Reign – Safe Passage

By: Stacy Miller

“Reign” episode Safe Passage was a perfect outing as the episode intrigue also helped to show the bond between Mary (Adelaide Kane) and Catherine (Megan Follows). It also gave Bash (Torrance Coombs) some great scenes in what has been a lackluster season for the character.

The episode picks up where the last one ended as Mary and Bash enter the royal dining room to find the dead generals. Catherine gets them up to speed about how all the generals were poisoned except she and Charles (Spencer Macpherson) and her fear that they will be blamed, since everyone will think they were trying to get out of paying the soldiers.

The royal conspirators (Catherine, Mary and Bash) decide to bury the bodies and pretend the generals never showed up. As far as anyone at the castle who may have seen the generals arrive, Catherine has that covered as she says, “Offer them bribes for their silence. If they refuse, I’ll cut their heads off.”

But Catherine better watch out for “Lurky McLurker” The Royal Serial Killer, Christophe, who is in Catherine’s chamber when she returns. In order to placate him, Catherine allows him to strangle her (but not fatally) during their sexual encounter. Christophe (Nathaniel Middleton) is one sick puppy.

Meanwhile, King Charles appoints Delphine (Alexandra Ordolis) as the Royal Court Seer to help uncover information about The Red Knights and their next move. Delphine senses that a killer is in the castle.

Mary learns from a letter from Lola (Anna Popplewell) that she’ll be able to safely travel to Scotland due to repairs being made to British ships allowing Mary’s boat to enter the waters undetected. However, because Mary was late getting the letter, she’ll have to leave today! She tells Bash that although she appreciates his support, she prefers if he stays in France. Bummer. I really wanted these two to run off together!

Narcisse (Craig Parker) encourages Catherine to use Mary’s army to help fight The Red Knights, but Catherine knows Mary will need them as she makes her voyage back to Scotland. Narcisse then tries to guilt Mary into staying in France, reminding the danger Catherine is in without an army to fight for her. Mary counters by reminding Narcisse how he never fought for his own wife because he loved power more than Lola. Ouch! But Mary goes to Catherine telling her she is considering staying in France to help her. Catherine tells Mary, “We have to be queens of separate nations.” Mary’s future lies in Scotland. In a tender scene, Catherine confesses that having Mary around has lessened the pain of Francis’ death. The emotion displayed in this scene by Megan Follows and Adelaide Kane was so powerful that I’m sure there wasn’t a dry eye of any viewer watching. It’s incredible how far these two characters have come. Where there was once mistrust and resentment, there is now caring concern and love. So, Mary is ready to set sail for Scotland. She reads a letter from Bash.

Delphine is walking in the castle alone and when she sees Christophe. She remembers her vision and says, “It’s you.” So, Christophe kills her! My question is – As a seer, didn’t she get a vision of her own murder? And if so, wouldn’t she had been smart enough not to warn the killer than she knew his identity? What good is it being a psychic if you can’t save your own life?!

When Delphine’s body is found and Catherine is extremely upset, Bash finally realizes that Christophe is the killer – especially after seeing the strangle marks on Catherine’s neck. Later, Bash confronts Christophe. He shoots Christophe in the leg with his crossbow and demands a confession. Bash also wants to know why Catherine would be protecting Christophe if she knows he’s committed these heinous crimes. Christophe admits he has a letter detailing Catherine’s own crimes. Bash then kills the serial killer. The castle will be safe again!

Catherine faces soldiers outside the castle gates demanding she turn herself in for the murders of the generals if she wants to spare bloodshed. Fortunately, Mary has returned with her army. She tells the soldiers about The Red Knights and proclaims Catherine’s innocence. They need to believe and support Catherine and if they don’t, “You turn against France,” Mary says. But all is not roses and puppies for Catherine. When she returns to her chambers, she finds Bash waiting for her. He tells her that Christophe confessed everything about why she was covering for him knowing that Christophe was a serial killer. Bash knows all Catherine did to get the regency, including what she did to her own daughter Claude! He also realizes Catherine killed his mother. Bash almost strangles Catherine himself, but he pulls back just in time to avoid committing murder and announces he’s leaving France.

Over in England, Gideon (Ben Geurens) offers Lola his help so she can escape and return to France. Lola believes that Elizabeth and she have developed a friendly relationship, but Gideon reminds that once Mary returns to Scotland, Lola’s value as a hostage will be even greater. So, Lola agrees to allow Gideon to help her.

Bash tells Mary he’s coming with her to Scotland as there is nothing in France for him anymore. Meanwhile, Catherine faces her angry children. Apparently, Bash left Christophe’s letter for Charles. Claude (Rose Williams) runs out in tears after learning what her mother did to her while Charles goes to make their mother pay.

Mary faces stormy waters on her sea voyage. Suddenly, a flood of water enters the porthole and knocks Mary down! Will she survive her journey?