The TV series the Empress is a vastly and exceedingly romanticized love drama series, based on real historical figure:
The Empress of Austria, Elisabeth, nicknamed Sissi. (1837-1898)
Did you know her?
The TV series tells the story of the “wild duchess” of Bavaria, who could never have imagined how her life will unfold.
She is very young, actually in real life, she was also 16 years when she is betrothed to the Emperor. However his request to marry her was not a question. It is more an imperative, since he is the Emperor.
Nonetheless the story tells, that the Emperor Franz Jospeh (1930-1916) really loved her for who she was.
At a time, when ladies think about marrying and being perfect for society, and pleasing everyone around them. Elisabeth does not care much about the rules of society and refuses to meet her families expectations.
She loves nature, riding horses, hunting and is generally unconventional for a Lady of her times. Elisabeth (Devrim Lingau) is known for being outspoken, but very likeable.
During her lifetime she was known as the most beautiful royal in Europe. She never took a photograph over the age of 30, so it would stay that way.
Empress Elisabeth, the real historical figure, was very obsessed with her looks. She took the utmost care of her hair, which is always long and thick, put together in different braided hairstyles.
We can see these braided Hairstyles in the TV series.
Her family background is noble, but her upbringing in the countryside is crucial, because it formed her love for the outdoors.
In the series her mother always treats her like the black sheep of the family and is always concerned that she is up to no good.
Apparently she takes after her father, who is not a strong male figure, rather more a drunken bold man, which does not suit his position.
Elizabeth was never meant to be an Empress.
Her sister Helene was supposed to marry the Emperor (Philip Froissant).
But as soon as the Emperor laid eyes on Elisabeth, it was over;
He was so smitten with her, he forgot all about his intention to marry her sister.
In their series their first encounter is lovely. At this time, her sister Helene (Elisa Schlott), her mother (Jördis Triebel) and Sissi went to the capital, Vienna, to meet the future husband of Helene: the Austrian Hungarian Emperor, Franz Jospeh of Habsburg.
While exploring the royal palace, Sissi saves a small bird, which flew into one of the palace windows and got hurt.
When she is going to the water fountain outside the castle, Elisabeth sees Franz getting off his horse to drink some water. As soon as she recognizes him, she tries to hide behind a tree. But he saw her anyway and asks her, what she is doing.
The TV series Empress portrays many strong women. The most crucial of them all is the Empress (Melika Foroutan), the mother of the Emperor. She is a ruling power and the key point in the Empire. While her son very young is still finding his ruling style and voice, his mother is the one with the real power.
Power can shift easily, especially as a women. She wants and pushes her son to marry Helene, because having a wife and a future heir brings stability to the realm. That is all she wants from the future Empress, to bring children in the world. The ruling should be kept between her and Franz.
Franz at the time starts rebelling against his pressing mother, who always wants to control everything. It is not her place to also force him in marriage with Helene, if he has fallen for this unconventional beauty, Elizabeth.
Their initial sweet encounters are really lovely, Elizabeth can’t resist the pull of the Emperor:
It is summer in the palace and apparently very hot. Peculiar Sissi, lays down, on in a room with wooden floors, next to the window. While laying there, the Emperor comes along and wonders what she is doing. She explains to him that it is very cooling and relaxing to lay on the floor like this. He promptly imitates her and is laying next to her, feeling immediately relaxed and settled.
For an Emperor, where responsibilities can never lift his shoulders, having this moment of unconventional relieve, was eye opening to him.
He does not want any Lady, who is picture perfect and does everything to fit in. He wants someone like her, who can make him feel some relief from his duties, from time to time.
This is the weekend of his birthday. In the night, after the official celebrations with his entourage ended, he sends for Elizabeth who is sleeping in the room with her sister.
Elizabeth can’t sleep at night, she is an insomniac. She is wide awake when she hears the knocking on the door, with her night gown she goes and sees the Emperor.
Did she know the Emperor was sending for her?
Why did she stay in her nightgown? Maybe to not wake her sister?
Anyway, she goes there and he tells her he wants to drink Champagne and spend the rest of the birthday with her.
The next day he professes his wishes to marry her, in front of everyone. Helene is heartbroken.
In the series they both fall head over heels in love. There is no stopping them, especially at the beginning.
Also Max (Johannes Nussbaum) the brother of the Emperor is very disappointed. He had this banter going on with Sissi and he is also very smitten with her. Franz not knowing about Max feelings and wanting his brother close, he asks him to stay in Vienna.
Max is a really troubled and a troublesome character in the series.
What did you think about the series?
There is so much more to say. The series is much more complex than love and unrequited love.
It shows the poverty, at the time, on the streets of Vienna and the contrast with the royal household.
Elisabeth wants to know the people, she wants to be there for them, but she is always shielded and protected.
It is also true that there have already been several attacks on the royal family. A terrorist had stabbed Franz. So their concerns are legitimate. The times are very violent and the discontent is palpable.
There are rebels, actually real terrorists, planning an attack. They are able to infiltrated in into the palace, very close to Sissi actually. We see during the series they are plotting and scheming to kill the royals.
Which episode is your favorite? Who is your favorite character?
Did you enjoy the ending?
I found it quite epic.
