Episode: 2.02 "An Ordinary Man"
Directed by: John Strickland
Written by: Adrian Hodges
Air date: January 9, 2015
Reviews so far:
Episode: 2.01 "Keep Your Friends Close"
D'Artagnan - I have to start with him as he was clearly the hero of the episode. I usually find him too immature or impulsive to say that but in this hour he made a really great impression on me and I think I've never liked him more. A part of that is certainly because of the contrast between him and one of my least favorite characters, King Louis XIII. A kindness D'Artagnan showed toward an ordinary man met on the road, the way he spoke about his father and protected the King despite the way he often treats the Musketeers (and pretty much everyone else), it all made the character really grow in my eyes. Luke Pasqualino did a great job in this episode, especially in the last (and my favorite) scene where the Musketeers bring their money to support Pepin's family after his death. It was the best they could do and gestures like that are exactly why we really care about and root for these heroes. Such a sad, yet beautiful moment, with strong performance by Luke was a great ending to an already powerful episode.
- Unlike his companion in the episode, the King only showed his spoilt and selfish side with just a few short exceptions. It was nice to see him talk about his father and how much his "son" means to him, especially thanks to Ryan Gage's performance, but I really lost most of my sympathy for the character back in season one and his actions in the episode certainly aren't helping to change that. He wasn't only a naive and ungrateful fool but he simply didn't care enough to remember an ordinary man who died trying to protect his King. Not to mention how easily he was charmed by Milady and pardoned all her crimes. I admit, she can be quite persuasive but considering the fact that I'm almost sure he's going to get involved with her
very soon, I find myself out of words. Not a good episode for the character at all. Though he sure adds a little comedy to some moments from time to time, so there's that.
Milady de Winter - Even though she's clearly not a character you really root for, I sure missed her. There's something very interesting and powerful about Milady. She is quite a master manipulator. The way she handled the entire situation and ended up in such a different position was pretty impressive. Looks like she and Constance will now be located pretty close to each other. Not to mention Athos. I'm really excited to see her different interactions with other characters in the castle. There's just so much potential in their dynamics. If only for that, it's good to have her back.
Athos - There wasn't many things to do for Athos in the episode but his meeting with his wife is surely worth mentioning. If anyone still needed proof to see how much he has changed since season one this would be a great opportunity to notice it. Despite his very strong feelings towards Milady, his hate and pain after all she's done, he managed to stay pretty calm (though shocked) after crossing paths with her again. I do admire the way he managed to keep his objections and anger hidden. I can't wait to see how the things between them are going to change now that she's back (and this time more officially) in the castle.
Rochefort - Looks like Rochefort is not the only one with a bad influence on the King now. I wonder how he's going to be acting around Milady and will the two join forces at one point. For now, it seems, he's more interested in the Queen and like I mentioned last week, it's the thing that worries me the most. After this hour, he now has a letter signed by Anne that could easily be used against her as a proof of treason against the King and France. As if her situation wasn't dangerous enough without it. After seeing next week's promo, however, I'm thinking whether he has a more personal interest in the Queen than I suspected. And if the letter will be used, whether it's going to be soon or maybe more closer to the end of the season. Rochefort is definitely quite a villain.
Queen Anne - Sadly, so far in season two, the Queen is no longer the voice of reason on the court. Rochefort's influence on her grows deeper and faster than I expected. Hopefully, Constance will continue to advice Anne and will eventually help the Queen find a right direction. If not, if the things are to get worse next week, I would be even inclined to see Aramis help. Though it would sure be desperate times if only one dangerous connection can save Anne from another one. I'm really excited to see where are we going from here.
Aramis - Oh, Aramis! He's so determined to stay close to his son that I don't even know whether I should call it foolish or heartbreaking. Unfortunately, he's just in a terrible situation and there's no way out of it that would be a happy/good solution. It's a lost cause really so I do understand his actions. Hopefully there will be more storylines (and postive ones) for him in the future.
Constance - As expected, it was great to see Constance in her new role. I like how she's not easily fooled or scared by Rochefort. She can be smart and strong, without being overshadowed by just one of the character's aspect (her marriage with Bonacieux and love to D'Artagnan). Basically, she's on the right path now and I'm excited to see more of her dynamics with everyone on court. Now especially with Milady, since their last meeting almost ended with Constance's death.
