The Musketeers, Season 1: A British Adventure You’ll Love!

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When it comes to swashbuckling adventures, I’m not sure modern cinema has anything better than Disney’s original Pirates of the Caribbean with Johnny Depp. Clearly, the British thought it’d be fun to challenge this with a re-imagining of Dumas’ classic. This time it’s simply titled, The Musketeers (2014).

The Musketeers (2014)

The Musketeers (2014), Season One 

17th century France doesn’t adhere to the law. This leaves the people to find justice for themselves. This is where young D’Artagnan (Luke Pasqualino) finds himself when, after travel to petition the king in Paris, the inn he and his father stop at is ambushed. Worse yet, it’s by a troupe of the King’s Musketeers, and the cost of their stop is the life of D’Artagnan’s father. Armed with the name of his father’s killer, D’Artagntan sets off to avenge his loss in Paris. Once there, he calls out his father’s murderer, Athos (Tom Burke), a king’s Musketeer. Only trouble is, after a dual, Athos convinces D’Artagnan – and his fellow comrades, Porthos (Howard Charles) and Aramis (Santiago Cabrera), that he is not the man who killed his father. Instead the Musketeers learn someone is implicating them in crimes around the country. Something they aim to put a stop to.

The Musketeers (2014)

Under the leadership of Captain Treville (Hugo Speer), the Musketeers are in an endless battle with the Red Guard, and their leader, the Cardinal (Peter Capaldi). Furthermore, he’s the one man whose ear the king seems most lost without. With such a young ruler at the throne, King Louis (Ryan Gage) is bases his decisions on the Cardinal’s say so. This leaves the Musketeers vulnerable, and often without the support of their king.

I haven’t had THIS much fun in a British (BBC) series in I don’t know how long. If this “first series” of The Musketeers is anything to go by, it’s going to be grand fun. The approach to this story is unique. Previously, film has been this story’s medium, which is confining. This 10-part series takes individual stories with exception to one or two minor plot lines that do run over, mainly each script finishes itself in the installment. To be honest, I love this approach. It offers more opportunities to come up against new enemies (enemies to defeat in an hour instead prolonged exposure) and allows for some fun guest appearances (like Zoe Tapper, Mr. Selfridge). This is something the script has fun with until the finale when, much as we want to giggle over the dashing heroes antics, our hearts are a teeny bit disappointed for their misfortunes.

The Musketeers 2014

As I sit here typing this two hours after finishing season one, I’m still smiling. In a nutshell, this is a fantastic replacement for some of BBC’s lighter series. Ironically all three of their “family-friendly” series (Robin Hood, Merlin and now, The Musketeers) are from favorite legends. Looking at the track record of the prior two, I’d be lying if I said that there isn’t skepticism about how this series will shake out. But enough of that, let’s get to the good. First off, let’s talk the cast.

TV SHOW REVIEW | The Musketeers, Season Three (2015) – BBC’s Swan Song of the Dumas Adventurer

Seriously, how does anyone resist this ensemble? Everyone is dynamic, and the camaraderie that forms is fantastic. I enjoy everything about the scenes between the guys, and the women who steal their hearts. Fans of Merlin will appreciate (and maybe swoon over) seeing Santiago again. The rest of the cast is more like a newcomer lot with exception to Peter Capaldi. Next, I feel compelled to discuss the costuming which in and of itself is really a character of its own. I’m never sure how to describe the costuming in these “adventure” pieces because it’s really not true to the time period yet retains the general style of its period. This design has a steampunk vibe, and isn’t afraid to use harsh statement pieces depending on the wearer.

Quoted as being a “contemporary version” of the Dumas classic albeit set in 17th century France, this series definitely has a mind of its own. I admire this. The writer’s give us a new look at the legend. What this does is infuse the story with some diverse perspectives of what otherwise could have been a tiresome jaunt. Some of the twists I’d never seen done before, and some are similar, which helps to keep us connected to the story we know. When I finished these 10 installments, I wanted more, and luckily, there is a season two order.The Musketeers is fun, sometimes bittersweet and always willing to invite us on an adventure. There are new kids on the scene. Watch out Captain Jack Sparrow.

