The Musketeers - The Good Traitor - Advance Preview + Dialogue Teasers

I know many fans have been looking forward to Colin Salmon’s guest appearance on the show, and he does not disappoint. General Tariq Alaman impresses the court too with his new mix of gunpowder which will give France the edge if the threatening war with Spain comes to anything. The only problem is that his daughter Samira (Antonia Thomas) has been kidnapped by his former colleague, Baltasar (Finbar Lynch). Alaman will only hand over the formula if the Musketeers assist him in brokering a deal for her release. Sounds simple right? Well, it would be if everyone wasn’t so distracted or hiding the truth from each other.

Once more the focus of the episode is very much on identity this week, for all the characters but especially Porthos. He is a larger than life character who very much feels that soldiering is not only his duty, but his family too. Yet we know from what was hinted in Keep Your Friends Close that there is going to a monumental betrayal of trust at some point this season for him. Treville is harbouring a secret about his past that will undoubtedly change him forever. For now though he is still secure in his belief of who he is and where he belongs, which is what makes it all the more heart-breaking for us as an audience to watch.

As Perales very astutely points out this week, it’s not always evident where Rochefort’s allegiances lie at times. He certainly does hate the Musketeers that much is very clear, and he is intent on driving a wedge between the royal couple, but to what ends. Is he truly a Spanish agent working for Philip, or has his mind been so broken that he genuinely believes that there is a place in the Queen’s heart for him? We take a step deeper into his tortured psyche this week, which answers some questions about his behaviour and why he sees Anne as a kindred spirit of sorts.

Although Rochefort may have to resort to a bit of play acting in order to satisfy his rather twisted needs, it appears that Milady isn’t having a problem getting what she wants. A little more persistence and a touch less of the creepy insanity might be key here I feel. Plus there’s the completely different way that the monarchs cope with the tension when the Dauphin becomes dangerously ill. Both are extremely concerned of course, but while Anne pushes those around her away, Louis seeks to distract himself of his woes.

With the court physician unable to find a cure for the heir, things start to become desperate and Constance feels that she must take action. Regrettably, there are some parts of this side story that don’t quite work for me. There are some lovely subtle moments within it that do work wonderfully too though, so it’s a mixed bag. I can’t help feeling that there may be a deleted scene or two that have been sacrificed for time’s sake which has left some of the narrative feeling a tad awkward in places.



The hangman has been cracked, well done to all that worked it out!

The news that his son is very unwell is just as upsetting for Aramis as it is for the royals. This has an effect on his actions, and his emotions, in the episode. There is a wonderful variation of Paul Englishby’s Musketeer theme when the hostage exchange doesn’t quite run as smoothly as planned.

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The Good Traitor airs on Friday 16th January at 9pm on BBC 1 and BBC 1 HD in the UK, below are a few dialogue teasers to see you through until then. I will fill in any correct guesses on who said what 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.


“I know who I am, and what I am” Porthos to Samira

“The Dauphin is ill, a fever” Constance to d'Artagnan

“A countries most powerful weapon in war is hatred, you should learn that ambassador” Baltasar to Perales

“What are you doing here, have you...you come to see me?” Bonacieux to Constance

“You shouldn’t be here now” Marguerite to Aramis

“You might have born in this country but that does not make you French” Samira to Porthos

“I expect he knows a little more about medicine than a cloth merchants wife!” Louis to Constance

“I am Spanish, so everything must be my fault” Anne to Rochefort

“Remember how you cried, all those years ago, when you left Spain for your marriage” Rochefort to Anne

“I’m not a nurse, I’m a poet” Samira to Porthos


Trailer Teaser

“Is anyone here but Rochefort willing to do what their King wants?” Louis

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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