Reign: 2x17 “Tempting Fate”

Mary: “Before you dare to trust anyone else, you must first trust yourself. Your own power. That strength I'd thought I'd lost, I haven't. It's in me still.”

When this episode ended I immediately went online to check if this was a season finale. I knew it wasn’t, I knew there’s still some episodes left, but it felt like one. It wasn’t a finale of course; it was just a cliffhanger episode for us to dwell on until series return on April 17^th. 

Other than that I don’t know what to make of this one. Lots of things happened, serious things that could alter the course of the series. Then again those things could be undone or reversed one way or another. 

Let’s start with Francis and Bash. Bash goes to the North part of a country (yet still close to the castle) to punish someone for not doing their job. Then he threatens this someone and frees his poor wife. This someone didn’t get it slide and stubs Bash. Then that lady who heals people, all in black this time instead of white (how appropriate), offers to heal Bash and he agrees well knowing that there will be a price. The price of course was Francis falling terribly ill back at the castle.

What is wrong with this scenario? Everything! Knowing Bash, I started to think that this was his plan all along to catch this woman in the act, but Bash’s wound was real, Francis did become ill. Then I thought she staged it, since she was there when Bash was stubbed. To what purpose? What could she possibly gain? 

Also, this whole story seriously bugged me because no way in hell would Bash ever agree to be saved if it meant sacrificing someone else’s life. He had to have suspected it might be his brother’s, since he knew about the boys from the village. How could he?

So many questions! Is it April 17^th yet?

Let’s move on to Mary and Louis. Will they? Won’t they? They go to Scotland, they don’t go to Scotland. They trust each other, they don’t trust each other. What a wonderful mess!

Conde coming clean to Mary about Elizabeth was a right move, that couldn’t be delayed any longer. I’d hate for her to find that out the morning after. As expected she didn’t take it lightly, even though she understood perfectly the reasons behind his actions.

I must say they play well together. The trick they pulled with Elizabeth’s envoy not only didn’t jeopardize Louis’ ‘loyalty to England’, but also allowed them to learn about the safest place to land in Scotland. Believing that their plan hasn’t fallen to enemy’s hands they chose each other and I believed every word they’ve said to each other. Reign is an expert when it comes to unconventional love confessions. This one was no exception.

Even though Louis had some doubts, in his heart he chose Mary from the start, otherwise he’d never revealed to her about Elizabeth’s plans. Mary had also made a choice, even though she required a little push from Lola, who proved once again to be a very good friend. Her advice even though unorthodox one [what’s with advising the Queen to leave France with another man!], was from the heart; and most importantly she made Mary believe in herself and in her strength.

And then, when I thought they wouldn't, they finally made love. They went all the way with no secrets separating them and knowing well what it meant. I remember Mary saying once, that the risks are always higher for a woman. It is true. Whereas Louis doesn't risk much [well, except his neck, obviously], for Mary this affair might have dire consequences. From now on the paternity of any child she might bear will be questioned, so one might say that besides somewhat vague threat of loosing her head, there is also a risk of loosing France altogether. None of this seemed to have mattered as she made up her mind and chose herself and Scotland. And Louis. This dynamic will inevitably change once she gets the news of Francis’ illness. But then again, maybe it won’t.

Bash and Kenna are done. Unfortunately. Knowing that he will never be enough for Kenna, Bash left but still offered her his protection, until she finds someone ‘better’. How very honorable. And how very sad.

Greer’s ‘fresh-baked’ unclouded happiness might not last long, since Leith is headed to a disaster at full speed. I understand where he is coming from; for him the only thing that stand in the way of their [legitimate] future is Greer’s marital status. Disregarding Greer’s opinion in the matter, he asks the King to fight for an annulment, which seems to be a real hassle, diplomatic and otherwise. No wonder Francis refused to help. Unfortunately, that didn’t stop Leith who went straight to the source, so to speak, or the next best thing in the vicinity – the Cardinal. Looks like Greer will be free sooner rather than later, but what will be expected from Leith who so recklessly revealed about his friendship with the king? Greer might exchange one husband labeled ‘traitor’ for another.

Historical bits

Well, how very fortunate for our conspirators, that Buckhaven is ‘a Catholic stronghold, loyal to Mary’ since it is certainly a better port to dock, much closer to France and to Edinburgh than Aberdeen.

Some observations  

Seeing Catherine in full panic mode was fascinating, especially since we rarely see her that way. All of a sudden she might become regent, and she wasn’t ready for that, she is not yet loved by everyone, her work of bribing people and building them churches is not done yet!

We haven’t seen Claude in a little while, so when she jumped in Narcisse’s bed it took me a second to remember who she was.

And Leith is now Claude’s babysitter. Poor Leith!

Narcisse seems to be ready to jump any train that passes by. Not sure how I feel about him and Catherine as a couple.  She will probably eat him alive and soon.

Wardrobe department

The “Best Dress of the week” Award goes to Mary. That dress was simply gorgeous.

The “Worst Dress of the week” Award goes to Claude. That ‘pajamas’ dress was simply awful.

Memorable Quotes:

Cardinal: “It is a tragedy that your son died without last rites. But if you want his soul to enter into the kingdom of heaven unencumbered by sin, the cost of that indulgence is eight livres, not two.”

Conde: “There's always a choice, and sometimes that choice is so difficult that it's a leap... a leap of a fool's faith.”

Mary: “Elizabeth may be the wiser choice. But I can give you my heart. My full, strong heart.”

Sol’s rating: 4 out of 4. I guess we have to be grateful that this was not a finale, to wait a couple of weeks is one thing, to wait a couple of months is another.