show. So I completely trust the writers. It's the viewers I'm concerned about! I don't want any shipping wars or weirdness! Viewers tend to turn a simple/platonic scene into some huge shippy thing in a matter of seconds!
Heh not long now :) I imagine it is really annoying not having anyone else to discuss it with!
ReplyDeleteI'm ashamed to say I'm not really all that familiar with the original material and therefore Cardinal Mazarin :( In a way I wish they would recast Capaldi's character since he has (thus far) been underused and so has more potential storyline wise. At the same time I can't imagine anyone playing the Cardinal as good as Capaldi does :(
ReplyDeleteIt's been so long since I've read the novels that I can't remember a huge amount. I've bought all 6 in a bundle on Amazon for my Kindle for £1.99 this afternoon, complete with illustrations, bargain :) I'm laid up on the sofa with a hot water bottle and Lemsip, I've completely lost my voice and feel like crud so have settled down for a good read instead, lol.
ReplyDeleteMazarin, as far as I can remember, appears from the second book on (which is set 20 years later) and is just as evil and controlling of Louis as Richelieu is.
I've been away from technology this week and was delighted to come back this evening to so many fun teasers.
ReplyDeleteI'm actually hoping the "Porthos fought harder than any of us to become a Musketeer" line is said by Athos, for the sole reason that... hmm, how to say this? - I already get a good sense of the strong history between Porthos and Aramis, but we know Athos has been there too, and it has been the three of them thus far. He may end up growing closer to d'Artagnan, but his history is with the other two, and I want to see and get that sense of his enmeshment or allegiance there... (we've gotten threads, but I want more, greedy person that I am).
I guess I just want more a sense of their history as The Three Musketeers, not just two + Athos. Is any of that making sense? I think I'm totally rambling right now. :)
I must totally add my agreement to this. Howard Charles is making that character.
ReplyDelete:) Delighted (and crossing my fingers that in one of these upcoming episodes the Adele thing will finally come back around).
ReplyDeleteI won't ask, but will be secretly pleased that you've been given a bit more of the road ahead. :)
ReplyDelete"It's all very C.S.I." :) lol
ReplyDeleteNot Athos either I'm afraid, but saying that I don't think the scene it is in will disappoint you in what you are saying in the rest of your post here, if I'm recalling it right through my flu addled mind, lol. There is a great sense of loyalty and pulling together throughout the episode, even though others around the Musketeers may try to cast doubt on that; Porthos obviously has the harder deal here as he is back with childhood friends and has older loyalties there too.
ReplyDeleteHa, the first draft said Ripper Street as it's a period drama too so prob fits better, but C.S.I. rolls off the tongue and is more well known, lol.
ReplyDeleteHave you seen the sneak peek? The line comes after that scene when Athos returns to head quarters ;)
ReplyDeleteI really hope they unveil it before the end of the current series! I can't see them introducing it in the first episode and not giving viewers some form of closure.
ReplyDeleteGood to hear. Looking forward to it.
ReplyDelete