Reign: 3x18 “Spiders in a Jar”

Knox: “They're like two spiders in a jar. They can't coexist, they can't let the other survive.

Still, sometimes someone needs to give the jar a good shake.”

Wow! The episode, being a season finale, can not afford not to surprise and usually the death toll is quite high, and Reign has never been shy when it comes to killing off its characters. But wow! Even though the deaths became obvious as the episode went forward, they were still shocking and I couldn’t believe they would kill some of the favorites. Wow!

I hate spoilers, but no matter how much you try, you are bound to see some of them, unless you live in a cave and do not own a computer. So the news of Torrance Coombs getting cast in another show got to me half way through this season and ever since I was waiting for him to die. Like every episode. Yet he managed to survive Christophe the killer, confrontation with Catherine, the shipwreck and druids massacre. Color me surprised. I like the character of Bash, I don’t think we have seen even the half of his potential. All we saw was just few pages of his life through his affairs with several women. And those relationships sort of defined him, but that is not who he is, so I was all for it when they decided to let him live and go on this self search. It left the door open for him to come back later in full capacity or as a guest star.

Mary lost the last of her friends and we lost the voice of wisdom of this show – Lola. Following instructions, that she believed came from her queen, she sent John away, said her goodbyes to Narcisse and went down the rabbit hole. There wasn’t any doubt that the assassination attempt  would fail, so to be honest I was more curious as to who exactly gave the order. It couldn’t be Elizabeth, as I assumed last week, it definitely wasn’t Mary. Not once did I think of that bastard Knox who pulled the trick and masterfully played those women he hates so much. I was hoping Lola would stop or at least question the order’s origin, discuss it with Narcisse or whatever. She didn’t. During that scene in the woods under falling snow I said out loud: “Oh, my! She is really going to die!”. Goodbye Lady Lola, you will be missed.

The other death was also a given; the second Catherine gave her blessing to Leith and Claude I knew he will die. That little weasel Martel so obviously wanted the princess to himself that he easily eliminated his rival and honest and decent Leith didn’t even see it coming. Although it was not definitely confirmed that he is dead, he looked pretty dead. Coupled with happy Claude picking her dress and their lovely last night together… Goodbye Leith, you will be missed.

If it is any consolation he died happy. He got the girl and Queen’s blessing to marry her. Looking at those two I was mostly amazed at how different their love story was compared to the one with Greer. Greer was always way too concerned about her position and status, none of this mattered for Claude. One could say it was easier for Claude, but when you think about it, it really wasn’t. I don’t think Greer ever loved Leith the way he deserved, and Claude did. Be careful, Martel de Guise, when she finds out (and she will) you’re dead.

Charles was back, damaged and not quite well, to the point of giving up his power and crown. Yet ultimately he was strong enough to outplay Catherine and take all the power from her. The score is 1:0, but Catherine is someone you better be friends with, as she didn’t wait long to hint on how easily it will be to replace a king. I must say Catherine is such a paradox when it comes to her family. She says she loves her children and I believe that she does, yet she sees no problem of having her daughter beaten, having Francis suffer thinking John was dead. And the latest, just last episode she was ready to give her life for Charles, and now she is quite capable of carrying out her threat to kill him off. Here is what I think - she loves her family as long as they are not on her way to power. That must be lonely.

Mary and Gideon have met again. Although not as was pictured some episodes back, him being an English ambassador in Scotland. Maybe one day, but right now he was sent to Scotland to try and sway the nobles to support Elizabeth. He is still loyal to his Queen and still in love with Mary and I’m afraid we are at that point where it is no longer possible for him to try and sit on two chairs and he has to choose once and for all. What Mary asked of him, to get close to Elizabeth, to seduce her, to spy on her wasn’t fair since he is in love with her. It also showed that Mary doesn’t love him back. Not anymore. She is blinded with rage and grief and she has only one goal – destroy Elizabeth. And she will do whatever it takes and she will even marry accordingly. Wow! That speech was hot… and cold at the same time. If Gideon would have vanished into a thin air right that moment, I bet she wouldn’t even notice.

Historical bits

Robert Dudley was indeed married to Lettice Knollys, who was a grandniece of Anne Boleyn.

Some observations  

So what will happen with baby John now? Will he be returned to France as he is Francis’ son? Will he stay with Narcisse? Will Mary take him under her wing? 

Robert Dudley came back to court just in time to save Elizabeth and kill her later with the news of his marriage. The notion of dramatic entrance is not lost on him.

Wardrobe department

There were many wonderful dresses in this one but the “Best Dress of the week” Award goes to Elizabeth, whose dress was one of the best this series ever paraded in front of our eyes. 

 

The “Worst Dress of the week” Award goes to no one. There was one dress, and of course it was Lola’s, who they always dressed awfully, but since she died in it, it wouldn’t be appropriate to award her for it.

Memorable Quotes:

Mary: “I am a stranger in my own home. My own land.”

Mary: “Queens do not bow to their subjects. It is, in fact, quite the other way around.”

Charles: “I told you, I don't want to be king.”

Catherine: “This isn't a job you get to choose, and you can't just walk away from it.”

Lola to ELizabeth: “Oh, you don't trust anyone. You have more power than anyone around you, and people will want it. And because you value power above all else, you will always be alone. It's incredible, really. I march to my execution very soon, and yet you are the one to be pitied.”

Bravo, Lady Lola!

Sol’s rating: no rating for a season finale but it was powerful and painful and somewhat sad and fatal. Had it not been renewed this episode could have served as a quite decent series finale.

The fourth season of Reign returns next year. See you then!