Versailles: BBC TV Show Series One Episode Guide

BBC TV show Versailles brought the glory of the Sun King onto British TV. As flamboyant as it was debauched, it portrayed a royal court of dreamers, schemers and wastemen all vying for position to bask in warmth of the King's rays.

The year is 1667. Beset by enemies and twats on all sides the daring young king Louis XIV retreats to the royal hunting lodge in the countryside. From there he comes out swinging, building a magnificent palace out in the sticks, waging war in the Spanish Netherlands and rooting out his enemies who even now haunt his new Jerusalem. With his cross-dressing brother Philippe at his back and his skull-crushing torturer Marchal at his side, Louis carves his name into history all the while juggling mistresses, diplomats and would-be assassins in his quest for immortality.

TV critic James Donaghy is your guide through the first series. All 10 episodes recapped and dissected with the ferocious soul of Joan of Arc, the meticulous mind of Voltaire and the unforgiving eye of Maximilien Robespierre.

To prospective readers: PLEASE do not read if you dislike puerile humour, have any common decency or concern for your fellow man. This will not be your thing. The rest of you scumbags: have at it.