Reign “Uncharted Waters” was written by the team of Bo Yeon Kim and Erika Lippoldt and was directed by Fred Gerber. This episode continues to introduce some of the juicier historical elements to Mary’s (Adelaide Kane) story. We’re getting so much history packed into this final season, it’s keeping me even sadder that we won’t get to see some of these events teased out. There’s at least enough material for three more exciting seasons before Mary gets locked in the Tower! Still, I guess we’ll simply have to settle for what we can get in these last episodes.
As the episode opens, Mary is about to welcome her cousin, the Duchess of Florence – an important ally. Mary reads Darnley (Will Kemp) the riot act, and he promises that Mary is his priority – Keira (Sara Garcia) is gone. Of course, he manages to completely alienate the Duchess by insulting Francis – her cousin – within her hearing. We also get a fantastic scene in which Mary tells Darnley that Francis was more of a man than he will ever be – and ain’t that the truth!
Darnley offers to apologize, but that’s not enough. Mary had to promise the Duchess lands - and a title to her cousin. Mary tells Darnley she will have to negotiate it, and he complains that he wants to be treated as her equal partner. Mary points out that he lied to her, cheated on her, and humiliate her. She tells him that she will marry him because she sees no other option, but that is the only reason – he certainly hasn’t earned the right to be treated as an equal!
Mary finds Bothwell (Adam Croasdell) at Lord Davies’ estate. He tells her that he’s won the lands in a poker game, so she must now negotiate with him! Bothwell insists that he was a good friend to Mary’s mother and can be one to her too. However, he also says that he needs to survey the land before he can consider what price to sell it to her for and insists that she come on a boat ride with him to see what the land is worth.
Mary agrees to the boat ride, and Bothwell reveals he simply wanted a moment alone with her away from prying eyes. He tells her that Darnley will be her undoing – he’s not the asset she expects him to be. Interestingly, Bothwell echoes Darnley’s words, telling her that she needs a partner. Mary insists that Darnley will secure England for her and that’s enough.
The two are caught in a ridiculous flash flood. But I can’t say that I didn’t enjoy him helping her out of her wet dress! Mary tells Bothwell that he is a liar and a scoundrel when he reveals he doesn’t even own the lands. He also reveals that he promised her mother that he would look out for her – and he’s her Loyal Watchman! Bothwell promises that he will help her secure the lands to appease her cousin. He also tells her that James (Dan Jeannotte) doesn’t like him because of his ties to her mother.
The two are interrupted by a man – David Rizzio (Andrew Shaver) who stumbles out of the woods. He mysteriously tells Mary, “you will have love or an heir but not both. If you choose the child, it will be a son who rules both nations – England and Scotland will be united and at peace.” He then collapses. He is bringing the message from a Druid – and we can assume it is Bash. I’m very disappointed not to have Terrance Coombs back! And Rizzio really makes it sound like Bash may, in fact, be no more than a spirit… Rizzio has an important part to play in Mary’s history, however.
On returning to court, James sees Rizzio as a threat. Mary says it’s prophecy and not a threat. Her path is clear. She must have an heir. But she does send James to get rid of Keira when James tells her that Keira is still there. Naturally, this goes horribly wrong when Keira is run over by a runaway horse.
Bothwell is true to his word and brings the deed to the Duchess for Mary. He tell her that they make good partners – there’s that word again! James is not happy to see Bothwell back at court. James also tells Mary about Keira, and Mary goes to Darnley who is at her bedside, and tells her Keira is dying. He also tells her that he hadn’t been going to see Keira but to get special earring for Mary as a wedding present. Now, however, whenever he looks at Mary he will only see the woman who killed his one true love.
In England, Elizabeth (Rachel Skarsten) is entertaining John Hawkins (Max Lloyd-Jones) – an English explorer who has enraged the Spanish, who want him in the Tower… or worse. Spain views him as a pirate, but he tells Elizabeth that he’s an explorer! He’s brought her a tomato and a turkey! The guards have warned her about the “angry chicken!” When Hawkins calls her boring, she proves him wrong by getting drunk with him. I did love the scene with the two of them entertaining the turkey on the table!
