'Marie Antoinette's' Royal Couple Gets Some Romantic Help In "Deus Ex Machina"

After last week's disappointing installment, it's a relief that Marie Antoinette returns to its usual solid form in "Deus Ex Machina" an hour finally earns mature content advisory with many scenes attempting to explain the specifics of sex, even if the result is that Antoinette and Louis finally manage to figure out how to have some. (And it doesn't look like it was terrible, either! Way to go, you crazy kids!)

Much of the awkward meanness of "Rebel Queen" is glossed over, and while Louis and Antoinette are still on the brink of divorce, they seem as lost about the reasons why as we are. In proper period drama style, this relationship problem could be solved easily if they talked to each other. Instead, they get the next best thing: the Queen's older brother Joseph (Jonas Bloquet), Holy Roman Emperor and sex expert.

He arrives at Versailles, ostensibly to negotiate the Queen's divorce, but really to play Hallmark movie-style matchmaker and secure Louis's support to invade Bavaria. This involves lots of awkward, humiliating conversations, with topics ranging from petty marital disagreements to the specifics of their sexual struggles. All I can think is how fortunate it is Antoinette's firebreathing mother didn't show up to court. (Actually, that actually might have been fun.)