© BBC Pictures Episode: 2.10 "Trial and Punishment"
Directed by: Nicholas Renton
Written by: Simon Allen
Air date: 27 March 2015
Reviews so far:
Episode 2.01 "Keep Your Friends Close"
Episode 2.02 "An Ordinary Man"
Episode 2.03 "The Good Traitor"
Episode 2.04 "Emilie"
Episode 2.05 "The Return"
Episode 2.06 "Through a Glass Darkly"
Episode 2.07 "A Marriage of Inconvenience"
Episode 2.08 "The Prodigal Father"
Episode 2.09 "The Accused"
Aramis - Aramis' tragic story this season made his character seem so much different than he was back in season one. Of course that romantic and playful guy wasn't gone, but at the end of the finale we're left with a broken man who lost everything, even let go of his friends and only has his faith to keep him going. Faith can be everything for a man, but it doesn't feel like that with Aramis. He's a believer, yes, but that's not the reason he's leaving, he left because the pain and guilt over everything that's happened was too much for him to stay. And him being alive and no longer suspected for the treason is not a happy ending after all, in the face of these consequences. Such a sad ending for one of my very favorite characters left me quite conflicted about this finale, to be honest. Season one, despite everything, still ended on a more hopeful note, if you ask me. There were many great scenes with Aramis in the hour, including a great fight with Rochefort and all the reunions/goodbyes. Poor Aramis, though. If that was the ending for the series, it would be a heartbreaking one for this Musketeer, for sure. And I'm
really not a fan of the tragic ones.
Rochefort - Rochefort is gone. Sadly it won't make all the damage and pain he caused go away. Dr Lemay and poor Marguerite still died. And that's entirely on him. The relationships end every day, very often not on the best terms, but what Rochefort has done with Marguerite after Aramis ended things with her, broke her completely. Her testifying against someone she loved, knowing he'll be sentenced to death, was the last straw. Her breakdown as she was being taken away from court, terrified, heartbroken and humiliated, resulted in her committing suicide. It was too much and even her letter where she wrote the truth about Rochefort was destroyed by him before anyone could read it. I knew that this will not end well for Marguerite but still, this was a lot to process. Rochefort was a very twisted and powerful villain, his insanity and obsession made him even more dangerous than I expected. His takedown was a very satisfying scene for sure. All the Musketeers with Queen Anne and Constance took part in his last fight and demise. Kudos to Mark Warren for his most impressive work this season! It's no easy task to potray such a cruel, unstable, emotional and dark character. And his performance was absolutely spot on.
- I really tried to find more sympathy for the King in the episode, in big part because of Ryan Gage’s spectacular performance, especially in the scene where he finds out the truth about Dauphin. But to be honest, every single time I started feeling truly bad for him, I couldn’t stop thinking about the fact that Aramis was fighting for his life after his love affair with the Queen, while the King had his official (!) mistress living in the castle and no one said a word. And Louis saying he lost everything made me remember Pepin, the ordinary man who gave up his life to protect the King who promised to reward him for his actions and forgot about him the second he was back safe in the castle. And then there’s Marmion’s family and everyone who lived in Gerberoy, everyone who died because the King didn’t care enough to consider their fate and caused the entire village to starve to death out of his sheer indifference. The list goes on… So in the end, no matter how lost and broken Louis might have seemed at times, I can only feel for him in those moments, but never truly like the man. And it just made me immensely sad to see that he’s the one who got everything back, had his happy ending, while the others (like Aramis and Athos) were left to carry on with their pain and guilt.
- When I look at Queen Anne in the finale it seems like she started the season as a completely different person. There was so much sadness in her, the loneliness, hurt and now, now she's a strong, brave and impressive Queen. She didn't let Rochefort break her and faced him with pride and confidence, even told him exactly what she knew would hurt him in the end. Queen Anne ends the season happily it seems, she's back to where she was when season one finished but with more hope and strength than she had before. It was great to see her like that, though I still felt there was something wrong with that perfect little picture of her. After everything they've been through, I kind of expected her to care more, about Marguerite and especially Aramis and we didn't get to see her reaction to his departure. Things are changed now of course, the King will surely pay more attention to the Queen (at least for a while) but it seemed like a strange, almost abrupt ending for Anne. I have to say though, I'm so impressed by the wonderful work from Alexandra Dowling this season. Her interactions with Rochefort were one of the most powerful moments of the show. Kudos!
