Reign: 2x22 “Burn”

Narcisse: “… as it turns out, there is one thing worse than being hated by Catherine de Medici, that is being loved by her.”

You don’t say!

After watching this season finale I kept thinking how the ladies of Reign have taken things way too far and how men held the bar pretty high. Yes, even Narcisse.

I was totally shocked by the scene when Mary stabbed Conde while looking him straight in the eyes. How the man will ever be able to believe in love after that? I was absolutely sure she killed him, and I was wondering how on earth they are going to get Mary out of this deep end, because right now she isn't very likable. Yes, she was feeling pretty guilty and outsider to the family, but it still doesn't justify this cold-hearted murder attempt. 

I didn’t even think Conde was just wounded. Considering everything they might have easily tie up this plot line, because his journey has sort of come to an end…  and then all of a sudden it looked like it has just began. I believe he’s on his way to Elizabeth to whom he might or might not be married.   

Conde was not the only one heading to England. It was Catherine’s choice of destination too after her machiavellian plan backfired. Her attempt to manipulate her son into executing Conde was cruel and somewhat miscalculated. Catherine, who is always so clever when it comes to plotting against her enemies, made a fatal mistake. By making Francis believe Conde was responsible for the death of his son, not only did she not get what she wanted, she also lost her position at court and her son, probably for good considering his pending death.

I’m not even sure I have to or want to talk about Kenna, who tried to trap Bash into believing she’s pregnant with his child. That was a new low, even for her. And Bash was right, had she come clean and told him the truth he might have taken her under his protection. Well, wherever she’s headed next, I’m sure she’ll find a father for her baby in no time.

And then there was Delphine, who is now bound to Bash on a physical level. It’s what saved her from being burned alive. It’s also what almost burned him alive. I guess it means she can’t be killed otherwise Bash would die too. Poor Bash, so honorable, so loving and almost too forgiving, he just can’t catch a break.

Now, that we so subtly moved to the honorable men of Reign let’s talk about Narcisse. Not that he is that much honorable, but despite his despicable nature, I do like him. I blame the actor who is making a damn good job of portraying a total jerk with a touch of a gentleman. He was able to see through Catherine’s plan when Francis (stricken by grief) and Mary couldn’t. One can argue he did it to get out of Catherine’s spider net, I choose to think that at least partly he was worried about Lola.

And the last but nowhere near the least – Francis. What did you think of his reunion with Mary? To me, it felt rushed. It didn’t feel deserved. Partly I blame Mary, because this season she was swinging like the pendulum when it came to her affections and feelings. So her sudden “I love you, Francis. I always have” didn’t feel all that sincere.

What I took from that scene was that Francis didn’t forgive Mary, not completely. But knowing he’s dying he realized he didn’t have much time to waste on working things through. His main hope now is to leave Mary with child to somehow secure her position at French Court. He can only protect her as long as he is alive. The second he is dead, without an heir Mary is no longer the Queen of France. Add to that Catherine’s alliance with Elizabeth and it is clear that the next season is shaping up to be very difficult for Mary, to say the least.

So, what should we think about Rachel Skarsten’s Queen Elizabeth? Of course she was on screen for few seconds only, but I can't say I was impressed. Maybe it's the very distracting hairdo.

Historical bits

Not something that I can prove, but it is safe to assume Catherine de Medici never went to England to meet with Elizabeth. If someone finds a historical proof of that, please let me know in the comments.

Some observations  

How very stupid it was to hang Renaud without questioning him properly first.

So, Nostradamus was the one hiding in the tunnels and scaring everyone who bumps into him. I guess nobody knows those passages and tunnels better than him. I was actually glad to see him back. 

Of all the couples that came together in this one, for some reason Narcisse and Lola were the ones I wanted to see the most … and it never happened. Oh, well! Next season!

Hats off to Toby Regbo for a powerful performance once again. If we loose Francis next year (and it is pretty much a safe assumption) Reign will loose one of its finest actors.

Catherine spit on Narcisse – come to think of it, he got away easy.

Wardrobe department

There were few very nice dresses, but the “Best Dress of the week” Award goes to Elizabeth!

The “Worst Dress of the week” Award goes to Claude. Honestly! What is that?

Memorable Quotes:

Francis: “I am ending this struggle with diplomacy, not war.”

Mary: “I don't understand how you can justify it, in your heart, in your soul, these terrible shortcuts.”

Catherine: “Ruling requires that your hands be drenched in blood. You... who have led so many to their destruction, know it. And Francis, who killed his own father, knows it. You are no better than me, either one of you. And I am sick to death of you pretending otherwise!”

Mary: “The difference between us is this. For us, bloodshed is a gruesome last resort, but for you... for you, it is as easy as drawing your next breath.”

The irony is that Catherine is right and Mary is lying to herself.  

Sol’s rating: it was a solid season finale and it deserves a 4.