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The Empress season 2, episodes 3 and 4 review

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As a historian who has delved into the lives of countless emperors and their families, I must say that watching The Empress has been a rollercoaster ride of emotions. The second season, especially episodes 3 and 4, have left me utterly spellbound.

As a devoted admirer, I must say that the second season of “The Empress” took an initially bumpy turn for the seemingly content couple, Franz and Elisabeth, who rule together. After getting reacquainted with the primary characters, there’s even a skip in time, and we come to understand that joy can be as elusive as a gentle breeze.

Although another daughter’s arrival brings joy to many, it complicates matters regarding an heir to the throne. However, a more ominous concern looms over the Emperor and Empress – the Kingdom of Lombardy–Venetia.

Will Franz and Elisabeth be able to work together and find a solution?

The Empress Season 2 Episode 3 review: Love prevails but for how long?

It seems that Franz and Elisabeth have reached a consensus about the Kingdom of Lombardy-Venetia. They plan to visit the region to assess the current state of affairs and find ways to prevent things from deteriorating further.

It seems to go unnoticed by some that Austrian soldiers frequently intimidate the Venetians, making many locals less than enthusiastic about the visit of Franz and Elisabeth. Even a young couple we’ll meet later in the episode share this sentiment. Despite efforts to feign joy at their arrival, it becomes evident that several people choose not to put on a false front.

The royal pair feels uneasy amidst the many disapproving stares they encounter. To add to their troubles, Franz was already reluctant to attend, but to make things even more complicated, his brother Maximillian and his future sister-in-law Marie Charlotte were present, seeking Franz’s approval.

During their shared dinner, it’s noticeable that there’s an undercurrent of strain between Max and Elizabeth. Since his attempt at deception and open admission of his feelings for her, they hadn’t crossed paths.

During our dinner, Max unexpectedly shares his thoughts on the ongoing Venetian issue, which I happen to side with. Unfortunately, this just seems to fuel Franz’s growing frustration. As a gamer, it feels like we’ve hit a roadblock in our quest for consensus.

In a disagreement, both he and Max find themselves in conflict, as Franz staunchly objects to marrying Marie. The situation becomes increasingly tense when Marie, in turn, confronts Max, suspecting that his actions during dinner were aimed at winning over Elisabeth rather than showing affection towards his own sibling.

It might be inconvenient, but Elisabeth informs Franz that she intends to console the family of the late Venetian by expressing her sympathies. Initially, Franz is opposed, but he reconsiders his stance the following day, right as Elisabeth was preparing to depart covertly.

Under disguise at Elizabeth’s royal court, Elizabeth and Franz successfully locate the family to break the sad news about their son’s demise. This encompasses the young man who was initially introduced in the episode.

They give a letter and some money, but the family declines. This gesture leaves the young man deeply moved, feeling that Empress Elisabeth truly cares for the people, while the woman he’s with appears skeptical. The emotional incident seems to have an impact on Franz, as he and Max slowly repair their bond.

Although he might never forget Max’s deeds, he chooses to pardon him in order to mend their relationship. Gradually, Franz finds himself aligning with Max’s thoughts and proposes granting him the position of Viceroy for Lombardy-Venetia.

It appears that the relationship between Franz and Elisabeth is strengthening again upon their return home, where they are greeted by their daughters and an apparently displeased Sophia. However, I seem to have forgotten about Sophia’s activities during Franz and Elisabeth’s absence.

While keeping an eye on her grandkids, she collaborated intimately with Alexander von Bach, who was given significant duties by Franz during his absence. In the end, Alexander chose to pen a letter to Leontine’s father, proposing marriage, which initially left her feeling distressed and causing her to reject his proposal.

After coming back from the journey with Franz and Elisabeth, she admits her deep affection for him and suggests they secretly get married instead. During their collaboration, it became clear that Alexander was growing to understand more about Sophia’s nature.

I find myself increasingly aware that she exhibits traits of cruelty and vengeance, yet I remain reluctant to disclose this knowledge to Franz and Elisabeth.

The Empress Season 2 Episode 4 review: Every parent’s worst nightmare

To start off, I’d like to give you a heads-up that this upcoming episode is incredibly emotional for multiple reasons. This is the episode I had been apprehensive about the most, so please take note.

Following their journey through Lombardy-Venice, Franz and Elisabeth are now enjoying quality family time, particularly with their daughter Sophie. However, as typical in the realm of royals, tranquility seldom lasts long; Hungary emerges as their next significant concern.

Elizabeth proposes that they all head out together to ensure a fun time for the kids. Despite Sophia’s strong opposition to Elizabeth joining them, even offering her kittens as an incentive to remain behind, Elizabeth manages to persuade them and the family sets off on their journey.