Hawkins wants Elizabeth to realize that the world is bigger than Europe – and of course, this will be her claim to fame – she will defy Spain and England will become the biggest power in the world. When Elizabeth is visited by the Spanish ambassador, he insists that she throw Hawkins in the Tower and return their gold. Elizabeth apologizes, but she’s clearly angry at having to do so.
Hawkins is brought to Elizabeth in chains, but she tells him that she will rise to the challenge of Spain! She tells him that she’s been too focused on her own fear. She gives Hawkins a Royal Charter of Exploration and Trade to claim new lands for England. She tells him that she wants to be the Queen who makes England the greatest power the world has ever known!
In France, Catherine (Megan Follows) and Narcisse (Craig Parker) are pleased with how much Nicole (Ann Pirvu) has brought Charles (Spencer Macpherson) around. Narcisse says that he didn’t have to sleep with her to get her to do it, but it’s cost him a lot of money. Catherine confides that Leesa is still not happy and that Henry’s return to France has been delayed as he’s fighting the Turks. This is hysterical as it was only a few episodes ago that we saw him as about 10 – but be prepared for him to return fully grown! Leesa is also sending Catherine to Scotland to represent both Spain and France at Mary’s wedding. At least it means we get to see Follows and Kane together again!
Luc (Steve Lund) and Claude (Rose Williams) are still struggling. He tells her that it’s been weeks since the wedding, and while he’s trying to be sympathetic, they can’t continue to keep separate chambers. Claude says their deal was she would give him heirs if she got to have Leith, but Leith is gone. She also confides that she’s worried about Charles. Luc thinks that if Henry takes the throne, Charles can simply retire – which is what Charles would most like. Claude, however, points out that Charles would never be safe – he’d always be seen as a threat.
Narcisse goes to Nicole – who is ridiculously extravagant. He tells her that he will give her family a manor house if she can get Charles to “un” convert. She insists that she didn’t convert him in the first place. She tells Narcisse that Charles found peace in his conversion.
Charles and Nicole have a robust sex life. He tells her that she taught him to have fun with sex – growing up Catholic, sex was not fun. Nicole asks him if it wouldn’t be better at court if he at least said he was Catholic. Charles immediately sees Catherine and Narcisse behind the comment. He tells her that turning his back on Protestantism would open him to the darkness again.
Luc goes to Charles for advice on how to make Claude happy. He wants to go out for archery and a talk. Charles is suspicious that Luc has been sent by Catherine and Narcisse, but Luc really just wants to talk about Claude and what she enjoys. Charles tells him that she loves the stars because they remain constant and give comfort and direction.
Charles confides in Luc that Catherine and Narcisse want him to renounce his faith. Luc asks him what appeals to him about Protestantism, and Charles tells him that it’s the freedom to make choices without having the Pope dictate them. He wants to be free to rule on his own terms. Luc points out that it’s not religion – or not just religion. There will always be pressure, and he encourages Charles to lean on those around him.
Catherine goes to Narcisse and is thrilled that Charles has asked to see a Catholic Priest. It wasn’t Nicole – it was all Luc. Catherine still insists that Narcisse needs to control Nicole. She want him to have her fall for him – but Narcisse doesn’t want to sleep with her.
Luc brings the stars to Claude. He tells her that he wants to be the husband who is there for her. He tells her what Charles told him. Claude thanks him for helping Charles, and Luc shrugs it off, saying, of course, he’s family. However, Luc later finds Charles in the hall and he’s falling back into the darkness, he tells Luc “I was well… I want to be well…” but he’s clearly not.
Catherine sets off for Scotland and arrives to find Mary weeping by the fire. She runs into Catherine’s arms and declares that she doesn’t want this marriage!
Things are definitely heating up! It will be interesting to see how much they compress the events of the next few years. I’m enjoying Claude and Luc’s chemistry almost as much as Mary’s and Bothwell’s! I’m definitely looking forward to what Catherine will have to say to Darnley – and I’m curious to see her reaction to Bothwell! What did you think of the episode? Let me know your thoughts in the comments below!
