Reign “Hanging Swords” was written by the team of Chris Atwood and Kamran Pasha and was directed by Lee Rose. Atwood’s other credits include
90210,
Two and a Half Men and
Reba, while Pasha’s more action, period writing includes
Nikita,
Kings, and
Sleeper Cell. The episode centers around the title and how all the royals have a sword hanging over their heads – the battles for power, inevitably make them targets.
In England, we finally get a storyline that actually forced me to like Elizabeth (Rachel Skarsten). She takes a dying Agatha (Macy Drouin) under her wing, making her “Queen” and lavishing her with anything her heart desires.
Agatha proves herself more than worthy of the title. She gives away a beautiful doll to a serving girl, simply because the serving girl had never had one. She also doesn’t want Elizabeth to attack Mary (Adelaide Kane), and pointedly asks if Mary has hurt her. In the end, Elizabeth backs away from her plan to attack Mary. She refuses to be remembered as the Queen who drew first blood.
When Agatha asks what will happen to her after she dies – another reason she didn’t need that doll herself – Elizabeth paints a beautiful picture of Heaven. In fact, Elizabeth jumps in when Gideon (Ben Geurens) is too overwhelmed by emotion to answer himself. Later, he thanks her for offering such comfort to his daughter.
Gideon knows that what Elizabeth told Agatha wasn’t made up on the spur of the moment – it’s what she told herself when she was a child. Elizabeth tells him that she grew up with a sword hanging over her head. She was kept in the tower for years, never knowing if every day would be her last, simply because of her royal birth. Gideon muses that she faced death every day of her life. It would have had to have changed her and shaped who she’d become. He clearly has a new respect for her and tells her that she’s stronger than she thinks. Let’s also not forget that this entire series began with Mary in hiding in a Convent and an attempt on Mary’s life…
The one thing that Agatha wanted that seemed impossible for her to have was blueberry pie. Elizabeth goes to great lengths to get the blueberries. When she comes to give Agatha the pie, however, she learns that she’s died in the night. Elizabeth goes to comfort Gideon.
In France, Charles (Spencer Macpherson) has found a way to evade the sword of responsibility hanging over his head. Narcisse (Craig Parker) and Catherine (Megan Follows) go after Charles when Leesa (Anastasia Phillips) starts drafting an abdication letter for Charles to sign. Narcisse suggests that Charles needs a strong male figure (he’s not wrong) and reminds Catherine that Charles ran away from her the last time she saw him! It’s always fun to watch Parker and Follows together – and particularly as fish out of water when they find Charles happily playing at being a simple farmer’s son. Catherine thinks she’s having pheasant soup only to find that it is pigeon! To her credit, she doesn’t spit it out…
Charles tells Catherine and Narcisse that he’s happy there – he feels loved and has freedom. The farmer points out that a boy just needs purpose and direction. Catherine points out that Charles is King – that is both purpose and direction – and he has a family that loves him… at court.
Catherine proves once again that she’s more nuanced than the power-hungry monster she may seem. She muses to Narcisse as she watches Charles that part of her wishes he could stay because he’s clearly happy. However, when it becomes clear that Charles has formed a bond with Nicole (Ann Pirvu) – they stay up all night talking – Narcisse offers to bring her back to court too if she can convince Charles to return. And naturally, this was her plan all along.
Charles returns to court and seems to answer and crush all of Leesa’s questions and objections. He seems particularly regal as he tells her that she has no power over him – and then he drops his bombshell by telling them all that the Vatican holds no power over him either as he’s converted! He is now a Protestant!
Catherine and Narcisse try to persuade Charles as to what a bad idea this is. Charles cites Henry VIII – and it’s interesting that we return to a theme that Agatha also brought up – can’t royals just do as they choose? It’s a theme that comes up in the Scottish storyline as well as Mary really isn’t free to choose whom she marries. Catherine and Narcisse point out to Charles that he’s NOT Henry VIII – his money comes from his nobles who are vehemently Catholic.
Catherine tries to dissuade Leesa from leaving, telling her that she’s going to start a Civil war. Leesa is adamant that Protestantism is a disease. Catherine begs her to tell her what she wants. Catherine knows she can’t change the past, but is willing to do whatever it takes now. Leesa and Catherine come to an understanding, but Catherine is left with an impossible choice – she must replace Charles with his brother Henry. While this is clearly a fictional plotline, it does mirror the religious and political upheaval of the time – I really love how the show plays with the history but keeps the broad strokes true.
Nicole, meanwhile, has shown up in Narcisse’s bed. She has the King’s ear and can persuade him to re-think his religious position, but she wants money. Narcisse informs Catherine that Nicole is going to be a problem – and haven’t we been here before? This particular plotline is a bit worn thin…
Finally, in Scotland, Mary is pretty happy with Darnley (Will Kemp), but of course, that can’t last. Lady Lennox (Nola Auguston) even reads Darnley the riot act over Keira (Sara Garcia), but Darnley sleeps with her anyway. Mary even takes back the Lennox lands from James (Dan Jeannotte) to give to Darnley.
James has every reason to dislike Darnley. He’s lost his lands and trade route to Darnley, and James tells Mary that Darnley even took his horse! And of course, it’s when he recognizes that horse in town that James finds Darnley in bed with Keira. However, James has even more damning evidence before this – James insists to Mary that he doesn’t mind the sacrifices, but he wishes they were for someone worthy of Mary. The stable hands have seen Darnley’s cruelty firsthand, but James also insists that Darnley isn’t just reckless, he’s also insecure and selfish and he’s driven by ambition and pride. All words used to describe the historical Darnley too!
James doesn’t tell Mary about finding Darnley with Keira. He tells Darnley that he won’t be the one to hurt Mary, but if Darnley betrays Mary again, he will pay with his life. And yes. There is truth in that statement as well! In the end, it’s the Loyal Watchman who tips Mary off about Darnley.
While James finds Darnley, Mary has come to town to speak to Lord Bothwell (Adam Croasdell) about securing a new trade route for James. He’s already dissed her by not coming to court when she summoned him, and here he tricks her into a bidding war with his friends. It’s a nice first scene between these two – and yes. Bothwell will form an important bond with Mary going forward.
The episode concludes with Mary confronting Darnley. He begins by trying to lie that he’s only been with Keira the one time and excusing it because he’s giving up the love of his life. Mary tells him it was stupid of her to think they could have had more than a political marriage. Darnley quickly turns ugly and begins to reveal his true character. He tells her that she doesn’t love him and she never will – and now that we get a glimpse of the real Darnley, it’s clear that he’s right. Mary tells him that if she marries him it will be for the good of Scotland. She will never love him and they will never be happy.
I quite liked how the themes of royal responsibility – danger and really a lack of true choice = run throughout this episode. It was fun to see the introduction of Bothwell – really Mary’s next great love! And no. James isn’t going to like him any better. What did you think of the episode? Let me know your thoughts in the comments below!
