Despair Is Rampant in 'Marie Antoinette's Penultimate Episode, “Madame Deficit”

In the penultimate Marie Antoinette episode of Season 2, “Madame Deficit,” it’s misery all around for the crown and its subjects. Antoinette will face the devastating loss of her new baby and be thrust into the seat of power when Louis descends into despondency over political losses. The people of France are starving and migrating to Paris seeking food. Their plight is only made worse by a hailstorm that wipes out crucial harvests. The only one having any fun is Orléans, who soaks up the political rewards of chaos at Versailles.

Several months after the cardinal’s disastrous trial, the queen’s been told it’s unsafe to be seen beyond Versailles. Antoinette won’t go outside or leave her apartment or baby Sophie’s side. Von Fersen leaves for London to find la Motte, who is blackmailing the queen with evidence of her illicit love letters. Antoinette promises to be back to her old self once he returns.

She’s still angry with Louis and Yolande for keeping the dauphin’s condition a secret and is distraught knowing his life will be cut short. By this point, 8-year-old Louis Joseph (Yusuf Bezahaf) uses a hand-cranked wheelchair, and one leg is in a brace. Antoinette readmits Lamballe as her bestie, then (finally) cuts Yolande out of her life after the princess divulges how Yolande left her to bleed out during her miscarriage. The countess can remain at Versailles but has lost the queen’s favor.