Rochefort is revealed to have developed quite the uncomfortable-to-watch infatuation with the Queen, as he hires a prostitute to don a fancy gown and pretend to be the Queen, profess her love for Rochefort and her disdain for the King, and plead with him to make love to her. Apparently The Musketeers writers wanted to up Rochefort's 'creep' factor. Job well done on that front.

Enter one General Tariq Alaman, a Moor exiled from Spain who is offering to sell the king the formula for a powerful gunpowder. He only wants the Musketeers to help rescue his daughter Samara who is being held captive by the evil General Baltasar. Tariq and Samara had fled to Paris but his enemies came and kidnapped her, but Tariq believes it's himself Baltasar wants. In actuality, Baltasar plans to kill both of them just as soon as Tariq come for her. There's some very powerful themes here about racism.

The king summons General Baltasar to the palace; he denies having kidnapped Samara but he was previously shown to be determined to get his hands on Alaman's gunpowder.

The royal baby is sick with a fever. The King is furious and determined to make him better. The Musketeers learn of the sickness and Aramis must be discrete about his extra concern regarding the matter. Meanwhile, Milady is shown to be bribing her way into the palace. She is able to get to the King and introduce herself but though he's happy to see her, he won't grant her a private audience because of the commotion regarding "his" baby. She is supposed to be escorted out but manages to stay hidden within the palace.

The baby isn't responding to whatever backward archaic medicine they're using and the "doctor" says that if these don't work they'll have to use leeches. To bleed the baby. Go ahead and process that. Rochefort is also planning to use this time of crisis to manipulate the Queen into getting more attached to him because this whole plot line wasn't full of enough 'ice' already.

The Musketeers try to help Tariq with the pretend-exchange so he can get Samara back but it all goes wrong. At least it leads to some terrific action with a dramatic score to go right along with it. Our team of good guys is still alive but Samara is still in the hands of the enemy. There's also plenty of destruction and a few dead and injured civilians on top of all that. Aramis was distracted during the fight because of a crying baby, reminding him of his ailing son. The Musketeers are furious with Tariq for not giving over the cypher as he was supposed to, especially since Porthos has also been taken captive. Tariq if forced to admit that he doesn't have the cypher; Samara does.

The King warns the physician that his son must be saved or else he will lose his head. He tries to claim that bleeding is the only option left. Constance tries to object, saying it may only weaken him further, but quickly back-peddles when she receives an icy glare from Rochefort. Speaking of the blonde creep, he follows the crying Queen out to get all creepy and "concerned" while giving her a pep talk. He confesses his love but quickly covers by saying his love is like that of any subject towards their Queen.

An injured Porthos wakes in captivity with an arrow in his leg and ends up speaking with Samara. The two talk about issues of race and being in a country other than their roots. Samara warns him that France will turn on him for being an outsider, just as Spain turned on her. She eventually reads him some poetry from a book that is revealed to hold the cypher. Porthos implores Samara to pull the arrow out of his leg, which he does, to which Porthos proudly proclaims that they now have a weapon.

The King returns to one of his private apartments and finds Milady waiting in there for him. He rewards her persistence by telling her to return later that night and to wear that same dress, which he finds "pleasing to the eye." *gags* They meet for dinner and she returns the ring which she had kept safe on a ribbon tucked into her cleavage. She keeps working him and the two eventually kiss and hook up under the dinner table. He also gives back the ring that she had returned as a token of his good favour.

The Musketeers agree to hand over Tariq in exchange for Samara and Porthos. In private, the King tells Captain Treville to get the cypher and in exchange, he'll never say a harsh word about the Musketeers again. Meanwhile, Constance sneaks out with the baby to try to help him. Her husband discovers her but he agrees to keep it secret. When Rochefort discovers the baby is missing, he has the other hand maidens arrested and demands that Constance be found and arrested.

The Queen and other royal attendants go into the room where the King and Milady are still romping under the table and the King crawls out and orders everyone but the Queen out. She is further devastated to see Milady also crawl out but relays the news that the Dauphin (royal baby) has been kidnapped.

Tariq is being beaten but he won't give up any answers to his captors until they bring Samara to him and threaten to cut off her fingers (as a start). He relents and admits that the cypher is in Samara's book. The Musketeers break in, and Porthos had also gotten free using the arrow from his leg. They must bargain the circumstances of their exchange. Samar will go free. Tariq volunteers to go peacefully with the Spanish and help them decode the cypher. Athos warns that they are only relenting for now.

Rochefort tracks down Constance who has been keeping the Dauphin near some steam (formed by laundry being done). Rochefort says he will have Constance executed. He then heads off to apprehend the Spanish and retrieve Tariq or something but Tariq tricks Alaman by throwing the cypher into the fire. Alaman shoots Tariq and pulls it out of the fire but Tariq had only done all of this so he could retrieve his remaining gunpowder, toss it into the fire, and destroy them both. Outside, Samara is devastated.

Constance is reprimanded by the King and Queen and she implores them to see that she was just trying to save the baby since the doctor's treatments weren't working and that the steam is a remedy used amongst the common people. The King gets all snobby about "common people" being riddled with disease, orders her to be hanged, and she is escorted from the room. Later, the "doctor" brings the Dauphin back into the room and says that the baby's lungs are clearing and concludes that the steam indeed saved the baby and that Constance should receive the credit. The King then says that perhaps they shouldn't hang her. Gee, you think? Of course this quack doctor still needs to get the last word in and tell Constance that generally, leeches are an infallible cure. Please cease this fool's chatter before I knock him upside the head.

The King isn't happy about losing the gunpowder. Captain Treville notes that at least the Spanish don't have it. The King admits this is true but notes how the Musketeers have once again let him down just as they have been continually doing. He leaves the room with Rochefort and intends to discuss affairs of the state with him.

Samara stops by to visit Porthos and shares that she is leaving to go home to Morocco that evening. She advises him to search for his own home (in Africa) one day. He says that he is home, with the Musketeers. She gives him the book of poems and thanks him for trying to save her father. He says that he never knew his father and tells her to cherish the memory, which she will at least have to keep once the grief has faded.

The Musketeers airs on Fridays on BBC One at 9PM.

