Reign: 4x01 “With friends like these”

Gideon: “The two of you are so consumed with each other, you didn't notice Knox in the corner, cheering you on to fight to the death.”

It has been almost eight months since the last season finale of Reign. Too long, if you ask me. However, from the first moments it felt as if it has just been yesterday. Here it is – the final journey of Mary, Queen of Scots begun.

With only 16 episodes final season they have certainly picked up the pace. I couldn’t believe how much they managed to fit in just 42 minutes.

We got an update on pretty much everyone. We effortlessly jumped from Scotland to France to Spain to England and back. New characters were introduced, some were brought back, the others were killed off, and the scene for the season was set. Make no mistake, the main character will be the war between the two queens. Two strong women whom life put on the opposite sides and forced to fight for a prize that is the English throne. They can not be friends, only the enemies, and this war will not end until one of them is dead.

I have to say, they both are in an impossible situation, though Mary’s is much worse. Catholic Queen in a heart of a mostly protestant country with only few supporters and no loyal friends at all, there is almost no way out. She is doomed either way. No wonder she sounded cold and harsh at times; she manipulates, she even kills, yet keeps her eyes open and mind sharp. She didn’t misstep once, and that is fascinating considering the circumstances.

She also wasn’t blind to her brother’s actions, who is still an enigma and not in a good sense of the word. He was doing his very best to keep one foot in each kingdom, so to speak; but Mary was right, he had to pick a side. I liked him confronting Knox, but he just feels like such a weak character. As Mary said, I’m not sure we can trust him any time soon, if ever.

Now, that Mary has a confirmation from Gideon that Knox was behind an assassination attempt on Elizabeth, and knows that James was aware of it, she has a pretty good idea of what and who she is dealing with. Marriage is her only option, but even here she can’t win, because any choice is a bad choice and none would sufficiently reinforce her position. It was heartbreaking to hear her talk about potential marriage in such a cold and calculative manner, when only few months ago the idea of being married again felt impossible. She has no other choice but to be strong and do whatever it takes. She is no longer a girl in love, protected by her King, she’s all alone, and that must be devastating.

I admired Queen Elizabeth throughout this premiere. Despite her grief (and somewhat guilt) for Lola, her own broken heart, she manages to stay on top. She also doesn’t have a choice, her position is still so shaky - being unmarried she could loose her throne. Yet she found it in herself to believe Gideon’s findings even though he didn’t really have any proof. What’s fascinating even more, is that she trusted him even though she saw right through him. She is not blind either, she quickly picked up on Gideon’s feelings for Mary, yet still did the right thing.

Now, Mary has to convince Darnley to marry her and Elizabeth has to do everything she can to stop this marriage. We all know how the history unfolded, but, who knows, maybe we’re still get to be surprised.

Catherine: “Killing to avenge a wrong isn't murder, it's justice, and justice cannot be a sin.”

The first thought I had after watching this episode was: they should’ve dropped France. There is nothing new happening at French court, it has no more connection to Mary, it has no play in this fight for English throne, and quite frankly there is no more space for it, nor time.  While Mary and Elizabeth were basically fighting for their lives, Catherine was doing what she’s best at – killing people; and teaching Claude to do it. We’ve been there and done that. Though it was satisfactory to see Martel paying for what he did to Leith, I don’t really care what happens next to Claude or to the rest of the family. We have history books for that. There were even hints of St. Bartholomew’s Day massacre in some of the dialogue. As much as I find Megan’s Catherine fascinating, we don’t really have time for Spanish-French battle. And did we really need yet another Queen added to the mix???

I wish they used this premiere to say goodbye to France and focus on what’s going on across the Channel, because that’s where the real action is.

Narcisse: “Oh, you seek absolution for killing your friend. She wasn't your friend, Elizabeth, she was your prisoner. What a grotesque curse of royalty, that you cannot even tell the difference.”

My favorite scene (and there were lots of them in this one) was Elizabeth and Narcisse confronting each other in the prison cell. Two people equally mourning and equally guilty - it was very powerful.

Historical bits

I don’t think I’ve mentioned this before, but Don Carlos was indeed unwell and his father Philipp eventually had to lock him up because of his strange behavior.

I might be wrong, but I didn’t find any mentions of Elizabeth of Spain coming back to French Court. If I am wrong, let me know in the comments.

Some observations  

So, Leith is officially dead. I still hoped.

Gideon’s idea of a meeting between the Queens was a very good one. If only.

I believe for our sake - just in case (God forbid!) we mix the two queens up – they have decided to call Elizabeth of Spain – ‘Leesa’. ???

Greer is still with Castleroy and she and him and little Rose are one (happy?) family.

Caoimhe O'Malley played Princess Elizabeth in the pilot, not Anastasia Philipps.

Even though she said she knows her mother well Leesa in not very smart – humiliating Catherine de Medici like that at her own court. Ouch!

Killing the leader of the Northern clan was the right thing to do, but on the other hand his son is certainly NOT the warrier capable of leading his men… anywhere.

Martel de Guise, I predicted your death 8 months ago. Bye-bye, we hardly knew you. 

Wardrobe department

The “Best Dress of the week” Award goes to Claude. There were several beautiful dresses, but Claude’s wardrobe is always hit and miss, covering only the edges of the range – her dresses are either very beautiful or ridiculously hideous. This one was amazing.

 

The “Worst Dress of the week” Award goes to Elizabeth of Spain. 
Sorry that was just too heavy.

 

Memorable Quotes:

James: “Charge too quickly, you'll find yourself at the end of a blade.”

Mary: “I'm not looking for a man to love, I'm looking for a weapon to use against her to take her throne.”

Oh… (sad face)

Greer: “If your lover refused to sleep with your rival, maybe that's a good sign.”

Catherine: “If we slaughter our Protestants now, we risk civil war. France will crumble

and Spain will step in. If we do nothing, we anger the Vatican, who will end our line. And Spain will step in.”

Elizabeth: “Mary and I are positioned against one other as rivals by blood, by history, by men whose power is tied to our own, and it will always be so. We are not just rulers, we are pawns in a much larger game.”

Sol’s rating: I believe this was fabulous and very powerful premiere - 5 out of 5.