The long wait is very nearly over as our fearless leather clad swordsmen are finally back this week. As in the novels, the Cardinal’s heart has been ‘worn out in his duty to France’ during the six months between last season's finale and this opening episode. While the citizens of Paris grieve at his funeral our heroes are rather relieved to be excused from attending, instead they are sent on a mission to escort a mysterious fugitive safely back to the city. Almost as soon as they learn who their man is however - Comte de Rochefort, Richelieu’s old spy in Madrid who has just escaped from a Spanish prison - he is getting them into trouble, in fact it’s practically instantaneous.
His relationship with the Musketeers and the royals is complex at times, yet you understand his anger and frustrations well. Like the Cardinal last year he’s not a villain whose motivations are obscure or hard to comprehend, there is an impetus for every move that he makes. His passion, and resentments, drive him and drag others along in his wake if they are unfortunate enough to get tangled up in it. There is no denying that he is a dangerous adversary this season, but this only makes our leads even more heroic when they outsmart him!
Once we see the characters set in place at court the rescue of General De Foix (Dominic Mafham) takes up a large chunk of the episode. This is when bootcamp really starts to show its merit as the boys show us what they’re made of. As Luke says in the New Villains and Story Arcs video, the action sequences have been worked on with sword master Roman Spáčil in order to create more visually impressive fights. The stunts too are thrilling; I wish everyone could see the zip slide scene on a cinema screen as I did as it is magnificent when seen at that scale.
Howard has said that a central running theme through the season will be identity. The arcs set up at the end of the episode certainly follow this motif. How does Porthos’ past connect to someone he should be able to trust? Where do Constance and d’Artagnan stand with each other? How can Aramis risk showing any love for his son? Some questions will be answered more easily than others, yet I fear all will have long lasting effects on the lives of our Musketeers.
Keep Your Friends Close airs on Friday 2nd January at 9pm on BBC 1 and BBC 1 HD in the UK, below are some dialogue teasers to see you through until then. I will fill in any correct guesses on who said what, and to whom, that are suggested in the comment section later in the week. Don't forget to come back to vote in our poll after the episode and let us know what you thought.
“This is my chance to make amends”
“He was a great man, his only mistake was failing to destroy you Musketeers” Rochefort to the Musketeers
“Why rake up the past now?” Treville to ?
“Summoned to attend on the King himself, what an honour” Bonacieux to Constance
“El gobernador se lo agradecerá”
“He said she was a woman of great sense, and discretion” Anne to ?
“If we’re caught out of uniform we’ll be treated as spies, that means instant execution”
“Treville, I believe you are that man” Louis to Treville
“I demand this man’s arrest, he’s a fugitive from justice” Fernando to ?
“The King’s council has been chaos since the Cardinal died, no-one knows who is in charge” Athos to the Musketeers
“I’m sorry, I have my orders” d'Artagnan to ?
“He is strong, and handsome” ? to ? about the Dauphin
Trailer Teaser
“Ha, I win again! Don’t even need the money...” King Louis
Join our new G+ Community for regular updates, discussions and more
Thank you Sandi! It's so exciting to have the preview for the first episode! That zip slide scene sounds amazing - I can't wait to see it. :)
ReplyDeleteI'll have a guess that “He was a great man, his only mistake was failing to destroy you Musketeers” is said by Rochefort about The Cardinal.
Sounds brilliant. Can't wait to see the zip wire scene. I really see what you mean about cramming everything into the episode. Phew, it sounds exhausting!
ReplyDeleteGreat preview, Sandi!
ReplyDeleteComing after Peter Capaldi's Richelieu must be a pretty fun challenge! Let's see what Rochefort will be able to do! ;) In any case, can't wait to see the boys once again (especially Aramis ahah!).
Thanks for the review Sandi.. :)
ReplyDeleteI'm really looking forward to the more ambitious nature of S2, which definitely sounds like it's going to be the case based on all the positive reviews that we've seen, not to mention all the spoilers, lol.
January 2nd can't come fast enough for me..