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King Louis informs the Musketeers that he wants to experience the life of an ordinary Frenchman so they take him out in disguise. When the King provokes a fight in a tavern, D'Artagnan leads him out the back to safety while the other Musketeers fight those in the tavern. Unfortunately, the tavern keeper had tricked them and so they are taken captive by slave traders who plan to sell D'Artagnan and the King as galley slaves for a Spanish ship.

They must hurry because the infant's Christening is tomorrow and there is no way that the King can not be present. The King wants to admit his true identity to his captors but D'Artagnan insists that he keep quiet if he wants to stay alive. D'Artagnan also helps to carry an injured slave while the Musketeers and Captain Treville are on the trail to find the Spanish ship that their friend and King are meant to be on.

As it turns out, Milady de Winter is working for the slaver-traders. She is able to help D'Artagnan and the King from being killed without revealing who they are. Meanwhile, Rochefort tries to manipulate the Queen to act in a way that would benefit Spain. Later that night, Milady lets D'Artganan and the King out of their restraints and they take off running into the night. They're eventually caught up to the following morning while the Musketeers are on their way, having done some investigative work of their own. The Kind admits who he is and some gunfire break out. Milady has also made off with the money but before leaving, she kills the lead slave-trader.

During the ongoing chaos, the newly introduced black character dies (seriously, BBC? Atlantis and now The Musketeers? Are any of your shows immune from this tired old trope?) Back at the palace, Rochefort is trying to convince the Queen into holding the throne in order to protect her son and she signs a document that will be delivered to the Spanish ambassador. Constance tries to talk her out of it beforehand but its to no avail.

Milady catches up to the King and D'Artagnan with horses. D'Artagnan momentarily rides off to see if the coast is clear and while he is away, Milady uses all her powers of seduction to charm him. He appears quite smitten by her and the two share a kiss. The Musketeers ride up and they try to warn the King that this woman may not be who she claims to be but the King insists on pardoning her for any and all crimes. The King is sent back to the palace with Porthos and Milady while the others stay behind to fight off the remaining slave-traders in a shootout.

The King arrives just in time for the baby's christening, and Rochefort decides to hold onto the secret of the Queen's actions until he finds the most opportune moment to use it. The King also orders a man to be executed though he had promised him immunity if he helped the Musketeers fight off the other slave-traders. D'Artagnan tries to stop him but Rochefort goes ahead and kills the man anyway. The King now blames the Musketeers for taking him to the tavern, which he had requested in the first place.  The rift between the King and the Musketeers is thus further divided. Finally, the Musketeers visit the wife of the black slave that had unnecessarily been sacrificed for some cheap feels, and combine the money they have on them to give to the man's widow and child. They tell the woman that the man died in service of the Crown.

The Musketeers airs on Fridays on BBC One at 9PM.

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It's been ten months since we last saw the Musketeers and their arguably biggest foe, Cardinal Richelieu is dead. There's not a whole lot of delving into the who and the why, as we are instead introduced to Comte de Rochefort, one of the Cardinal's most trusted lieutenants. The Musketeers rather reluctantly save him from being hung, as they're not all that fond of Rochefort, but he claims to bear important news for the King.

Speaking of the King, he's a new "father," as his Queen has just given birth (but remember… that baby was actually conceived by an affair with Aramis). The King offers Captain Treville a job on his council but Treville's not fond of politics and thus turns it down. This does not please the King one bit, making him all the more ripe to be won over by the newly arrived Rochefort.

Constance is given a position by the Queen which will entail her living in the palace. She warns D'Artagnan to stay away from her. Aramis is able to steal a close-up glimpse at his son, the future King, and Athos warns him not to be so careless.

Rochefort is actually a spy for France's enemy nation and he is shown to be arguably even more ruthless than the Cardinal. He even slits the throat of a holy man who had overheard an incriminating exchange between Rochefort and Spain's ambassador Don Fernando.

The deceased Cardinal's spy in Madrid has news that General De Foix, France's chief military strategist has been captured. The king orders him to be rescued and the Musketeers and Captain Treville are thereby forced to work with Rochefort. Rochefort informs them that their orders are to not allow De Foix to remain alive if they cannot remove him from Spanish hands. While on the road, the group is attacked by a band of assassins as part of a plot organised by Rochefort to get rid of the Musketeers.

The Musketeers carry on with their rescue and reach the castle. D'Artagnan infiltrates the castle and meets Lucy, General De Foix's sister. Together, they reach De Foix and just as D'Artagnan is about to carry through on his orders to kill De Foix, they are interrupted by the rest of the Musketeers and Rochefort, whom Athos overrules by saying that De Foix's sister Lucy will be brought along to be rescued. De Foix also seems to know Porthos, though the circumstances of how and why are not yet revealed.

With a lengthy, well choreographed, and entertaining action sequence, Team Musketeers is able to get away. Rochefort does away with the Spanish prisoner they had taken while making it appear that he was trying to get away. De Foix is returned to the King, and Rochefort accepts the King's offer to work as a member of the King's court.

D'Artagnan confronts Constance for not pursuing her love for him and she chides him for not understanding that she is a woman living in a world built for men and that they would not be able to be married, and if they had any children and he died in battle, she would be left penniless and likely have to resort to prostitution to provide for them.

Aramis and Athos learn that Adele Bessette, the former mistress of the Cardinal as well as the woman who loved and was loved by Aramis, is now dead. Her grave is inscribed with, "Died For Love." They are also left with a cryptic message about the Cardinal knowing all of Aramis' secrets, which he can expose from beyond the grave (a thinly-veiled threat regarding Aramis' being the father of the Queen's baby).

De Foix also speaks in private with Captain Treville about Porthos. They apparently knew Porthos' father, and they had done something horrific, leading to the death of her mother in which she died of a broken heart after being abandoned in the slums. De Foix is insistent that the truth be revealed, and hopes to make amends before he dies (he is on the brink of death). Captain Treville, however, is less keen on doing so.

Finally, Rochefort is shown to be planning to try to drive a wedge between the King and Queen that will tear the country apart.

The Musketeers airs on Fridays on BBC One at 9PM.

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A drunken Athos holds Milady captive and reveals to the group that she was his wife and is the Cardinal's spy. Milady pleads for help form D'Artagnan and he's forced to admit that she was his benefactor and they slept together once. The Musketeers are angry and D'Artagnan won't let Athos kill Milady. D'Artagnan is shot in the scuffle, ending up wounded on his side.

