Reign – Uncharted Waters

By: Stacy Miller

As the episode opens, there is a royal gathering at court in which Lord Darnley (Will Kemp) arrives late. Mary (Adelaide Kane) tells him how important it is to get the support of the de’Medici because they are a family that can help to add strength her Scottish rule and claims to the English throne. Mary is acting coldly and “all business” like to Darnley as she hasn’t forgiven his infidelity. Darnley tells her that he regrets the affair with Keira (Sara Garcia) and how much it hurt her. Mary sarcastically says that if Darnley has any more secrets, it’s best to share them with her now.

Mary goes to talk with the arriving Duchess of Florence, who is there to pay tribute to the Queen of Scots as she is Francis’ widow. They are horrified when they overhear Darnley make an unflattering remark about Francis and why Mary didn’t have any children with the deceased king. The Duchess is furious and threatens to leave before walking away. “Francis is more of a man than you will ever be!” Mary shouts to Darnley, walking off as well.

In France, Charles (Spencer MacPherson) is acting like a king as he walks to his throne with Nicole (Ann Pirvu) by his side where he’s honoring some Catholic nobles.  Catherine (Megan Follows) is nearby and asks Narcisse (Craig Parker) whether he had to sleep with Nicole in order to get her to get her to help Charles to have a change of heart about the Catholic nobles. Narcisse answers that what he paid for Nicole didn’t come cheap. Catherine also tells Narcisse that her daughter Queen Leesa (Anastasia Phillips) has demanded that Catherine attend Mary and Lord Darnley’s wedding as a way to show that France and Spain give their full support to the Catholic marriage.

Lord Darnley attempts to explain to Mary why he made the comments in he did about Francis. He was doing it to protect her reputation; he wanted people to believe that the reason why Mary didn’t give Francis a royal heir had more to do with him and not because she was a barren queen. But Mary tells him that his comment only served to alienate de Medici family, who rose from a merchant class and are proud to be part of French nobility.  Darnley tells Mary that he can apologize, but now the de Medici family has decided that they’d rather have Lord Theodore Davies’ lands instead.  Darnley asks Mary can’t they get pass his indiscretion; he is to be her king and should be her partner as well. But how can Mary get past it? Darnley lied to her and treated her like an idiot when he cheated on her with Keira. If she could think of any other way to get her hands on the English throne, she would not be marrying him.

Mary leaves and goes to the Davies lands. Lord Bothwell (Adam Croasdell) is there and tells her that the land now belongs to him because he won it in a card game.  She shares with Lord Bothwell what happened between her and Lord Darnley and how she needs the land to give to the Duchess. Mary discovers that Lord Bothwell once worked with her mother. They decide to go out on a boat ride to look over the land.

In England, Elizabeth (Rachel Skarsten) has a meeting with Captain John Hawkins Captain John Hawkins (Max Lloyd-Jones), a pirate who Spain thinks should die in prison. But Hawkins reminds Queen Elizabeth that he hasn’t done anything against England.  She isn’t convinced that she shouldn’t just toss him in the tower. Captain Hawkins shows Elizabeth a tomato that he got from one of his voyages to the New World.

Even though Leith (Jonathan Keltz) has left French court, Claude (Rose Williams) and Luc (Steve Lund) are in separate bed chambers as her true love not being in her life hasn’t gotten him out of her heart.  She hasn’t forgotten that she promised to give Luc heirs, but he insists that’s not the only thing he cares about; he wants her to be happy. How can Claude be happy? In addition to Leith being gone, she has to worry that Leesa is trying to get Charles killed with her encouragement of  Henry to succeed his brother as king, it may lead to a civil war between the two over their differing faiths.

Lord Narcisse tells Nicole that if she convinces King Charles to reverse back to being a Catholic, he will give her family a beautiful home. So later while Nicole is with Charles, she tries to convince him to return to Catholicism in order to stop the bloodshed that will come from him being a Protestant. At least pretend to be a Catholic.  But King Charles refuses to live a lie.

