Previously on Reign... Have you any news
from your daughter, the queen of Spain?
She wants Henri on the throne,
not his older brother.
Leeza will allow Charles to remain king
while Henri's delayed.
I feared that Mary's wedding would empower other nations.
She could invade! If she does,
she will not find you alone. I am here, Elizabeth,
and I will not forsake you.
Since Nicole has her hands on Charles,
we'd best control her.
You can do that. I'm not sure bedding the lover
of the king is a wise idea.
I can't help wishing that, at the right time,
I'd met someone like you.
Lord Moray and Mary have developed
an uncanny, nearly preternatural ability
to undermine me.
So I had her home watched.
You betrayed me, Emily.
James drew you in with lies and used you.
As much as I might want to, I can't call off
this wedding to Darnley, because...
I'm pregnant with his child.
Only a suggestion, but perhaps some
additional percussion throughout,
its strong beat a representation
of the king's own mighty heart.
Aha.
More percussion throughout.
Mary!
I'm glad you've come.
So, what do you think?
Well, you commissioned it for your coronation.
It need only please your ear.
I need to borrow my private secretary.
You may have him back when we're finished.
David has been indispensable in planning my coronation.
Thank you for allowing him to assist me.
Of course. Mary...
um, it has been nearly a month since our wedding.
Might you at last allow me to visit your chambers tonight?
You do still desire an heir?
I've been traveling, Darnley...
And a show of face to the people is always advised,
but you have also been avoiding me. Mary, we are wed...
Which is why you need to plan
your coronation. I don't have time
to discuss this. David?
Come with me.
Play it again.
I've invited Lord Hamilton to court
in the hopes that he will stay for Lord Darnley's coronation.
As a powerful Protestant, his family's support is vital
if I wish to take the English throne.
What may I do to help?
Well, there are issues that divide us.
In addition to having a very strong claim to my throne,
Lord Hamilton sent a... a marriage request...
before I chose Darnley.
Ah.
Jealousy. It goes beyond that.
A blood feud has long existed
between the Hamiltons and Lord Darnley's family.
If I wish to gain Lord Hamilton's support,
it's best accomplished without Darnley.
I've arranged a full itinerary
for Lord Hamilton and his guests when they arrive.
I need you to keep Darnley occupied
with... planning for his coronation,
so that their paths never cross. I'll involve Darnley
in every detail, no matter how small,
so that you may focus on the larger issue of politics.
Thank you. I'll let Darnley know when the time is right.
Good news. Lord Hamilton has accepted your invitation.
If the Protestants of Clan Hamilton agree
to stand with you, it will prove to the world
that you are a tolerant queen.
And Knox would be greatly weakened.
Lord Hamilton is sure to tell
his Protestant ally about our meeting.
Is it possible the Reverend Knox
will just sit back and do nothing?
You must see Emily.
If her husband has plans
to interfere with our negotiations,
she may know something about them.
You know, Darnley won't be happy when he learns
that you've met with the Hamiltons behind his back.
My concern is for Scotland,
not for Darnley's bruised feelings. And if his feelings
interfere with your legacy, you do need to produce an heir.
Actually, James...
I am already pregnant.
So soon?
Mary, that's wonderful!
No one can know. Not even Darnley.
Not yet. Of course.
You will be an amazing mother.
Thank you, James.
I don't know what I'd do without you.
Am I interrupting?
Hello, James.
Hello, Greer.
Uh...
I'll leave you two.
I think I've made a horrible mistake.
At your wedding, I told James
how much I desired to have a man like him in my life.
I had hoped it would encourage him
to express his own feelings,
if he had any for me. Instead, he now treats me
with the same affection he shows the furniture.
He's respecting your circumstances.
You are still married, Greer.
So is Emily Knox.
You shouldn't take it personally.
Things aren't always as they seem.
Isn't it wonderful?
There's something about a bathhouse that is
so incredibly... sensual.