Porthos and Captain Treville - The two are still mostly in the background of the story with the secret about their past hanging over them. Not so many things to say for now, but I'm waiting to see a progress in this storyline. Also, I really wish Aramis would tell Porthos the truth about the baby (he's like the one person I think should really know).
Notes, thoughts and quotes:
Best Character: D'Artagnan
Best Scene: The Musketeers visit Pepin's family at the end
Best Return: Milady de Winter
Biggest Mistake: Anne signs the letter
Best Plan: Milady de Winter
Best One-Time Character: Pepin - Poor, poor Pepin. His story and the story of his family was just painfully sad. And I honestly liked and felt for him. He was an ordinary man and his life mattered. Just like anybody else's. The way the Musketeers could see it and King Louis didn't even remember him speaks volumes about these characters.
Memorable quotes:
1. Anne: "
How could your men have allowed this?" Treville: "
The king was adamant he experience Paris as a commoner." Anne: "
Then they should have made clear to him the utter stupidity of his suggestion."
2. Pepin: "
If we are to die, this is how I want it to be - by my King's side, fighting again for our freedom, not in the belly of some ship."
3. Louis: "
How much further must we walk?" D'Artagnan: "
Until we are certain we are safe." Louis: "
When I was a boy and I was tired my valet would carry me." D'Artagnan: "
My father carried me. Sometimes I'd pretend I couldn't walk another step. Just to be in his arms." Louis: "
That's only because you didn't have a valet."
Favorite to Least Favorite Season 2 Episodes Ranking:
1. An Ordinary Man - It was a close call but in the end there was more heart to this week's story. And with D'Artagnan's great character development and Milady's return this hour ended up as a more memorable between the two.
2. Keep Your Friends Close
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 16th January at 9pm on BBC 1 and BBC 1 HD in the UK!
And now, what did you think about "An Ordinary Man"? Any favorite scenes/quotes in the episode?
Justyna JJ Kubica
22. Student. SpoilerTV Writer. Loves Movies, TV Shows (Agents Of SHIELD, The 100, Doctor Who, Teen Wolf, Sherlock, Person Of Interest, Arrow, The Flash, Supernatural (especially 1-5), The Musketeers, Fringe, Psych, etc.) and Books (Harry Potter!). Fantasy & SciFi geek!
Scene Of The Week articles author. Writes reviews for Doctor Who, Sherlock & The Musketeers. Member of SpoilerTV team since 27th November 2011.
Great review, cheers :)
ReplyDeleteYoung d'Artagnan is becoming quite the hero, I liked how he had already run the correct man through with a sword in such a gallant manner before Louis requested that he do with Lemaitre's brother in the palace. Great mirroring, which showed us who was the bigger man.
It wasn't a good episode for the king, but it was an important one for the season I think. He went through an important character arc in a short space of time, and it was in a believable manner - he was shocked into his awful behaviour, and into becoming closer to Rochefort and Milady, due to the thought of his 'son' having to grow up without a father, like he had to.
Aramis is being a fool, but he's in an impossible situation so it's hard to know what he should do I guess. I don't have quite the love for his character this year that I did last season, it's hard to admire someone whose honour and moral compass is so unbalanced at the end of the day :s His plot is one I am still very interested in though, but I worry for all involved, I don't think it's going to end well...
Just finished binge watching them, now it's one of my new favorites.
ReplyDeleteAnother fabulous review! It was definitely d'Artaganan's hour to shine with some really superb acting from Luke. I really love the final scene when he is telling Pepin's widow that her husband has died, and the way he speaks to her child. It brings a tear to my eye every time I watch it. I think he will have a better understanding of the predicament (if you can call it that) that Constance is in. Possibly, it may even make him question whether it is fair and right to ask her to leave Bonacieux? However, I think that, in the end, their love is so strong that neither of them will be able to deny or fight their feelings.
ReplyDeleteI love Ryan Gage has King Louis. He plays the part fantastically, although this definitely wasn't the King's finest hour. I do love the scene when they discussing about their Father's deaths and his own son. It is going to hit him hard when he finds out the boy isn't his!
