Episode: 2.01 "Keep Your Friends Close"
Directed by: John Strickland
Written by: Adrian Hodges
Air date: January 2, 2015
Hi, everyone! It looks like this season I'm going to review the show so below you'll find my reflections and opinions on the premiere. It's great to have the show back. It's been so long that I was starting to forget how much I enjoyed season one. Gladly, it all came back to me in the first minutes of the episode and it was only getting better from there. In advance, I'd like to apologize if some of the reviews will be posted a little late. I'll do my best to work on better timing my writing with job and studies. Okay, without further ado, let's start. Today's review will be a sort of character study. Let me know what you think about this form.
Comte de Rochefort - I have to start with our newest addition to the cast. And what an introduction he had! We meet him when he is about to be executed for his crimes (that include a murder) and the Musketeers intervene and save his life. Right from the start, we see that he knows (and clearly
dislikes) our heroes. And it sure doesn't get better when we find out that he appears to be a Spanish spy who's planning on taking over Cardinal's place at king's side and in order to do that has to play a hero in a rescue mission
and get rid of the king's most loyal Musketeers in the process. I'm saying "appears to be" because he strikes me as someone who, in the end, only works for himself. After only one episode, Rochefort already seems like he could be even more dangerous than the Cardinal. He's not only brutal and isn't afraid of getting his hands dirty but he also has something Richelieu never did - Queen's trust. And I have to say it makes me worried. Especially considering the secret she's hiding from the King. Great performance by Marc Warren and I'm looking forward to Rochefort's next step.
Athos - Seeing him at the beginning of this season certainly makes quite a difference compared to his introduction in "Friends and Enemies". Finally letting go of Milady changed his perspective and he doesn't seem quite so dark and hurt anymore. Now he seems to have this incredible talent to show up every time Aramis is anywhere near the Queen or the baby, or any possibility of the secret being revealed. I do wonder how he does that. But seriously, I really enjoy this closer friendship between the two.
Aramis - It's no secret to anyone who knows me or heard me talking about the show that Aramis is my favorite character. And it was quite an episode for him. Even though he didn't have much of the screen time, it sure seems like it's going to be a painful season for him. This week, he finally found out the truth about Adele and his reaction was exactly what I wanted to see from the start. I wasn't sure if he really cared about her so it was good to finally get the confirmation. And as if this surprise from the Cardinal wasn't enough, it appears that there might be someone out there who knows the truth about Aramis being the father of the little Dauphin. It's just heartbreaking to watch him trying to get close to his son but being forced to keep his distance to protect the ones he cares about. On the bright side, whenever he's with Porthos, these two work great together and say most of my favorite lines from the episode. Always loved the bond between these two!
Porthos - Speaking of, despite the fact that there aren't many things to say about Porthos' actions in the episode itself, I'm very excited (and maybe a bit worried) that we're getting to learn more about his story. It might just be one of the show's most interesting reveals yet.
Captain Treville - It was not a good episode for the Captain. It appears that he played a role in Porthos' tragic childhood and when the truth comes out, it's possible we will never be able to look at him like we used to. As if that wasn't enough, he also declined King's offer to take over Cardinal's job to advise him and I'm sure it's something him and the Musketeers (and us!) will regret very soon.
King Louis XIII - The King is now left with Rochefort as his right hand and it doesn't look good for the ones around them. But... There was a lovely moment in the episode where King Louis meets his "son" and Ryan Gage plays it all perfectly, making many of us feel for him, despite his actions in the past (I didn't forget "Knight Takes Queen"). It's emotional scenes like this where the character (and the actor) can really steal the viewers' affections.
Queen Anne - Despite the smile on her face in a few short moments (like when she presents her son to the king), the Queen seemed truly sad and distant. The secret is clearly taking quite a heavy toll on Anne and I'm worried it might make her more vulnerable for Rochefort's plans. Which is why I'm especially glad that she found herself a loyal confidante in Constance. I can't wait for more scenes with them, I think I'm going to enjoy their interactions and maybe even a friendship between these two very different, yet both strong women.
Constance Bonacieux - Poor Constance. It seems like, after seeing the reality of her situation, she chose to accept that her only option is to stay with her husband and then she just gave up. She didn't quite seem like the woman we met in the show's first episode. And I absolutely don't agree with D'Artagnan calling her a coward because that's certainly not the case here. She just seemed broken and hurt for most part and I hope that her new position at Queen's side will change it soon. As we know from last season, she can bring so much energy to the story that it's hard to watch her lost in her sadness.
D'Artagnan - Oh, D'Artagnan. He can be so immature at times that it's hard to believe there's also a hero willing to risk his life saving someone else's during the zip wire escape in there as well. But after all, we're all so many different things, also his youth and inexperience speak for themselves sometimes. But isn't it all a part of what makes D'Artagnan a character we all root for? He can be crazy and brave, and romantic and foolish. And I absolutely can't wait to see him with the King next episode!
