Reign: 3x12 “No Way Out”

"Your debt will be paid."

It is difficult to follow any timeline with Reign. In between the two episodes Mary managed to go to Rome and get back. How long was she gone? How long would it have taken to travel this distance in 1560s?

Never underestimate the Vatican. They play the game of their own, moving the two queens on the board as they seem fit, letting two young girls butt heads to their advantage. Elizabeth took a huge risk naming Mary her successor, because that immediately painted a target on her back, and on Mary’s as well. Will Gideon and Mary be able to outsmart both Elizabeth and Vatican? Hard to say, I certainly want them to succeed.

Gideon was on the brink of becoming an enemy, fortunately Mary played the honesty card and won him over, cementing this new alliance of hearts and intellects in bed. Mary might not be sure of her reasons, but I think we now know her well to be sure she wouldn’t jump in bed with whoever, so it is obvious she cares enough for him to trust him so completely. Gideon was a question mark the morning after, but only up until the moment he killed his former secretary to protect Mary. That was unexpected and powerful, and showed just how far he is willing to go to protect the queen he loves and the queen he’s loyal to. Right now, the ladies are sort of in the same boat, so it is relatively easy for him to follow Mary’s plan. What will happen when he is called to make an ultimate choice?

Elizabeth’s relationships with Lola have evolved into a friendship of sorts. She decided to be grateful and even made Lola her confidante in the affairs of the heart. I kind of enjoyed their respect and honesty with each other, if only the situation was that simple. Lola is still a prisoner, and Elizabeth, despite her vulnerability and broken heart, is still an enemy.

The tormented love story with Lord Dudley culminated in his new appointment in France. He is now Earl of Leicester and future husband for Mary. Elizabeth keeps sending gorgeous men to her cousin, and that is not how you treat enemies, your majesty. If she continues, soon there will be no eye candy at English court. 

Who are those Thirteen Red Knights and why do we care? Henry and Catherine slaughtered half the kingdom, why this particular event bears such importance? I can only assume the knights that are after Catherine now are the children of those she executed. Why now? And most importantly just ‘why’? Their goal is way too straightforward to add mystery to the case, despite the fact that the scene behind castle walls was very nicely filmed. Also, we are too early in the season to set up the plot for the next one. Unless those rumors of episodes order being severely cut are true.  

What surprised me during this late night attack was Christophe, who was very obviously worried about Catherine. How is that possible? He is a sociopath who is incapable to relate to the emotions of others and unfamiliar with compassion or love. Does he perceive Catherine as his personal toy? Is he simply worried that this toy will be taken from him? Is playing cat and mouse with her exciting enough for him? Time will tell.

Historical bits

Dudley was indeed suggested by Elizabeth as consort to the widowed Mary. Elizabeth wanted to achieve firm amity between England and Scotland and diminish the influence of foreign powers. She repeatedly declared that she was only prepared to acknowledge Mary as her heir on condition that she marries Robert Dudley. Robert was given the title of Earl of Leicester to become more acceptable to Mary.

Some observations  

Watching two queens wonder around villages, open fields and brothels made me think of how unsafe and inappropriate it was for them walk off like that on their own. No guards, no escort, in Mary’s case. One might say she is no longer the Queen of France, but she still is a queen, a royal! Of course, back then, people rarely knew how their monarchs looked like and would never recognize them on the streets, but still.

Greer still hasn’t told Mary about the baby. Why not?

Wardrobe department

The “Best Dress of the week” Award goes to Catherine. Loved this one.
 

The “Worst Dress of the week” Award goes to Mary. This thing of a dress was awful. Good God, Gideon took it off quickly.
 

Memorable Quotes:

Mary to Gideon: “So this is what my receiving line has been reduced to... an English spy?”

Gideon to Mary: “Mary, what's between us are lies and sabotage. Relationship born in deceit often dies there.”

Sol’s rating: another good one, 3.5

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