Versailles

A position becomes vacant following a poisoning. Pregnant Madama de Montespan exerts her influence. Plans are afoot to find Louis' brother a wife.

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.

A cool welcome awaits Princess Palatine both in the palace salons and her new husband's bed, but Sophie's destiny is worse.

Madeleine de Foix is thrown into prison; Louis and Montespan's child becomes gravely ill, the church continues to pressure the King.

The king's continued insomnia renders him even more volatile, so loyalty counts for little as Marchal finds to his cost.

Debauchery is banned when Marie-Therese takes charge while Louis is away at war.

Louis resolves to reassess his relationships while Madame de Montespan is determined to make a memorable impression on him.

As Louis starts to doubt his divinity, devilish behaviour tempts some courtiers. Rejected Madame de Montespan hopes a dark ritual will restore her status.

Montespan and Gaston keep a low profile as the royal guards arrest all nobles implicated in the poison scandal.