Catherine Has "A House Divided" in 'The Serpent Queen's Penultimate Episode

The penultimate episode of Season 2 of The Serpent Queen opens with a demonstration of Edith’s growing aggression toward Catholics. Her gang, including Aabis, (who isn’t dead!) puts a dagger to the throat of an elderly priest outside his church until he renounces his faith. We first met Edith in Season 1 as an abused child; now she’s coming into her full strength as a leader and warrior, making her Catherine’s newest addition to the enemies roster.

"According to patriarchy... we must bind our kingdoms together like farmers breeding swine."

The Catholic League, hardliners with immense power directly granted by the Pope, are still lurking about the palace and, with the cooperation of Antoinette de Guise, have developed a plan to ensure the rulers of France remain Catholic. They know Charles will not live long and Anjou is an unsuitable candidate; the only solution is for Francois to marry Margot and create a new Catholic line. Much to his shock, a petition has been drawn up to make Francois head of state. However, if he doesn’t do it for France, he needs to do it to save his brother, Antoine, who is under suspicion for his fling with Protestantism, and if proven, The Catholic League has a very nasty death planned for him.