Versailles - it was shit wasn't it?

[ArgyMargy]

Genuine question actually. I only lasted about 15 minutes until the endless sex, ugly men and confusing "plot" got too much. This programme has been made by a French channel in English for goodness knows what kind of audience, and the BBC was dumb enough to buy it.

I think the 'tache thing might be because it's such a prissy little thing. It looks like a high maintenance moustache (coupled with the shiny, wavy hair).

Ah well, maybe he'll grow on you enid

Yes, that would make sense Willoughby. And Tygh Runyan is very fine indeed

Without the wig and 'tache:

I quite like Fabien - but I also quite fancy Philippe and Louis
I generally have dreadful taste in tv characters.

I think Fabien kept the girls body at his house so her murders would not know if she was dead. Then they might implicate themselves when they come looking for her.
Loved the bit where Fabien deduced the highwayman was a noble. I was like watching an episode of Sherlock.

I'm not really interested in the labourer (shit taste in men).

Phwoar blimey flip!

Yes, much better without the 17th Century trapping

Oh yes, definitley much better sans wig and moustache. I could go swimming in those eyes.

I think the person in charge of casting has truly excelled themselves all round

There is a YouTube clip of a tiny interview with the producer and Louis in the door of his dressing room, on some sort of French bbc breakfast equivalent. It switches back to the lady presenter at the end and she says in French 'well they certainly look a lot better than in those boring history books' with a cheeky glint in her eye

Yes, I think they've done well with the casting.

I don't quite believe George Blagden as Louis, he's just a bit too nice. But enjoying it all the same.

Blimey! Much better minus the tache. Tbh I think the only moustache I've ever found remotely attractive was on Tom Selleck's top lip.

I think Little Louis might grow on me. There was a glimmer of something when he was smiling to himself after kissing that woman's hand.

When I say too nice, I mean that (for me) he doesn't really project the sense of authority and arrogance you would expect from an autocratic king.

I'm trying to think of an example to compare him with, someone you would "believe" as a ruler. Any ideas?

flip I'll have a ponder on that....but I'm hoping we see his autocratic thing develop; after all, he's so so young in this. He's 23 when his mother dies and by then he's already married, has one child whose died, and has been shaped to take on this responsibility but under supervision; his mother and counsels ran the show till she popped her clogs.

If you compare even the first episode (when he escapes for time out on the horse and meets the wolves) to episode 4, there is a difference in his dress, his confidence and leadership.

I think (hope) we see it grow, as by all accounts I've read in real life by his 50's he was formidable but as a younger man he's a more flamboyant, forward thinking, dancing and drawing and creative type.

Is he similar to Henry VIII in his autocratic style?

Thank you for the explanations re the girl in the woods. I got so carried away comparing facial furniture earlier that I forgot to sat thanks.

Say

Anyone watched this weeks ep?

Still enjoying immensely despite not knowing quite what's going on

Can any of the historians (or the ones who have been following it more closely than I have) out there tell me who the bloke with the stringy grey hair (Cassell?) is, in relation to Madame de Montespan?

Good last night. Still hard to follow.

I know the one you mean. I'm pretty sure he's fictional.

It is quite confusing because some characters are real (the King, Phillippe, kings various fancy pieces) some are completely made up (Fabien, the doctor and his daughter) and some are kind of real - by which I mean based on a real person but not anything like what that person was really like (the Chevalier de Rohan).

I think having some familiarity with the period helps.

I don't know much - what I do know is from reading an Antonia Fraser biography of Louis XIV and his mistresses, which I dug out after watching so I could try to make sense of it all!

Worth a read, if you're interested in that sort of thing:

www.amazon.co.uk/Love-Louis-XIV-Women-Life/dp/0753822938/ref=sr_1_3?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1467303473&sr=1-3&keywords=antonia+fraser

I also think that it was intimated that Athenaise Montespans hatred of Cassell was due to something sexual he did to her at the age of 12. At the party outside she refers to knowledge of his 'tiny shrivelled prick' and later with the King she talks about her hate for him 'starting by what he did to me when I was 12'.... ?

But yes, as said up thread some of the characters are real but have fictional roles in this. Chevaliers cousin, Beatrice, historically isn't this character. And in this she has the daughter, Sophie? She didn't have children IRL. Feel free to correct me if I'm wrong!

And as said before, watch the bbc4 doc by Lucy worsley on iplayer. It's lighthearted but fascinating. Makes a great deal more sense once you have!!

I'll definitely check out that doc, thanks alabaster

I was meaning a different Chevalier...unless I've got the name wrong (entirely possible). The blandly handsome one that is good friends with the king, not Philippe's boyfriend.

I also think that it was intimated that Athenaise Montespans hatred of Cassell was due to something sexual he did to her at the age of 12

That's what confused me. I thought it was her husband, then her father, then I don't know what I might have to watch it again to see if I can work out how she first came into contact with him.

Will definitely check out the Antonia Fraser book and the LW doc, thanks for the recommendations.

Could be another Chevalier, flip, lol!

Chevalier, the blond boyfriend one, is Chevalier Du Lorraine, openly the boyfriend of Phillipe and quite bizarrely, in real life, was supposedly married to Beatice Du Lorraine. Beatrice is the bossy grumpy one who has two curly brown side horns on her head. I'll find pictures in a min and link. Again confusing because IRL she and the openly bi Chevalier have no children, but in the series I can't remember seeing those two characters linked together at all (or did they have a romp in the garden at the end of last night?) but she seems to have this 'daughter' Sophie, who I think is entirely fictional.....but IRL they were definitely married and both were cousins to the King and Phillipe too....

Chevalier du Lorraine....

I thought Beatrice was romping with Fabien in the garden. Could be wrong though. And Sophie was snogging the builder?

Tis all very confusing The only character that I'm certain I know who he is, is Louis.