Charlotte pleads for her father's life and tells the King that executing him would cause tension with Prussia and Sweden. The King tells his private council that there is more to the story than meets the eye. Captain Treville says that the note could have been forged and when the Cardinal presses for Count Mellendorf's execution, the King tells him off.

Outraged, the Cardinal berates Milady for her antics with the Musketeers. He feels that he may be found out and orders her to kill the Musketeers. She tells him Musketeers don't die easily but says she will get it done. He warns her that this is her last chance.

Milady visits the injured D'Artagnan and asks if she can trust him. She finds that the his wound grazed his ribs and attempts to drive the wedge further between him and the other Musketeers. She says the Cardinal could be his patron but he says he hates him. She tells him things are finished between him and the Musketeers and also attempts to employ her powers of seduction to bring him to her side. He asks what really happened between her and Athos.

Constance learns from Aramis and Porthos about D'Artagnan's fight with Athos over Milady and blames herself for driving him into her arms. Aramis tells Porthos in private that Constance loves D'Artagnan and that you only have to look at her to see it.

Milady tells D'Artagnan about how Athos' brother Thomas lusted after her and she had to kill him when he attempted to force himself on her. She says she did it for love and that Athos was blind to the truth after learning that she had once been a thief. She reveals her neck wound and says that it is what Athos did to her. She wants him to murder Athos but D'Artagnan doesn't want to murder his best friend. Captain Treville comes to visit D'Artagnan and tells him the dissent in his ranks cannot continue. He kicks D'Artagnan out of the Musketeers, saying Athos is the finer soldier and cannot lose him. Angered, D'Artagnan tells Milady to be in the town square in midday and he will kill Athos.

D'Artagnan visits Aramis and Porthos and things become further prickly when Athos comes out. Captain Treville orders them all inside where they will settle things.

Milady pays a visit to her old mentor, Sarazin, who is delighted and entertained when she kills a man he had just ordered to kill her.

Once inside, the Musketeers all laugh and reveal that their fight has all been part of a plan to get to the Cardinal. D'Artagnan tells the group that Milady wants him to kill Athos. Then, he will have won her trust over.

Milady wants Sarazin to help her kill the Musketeers. His feelings are hurt after she ran away to work for the Cardinal so she offers to pay him for his services. He says that the only payment he wants is for her to come back and work for him. She says she has outgrown him but he points out that she wouldn't be there if she wasn't desperate. She has no choice but to agree.

The Musketeers execute their rouse of D'Artagnan seemingly kill Athos while Milady watches from the shadows. A young girl approaches Constance and tells her D'Artagnan has just killed Athos and needs his help. D'Artagnan asks Milady to arrange a meeting with the Cardinal. She kisses him and when she doesn't believe his passion, says that he is in love with Constance. He denies it and she agrees to take him to the Cardinal. Constance follows the girl, who had tricked Constance in order to get her captured by Sarazin.

D'Artagnan wants protection but the Cardinal wants to have him executed. D'Artagnan holds Milady at knifepoint. He tells the Cardinal that Captain Treville has a letter that could incriminate the Cardinal and offers to get it for him. He advises the Cardinal to use him as bait to get the letter back. They think that the remaining Musketeers will want D'Artagnan so they can avenge Athos' death. D'Artagnan asks for safety in exchange as well as a commission in the Red Guard.

When a bottle rolls to Constance, she breaks it and uses a piece to saw through her restraints. She slashes the face of the girl guarding her but when she reaches the door, Milady and Sarazin are there. Milady knocks her down with a blow to the face.

Bonacieux confronts Aramis and Porthos, demanding to know where constance is. They don't know and tell him that there's no way she is with D'Artagnan. Sarazin sends the girl away, telling her she'll never be beautiful again and therefore is no longer useful.

Aramis tells Porthos they cannot tell D'Artagnan about Constance or else it will distract him. A messenger delivers them the message from the Cardinal regarding the exchange for D'Artagnan. They head off to meet the Cardinal and before handing off the letter, they confront him about what he wants. They goad him into revealing his motives. The Queen is barren and without an heir, the kingdom will fall. They hand over the letter and the Cardinal finds that it is blank. The Queen steps out and having heard everything, says that the Queen might not believe the Musketeers' word but will certainly believe her. Everyone bows low and the Cardinal tells her his motives were for France. She tells him she will spare his life because she believes his devotion to France and that the betrayal would break the King's heart. "You have been warned, Cardinal."

The Musketeers tell the Cardinal they want Milady and he gladly gives her up, saying she is no more use to him. D'Artagnan learns of Constance's abduction and is highly worried. They ride off to meet Milady, who says she has already won since Athos is dead. Seeing their smiles, she turns around to find Athos standing there, very much alive. They hold her at gunpoint and she warns them that her death will lead to Constance's death. She arranges a meeting to give up Constance in an hour, saying only the Musketeers may come. Athos warns the others that it will be an ambush and she has no intention of letting them live. They prepare for battle and say the famous Musketeer chant: "All for one, and one for all."

Harrison puts Constance in the middle of a square and then walks back. Armed men are surrounding the area, preparing to ambush the Musketeers. With the help of a covered cart, the Musketeers begin an ambush with guns and hand bombs, taking many of the men out. They being their move forward and continue to take out their enemies. The fight shifts from guns to swords/knives and the Musketeers display their impressive set of skills. All the men have been taken out but now Milady is holding Constance at gunpoint. Athos moves forward and pleads with Milady to stop. Constance uses one of D'Artagnan's moves to get free from Milady, running to him and tearfully telling him she didn't mean any of what she said. Athos tells Milady it's over and orders her to kneel. She removes her collar and tells him to kill her. The Musketeers tell Athos he doesn't have to do this and he changes his mind, telling her instead to go to another country, threatening to kill her if she ever returns. She tells him neither will have peace until they are both dead and walks off.

D'Artagnan tells Athos he is glad he saved her and Athos says that perhaps he was saving himself. D'Artagnan and Constance share a public kiss, enjoying their love. A woman runs up and tells Constance that her husband has tried to kill himself. She returns with D'Artagnan and finds her husband pathetic and broken. He tells her that if she leaves him, he will kill himself because his life will be worthless. He says his life will be on her hands. Constance shows D'Artagnan out and bids him goodbye, saying she cannot leave him like that.

The Cardinal is summoned before the King. He looks worried, as the Musketeers and Queen are both present. The King then reveals good news - the Queen is present. (Fairly certain that's Aramis' baby). The Queen has asked that the Count's life be spared and the King has granted her wish. The Queen asks to speak with Aramis alone - because that's not suspicious at all. She tells him she is certain it will be a boy and that he will have his father's courage. He vows to watch over her son and guard him with all his strength and heart. He will lay down his life for him if necessary. The Cardinal walks in at the end of their exchange and from his expression, it would appear he knows that the Queen's child is fathered by Aramis.

The Musketeers enjoy a quiet moment. Athos is still the only one who knows about Aramis' affair with the Queen. The others know there is some affection but nothing about the baby-making. They reflect on the fact that though they don't have glory, money, or love, they do have honour.

Series 1 of The Musketeers will air in June 2014 on BBC America.
The Musketeers will return on BBC One for Series 2!

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The Queen visits a forest pool with a reputation of having magical fertility powers while the Musketeers stand close by acting as her security. Meanwhile, the King is getting cozy with Charlotte Mellendorf, finding her to be more interesting and charming. The Queen is having difficulty conceiving an air (because in this barbaric time, only a woman is to be blamed for fertility problems). The King tells the Cardinal that if the Queen were dead, he could be with Charlotte, who would be a more understanding wife and be able to produce an heir. However, he goes on to say that it is nothing more than a hopeless dream.

Milady de Winter recruits a man named Gallagher to work for her and "the most powerful man in Paris." It's a safe bet that she's cryptically referring to the Cardinal. He makes an attempt on the Queen's life, and one of her servants, Caroline, ends up dead after borrowing the Queen's robe. The Musketeers take off after the assailant but finds that he is not alone. Gallagher rides off with some other men in similar attire.

The Musketeers bring the Queen to a convent while D'Artagnan and Porthos are to try to determine who is funding the assassination attempt. The nuns only help after learning that the Queen is with them. Athos comes out to speak with Gallagher and is able to determine from his mannerisms that he used to be a soldier. Neither of the men will stand down from their goals. Meanwhile, D'Artagnan and Porthos kill one of Gallagher's men and find some papers that send them back to Paris to follow the trail. They also notice a distinct tattoo of a hand on the man. The nuns have little ammunition but are nonetheless determined to help protect the queen.

Aramis recognises one of the nuns, Isabelle, having known her before she joined the convent. He later reveals to the Queen that they were engaged to be married after she fell pregnant, an arrangement Aramis was happy with. When she lost the baby, her father took her away and put her in the convent. The assassins begin shooting at the convent again. D'Artagnan and Porthos return to the palace and inform the Cardinal about the attempt on the Queen's life and the convent. He tells them to hurry and find who is responsible, but after they leave, he angrily scolds Milady, who is hiding in the room, and threatens her if she does not make sure that Gallagher carries out his mission.

The nuns are praying, while Aramis and Athos are shooting back and the convent is getting old-fashion-rained on by bullets. The head nun gets angry and has the nuns come outside with her and they begin preparing molotov cocktails. One man begins to climb the wall but a nun cuts his line with an axe. That same nun throws a molotov cocktails and sets a man aflame. She also throws a hornet's nest down towards the men. This combined with Aramis and Athos' shooting forces the men to retreat for the time being.

D'Artagnan, Porthos, and Captain Treville track down the money lender but upon arriving at his office, they find him dead and stuck to his door. D'Artagnan follows the smell of Jasmine and nearly comes across Milady, who is still on the scene in hiding. The captain finds a document showing that the money is from Captain Mellendorf, Charlotte's father, but the beneficiary of the note only signed with the same mark as the tattoo seen on Gallagher and his men. Treville tells them that the mark is that of a Hugh O'Neal, a Catholic chief till he was exiled from Ireland. Men bearing this brand were O'Neal's private guard, similar to Musketeers. D'Artagnan tells the others he's sure a woman was there but there's no time to search for her.

Treville brings the page to the Cardinal and also informs him that the moneylender was a woman before riding off. If you though the Cardinal was angry before, he's even more furious now. Two of the men get into the convent and in the ensuing scuffle, Isabelle ends up dead. Aramis is emotional, having just been speaking with her about the past. D'Artagnan, Porthos, and Captain Treville are heading back to the convent, disguised in the same uniforms that the enemy wears. The Queen reveals to Aramis that she had a miscarriage shortly after she got married, and they have an intimate moment, before she makes her move and they get their sex on. I'll bet you 20 quid she's just gotten pregnant with his child.

The following morning, Athos scolds him for sleeping with her, saying that Aramis will be hanged for his actions, and Athos will be hanged for letting it happen. The enemy has tunneled underground and the Musketeers have to head down to keep them at bay. There's a good ol' shoot-out. The King is frantic after returning from his hunt and asks the Cardinal for news about the Queen. The Cardinal orders Count Mellendorf's possessions to be searched and a letter is found, framing him for involvement in the crime. The poor man and his daughter are thrown into the bastille and the King tearfully asks the Cardinal, "What would I do without her?"

Reinforcements arrive at the convent and the men are all taken down. Athos corners Gallagher and gives him one last chance to tell him who hired him. Gallagher won't give up the name, and goads Athos into shooting him. The Musketeers and Captain Treville are still trying to piece together what has caused all of this. The head nun who blesses Gallagher as he is dying, comes over and tells them that there is money in his saddle to help repair the convent. When they find a small chest, there is little money inside but there is a flower, which Athos recognises. He informs the others that it belongs to a woman who works for the Cardinal.

The Cardinal visits Count Mellendorf, telling him that someone must answer for the attempt on the Queen's life. He pleads for his life, but the Cardinal only offers him a deal - if he signs a confession, his daughter's life will be spared. The Queen is returned to the palace, and it's actually cute to see the King have to stop himself from running over and hugging her while everyone must go through the formality of bowing. The Musketeers consider confronting the Cardinal, but Treville tells him they must wait till they get more evidence. The King is pleased by the Cardinal's apprehension of the perpetrator, and the Queen and Aramis exchange looks before parting ways. Athos tells the Cardinal that he will not rest until he catches the woman involved, which the Cardinal says he is pleased about, but then Athos adds that he will also find whomever it is she works for, and the Cardinal becomes uneasy.

The Musketeers airs on Sundays on BBC One at 9PM.

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A prisoner named Labarge (The Musketeers serves up yet another tremendous guest star, Vinnie Jones!) is being escorted by The Musketeers for murdering two other Musketeers. The captain of the Red Guards takes custody of Labarge for killings some Red Guards. The captain makes Labarge angry and he ends up dead by Labarge's hand. The Musketeers try to help the (arguably inferior) Red Guards but they become angry, blaming the Musketeers for the captain's death. No, you silly men, the fault is at the hand of the one who wielded the sword.

The Cardinal and Captain Treville argue in front of the King over whether the Red Guard or the Musketeers are superior, leading the King to order a challenge between the best fighter from each groups. Meanwhile, D'Artagnan is still enjoying the sinful bliss of his affair with Constance.

Captain Treville announces the challenge to the Musketeers. Each man must pay an entrance fee to compete to be the champion with the winner taking all. The Cardinal asks the Red Guards who of them is the best fighter and one of them announces that the now-deceased captain was the best fighter. Labarge is imprisoned and stabs one of the guards in the hand with a fork when he doesn't like the "food" presented to him.

D'Artagnan asks for Captain Treville's permission to compete in the contest with the rest of the Musketeers. Meanwhile, he learns that Labarge was responsible for his family farm being destroyed. The farm was his only source of income and D'Artagnan is already behind on his rent. Porthos gets flirty with a widow named Alice. She is receptive to his advances and allows him to walk her home and they have dinner together.

Athos coaches D'Artagnan on his fighting. He becomes angry and goes to the Cardinal to confront him about the crime (and therefore his lack of pay). The Cardinal tries to offer him a place on the Red Guard but D'Artganan refuses. His temper stays high and the Cardinal orders him out. Afterwards, he orders Constance's husband to spy on D'Artagnan and report back with anything useful, especially if he has any "clandestine female companions." What a creep.

D'Artagnan breaks into the prison where Labarge is imprisoned, planning to fight him if he will not offer up a full confession regarding his farm. Labarge lights a cloth on fire, gives him a smack, steals one of this swords, and the fight begins. He even drops the sword just to show off his superior physical capabilities and when he prepares to snap D'Artganan's neck, Athos comes in to save the day. They get out and Athos scolds D'Artagnan for not thinking before he acts. Also, it's raining/storming outside because weather always matches the mood of protagonists.

Milady de Winter approaches Athos and things are understandably tense, though the still manage to snog. She warns him to leave her alone or he will regret it. The Cardinal visits Labarge to make a deal in which he will not be exchanged. Constance sells some of her household items to raise the money for D'Artagnan to enter the Musketeers competition. But Milady approaches D'Artagnan first and gives him the money he needs. He asks what the catch is and she says there is none - she only wants him to compete. Sure. He tells her that he insists on paying her back when she wins. She also gives him a necklace, which she claims is a good luck charm and a token of their friendship. Constance's husband sees the encounter from the window. D'Artagnan tells Constance about it and she is angry. When he asks who else is going to walk up and give him the money, she says no one. After he leaves, she opens her hand to reveal the money she raised for him. Meanwhile, Porthos and Alice make with the sex.

The Musketeers begin their competition and the Cardinal reveals to the Red Guard that he has commissioned Labarge. The Red Guard begin their competition and Labarge lays waste to his first opponent. The Cardinal is also shown to be holding a trinket identical to the one that Milady gave to D'Artagnan. The Cardinal announces to Labarge that if he wins the fight, he will be set free. If he loses, he will be hung. Captain Treville is shown to be watching the Red Guard practice from above.

While Constance's husband spies on D'Artagnan, he spots him and Constance kissing in an ally. Let it be known that adultery is not a good idea to do in public. Who would have thought? Captain Treville announces to the Musketeers that he will be the one to fight and represent them. Constance's husband orders her to break things off with D'Artagnan and she initially refuses, saying that she loves him. He says that if she doesn't, he will turn over D'Artagnan to the Cardinal which will result in D'Artagnan's death. He tells her to break D'Artagnan's heart so thoroughly that he will hate her. Talk about dramatic.

Athos tells Captain Treville that he has stolen D'Artagnan's opportunity to prove himself, not knowing the true reason for his doing so. Constance breaks things off with D'Artagnan and he is heart-broken, as is she. She breaks down in tears after he leaves and her husband heard the entire conversation.

It's competition day and the Musketeers are all shocked to see Labarge as the Red Guard competitor. When they note that Treville is not surprised, they realise that he knew all along. The competition will only be a sword fight. Labarge is quite the force to be reckoned with. Labarge gets the upper hand and stomps on Treville's upper arm/shoulder even after he appears to have won. How very sportsman-like of you. D'Artagnan charges forward, both for his personal grudge and to prevent Treville from being killed, and the other Musketeers follow suit. The other members of the Red Guard also charge forward and a fight breaks out. After it goes on for a bit, the King calls a stop to the fight and informs the Cardinal and all in attendance that Labarge broke the rules so Treville may nominate another champion in his place. Treville nominates D'Artagnan and Labarge laughs. During the fight, Labarge tells D'Artganan that he wishes he could remember burning down the farm, as it would make the victory sweeter. This only spurs D'Artagnan on and he runs Labarge through.

The King commends D'Artagnan and declares the Musketeers the winners. However, the prize money does not go to D'Artagnan as the rules were broken, and he also wants to collect taxes. He comes down and tells D'Artagnan that he showed great heroism in defending his captain and loyalty is the trait which he admires more than anything. He tells D'Artagnan to kneel and commissions him into the Musketeers, thus enabling him to earn a salary from there on out. Athos puts the patch on his arm and the Cardinal mildly sulks. D'Artagnan becomes emotional and is congratulated by his friends and Captain Treville.

The Cardinal confronts Milady de Winter and asks her which side she was on. She says that she was on his but then asks why he would give the funds to D'Artagnan to compete. She is not happy about his spying on her and he reveals that he now knows about her marriage to Athos and her previous name. She tells him that D'Artagnan is the key to destroying the Musketeers and is plotting to bring him over to their side. The Cardinal is skeptical and she says that he is underestimating her powers of seduction. He warns her that she needs to be as persuasive as she thinks she is.

Alice, whom Porthos had invited to the tournament, is turned off by all the violence present. He tells her he could never give up soldiering and she says she could never be a soldier's wife. He says he wishes things could be different and she tells him she is happy to have met him. They kiss and say goodbye. Aramis comes over and asks if he will marry Alice and Porthos jokes with him, "Who would look after you if I did that, eh?"

