The King, the Squirrel and the Grass Snake — Season 1, Episode 1: Episode 1
Drama • 95 min • 1 season, 2 episodes • ★ 8.0/10
Episode synopsis
The first part follows the rise of Nicolas Fouquet, Superintendent of Finances under Louis XIV. Brilliant, charismatic, and remarkably effective, Fouquet becomes the most powerful man in the kingdom after Cardinal Mazarin. But his wealth, influence, and growing prestige worry the young king, who is determined to rule on his own. While Fouquet builds Vaux‑le‑Vicomte and strengthens his network of allies, Colbert, discreet yet relentless, works behind the scenes to convince Louis XIV that Fouquet is a threat. This episode explores the escalating tensions, the intrigues of the royal court, and the rivalry that forms around control of the kingdom’s finances.
About The King, the Squirrel and the Grass Snake
"The king, the squirrel and the grass snake" is a two‑part French historical drama set in 17th‑century Paris, following the intense rivalry between Nicolas Fouquet, the brilliant and flamboyant Superintendent of Finances, and Jean‑Baptiste Colbert, the calculating administrator determined to bring him down. As Fouquet rises in power, wealth, and prestige—building the magnificent château of Vaux‑le‑Vicomte and securing Mazarin’s favor—his influence begins to alarm the young Louis XIV. Colbert seizes the opportunity to undermine his rival, weaving a political trap that will reshape the future of the kingdom. Through court intrigues, shifting alliances, and the growing authority of the Sun King, the film portrays the fall of a man who shone too brightly and the birth of absolute monarchy in France.