Movies

The Empress season 2, episodes 5 and 6 review

BBG News

As a history enthusiast who has traversed through countless tales of royal families, I must say that The Empress has left an indelible mark on my heart and mind. This captivating drama series, with its intricate tapestry of power struggles, political machinations, and personal growth, resonates deeply with me due to the richness of character development it presents.

In the second season of “The Empress” on Netflix, tensions of impending war, the arrival of a successor, and an intimate exploration of grief from a royal standpoint are unfolding. Throughout the series, these elements have presented significant hurdles for Franz and Elisabeth to overcome.

Is there a possibility that Austria might have to engage in military conflict? If it does, what could be the potential impact on the monarchy and its subjects?

Episode 5: Grieving

Two months following the death of her daughter Sophie, Elizabeth has made her way back home to reunite with her dominating mother and younger kin. Despite her annoyance towards her mother, she prefers this living arrangement over being with her spouse.

Her days are spent barely eating and aimlessly wandering through the woods, harboring a profound resentment towards Franz, whom she partly accuses of their daughter’s death. After her mother expels Charlotte to take care of her daughter alone, she repeatedly tries to snap her daughter out of her state.

However, just like always, Elisabeth finds it difficult for everyone, including her mother, to accept her as she is, particularly in expressing her emotions freely, even grief. Interestingly, despite not being in contact with the family for some time, her eldest younger sibling seems to admire her for marrying out of love.

In the initial season, it was planned that Helene would wed Franz, but now she has discovered love on her own. However, their mother disapproves since they come from different social backgrounds. Elizabeth cautions her sister against marrying out of love, yet she remains unconvinced.

While she was there, Elizabeth endeavors to find her estranged father, who had chosen to reside among nomadic gypsies and travelers within the forest. He makes an effort to persuade Elizabeth to join him, explaining that they are both outcasts from societal norms, unable to conform.

In a woodland slumber, Elisabeth rejects something and subsequently dozes off. Upon waking, she experiences a vivid illusion of her daughter Sophie, which offers a lucid instant for her. This instance of understanding significantly improves Elisabeth’s condition. However, it is the tender affection and empathy from her mother that ultimately liberates Elisabeth. She starts to consume food, pens a letter in support of Helene’s marriage to the king, and embarks on her return journey towards Franz.

Franz is deeply distressed, resorting to alcohol and enduring his grief in solitude. Not even his mother shows sympathy for his daughter’s plight. He’s taking questionable actions like permitting money to be taken from Max and Marie, who aim to foster ties with the Lombards/Venetians, to bolster a burgeoning military force instead. This aligns perfectly with the wishes of his advisors, except for Alexander, as they crave war.

Since Sophia appears to be so distant from being a real human, she chooses this moment to arrange a match for her son, considering various noblewomen of high standing and influence. No one intervenes in this process.

Spotting Louise, Franz’s ex, at the theater, I opt for a more transient solution. Married Louise refuses my proposal to look after my son for the kingdom’s sake. However, she eventually reconsiders and visits him instead. Inebriated and distraught, Franz clings to Louise, thinking she is Elisabeth, returning home.

This leaves Louise feeling frustrated and disappointed, as she had assumed he was seeking her out. Luckily, no further incidents take place, and it is because of this that Franz eventually regains his senses and goes looking for his wife. Eventually, Franz and Elisabeth meet again on the same road, poised to cross each other’s paths.

In the heat of our gaming session, we found ourselves sharing secrets and strategies, understanding that to conquer this game and whatever challenges lay ahead, we needed each other. The sweetness of the moment was heightened when Elizabeth unveiled her new tattoo – a shining star, emblematic of our little girl Sophie, who binds us together like no high score ever could.

Instead, let’s rephrase this in a more conversational style: In contrast to all the planning, Sophia opts for an evening with Alexander instead, engaging in a delightful dinner and stimulating conversation. For a moment, it seems they might share a night together, but Sophia, always maintaining control, playfully flirts before retiring for the night, leaving Alexander on his own.

In the meantime, Max and Marie are grappling with their own difficulties since they’ve been attempting to pacify unrest in the Lombardy-Venetia region by using funds from Franz for educational institutions like schools, libraries, orphanages, etc. Yet, others insist that the money should be directed towards the military instead.

Due to Franz being under the influence of alcohol and easily influenced, he agrees. Moreover, when Marie started experiencing symptoms of her period, she requested a doctor. It was discovered that Marie is healthy, but Max, who has had multiple infections including syphilis, is infertile. After revealing this unfortunate truth about his infertility, Max asked Marie to remain with him.

Episode 6: War

The second season finale of “The Empress” opens with yet another leap in time, landing at the birth of their third child, a son named Rudolf, born to Franz and Elisabeth. Despite this joyous occasion, Elisabeth is far from elated.

It seems clear that she had a son to satisfy both her husband and, particularly, her mother-in-law, Sophia. Moreover, it is evident that she has grown more cautious in caring for Rudolf, and there’s a sense that she deeply misses Sophie, even going as far as visiting her grave.

However, Franz postpones his celebrations due to the disturbances caused by rioting in the Lombard Venetia region and support from the Kingdom of Piedmont for the rebels. In response, he issues an ultimatum to Piedmont: either they cease their aid, or Austria will be forced to declare war.

