Catherine Takes Revenge on "All Saints Day" in the Season 2 Finale of 'The Serpent Queen'

The Season 2 finale of The Serpent Queen begins with Princess Margot throwing a major tantrum after hearing that she is to marry her cousin, Henri of Navarre, as her brother, King Charles, dodges the flying furniture and attempts to calm her down. Once free, Charles tackles his mother and tells her that since he’s converted to Protestantism, Margot and Henri’s marriage is unnecessary. But Catherine disagrees, claiming the wedding is the only way to end the civil war. Catherine tells Charles he is dying, and his conversion won’t matter for much longer. Charles responds that he may be dying but is resolute and suggests she entertain herself elsewhere.

Margot: “Run me a bath!”

Antoinette de Guise and her son Francois reconsider their tactics to bring their family to power. He seems tired of the fight and suggests that they should send Antoine away, out of the reach of the Catholic League, and that Annette should retire from the court. But Antoinette is not giving up just yet on the original plan and instructs Francois to write Margot a letter suggesting a private meeting so he can seduce her. Once word is out, Margot will be damaged goods, the marriage to Henri will not occur, and as Margot’s husband, Francois will take the throne. Rahima intercepts Francois’s letter to Margot and shows it to Catherine, who shrugs it off. 

Strolling together on the grounds with Jeannette, Catherine remarks that she seems out of sorts and offers a friendly ear. Jeannette admits she fears the marriage between Henri and Margot may be in jeopardy because Margot is impure! (or so she’s heard from Antoinette). With breathtaking sincerity and sympathy, Catherine agrees that the rumor is a terrible blow. She promises a full inquiry and a medical examination; if necessary, she’ll send Margot to a nunnery. That settled, Catherine suggests Jeannette indulge in some retail therapy, offering a chance to shop in Paris. Jeannette, thoroughly hoodwinked, agrees with pleasure.

Jeannette happily shops in Paris, only to enter an establishment where Angelica poses as an assistant. She recommends a pair of leather gloves, which Jeannette tries on only to realize something is in them*, burning her. She can’t remove them and, collapsing, dies. The Bourbons gather to grieve Jeannette at Edith’s encampment after learning the news. Rahima offers condolences as Catherine denies any involvement. However, the Bourbons’ suspicions grow when she agrees to pass the Regency on to Edith as soon as Henri and Margot’s wedding is consummated; she even offers Edith and her followers safe passage to Paris. Montmorency also is suspicious of the whole arrangement, as he should be. 

(*Catherine popularized perfumed gloves, which were an Italian fashion. She is also credited for inventing death by poisoned gloves.)

Catherine finds Alessandro in the gardens, where he tells her he’s leaving for the New World. Since he’s planning to leave imminently, she invites him to a last dinner at Margot and Henri’s wedding. Meanwhile, Charles is snipping away at his bonsai when Anjou visits, only to tear up and leave when he is reminded the crown will be his soon. Charles’ next visitor is Catherine, who is arriving with an emergency. Even as they speak, Margot is in bed with Francois! Sure enough, the happy couple are engaged in some lackluster lovemaking when Charles bursts in and tells Francois to get out. Charles blames Margot for everything, insists she must marry Henri, and slaps her. Before he leaves, he asks Catherine if she’s happy now, and Margot, in tears again, begs her for help.

Henri prepares for his wedding with a new outfit; he is quite cheerful as he likes Margot. His father and uncle warn Henri about evil, predatory women, as Antoine becomes quite paternal, sad that Henri’s mother is not with them, expressing concern and love for his son. Henri, by far the sharpest knife in the Bourbon drawer, tells his father he enjoyed being at the center of intrigue and power but doesn’t have strong feelings about it; he’ll be okay. Antoine, taken aback, mutters his son is “a total psychopath” as he leaves.

Edith and her followers arrive in Paris and gather outside the Cathedral, where Henri and Margot will be married. Antoine Guise is the officiant and asks the congregation if there is any reason why the wedding should not take place. (Antoinette nudges Francois, who says nothing.) The couple is told to bow their heads to indicate they assent to the marriage. Henri does, but Margot stubbornly holds her head high until Anjou pushes it down. Edith and her followers cheer as the bells peal, signaling the two are officially married. Next stop: the banquet at Catherine’s new, lavish palace, where she requests the guests leave their weapons in the care of her guards. But before the party starts, Montmorency finds Catherine and suggests they should take the opportunity to heal old wounds. He proposes they leave the court for a peaceful retirement together, preserving the good he knows Catherine possesses. She agrees to meet him in the courtyard following the festivities.

We enjoy yet another embarrassing bedding in which Henri and Margo simulate the consummation of their marriage in seconds. Anjou criticizes the performance as too quick; Catherine approves of the couple’s efficiency. Meanwhile, Antoinette de Guise and Antoine de Bourbon find themselves a nice corner to bond over his wife’s passing, whom he only cheated on with Antoinette a few times. They also share misgivings about Henri and Margot’s marriage and Edith’s growing power. She suggests they leave together, but he declines – it’s his son’s marriage.

Catherine asks her son Charles for one last favor: to sign the Regency over to Edith. Charles, already drunk, is confused, but Catherine distracts him with his new betrothed, Cici of Austria, before he can ask questions. Charles then proposes a toast to the newlyweds and the new Regent of France. Alessandro is surprised to find the religious pendant he gave Catherine hidden beneath his plate. At almost ten o’clock, Aabis delivers a note to Anjou, who is off playing cards, which reads, “10 p.m.” He burns it as outside, armed cavalry soldiers gather.

Edith brings up the Regency agreement, and Catherine agrees it’s time and slashes her throat. Montmorency is also killed as he heads to meet Catherine. At the stroke of ten, the wedding feast transforms into mass slaughter, led by a masked Anjou, who says, “The House of Guise says hello.*” Ruggieri stabs Alessandro as Charles guides Cici out of the room, aided by Francois. Catherine burns the Regency document. Upstairs, Margot and Henri realize what’s happened when Anjou and his followers barge in. Margot stands defiant; Anjou bows as Margot and Henri, hand in hand, leave to find Catherine. Margot states Henri will not be killed; the other crowned heads of Europe do not look kindly on regicide. Catherine shrugs and welcomes Henri to the family. Charles arrives, declaring Edith, Montmorency, and the Bourbons dead and his mother guilty. She points out Edith’s followers will attack when they learn what transpired. Defeated, Charles orders the Protestants slaughtered.

(*If this all sounds vaguely familiar, this is the real-life historical event George RR Martin used as the basis for The Red Wedding in Game of Thrones.)

As for Rahima, she is locked in her room; Catherine unlocks the door and tells her Alessandro is dead. Rahima stands there expectantly, waiting for Catherine to kill her. Instead, Catherine asks how Rahima expected things to end. Rahima says God will not forgive Catherine; the Serpent Queen rolls her eyes: God doesn’t care. Rahima responds if Catherine kills her, she’ll murder her own flesh and blood; Rahmina is pregnant with Alessandro’s child. Catherine sighs and orders the guards to bring Ramina food. 

The following day, Catherine states that this was a failed coup attempt. The Catholic League is hanged, and the Guises are imprisoned. Antoine’s faith is destroyed, and he swears revenge on Catherine. The Bourbon Bros survive; Antoine crawls out of the Seine and Louis from a mass grave. Charles is getting sicker, though there’s always the spare, Anjou, who is not the most stable of this decidedly unstable family. At least Margot and Henri have a vaguely happy ending... until Starz decides to greenlight Season 3 anyway.

The Serpent Queen Seasons 1 and 2 are streaming on Starz.