Marie Antoinette – Season 1 Episode 8 Recap, Review & Ending Explained

Queen of Hearts

Episode 8 of Marie Antoinette begins with the King and Queen celebrating New Year’s Eve with the rest of the Royal Court. Chartres appears to be flirting with the Queen, and this time the Queen isn’t interested in his flirtatious remarks.

Following that, the Queen runs into Count Axel con Ferson, whom she had previously met and danced with in Paris, and the King becomes jealous. They exchange a few pleasantries, some of which have flirty implications. The King notices the Queen blushing while speaking with the count and appears to be hurt.

Stormont, a member of the English government, speaks with Provence. He informs Provence that American insurgents are mutilating and murdering English soldiers with French weapons. He implies that the French government is supplying arms to the Americans. Following that, he urges Provence to discuss it with King Louis, suggesting that it be stopped.

Following their support for the Americans, King, and Count Maurepas are preparing for war with England. Following that, the King goes on to tell the Count about his strategy, and the Count is impressed.

The King and Queen have sex, but it’s all very robotic and doesn’t appear to be romantic. The Queen is thinking about the Petit Tranon while having sex. Their sole goal appears to be to produce an heir to the throne. Following that, the King suggests that when the war begins, the Queen take their daughter to Petit Tranon. When the King asks the Queen if they should have sex the next day, she says she can’t wait.

Provence informs the royal household of the King’s intention to go to war with England. Provence’s wife, Josephine, advises him to warn the King by screaming it aloud, and if the King fails, he will see him as someone reliable. Thereafter, Provence goes to the King and asks him why he is going to war with England. The King refuses to acknowledge it because he does not want to disclose private matters with Provence. Following that, the King dismisses him by making him feel inferior.

The diplomat informs the Queen that her mother, the Empress, wishes to pay her a visit because she misses her. Not wanting to see her mother without a son, the Queen requests that he send her a portrait instead.

Benjamin Franklin, the American ambassador to France, meets with members of the royal court. The King appears to favor him, while Provence and Stormont mock the King by opposing his decision to support America by opposing England.

Lamballe pays a visit to the Queen and asks if she can help them prepare for their move to the Petit Tranon. The Queen tells her that she doesn’t need to do anything because Yolande is in charge of everything. Lamballe is visibly upset and asserts that it is her job. Lamballe then requests that the Queen choose between her and Yolande. The Queen refuses, and Lamballe walks away, deeply hurt.

Count Maurepas visits the King in his office. Following that, the King consults him on whether he should allow his wife to take 250,000 livres from the Privy purse to cover the Polignacs’ debts. The count advises him to let the Queen run her household as she sees fit while she runs the country.

Lamballe leaves the mansion, saying she needs to relax and is going to a spa. The diplomat is aware of what’s going on and sympathizes with her. He asks if he can write to her if the circumstances change, and she says she doesn’t think they will.

The Queen invites Count Ferson to a party at the Petit Tranon the following night through Yolande. When he arrives, the Queen is clearly attracted to him, and they share a moment that bothers Chartres.

The diplomat is seen attempting to contact the Queen in order to deliver messages from the Empress about not hanging out with the unsuitable company she is spending time with. However, Yolande always seems to keep the Queen’s messages, and the diplomat is aware of this.

Meanwhile, the Empress’ health appears to be deteriorating by the day. The diplomat sneaks in one night and delivers the Empress’ messages himself, but the Queen refuses to listen to her warnings.

While the King and Chartres are at war, the Queen is seen cozying up to Count Ferson at the Petit Tranon, where they even share kisses. When Yolande requests that the Queen give her and her two men the lovely county of Beach, the Queen refuses, and Yolande decides to talk to the King.

Chartres pays Antoinette a late night visit to inform her that they have won the war against England. Following that, he is seen attempting to force himself on her and even slaps her too. As a result, Antoinette asks him to leave.

How does Marie Antoinette end?

The King and Queen enter the royal court hand in hand the following morning, and the crowd applauds the King for his victory over England. The King removes Chartres from the Royal Navy and orders him to leave Versailles because he left his post before he was instructed to. Furthermore, he sends Ferson to America to make sure the Queen returns to him.

The Queen is informed that her mother, the Empress, has passed away, and she sobs in Lamballe’s arms. As the season comes to a close, we see that the King and Queen have another child, a boy, and the royal household bows to the King and Queen.

The Episode Review

This episode attempts to romanticize the Queen’s flirting and straying despite the fact that she is married. While it’s understandable that the Queen’s marriage was not her choice, she had grown to love Louis. Given how brilliant the show had been up to this point, it’s a shame that it chose to go down that path. At the very least, they could have shown the Queen straying, but they shouldn’t have romanticized it.

Furthermore, the show’s ending feels rushed. Another episode should have been devoted to the storyline in which the Queen has a son. Overall, the show was enjoyable, and those who enjoy period pieces should definitely watch it.