Reign, “Forbidden,” was written by the team of Laurie McCarthy and Nancy Won and was directed by Charles Biname. It would seem that none of the couples are having any success in their relationships. The episode also moves the series closer to including Queen Elizabeth I more directly in the storyline.
The episode begins with the memorial for the Duke of Guise. Marie de Guise (Amy Brenneman) delivers the eulogy, but her primary reason for being at court is to press Mary (Adelaide Kane) to deliver an heir as quickly as possible. Mary finally tells her mother about the rape, and Marie reveals that she’s dying.
Mary attempts to do her duty, and it’s Francis (Toby Regbo) who is kind and tells her it’s too soon. It’s always nice to see the attention paid to some of the less attractive customs such as having everyone watch while Francis makes his way to Mary’s chamber to create an heir. The scene between Kane and Regbo is excellent as she focuses on his face to avoid letting his very breathing become a trigger while Francis can’t proceed when he sees her clenched fist. I have admit that Frary does it for me, but I am getting tired with the back and forth.
Ultimately, Mary pushes Francis away. She fears that without an heir to protect her, he will simply toss her aside one day or do worse. She releases him, and again determines they should lead separate lives. He guesses that she herself has moved on with Conde (Sean Teale). By the end of the episode, Mary determines to return to Scotland to reclaim her throne and asks Conde to be by her side. She’s done being everyone else’s vessel and is seizing her own life. Conde’s choice is complicated when Antoine (Ben Aldridge) shows up and tells Conde that Queen Elizabeth herself has asked that Conde come to woo her.
Antoine’s own plans to take Kenna (Caitlin Stasey) away from Bash (Torrance Coombs) appear to have worked. He manages to convince her to plan his party – a party that is ironically meant to symbolize the coming together of families and actually sees the break up of at least two. When Kenna doesn’t return to their apartments to meet Bash, he is furious. Kenna herself is mad at Antoine, but more importantly, it’s clear that Bash and Kenna differ on a very fundamental level in what they want out of life. Antoine tells Kenna that his wife is dying and proposes to marry her. Will Kenna possibly be able to resist that offer?
On the more supernatural front of the episode. Bash tracks down a woman that others are calling a witch. She’s actually a nun and a healer but also a seer. She tries not to use her gift because it seems often to come with unintended side effects. When she touches Bash’s hand, she seems to read his history very accurately. She tells him that he’s about to lose someone very close to him soon. Could this be Kenna leaving him? I have to admit that I’m tired of Kenna’s grasping and whining, so I wouldn’t be upset to see her leave the French court.
Lola (Anna Popplewell) drinks Marie’s herbal remedy after a confrontation with her and ends up having rather a fun time of the party and afterwards. A stoned Lola is hilarious, and it’s nice to see that all the men of the court, including, surprisingly Narcisse (Craig Parker) are gentleman. I particularly love the chemistry between Popplewell and Parker, and Parker is truly becoming the villain we love to hate. He refuses to take advantage of Lola, telling her that when she comes to him, he wants it to be her true self. Lola would appear to have ruined any chance of a marriage between John and the Von Armsberg’s baby, however.
Lola and Francis seem to grow closer. Now that Mary has released Francis, even Catherine (Megan Follows) supports Francis and tells him to find joy where he can. He’s definitely found it with the baby and in his friendship with Lola. There’s also no denying a certain chemistry between these two as well.
Finally, this episode sees Greer (Celina Sinden) trying to make amends to Sharlene (Linzee Barclay). She gives her a wig to make up for Sharlene’s having her hair cut off, and she tells her about a party – we can assume Antoine’s – did anyone actually catch her in the background there? Greer helps with a better dress and some tips on how to act to help Sharlene fit in better. By the end of the episode Sharlene and her friends are determined to do it again, but only with Greer’s help. Greer’s new career as a madame seems to be getting off to a great start!
A lot happened in this episode, but it seems that Francis and Mary and Bash and Kenna have come to irrevocable crossroads in their relationships. Do you think they can be saved? Should they be? What do you think of Greer’s new career? Let me know your thoughts in the comments below!
About the Author - Lisa Macklem
I do interviews and write articles for the site in addition to reviewing a number of shows, including Supernatural, Arrow, Agents of Shield, The Walking Dead, Game of Thrones, Forever, Defiance, Bitten, Glee, and a few others! Highlights of this past year include covering San Diego Comic Con as press and a set visit to Bitten. When I'm not writing about television shows, I'm often writing about entertainment and media law in my capacity as a legal scholar. I also work in theatre when the opportunity arises. I'm an avid runner and rider, currently training in dressage.
