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[bbcmusketeerskink]

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Comments

Execution-methods & background

[(Anonymous)]

I do know how to start the fun discussions...

So:
Athos was about to be executed via firing-squad. D'Artagnan and Porthos would have been hanged.
Why?

My (also only patchy) knowledge of other time-periods (and countries) is that death by firing squad was somehow more honourable and seen as a true soldier's death, unlike hanging which was for everyone. Was that also true for France at that time? If yes it does explain d'Artagnan as he wasn't a Musketeer at the time and also why the ripped off Porthos' emblem/badge before.
But still: why? Porthos and Athos were both accused of cold-blooded murder totally unconnected to anything they did as soldier so where's the difference?
Is there another answer than racism? (Or plot-convenience because the writers considered on the one occasion the firing-squad and on the other the gallows more dramatic?)
Or has it to do with Athos being judged directly by the king as the matter had been brought before him?

Re: Execution-methods & background

[(Anonymous)]

My impression was that firing squad wasn't a thing in France until the 20th century. Common criminals got hung, heretics got burned, nobility got beheaded with a sword (some guy tried to assassinate Richelieu, or have him assassinated, failed, and Richelieu made sure that the apprentice executioner did the beheading so it took twenty one strikes to cut his head off). They just had the firing squad in the pilot for dramatic purposes. Athos should have been hung, unless he wanted to pull rank and for a beheading. I'm not actually sure about the hanging, either. That might have been more of an English thing.

If you want to make it make sense with internal show logic (good luck!) I'd go with racism.

Re: Execution-methods & background

[(Anonymous)]

Thank you. I don't even need it to make sense for any fic-purposes or so (at least so far). I was just really confused.

Re: Execution-methods & background

[(Anonymous)]

As a murderer Athos shouldn't have been shot, but the show doesn't really care about historical accuracy. You could explain it away with Athos being from a more noble background than d'Artagnan or Porthos if you need a reason for a fic, but really, it should have been the noose for him as well.

Re: Execution-methods & background

[(Anonymous)]

"but the show doesn't really care about historical accuracy"

That was the expression I got as well, just wanted to make sure I didn't miss anything.

But thanks for clearing it up.