As this unfolds, Max and Marie choose to confront Franz about the issue at hand. They disagree over who is responsible, but truthfully, it’s Franz who bears the blame. He failed to listen or offer support to Max for an extended period, instead giving ear to warmongers. The situation worsens when, while awaiting a response from him, they receive the most devastating news imaginable in this context.

If they engage in a conflict with Piedmont, they’ll find themselves not only battling Piedmont but also unexpectedly facing France, who has been secretly preparing for this scenario. In essence, either Franz permits Lombardy-Venetia to break free from Austrian rule or he risks going to war against both Piedmont and France.

In anticipation of potential difficulties, Franz and Sophia contemplate marrying either Mimi or Marie Sophie, Elisabeth’s younger sister, to Francis II of the Two Sicilies. However, Elisabeth consistently objected, as she felt her sister was merely 16 years old and desired a marriage founded on love rather than political maneuvers.

When Mimi comes to stay with Elizabeth and Franz prior to her wedding, Elizabeth keeps changing her mind about something, even going so far as to consult Sophia. This confides to Sophia that Mimi has not yet had her first period. Unfazed by this information, Sophia attempts to turn Mimi against Elizabeth.

Indeed, this woman in question. Regrettably, when Piedmont persists in supporting rebels, leaving Franz no other choice but to declare war, Elisabeth finds herself resigned to her sister’s marriage. Despite the grim rumors about her future husband and his family, as well as the widespread animosity towards them, Mimi embarks on this union with a man she has not yet met and knows little about. However, she departs with the optimism that she can serve as an inspiring example for the populace.

Fortunately, Franz regains clarity, dismissing several advisors responsible for inciting this conflict. Among them is Max, who at last heeds his wife’s advice and decides it would be detrimental to remain apart from his family.

Previously, he had taken on a seemingly unachievable mission to please Franz, yet it proved futile. At last, they both decided to depart from the palace without informing anyone. With one more choice remaining, Franz opted to replace the existing general with himself. This move left Franz’s daughters, Elisabeth and Sophia, in shock, but as his wife, Elisabeth reluctantly stood by his decision.

Franz, who had never experienced a day on the battlefield, was viewed as too feeble by all of Europe. He felt compelled to take a stand and support his armies that were rapidly shrinking each day. Despite only trusting Alexander, he ultimately lost him as well. Elisabeth received an anonymous letter from Leontine without any return address.

She had been yearning for her council, and Charlotte’s revelation that Leontine was pregnant when she departed was sufficient for Charlotte. This information caused Elisabeth to inform Alexander, urgently asking him to search for her. As a result, Alexander decided to locate Leontine, relinquishing his position at the palace. A move which Franz found difficult not to endorse.

The season concludes with Franz setting off to fight, giving Elisabeth a ring shaped like a star as a token of love for their daughter Sophie. After he departs, little Sophia weeps inside the palace, causing Elisabeth to console her since they are the only family left while Franz is gone.

The Empress season 2 final episodes review

Initially, I must acknowledge that Elizabeth deserves immense praise for showing compassion towards Sophia, given their history of emotional torment. In truth, I believe I would have ended the relationship years ago, considering the mental anguish she’s endured at Sophia’s hands.

All in all, the second season of The Empress was just as captivating, intriguing, and impressive as its first. Previously, I noted that the shift from one season to the next was seamless and imperceptible. It felt like watching a single season or even a complete movie. Everything fit perfectly.

This show is exceptional and surpasses many others because of the single change it made. Although it’s a historical drama, some creative liberties were probably taken. However, I appreciate how this series presents another royal family so convincingly, it outshines shows like ‘The Crown’.

Indeed, the most recent historical drama that left a lasting impact on me, evoking a range of emotions throughout and lingering in my memory for weeks, if not years, was Showtime’s “The Borgias.” However, it’s important to note that this doesn’t mean other historical dramas were poor quality.

Instead of having the elusive recipe, it seems those series manage to endure, regardless of being underestimated or unknown to many. I am anxiously looking forward to a possible season 3, despite knowing what lies ahead.

Instead of enhancing its flawlessness, The Empress’s imperfections make it even more captivating. Life, after all, isn’t always picture-perfect, not even for an Empress ruling over an Empire. This drama reflects the raw truths and challenges of history that our world has witnessed. Unlike a lighthearted, escapist show, this one is designed to make us think deeply about the hardships and struggles that no one would wish upon anyone else.

Although being an Empress can be challenging, harsh, or simply unjust, that doesn’t necessarily require submission. Elisabeth embodies the essence of what it means to be a woman: the good, the bad, the unexpected, the suffering, and the happiness – all encompassed. This isn’t groundbreaking when we witness a tale (with artistic liberties) of a real woman who persevered through such hardships and yet found ways to endure, it’s incredibly empowering.

On numerous instances, I found myself resonating deeply with Elisabeth, experiencing a sense of understanding and approval with her reactions to various occurrences. Her story has touched me profoundly. It’s heartening to see that, despite the opinions of others, she remained steadfast in staying true to herself – such resilience is truly powerful.

Stream The Empress seasons 1 and 2 on Netflix.

Read More

2024-12-04 16:58

Previous post Steven Knight’s hit returning period drama confirms Christmas return date
Next post Your Guide to Spotify Wrapped, 2024