Yes. If one enjoys the dampness of sweat.
Poor Jane. You're overheating
because you're not dressed properly.
You may go.
And see to it
that I'm not disturbed.
Harder when it's cold
Even when I'm playing
In the fire
Even when I'm doing it
For all my life
Harder than imagined
Harder when I let it go
Tell me that love is enough
The seas will be parted for us
Were you seen?
I was not.
Ooh, ooh
In another lifetime
I would never change my mind...
Would you like to hear what's being planned
for your birthday celebration this evening?
Is it you and me in bed...
with you feeding me cake?
Mm, close.
A gala in your honor.
Hundreds of nobles and dignitaries.
It's the perfect opportunity for you to peruse a number
of potential suitors. These suitors,
are they Catholic? The majority.
With Mary now wed to Darnley,
your only hope of gaining the support of Catholic nations
is with a Catholic union of your own.
Good. I will need your help
if I am to choose wisely.
Of course.
I have a... thorough understanding
of your politics, but also your...
personal tastes.
Good. I will need to find a husband
who I can not only tolerate,
but who will not plot to have my head removed.
Agreed. Your neck must be protected at all costs.
You do understand that
our current relationship
is only temporary.
Once a match is made, we will need to stop this.
There's no confusion.
I'm your advisor first,
your lover second.
And right now...
I'm done giving advice.
I'd do it all again
A thousand times...
I want to thank you.
You've done wonders with Charles.
He no longer suffers night terrors,
his confidence grows daily. Stephan.
I've been looking for you.
Mm, I see you have Nicole well in hand.
Mm.
I'm turning her into a proper lady.
She wants to be a courtesan.
In return, she is guiding Charles for us,
keeping him in line. Well, if only
that were enough for Leeza, queen of Spain
and of meddling in French politics.
She still wants Charles off the throne.
She believes that Henri is the man to keep France Catholic.
The Protestants have been troublesome of late.
A firm hand is needed.
Well, a firm hand will be needed
to keep my sons from each other's throats.
And after agreeing to let me handle matters,
Leeza went behind my back and she wrote to Henri directly.
And he is on his way here now,
fresh from his latest defeat of the Turks,
aware that Spain wants him on the throne.
Toppling the Turks.
You know, I have to say, he does sound impressive.
He's ambitious.
And Charles,
he's no match for his younger brother.
Nicole must get him to willingly abdicate
and disappear from the world's stage.
And once he does, we must pray that the people accept it,
and leave him in peace,
because I cannot survive the loss
of another son.
It's gorgeous.
There is another reason for my visit.
Hmm. An important task for you, regarding Charles.
It won't be easy, but
you will be well rewarded.
A country chateau of which you will have full control...
kitchen, staff,
decor. Go on.
It would be your new home.
Once Charles agrees to abdicate.
How is that even possible?
Unless Charles leaves court.
Well, he would leave court.
Well, he'd have to go far away, to remove himself completely
from the public eye.
You really have learned so much.
That's what the chateau is for.
Mm.
He would still be a Valois,
a noble of high rank.
And as for you,
well, you would have your every need fulfilled.
It's more than you could possibly have dreamed of.
I dreamt that I'd be the first of my family
to escape that dreary farm.
That I'd meet someone like you,
who would initiate me to the excitement
and intrigue of court.
I don't want to go off into hiding
with some weak, fallen king.
I want to be in the thick of things.
With you.
With me?
I've fallen for you.
I love you. I need you
to save a king's life.
You must convince Charles to abdicate.
Which means going away with him.
You don't care about me at all.
I could. I might.
But we have an arrangement.
Which is now utterly
and completely over.
Nicole...
You hurt me.
I'm done helping you,
and the monarchy, and France.
It is your country, too.
I don't
care.
You're on my mind
And all you ever do is spin
In circles around my head...
Lord Mortimer, I will have no excuse now for being late.
But I thank you.
