The Shoes

 is the fifth episode of the first season of the Netflix series The Empress.

Synopsis
Maximilian gathers support for an evil plan while Elisabeth's well-intended gesture backfires, leading her to befriend the dubious maid, Leontine.

Plot
Theo woke up Franz for an early departure. Austrian troops were repositioned to the border to get ready for Russia's attack. Franz made a speech, asking the solders to maintain peace in their realm, but not to hesitate to fight if the Russians were aggressive. Franz found it difficult to make the speech, especially when his army were the ones sacrificing themselves for the country.

Bach reported disturbing news to Franz, that Baron Georg von Sina cancelled the loan because Franz broke his promise by sending sizeable troops to the border. He angrily dismissed Bach.

All of these left Franz extremely frustrated and he recalled the time when a man tried to assassinate him.

Maximilian informed the council of his plans to secretly overthrow Franz. The council told him that he still needed support from three parties, the army, the church and his mother.

Elisabeth was made to drink more raw eggs to help with bearing an heir. Esterházy and Archduke Luziwuzi accompanied Elisabeth on her trip to the city. Countess Esterházy reminded Elisabeth to not make eye contact, touch or engage in a one-to-one conversation with the people. Luziwuzi gave Elisabeth some advice on what she should say when nervous.

At a foundry, Elisabeth met the staff members, who were all wearing dirty, tattered clothing. She received a gift from the foreman. Ignoring instructions from Esterházy, Elisabeth walked inside the foundry and was disturbed by the horrible working conditions of the iron factory. She was followed by Esterházy and Luziwuzi, who coughed from the fumes. The foreman and Esterházy urged Elisabeth to leave, but she continued working. She met a young girl, named Hedi, who worked in the foundry. She was wearing torn shoes, and explained that she did not have parents. Her brother was saving up to buy her a pair of shoes. Elisabeth gave her shoes to Hedi and wanted to continue walking barefoot, but Esterházy was adamant that an Empress cannnot touch the ground. She had Baron von Kempen carry Elisabeth outside, where an angry crowd had gathered. They thought Elisabeth was too pompous to walk barefoot. The situation went out of control when dirt was thrown at the Luziwuzi's face. The officers started getting violent, and the other visits were cancelled. The police officers made many arrests and in the chaos, Hedi's brother was killed.

Amalia snuck into Leontine's room and stole a letter that "Leontine" had written to her parents. Amalia also discovered some bloodied clothes in her wardrobe. Leontine returned to her room and was about to enter, when she was stopped by Baron Alexander von Bach. He had been mesmerised by Leontine and nervously asked her out on a date to look at paintings. Leontine agreed, and in the corner of her eye, saw Amalia leaving her room.

Franz asked to meet his ex-lover, Countess Louise Gundemann, who was now engaged to Baron Georg von Sina. Franz asked her to help to convince the baron to assist with the loan. When Louise wanted Franz to beg, he did, and Louise asked that he repay her someday. She then kissed him, but they were interrupted by Theo bringing news of the incident at the foundry.

Elisabeth was carried into her bedroom. Both Sophie and Esterházy blamed Elisabeth for the chaos as she did not follow instructions.

Franz and Elisabeth argued in private. Franz told Elisabeth that she could not get so close to people, as it was reckless, but Elisabeth disagreed. She told Franz that the very reason the people hated them was because the royals treated them with contempt. Just as Franz was about to lay down, Elisabeth began pelting him with fruit. He got up to stop her, and the two began making out.

Later, Sophie warned Esterházy that there would be consequences for her if Elisabeth stepped out of line or failed to fall pregnant again.

Maximilian went to the church to confess his sins and spoke to Archbishop Rauscher. Raushcer was happy to see Maximilian back after the death of his fiancée. As the people were against Franz, Maximilian proposed a coup to overthrow Franz, and become emperor himself. However, Maximilian did not get the support he was looking for, as Rauscher was unclear what Maximilian stood for.

