Reign – Succession

By: Stacy Miller

“Reign” returns from hiatus with an episode that could have easily been titled Queens Take Action, as all three of the show’s queens Mary, Catherine and Elizabeth (Adelaide Kane, Megan Follows and Rachel Skarsten) had to deal with various threats to their well-being.

The castle was abuzz with preparations for Charles’ (Spencer Macpherson) coronation. Catherine is in her element as the take charge monarch is seeing to every bit of the preparations right down to giving Narcisse (Craig Parker) a speech she wrote for him about her. She wants him to give the speech at the coronation feast. I guess that’s the best way to ensure that praises are bestowed upon you, especially by someone who may have said something less than nice. Unfortunately, the festivities preparations are interrupted by news of tragedy- another murder has occurred at the castle.

Mary discusses John Knox’s disdain for non-Protestant female rulers. He’s definitely not part of Mary’s fan club. Mary knows she’ll need a strong marriage alliance, preferably with someone with Protestant ties that will strengthen her position.

As coronation preparations continue, Charles wants Mary to participate in the coronation procession, but she doesn’t think it appropriate as the widow of the late king. Later, Mary meets Gideon’s (Ben Geurens) daughter Agatha, who is called Aggie (Macy Drouin) and takes a shine to the little girl.

Catherine and Narcisse are taken to the site of the latest murder in the castle. With the coronation looming, this is the worst time for a murderer to be terrorizing the castle! Coronation or not, I doubt whether there’s a “better time” for a murderer on the loose. Shockingly, the killer strikes again. It’s almost like he’s mocking the castle saying, “Hey, I can get to and kill anyone here and you can’t catch me. So please, continue with your coronation planning!”

Meanwhile, Elizabeth is traveling in a less than elegant carriage to hide her identity. She asks Lord Dudley whether he’s discovered anything about the person who poisoned her.

At the market, Mary is mistaken for Agatha’s mother. Aggie wishes Mary was her mother so she could make sure Queen Elizabeth never took her away from her father again.

Elizabeth interrogates Lola (Anna Popplewell) about Mary’s plans. Lola refuses to give information about her friend as she won’t spy for Elizabeth. The English queen is not taking “no” for an answer. Elizabeth tells Lola they can be friends, too., saying, “Anything else is unacceptable.” Elizabeth then burns one of Lola’s gowns. First, Elizabeth imprisons Lola’s family, now she torches her clothes?

Catherine’s lover, Christophe shows his affections to the butcher’s wife. He believes in equal opportunity in giving his affections, queen or servant, it doesn’t matter.

When Lola offers the chamber maid a plum, she finds an expensive red wig hidden under the cloth by the fruit. Lola questions the maid as to whether she stole the wig. The girl admits she was getting it for a friend. She then takes Lola and they spy on Lord William in a dalliance with a woman asking her about why she’s not wearing the wig. He kisses her, calling her Elizabeth while in the throes of passion.

Mary tells Gideon her advisors have suggested a marriage alliance with Prince Eric of Sweden. It’s a shame as I think Mary and Gideon would make a great couple and she’d be a perfect mother to little Aggie.

Sebastian (Torrance Coombs) finds a dead body and believes the butcher is the murderer because of the salt trail that leads from the dead bodies to him. The butcher declares his innocence and since Sebastian is usually wrong, it’s a sure bet the butcher is telling the truth.

Lola tells Elizabeth that Mary surrounds herself with people who are committed to her happiness, which is what a good ruler needs. Elizabeth says she does the same. On the contrary, Lola then tells Elizabeth about the red wig and Lord William’s escapades with it. Elizabeth wastes no time in confronting William. She gets him to admit that he was responsible for the poison that caused her to lose her baby. She then orders William out of her sight and life forever.

Sebastian tells Catherine that the butcher is the killer even though he insists on his innocence. If not the butcher, the only other person is the baker. What about the candlestick maker? Sebastian left that one wide open to puns. Later that night, Catherine leaves the baker a/k/a Christophe’s bed and steals his key. She finds evidence he is the killer. Christophe finds her and admits his guilt. But she won’t tell anyone or he’ll reveal what she did to her daughter Claude (Rose Williams). So, Catherine watches as the innocent butcher is hung.

The coronation takes place and Charles is now king.

Mary learns a marriage contract with Prince Eric of Sweden won’t happen. In fact, an effigy of Mary is burned. John Knox just won’t quit! Mary is told that the only way to fight Knox is to become a Protestant. Mary refuses, as she’s always been a Catholic queen.

How will Mary protect herself and kingdom from John Knox? Will Mary and Elizabeth join forces to fight the threat of John Knox to both their kingdoms?