Rohan: "Do not boast about tomorrow, for you do not know what today will bring."

What's happening?

What are you doing?

Get your hands off me.

Cardinal Rohan, you are under arrest on suspicion of theft...

I beg your pardon?

by the authority of the King.

You can't be serious, Vergennes.

♪ Woman: So disrespectful.

Did Louis just have a cardinal arrested in public?

Not just any cardinal, a Rohan.

I don't know, I told you.

I know nothing of these fabled jewels.

The jeweler said you were a regular customer.

I have purchased things from them, but for a lady.

Mm.

Mm.

You all right?

Every time he lies, I feel violently sick.

Your lies sicken the Queen.

So who has the wretched necklace?

[Scoffs] Louis: Speak.

The guard.

Her Majesty's special guard.

I'm sorry, who?

If there has been a theft, as you say, it was probably him.

I have no special guard.

And does this man have a name?

In your letters, Your Majesty, I am sure you mentioned an Armand.

He is insane.

I did not write to him.

Not of the necklace, of course, but the Queen and I developed a dear friendship after my generous contributions to her charity.

Why on earth would I enter into correspondence with a man I deplore?

Your words are knives, Your Majesty.

I will not survive them.

Enough.

We can settle this.

[Door opens] Louis: Boehmer, did you ever see a guard--Armand?

A guard was present during the handover, yes, but it was made quite clear that he was acting under the Cardinal's orders.

He was there.

No!

Louis: So you were not there?

No.

I mean, yes.

I was there, but I was making the purchase on behalf of my very dear friend.

Louis: Thank you, Boehmer.

The name of the Queen is precious to me.

It has been compromised.

[Door closes] Remove Cardinal Rohan to the Bastille until he starts making sense.

No.

My dear friend, I beg of you.

Please, release me from my bonds, please.

Wait.

Thank you.

That charity, the one you donated to, what was it called?

Why, The Poor Fallen Women.

[Door opens] Majesties, please, not the Bastille.

I am a Rohan.

No.

Please!

Not the Bastille, no!

Your Majesty, not the Bastille!

I want a full investigation.

[Door closes] Summon Prosecutor Fleury.

And search Rohan's apartment.

Come on, come on.

♪ Rohan, you filthy bastard.

[Slam] Man: In the name of the King!

Up the stairs.

You men, heraus!

Go, go, go, go, go!

Upstairs.

Oh, thank you.

[Approaching footsteps] ♪ [Pounding on door] ♪ Louis: Your conclusion, Prosecutor Fleury?

Well, he definitely stole it.

If that's true, where is it?

We've searched his apartment already.

He is not going to keep it where it can be found.

He's probably already sold it.

With His Majesty's permission, I will see to it that the jeweler is adequately compensated and that the Cardinal is punished, discreetly.

I'm sorry, "discreetly"?

There are already rumors circulating that the Queen bought a monstrously expensive necklace behind my back.

It's dangerous for the people to think I would be so frivolous, especially after Saint-Cloud.

Vergennes: I think we can all agree that we don't need the Rohan family sticking their sizable noses into the situation unnecessarily.

If this were anyone else, he would be subject to a public trial.

Her Majesty is not, I hope, suggesting we put the Cardinal on trial in public?

Louis: She's right.

The man is lucky not to be charged with treason.

But he's also lucky enough to be a member of the most powerful family in France.

To harass an aristocrat of his standing through the courts, it is out of the question.

Vergennes, aren't the Rohans family friends of yours?

Quite instrumental in your appointment at court, were they not?

I-- It would be a trial like any other.

A jury or parliamentarians would not see it as such.

One of their own, apprehended like a common vagrant.

Parliament are loyal to the crown.

They will vote with their King.

Your Majesty, in the current climate, can we rely on the Parliament's loyalty?

Don't.

There is a lot to process.

You don't have to decide now.

Think on it.

Yes.

Do.

♪ [Cell doors clanging] [Man wailing] Man: No!

No!

No!

♪ [Creak] [Door slams] Did you do it?

Took your bloody time.

Did you steal the necklace?

For the love of God, no.

The Queen swore me to secrecy.

She wrote to me, but I cannot explain what happened without betraying her trust.

Well, she denies everything.

She says she never wrote to you.

The letters are in my apartment.

We searched there already.

Rohan, she wants a public trial.

Can she do that?

