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 Church rises up against the King, commanding him to end his adultery with Montespan. The bishop Bossuet forms an alliance with Father Pascal, who has come to the Court at the Queen’s behest to return order and morality to the Palace.

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.

Louis is afflicted by terrible insomnia, which feeds his paranoia. He dismisses Fabien from his duties, and distances himself more and more from his entourage - with the exception of Montespan.

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.