- Constance was definitely one of my favorites in the finale. Her strength and courage when faced with her own execution were powerfully done and truly impressive. Her decision to join the Musketeers in the fight resulted in one of the most popular quotes of the hour and a chance to see another side of this wonderful character. It was very fitting to see that in the end it was Aramis and Constance who came to the Queen's aid and confronted Rochefort. Also, I'm so glad and relieved Constance got her happy ending in the end, even though I couldn't quite celebrate it with everything else that was going on at the time. But now, here's to the great new beginning for Constance and d'Artagnan!
D'Artagnan - Passionate, intense, impulsive, always ready to get even whenever things get personal. That's all definitely D'Artagnan. I absolutely loved the entire sequence with Constance's rescue at the beginning of the finale. The Musketeers being the heroes of the story are always one of my favorite things to see. And it was a great, successful plan. Also it was lovely to see him standing by Aramis and not willing to say goodbye (despite those sarcastic comments towards him in the last few episodes). Still...D'Artagnan did get a happy ending after all. Easily the best one between all the Musketeers. I hope to see a different, more mature, happy and calmer D'Artagnan when we'll be back in season 3. The dynamics all changed and there's a great potential in that.
Porthos - Once again, Porthos has proved why he's
the Musketeer in the story. With everyone counting on his help, he managed to complete his mission, took down quite a lot of men on his own and brought the Spanish spymaster Vargas with the proof of Rochefort's treason to the castle. So basically, whenever you're in need, call Porthos for help. At this point, he's probably the most reliable guy we know. And how sad but beautiful was him reuniting and then saying goodbye to his best friend. If there's one person who really didn't want to let go of Aramis, that would be Porthos. I wholeheartedly agreed, which only made me like Porthos even more (and how's that even possible?). One of my season three wishes will definitely be getting our Musketeer more involved in the main arc and giving him a chance to be more present and active on the weekly basis. It still feels like there's never enough of Porthos.
Treville - Finally! Should have taken that job from day one, Treville! Good to see people do learn from their mistakes. I still can't help but wonder how different things could be if the former Captain made a right decision in the season premiere. There were so many little things that Treville did in the episode that I absolutely loved: confronting Rochefort while saving Constance, making Athos the new Captain, giving Porthos his old sword, standing by Aramis through everything that was happening and letting the Musketeers go after him at the end. Not only a great leader, but a truly great friend. I look forward to seeing him in this new position, as the King's right hand, next year. Just one little thing to add, really wish he didn't stop Athos from going after Milady. What a great scene would that be. Anyway, glad to see such a good ending for Treville.
Athos - The only person as broken and sad at the end of the finale as Aramis can only be Athos. The connection and understanding between the two in the episode (and the season) was really wonderfully done. "He's letting us go" and "all for one" scene made for such a heartwarming but truly sad part... I absolutely love the fact that Athos is now the Captain. Though it seems like his heart is not all focused there. It's good that there's finally a sense of moving on from the pain and tragic story between him and Milady. I did like the fact he wanted to go after her at the end. To convince her to stay, to say goodbye or to join her - regardless of the reason, I was really enjoying their dynamics this season and I'd love to see more of the two working and interacting together. Also, Athos being the one to walk Constance down the aisle made me think of the series' first hour when Mrs. Bonacieux (now) D'Artagnan decided to help the Musketeers mostly because Athos was a friend. Great little moment there. It was a very emotional, intense and powerful season for Athos and the amazing Tom Burke. I absolutely can't wait for what his storyline will be in the next one.
- Unfortunately Milady didn't have a lot of screentime in the episode but she perfectly used the few minutes she had. In one of my favorite, even if quite predictable, surprises of the hour, she managed to save Aramis' life, get him out of prison and reunite him with his friends all on her own. She also showed more of her vulnerable side when she asked Athos to leave Paris with her and start over. She waited for quite a while. Hopefully her last shot in the season and the missing glove are no indication that she was attacked/something bad happened to her. I've heard quite a few theories about that but I'm choosing to stay positive. Milady had an incredible season and I've grown to really care about the character as she joined the list of my favorites. Who would have thought? Hopefully the little moment she shared with Aramis as he told her she doesn't have to kill everyone on her way was a good sign that her character development is still a work in progress in the right direction.