You're welcome Helen! It is fantastic, I just hope that it hasn't been spoilt too much beforehand, I do think it's better in many of ways not to know too much beforehand some times. I knew very little before watching the episode the first time which did make it very exciting!
ReplyDeleteThe first stab at the teasers, and it's a correct guess ;)
There is a lot going on, but the pace works quite well overall I feel. I think there will be more to come in future episodes. Some things are only teased here really, where as others are given a bit more room to play out and then will be picked up at a later point,
ReplyDeleteAramis definitely doesn't disappoint ;) hehe He's a bit out of sorts at the start of the season though, as to be expected. Becoming a father is a huge changing point in a man's life under ordinary circumstances, and these are about as far from that as you can get!! It's so good to have the four back together again on our screens though, it's been a long wait.
ReplyDeleteI really like that they're going in straight away with action rather than focusing on the angst. Seeding key developments in to be explored later, is very smart. It would be daft to give it all away at once. It should be a set up. It needs to feel like we're going on a journey and from the sounds of things, it will. Great stuff.😄
ReplyDeleteI'm hoping that the spoilers will die down a little once the series starts, there does seem to be an urge to 'tell all' a bit, which is such a shame. I'm much more a fan of teasers and speculation than outright stating what is ahead, it's much more fun that way I feel.
ReplyDeleteI think I've mentioned before (not sure?), but the criticism I am expecting the most will be the use of accents this year. The Spanish, apart from Anne obviously, and others use an accent, so I imagine that some viewers will find that a little odd that the French do not. I personally see it as a way of distinguishing between 'home' and 'foreign' characters and don't have a problem with it though.
I agree with this. I've also been quite surprised by the extent of the information, particularly about key story arcs, which gave been made readily available. Indeed much of the information has come directly from the cast themselves via interviews. I understand the desire to enthuse the fans and attract as big an audience as possible but I can't help feeling that some of these plot points should have been given the opportunity to evolve and playout without being preempted.
ReplyDeleteThere's that one magazine article in particular, I can't remember the name of it but it gave quite a lot away plot wise from a set visit the guy did earlier in the year, which surprised me immensely. (I won't repeat it here either as I don't wish to spoil anyone unaware of what was revealed in it). You kind of take it as read that certain stuff is for your background as a journalist rather than to become common knowledge as it would be spoilery material.
ReplyDeleteI can say that although it does seem like a lot has gotten out, there is still quite a bit that hasn't though. We may know the over all path that the show will take, but the actual journey, so to speak, could still be surprising and very enjoyable, with twists and turns along the way.
Yeah, like yourself, I'm hoping the spoilers will die back once the series gets underway, particularly as we head towards the final. The actors won't be giving many more interviews - if any - towards the final and I certainly won't be reading as many tv mags as I did in the run up to Christmas.
ReplyDeleteI don't want to know in advance what happens to Aramis's son or whether Constance finally breaks free of Bonacieux. I suspect she will because the writers can't repeat the S1 ending but I still can't be sure.
I suppose I am the only one interested in love stories XD
ReplyDeleteHi Alice! I'm afraid that I'm not much of a shipper myself, I prefer the action and brotherhood side of the show, but we do have a few who like some of the couples on the show here. If you take a browse through the Episode Information and Video posts you will see quite a lot of speculation and chat along those lines :)
ReplyDeleteWhich is your favourite storyline?
Thanks for your advice :)
ReplyDeleteI'm a Costagnan fan but I also like Aramis & the Queen. Athos' story is way too sad for me.. I'm a romantic after all even if my freinds say I am not ^^
There's a few of us Constagnan fans on Spoiler TV :) although I'm primarily a Luke Pasqualino / D'Artagnan fan..
ReplyDeleteHi Alice! Many of us, myself included, enjoy the romances as part of the overall show. I'm a huge fan of Constagnan, I just love Luca and Tamla together and I'm a sucker for a bit of angst. Although these two are in danger of giving me an ulcer at this rate!😄 Anne and Aramis is a tough ship but they are beautiful together and I can certainly see the appeal. I have a feeling there'll be much to both enjoy and torment us romantics this year.
