The second season of The Empress does not disappoint. The series is centered around the life of Empress Elisabeth of Austria, who had gained a reputation for being ahead of her time. Elisabeth refused to adhere to societal norms and always strived to live more freely. In season two, she struggled with her duty to produce an heir to the throne. Elisabeth always believed she could do more than what was expected of her. The common people adored her, and she always came up with ideas to ensure their well-being. But her husband was caught up between love and societal expectations, and he often made decisions that Elisabeth did not agree with. This season focuses on the Lombardy-Venetia rebellion that ultimately resulted in a war and every wrong decision that led to the escalation.
Spoiler Alert
Will Franz survive on the battlefield?
In The Empress season 2’s finale, Franz announced that he would join his men on the battlefield. After being defeated in the Battle of Magenta, Franz believed it was his duty to stand by his people. He always thought that everyone around him considered him weak because of his preference for peace over war, and now that thousands of his soldiers had been either killed or wounded, he knew it was the right time to show his strength and become the anchor that his subjects needed. His mother did not trust his decision. She did not think he was a fighter like Napoleon III, and she was afraid that he would be defeated, or worse, killed. When Franz figured out that Napoleon was supporting the rebellion, he knew that his empire did not stand a chance, but he was the one who had declared war, and he could not back out simply because he did not have a fair idea of who he was going up against. According to history, Franz did not die in the war, but Austria was defeated. The Piedmont-Sardinian army and the French army won, and with the signing of the Armistice of Villafranca, the Second Italian War of Independence ended.
The death of his daughter continued to trouble Franz mentally, followed by the sudden demise of his son and then his wife. In the series, Franz is portrayed as someone who never wanted to become an emperor, given a choice. He often felt overwhelmed by the number of decisions he had to make, and sometimes all he wanted was an ordinary life—to be a dedicated husband and a loving father. But he barely got to enjoy the little moments of joy with his family, because leading an empire required constant attention and dedication. He also felt the urgency to move away from his mother’s shadow and make his own decisions as an emperor. Franz was mostly in a state of conflict, sometimes with his mother, sometimes with his wife, and often with himself and his desires. Elisabeth helped him feel alive, but at the same time, she was too free-spirited for someone who could not afford to abandon his responsibilities.
Where did Maximilian and Charlotte travel to?
In The Empress season 2’s ending, Maximilian and Charlotte were seen leaving the palace before the war began. Maximilian was hopeful that Franz would offer him a meaningful role after his brother had decided to forgive him. While he was briefly made the Viceroy of the Lombardy-Venetia region, Franz did not trust him. Maximilian was a liberal, and he believed that only by improving the living conditions of the area could the empire once again regain the trust of the local people. He was right; it had worked to an extent, but it was taking time, and the military head, General Gyulai, strongly believed that the right way forward was to punish and force the people to obey the emperor. Maximilian was hopeful that his brother would side with him, but unfortunately, Franz allowed the military head to make every decision. Franz was devastated after Sophie’s death, and he was not thinking straight. He simply agreed to what his council said without trying to understand Maximilian’s plans.
When the war was about to begin, Franz removed Maximilian from the post of Viceroy. He believed that the symbolic gesture would signify the emperor’s admission that he had failed to handle the situation in the Lombardy-Venetia region. But Maximilian did not make peace with his decision. He tried to be there for his family, hoping that Franz would one day see his worth. When Franz declared that he would join his men on the battlefield, Maximilian offered to cater to any emergency in Vienna. But Franz made it clear that he expected Elisabeth or Sophie to handle things, and when the time was right, his son would take over as the emperor. Maximilian realized that he would never be taken seriously and would always have to hide behind his brother’s shadow. So, he decided to leave with Charlotte, who agreed with his decision. Going by history, we can assume that Maximilian and Charlotte will move to Mexico. We know that a tragic end awaits him, but at the same time, it will be interesting to see his struggle in trying to strike a balance between his liberal views and the Mexican conservatives he represented at the time.
What Else To Expect In Season 3?
The Empress season 2’s ending hints at the possibility that we might watch the romance between Ava and Alexander Von Bach unfold. After pretending to be Countess Von Apafi throughout the first two seasons, Von Bach finally figured out her secret, or at least a part of it. After discovering that she was pregnant when he ordered her to leave the royal palace, the baron regretted his decision and was determined to find her. Whether a happy ending awaits them or Von Bach will always live with regret is something we will hopefully find out in the upcoming season.
In season 2, Sophie’s youngest son, Ludwig, showed affection for a young baron, but his mother caught him in the act. He was punished by his mother, but Ludwig could not change who he was. In season three, we can expect to witness the clash between him and his mother as he decides to be more unabashed about his identity.
Elisabeth’s declining mental health will surely take center stage in season three. She was known for her carefree lifestyle, and we can expect her to break free from the shackles of domestic life and travel far and wide as she used to. There is a lot to unfold in season 3, and given how the series has been a delight to watch all along, I cannot wait for the release of the next season!
