Reign, “Extreme Measures” was written by the team of Drew Lindo and Wendy Riss and was directed by Holly Dale. This was a solid episode with terrific performances from Megan Follow (Catherine) and Tony Regbo (Francis) in particular. I have to admit that I’m really conflicted. One of my early criticisms of the show – and one seen elsewhere – was the level of historical accuracy – or lack thereof. However, having very much enjoyed Regbo over the course of the series, I hate to lose him! Part of me definitely wishes that last season had been more about Mary (Adelaide Kane) and Francis being the perfect couple.
Everyone is laying plans for Francis’s death. While Charles (Spencer MacPherson) is on board with marrying Mary, it’s clear that he is not the man his brother is – and is unlikely ever to be so. In fact, his little tryst with Constance (Jordan Monaghan) is ample proof of that. The indiscretion is bad enough, but when he steals Francis’s opium, it is further proof of his basic unsuitability to rule.
I have to admit that I was a little puzzled at Greer (Celina Sinden) being the one to fill Mary in on Catherine’s latest escapade. I realize she is now welcome back at court, but why does Greer seem to be in charge or at least at court? Don’t get me wrong, I’m very happy to have more Greer!
It’s clear that Leith (Jonathan Keltz) has moved on, but it’s also interesting that he also seems to have moved towards much younger women. Claude (Rose Williams) is clearly keen on encouraging Leith’s growing feelings for her without regard for his more practical concerns that they are never going to be able to actually be together. When Claude finds Leith in bed with Alexandra (Sarah Claire Alan) she is angry at first, but quickly gets over it when Leith admits to his feelings for her. It is nice that she – who has had so much casual sex – isn’t going to hold casual sex against him.
One of the other plot threads also currently taking a backseat to Francis’ mortality, but that I expect to pick up steam as the season progresses, is Bash’s (Torrance Coombs) investigation for the murderer. He tells Francis that he doesn’t think that Delphine is actually guilty but that he is still looking for her. He redoubles the effort to find her after interviewing a survivor of an attack who tells him she was actually attacked by a man. Bash is sure that Delphine can help to find the murderer. Now that we know it’s a man, could it be someone we know?? Could it be Bash? What if she has cast a spell over him to do it and have no recollection of having done it?
Meanwhile, Navarre (Ben Aldridge) shows up at court to plead for help in rescuing Conde from mercenaries. Bash refuses to leave court while Navarre is there, and Francis and Mary must take great pains not to let the knowledge of Francis’ illness slip out.
Mary and Francis share a number of lovely tender scenes. No doubt the dance they share will go down as one of the most romantic and tragic moments between the two of them – it’s definitely a beautifully acted and shot sequence that beautifully captures their relationship – with each supporting and helping the other. We see Francis wishing desperately for more time together – to savor oranges from Nice for example.
Navarre meets with the English ambassador, Nicholas (Nick Lee) who tells him not to sign the deal. Bash sees the meeting, however, and realizes that Navarre may withdraw his offer to relinquish his claim to the throne.
Megan Follows has a magnificent scene at the beginning of the episode when Mary comes to tell her that she knows the wounds – including biting out a chunk of her own cheek! – were self-inflicted. She is literally spitting mad and once again blames Mary for everything. She insists that she is the best hope for a stable France as regent. I adored her calling Mary a vampire bitch! Catherine is a total wreck and clearly at her lowest point – but she’s Catherine. Did we think it would last?
In order to neutralize the English ambassador, the must enlist Catherine. I loved her scene with him – she’s still pretty bruised and disheveled, but clearly back on the rise. By the end of the episode, we see her tender moment with Francis. She tells Francis that after he’s gone, “I’ll look after her. I will look after everyone. I promise.” Notice she doesn’t say that she’ll take care of Mary or ensure her safety. Looking after her could easily mean something entirely different!
Our last beautiful shot of Catherine is her making her way serenely through the throne room. She pauses and looks at the two thrones – the smaller one for Queen and the larger for King. The smaller where she’s always sat before. She then walks up the steps and settles into the seat of power, a small but very satisfied smile playing on her lips.
Francis confronts Navarre to make him sign, but Navarre has ample evidence now that Francis is sick when his ear starts bleeding and he’s woozy. Regbo is fabulous in this scene as Francis rises to the challenge, viciously cutting down Navarre’s man in order to frighten him into complying. Declaring that he is very much his father’s son and that he has nothing to lose because he is dying. In the end, he wins the day.
Francis also confronts the English ambassador and declares that he will fight for Scotland to his last breath. This makes Mary realize that it was not the alliance with France that was protecting Scotland by Francis himself. She knows that Charles will never be up to that challenge. Mary then looks to Spain to find another husband who can help to save Scotland. It’s an ominous ending to the episode, when Francis is in bed and Mary tells him the oranges will be arriving the next morning – will he live to see them?
In what appears at first glance to be a happy development in the episode, Lola (Anna Popplewell) and Narcisse (Craig Parker) are married! I loved the scene in which Narcisse proposed. It looks like it will be for naught when Francis once again forbids Lola to have anything to do with Narcisse. Francis is concerned that the baby has a man in his life to protect and guide him and to show him right from wrong. Lola tries to defend Narcisse, but Francis is not convinced.
I loved Narcisse coming to Charles’ aid after Constance overdoses on the opium. It’s a terrific scene as Narcisse at first doesn’t want to endanger himself by getting involved but quickly takes charge of the situation and knowledgably uses the charcoal to make her vomit and neutralize the drug to save her. Better yet, is the scene between Francis and Narcisse in which Narcisse finally has a good deed rewarded.
I loved Narcisse being confused as to what the meeting was actually about. Charles went to Francis and told him the truth – which surprised me too! Francis praises Narcisse for being able to get Charles to take responsibility. Francis also rightly points out that the measure of a man is what he does when no one is looking. Francis gives his blessing but insists the wedding be as soon as possible to avoid any damage to Lola’s reputation.
One major complication is clearly going to be Catherine. Once she is regent, she will be able to – and clearly intends to – make their new life together a living hell…
What did you think of the episode? Were you happy to see Lola and Narcisse marry? Will making Catherine regent backfire on the people Francis loves most? What was your favorite scene in the episode? Theories about who the murderer is? 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, Agent Carter, The Walking Dead, Game of Thrones, The X-Files, Defiance, Bitten, Killjoys, and a few others! I'm active on the Con scene when I have the time. 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.