It's lovely.
Your Majesty, it's time for you to dance.
Every time I've ever chased it
Impressive turnout:
32 suitors from 16 countries. Mm.
Hey, little girl with the crooked smile Congratulations, Your Grace.
I will do my best to screen out anyone
who holds opinions strongly opposing your own.
And if anyone shows promise, I'll take them
for a stroll in the garden,
so I can speak to them more privately.
Your Majesty, may I introduce
Count Alfred Von Buren of Vienna.
I needed something to say
Huh.
I will follow you
To the end of the world
With you
I will follow you
To the end of the world
With you
Jump off the edge
Whoa...
Hey Jump off the edge
Whoa...
I will My father
always advised me: find a woman who can cook and clean
and a woman that's fantastic in bed.
Then pray the two never meet.
Whoa...
Hey Jump off the edge
Oh, your third wife was barren?
How very sad for you.
She appeared perfectly normal when we first met,
only to find out later she was defective.
Such a disappointment.
What use is a woman if she cannot reproduce?
Jane, have you seen Her Majesty?
I believe she went for a stroll in the garden
with the archduke of Austria. Very handsome.
The queen seemed quite pleased with him.
Did you really say that to him?
Is that funny to you?
Lord Hamilton,
I'm pleased you're here.
And what of your Catholic husband,
the king consort?
Where is he?
His absence suggests he does not share in your... pleasure.
Lord Darnley is busy with matters regarding the Crown.
But we are of one mind:
to move forward, one nation,
Catholics and Protestants united.
Then perhaps you should have married me
instead of a Catholic.
Imagine it: you, Catholic,
me, Protestant, both with a claim to the Scottish throne.
There is the unity you speak of.
But I'm looking beyond Scotland,
to England.
And you can help me.
If you stand with me
at Lord Darnley's coronation,
it will show both faiths
that we share a common goal.
You're asking me to turn my back on my family,
ignore a hundred years of animosity
that exists between Lord Darnley's family
and mine.
What's in it for me?
I am willing to restore the Hamilton family's seat
on the privy council.
You would do this?
Allow me to influence policy,
knowing my hatred for Lord Darnley?
I am interested in the future,
not the past.
It is a generous offer,
and one that I encourage you
to accept.
I will consider it.
James?
May I speak with you?
I'm just heading out.
Can it wait until...
No. It will only take a moment.
At Mary's wedding, there were things said,
by me,
that I'm afraid have made you uncomfortable around me.
I'm sorry, Greer. If I've treated you differently, it's...
it's only because I've been preoccupied with my duties.
And preoccupied with Emily Knox.
Do you care for her, James?
I only press the issue because Mary said
things aren't always as they seem.
And I realize...
love doesn't need to be a thing of the past for me.
Not if I am clear about what I want.
Who I want.
Greer, my life is...
complicated.
I hope it will not always be,
but for now, it is.
I'm sorry.
Be patient with me.
Please.
I baptize thee
in the name of the Father,
and of the Son,
and of the Holy Spirit.
See that this message reaches King Charles,
or this church
will become your child's grave. Now run!
If Charles doesn't release
the Protestant prisoners listed here,
they'll start killing the Catholic hostages,
one by one.
Please, do as they ask.
My entire family is in that church,
my baby boy.
We will speak with the king.
And he will respond.
This is worse than I feared.
The gall.
We need to crush them.
Charles has balked at this sort of military action in the past,
especially against Protestants.
Well, Henri would have no such hesitation.
But as Charles is king,
only he can authorize a military strike.
Has Nicole spoken with him about abdicating?
No.
You said you had her in hand.
That was before she decided
she was in love with me.
I tried to hedge my response, but...
But now what? Hmm?
She's brokenhearted and angry.
Well, the answer is simple.
You must seduce her,
convince her that you could love her.
You're very good at that.
Or you used to be.
What is holding you back?
Charles needs guidance.
