The Duke of Savoy, who is married to King Louis' sister Christine, has come to Paris to sign a treaty of alliance between France and Savoy. Upon arrival, he narrowly survives an attempt on his life, but Aramis discovers the would-be assassin is a former Musketeer named Marsac. Five years earlier, Aramis and Marsac were the sole survivors after a troop of Musketeers were massacred during a training exercise near the French-Savoyard border. Marsac has learned that the Duke was responsible for the massacre, and persuades Aramis to investigate. But the Musketeers' loyalties are thrown into question when Captain Treville is implicated.
Meanwhile, the Duke refuses to sign the treaty until the assassin's motives are determined. In reality, he suspects Cardinal Tucker of being involved in the disappearance of his Chancellor, Clouset, five years earlier. His First Minister, Gontard, is tasked with investigating rumours that Clouset is being imprisoned in France.
This episode has a greater focus on political intrigue than swashbuckling action. I can't go into too much detail, because there are plenty of surprises I don't wish to spoil. However, it's interesting to see the rifts that are threatening to form. Aramis has to persuade d'Artagnan not to bring Marsac in (which does provoke a funny warning in which d'Artagnan threatens to take it personally if he's hanged), and they hide him at Constance's house. Porthos and Athos realise they're keeping a secret after the debriefing, and Constance threatens to evict d'Artagnan for the deception. Athos and Porthos are also reluctant to investigate Treville.
The episode also sees d'Artagnan grow closer to Constance. She goes back on her initial eviction, citing that she'd miss him. He later punches out Marsac for making improper advances towards her. I must admit the "rescue romance" trope isn't a thing I'm keen on when it's played straight. Yeah, it's a typical swashbuckler trope, but I can do without it. However, there is a subversion here. Constance asks d'Artagnan for a favour that her husband can't know about; she wants to learn how to fight.
All in all, it's a great episode with some tense intrigue and a few poignant moments. I especially like one comedic payoff with Gontard learns of Clouset's imprisonment.
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