Reign’s final season has very much expanded the scope of its universe and the scope of its very title. The show is really focusing on three Queen’s – as indicated by the season poster. I realize that Catherine (Megan Follows) isn’t technically a Queen – or even a Regent at this point, but it’s impossible not to think of her as running the French court… I’m very much enjoying Mary (Adelaide Kane) really coming into her own, but I remain disappointed in Rachel Skarsten’s portrayal of Queen Elizabeth.
Much has happened in the first three episodes! “With Friends Like These” was written by the team of Wendy Riss Gatsiounis and Drew Lindo and was directed by Stuart Gillard. “A Grain of Deception” was written by the team of Patti Carr and Lara Olsen and was directed by Fred Gerber. Laurie McCarthy teamed with April Blair to write “Leaps of Faith,” which was directed by Charles Biname.
The show continues to be stunning to watch visually. The thread that runs through this final season is the lack of control even a monarch has over their own choices. This thought that has been expressed by both Mary and Elizabeth that they are pawns in a greater narrative is one played out in the historic record. The two Queens are trapped by circumstances. Just as Lola came to be a friend to both Queens, had the two had the luxury of actually getting to know each other and co-exist, one gets the sense that they would have become friends.
Let’s start with a quick look at the state of affairs in France. I was worried that we would lose Catherine’s humor and scheming from the show as the narrative shifted to Scotland with Mary, so I’m glad that we still have this element. Catherine, however, has challenges on all sides. Most pressing is the return of daughter Leesa (Anastasia Phillips) to throw around the weight of Spain and try to exact revenge on her mother. Catherine knows that they need Spain’s support – most noticeably Spain’s financial support – but there’s no way that she is going to let Spain take over France, either. Narcisse (Craig Parker) has returned to court, and it’s always great to see Parker and Follows working together.
Claude (Rose Williams) is mourning the death of Leith who may or may not be dead – though it’s not looking good. Claude would appear to be united with Catherine against Leesa but only because she hates Leesa more. Williams and Follows also continue to provide comedy gold, but also deliver some great dramatic moments. Perhaps even more disturbingly, Claude is not the only one of Catherine’s children to be devastated by the violence of last season. Charles (Spencer Macpherson) is clearly in real trouble – is he, in fact, insane? Has he killed the poor girl that Narcisse sent to “cheer him up?” Once again, Charles IX’s mental and physical weaknesses were a matter of history. This time period really is a fantastic one for dramatizing.
In England, Elizabeth continues her scheming. She has lost Dudley (Charlie Carrick) again apparently as he ran off and got re-married. She has tried to negotiate an agreement with Mary through Gideon (Ben Geurens). She tries to throw a roadblock between Mary and Darnley (Will Kemp), which backfires due to the mechanizations of Darnley’s mother Lady Lennox (Nola Auguston). Auguston is a welcome addition to the cast as she does a good job at her dithering cover identity and her actual scheming nature. I wish there was some way to get Catherine and Lady Lennox in the same room! Elizabeth is destined to be unlucky in love, though history links her to Dudley throughout her publicly-lonely life.
In Scotland, Mary tries to find her footing. She is opposed by both Elizabeth and at home, John Knox (Jonathan Goad). Her brother James’ (Dan Jeannotte) relationship with Knox is troubling, especially as Mary tries to find out who she can truly trust and win over both the Catholic and Protestant members of her country. Happily, she is joined by Greer (Celina Sinden). It was heartbreaking to see Mary almost find happiness with Gideon, only to have that plan completely dashed. It looks like she is well on the historical path to a marriage of convenience with Darnley. Kemp, so far, has done little to win me over. I have been enjoying Mary’s finding her own footing – as she practices fencing with James and puts the clans in their place.
How are you enjoying the final season? Who is your favorite new character? Which character that we lost do you miss the most? Let me know your thoughts in the comments below!