D'Artagnan returns to Constance's home to collect his things and they are still not on good terms. D'Artagnan encounters Milady in her carriage and thanks her for her patronage. She offers im a list and a tearful Constance watches from the window and then looking away, not seeing D'Artagnan politely decline the offer. "Another time, perhaps."

The Musketeers airs on Sundays on BBC One at 9PM.

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The royal coach is riding through the city and the people are all gathered round to watch. A young girl runs up to the coach and tries to speak with the Queen (while it is still in motion) but she ends up falling and being run over by it. When Porthos examines the body, he finds that she has a small scroll in her hand. Constance comes forward and identifies her as Therese Du Bois.

The royal family learns that Therese had hoped to deliver a petition to the Queen pleaing for womyn's education. We're then introduced to Contessa Ninon De De Larroque, an independently wealthy woman who knew Therese, as she was a daughter to one of her servants. De Larroque is an intelligent, forward-thinking woman who supports freedom of thought and the right for womyn to be educated. She had also been educating Therese. The King doesn't understand why she would educate a servant. De Larroque tells them that she was the one who wrote the petition and told Therese that the Queen was a woman of wisdom and kindness, who might sympathise with their cause. The Queen promises to read the petition and De Larroque turns down an offer to go for a walk with the King, as she is too distressed.

The Cardinal tasks Milady de Winter with finding something to use against De Larroque, as her manner of thinking and living threaten to undermine the sexist religious teachings of the time. He also wants to get her money to fund a new army.

A friend of Therese's, Fleur, has gone missing as well. The Musketeers visit De Larroque to ask after her and they learn her parents wanted to marry her off into a life of domestic servitude. Milady is there too but she hides from being seen by the Musketeers. De Larroque brings Athos through her place of residence and they engage in some intellectual conversation that builds up to her kissing him and inviting him to return for dinner.

The Cardinal is visited by a higher ranking religious figure that has relayed a message from the Pope, saying that the alliance with Sweden is unholy, as they are a Protestant nation. The Cardinal does not care for their displeasure, as he sees Sweden as an important strategic ally. The Cardinal is then told to "deal" with De Larroque's "heresy," in exchange for an elevation from the Catholic Church.

Athos returns and brings De Larroque to see Therese's body. He asks her if she hates men and she replies that she doesn't, but says that she sees marriage as a curse. He tells her he agrees but asks why she believes so. She says that her wealth would be lost upon marriage, as it would all become property of her husband's, as would her body. She refuses to be owned by anyone. He calls her a rebellious woman, nicely, and tells her his marriage ended badly. They are interrupted by a raid taking place on De Larroque's house. They are tearing up her books and attacking the womyn in her home. The Musketeers fight the soldiers off and eventually discover Fleur hidden in a secret room and De Larroque is arrested.

The Cardinal and the other religious men say that De Larroque is guilty of practicing witchcraft and the King pokes fun at this, asking if she can fly on a broomstick or concoct love potions. Later when De Larroque is put on trial, they do everything in their power to make her seem guilty. They try to have Fleur testify against her but they twist every supportive thing she says against her. The Cardinal has Milady come forward under a false identity and testify against her but Athos throws a fit upon seeing Milady out and wreaking such havoc. The Cardinal declares De Larroque guilty, though she says that witchcraft does not exist, leading the other religious figure to call her blasphemous (really?). The proceeding is interrupted when the Queen comes in and says that the King has insisted that unless she confesses to practicing witchcraft without being tortured, she must be spared from the death penalty. The Cardinal begins throwing a fit, having been poisoned, but the Musketeers are able to get some castor oil in him and keep him from dying.

The Musketeers visit Fleur and ask her if she poisoned the Cardinal. She says she did not and she is down-trodden over the fact that she is set to be married to a 40-year-old man. Yuck. Milady visits De Larroque and tells her that if she doesn't (falsely) confess to being a witch and poisoning the Cardinal, then all of her girls will suffer the consequences for it. The Musketeers are able to realise that the same poison used to kill a thief from earlier on in the episode was also used to poison the Cardinal. The Father visiting from the Pope was responsible for both poisonings. The Musketeers are able to get to the Cardinal right as the Father tries to kill him. De Larroque is about to be killed but in the face of his own mortality, they're able to convince him to permit them to stop her from burning. The catch is that her land and property must be turned over to the Cardinal, save for a small amount to allow her to live quietly elsewhere.

The episode ends with De Larroque making plans to become a teacher in the countryside for daughters of the poor and bidding Athos goodbye. Constance is able to convince Fleur's father to hold off on marrying her off and continuing her education, though Fleur doesn't know that Constance was the one to convince him. D'Artagnan has a Freudian slip and confesses his love to Constance, after which they snog and hook up.

The Musketeers airs on Sundays on BBC One at 9PM.

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The King is waiting for a visit from the Duke of Savoy but upon his arrival, an unknown assailant attempts to kill him. Aramis catches up to him and finds that it is Marsac, an old friend of his who used to be a Musketeer. Marsac tells Aramis that the Duke was responsible for a massacre of twenty Musketeers, of which only Marsac and Aramis were the survivors. D'Artagnan catches up to the two of them and Aramis fills him in.

They eventually reveal Marsac's return to the other Musketeers and have him set up at Constance's home. Aramis tells D'Artagnan that he feels guilty about allowing Marsac to feel such guilt over deserting the Musketeers. Constance discovers that Marsac is a would-be assassin and deserter and is angry at the Musketeers for bringing him into her home. Surprisingly, she allows Marsac to stay when he apologises and offers to leave but tells D'Artagnan that he must move out. Marsac brings the Musketeers to a place where he has a man held captive, after hearing him bragging in a bar about killing Musketeers. He claims he worked for the Duke of Savoy five years prior and slaughtered the Musketeers under the Duke's orders. He also claims the Captain Treville supplied information that led to the massacre. Porthos is highly skeptical of the information but the others are intrigued enough to seek evidence to support this claim.

Constance allows D'Artagnan to stay and he promises to never lie to her again. She says that they need the money but also admits that she'd miss him.

