‘The Serpent Queen,’ Episode 3 Recap: “The Price”
The excitement at the end of last week's episode, it turns out, wasn't because of a death. Catherine fooled us into expecting a poisoning, but it was an explosion in the kitchen. The cook, who loaded the tampered bread pan into the oven, is injured, and Rahima, the maid to Catherine de Medici, is blamed for it. While she protests her innocence, we know she planted the substance (provided by Catherine) that caused the explosion.
Catherine: “Be careful not to cloud your judgment. One is never safe when one is in love.”
As the servants discuss Rahima's punishment, Catherine appears on the kitchen steps to complain about breakfast being late. She warns them that Rahima is under her protection and whisks her away to choose a new dress to celebrate her victory. As they stroll the grounds, a man smiles approvingly at Rahima, and Catherine comments favorably on his interest. But she warns the girl against letting it go to her head. No one warned her of the hazards of love when she was young, and she wished they had.