The Musketeers say goodbye to Aramis
Best Rescue: Athos, D'Artagnan and Treville save Constance & Milady saves Aramis
Best Plan: Porthos brings Vargas to the King
Best Change/Potential: Treville accepts King's offer & Athos is the new Captain
Best Happily Ever After Moment: The wedding
Most satisfying: Rochefort's death
Most tragic: Marguerite's death
Most in Need for Hug/The saddest: Aramis
Biggest regret: Athos didn't make it in time to Milady
Memorable quotes:
1. Constance: "
Surrender, monsieur". Vargas: "
You bring women to fight your battles?" Constance: "
Perhaps I bring men to fight mine."
2. Milady:
"God works in mysterious ways, does he not?"
3. Aramis:
"We don't need to kill him." Milady:
"Why not?" Aramis:
"You shouldn't treat death so lightly."
4. Milady:
"I'm not free. I'm bound to you. As you are to me. I have become this foul and ugly thing, this stranger who cheats and lies and kills without conscience. I don't want to be that creature any more. I want to be... as I was once with you... To feel hope instead of this... deadness in my heart."
5. Constance:
“It’s not the man we have to destroy, it’s his lies”
Favorite to Least Favorite Season 2 Episodes Ranking:
1. Through a Glass Darkly
2. The Accused
3. Emilie
4. Trial and Punishment - I really would need to re-watch the season to be sure, but that's it for now. As much as I enjoyed season two and I loved many moments in this finale, I have to admit it left me more conflicted than I expected, which probably has a lot to do with its place in the ranking.
5. An Ordinary Man
6. The Return
7. The Prodigal Father
8. Keep Your Friends Close
9. A Marriage of Inconvenience
10. The Good Traitor
And now, what did you think about "Trial and Punishment" and season 2 overall? Any favorite scenes/quotes/theories/wishes for season 3 to share with the rest of the fans? Thank you for reading! And see you back in season 3!
My sincere apologies for being so terribly late with this review. At this point, it's more of a chance for a re-watch for you all. I'd love to see the season 2 again, as I've seen some episodes only once and they were all really great. But for now, it's the most insane month for me.
ReplyDeleteAnyway, what are your thoughts on season 2 in general? Better than season one? Did you also find some characters more interesting and actually great this year? Have you missed the Cardinal's more grounded villain? What would you like to see in season 3?
Great review Justyna, always enjoying reading your take on the characters! I've enjoyed this season a great deal, the darker edge to it over S1 has been very welcome in my book.
ReplyDeleteThank you for reading, as always! You've been doing such a fantastic job with all the previews, spoilery and/or filming posts etc. for the show. Thank you :) And agreed, it's been a really great season. I honestly didn't remember how much I loved this show before I started season 2. It's definitely one of my favorites.
ReplyDeleteIt's a bit like player ratings in the sports pages of newspapers!! I guess it is also personal choice.
ReplyDelete1. The Accused was for me the most exciting,
2. Emilie, The Return (i liked equally) after episode 3 i was getting a bit worried, so 4 (Emilie) started to dispell my concern and i loved the return to series 1 mode with more Musketeers and less court boredom.
4. Trial and Punishment (because what i hadn't worked out after The Accused was the best bits for Milady, with or without Athos, were over and that was a disappointment).
After that i can only put A marriage of inconvenience, Through a Glass Darkly, Prodigal Father together because all had good bits and all sagged a bit for me in places.
Followed by Keep your friends close, An ordinary man and finally way down at the bottom The good Traitor.
I didn't much go for the Louis/D'artagnan episode for some reason and Through a Glass Darkly left me in the dark a bit!
All a good bit of fun though.
Thanks for sharing! I think the only thing I'm sure about my ranking is no. 1 spot, lol :)
ReplyDeleteIt would probably change, more or less, after the season 2 re-watch.
I loved that Through a Glass Darkly had some of my favorite character interactions, intense action, compelling scenes and performances, perfect music and a happy ending. Everyone got their moment in the episode which was really special for me.
As for Louis/D'Artagnan episode, I honestly don't remember it too well. But I know I felt it was quite personal for me. And I liked Pepin, just a genuinely nice guy who met such a tragic ending.
