Reign – Coup de Grace

By: Stacy Miller

The episode begins with Prince Henry (Nick Slater) seizing the English ship of Captain Evans for not paying taxes to France. Elizabeth (Rachel Skarsten) hears of this and tells Gideon (Ben Geurens) that she can’t risk war with France over the seizing of some merchant ships. She wonders how she’ll survive without him while Gideon is in France.

In France, Catherine (Megan Follows) tells Narcisse (Craig Parker) that her two sons seem to be at war with each other. Narcisse tells her about the problem he’s being having with Nicole (Ann Pirvu). She’s been leaving him little gifts and expects him to respond with affectionate messages. When Henry enters, Narcisse tells him that he (Narcisse) will negotiate with Lord Blackburn (Gideon) about the France/England tax issue and he’ll take the meeting alone.

In Scotland, Darnley (Will Kemp) spies of Mary (Adelaide Kane) as she goes to meet secretly with Bothwell (Adam Croasdale) and David Rizzio (Andrew Shaver).  Bothwell tells her that Darnley has been paying the Privy Council to vote against everything she brings to them in exchange for them to grant him the crown matrimonial. If Darnley receives the crown matrimonial, he will not only be considered her equal but her superior (because he is a man) in all matters of court.  But Mary has a plan that she thinks may work.

Narcisse meets with Lord Blackburn and Gideon gives Narcisse a list of England demands for France’s actions. But later, Henry tells Narcisse that whatever he does he can’t return the English cargo they seized because it was full of saltpeter, which the English can use to make gun power to use against France.

Mary announces to the court that she is carrying a child that has claim to both the English and Scottish thrones. Darnley is put on the spot and has to tell the court how excited he and the queen are at the impending birth of their child. But John Knox (Jonathan Goad) is furious; now that Darnley has claimed the child, he’s ruined any chance they have of getting rid of Mary.  So, Knox suggests that they eliminate the queen because as long as she allowed to breathe, she is a danger to them.   David tells Mary that her plan worked, the members of Privy Council have now given her their support.  The only hold out is the treasurer Lord Ruthven (John Ralston). Mary comments that they know Ruthven is not above taking bribes; she knows they can find something on him.

Henry goes out on a stroll with Nicole and tells her that Charles would have never been king without her whispering in his ear, after Narcisse has whispered in hers.  Nicole resents the assumption that Narcisse is using her, but Henry promises to show her the truth.  Narcisse tells Gideon that they will return the ships but will keep the cargo. Gideon knows what’s in the cargo so he doesn’t accept. He tells Narcisse how pained Elizabeth still is about Lola’s death. Then, Gideon says that the only way he (Gideon) was able to survive the deaths of his wife and daughter was to allow himself to be loved.  He encourages Narcisse to do the same.

In Scotland, Mary questions Lord Ruthven about the discrepancies in the Privy Council ledgers and asks how the Privy Council and his fellow lords will feel when they learn he has been stealing from them.  Lord Ruthven can’t believe this. “What has happened to Scotland? The queen is more French than Scottish!”  He calls her bluff and says that he’ll stay with the king.  David Rizzio corners Lord Ruthven outside and tells him that he knows his secret: They frequent the same places and desire the company of men. Lord Ruthven warns that Rizzio will burn alongside him. David would risk it for Mary. John Knox is furious they have lost Lord Ruthven’s vote and tells Darnley that now they have no choice but to kill Mary. Darnley has another plan: They can have Mary charge with adultery.  He explains that if a passionate woman like Mary is not feeding her passion with him, she has to be doing it with Bothwell. John Knox assures that Mary will have to abdicate, even though she will be imprisoned for adultery, she will live.

Narcisse tells Charles (Spencer MacPherson) that his brother Henry has been going behind his back and plotting with Spain with his sister Queen Leesa.

In England when Archduke Ferdinand (Steve Byers) finds a sexually explicit letter from Elizabeth. She lies that he has inspired passion in her and she had to write her thoughts down.

Bothwell tells Mary that they must flee France because Darnley and the Privy Council intend to take her throne by force. But Mary tells Bothwell to leave because Darnley can’t find him in her bed chamber. Bothwell complies but David tells Mary that he will stay to protect her from whatever Darnley and the Privy Council are planning. Things take a tragic turn when Ruthven suggests they use the fact that Rizzio was alone with the queen in her bedchamber.  He urges the men to “kill the Italian.” Mary pleads with Darnley that he can’t stand around and watch an innocent man be killed. Mary watches in horror as Ruthven and his men stab Rizzio to death.

Henry and Nicole hide behind the screen to watch and listen as Narcisse talks about his disdain for her gifts and he and Catherine make fun of her. Later, Henry apologizes that Nicole was hurt and tells her that she deserves a man who loves her for all that she has to offer. Then, Henry and Nicole begin to make love.

Mary pretends that something is wrong with the baby and asks to see the king. She tells Darnley she was faking in order to get him to come to her. Mary warns Darnley that John Knox and the Privy Council are using him and will discard and dispose of him like they did poor David.  Darnley apologizes for Rizzio’s death as he never meant for that to happen.  Mary tries to get Darnley to see that they will never accept an Englishman on the Scottish throne. Darnley agrees to flee with Mary.  The escape via the secret passageway.  But once they are outside, Darnley tells Mary they must go their separate ways.  He will go somewhere no one will find him.

Archiduke Ferdinand gives Elizabeth a beautiful engagement ring.  But before she can accept it, Ferdinand tells her that he knows of her dalliance with another man (Gideon). He then orders her to not only end it, but to send Gideon away from England. Although it pains her, Elizabeth agrees.

Charles tells Henry that he knows he’s been plotting with Spain to try to take his crown. With Nicole standing by his side, Charles tells his brother that he’ll never have what is his.

Mary meets up with Bothwell and tells him that Darnley helped her flee the castle because he feared for his life. She tells Bothwell how they butchered David, but vows they will take back the castle at dawn and that the conspirators will pay with their lives.