It’s interesting to read recent less than positive reviews of certain shows; Clint Worthington’s lukewarm review of The Serpent Queen on RogerEbert.com is missing quite a bit, but maybe the title of his review was more for pith than context. Of course Nic Pizzolatto’s whining about True Detective, Night Country; created, directed and written by Issa Lopez (it’s brilliant).
It’s irritating to see reviewers choose not to come out of their tightly held perceptions and watch movies and tv from a wider view.
The Serpent Queen is an impeccably written telling of the story of Catherine de Medici’s complex and extraordinarily progressive life. Erwin Stoff and Justin Haythe were able to see this woman; who committed vile acts in order to survive her mandated life, as the true anti hero she was. It’s not written with her as a sympathetic person; Haythe was purposeful with that perspective including the historic liberties taken in service to the script; none of which made the character played beautifully by Samantha Morton, more sympathetic.
Catherine’s confidant throughout the series is Rahima, a young servant who is taunted and abused by other servants and treated ruthlessly by Catherine through the series. Rahima is played exquisitely by Sennia Nanua. Rahima’s own self aware cunning brings this show along in a fantastic, dark way.
I write short reviews. This is a series to watch, enjoy and savor long after you watch the finale. It’s gorgeous to see and dark to know. Personally, I loved learning that Catherine didn’t kill herself in service to or out of despair of the patriarchy like so many characters fiction or not, seem forced to do. One that comes to mind is Elizabeth (Vicky Krieps) in Corsage, also the countless mothers who were either murdered or dead before a story even opens.
Find it on #Starz and enjoy The Serpent Queen.