Leontine warned Elsa, one of the conspirators in the palace, to call off the plan as Amalia knew her identity. However, Elsa said they would go through with it regardless. Just as Leontine was packing her bags, ready to run off, Elisabeth went into her room, looking for company. Elisabeth and Leontine talked and Leontine told Elisabeth that she appreciated her kindness towards Hedi, the little girl at the foundry. Elisabeth said she wished Franz was not an emperor.

At night, Elisabeth could not sleep and got out of bed. She went downstairs, where she bumped into Maximilian, who was returning to the palace from a party. Maximilian offered to run away with her to Prague through a secret tunnel, and Elisabeth was tempted.

Elisabeth went into Leontine's room, looking for company. Unbeknownst to her, Leontine had been packing her bags ready to run off, as Amalia was suspicious of her identity. Elisabeth and Leontine talked and Leontine told Elisabeth that she appreciated her kindness towards Hedi, the little girl at the foundry. Elisabeth said she wished Franz was not an emperor.

Main Cast

 * Devrim Lingnau as Empress Elisabeth of Austria / Princess Elisabeth of Bavaria
 * Philip Froissant as Emperor Franz Joseph of Austria-Hungary
 * Melika Foroutan as Archduchess Sophie
 * Johannes Nussbaum as Archduke Maximilian
 * Almila Bagriacik as Leontine von Apafi
 * Wiebke Puls as Countess Esterházy
 * Elisa Schlott as Duchess Helene
 * Jördis Triebel as Princess Ludovika

Additional Cast

 * Alexander Finkenwirth as Baron Alexander von Bach
 * Hanna Hilsdorf as Countess Amalia von Salm-Reifferscheidt
 * Rauand Taleb as Theo
 * Runa Greiner as Countess Charlotte von Stubenberg
 * Felix Nölle as Archduke Luziwuzi
 * Erol Nowak as Baron von Kempen
 * Svenja Jung as Countess Louise Gundemann
 * Anna Böttcher as Elsa
 * Lola du Bled as Hedi
 * Leopold Hornung as Count von Buol
 * August Schmölzer as Rauscher
 * Merlin Rose as Egon
 * Georg Schmiechen as Foremen Foundry
 * Oliver Moritz as Officer Barrack Yard
 * Benjamin Jorns as Palace Guard Castle Park
 * Marc Rose as Angry Citizen #1 Foundry
 * Volker Ringe as Commander Moring
 * Felix Auer as Sophie's Servant
 * Florian Graf as Valentin
 * Anne Weise as Angry Citizen #2
 * Stefanie Schimanski as Countess von Apafi
 * Jörg Wildung as Coachman von Apafi
 * Silva Bieler as Elisabeth's Chambermaid #1
 * Frédéric Stromenger as Wilhelm von Österriech
 * Enzo Mandara as Accomplice Assault
 * Jakob Nienhaus as Sophie's servant #2

Quotes
"Today's visit is of utmost importance. The Empress is concerned for her people, and they must see that. Do not forget that as far as the people are concerned, you are a divine being. Always follow these three rules. Do not touch anyone. Never. Avoid eye contact. And do not speak casually with anyone. The Empress must stay untouchable and unassailable. Always."

- Esterházy speaks to Elisabeth on the way to the foundry

"Stability, security, and order are what we need now. When chaos reigns, we impose our control. We don't pacify! Tell me that you are with me, Franz."

- Sophie speaks to Franz

"You cannot get so close to the people. It's reckless."

- Franz argues with Elisabeth

"That's the very reason they hate us all. Since we treat them with contempt. Don't speak to them, don't look at them, don't touch them."

- Elisabeth argues with Franz

"You have no idea what I'm trying to do to get things to change around here! And your bleeding heart is of no help at all."

- Franz argues with Elisabeth

"I have never met a strong person with a simple past."

- Elisabeth speaks to Leontine