Robespierre persuades Finance Minister Jacques Necker to talk the King into approving the Assembly, knowing that this is the only way to avoid bloodshed. Antoinette still believes in the Royal Family's invincibility and that the National Assembly will be dissolved. She orders 100,000 soldiers from every part of France to suppress the revolutionaries, and tells Oscar that she might have to join them soon. Oscar's illness progresses, and she realizes that there is a problem with her lungs. She begins to model for a portrait of herself though she had always declined being painted before. The soldiers prevent all rallies and gatherings and skirmish with the commoners on a regular basis. Due to the large number of soldiers, Paris plunges into a severe food shortage. Orleans begins demanding for Louis XVI's abdication—and his own coronation, but is ignored due to lack of support. Necker tries to persuade the King to approve the Assembly while Antoinette tries otherwise. Andre suspects Oscar's secret illness. Robespierre denies Saint-Just's request to assassinate the Royal Family and sends Bernard to keep him in line. Saint-Just shakes Bernard's faith in Robespierre's motives. Antoinette banishes Necker from Versailles, and Robespierre uses this as propaganda for the people to take up arms against the Royal Family, spreading lies that a massacre is about to occur. Though Saint-Just's words now seem true, Bernard decides to not care about Robespierre as long as the people can be represented. Oscar begs Antoinette to withdraw the army from Paris, but she refuses. Antoinette, in turn, asks if she would still protect her if revolution came, and Oscar responds by saying that she is no longer in the Royal Guards. Oscar leaves Antoinette in silent tears, knowing that they would never seen each other again. (Source: Wikipedia)

Aired on: 7/29/1980