Your review of each character was great. I hope the exciting changes that are supposed to materialise in S3 do actually come through. I think there is a need to take some of the characters on different journeys now and i hope, with the news of producer changes, they stick to that.
ReplyDeletePossibly if i re-watch the episodes again i might alter my order choice because i think you are right to say that a re-watch picks up little things that we all miss in one viewing.
Of all the character developments, which one do you feel made the most impact and which one did you enjoy the most?
Thank you! For both reading and commenting :)
ReplyDeleteAbout the character development, I was glad to see more of the appreciation and a chance to shine for Porthos and Queen Anne but I think it's actually Athos and Milady who surprised me the most this season. In a positive way, I mean. Their story is quite a powerful one and each step they made towards moving on from their past and starting over made both an impact and impression on me. Love the dynamics between these two and I'd love to see more of them next season.
I have often felt that Porthos is under used maybe that is because such a lot of the storylines have revolved around relationship issues with the other 3 and of course, poor Porthos is without a love (although going by at least 2 of the others, he maybe better off!)
ReplyDeleteI cannot fault your choice of Athos and Milady - it is difficult to express how absolutely fantastic the storyline has been - a slow realisation for both of their past actions, choices in the present and the future (i hope). I can only say how brilliantly it has been acted. The lines were written for them, but Tom and Maimie brought it to life.
Another superb review Justyna!! It's been really lovely reading your reviews this year. I really did enjoy this episode immensely and feel that series 3 is now poised to be great indeed.
ReplyDeleteMy favourite quote of this episode and the whole series has to be Constance's reply to Vargas: "Perhaps, I bring men to fight mine."
I have so many favourite scenes in this episode but I loved the way they showed the mixed emotions of Constance/d'Artagnan and Athos/Milady during that wedding scene. It was very clever the way they showed the joy and happiness of Constance/d'Artagnan with the longing and raw emotions of Athos/Milady.
As for the episode ratings, I haven't got a clue! I loved episodes 9 and 10, as well as 'Through a glass darkly' but all the others also shone for me, perhaps apart from 'The Good Traitor', which had all the promising of a good episode but had bits that didn't work so well.
Roll on series 3!! So looking forward to it!! :)
Thank you for reading and all the comments! I had a great time talking to you all this year! :) Loved that quote! And yes, season 3, here we go!
ReplyDeleteGreat review Justyna. Love that image of d'Artagnan. He just looked so blissfully in love in that moment. I agree with you that rather than simply a "Happy ever after" this is a new beginning for them both. One which will no doubt have it's tough times as well as it's joys. I can't wait to watch it play out. For me, the real triumph this year has been Athos and Milady. I loved being torn by these two, his choices and Milady's motivations in particular. It was so well written and developed and as a result was hugely satisfying. Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed the series and I think they've found a style and a tone that works. Also, in the Simon's Allen and Ashford, they got two terrific writers who have nailed the character's voices. Can't wait for series three.
ReplyDeleteThank you! Agreed, about everything. Both writers did an amazing job with their episodes! I just had to go with that image, at least one of them got to be really happy there. It's a lovely new beginning and I can't wait for Mr and Mrs d'Artagnan next year.
ReplyDeleteAlso, Milady and Athos really stole the show at one point this season. I loved their dynamics and both characters are now one of my favorites. Here's to season 3!
Thank you for all of these lovely reviews!! : )
ReplyDeleteMy Season 2 Episode Rankings:
1. The Accused
2. The Return
3. Through a Glass Darkly
4. The Prodigal Father
5. An Ordinary Man
6. Trial and Punishment
7. Emilie
8. A Marriage of Inconvenience
9. The Good Traitor
10. Keep Your Friends Close
Bring on Season 3!!! : ) : ) : )
Loved your review and can not say I disagreed with any of it.
ReplyDeleteI loved your review Justyna & agree with absolutely everything except your ranking of episodes. The Main thing & I guess I didn't really think fully on it with regards to Aramis & how you surmised it. Yes, he felt guilt regarding Adele & Isabelle, & even Marguerite, but I did t feel like he should have to be the one to carry that burden & guilt of their choices & what they did along with the jealous & unstable men like Cardinal & Rochefort that either ended, or
ReplyDeletedrove them to their fate. While I agree with what you said, I also felt that his love for the Queen & his son was the driving force of him giving up everything even his duty & brotherhood with musketeers if their lives as well as his would be spared. It was a sad end for all you mentioned & I wanted to hug him as he walked away at the end & brought tears to my eyes. Not just for Aramis, but Athos & Milady too. Happy tears for D'art & Constance & Porthos & Treville as he was passing his sword to him like a Father to his son.