After a tremendous amount of investigation, the Musketeers grow more and more certain that Marsac is right about the the Duke of Savoy and that Captain Treville was indeed responsible. Aramis confront Treville but decides to turn him over to the proper authorities. Marsac would rather take justice into his own hands and against the wishes of Aramis, goes after him on his own. When Marsac reaches him, Aramis in not far behind to try to stop him. Marsac demands Treville explain why he would order the massacre of the Musketeers and he drops a bomb - it was done under the orders of the King. The King was trying to protect the Duchess who was acting as a spy in Savoy. Aramis demands Marsac lower his gun but Marsac refuses, shooting his guns so that Aramis will shoot him. As he dies in Aramis' arms, he says, "Better to die a Musketeer than live like a dog."

The treaty between Savoy and France is successfully put into place.

This is perhaps the best episode of The Musketeers yet. There's character development, more back story revealed, and with D'Artagnan agreeing to help train Constance to shoot and sword fight, the show gracefully addresses the fact that female characters have been largely underdeveloped and under-utilised. JJ Feild gives a powerful, moving performance and it's almost a shame that he was only on for just one episode. This was an excellent day to break the news that The Musketeers has been commissioned for a second series. It will be interesting to see how the rest of the Cardinal's arc plays out since Peter Capaldi will not be present for the second series, having been cast as the 12th Doctor on Doctor Who. Tune in two weeks from now for the next episode of The Musketeers, as they will be taking a week off as the BAFTAs air.

The Musketeers airs on Sundays on BBC One at 9PM.

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The Musketeers are tasked with bringing an explorer/criminal named Emilie Bonnaire back to Paris to be tried before the King. He is being followed by many enemies and is even attacked by his wife but they manage to get him in custody.

Bonnaire's wife helps him to escape but is short-lived, as the Musketeers had anticipated this move. They set off for Paris and Bonnaire attempts to charm them. Porthos reveals that his mother was a slave and he was on his own from the age of five. The Musketeers are attacked yet again by men who are after Bonnaire and Porthos is injured during the attack. The leader of these men is a man named Paul Meunier, Bonnaire's former business partner. Meunier is demanding his cargo be returned to him but the Musketeers inform him that though they will relay his grievances to the King, he has no choice but to let them continue with their journey. With Porthos being injured, the Musketeers are forced to sheek shelter to treat his wounds and Athos reveals that there is a place nearby - a luxurious home that he owns. While at the home, Athos has flashbacks to when he was married to Milady de Winter.

Bonnaire's wife, Maria, shows up appearing to be injured. This turns out to be a rouse, and she holds the group at gunpoint. Bonnaire climbs aboard her horse behind her and they ride off. They are ambushed in the forest and Maria is fatally shot. Bonnaire rides off while Aramis shoots Maria's murderer. D'Artagnan catches up to Bonnaire and brings him back while Aramis discovers that this group of men after Bonnaire were Spanish.

When the group returns to Athos' home, they find Porthos in a rage. The other Musketeers restrain him and his stitches are torn open in the struggle. Porthos has discovered documents revealing that Bonnaire had used a slave ship and transported slaves. The scene is emotionally potent as Porthos reveals the horrific stories he had heard about slave ships while Athos reminds him that they have a duty to bring Bonnaire to the King. Later, Bonnaire digs a grave to bury his wife. Another flashback is shown of Athos watching as Milady de Winter is seemingly put to death - obviously it didn't take.

Athos tells D'Artagnan he must see someone in the village and to head off with the others to Paris. Athos visits the man who apparently put his wife to death, telling him "I never should have involved you in this," before heading back to the house, indulging in some drink, and angrily chucking a glass at his self-portrait. He passes out and awakens to find part of his home on fire. He then sees Milady de Winter carrying a flaming torch and is shocked by her still being alive. He asks how she is alive despite his having watched her hang and she snidely remarks that he didn't stay because he couldn't bear to watch his wife choke to death. He correctly deduces that Remy, the man Athos previously visited, helped her escape and she admits that she seduced him. After Athos left, Remy cut her down, revived her, and Milady de Winter pulls her choker down to reveal a nasty scar remaining from the hanging which she refers to as a token of Athos' love. Athos also deduces that she has killed Remy and she says that he wash half-dead already, having spent the last five years waiting for Athos to return and discover his crime. Athos is still distraught over her having murdered his brother when her discovered her criminal activities but she claims it was done to save their love. They briefly embrace and she holds a dagger to his throat, preparing to kill him before D'Artagnan is heard outside, shouting for Athos. Milady escapes and D'Artagnan runs inside the burning house, bringing Athos outside to safety. D'Artagnan questions Athos as to who the lady was that just rode off and Athos confesses that it was his wife, how he sentenced her to death, had to put duty before love, and is now still alive.

Milady visits Constance and questions her about D'Artagnan, aware of his being a lodger there and that Constance's husband is struggling with money problems. She all but threatens her and though she leaves, it is evident it won't be the last Constance will see of her. Athos asks D'Artagnan to keep quiet to the others about his wife and D'Artagnan agrees to do so. Constance tells D'Artagnan about Milady de Winter's visit and says that she is offering her husband work. She comments that her husband would not approve of his entertaining womyn in the house - clearly someone is jealous - and also states that Milady frightened her.

Bonnaire meets with the Cardinal, who is angry about Bonnaire's importing slaves to the new world to work on tobacco plantations, breaking the trade agreement between Paris and France. When Bonnaire exits the room, he informs Aramis and Porthos that he has struck a deal with the Cardinal to continue trading slaves for a new set of plantations in exchange for the Cardinal's considerable investment. Aramis and Porthos are less than pleased but have no choice but to let him leave. The Musketeers lament this unfortunate turn of events. Later, we see Bonnaire celebrating in a tavern and his former business partner, Paul Meunier is there and still angry about not receiving his cargo. Meunier prepares to have his many thugs present attack Bonnaire but the Musketeers intervene. Porthos angrily questions why they should help him and ends up in a small scuffle with Aramis. Athos tells Bonnaire that there is a ship in the harbour on which he may escape and to hurry off with D'Artagnan who will show him the way. Bonnaire boards the ship and D'Artagnan leaves him at the mercy of the captain - one of his enemies from Spain.

Back in the tavern, the Musketeers present Paul Meunier with a key to Bonnaire's warehouse containing compensation for their soured arrangement. They agree to keep this incident a secret. As far as the Cardinal is concerned, the Spanish kidnapped Bonnaire. Milady is seen spying on D'Artagnan and the Musketeers.

