The Musketeers - The Prodigal Father - Advance Preview + Dialogue Teasers

Spoiler warning: As always there are teasers and hints ahead in my preview. However there are a few larger spoilers for the rest of the season that have been revealed in various newspapers & magazines promoting the show. I haven’t made any mentioned to them in my preview, but please be aware that they are likely to come up in the comment section below. Most of these have stayed under the radar so far, and there are many who do not wish to be spoiled by them. I would just ask that fans are considerate before sharing the details on social media sites so that their enjoyment of the show isn’t spoiled. Many thanks.

It feels like it’s been brewing for a long time, but the mystery surrounding Porthos and his past are finally upon us this week. Has the lengthy build up been worth the wait though? I enjoyed it, though I will admit that I’ve found that it’s one that seems to improve with each viewing rather than being a runaway hit from the off. Treville’s resolute stubbornness is one motivation that I didn’t quite appreciate the first time round, for example, but makes perfect sense when you have the whole picture.

Liam Cunningham punches all the right notes as the reclusive and undoubtedly questionable Marquis de Belgard as he welcomes his son with open arms, however. His understated, yet compelling performance compliments Howard’s down to earth solid and honest portrayal of Porthos, I have no trouble believing that they are indeed long lost father and son.

As you have no doubt already seen from the promotional photos, the Musketeers are split into the fans favourite pairings for part of the episode again this week. Aramis accompanies Porthos on his initial meeting with his father at his rather impressive country estate, which is a good thing as not all of his new found family are pleased to see him. While his friend is getting to know his old man, he starts to notice that things aren’t quite what they appear to be on the surface, and so starts to dig a little deeper into the secrets that the family are hiding. Once Aramis has discovered the basics of the operation, it’s down to Athos and d’Artagnan to team up and go undercover.

Back in Paris Constance and d’Artagnan are dealing with after effects of Bonacieux’s death, with one of them feeling more guilt over it than the other. Again, we know from the promotional photos that all will be well before too long, so the extra obstacles created for this one episode feel like a step too far for me. It seems like we have gone from next to no romance in the first half of the season, to nothing but relationship led dilemmas with all the couples in the latter half. Milady and Athos are in the same boat this week as they continue to distrust each other and part on bad terms after she seeks him out in a tavern.

This leaves us with Rochefort, who is now essentially running the country. His word is law - the king is merely his puppet who will sign whatever papers are put in front of him - and there is now only one matter left to resolve. Why is a Musketeer wearing the precious gift he gave to Anne all those years ago? He attempts to widen his investigation, but fails to learn any new information. Maybe it’s time he went directly to the source...

Congratulations, this week's hangman has been solved! There are some new Trailer Teasers added to the quotes below.

The picture clues have been solved. Torchwood: Miracle Day & Fresh Off the Boat both have the actress Constance Wu in = Constance


Rochefort attempts to send our young widow away during her period of mourning, but she rejects his offer and stays at the palace. This is extremely fortunate for both her and the queen as their futures would be very different if he had been able to get his way. He finally loses the plot entirely and will make a move that will start the beginning of the two part finale.

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The Prodigal Father airs on Friday 6th March at 9pm on BBC 1 in the UK, and on March 7 at 9pm on BBC America. 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.


“He’d think we were trying to poison him against his father” Treville to Athos

“If you knew what I do, you would not take your Captain at his own valuation” Belgard to Porthos

“There is a matter I must discuss with you, in private” Rochefort to Anne

“Shut up and kiss me” d'Artagnan to Constance

“Of all deaths, I fear poisoning the most” Louis to Rochefort

“My god, there really is nothing left in there to save” Athos to Milady

“Did I earn my place in the Musketeers on merit alone? Answer me!” Porthos to Treville

“Thank god I have one precious memory to sustain me, the fleeting dream of the life I might have lived” Anne to Constance

“I owe you an apology, last time we saw each other my behaviour was crude and over hasty” Rochefort to Milady

“I didn’t love him, and I wasn’t faithful. There’s two reasons.” Constance to d'Artagnan


Trailer Teasers

“Beg, beg for my forgiveness. Beg! Beg for your life.” Rochefort to Milady

"You sought to beguile and betray, now you will answer for it"

"Help! Help! HELP!"

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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