Cage Fight (Secrets du Fort)

## 07 - "Cage Fight"

Episode title card.

Shelley Whiting - Rouge

"**Cage Fight**" is the first episode of the second series of animated-drama series *Secrets du Fort*, a spin-off from the UK version of the game show *Fort Boyard*. It was first aired on Toffa on 23 February 2020 and was written by Myles Thompson who also wrote the debut episode of series one, "A Dream Destination". Series 2 of the show was a contrast from the first; pushing a darker direction to the show (thus it now aired at the 9pm watershed) as well as containing character arcs throughout. The episode was well-received by viewers and critics; praising the new darker edge to the show and indeed the characters to the backstory of the Fort Boyard revival.

## Synopsis

After witnessing the death of his wife, Blonde, Boyard III offers his twin daughters the opportunity to take over her throne. But with two competitors, all is never fair, especially with how Blanche and Rouge have been soulmates for their lives. But Boyard has a plan; a plan that could dramatically change the family relationship. And not just through a cage fight to claim the throne, but with bias through his eyes just to get one on the throne and the other in prison.

## Plot

An unwell Blonde is sat at her throne dying as Boyard enters to see her. She tells him that she'd like to see her daughters before she dies, but he cannot let her do so as she would be dead by the time they see her for the last time. He further remarks that they will always be in her heart to which Blonde compliments with her final words "Thank you...". Eventually left for dead, a distressed Boyard goes to break the news to Blanche and Rouge whilst playing outside of the fort. The three hug and cry toward each other and remark that it would never be the same again. For the rest of the day, Blanche and Rouge look back on fondest memories together; questioning what would happen with the throne as it holds power to those in charge of the fort as they fear on several possibilities such as one of them taking over and the other holding no sort of power whatsoever. They agree on the idea that one throne is enough for power and that their father is doing enough to continue as Master of the Fort. Blanche notices that Rouge's eyes have started to turn red and asks if it's a lack of sleep or deep guilt over the past days regarding their deceased mother. Rouge replies that she is unsure of it herself and claims to have a strange feeling in her mind.

That evening, Boyard holds a funeral in homage to Blonde as she is cremated with her ashes being scattered across the front of the fort toward the sea. He is aware that the fort's thrones hold such power where they must be used at all times; it cannot be given up, someone has to take over. Regarding his daughters, he lets them know that they are too precious of him for just one of them to take Blonde's and leave the other powerless. He suggests thinking of a plan to deal with it the next day. In his throne, Boyard thinks of an idea of a cage fight involving Blanche and Rouge in a "winner takes all" style competition to beside him. He believes that Blanche would be weak and too stupid to take up the mantle, unlike Rouge where he sees a sense of strength and confidence in her and begins to devise a plan to get Rouge on the throne and Blanche possibly in prison. As Rouge tries to sleep, she fails with the strange feeling from earlier coming back to her; controlling her mind of evil. Unbeknown to her, Boyard is right beside her and quietly calms her down which soon puts her to sleep. He proceeds to inject her with a small dose of PCP to help her win the cage fight which would take place the following evening.

The next morning, Rouge wakes up in a completely different attitude, a much more negative and threatening one. Boyard then shares to her and Blanche of a way to deal with the throne and that a cage fight is scheduled for the evening and that they would need to look their best. Blanche is further worried; noting the change in Rouge and losing trust in her father. She is strongly against it but Boyard adds that it's a good way to see his daughters battle in terms of strength. He concludes that they will need to prepare throughout the day as they would need it by showing equal faith between the two. Rouge then spends her time expressing some fighting talk whereas Blanche is left alone in a deal of guilt and pain where she fears tonight's cage fight and how different Rouge is.

That evening of the cage fight arrives with Boyard stood in the middle of the cage overlooking the throne as Blanche and Rouge approach in their dresses. He recites the rules that the first to be injured and fallen will have to give up before leaving to begin. Rouge attempts to make a move on Blanche who keeps away from her in fear and shock still from her changed ways. This goes on for a while until at one point, Rouge missteps and catches herself stuck on the side steel but continues much to Boyard's shock. Blanche tries to approach Rouge in an attempt to change her ways but accidentally throws her onto the floor; giving her the surprise victory. A defeated Rouge screams in agony over her loss and pain as Blanche starts crying. While Boyard is furious with the outcome, he forces himself to obey it.