Reviewer Rating: 5/5.0
5
Beware of the Serpent Queen’s women, for they are ready to attack without warning.
The Snake Queen ignites this collection and ignites the mythical flames of family, wealth and fashion.
“Back Again” doesn’t waste a second between this episode and the previous one, picking up right after the events of the fiery premiere.
Katherine has a lot on her plate, but as seen in The Serpent Queen Season 2 Episode 2, she’s not the only mother capable of moving mountains for her own motives.
Snake Queen climbs onto the small screen with grace and ferocity
The series continues to set the standard with its meticulously crafted whimsical characters in every scene, distinguishing itself from other period pieces.
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Judging by her hair, clothing and general gestures, the Snake Queen raises her delicate hands and invites the audience to join in this absurd and interesting story.
The main problem with many period dramas is that the pace grinds to a complete halt with just one or two flowery words that confuse rather than excite.
Yet the Starz series holds its audience’s attention tightly, never letting a moment pass without pomp and circumstance.
Some might say it’s risky to fast-forward the show after its premiere season, but Snake Queen is reaping the rewards.
After just two episodes, the season is filled with possible storylines and plots created through the simplest of gestures and expressions.
The most obvious sign of a great series is that you have a cast of characters who can each easily lead their own series.
The strength of “Snake Queen” is its complex and fascinating characters, who bring a higher level of drama to every conversation and deliver decadent dialogue.
Sloppy mothers make sloppy men
Some mother bears will fight fiercely for their babies, and some black mamba mothers will attack once and then watch the light fade from their victim’s eyes and the poison begins to take effect.
Catherine may be the Snake Queen, but where there’s one snake, there’s always more, and in this series, the garden is filled with venom.
First, Antoinette Guise, despite her soft voice, crafted and dictated almost every word she said to her sons.
Madame Guise has a sweet smile and is the embodiment of “mother knows best”, even blackmailing Françoise in the first episode of The Serpent Queen Season 2.
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However, watching Antionette, played by Beth Goddard (“Outlander”), go head-to-head with Catherine is like watching an entire battle.
But for them, their weapons are words, not bloodshed but shadow and ironic destruction.
Then there’s Antoine’s wife Jeanne d’Albret, who’s as subtle as a shotgun and equally compelling.
From how her husband is afraid of her to how her son obeys her every command without Jenny barely uttering a word, this mother is not one to be trifled with.
But surprisingly, Catherine showed genuine affection for her children in this episode, especially Charles, who was as shocked as we were by the look on his face.
Still, she wouldn’t be Katherine if she didn’t turn around and knock the ever-living crap out of someone with that soft touch, like she did at the beginning of “The Second Coming.”
The kids, the courts and the council were all bad, but they maintained a close relationship
The Snake Queen is home to a cast of amazing and interesting characters who aren’t shy about hiding their agendas and motivations.
Sometimes siblings can play the meanest tricks, but in the case of Katherine’s children, there seems to be an honest connection, albeit fragile in nature.
Sure, siblings may sometimes tear each other up, but how can a lioness’s cubs play with each other?
Speaking of brothers and sisters, the Guise brothers seem to have perfected the idea of a complementary agenda as they work to bring the country under the control of the church.
Françoise played by Raza Jaffrey (Code Black) and Philippine Velge (Code Black) Things may get confusing after an exchange between Station Eleven’s Margot.
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Despite Françoise’s puppy-like eyes and calm personality, the man is one of the most dangerous characters, willing to burn innocent people and kill his former lovers.
If he had the ability to keep the secret, he would certainly have had direct influence and possibly control over one of Catherine’s daughters.
God help him if he goes this way, for the Snake Queen will most likely rain down hellfire on her children and country.
The Church Will Challenge the Serpent Queen’s Total Dominion
Aside from her insanely conspiracy-driven characters, the Serpent Queen’s real threat is the church and its desperate control over its people.
Locking innocent people in a church, setting it on fire, and then watching the flames burn is Old Testament type tyranny.
Historically, it’s no big secret that religion has been at the forefront of war and genocide for centuries, and the Snake Queen doesn’t try to sugarcoat it.
The church wants the people, the state, and total power, and burning down the church may be just the beginning.
None of this wins over the cold and calculating Catherine, played by Samantha Morton (The Walking Dead), for either Charles or Françoise.
It seems like this was a failed attempt, especially since it only encouraged the survivors and assured them that they were walking with the Lord.
But did you see that little priest girl’s side eye at the end?
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Oh, Françoise. You’ve done it now.
There is nothing more dangerous than a group of people who feel they have been chosen by God to survive the flames destined to burn them to ashes.
Things are about to heat up in a bad way for the Giese boys, because where there’s smoke, there’s fire, and Catherine will throw gasoline into hell and burn them all if necessary.
In just two episodes, The Serpent Queen showcases a series of lies, extravagance and deadly heroines.
How far do you think the Catholic Church is willing to go to achieve its agenda and goals?
Are you as surprised as we are that everyone in the Protestant church survived the fire?
Let us know in the comments below, and join us again as we review the next episode of Snake Queen!