I don't know.

[Sighs] You want the truth?

She entrusted me to purchase the necklace without her husband's knowledge.

Ah.

♪ Rohan, please, contact your family.

The devious bitch is coming for me to save her own skin.

♪ Orléans has made the Palais Royal his own, filled it with discontent.

But if I am to spread my ideas further, I need a secret network.

Your secret network.

The Freemasons.

There are lodges in every town and village across Europe, full of men hungry for ideas.

[Door opens] I thought you were with your book club.

We're having a spiritual consultation.

Oh, piss off with your heresies.

The only magic you've ever done is to evade being burnt to a crisp in Strasbourg.

Magic's simply knowledge that others do not possess.

Same time tomorrow?

What are you playing at?

He wants to help us.

Great idea.

He could conjure up devils to haunt the queen.

Oh, if you spent five minutes thinking about anything other than her, you might see the bigger picture.

Jealous?

No.

Our two main points of attack a land tax, levied at all landowners to relieve the poor of additional taxation and a program of economic stimulation, including abolishing internal customs barriers.

It's certainly punchy.

It's exactly what I wanted.

And exactly what we need.

Hmm.

But the land tax will be controversial.

We need to introduce it gently.

There's no rush.

No rush?

Well, we need to fix the deficit now.

His Majesty, I believe, is aware that raising taxes on the nobility would make the chance of any of them voting in his favor in, say, a public trial rather slim.

Which would imply he's thinking of not proceeding with Rohan's prosecution.

Thank you, Calonne, for your hard work.

This stays between us for now, understand?

Get some rest and a bath.

I know the Queen is upset, but-- Vergennes, I haven't decided yet.

The Queen and I are one body.

Rohan wishes to attack my wife's reputation, he attacks ours.

Thank you, Vergennes.

[Door opens] [Door closes] Bit awkward.

I've just been reassuring the aristocracy that your desire to publicly insult one of the most influential families in France was not, in fact, an expression of disdain for all they hold dear.

Thank you so much.

Still, it has got me wondering, should I be concerned for your state of mind?

A strategy is in place.

Oh, good.

You know, for a moment, I thought you'd systematically pissed off every strata of society by accident, but, no, there's a plan.

Those who benefit from a broken system are always going to be... annoyed when it heals.

Been reading books, have we?

Times are changing, brother.

♪ [Gurgling] ♪ [Gurgling continues] ♪ [Inhales] It's nothing.

[Groans softly] Just Rohan and the stupid necklace... turn my stomach.

[Exhales] Have you still not bled?

♪ Can't do it again, Yolande.

Whose is it?

I've been taking precautions after Louis' visits.

So Fersen pulled out too late.

He knows.

He knows.

He knows I can't do it again.

I'm-- I'm already falling apart.

♪ [Knocks on door] [Door opens] Good news, please.

Apparently, one Countess de Valois has the whole court thinking that you are the patron of the charity for the Poor Fallen Women.

She's been extorting donations in return for... promises of your favor.

Heh.

That's just-- [Sighs] Who would believe a thing like that?

[Clears throat] Marie-Antoinette: Ah.

Lamballe: I'm so sorry.

She was so very convincing.

She, um-- she had documents, and I thought she was my-- my true friend.

Find this woman.

I want her arrested.

Yes, Your Majesty.

Antoinette, may I explain?

It's all right.

As Superintendent, you're supposed to protect her.

♪ [Muttering] ♪ What?

Dear Marguerite, I see you everywhere.

I think only of you.

I dream only of you.

Everything else means nothing to me.

Bought a wallet to put your letters in.

They're all in order.

I don't read anything else.

[Door opens] I place them under my pillow.

I love you.

[Clears throat] You are going to love me.

Oh, I doubt it.

Louis is planning a land tax... [Sighs] payable by all social classes.

Does Parliament know?

Should they?

Well, which parliamentarian will we tell?

Perhaps one who's already disgruntled.

"To Marquis Malherbe."

Yes.

"From a concerned friend"?

Oh, very concerned.

"We wish to bring to your attention to the King's secret plan to tax the aristocracy."

If you ask me, Lamballe probably fell in love with the Countess.

Well, I didn't ask you.

That's the only reason why she'd be this stupid, other than her own stupidity, of course.

She's lonely... which is your fault, by the way.

My fault?

