The Empress – Season 2 Episode 6 Recap, Review & Ending Explained

All We Can Do

The Empress season 2 episode 1 starts with a flashback of a young Franz questioning the Cardinal on why God allows war. While young, Franz thought that by putting on the soldier’s uniform, he would one day join them in war. However, Sophie explained to the young prince that he was to command the soldiers to fight for Austria instead of joining them on the frontline

Presently, the Royal Family is celebrating the birth of the heir to the throne. On his baptism day, Elisabeth takes the young lad to meet his elder sister, Fienchen. Even after all these years, Elisabeth and Franz still carry Fienchen in their heart. It seems Elisabeth is also wary of Sophie and barely lets her come near the young prince.

Elisabeth also gets a letter from Leontine, but with no address.  Later, Elisabeth learns from Charlotte that Leontine was pregnant when she left, and the empress tells Alexander.

Even with the good news of the birth of the new heir, the future of Austria hangs by the thread. Buol reports that the rebels in Lombardy-Venetia are getting stronger. Garibaldi is gaining more followers, and Sophie and Franz have a plan to get more Italian regions on their side.

What is Franz and Sophie’s plan?

The two are hoping that Elisabeth will agree to marry off her little sister, Mimi, to the Prince of Sicily to secure a political bond. Initially, Elisabeth is against the idea and tries to convince her sister against it. However, Sophie also does her best to convince Mimi to marry

What happens in Lombardy-Venetia?

Garibaldi and the rebels start rioting every night. Buol reports that Piedmont is gathering troops at the border and Gyulai insists they must declare war on Piedmont. Alexander protests the suggestion, but Franz sends an ultimatum to Cavour, giving him three days to surrender and stop giving Lombardian rebels support. He notes that if they surrender, he will be willing to negotiate.

In the meantime, Marie convinces Maximilian that Franz is messing with him because he wanted him to fail from the beginning. She gives him an ultimatum of her own. The two travel to the palace to talk to Franz.

At the palace, Franz learns that Napoleon is sneaking military weapons to the rebels after Austrian soldiers confiscate the weapons after a riot on the border of Piedmont. It finally dawns on Franz that he not only declared war on Piedmont but on France, too. He is not happy about being caught off guard and fires Gyulai.

He also fires Buol after learning the real reason why he was so intent of having a war. Simultaneously, Cavour refuses to surrender, and Franz is inevitably forced to go to war. As expected, Napoleon is happy and prepares for the downfall of Austria.

What happens during the war?

Napoleon outmanoeuvres the Austrian army, killing over 6,000 soldiers and maiming many more. Elisabeth visits the soldiers and the hospital and is disheartened to see their pain. She convinces her sister to agree to the political marriage to give hope to the people.

Franz demotes Maximillian as the viceroy. Marie says that Franz is trying to make Maximilian out to be a failure. They argue over this, and Marie gives him an ultimatum, warning him not to join his family.

On the other hand, after learning that Leontine was pregnant, Alexander quits. He tells Franz that he has to atone for his sins before it is too late and can’t stay in his service. Franz begrudgingly lets him go, but Alexander’s courage to atone for his sins strikes a chord with Franz.

After weeks of overwhelming defeat at the hands of Piedmont rebels and Napoleon, Franz decides to join the soldiers on the front line. Elisabeth is shaken to the core by this news, but he begs for her support. When Franz breaks the news to his family, the couple shows a united front, and Sophie blames Elisabeth for Franz’s decision.

Franz is convinced he is a fraud to ask his men to fight for the country when he stays at the palace. He wants to prove he is not a coward, and like Napoleon, he can be on the frontline, too.

Maximilian offers to remain behind to replace Franz if something happens to him. However, Franz makes it clear that Elisabeth and his mom will take over until his son is of age. Maximilian is outraged and immediately leaves with his wife.

How does the Empress end?

The season wraps up with Franz saying goodbye to his family and heading to the frontline. Sophie puts up a strong front while saying her goodbyes, but breaks down as soon as he leaves. She worries that all her efforts were for nothing and she didn’t do enough to save her son and the kingdom.

She blames Elisabeth, but the latter comforts her. The episode ends as the two women embrace each other as they acknowledge their sacrifices for the kingdom while hoping for the best.

The Episode Review

The season ends on a sad note as Franz leaves for the frontline. No one knows if he will make it back home, and Elisabeth and Sophie find themselves in a tough spot. The last scene humanises Sophie, who so far has maintained a hardened approach to everything.

Even though she has made some questionable choices, no one can deny that she has also sacrificed a lot for the good of the kingdom. With Franz in direct line of danger, it is understandable why she questions if it was worth it. If Franz dies in battle, Austria’s position will be even more precarious. Maximilian is already gone and is angry at his brother. The heir is too young to rule, and Elisabeth and Sophie will have to see to the prosperity of the kingdom.

I am curious to find out if Alexander ever found Leontine and what she has been up to after all these years. What did she do about her pregnancy and how is she finding life out of the palace?