Reign: 1x19 “Toy Soldiers”

Henry: “Are you even pregnant yet? Could you possibly be any less use to France?”

For a rather unimpressive episode it did lay the foundation for the future, at least I see it that way. Or maybe I have to stop looking for similarities between fiction and actual history.

Either way I interpret this episode as first steps towards the Wars of Religion. Marie de Guise's  regency is threatened, the influence of the Scottish Protestants is growing and Elizabeth is now a Queen of England, even though Mary Tudor is still alive [I wonder how that is possible]. Somehow I saw in this hints of a future confrontation between Mary and Elizabeth. Is that a wishful thinking? Are they ever gonna go that far? Back at the beginning of this season I didn’t think they would move that fast, considering it involves Francis' death, but ever since my opinion has changed, because we are moving quite a bit. Judging by the time-line we are close to the major events [Henry’s death, Francis and Mary reign, Francis death etc.], but then again it could take seasons [if we are lucky].

Anyway let's go back to our fictional reality. It has been a month, since we last saw our beloved characters. For a sake of her marriage I hope Mary didn’t stay in the tower for the whole time. For however long her imprisonment may have lasted it did have an impact on her relationship with Francis. Month later they are still at odds and barely speaking. I wish we experienced some of that a bit, because it is hard to feel the anguish when they are already in bed by the middle of the episode. 

I must say, I quite like Francis as a character. He is really trying to find a balance between ‘being a good husband’ and ‘being a good king’. Not that he has any luck at that. He made a deal with a devil, that’s how much he loves Mary. Unfortunately, the fate itself [or rather Henry’s utter madness] seems to be against him and his has to take back his word, his army and Mary's and move them to Calais instead of going to Scotland to save Mary’s mother. Whatever plan Mary will come up with [and she surely will] might only drift those two further apart.

I find that there is quite a lot of chemistry between Kenna and Bash, but their sex scenes were somewhat awkward. They probably were meant to be uncomfortable and in that sense they were brilliantly executed. Torrance Coombs did a terrific job in conveying how much Bash was trying to forget Mary. I don’t think it worked though. As pleasant Kenna’s company might be he is still in love with Mary.

Penelope made another attempt to escape from kitchen life, but her plan failed. She hoped to get king’s attention again and get pregnant. When that didn’t work she tried to use poor kitchen boy [or whoever that was]. If she was smarter she’d done it the other way around. Well, maybe after a proper training in Italy she won’t be making those mistakes again, because otherwise she surely fits the job description that Catherine has in store for her. Was it really smart to give her this opportunity? I guess we’ll see next season.

Lord Castleroy is proving to be an outstanding man, especially in comparison to Greer’s father. How very generous and noble of him to put Greer’s sisters future into her hands and secure their dowries. What’s not to love? Thankfully Greer felt ‘right’ when they shared their first kiss. I really hope she can learn to love him. 

Historical bits

Francis was of the age of fifteen when he became king and though technically he was an adult who in theory did not need a regent, he was young, inexperienced, and in fragile health, so he delegated his power to his wife's uncle from the noble House of Guise – Francis, who by the way was captured at Calais by English.

Since our characters are a bit older in the show than in reality [thanks God!], we have a slightly different situation. Duke de Guise, here named Christian, is set to be Francis’ right-hand when Francis becomes king [assuming Duke survives Calais]. 

Some observations  

Bash is still hunting Mister Darkness. Considering it’s been already a month, with results like this, Bash could loose his fancy title.

Did we just get a subtle confirmation that Henry is indeed being poisoned and by none other than Duke de Guise? 

If history is any indication here, French troops will succeed at Calais and will retake the city, so I assume Francis will come back safe and sound.

Memorable Quotes:

Mary: “There are soldiers at her gates!”

Henry: “And now you're afraid your poor mother might die? Well, don't we owe it to Scotland and France, as rulers, to ask if that might be a good thing? Your mother can't handle the job that you gave her. Or else she wouldn't be under siege!”

For a crazy man, he sure as hell makes a lot of sense.

Mary: “Words don't bother me. Threats don't bother me, either. Losing bothers me.”

Adelaide Kane plays subtle scary like no one else.

Mary: “Trust is a luxury I can no longer afford.”

Catherine: “Nothing bothers me more than problems I've already solved coming back to be problems again. If that's what you make of yourself, my child, expect me to make you a lesson to my other problems by grinding you into the dust you no longer see fit to sweep.”

Christian: “From what I hear, even when your father is present, the king is no longer in the castle.”

Christian: “While your father was busy producing heirs, bastards and otherwise, he needed my help, whether he cared to admit it or not.”

Lord Castleroy: “As a businessman, I always do my research. But as a gentleman, I... I wasn't about to bring it up.”

Francis: “You make it sound like every promise I make is an empty one.”

Mary: “What other promise can you make? You are the future king.”

Francis: “It's not that simple. Maybe it should be. For both of us.”

Again, I’m almost scared of what she comes up with.

Sol’s rating: a good filler episode that served its purpose, so 3 out of 5.