I loved her, and now I love you, even when you are being a poisonous gossip.

So it is her fault for being dull.

When one is lonely, one can overlook a whole host of things which indicate a friend might not be what they seem.

Is it really that complicated?

That may be so, but real friends offer practical solutions.

Savin, Pennyroyal, Rue, Ergo.

For when you can't overlook a problem anymore.

Drink this tea and go for a vigorous ride, and then, at least one of your troubles may be over.

♪ Thank you.

♪ Last but not least.

♪ [Pounding on door] Man: Open for the King's guard!

Open up!

[Pounding on door] Open now!

♪ [Pounding continues] Open now for the King's guard!

Uh!

♪ Ah... Jeanne de Valois!

Halt!

Come back!

♪ [Panting] Excuse me.

Ow!

Oh!

Guard: Hold on!

Stop, woman!

♪ Halt!

Aah!

Giddyap!

[Horse neighs] ♪ Stop, Jeanne de Valois!

You will go no further!

You are under arrest.

Halt!

♪ [Approaching footsteps] They've arrested her.

It's all right.

How could we have known?

At least we don't need to do any more silly crochet for silly babies that don't exist.

I thought I was helping them.

I thought if I crocheted enough clothes, God might forgive me.

Forgive you for what?

I could've been a fallen women.

I suppose I was.

Victoire... did you have a baby?

I was 14.

♪ A very powerful man liked me.

I assumed he'd marry me, but he already had a wife.

Adelaide took care of it... before anyone found out.

You have to understand, I was the King's daughter.

I didn't have a choice.

I have thought about what could have been... every day.

I am so sorry.

I will never have my own child... but Jeanne's charity allowed me to feel like a mother.

♪ Very good, my darling.

Just two more on the other side.

One more.

And now, lift your leg for me.

You're doing wonderful.

No, he's not.

Well, the doctors said the disease will get worse before it gets better, right?

[Door opens] [Door closes] What did the doctor say?

Louis?

Second, third, fourth opinions, they all agree with Dr. Brunier.

There is no hope.

Perhaps... it's time to try something different.

Whatever you have in mind... do it.

♪ We have to make a decision about how to proceed.

We can't keep a man like Rohan in the Bastille forever.

His treatment is causing concern and gossip.

How about you and you concern yourself with my reputation and not his?

♪ [Clears throat] Madame de Rohan... ♪ and--and indeed, all of the Rohans.

Welcome.

So you do know who we are?

Because when I heard that you had publicly arrested my great-nephew and thrown him in the Bastille, I assumed it was a case of mistaken identity.

Release him now before you inflict any further damage to the Rohan name.

I'm afraid you are ill-informed.

The Cardinal's been damaging your family name for years, hasn't he, darling?

Is that so?

And now he has the audacity to drag my name into his un-Christian little mess, lie in my court, and he doesn't he have the decency to do it well.

I came to speak to the King.

Then speak.

Your incompetence is currently only known to a few.

Proceed with this charade, and all of France will know that you're inadequate.

Release him or suffer the consequences.

I cannot.

Why?

Because... we are putting him on trial.

I'll be sure to save you a seat.

♪ Hmm.

♪ [Muttering] ♪ I say we use all the resources at our disposal to help the ordinary man see the truth.

And what's that?

A greedy, little mare who wanted a necklace so badly, she framed a poor clergyman.

He's hardly poor.

The situation -- This isn't about Rohan.

It's about our power-crazed King, the monarchy itself.

It's what we've been waiting for.

All right, Captain, what's our next move, then?

Send the Rohans our condolences.

Keep your printing presses operating.

Leave the rest to me.

♪ [Sizzling] ♪ I need your help.

I was wondering if you might be able to use the network to help Rohan?

No, I stay out of affairs of state.

[Scoffs] He's your patron.

Rohan's a big boy.

He can look after himself.

[Speaking foreign language] What?

It's Egyptian for "busy."

♪ It's true.

I collected money from the courtiers, but I didn't know the charity was a fake at first, and by the time I realized, Rohan said he'd tell everyone I'd devised the scam.

Well, you must have profited from the deception.

No, not monetarily.

I did enjoy people thinking I knew the Queen.

Did you assist him in the theft of the diamond necklace?

No.

Wait, is that what he's saying?

Oh, my God.

He's going to blame it on me.

I promise, I had no hand in it.

