The Serpent Queen Season 1 Episode 8 Review: A Queen Is Made
The Serpent Queen Season 1 Episode 8, “A Queen Is Made,” is the nail-biting conclusion to a deliciously dramatic first season, brimming with nefarious plots and double-crossings. Thank the TV gods; we’re getting a second season because we need more juicy scheming, melodrama, and eye-catching period piece aesthetics.
As usual, Samantha Morton steals the show, portraying the quiet tempest that is Catherine de Medici. We only see her break free of her stoic façade a handful of times in “A Queen Is Made,” and it’s all because of her ailing son. Catherine is the most vulnerable we’ve ever seen her when she’s sitting next to the dying Francis, making the most difficult decision any mother can make.
Morton navigates this scene with the deft skill of a pro, cracking Catherine wide open to unearth a visceral, raw performance. It feels earned after watching her simmer for so long while tirelessly playing a dangerous political game.
“A Queen Is Made” also showcases a season-best performance from Antonia Clarke. Like Catherine, Mary’s searing vulnerability takes center stage. Unlike Catherine, Mary lets it consume her, failing to regain her bearings after a figurative punch to the gut. We see Mary’s yearning to partake in a game far too advanced for her, with her inherent naïveté slipping through the cracks. Clarke plays this to perfection. Notably, she gives it her all during the scene wherein she learns of Francis’s consumption.
Besides all-around brilliant performances, this outing is bolstered by plenty of plotting. So much plotting. Catherine goes to war with words and schemes and is in full fighting form here. We see her skilfully manipulate whomever she’s with to achieve her goals, with the Guises, Bourbons, Montmorency, Mary, and even Diane de Poitiers working overtime to scheme their way to the top.
It’s almost like a “whodunit” of sorts, but instead of trying to solve a murder, we’re endeavoring to keep track of everyone’s allegiances and sworn enemies.
“A Queen Is Made” proves how far these characters are willing to go to accomplish their objectives. There’s even some well-placed action, shooting, stabbing, and a squeamish pinky finger amputation scene. While these scenes propel the plot forward, the dialogue-heavy moments keep us on the edge of our seats. The Serpent Queen‘s forte lies in its clever use of dialogue and nuanced, bold performances, with the writers and performers kicking both aspects up a notch for this finale.
Catherine is akin to the eye of a storm — the inner calm residing in the middle of the chaos she orchestrates. We see that in “A Queen Is Made” as her efforts come to fruition, crescendoing into a tense yet exhilarating conclusion as the serpent becomes a queen.
All in all, The Serpent Queen season finale boasts everything we love about this series and more. The political intrigue, biting dark humor, and royal backstabbing set on a 1560s backdrop make for a delightful hour of escapism. Every performer brings their A-game, engaging in a thrilling, high-stakes, life-threatening chess match that only sees one winner: Catherine.
It appears Catherine will have more enemies than ever heading into Season 2. Watching her team up with Rahima to rid her court of those who devise her downfall will be fun. I’ll be seated and ready.
Stray Observations:
- Rahima breaking the fourth wall in that final moment is a spectacular button to an equally spectacular first season.
- When Catherine walks down the aisle during her son’s coronation, it appears there are serpents in her hair. She looks like a work of art—props to the hair and makeup department for their gorgeous creations this season.
- The return of Diane de Poitiers is a much-welcomed one. She might try to weasel her way into Catherine’s good graces in Season 2, but I have a feeling there’ll still be tension aplenty simmering between these two.
- Is it just me, or are certain shots in “A Queen Is Made” reminiscent of a Wes Anderson flick? Specifically, whenever Rahima delivers Queen Elizabeth’s fake letter to Mary and when Mary arrives at her cousin’s castle unannounced. There’s something about the almost oversaturated color palette, the humor in these scenes, and the arrangement of the characters that scream “Wes Anderson whimsy.”
- You could play a drinking game based on how many times someone double-crosses another person in this episode. You’d be plastered by the end.
- Does Ruggieri want to have sex with Catherine? Maybe he believes he’s owed something carnal after doing her bidding for so long?
- Is anyone else surprised that Antoine de Bourbon might be more intelligent than his brother?
What did you think of this episode of The Serpent Queen? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
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All episodes of The Serpent Queen are now streaming on the Starz app.
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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.