Notes, thoughts and quotes:
Best Scene / Biggest Shock – Aramis finds out about Adele
Best Reveal – Captain Treville has history with Porthos and his family
Best Action - The zip wire prison escape
Biggest Aww – Aramis meets his son / King sees Dauphin
Best Duo – Athos and Aramis
Best Introduction - Comte de Rochefort
Worst Decision – Captain Treville declines King’s offer
Most Unlucky / Craziest Ideas – D'Artagnan, pretty sure it’s always D'Artagnan
Most Missed – Capaldi’s great portrayal of Cardinal Richelieu
1. There were also a few other characters introduced in the episode. But since I don't feel like I have a lot to say about them for now I'll wait and see what's going to happen with them next. How about you? Do you already have some first impressions you'd like to share with?
2. Milady de Winter is back next week! Be honest, did you miss her? I did. What do you think she's been up to since the last time we saw her?
3. What plot are you most excited to see this season? Rochefort's plans against the Musketeers? Captain Treville's secret about Porthos? Aramis and the Cardinal's revenge from the grave? Or maybe something on the romantic front?
4. Any favorite
scenes/
quotes in the episode?
In case you haven't read it yet, you can find Sandi's preview for the next episode here. Don't miss all new The Musketeers which airs on Friday 9th January at 9pm on BBC 1 and BBC 1 HD in the UK! And remember to come back and let us know what did you think about the episode.
UPDATE:
Below you can find two new behind the scenes videos. Thank you Sandi for sharing!
Secrets of The Musketeers: d'Artagnan's Underwater Stunt
The Music of The Musketeers
That is a brilliant review Justnya - thank you! :) I thoroughly enjoyed the first episode and have so many favourite parts but my absolute favourite scenes this week were:
ReplyDelete1. when Aramis finds out about Adele
2. when the King meets the Dauphin for the first time, and
3. when Anne and Constance meet.
The zip wire scene was absolutely awesome and I also loved the last scene with Constance and d'Artagnan, although I can't wait to see these two in happier times. I totally agree with you about Athos, as well. There was a renewed strength and coolness about him, which was really great to see. Looking forward to his friendship with d'Artargnan developing more! Tom is a superb actor.
I desperately want to find out about Treville's involvement in Porthos' past. That is really going to shake things up and I can also see Porthos feeling annoyed/isolated about not being privy to the Aramis/Queen/Dauphin secret. There could be a major falling out there. I am also looking forward to seeing how Anne and Constance's relationship develops - hopefully into a close friendship.
Thank you! It was such a great premiere!
ReplyDeleteAnd also thanks for sharing your thoughts on the episode. Looks like we agree on many things here :) I really hope things won't get too bad between Aramis and Porthos when the latter finds out about the baby. Those two are usually the funniest part of the episode and I would hate to see these friends fight.
Great review Justyna, thanks for that! :)
ReplyDeleteI love the new baddie too, he's a fantastic addition to the cast. Like you say, his having the trust of the queen makes all the difference in his character's abilities at court, that's an excellent point in his favour! Now that she has produced an heir, she is back in her husband's favour again, and therefore able to subtle steer his political leanings again. Unfortunately, this does mean that she will back Rochefort :(
Treville is another character that I am excited by this season from this episode, what is this dark past that he is hiding? Poor Porthos is going to go through hell over it, I just know it. As much as I know that the actors are going to be be brilliant, and I am going to enjoy this plot a great deal, I feel for them so much already!
Most missed for me had to be Milady, sorry Peter Capaldi :p I am glad she is back next week and reintroduced properly rather than rushed into an already busy episode though.
Totally agree about Milady being missed - I hate to say it but I didn't mind that the Cardinal wasn't there, as much as I love Capaldi. I think Rochefort will be a much more interesting and dangerous villain, both physically and mentally! :)
ReplyDeleteI know, I love the understanding that Aramis and Porthos have and their humour is second to none. I think there may be a falling out of sorts but that it won't be long before they forgive and forget - they are a strong brotherhood! :)
ReplyDeleteSo with you there Helen, I don't miss him much at all, although I am glad that his reach does extend beyond the grave, so to speak. I know that he does have his supporters, but for me he is far better suited as the Doctor so that Warren can be Rochefort!
ReplyDeleteThe Aramis/Porthos pairing ups last year were a highlight for me too, they are great together. I did like the Athos/Aramis time in this episode a great deal, but they are all about the angst, I need some fun times too :)
ReplyDeleteYes, it was good to see Athos being there for Aramis in this episode when he needed him the most and it is lovely to see their bond, but I do hope we'll still going to get the humour not just angst! It's those looks between Aramis and Porthos that I also love! ;)
ReplyDeleteThank you :)
ReplyDeleteHonestly, it's more Peter Capaldi than Cardinal for me. And I'm guessing I didn't miss Milady more because I know that, unlike him, she'll be back (very soon) and I know I'll miss the powerful performance by Capaldi. I really thought he was great in this role.