If there was an accomplice, it was Cagliostro.

He relies on the Cardinal for his patronage.

He was always floating about.

He gave me the creeps.

It's not a crime to have a patron.

No, but you know Rohan.

He lies.

He preys on women.

He racks up secret debts, and he gets away with it because that's just the way it is.

I couldn't agree with you more.

What?

Wait.

Did you hear-- Marie-Antoinette: I wanted to see the woman who has been abusing my name.

Your Majesty.

It was never my intention to-- We are putting the Cardinal on trial.

Testify against him, and we'll consider reducing your sentence for charity fraud.

I would do so, Your Majesty, but to risk my own safety for the possibility of less time?

Rohan is a very powerful, very frightening man.

No, I understand.

Awfully small, these cells, aren't they?

Oh, God, I can feel the walls closing in.

Come on, Fleury.

Wait.

If I am to make a good impression on the court, I'll need a new hat.

Marie-Antoinette: Thank you for tonight.

It was important for me to see her.

And you were right.

Thanks to you, we now have a star witness against Rohan.

Do you believe her?

She's credible enough for a jury.

But is she telling the truth?

I think she is, yes.

I suppose we'd better issue another arrest warrant.

For who?

Rohan's accomplice-- Cagliostro.

♪ [Bottles clatter] ♪ Uh...

I should speak with the boy's parents.

That's not possible.

Why?

They don't want it to be known that they're consulting you.

I'm sure you're aware your methods are considered controversial in France.

Considered controversial everywhere.

♪ [Dog barks] Support the Cardinal.

Support the Cardinal, the victim of royal tyranny.

No one is safe from our tyrant King.

Support the Cardinal.

Support the Cardinal.

Calonne: What is the content of this mysterious missive?

"Suffice it to say, our Monarch is set on imposing upon the nation a universal land tax."

A land tax for everyone?

Even the clergy?

Clergy and nobility.

No wonder the King hasn't announced these policies.

He knows that Parliament will be in uproar.

But Malherbe, we've already lent him a fortune.

Why does he need to raise taxes?

Clearly he wants to be a liberal king.

It's ridiculous.

What does the rest of the royal family make of this betrayal?

[Door opens] Guard: Back off, move.

Back off.

Out of the way, move.

Man: What is the meaning of this?

Guard: Count di Cagliostro, you are under arrest, by authority of the Crown.

Take him.

Get up, sir.

Come with us.

This is an outrage.

No, no, no.

Let them take him.

Shame on the Crown.

This will play into our hands.

♪ Why didn't you tell me?

Why would I tell you?

Well, I mean, if it's my child-- our child, I deserve to know.

Look, I could play a part in its life, love them, and maybe teach them about-- I mean, Louis has never seen the world.

Who's gonna teach them about it?

I could be there sometimes.

You can't.

Well, if we were careful, then-- Look where careful got us.

'Toinette, please.

You will never be this child's father.

♪ I hear you're a whiskey drinker.

Not before dinner.

The Duke loves to host new friends.

Forgive him if he gets a little overexcited.

We are rather short of time, so you'll have to forgive me if I ask that you cut to the chase.

You and I have so very much in common.

Really?

I was under the impression that you were a radical now.

I want the same thing as you-- justice from a tyrant.

But politics aside, we believe we could help you.

And in return?

Front-row tickets to the Queen's demise.

Play this right, and no King will dare disrespect a Rohan again.

What do you have in mind?

There's someone you should meet.

Monsieur Target, sharpest lawyer in France.

I keep him on my payroll 'cause I want him to myself.

But I could be willing to share him.

♪ [Applause] [Applause] Sorry, old pal, not today.

Ha ha ha!

All is fair in love and war.

Spoken like a true cheat.

[Both laugh] [Applause] ♪ To new friends.

♪ Target.

I've been sent to represent you...

Thank goodness.

and will do so, on the condition that you accept the facts.

One, you're deluded.

Subjective.

Two, there's no charity for the Poor Fallen Women.

What?

Jeanne de Valois has been arrested for charity fraud.

She-- I'm sorry, what?

I know, I know.

Shocking.

Three-- I have a question.

At the end.

In three months' time, you'll stand in public trial for a crime for which, if you're found guilty will render you reputationally and financially ******.

Now, I can un**** you, but you must do exactly as I say.

Do you accept my terms?

