The Musketeers “The Good Soldier” 

The Duke of Savoy arrives in Paris to sign an important treaty with France. Savoy uses the attempt against his life to his advantage as he’s looking for any excuse to throw the French over for his preferred ally, Spain. So when Gontard confirms that Cluzet, Savoy’s former Chancellor, is being held in prison, Savoy thinks he’s found his excuse to back out. However, Savoy doesn’t find Cluzet in prison because France’s best spy – the Duchess of Savoy and the King’s sister- warns the Musketeers that Cluzet is about to be discovered.

Five years ago Aramis survived a massacre during a training mission near the French border of Savoy. Believing the Musketeers were there to dispose him, Savoy acted within his rights to end the lives of those moving against him. Marsac, a former Musketeer who was also part of that training mission, saved Aramis’s life, but watched from the sidelines as his comrades were murdered. Unable to forgive himself with his own cowardice, Marsac disappeared only to become branded a deserter as well. But with Savoy back in Paris, he knows now is the time to seek his revenge.

But Aramis wants to know the truth of the matter. He seeks justice. He recruits D’Artagnan to help him discover the real story and together they find that it wasn’t the Spanish who butchered their friends. It was Savoy and he has proof. They discover a man who bragged about killing Musketeers when he was in the Duke’s employ five years ago. But how did Savoy know where the Musketeers would be? It was Treville who gave Savoy the intelligence, but he was ordered to do it by the King to keep his sister safe. So, France outwits Savoy for now and the Duchess’s cover is maintained. I can’t help but wonder if the fact that the Duchess is in love with the man she’s spying on is a good or bad thing.

Random Thoughts:

– I love how Athos knows that Aramis is hiding something almost immediately and although he could never believe Treville guilty of treason, he knows Aramis has to pursue this until he can discover the truth. I also love that Athos takes his duel with Savoy so seriously. There’s definitely a moment (or two) when it seems like Athos won’t be able to control himself. And he’s the one who discovers Aramis’s mark on the Duke’s back.

– I really admire a man who believes in honor. Say what you will about these Musketeers, but it’s important for them to discover the truth of any matter before they act, even if that truth is ugly or hard to bear. And even though we’ve seen many sides of Aramis before this episode, we’ve never seen this. Usually he’s flirty or funny or brave, but now we realize just how seriously he takes his friendships and the pursuit of justice.

– D’Artagnan and Constance continue their little dance. She’s surprised to see D’Artagnan packing, even though she’s tells him to leave after he shows loyalty to the Musketeers over her. All is well when he apologizes for lying and promises never to do it again. And when Marsac’s flirting gets him nowhere, he suggests Constance would be more open to his advances if he was D’Artagnan. D’Artagnan has to intervene when Marsac gets rough and threatens his life if he acts inappropriately again. Constance tells D’Artagnan he can make amends for all the trouble he’s brought to her door by teaching her to shoot and use a sword. Why should men have all the fun?

– I love that Savoy hates Richelieu and refuses to hide his disdain. It’s refreshing when someone gets to talk to Richelieu like they think he’s nothing. Every once in a while I think it would benefit the Cardinal to be reminded that he isn’t God. If it wasn’t for the Duchess and the Musketeers, Cluzet would’ve been discovered and it would have been a disaster for Richelieu. Maybe he’ll realize just how valuable they are to him, but hopefully not so much that he tries to get them to work for them. The Musketeers are still soldiers and as Aramis says, he will follow his orders to his death.

Some great lines:

Richelieu: “You’re very sensitive for a man in the business of killing.”
Captain Treville: “Death in battle is one thing, but your world of back alley stabbings and murder disgusts me.”

Richelieu: “Honor? There’s no word in the language more likely to cause stupidity and inconvenience.”

The Musketeers airs Sundays at 9/10c on BBC America.