ReplyDeleteHi Alice, I do love the romance as well and I am a huge Constagnan fan but as with many on here I am also keen for them to have good, separate storylines, too. I am hoping that we will see them grow as characters in season 2, both individually and as a couple.
ReplyDeleteThis is a question relating to episodes 1 AND 2 really -
ReplyDeleteTom has said that Athos's friendship with D'Artagnan grows deeper in S2, so are there any early hints of that happening during the opening episodes but does it appear we'll have to wait until later in the series?
Hmm, I think it's something that we'll probably see happen over the course of the season, but d'Artagnan is certainly trusted by Athos totally in the episode, that is made clear.
ReplyDeleteWell, fortunately I've "discovered" this series lately and I was able to see the 2nd series preview and I didn't suffer too much for Costagnan's ending... even if I was sad :( but it seems that things will get better, no? ;) I really don't like her husband.. or maybe I love Luca too much ;D
ReplyDeleteI'm really intrigued about this new villain ;D
ReplyDeleteI really hope that the queen doesn't allow the king to name the baby Louis cause that would be cruel even for her , Heri would be a nice name but i would find it funny if the king names the baby after the Cardinal.
ReplyDeleteWell in this case the name's actually pretty much going to determine the baby's fate. If they name it Louis that would make it the actual dauphin and chances of it surviving past this season are high, if they DON'T call it Louis, that baby's gonna be gone by the end of the season in one way or the other I'm afraid...
ReplyDeleteIt could go either way I guess. Henry VIII, the Tudor king, had several sons that he named Henry, most were legitimate and one (the only that survived, ironically) was illegitimate. It's horrible to think of nowadays, but children died a lot back then, so naming them the same name as one that had come before was a common thing if you wanted your name to carry on.
ReplyDeleteSandi, you've seen episode 2, right? May I ask (without asking what it is): do they actually mention the name during the baptism?
ReplyDeleteI'll answer questions for episode 2 in the preview for that one next week, but I have to say anything that spoils is something that I can't/won't answer I'm afraid. a) The BBC have certain obvious embargoes in place, which is completely understandable, and b) I prefer to tease stuff rather than give out information that I know not everyone would like to know the answer to, esp if they will end up on Twitter/Tumblr and can't be easily avoided by fans. Sorry x
ReplyDeleteThat's alright, that's why I refrained from asking for the actual name. ;) But if you can't and won't say, I guess I'm just gonna practice being patient for a couple more weeks. ;)
ReplyDeleteSorry hun x
ReplyDeleteI bet Rochefort is happy that the king has a son, may i ask what is the queen's reaction to rocheforts return and is there any hints how they know each other ?
ReplyDeleteAs we saw in the sneak peek yesterday, the king's council is an absolute mess at present. Without the Cardinal running things no-one knows what to do, Louis is a terrible leader after all and Anne is in the last stages of her pregnancy so isn't exactly in a position to help either. So things at court are a bit of a mess, but we do see Rochefort meet the royals in this episode, and there are some details given on how he knows them.
ReplyDeleteis there many scenes with the baby ?
ReplyDeleteI found it very funny in the sneak peek how Aramis said they should pray for the cardinal and how the musketeers looked at him as he was crazy .
Lol yes, I'm glad that Aramis is still faithful to his novelised self in that regard, his religious beliefs are still part of his core values. There's not a lot of the baby in this episode, but there is so much going on elsewhere it's easy to understand why. Primarily Rochefort needs setting up, as do the four leads being a tighter group who work well together, and then the other arcs are hinted at too.
ReplyDeleteI think in series two it will be a case of "The darkest hour is just before the dawn" fir these two. Initially things will be tough but I have a feeling that it won't be long before there are some happier moments for them.😄
ReplyDeleteHe's a bit dark and dangerous isn't he, and oh so very angry about the world. I'm so glad that Marc Warren has taken on the challenge of the role and am very pleased with what he is doing with it. It's very different to what he is normally seen playing.
ReplyDeleteLuke mentioned somewhere that whilst Constance has things to consider, D'Artagnan just wants them to "run wild and free" bless him.