I am really loving Rochefort and his scheming ways! I had read about Marc Warren's superb acting before series 2 started but I haven't ever seen him in anything before. I'm really looking forward to his interactions with Milady. I love the fact that Constance is sticking up for herself against Rochefort and I can't wait to see her face when she sees Milady in court - this women had her kidnapped, punched her in the face and nearly had her killed. Bring it on!!!
Favourite Scene - Final scene with d'artagnan and Pepin's widow
Favourite Quote - "I'm a soldier, not an executioner."
Hey Lucy, welcome to the Musketeer fanbase! The episode are very easy to binge watch, so much going on in them that you're eager for the next episode as soon as one has finished, lol
ReplyDeleteIf you can get your hands on the first few seasons of BBC's Hustle I can highly recommend it. Marc Warren is in that as a *very* different type of character - more the cheeky chappy he normally plays and wanted to get away from when he took on this role.
ReplyDeleteHello Lucy! It's so nice to meet a new fan of the show! Welcome :)
ReplyDeleteIt's just such a great series to bing watch. It's also one of my top shows. So, what do you think about the character/episodes so far? Any favorites you would like to share with us? :)
Thanks Sandi - I'll definitely have to look at the BBC's Hustle. Something for me to watch in the hiatus between The Musketeers series 2 and 3 - see, I'm being optimistic that we'll get a series 3!!!! It will be good to see Marc in a different role. :)
ReplyDeleteThank you :)
ReplyDeleteYeah, another great point about d'Artagnan! Really loved him in this episode.
It sure was an important episode for king, but I just don't like his character at this point and his awful behaviour makes it even harder, at least the actor is doing a great job.
Aramis still is my favorite, though I wish he had more to do than trying to stay close to the baby. He's just in a bad, bad spot right now.
Thank you!
ReplyDeleteReally beautiful final scene. Great character moment for d'Artaganan and the rest of the Musketeers. I sure hope it's going to help him to better understand Constance's situation.
Ryan Gage is certainly what I like the most about this character!
And yeah, I can't wait for Milady, Rochefort and Constance interactions. Gonna be great!
"I'm a soldier, not an executioner." - great quote! I missed it.
It's good to stay optimistic atm I think :)
ReplyDeleteHere's the promo for S1 to give you a brief idea of what the show is about
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vcQXCcmkjwQ
I think a lot of people aren't liking the king at the moment, but I have to admit that I am loving to hate the bad guys this year. They are far too interesting and nuanced not too. I'm kind of wishing that the good guys were being paid as much attention to in a lot of ways, we know far more about Rochefort and Louis at this point than we do Athos, Porthos or Treville, for example. But I think that will change over the coming episodes.
ReplyDeleteMy big problem with Aramis is still the whole affair issue, I just don't see how anyone can keep their honour intact once that has happened. I can accept a bad guy having an affair far more easily as that is a character flaw you expect them to have. I know that there are mitigating circumstances at play with Anne and him, probably more so than with Constance and d'Artagnan, but it's still a grey area for me, lol.
Well, yeah, not happy about the affair as well (never am), but still, considering the circumstances, I think it takes more than one wrong decision for a good man (who dedicates his life to protect people) to lose his honour.
ReplyDeleteLooks really good Sandi - thank you! :)
ReplyDeleteThe differences are that Louis was actively trying to kill Anne at the time of the one night stand with Aramis. Also, from her reaction in the last episode it's obvious that he has done as many kings did, and had affairs or met with prostitutes in the past. These are things that we haven't seen Bonacieux do, which makes their circumstances very different for me. Though, as I have said, I do not approve of either affair still :)
ReplyDeleteLooks like we are all with D'Artagnan, this time the boy did a really great job through the entire episode. Usually he's the youngest on the scene, but paired with the king we saw a really strong difference between the two of them. This time he got to show us a more mature side of him, and i really loved his answer at the king's "gift" (no words, really) as much as i loved his search of Treville's look before answering.
ReplyDeleteSadly, the King's behaviour is a constant. Ryan Gage is great in portraying such a questionable figure, but now things will surely get worse now that he have Milady and Rochefort by his side. (Even if Rochefort is more Queen sided.)
