The Empress

1st season – 60% – When the English have their most famous Elizabeth on Netflix, the German-speaking countries want to have their own as well. And with a grand production, sweeping music, and its deliberate pace, The Empress could withstand any harsh comparison. The problem arises when it markedly deviates from history, adding fashion or dance interludes like those in Bridgerton, turning Maximilian into a demonically indulgent and perpetually lurking Mephisto and missing out on the most interesting part of the tale, namely the presentation of the main couple and their love story, a story that has fascinated me since childhood with its almost fairy-tale settings. Unfortunately, its so charming I forgot everything that came after it, like the court's opposition to the newcomers and the fact that poor Sissi spent most of her time unhappy, lonely, and feeling unjustly treated by almost the entire world. That's why I harbor a certain viewer resentment towards the supporting characters in almost every episode, and all that's left is to hope that the series will get a chance to depict happier periods of the main protagonist's life. (01/02/2023)