History Arrives on 'Marie Antoinette' As the Young Dauphine Becomes "Queen of France"

History arrives much sooner than we expected on the fourth episode of Marie Antoinette, as the young Dauphin and Dauphine officially become King and Queen of France. It's an elevation that it is immediately apparent neither of them is ready for, given that this is also the episode in which we see the duo bumblingly attempt (and fail) to have sex for the first time. But destiny waits for no one, and all the problems they two were hoping would work themselves out with time suddenly feel much more immediate than before.

That the event happens almost immediately following the pair's first public triumph is particularly disheartening, as — awkward failure at marital consummation aside — "Queen of France" is the first installment of the series that shows us either of the young royals experiencing anything like fun or joy. The episode opens with the two flirting adorably and plotting a late-night bedchamber visit to try royal babymaking before they head off for a private lunch date (complete with smooching!) on the grounds of the Petit Trianon. Everyone at court (except Provence and his acidic new wife, Josephine) seems relieved to see the royal couple finally getting along. They have certainly come a long way from the days when Louis ran away from the room when he accidentally locked eyes with his wife!

Things are going so well for them that King Louis has decided it's time for the people of France to meet their hot young future heirs, and the date of their first public appearance together in Paris is set. The best part of this is the way that everyone at court acts as though Louis and Antoinette are about to embark on some perilous journey to a far-off land instead of getting in a literal gold carriage to go what is maybe ten miles into one of the wealthiest and most famous cities in the world, but, hey, the French are nothing if not dramatic.