My rankings for season 2:
1.) The Accused
2.) Trail & Punishment
3.) Through a Glass Darkly
4.) The Prodigal Father
5.) The Return
6.) Emilie
7.) A Marriage of Inconvenience
8.) Ordinary Man
9.) The Good Traitor
10.) Keep Your Friends Close
*Can't wait til season 3
Great review, as always. I especially enjoy how you break up your reviews into 'character sections' so you can deal with each person one at a time, as well as add your overall thoughts about an episode.
ReplyDeleteI think 'Through a Glass Darkly' was my favourite episode too, everyone got a chance to shine ( though Porthos was perhaps a little underused ) and I especially loved the Aramis / Anne, Athos / Milady and d'Artagnan / Louis scenes - Luke and Ryan were especially great during their scenes together and I hope the d'Artagnan / Louis relationship is built on in S3. I believe it was one of Adrian Hodge's favourite episodes too.
The series final loses a few brownie points from me for a couple of reasons, including the way Marguerite's story ends. Someone said that Marguerite was meant to represent Constance's fate had she left Bonacieux to have an affair but I don't entirely agree with that, not least because Aramis had no genuine feelings for Marguerite, unlike the passion that d'Artagnan feels for Constance - he'd do everything possible to protect her and so would the other Musketeers, she's not alone like Marguerite seemed to be.
I think S2 was a strong series overall, though I could have done with a bit more humour and bromance between the boys and an end to the really short Constagnan scenes that plagued them for most of S1 too - the writing and editing is terrible for this.
Thank you! I think that writing about the episode with each character's perspective works for me the best. I really enjoyed reviewing the show this year and I'll be glad to come back to it next season.
ReplyDeleteMy favorite part about 'Through a Glass Darkly' was probably the fact that everyone got a chance to shine there. Though Porthos always seems to be a little underused, if you ask me. Didn't know that it's also one of Adrian Hodge's choices. That's great ;)
The things I missed this year the most would certainly be humour and bromance, though I did enjoy this darker storyline at times. Like I mentioned, there are some things that left me conflicted about the finale, though. Marguerite's tragic fate would be one of them for sure.
Thank you for reading and sharing your ranking! Now, here's to Season 3! :)
ReplyDeleteThank you :) That's really nice of you to say!
ReplyDeleteThank you for reading and commenting! The ranking is always a very subjective thing. I'm not even 100% sure of mine until I get a chance to re-watch the season ;)
ReplyDeleteI guess we have a little different look on Aramis' case then, I feel quite protective when it comes to his character. Guess I agree to disagree, would be boring if everyone was thinking exactly the same thing ;)
"Can't wait til season 3" Ditto!
I think Alexandra Dowling has had a much needed boost this year, last year I didn't have a big opinion about Anne because she had very little screentime at the side of most other characters, though I did like the pairing of Anne and Louis in general - as actors rather than characters. I think Alex and Marc had some great scenes together in S2.
ReplyDeleteI've always loved Athos and Milady - Athos is my second favourite Musketeer ( though they're all great ) and Milady is my favourite female character, so it was nice to see her popularity grow this year. Which direction Milady will go in S3 is anyone's guess, though I do think the writers will have to tread carefully to keep her an interesting character and not have her outstay her welcome by not truly developing Athos and Milady as individuals as well as a pairing.
I don't have many fixed ideas about what I'd like to see in the next series except for two - for the dynamics between the boys to have changed now that Athos is Captain ( new directions, new directions ) and of course, as a fan of d'Artagnan, for his long-term jouney to really take off in S3 now that he and Constance are settled.
Oh and to like Louis again.......
ReplyDeleteI love Ryan Gage in the role but the character tread a fine line this year..
Great review as always. Your choice of favorite episodes are exactly like mine. Ia it a councidence that in those chapters there is a lot of Annamis? Perhaps. Just like season 1 my fav episode were 2 7 9 and 10. Bye until next season
ReplyDelete