Relive the heroics of BBC's 'The Musketeers' in season one of the swashbuckling #British series! Click To Tweet

Content: there are 5-8 bedroom scenes with sheets always appropriately placed and the couple in various state of undress. D’Artanan starts up with a married woman [we see them passionately make out before the scene cuts away]. There is plenty of swordplay though if I remember right, nothing graphic even when death results. Men are murdered at the pleasure of the Cardinal and others imprisoned. There are flashbacks to a woman being hanged. The series is TV12.)

About Rissi JC

amateur graphic designer. confirmed bookaholic. bubbl’r enthusiast. critical thinker. miswesterner. social media coordinator. writer.

13 comments

  1. How do you get all these, Rissi?? I keep adding more BBC and Hallmark series/movies to my list, but I need a better list. Lol! I love The Three Musketeers, so I would probably really enjoy this. :)

    1. I saw this via the U.K. DVD set since I have the ability to watch region 2; British drama is one of my weaknesses, so I confess to being impatient when it comes to getting my hands on their new stuff. ;)

      Yay for Three Musketeer fun! I always enjoy the film adaptations and this one was particularly fun, especially since it was done in installments. Hope you enjoy if/when you see it – I do know this is airing on BBC America now.

  2. Remember how I said my sisters didn't want to watch it but I was going to make them? Well, I did but they made me stop the first episode after 15 minutes. Ugh! I will definitely give this series a fair shake when I have a little time. I was a fan of Robin Hood also (not the second season as much) but this is looking like it has more potential. Great review, Rissi!

    1. Oh, noes! I'm so sorry it didn't catch for you ladies. I wasn't a fangirl in the early episodes either, I liked it, but didn't gush over it, though I sort of fell away from it for a while, then when I came back, there was the determining episode (or something ;D) because now I'm eager for S2. It's just one of those shows that's easy to watch and a nice, "fluffy" piece of summer fun. :)

      Robin Hood was a ton of fun! Especially (as you say), the first season. In the end, I didn't mind how it closed (which is very much against my usual strictly-happy-ending-girl policy, but something just "clicked"), though like Merlin, all of these writers seem to life bringing in the sorrow at the conclusions.

      Hope if ever you try it again, it makes a better impression, Bekah. :)

    2. I watched the full first episode today by myself and I liked it a lot!! Will definitely keep watching…especially since now I'm curious about your determining episode. ;)

      Oo…I still haven't finished Robin Hood but I read the ending (bad…I know) so I didn't feel like finishing it! I will have to revisit it sometime, though. :)

    3. Yay! That's awesome, Bekah – hope you continue to enjoy it whenever you have a chance to see more; I'm still in a "happy place" with this one. ;)

      Oh, my apologies if my commenting about Robin Hood spoiled anything. (Not bad at all that you read the ending – I'm a spoiler crazy TV watcher.) It was sad, albeit "appropriate" in terms of how the writer's set it up. I didn't like it just because S1 had been so happy-go-lucky and after the sorrows of S2, I wanted S3 to return to that. But, I'm still glad I finished the series, plus I liked seeing "Anna" from Downton Abbey in it. :)

  3. I'm loving The Musketeers. I watched last weeks, last night. I think it was the best one yet! I love the settings, the costumes, and the cast is great. They really capture the characters. And I have to say, Peter Capaladi does well as the Cardinal. He has moments of being bad, then he turns it around and he is helpful. He plays it well. Fantastic BBC show.

    1. Ditto on all accounts, Kate! I agree. It was refreshing to see this legend done a bit "differently," and I like that you mentioned the Cardinal's character. He's not as "evil" (yet) in this role as most have played it and that's been a cool switch. Wonder if he'll be back for a S2?? Hmmm…

      Thanks for commenting. :)

  4. I've been meaning to check out this series! I've putting it off because I haven't been having much luck with BBC series as of late. My favorite BBC series still is, Robin Hood. (Richard Armitage as Guy of Gisborne…..yes please!!) So I may have to start DVRing Three Musketeers.

    1. I still have fond memories of watching Robin Hood, Alyssa and liked Guy's characterization over the three seasons. One of these days, I need to re-watch it because despite its ending, I didn't hate it. Hope if you ever watch this, you'll enjoy the series – I thought it was fun in spite of my halfhearted thoughts in the beginning. :)

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