The Serpent Queen Season 1 Episode 1 Review: Medici Bitch
The Serpent Queen Season 1 Episode 1, “Medici Bitch,” is a solid opener, setting the stage for a deliciously wicked, enthralling season, complete with a standout performance from Liv Hill.
Sometimes, all it takes for one to tune in to a new series is the promise of juicy period piece drama with Samantha Morton at the helm. While this reviewer sorely misses Harlots, Morton’s involvement in The Serpent Queen adequately fills that hole in the heart.
CATHERINE DE MEDICI: Though, it might feel better to get your own back every once in a while.
Morton embodies Catherine De Medici, seizing command of every scene she’s in with a singular facial expression or the flick of a wrist. In a series of this nature, it would be easy to overact, to feed into the innate drama of it all. However, Morton is a pro, and she maintains a seamless groundedness, holding us captive in Catherine’s unwavering resolve.
We don’t see much of Morton in “Medici Bitch,” as the narrative telescope hones in on young Catherine and her rise to French royalty at 14. Liv Hill, who portrays her, is a force with whom to be reckoned. She frequently breaks the fourth wall to provide commentary on her life, from the rampant sexism and misogyny that pervades every corner of her world to the ludicrousness of marriage.
Hill, like Morton, arrests our attention, immersing us in Catherine’s rise to court. She endears us to Catherine while the latter constantly proves she’s everything the people around her say she isn’t. Hill infuses a legendary figure with nuance, acerbic wit, and heart.
YOUNG CATHERINE: I will always believe, for that one day at least, that my love was requited. Nobody can tell me it wasn’t.
While we get less of Sennia Nanua as Rahima in this outing, Rahima provides a nice contrast to the towering Catherine De Medici. Nanua depicts Rahima as the epitome of goodness, a sweet, gentle soul who Catherine takes under her imposing wing.
The Serpent Queen‘s use of the fourth-wall breaks injects a lighthearted, tongue-in-cheek quality into it. It brings self-awareness, acknowledging the audience’s presence and inviting them to join the ride. This narrative tool doesn’t detract from the story. Instead, it somewhat modernizes it à la Maria Antoinette but saves the contemporary tunes for the opening and ending credits. We get some levity to balance out the heavy-handed period drama.
“Medici Bitch” deftly showcases how Catherine acquires her tools for success. We see where she picks up certain tricks and how she learns to wield power. Hill breaking the fourth wall coupled with Morton’s narration engulfs us in this universe, allowing us glimpses inside the brilliant mind of Catherine De Medici.
CATHERINE DE MEDICI: I learned never to trust a single soul. Take this clumsy girl away.
Overall, the premiere of The Serpent Queen is a darkly delightful entry point for the series, paved with whimsy and delectable theatrics. It examines gender dynamics and patriarchal values while endeavoring to turn those on its head with its mesmerizing lead. Liv Hill is a star. Here’s hoping we see more of Samantha Morton in the next episode.
Stray Observations:
- There’s something about Starz period pieces that are irresistible. They’ve cornered the market in that regard. Give us all the royal, loosely historically accurate drama!
- The costumes in this show are envy-inducing. That said, they’re lovely to look at, aesthetics-wise, but would be hell on Earth to wear.
- If Samantha Morton doesn’t play a female version of Iago or Claudius in something, then what are we doing here? She would undoubtedly rise to the challenge.
- Charles Dance is Hollywood’s go-to guy for snooty bureaucratic roles, and that’s perfectly acceptable. He owns them.
- What is it about period dramas’ penchant for incestuous pairings? Henry’s obsession with Diane borders on Oedipal, given how she became a maternal figure for him. Let’s leave the Targaryen antics in the Game of Thrones universe.
What did you think of this episode of The Serpent Queen? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
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The Serpent Queen streams new episodes every Sunday on Starz.
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Melody McCune
Melody loves TV. Maybe too much. Besides being a Senior Writer for Tell-Tale TV, she's the Managing Editor for Geek Girl Authority, an Independent Contractor for Sideshow Collectibles, and a Senior Writer for Eulalie Magazine. Additionally, she has bylines in Culturess, Widget, and inkMend on Medium. To top it all off, she's a critic for Rotten Tomatoes and CherryPicks.