Jolly good.

I'll now take any questions you have.

If Jeanne faked the charity, then she wrote the letters, not the Queen... which means Cagliostro was right.

Best not to name him.

He's been arrested as your accomplice.

Also, that wasn't strictly a question.

Am I a fool?

Yes, but that can be our little secret.

Thank you for coming.

I have information that could help Rohan and me.

Wow, really?

I thought you didn't.

There was a special guard--Armand, delivered messages.

He was the last one seen with the necklace.

I think he was working for someone.

This man was tall, dark, quite attractive.

He came from Alsace.

You need to find him.

Mm.

You know, you're just as much use to me in jail as out at the moment.

You're helping me paint the King as a tyrant.

♪ You can use the network.

Thought you'd never ask.

♪ Hello, wife.

Don't you ever knock?

Rereading your love letters from Marguerite, I see.

Well, you're not the only one who's receiving illicit correspondence.

♪ Oh, spit it out.

♪ Malherbe wishes to meet with me.

♪ Oh... ♪ Is that me?

Oh... That is so sweet.

Louis...

I think we should tell Antoinette.

She trusts us.

Not yet.

Why?

I mean, she knows something's wrong.

Because... once you know, your life is never the same.

If I could just spend a bit more time with him without seeing the awful future, then I would.

I can give her that, at least.

Please.

Solving the national crisis, are we?

Leave us.

♪ Oh... ♪ Is something wrong?

Nothing new is on fire.

Good.

I know you're into astronomy and the skies and all that.

♪ Well, I hear there's a lunar eclipse tonight.

I wasn't aware.

That is a first.

Do you remember when we were little, stargazing with Papa Roi?

We'd all lie on the front lawn.

You always hated those evenings.

The grass stains were a nightmare.

♪ He'd tell us to shut up and look up because "staring into the heavens reminds me of my--" "Divine purpose."

♪ I might go out and take a look later.

♪ Well?

You were right.

It worked?

He said he'll be there.

Oh, that's perfect.

Good boy.

Right.

Let's go make me a king.

Yes.

♪ There's still time for the tonic to work.

We could up the dosage, double it.

♪ And if it doesn't?

Then perhaps... make peace with it.

I just keep feeling it growing.

♪ I'm scared.

♪ I know.

♪ I'm sure you and your faction in the Parliament are deeply concerned about these tax proposals.

We are.

These reforms undermine the very fabric of society.

Some of my friends are even considering voting against the King in the upcoming trial.

That would be a terrible blow to the Crown... to the King's authority.

Well, the more traditional amongst us don't wish to weaken the King's position, but, uh-- Is that the King?

Oh, he's--he's been very stressed.

This helps him clear his mind.

Is he quite well?

These last few months, he's been getting worse.

♪ Arresting Cardinal Rohan, proposing a public trial, these wretched tax reforms.

I see.

♪ You were saying you didn't wish to weaken the King's position.

Yes... unless the King is unfit to rule.

Well, in that case, the regency would go to the Queen until the Dauphin comes of age.

That depends entirely upon whether the Queen's reputation survives the trial.

♪ [Birds chirping] ♪ [Door opens] ♪ Lamballe: Sorry if I'm interrupting.

It's fine.

Come in.

♪ [Sighs] ♪ All right?

Oh...ho ho.

Dauphin's first socks.

Oh... Got him these.

[Gasps] You did?

Mm-hmm.

♪ I'm worried about him.

♪ You know... Louis says he's going to be fine, that's all.

♪ I'm sorry Jeanne deceived you.

Don't be.

We all make mistakes.

♪ I know you want to punish Rohan for his crimes, but I don't think you should use Jeanne at the trial.

Jeanne is very clever.

She had the whole Court eating out the palm of her hand.

She is a consummate liar, and if you give her a platform, she could say anything.

Well, she will say the truth.

Yeah, until someone gives her a better offer.

'Toinette, please.

Stop it.

She's dangerous.

Stop.

♪ You are my Superintendent, so perhaps try supporting my case, rather than undermining it.

I can't because I would be failing you.

Then I don't want you at the trial.

♪ Then there is nothing left to say but good luck.

♪ I won't need luck.

I've done nothing wrong.

♪ ♪ The DVD version of this program is available online and in stores.

This program is also available with PBS Passport and on Amazon Prime Video ♪