The
A-plot today is a D’Artagnan story, and as such, it’s a “D’Artagnan is out to
prove himself!” story. The king and the
cardinal have a wager going, that age-old question – who would win in a fight
between…? In this case, it’s one of the
king’s musketeers and one of Richelieu’s Red Guard (in my opinion, not nearly
as exciting as the Thor vs. Hulk showdown we got in The Avengers.) A champion
from each group will be chosen, and everyone will enjoy a little 17th-century
grudge match.
D’Artagnan
is bound and determined that the musketeer champion should be him, for a number
of reasons. He could do with the
generous prize money if he wins, he wants to display his skills before the king
and the musketeers’ captain, and most of all, he wants to show that he’s ready
to fight with the big boys. As his
friends point out, he’s currently a musketeer “in all but name,” and winning
the competition could finally earn him a commission.
In the
process, we learn a little more about D’Artagnan, both his strengths and
weaknesses. He’s far from my favorite
character in the show, so luckily for me, we have some nice material from all
the musketeers today. Athos helps D’Artagnan
train, and he reveals just how well he’s come to know his new friend, along
with the traits the two men share.
Meanwhile, Aramis and Porthos are on the lookout for “patronesses” to
supply them with their own admission fees for the competition, and Porthos has
a rather lovely side plot with the kind widow he pursues.
And Richelieu? After some important developments for his
character in episode 7, he doesn’t seem to have taken much of anything to
heart. He’s chiefly focused on the bet,
and he makes a few unsporting (and awfully foolhardy) decisions in the hopes of
ensuring his victory. Not his best hour.
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