Why I am so hooked to the plot of "Deus Salve O Rei"

June 02, 2018

My latest addiction is the Brazilian telenovela, "Deus Salve O Rei" (literally translated to English it means "God Save the King"). The telenovela airs in Brazil on Rede Globo at 7.40 p.m. from Mondays through Saturdays.

A wildly engaging story, Deus Salve O Rei is a period drama set in 1203, in the fictional kingdoms of Montemor and Artena.

Deus Salve O Rei

So, the two kingdoms are each rich in something. The kingdom of Montemor is abundant in ore which is its greatest commodity of trade. Artena is scarce in this but makes up for it with its great water supply. Thus, the two kingdoms have lived in harmony for many years exchanging the commodities to each other's benefit.

The queen of Montemor, Crisélia de Monferrato, finds out that she is about to pass on. With this in mind, she decides to prepare the launching of an aqueduct which will be the end of Montemor's water scarcity. Unfortunately though, the aqueduct dries up and this calls for the search of a new source of water for the kingdom, in a bid to avoid depending on Artena.

Afonso, the crown prince of Montemor and grandson of the queen, embarks on a journey to find a viable resource of water for the kingdom. Queen Crisélia tells her grandson to take on the throne once he returns from the expedition (she is aware of her greatly declining health).

Well, during the expedition, Afonso is wounded and is founded by Amália, a plebeian from Artena and they fall in love as she cares for him. It is for this reason that Afonso decides to abdicate the throne and move to the kingdom of Artena with his beloved. Afonso didn't know was that Amália was engaged to an artful merchant, some bozo whose name is Virgilio.

Amalia and Afonso

What Afonso also does not know is that in Montemor, he was already pronounced dead and this knowledge caused a great deterioration in his granny's health and POOF! She was dead.

Afonso decides to show up and announce his rejection of the throne to his very irresponsible and puerile brother, Rodolfo. This is because he does not trust the advisers of Rodolfo, Petronio and Orlando...He is of course right not to, because they actually planned to rule the kingdom through the reckless Rodolfo.

Well, Afonso decides to trust the overseeing of the leadership to his trusted friend, Cassio.

Cassio

But then, it is useless since Rodolfo really cares less about Montemor's problems and does not give a hoot about Cassio's opinions. Petronio and Orlando suggest he marry so as to continue the lineage of the kingdom, and after many eligible ladies, he decides to marry Lucrecia, princess of Alcaluz.

Prince Rodolfo and Princess Lucrecia of Alcaluz

The kingdom of Artena is governed by King Augusto de Lurton. He is wise, just and very much fair. But the same cannot be said for his really bitchy daughter, Princess Catarina, one of the grand villains of the novela. She actually wants to off her daddy so she can become queen. When he is killed by a gun from Montemor, more BOOM! Hatred ensues

King Augusto and the evil Princess Catarina

This poor excuse of a princess actually sets off hatred between the two kingdoms by being the orchestrator of the coup in which her father is killed by a gun from the land of Montemor while causing great rancor by cutting off the water supply from Artena, and a great war ensues.

Princess Catarina of Artena

It is this new loathing of each other that makes the telenovela tick and here lies the heart of the story. How Afonso and Amalia have sworn eternal love to each other despite the warring kingdoms is what makes love in that era much more invigorating.

Amalia and Afonso

The telenovela is based in medieval so one should expect lots of horses, knights and scenic views of castles and palaces. The show is also shot in Super HD 1080p making the watching experience very much worth it.

The telenovela's theme song, Scarborough Fair, is a traditional English ballad from Yorkshire, England, performed by Norwegian songstress, Aurora Aksnes. Watch it below:

Aside from well written scenes, an engaging plot and scenes with very mature humor, the telenovela has an ensemble cast from Brazil starring Marina Ruy Barbosa, Bruna Marquezine Rômulo Estrela, Ricardo Pereira, Johnny Massaro, Caio Blat, José Fidalgo and Tatá Werneck.

Hopefully, as next year begins, Deus Salve O Rei will be launched in the international market by Globo and seeing as this show is already topping ratings (amongst the other hit titles of course), I have no doubt that the show will also conquer the international market. I cannot wait to see this!

Here is The English Subtitled trailer: