Versailles

A position becomes vacant following a poisoning. Pregnant Madama de Montespan exerts her influence. Plans are afoot to find Louis' brother a wife. A writer is tasked by the king with extolling the virtues of his reign.

The king's bad example is blamed for the nobility's immorality, fuelled by illicit love potions and powders. Philippe must meet his new bride. Another victim of poisoning confounds Marchal.

A cool welcome awaits Princess Palatine both in the palace salons and her new husband's bed, but Sophie's destiny is worse. Marchal finds a prime suspect for the poisonings.

Madeleine de Foix is thrown into prison; Louis and Montespan's child becomes gravely ill; the church continues to pressure the King; Thomas demands Cassil provide him with confidential information on Louis' plans in Holland.

The king's continued insomnia renders him even more volatile, so loyalty counts for little as Marchal finds to his cost. Claudine investigates the mystery toxin, while Sophie seeks a solution to her miserable marriage.

Debauchery is banned when Marie-Therese takes charge while Louis is away at war. However, signing an urgent treaty requires a man's touch, if Philippe can be persuaded to play his part. On the battlefield, the king meets his match.

Clandestine discussions and an unexpected close encounter take their toll on Louis' mental state. At the palace mistrustful de Montespan questions where Madame Scarron's heart lies, while Queen Marie-Thérèse appeals to mourning Marchal to return.

Louis resolves to reassess his relationships while Madame de Montespan is determined to make a memorable impression on him. Philippe fears losing another wife to the poisoning plot, and its unwitting victim Cassel has a revelation to make.

As Louis starts to doubt his divinity, devilish behaviour tempts some courtiers. Rejected Madame de Montespan hopes a dark ritual will restore her status, while Philippe toys with Thomas, prompting jealous Chevalier to respond recklessly.

Montespan and Gaston keep a low profile as the royal guards arrest all nobles implicated in the poison scandal; Thomas prepares to escape with Sophie; the Chevalier finally gets his vengeance; Louis finds his strength once again.