It is officially the penultimate episode of The Snake Queen Season 2, which means we only have one episode left before the season ends and we see the finale on Starz. And the penultimate episodes usually lay the groundwork for what’s coming in the finale. And I think The Snake Queen Season 2, Episode 7, “A House Divided,” definitely did that. Read on for the full recap. Spoilers below.

Catherine’s plans to marry King Charles to Queen Elizabeth go awry when she discovers he is suffering from consumption and his days are numbered. Catherine turns to Anjou as a potential suitor, but he basically ruins those plans when the two queens burst in on his orgy and a man, shall we say, does him a favor. You know what I mean.

This causes Elizabeth to return to England and admit that she never wanted to marry either of the brothers in the first place. The choices she has made and the way she plays with men are things she has to do to keep her power as a woman. And hey, I think we can all understand that. Before she leaves, she gives Catherine the document signed by Louis Bourbon announcing her betrayal. This causes the Bourbons to do what they do best and take care of themselves. They leave the palace and commit themselves to Edith.

After yelling at him earlier, Catherine finally goes to Anjou and explains to him that she accepts his nature and his personality. And that she wouldn’t change a thing about him. While I believe some of this was sincere as his mother, I have a feeling there’s another reason why Catherine changed her mind so suddenly, which we’ll find out in the finale next week.

It has been clear since the beginning of the season that Princess Margot has feelings for François de Guise. Although she doesn’t know it, he is attracted to men. And he is much older. The age difference does not deter the young princess, however. When the Catholic League puts pressure on him to marry Margot, he initially pushes her away with hurtful words in order to protect her. After all, he does have something like a conscience.

But his scheming mother does not give up so easily and speaks to Margot to bring the princess to her mother and convince her as well. At first Catherine agrees. But it is clear that she has another idea in mind. And in the last moments of The Snake Queen In Season 2, Episode 7, we see this. To keep the peace with Edith, she tells the Protestant leader that it would be beneficial if Princess Margot married Henry de Guise, Antoine’s son. We’ll see if that actually happens. One thing is for sure, though. Margot will not be happy.

It could also happen that Charles marries the Catholic CeCe of Austria, as he has agreed to be baptized and convert to Protestantism to keep the peace and appease Edith. However, when he and Catherine arrive, Edith claims she saw in a vision that Charles is a dying king, so what good is that going to do her? Catherine then proposes the union of Margot and Henry. Despite this, King Charles is baptized in the dying moments. And not only that, but there is the most important thing of all – Catherine says she will also hand over the regency to Edith once Margot and Henry are married. Hmm.

We learn that Rahema and Catherine’s brother Alessandro are in a relationship. The two talk about how Alessandro not only stole money from his sister, but also approached Queen Elizabeth with an investment opportunity in the New World. And he wants Rahema to come along. Catherine sees the couple and hears everything, including the betrayal. And when asked about the missing money, Rahema lies to Catherine.

Despite their argument in episode 6, Ruggeri has not abandoned Catherine. She asks him to show her what she should see in her visions, and she finds herself surrounded by six traitors – the Bourbons, the Guises, Rahema, Alessandro and Montmorency, who was also baptized by Edith earlier in the episode. The sixth traitor could be a child. But who? I’m sure we’ll find out next week in The Snake Queen Season 2, Episode 8, “All Saints Day!”

The Snake Queen Season 2 will be broadcast/streamed on Fridays on Starz.