Initially, everything seems alright, but soon after, Sophie starts feeling an upset stomach. Before long, she experiences both diarrhea and vomiting.

The preferred physician isn’t present; instead, a doctor whom Elisabeth dislikes shows up, diagnoses Sophie with teething symptoms, but Elisabeth disagrees and decides to stay by Sophie’s side, causing Franz frustration since he needs Elisabeth’s help and thinks her concerns are misplaced.

On the following day, Sophie appears to have made a full recovery, allowing Franz and Elisabeth to extend their visit. During this time, they interact with some of the local villagers. However, later that very night, Sophie’s condition deteriorates.

She looks very white, refuses liquids, and has a high temperature. A different physician enters, sharing the grim announcement that Sophie might be battling Typhoid fever, a disease notorious for claiming young lives.

For the following days, Elizabeth stays right beside Sophie, both of them praying and fretting over her healing process. However, when the climax of the episode unfolds and a fresh morning dawns, Elizabeth and Franz are hit with the most dismal outcome imaginable.

Sophie had passed away in her sleep at the age of 2.

In summary, among all events in the episode, this particular incident stands out as particularly unfortunate. However, there are still two heartbreaking tales left untold. Transitioning now to Leontine’s story, we discover that she is expecting a child but deceives everyone, including Elisabeth, by claiming to be sick instead.

Consequently, she won’t accompany Elizabeth to Hungary. Instead, she maintains a distance from Alexander, yet after a heartfelt discussion regarding their future, it transpires that he prefers to marry within the palace walls, opting against fleeing together.

Consequently, Leontine considers an orphanage as a potential placement for her newborn. During this time, Alexander receives a visit from the genuine father of Leontine, who intends to clarify the perplexing correspondence Alexander had sent him.

Alexander confides in Leontine’s father about his deep affection for her and his intention to propose marriage, attributing her silence in communicating with her family to her obligation towards Empress Elisabeth. However, the conversation proceeds smoothly until Alexander encounters photographs that he believes depict Leontine. This revelation shatters the moment.

Recognizing that this isn’t the Leontine he’s been infatuated with, he confronts Margarete, who happens to be Sophia’s attendant. It turns out that Margarete has been secretly taking the same medication Elisabeth was forced to use. In a surprising disclosure, she tells him that before Amalia passed away sadly, she had pictures of Leontine.

In simpler terms, instead of saying “Alexander approaches Leontine, challenging her about all the matters at hand,” you could say, “Alexander talks to Leontine, asking many questions, but she remains tight-lipped. However, she admits her feelings for Alexander.” This way is more natural and easy to understand.

However, that’s not sufficient. Alexander intends to stand in for her, essentially commanding her to gather her belongings and depart. In compliance, Leontine complies, tearing the gown from the palace and disposing of it in the forest, expectant and isolated.

Lastly, but by no means least significant, is the tale of Ludwig – Franz’s younger sibling who has not made an appearance since season 1. Interestingly enough, he’s been dedicating time to learning the piano, while a companion hones his vocal skills.

In just a few moments, it’s evident that, despite his youth, Ludwig has begun to harbor romantic feelings towards his male companion. Noticing this, his mother Sophia swiftly departs to seek guidance from religious figures.

It’s evident that Ludwig is forbidden from playing music, which leaves him in tears and forces him into regular meetings with the priest. This involves frequent prayer on a wooden block that might injure his knees. While some might find this severe, Sophia insists it’s essential to prevent her son from embracing homosexuality.

The Empress season 2 episodes 3 and 4 are a lot to process

Knowing in advance that Sophie, the child of Franz and Elisabeth, was destined to pass away held a double-edged quality for me. While I hoped it would help soften the blow of the impending tragedy, it also brought an unwanted burden of anticipation.

But in reality, I still cried uncontrollably. It’s just another addition to the constant rotten luck that seems to follow Franz and Elisabeth wherever they go.

If their marriage doesn’t seem to be on the brink of collapse every other day, it’s because they’re dealing with the strain of maintaining their empire and recent personal family tragedies. Frankly, I can’t help but feel apprehensive about the last two episodes, as we’ll witness how Sophie’s passing affects Franz and Elisabeth’s lives irrevocably.

I’m wondering if Leontine has left permanently or if she might come back. It’s tragic that Ludwig had to endure hardship just for being himself, given the intolerance of society during his time. In reality, Ludwig wasn’t just homosexual, but also a cross-dresser – a fact that would render his struggles in vain.

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2024-12-02 05:28

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