The Empress – Season 2 Episode 2 “The Dream” Recap & Review

The Dream

Episode 2 of The Empress season 2 starts with a one-week time jump. Elisabeth is unconscious but has a dream about Adolfo. The doctors inform the king that Elisabeth has an infection and fever.

Always the meddler, Sophia asks the doctor if Elisabeth can conceive again, and the doctor declares another pregnancy might kill both mom and child. However, Franz doesn’t care; all he wants is for his wife to be in great health again. Franz has also been ignoring his newborn daughter and has not been to see her.

On the political front, Franz is dealing with the possibility of a revolution in Lombardy-Venetia. However, he doesn’t believe in military action. The cardinal suggests a papal state, and Alexander protests the idea.

Sophia points out that Lombardy Venetia is only the beginning, and they ought to try everything. The Emperor asks the Cardinal to draw up a concept. Buol informs Franz that there is evidence that Piedmont is getting help from Napoleon. Although begrudgingly, Franz insists they reach out to Napoleon to secure peace in Europe.

This is where Maximilian comes in. Franz summons him from exile and gives him a mission. He maintains he doesn’t trust Maximilian, but he is the perfect man to send to Napoleon and ask for a customs union. Franz is clear that he doesn’t ask as a brother but king and bans Maximilian from asking about Elisabeth.

Maximilian sets off for France and coincidentally meets Princess Charlotte Marie of Belgium when her train breaks down. She asks for Maximilian’s help, and he accepts her on his train. He soon finds out she is a charming young lady with a sharp mind. Once again, Maximilian finds himself falling in love. Unfortunately, when she is about to alight, she informs him that she is to marry the king of Portugal.

After the meeting, Franz returns to Elisabeth, and she finally wakes up. Of course, she asks to see their newborn child and is hurt that Franz has yet to name her. Sophia also visits Elisabeth’s chambers and reminds her of her duty to give the royal family an heir. Elisabeth insists she doesn’t want to fall pregnant again, but Sophia doesn’t drop the matter. To punish Elisabeth, Sophia has the nurses look after her grandchildren exclusively. She also switches Elisabeth’s doctor.

Elisabeth talks to Franz about not having a son, and he claims he doesn’t share his mother’s views that daughters have less value. However, he acknowledges that they need to secure their kingdom, especially since Napoleon has a son.

Elisabeth confronts him for not naming their daughter and expresses her desire to do other things for the kingdom. She also brings up her dreams about Adolfo and believes he was sending her a sign from beyond the grave. Franz dismisses her as a “lunatic”, which leads to Elisabeth becoming angry.

Upon getting to France, Maximilian meets with Napoleon, who shows him his plans for a new Paris. He invites Maximillian to his soiree later that night to talk more about what Franz wants.

At the soiree, Maximilian tells Napoleon about his brother’s wishes to have a customs union. Napoleon suggests he might be turning his attention elsewhere since Europe is too crowded. He also makes an offer to give Maximilian a better title if he joins him. As for Franz’s proposal, Napoleon promises to think it over. Also at the soiree, he runs into Marie. Later, Maximilian has Ivan secretly contact Marie and ask her to meet him the next day along the seine.

Back in Austria, Elisabeth tries to sneak into the gardens to play with Frienchen. However, she overexerts herself and starts hallucinating Adolfo again. She ends up losing track of Frienchen, and the little girl nearly drowns in the pond. The guards rush to save her and try to spot the bloody man Elisabeth swears she saw. Sophia hears this and brings in her new doctor, who diagnoses Elisabeth with acute hysterical neurosis.

He plans to give her heavy sedation, and Sophia approves. Elisabeth tries to refuse the medication, but Sophia threatens to tell Franz about what happened in the garden. In the end, Elisabeth takes the medicine, and Franz finds her sleeping. He sees the medication on her bedside and seems saddened. As Elisabeth recovers, Sophia starts spending more time with Frienchen.

Simultaneously, Leontine visits Elisabeth and gives her more information on Adolfo, who died from his injuries. She also brings his necklace. Elisabeth notices the tension between Charlotte and asks what is going on. Marie is unable to reveal the truth about Leontine, so Elisabeth asks them to stop their fight.

The following day, Marie meets Maximilian, and she agrees to give him a chance. In Austria, Franz finally hangs out with his new daughter and names her Gisella. Sophia spends more time with Frienchen, and Elisabeth kicks the new doctor out and defiantly refuses to take his medication.

The Episode Review

Sophia won’t rest until Elisabeth gives the royal family an heir. To be fair, an heir will stabilise the throne, but this is not the time for Elisabeth to be forced against her will to get pregnant. She is recovering from a traumatic experience and needs more time before she can think about having another baby. Sophia’s antic seems too cruel.

Thankfully, our defiant empress will not be sedated into oblivion. She fights back the quack doctor and stands up for herself. She is also keen to learn more about Adolfo, but what will she do about it? 

Meanwhile, Maximilian has found new love but needs Franz’s approval before he gets married. Maximilian’s trip to France had limited success, but Napoleon was too clever to reveal his plans to Maximilian.

He is hoping that a revolution will happen because he has more to gain from it. We also have to wait and see what the Cardinal’s proposal is and whether Franz will agree to the terms. These were some chaotic times in the history of Austria, and it is fascinating to see how everything unfolded as we look back into the history of Europe.