And speaking of them... Rochefort give me the sense that he's living in his own world. A fantastic world in which the Queen loves him and he can get closer to her following his respectable evil plan, putting her in danger (these letters concern me a lot) but not allowing others doing that. He's highly twisted and i absolutely love him. (Okay, i also love Marc Warren very much.)
Alexandra Dowling did also a great job, and even if the Queen is completely unconscious of Rochefort's true nature, her strong stand up in the episode give me hope for the future, when she will finally find out the truth.
While Aramis is in an impossible position. Clearly he and the Queen really don't know what to do. They both are doing dangerous thing for protecting/being near the baby, and i suspect that's only the beginning.
Affairs aren't right, but i think that in this particular situation things are a little more understandable because we are speaking of a royal marriage who clearly has no love in it. Speaking of Aramis... I know, for a men who speak of honor that's not a really great thing to do, but when i watch Anne and Aramis i see so much pain that i don't really think "that's wrong!". I mean, i think "that's dangerous!" but i'm jumping on my chair because we are looking at two good people who are in a twisted situation. I'm more concerned with the Aramis/Marguerite thing. She will suffer and i see her being dangerously perfect for a future Rochefort's plan... i feel like Aramis will feel guilty again at some point of the season.
Thank you for sharing your thoughts. That's a great read. And I don't really have anything to add. Looks like we agree on many points :)
ReplyDeleteAlthough, when she slept with Aramis she didn't actually know that a drunken remark by the King had been leapt upon by the scheming Cardinal. She'd also been pretty overt in her flirtation with him prior to that. I think you're right though that for many, affairs are difficult to square with the notion of truly honourable men. It was strange to hear two guys, both of whom had slept with married women, talking about retaining their honour at the end of series one. Different times though and such impossible dilemmas resulting from those times and circumstances. Personally, I would find it much harder to watch them randomly sleeping around and using and manipulating women. The fact that there's love involved does take me outside my normal comfort zone and forces me to try to imagine doing "the right thing" under those impossible circumstances. It would be a tough call and my sympathies are torn.
ReplyDeleteThe difference to me is that I feel d'Artagnan and Constance jumped into their affair really naively and blatantly and it became something that they both actively (and openly) pursued. Kissing in the street and kind of expecting Bonacieux to, if not be okay with it, to accept it be damned when he was finally confronted with it.
ReplyDeleteWhereas, with Aramis I feel like it was a slip up, a mistake he knows he made, but now he's in it. A baby came from it. Now I think he's grappling (albeit stupidly at times) with what the right thing is to do. How does he fulfill his responsibility, make things right, be honorable? Especially if he thinks the kid is in danger? I think the Queen's attention flattered him previous to their sleeping together, but as the story progressed I didn't feel he'd actively pursue an affair. If the circumstances hadn't been what they'd been, I don't think it would have happened.
I do kind of agree with the sperm donor comment on Anne's side of things though. Maybe not that it was her intention necessarily, but that it gave her the result she wanted, in a way, and I'm not sure she sees Aramis as much use to her anymore.
So, I figured if I was going to start commenting this much, I should have an icon. Voila!
ReplyDeleteAaaand now a few more Aramis-related thoughts and character-arc thoughts:
As identity has been pushed as this series's theme, I think at some point in this series each character is going to have to make some choices and come to terms with parts of their identity that don't exist in black and white and maybe even challenge their understanding of what it means to be a musketeer, as well as what it means to choose to be a musketeer.
In the books, Aramis's central character conflict is between being a soldier and a priest. When he's a soldier, he longs for life as a priest. While a priest, he longs for life as a soldier and never reconciles the two. In the series, while he's religious, we have no hint that he longs to be a priest. We know his parents wanted it, but have no hint that he actually did or does. My view so far of this version of Aramis is more that his central conflict is between family/fatherhood and being a soldier. If he'd become a father and married Isabelle, I think Isabelle was right in that he would have sincerely longed for adventure and danger. I don't find her a 100% reliable narrator about the situation, but don't find Aramis a 100% reliable narrator about the situation either. As it is, he is a soldier that sincerely longs for what that other life could have brought.
