Reign returned with “Succession” written by April Blair and directed by Charles Biname. The episode finally gets us to Charles’ (Spencer MacPherson) coronation. Mary (Adelaide Kane) grows closer to Gideon (Ben Geurens) and his daughter Agatha (Mary Drouin). Lola (Anna Popplewell) discovers William’s (Tom Everett Scott) secret and Catherine (Megan Follows) discovers Christophe’s (Nathaniel Middleton).
Things definitely heated up on several fronts in this episode. I wish that I felt there was more chemistry between Kane and Geurens – though both deliver fine performances, chemistry isn’t something you can readily manufacture. I am also still struggling to connect with Rachel Skarsten as Elizabeth. She’s simply too flighty and insubstantial for me as the Virgin Queen. Finding someone who looks like Kate Blanchett is simply not enough.
As the episode begins, Catherine once again seems to be on top of the world. She is in charge of Court – and really the country – she’s brought Narcisse (Craig Parker) to heel, and she seems to have a young lover at her beck and call. I wonder if she will have to turn to Narcisse to save her from Christophe, however.
Mary discusses events in Scotland with Lord Cunningham (Giles Panton), in particular the extremist John Knox. Knox is particularly against women rulers. Mary considers a strong marriage alliance and Cunningham suggests King Eric of Sweden. Mary resists as she does not wish to marry a Protestant. Mary is concerned that the Vatican would see it as a betrayal and she would lose their support. Mary decides to reach out to Elizabeth as Knox is a common enemy.
Mary discusses Knox with Gideon and confirms that Elizabeth as a female monarch also has no love for Knox. Mary asks for information on Lola and her parents. Mary wants to cut their meeting short when they conclude their business. Gideon, however, wants to secure a dance with Mary at the coronation, knowing it will be a difficult day for her.
Mary meets Agatha, who clearly isn’t impressed with her father. Mary gives Gideon advice on what he’s doing wrong. She tells him to take her out of the stuffy castle and do something fun. He insists that she comes with them.
The three go to the fair. A silk peddler (Meghan Allen) mistakes Agatha for Mary’s daughter and Agatha wishes that Mary were her mother. Agatha tells Mary that no one can tell her what to do because she is a Queen – she’s afraid that Queen Elizabeth will take her father away again. This was a very sweet scene – and of course, Mary’s advice to Agatha not to let fear rule her was also good advice for Mary herself. She convinces Agatha to give Gideon a chance, thus further securing his interest in her.
Mary and Gideon discuss her options on the ride back to the castle. She tells him about Eric of Sweden. She confides that it feels like she’s betraying who she is, but her advisors tell her it would allow her to return to Scotland. Gideon tells her to help herself – she’s a Queen and must do whatever she has to. He speaks to her as a friend, not a diplomat.
Bash (Torrance Coombs) investigates the bodies found gruesomely under the castle. Narcisse enjoys Catherine’s discomfort over how bad it makes her look to have a killer on the loose. Bash is completely taken in by Christophe, and urges Christophe to prove himself. Christophe delivers his evidence to Bash – including seeing the Butcher (Christopher Jacot) take a barrel of salt.
Though we don’t immediately see who did it, Christophe kills the Master of Coin (Keith Dinicol) who gives Catherine grief about how much she’s spending on the Coronation. He frames the Butcher because his obvious delight in butchering pigs make him a good patsy. Christophe has planted not only Fluret’s body, but also the jars that Bash found the hearts in.
Christophe comes to Catherine in her chamber. She is a bit melancholy over the coronation. He compliments her on the necklace, but she says she will wear another because the piece reminds her of Charles’ coronation. It’s clear that his complete lack of empathy takes her by surprise and is her first clue that he’s not right. She then notices his new key – connecting him to the butcher through the baker’s daughter (Sydney Van Delft).
Catherine verifies that the key that Christophe has is the baker’s. He follows Catherine – and admits it. She realized that he didn’t lack fear – he lacked a conscience – and that tipped her off. Christophe tells Catherine he would never hurt her – and he’s sure that she would never hurt him. Catherine is concerned that an innocent man is going to hang, but Christophe knows her secret. He overheard her when he was in the secret passage, hatching the Claude marriage plot. He threatens to bring down her Regency – and Catherine tries to kill him. She also tries to send him away – but he won’t go. There is a letter that will be delivered if he turns up dead!
William accompanies Elizabeth back to English Court. He tells her that Dudley (Charlie Carrick) is still suspected of murdering his wife and was chased out of the county by other nobles – of course, we know he has an ulterior motive for discouraging Elizabeth’s love for Dudley. He also has good reason to drag his heels over finding the one who poisoned Elizabeth. He tells her about Mary’s reaching out about Knox, whom Elizabeth also hates. However, she can’t afford to alienate her Protestant supporters.
Elizabeth pays Lola a visit. Lola finally realizes that Elizabeth simply wanted her there to pump her for information on Mary – d’uh! Elizabeth points out that she expects her new “friend” to do her favors. Lola refuses, so Elizabeth tells her that her parents will remain behind bars – and then she lights the dresses she’s given Lola on fire! I loved this scene!
Lola discusses Elizabeth with her servant, Alice (Sofie Uretsky) who defends Dudley and tells her that Amy was not a nice person. Lola finds the red wig in Alice’s bag, and Alice reveals William’s secret. He’s having sexual role play with courtesans (Juliana Semenova) dressed as Elizabeth – he’s hopelessly in love with her.
Lola takes her information to Elizabeth, and this seems like it might be the beginning of a true friendship between them.
Elizabeth confronts William. William insists that he really loves her because of all the sacrifices he’s made to keep her on the throne. Elizabeth has proof that William is the one who poisoned her – with the intention of her losing the baby. She sends him away. I don't believe this has been Everett Scott's most brilliant performance, but I will miss him - if he is indeed gone. Is there a possibility of him jumping sides and offering his services to Mary?
Mary and Charles share a lovely moment before his coronation. She gives him one of Francis’s handkerchief, telling him that when Francis had his coronation, his hands were so sweaty that he almost dropped the scepter. Francis thanks her – and we are treated to another one of
Reign’s sumptuous ceremonies. Followed by an equally sumptuous celebration – the highlight of which is Narcisse’s "lovely" toast to Catherine. I love Parker!
The episode ends with Mary agreeing to see Eric of Sweden and asks Cunningham to arrange a meeting. However, it’s too late. Knox and his followers have stormed the gates of Edin Castle and burned her in effigy. She is determined to fight fire with fire – she will not convert to Protestantism.
Gideon finds Mary packing to go to the Vatican. He cautions her that this will infuriate Elizabeth. But she tells him that he was right. She needs to raise an army and reclaim her power and her purpose. Gideon warns her that she may prevent their countries from every being at peace. The time may come when they face each other across a battlefield. Mary is not deterred and vows were that to happen, she would strike him down.
This was an interesting episode, setting up some changes and the possibilities of new alliances. Will Lola become a true friend to Elizabeth? How will Catherine get out from Christophe’s control? Will she turn to Narcisse? Should she? Will Mary be successful in her bid to the Vatican? What did you think of the episode? Let me know 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.
