The second disk of part 1 of Ryoko Ikeda’s Rose of Versailles, is chock full of court intrigue and setting up the story by introducing many of the players in upcoming episodes. Oscar is now captain of the guard to the impulsive, vain and child-like Marie Antoinette. While she admires her Queen’s faithfulness to her emotions, Oscar is very well aware of the fact that those emotions unchecked will lead the people around her to disaster.

Madame DuBarry might have won the battle, but she loses the war. When the King dies she has no allies, no resources and nowhere to turn. By the time she leaves Versailles, she’s already an afterthought. Kids, this is why when you sign on to a start-up, make sure your exit strategy is in the contract.

Almost immediately we move on – two skeins will combine to create one tragedy. A poor family; a good daughter and an evil daughter, and a doomed love affair will set the scene for the next disk. France, as the narrator keeps pointing out, is heading towards a crisis.
Ratings:

Art – 8
Story – 9
Characters 9
Yuri – 0 (So far. Wait for it.)
Service – 5 Oscar swearing to die for Andre and Marie was pretty service-y

Overall – 8

In my 21st century reboot of this story, Rosalie is a hard-working college student and Jeanne is sleeping her way up a corporate ladder. ^_^ I’m taking bids, cable TV networks. This will be a hit!