ReplyDeleteHere's a little video of Luca and Santi with a few clips from the episode too https://screen.yahoo.com/latest-entertainment-videos/bbcs-musketeers-return-darker-second-073000635.html
ReplyDeleteOh I could totally see that Tigercheetah. That's him to a tee. It's a considerable part of what makes him so intoxicating to her. He fears absolutely nothing and wouldn't care less what the world thought of them, or indeed facing the "wrath" of Bonacieux. He's all passion and intensity. Constance is definitely the rational one in that relationship and those two competing elements may very well clash. It's a really tough prospect for her and I was never sure that he'd fully appreciate that. We know she adores him but it's not just a case of "I love you. I must be with you. Let's go!" For her, there's the prospect of disgrace and a deeply uncertain future with a man who lives his life on a knife edge, literally and can offer her little to no realistic hope of financial security. She also has a generous heart and despite the fact that she doesn't love her husband and probably has little respect or regard for him as a person, I doubt she'd relish the prospect of humiliating him so openly, particularly now that he's gained an elevated status in society and has so much further to fall. She may also still believe that his "suicide attempt" was genuine.
ReplyDeleteHi! I've seen that the new season will be located at the time when there were conflicts with Spain and I am very intrigued how they will develop this because I am Spanish and this will be very interesting for me even if they use dialogues in Spanish so I can't wait for the new season, it's been a long wait .
ReplyDeleteHi Angels, welcome to the site! There are some bit of dialogue in Spanish in this episode, most have translations into English at the bottom of the screen, but one bit sounds like it could be a bit naughty :o Aramis translates it loosely to the rest of the Musketeers as he is the only one that speaks it, the actor being fluent in the language himself.
ReplyDeleteAny more guesses on who said what to who before I fill in the correct answers tonight? Only one so far from Helen:
ReplyDelete“He was a great man, his only mistake was failing to destroy you Musketeers” is said by Rochefort about The Cardinal.
Oh, we were supposed to guess! I'd say the trailer teaser one sounds like Porthos. And "He is strong, and handsome" could be said about the dauphin....maybe by the Queen? And the King's Council one was already spoiled by the 2 minute preview I guess...lol
ReplyDeleteHa yes, I should have guessed that they would have released one of the opening scenes as the sneak peek, it's something that happens often, so that's Athos' line solved. There's only one line from each of the characters this week, as a hint.
ReplyDeleteThe strong/handsome line is about the Dauphin, but not Anne, and not Porthos for the trailer teaser either I'm afraid...who is the least likely to need money?
Right, the King then (which makes a lot more sense considering who ep 2 is about. It's just - gambling and my mind goes to Porthos. :D).
ReplyDeleteI'll have another guess that, “This is my chance to make amends” is said by Aramis and “Treville, I believe you are that man” possibly is said by the King.
ReplyDeleteI'd had a couple of guesses below and thought the teaser was the King perhaps enjoying a game of cards before everything kicks off. I'm going to go for Marguerite commenting that the Dauphin is strong and handsome. "why rake up the past now?" Maybe Constangnan but I think it's possibly Treville to Porthos maybe. The comment about serving the King being an honour, maybe Bonacieux.
ReplyDelete“This is my chance to make amends” is said by Aramis - I'm afraid not, but I can see why it sounds like it would be him.
ReplyDelete“Treville, I believe you are that man” possibly is said by the King - correct
"He is strong and Handsome." Marguerite to Aramis about the Dauphin.
ReplyDelete"I demand this man's arrest...." The Spanish Ambassadir to the King about Rochefort prompting the King's "He is a patriot" speech.
"Why rake up the past now" Treville to Porthos
"I'm sorry I have my orders" D'Artagnan to Lucie
No worries Sandi.😄
ReplyDelete"why rake up the past now?" Treville - is correct
ReplyDelete“I demand this man’s arrest, he’s a fugitive from justice” Fernando the Spanish ambassador - is correct also.
“I’m sorry, I have my orders” d'Artagnan - correct.
ReplyDeleteI'm going to update the post now :) Well done all!
I am a Battlestar fan too and didn't realise it was him playing Adama in BSG Blood & Chrome.
ReplyDelete