I did enjoy Peter in the role last year, he fitted the tone of the show I think over all. But I think he's been a far more successful baddie in other things, which is where my regret over his character comes from a bit I think. I adored him in Torchwood's Children of Earth, for example. Plus, I think we know have the best of both worlds in many ways - Peter as the Doctor an Marc as Rochefort. It's a win, win situation for me! lol
ReplyDeleteI never really watched him as a bad guy before The Musketeers so it was a nice change and I really enjoyed it. But anyway, I like your "win, win situation" as well :)
ReplyDeletePerfect review, i basically agree on everything.
ReplyDeleteThat was a perfect start for season 2, the wait was totally worth it.
Speaking of new introduction and villain, Rochefort win it all. I'm already in love with him, his story arc and plans are something i really look forward to.
He's a fine observer and smart, psycho enough for put everyone (no matter who) in danger.
The thing that i enjoy the most is that everyone has their secrets and no one of the characters know them all.
I think that Rochefort's head will explode when he will see the necklace of the queen around Aramis' neck. And let's not even imagine the reaction of Porthos at all this, since he will have his own problems to deal with, very soon. (People around him are keeping too many secrets.)
The return of Milady is another interesting thing since she will menage to introduce herself at court in a highly position, so she will be able to say "Hi" to Atohs every day! (The awkwardness of these people all in one room will be awesome.)
Another thing i look forward too is this Queen/Aramis/Muskebaby/Marguerite/Rochefort plot. (Sooner or later they will collide and bring the rest of the characters down with them. And i cannot wait.)
I think that Aramis staying away from the queen (sadly, Annamis here) will be a good idea only in part (but totally understandable). The queen will feel, and be, alone (the only hope is Constance) so that Rochefort will have plenty of time for his scheme (politics and sentimental one). I feel like, at some point, Aramis will regret this a little.
I really feel like this is the moment in which all of the four boys will need one another more than ever, and that's always a pleasure to watch.
Athos, Porthos, Aramis, D'Artagnan... i will never be able to choose only one of them.
Also, really glad that Ryan Gage will have his time to shine in the next episode. I saw the clip of the episode and for all the time i thought "i love this guy".
(And really sorry for the random mistakes, i'm not english :p)
First of all, thank you for kind words. Always great to hear someone agrees with you ;)
ReplyDelete"The return of Milady is another interesting thing since she will manage to introduce herself at court in a highly position, so she will be able to say "Hi" to Atohs every day! (The awkwardness of these people all in one room will be awesome.)"
I haven't heard this spoiler before. That would be quite brilliant to see! Intense, insane and oh, so very entertaining!
"I think that Rochefort's head will explode when he will see the necklace of the queen around Aramis' neck." I completely forgot about it. You might be right about this one!
"The queen will feel, and be, alone (the only hope is Constance) so that Rochefort will have plenty of time for his scheme (politics and sentimental one)."
That's also another reason why I'm worried about Queen trusting him. She's having a hard time and that could be easy to exploit. Fingers crossed that Constance will be a great help in this matter. And I really did enjoy all the interactions between Aramis and Anne last season but it's completely understandable that they're going to have to avoid each other now.
And no need to be sorry about the spelling mistakes. You're writing very well. Also, English is not my first language as well, so... :)
"Also, English is not my first language as well, so... :)"
ReplyDeleteI feel less alone now!
By the way, thank you for your replay :)
This Milady thing popped in my mind when i saw the promo pics and the trailer, in which she seems to be very well dressed. Plus, in the pic of episode three she seems to be in really good terms with the king... like, REALLY. So i imagined her like the king's favourite. Or sort of. And this is quite a good position at court. Also, this will be a good thing for Rochefort's plans too. (He and Milady first encounter will be very much interesting.) Even if the Queen doesn't love her husband this will be a tough situation. For Athos too.
The necklace thing is something i am really curious about! After the zip wire scene everyone were in their shirt except Aramis, who kept the necklace hidden, while at the end of the episode, when he's with his friends, he doesn't mind. Not a case in my opinion, but we will see.
"And I really did enjoy all the interactions between Aramis and Anne last
season but it's completely understandable that they're going to have to
avoid each other now."
Agree, but that's that kind of messed up situation in which you have to do (or don't do) something, but whatever you decide to do means trouble. :/
I do love how much enthusiasm they have for these stunts, it really adds to the show when they perform them rather than handing it over to a stunt team.
ReplyDeleteAwesome to get an interview with Paul Englishby at last too. I adore the new Musketeer theme, it is very heroic and a total earworm! It's very interesting hearing and seeing how it all came together :)
I didn't know that Marc Warren was in ep's of this show....I loved him on Hustle..
ReplyDeleteHe actually joined the main cast :)
ReplyDelete