The Musketeers airs on Sundays at 9pm on BBC One.

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The Musketeers coach D'Artagnan as he is about to fight in a duel. Aramis and Porthos tell him he can fight dirty but D'Artagnan insists that he was raised to flight like a gentleman. The due begins and he ends up landing a kick to his opponent's crotch, leading Porthos to proudly declare that he taught him that move. It appears that D'Artagnan has won until the Red Guard comes after them. D'Artagnan is separated from the Musketeers, who point out that D'Artagnan knows the "Musketeer motto": Every man for himself. D'Artagnan is captured and the Musketeers escape.

The Musketeers learn that D'Artagnan is to be executed and that duel was provoked so that this punishment could be carried out. While incarcerated, D'Artagnan meets another prisoner named Vadim who teaches him that the key to a good trick is to make them look the other way. Vadim's curiosity is piqued when the guard refers to D'Artagnan as a Musketeer, though he professes that he is no Musketeer and that he hates them for their betrayal. Vadim tells D'Artagnan that he plans on escaping. He fakes being sick to bait the guard into the cell, steals the keys, and brings D'Artagnan along after he claims he can help him. They also release the other prisoners.

The Musketeers encounter Madame Bonacieux in the marketplace and she is angered by their seemingly apathetic reaction to D'Artagnan's capture and sentenced execution. Her temper flares and she strikes Aramis. Her husband sees this and apologises for his wife's behaviour but Aramis covers for her and the couple leaves. Aramis cheekily professes his love for the quality of violence in a woman.

The Queen provides some lower-level imprisoned criminals with some money and and grants them freedom. During her visit, the escape causes a violent commotion and the Musketeers begin fighting the various escaped prisoners. The guards are determined to get the Queen out safely but she ends up being taken for ransom by Vadim. He manages to escape with D'Artagnan and during the commotion, Aramis uses his luscious body to shield the Queen. She appears concerned at his injuries and they engage in some sexy eye locking.

The Cardinal is angered by the breakout and orders that Vadim be shot on sight. He also mentions that D'Artagnan is in danger as long as he is with Vadim. Milady de Winter overhears the conversation and offers to go after D'Artagnan. She shows that she can manipulate D'Artagnan if she were to encounter him, despite her getting him blamed for murder. The Cardinal tells her that her priority is to go after Vadim.  He threatens to cut D'Artagnan's fingers off if he doesn't admit to being a spy. As it turns out, it was just a test and believes D'Artagnan to be on his side. Vadim reveals that his plan is to kill the King and Queen so that the lower classes can join them and they will all take back what belongs to them.

The Queen has summoned Aramis and Porthos to the castle. She asks for a private moment with Aramis, checks up on his wound, and gives him a necklace from round her neck as a token of gratitude. Porthos is weary of the trouble this interest could lead to but Aramis declares that Adele has left Paris (not knowing that the Cardinal had her killed). Porthos warns him he should set his sights a little lower.

D'Artagnan attempts to visit Constance but is caught by Vadim's lacky. To cover his tracks, he states that he is visiting his mistress. He kisses Constance yet again and tells her they are being watched. She ushers him inside and D'Artagnan relays Vadim's plan to the Musketeers. As they are leaving, D'Artagnan is caught by Constance's husband. He tries to shout for guards but Constance defends D'Artagnan and is joined by the Musketeers who intimidate him into silence. D'Artagnan is spotted by some guards but Milady de Winter kills them and rescues him. She works him over with her feminine wiles, states that she wants Vadim, and warns him that aligning himself with the Musketeers will lead to his oblivion. She runs off before the Musketeers can spot him. Vadim warns D'Artagnan to ask before taking another conjugal visit.

The Musketeers visit a lady of the night named Susette and question her about Vadim. They learn that Vadim used to work at the palace and this was when he developed his obsession and hatred for the King. His disdain for the monarch appears to be of a political nature. They remind her that the amount of gun powder he has stolen can kill a tremendous amount of innocent people. She claims to not know more but they know she is covering for him. The Musketeers relay the information on to the Cardinal.

The Musketeers and the Cardinal want the King and Queen to not attend church, where the attempt on his life is expected to take place. As it turns out, the king has more honour and bravery than anyone realised. He says that he will not be seen as a coward and believes in the Musketeers' ability to save his life.

The night before the attack, Vadim reveals that he knows about D'Artagnan's involvement with the Musketeers. The Musketeers raid Vadim's hide-out too late; everyone's gone and D'Artagnan's blood is on the ground. When he comes to, D'Artagnan is tied up in the room with the gunpowder and Vadim says that the information he passed on to the Musketeers was exactly what he wanted passed on. In fourteen minutes, the gunpowder will explode. On the streets, Vadim's followers make an attempt on the monarchs who are guarded by the Musketeers. A bomb is thrown and Aramis throws himself on it and (un)intentionally diffuses the fuse by doing so. The Queen looks back longingly at him as he kisses the necklace she gave him. The monarchs escape and the Musketeers realise that the bombs there were duds. It was a merely a distraction and Vadim's true motive is to rob the palace.

D'Artagnan manages to escape from his bindings and put out the fuse in time. However, when he opens the door to leave, several fuses are lit and he scrambles to put them out. Back at the palace, the Musketeers are hot on Vadim's trail. There are too many fuses for him to put out and he runs off to escape being incinerated in the explosion. The Musketeers catch up to Valdim right before the gunpowder goes off. Milady de Winter kills Susette as she is preparing to escape.

Vadim's lacky, Felix, tries to kill Vadim for tricking him with the powderless bombs but Vadim kills him first. Vadim's other followers get into a fight with the Musketeers. D'Artagnan corners Vadim and plays around with misdirection before finally engaging him in a sword fight. Vadim is wounded and wanders off. The Musketeers catch up to him and D'Artagnan and him exchange words before he succumbs to his wound. They all pay a visit to the Bonacieuxs to apologise and explain D'Artagnan's involvement. D'Artagnan shares a private moment with Constance before returning to his room and finding a flower on his pillow.

The Cardinal discusses D'Artagnan with Milady de Winter. He is determined to either have him join his side or be killed. Milady de Winter states that she can coax him over. He questions her on the whereabouts of the Queen's pendant (which we saw was in Susette's possessions) and Milady states she doesn't know. After he leaves, we see that she now possesses it.

The Musketeers airs on Sundays at 21:00 on BBC One.

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