In a rowboat, Lord Bothwell tells Mary that Lord Darnley’s arrogance makes him a liability to her, not an asset. She needs a real partner (like him?). They end up getting caught in a flash flood, lose the rowboat and become stranded. Mary and Bothwell make it to dry land.  She refuses to let him help her out of her wet gown. And she also learns that he lied about the Davies land belonging to him; it was a ruse to get her to go out alone with him to talk. He tells Mary that he made a promise to protect both her and her throne. Queen Mary learns that Lord Bothwell is her loyal watchman.

John Hawkins and Elizabeth are having dinner when he does something that offends her.  She reminds that as queen he needs to follow her wishes. She retires the servants so the meal can be less boring and proper for him. They have distilled wormwood (a sort of alcoholic drink) and soon both are drunk. He questions her about why England doesn’t pursue the New Spain lands but Elizabeth says she has enough to deal with in the challenges for her own land of England.  He reminds her how big the world is and not just England.

Luc spends some time with Charles; not to try to convince the young king to return to the Catholic faith but so he can learn more about Claude so he can make her happy.  Charles shares some information about when he and Claude were children. It seems that Claude loves looking at the stars because she says that they are always there and can help you find your way when you’re lost. Then, Luc and Charles go outside for a little archery practice.  Charles tells his brother-in-law why he prefers the being a Protestant to being a Catholic.  They also talk about Luc having Narcisse for a parent. Luc tells Charles that if he ever needs someone to talk to he can come to him.

Meanwhile, Lord Bothwell is telling Mary how he’ll make sure that she gets the Davies’ land. Because of his many enemies, Bothwell has to use a fake name on his transaction documentation.  He tells Mary that he knows that she wants it all: a happy marriage and to rule but reminds that, unfortunately, she has to choose one or the other. And if she is lucky enough to give birth to a son, that boy could end of ruling both England and Scotland.  Their conversation is interrupted by a man named David Rizzio (Andrew Shaver). David tells them that he had an accident and woke up with the Druids.  As he continues to talk, it appears that Rizzio has recently spoken with Bash (Torrance Combs).

Elizabeth meets with the Spanish Ambassador and tells him that Spain will be compensated for the losses it suffered because of John Hawkins.  But Spain wants the pirate locked up and warns Elizabeth that her actions in not doing so could be viewed as an act of aggression against Spain.  He also reminds that the Spain’s ships are stronger than her English fleet.  Also, Queen Mary and her Vatican support helps to ensure Scotland’s control of the sea and land. England has no power and therefore needs all the allies it can get.

Mary tells James (Dan Jeannotte) about her encounter with David Rizzio and how she believes he has spoken with Bash.  She feels that the message is a prophecy encouraging her to go through with the marriage to Lord Darnley because he can provide her with an heir to save both England and Scotland.  James tells Mary that Keira is still in town; she is currently staying at a different inn and it looks like Darnley is continuing to see her because he left court without being accompanied by the royal guard.  Mary is furious.  She orders James to do what he must; she just wants Keira gone! So, James goes to the inn and drags Keira out of the room. But tragically, a horse breaks free in the street and knocks poor Keira down!

Catherine happily tells Narcisse that after Charles’ talk with Luc, the young king has decided to speak with a Catholic priest.

Heeding the Spanish Ambassador’s words/threats, Elizabeth has John Hawkins brought back in chains.  However, she tells him that she wants him to go back to the New World and wants him to set down an English flag with the proclamation that he is claiming its treasures for England.

While they are in bed, Luc and Claude look at the stars and he assures her that as long as she can see them, everything will be alright.  He admits that he learned of her love for them from Charles. Claude appreciates that she has a husband who tries to learn what she likes to make her happy.

Lord Bothwell is able to secure the deed to the Davies land just in time for it to be given to the Duchess. The alliance between Florence and Scotland is secure.  Lord Bothwell tells Mary this shows that they make a good partnership.  James interrupts and tells Mary about Keira’s accident. Mary goes to Keira’s room where she finds Darnley at the girl’s bedside.  The prognosis is grim: Keira has a very high fever and won’t survive the night.  Mary is remorseful and apologizes to Darnley, who is angry that Mary’s mistrust of him will cost Keira her life. He shows Mary the jewelry he got her to reaffirm his commitment; he wasn’t with Keira as Mary wrongly believed. The question is: How can Lord Darnley look at Mary now without hating her?

The episode ends with Mary in tears as Catherine arrives.  Mary pleads with Catherine to help her get out of this marriage.