What I do hope the series doesn't lose sight of while they explore this, is that while he did some reckless things in the first series, he was also pretty calculating and intelligent about many of them. And while he had blind spots for certain, he understood people and saw things about them intuitively, and seemed instinctively to want to help. So however they play this plot with Marguerite, I don't want them to brush off that side of his character.
I know he's a perpetual contradiction, as the show likes to remind us, but I like the compassion I've come to associate with his character. I don't expect, or want, him to be a perfect character. I'm okay with him screwing up, even screwing up royally (if you'll excuse the pun), and succumbing to his blind spots. I just don't want them to throw that compassionate part of his character out the window in pursuit of the more troublesome aspects of this plot line.
I love Ryan Gage, and really enjoy his portrayal of Louis. I'd go so far as to say I really enjoy Louis as a character, just, eh, by the end of the season - as my hopes are with Aramis - I want progression, not regression, and I was hoping this episode would have given us more internalized accumulation of experience for Louis's character. Though, I suppose I'm more or less okay with where they've got him now if they can show some sort of progression by the end of the series.
ReplyDeleteSame concerns go for Athos and Milady.
Come to think of it, for d'Artagnan and Constance as well.
I've a lot of questions about the situation of Anne and Aramis.
ReplyDeleteAfter
the night at the convent Aramis was ready to step back, he was very
formal when he addressed her like "your majesty" (clearly realizing the
gravity of the situation), and she noticed that. Now is her who is doing
a step back from him, while he was expecting something after the birth
of the baby. They don't really know what to do on a practical level and
that's a problem. Lack of communication always is.
In S1, they were
the only ones to risk something and they approached each other like
their eye contact and sweet phrases were a spicy distraction from the
everyday routine... but now there's a baby. Their baby, and he can risk a
lot. They're protecting him in any way they can, but separately... and
that could be even more dangerous than a secret conversation between
them.
But, at the end of the day, there have been only two episodes
and we need at least one scene for understand their position. For now, i
feel like they're lost.
"I think in both cases you are dealing with women trapped in arranged
and deeply unhappy marriages to disinterested and neglectful men they
don't love."
Totally agree. These are women who don't get to
have a choice. That's terrible, i can't even imagine how would be being
like them.
Constance and the Queen are trapped, both in loveless
marriages and as Constance explained, things were more easy for men at
the time.
So, affairs are wrong, for sure, but considering the time and the persons involved, i can't really blame none of them.
High five, then! ;)
ReplyDeleteI'd agree with that. The death rate for infants back then was incredible high, and that's before you factor in that he is the heir to a Catholic throne in the middle of the Thirty Years war. I imagine that he is feeling pretty helpless, he wants to protect his son but isn't able to even have a conversation with his mother about how to go about that.
ReplyDeleteI do wonder where they are going to go with the king by the end of the year. To me, it's pretty obvious that one of the main reasons he is acting out is down to not having a firm hand keeping him in place. The Cardinal was useful in that regard and no-one else is up to the job at present. I don't really see Rochefort lasting out the season - he's too mentally broken to come back from where the Spanish sent him during his torture sessions. Which would leave them open to bringing in Mazarin, or a similar figure perhaps, in order to reign in Louis' wilder tendencies.
ReplyDeleteI have some thoughts on Athos/Milady, but as I'm not sure on how spoilt/spoiler-free you are, I will hold back on going into it for now. I wouldn't want to spoil you unintentionally if you are steering clear of them :)
Yes, that remark about retaining their honour at the end of S1 did go against what we knew of them somewhat, lol. They are portrayed much better than they are in the novels though I guess, which is something :)
ReplyDeleteI'd agree with all that. I think Constance and d'Artagnan were a bit naive, and there's no questioning that their story was rushed too much in season 1. There wasn't enough of a build up to their passion, it came from almost nowhere for most viewers, especially his feelings I'd say.
ReplyDeleteAramis now obviously needs more communication about his situation than that brief one at the end of last year. Learning of Adele's fate has shifted his sense of danger for the Dauphin, yet Anne is completely unaware of this so it's something he is shouldering alone.