The Serpent Queen

I really didn't know what to expect from this show. Episode 1 was really perfect. Without giving away spoilers, it's really hard to give a full review. Samantha Morton and Liv Hill did an excellent job playing Catherine.

The acting, directing, and cinematography was spot on.

Charles Dance from The Game of Thrones was perfect as the Pope.

And Colm Meaney as King Francis was a great choice.

The tone of the first episode was tense, with relief later in the episode.

The bringing of Catherine's court was brilliant.

Breaking the fourth wall was an inspired choice, letting the viewer in on the inner thinking of the queen and queen to be.

The strength and cunning that Liv Hill and Samantha Morton give Catherine makes this a very exciting version of a historical figure.

As a first episode, it was awesome. The fact that it is a miniseries is a little disappointing.

This is an add on to my review. After watching the full series, it was so much better than what I had expected. If you like period pieces, you will love this original take on Queen and Mary. It's just so good.

There are few moments in history as rich in potential for story telling as 16th century Europe. And fewer still lineages as fabled as that of the Medici's. The Serpent Queen makes full use of the vast accoutrements offered up by this period and delivers an engaging historical drama.

Wit, a spectacular cast, clever dialogue, novel direction, and beautiful cinematography are just a small sample of this wonder series.

Though there's nothing new about period dramas, there is little to no rehashing here of the same. Every scene seems inventive in its delivery. Leading the effort is the brilliantly executed character of Catherine. No small role, both Liv Hill and Samantha Morton are equal to the task. Hill in particular is outstanding.

In a time where every series seems filled to the brim with magic or flying reptiles it is refreshing to watch something that takes a real story and hits it out of the park.

This series is really excellent. As any other series based on historical persons and events, it's a mixture of facts and fiction, and I'm totally okay with that, as long as the fictional parts don't wander off too far from what really COULD have happened. The story of Catherina de Medici's life (here pictured until the death of her first son and herself becoming the regent of France) is exciting and involving, the settings are beautiful and authentic, the costumes luscious, and the acting of all major parts is great. With special mention of Samantha Morton, she is absolutely brilliant as the scheming, highly intelligent and outwardly ice-cold Catherina, who still at a few times poignantly shows her inner emotions.

I still had a few minor reservations. The makers made Catherina and a few other major characters by means of a voice-over the narrators of the story, for me this didn't really add anything (unless at times some confusion as to the chronology), and they also let these characters at several unexpected moments step through the fourth wall to directly address us viewers, for which I didn't much care either. The dialogues of especially the male characters (the Bourbons, the Guises, Montmorency) had a very nowadays and thus a bit of an anachronistic ring to them, for instance the profuse use of the F-word in every other sentence. And the at times rude and condescending way with which some courtiers and members of the Privy Counsel addressed their royal superiors seemed to me rather improbable in those strict hierarchy-centered times.

But for the rest: a riveting and visually beautiful series, I can hardly wait for the second season!

The Serpent Queen is one of the most engaging shows out at the moment. Exceptionally well written and acted, it flows along and keeps you watching and waiting for the next instalment.

Samantha Morton dominates, delivering her lines effortlessly with both subtly and deadly force, she becomes Catherine and reminds you of how an actor can take you away.

While other shows with dwarves & dragons spend millions trying create atmosphere, this show does it with the English language.

Catherines story concludes as it does in history, I hope they pick another character from time and give it the same treatment.

I've waited until episode 7 to write my review. I was a bit hesitant to form opinions as I did take issue with some of the creative aspects of the series but yet, I kept coming back. I wanted to see what happened next and how certain events would be handled. I've found I even look forward to it. I wasn't sure of Samantha Norton's portrayal of Catherine De Medici in the beginning. I felt her portrayal was a tad bland for such a colorful historic figure. But it didn't take long to see the power in the reserved manner in which she's approached it, something I've come to very much appreciate. The costuming and set design are very well done and the cast delivers their roles convincingly.

This show has exceeded my expectations with a fresh approach to a somewhat tapped genre. And it's done so without cartooning the subject matter, something difficult it seems, when other similar approaches have failed.

I recommend giving it a shot, but give it a few episodes to get in tune with what the show is trying to offer. It's unique in its approach.