You know that he will want to give in
to the Protestants' demands.
If we appear weak,
we are one step closer to civil war.
Another hour passes.
It is time to show your king
that our threats
are to be taken seriously.
How could you invite the Hamiltons here
knowing our history? I explained my reasons.
After it is done.
After they are comfortably
within the walls of our home.
The very people who murdered my grandfather!
I have heard enough about the bad blood between your families.
This feud will never end, unless somebody
is willing to be the better man.
I am asking you to be that man.
Then you are asking to be disappointed.
We need their Protestant support.
It is support that they are unlikely to give.
I think they will.
I have offered Lord Hamilton
a seat on the privy council.
A seat on the privy council?
Why don't you just hand him your throne, as well?
The same ambition that drove the Hamiltons
to take my grandfather's life
could drive them to take yours.
And since you refused me
the Crown Matrimonial,
they will stake their own claim to rule.
You are determined to paint them as murderers.
And you
should have discussed this with me!
I'm your husband, I'm your king!
Not just some figurehead!
What am I saying?
Of course,
that's all I am to you.
I didn't want it to be like this.
I had hoped that our marriage
would be a partnership in every way.
But with your drinking, your cheating,
your blind ambition...
I am trying to be better!
Then try harder.
I mean it, Darnley.
If the Hamiltons stay
for your coronation,
you cannot let them provoke you
to anger or violence.
A better partner,
a better king knows that sometimes,
we must do things we hate for the sake of the Crown.
The archduke of Austria
seemed like a nice fellow.
He's a little bit fancy for my taste.
Well, he was very handsome.
With a long, powerful stride.
I was practically breathless trying to keep up with him.
Stride is what one looks for in a horse,
not a husband.
I prefer to match my pace
to my partner's.
I may take things more slowly, but...
you will still find yourself
breathless.
Oh, wait.
I forgot to bring the...
Oh, it doesn't matter.
You are a queen
looking to make a strategic marriage alliance.
You can't very well do that
when you're pregnant with another man's child.
If I can get pregnant at all.
Once I am wed,
I will be expected to produce an heir
and blamed if I do not.
Getting pregnant before I'm married
might not be the worst idea.
If I am barren,
there's no reason to give up half my throne.
If you do get pregnant...
I could be married within a week.
With my child. No one will know.
What, and that makes it better?
I'm just your stud horse,
testing your fertility?
I'm sorry, I just thought that...
I know this is meant to be
a relationship of convenience and nothing more, but...
what we share has...
has quite unexpectedly become very personal to me.
I appreciate that's not what you need
right now. Or want.
I'm sorry for that.
Are you here to lavish me
with more gifts
and then send me away to rot?
You are the only one at court
who has the king's heart.
That makes you very special.
Charles needs you now.
There is a very delicate situation at Vendome.
Protestants have taken hostages.
I thought I made it clear.
Our arrangement is off.
I won't do anything for a man who only seeks to use me.
Nicole...
I need to apologize.
You have come to mean something to me.
You're just saying that now to get what you want.
It's what I want that pains me.
I had a wife who was killed.
Lola.
Yes. Of course.
Why didn't I realize?
Because you're young and still so innocent.
Being with you
feels like a betrayal...
Because you love me, too?
I don't want to.
The truth is that...
I cannot erase you from my mind.
I have deemed
that immediate military action is required
to quash the Protestant insurgents in Vendome,
and save innocent lives.
France will not tolerate such blatant and aggressive
defiance of the Crown and its laws.
Very wise,
Your Majesty. Excellent.
Well done, Nicole.
She's good in bed, and she can turn on
the tears as well as the praise.
And well done you.
I was starting to think you didn't have it in you.
Oh, I played her masterfully.
Hmm.
And all it cost me
was the desecration of Lola's memory.
But that doesn't mean anything to you, does it?
Emily, tell me what's happened.
My husband knows about us.
And I know you were only using me.
And I hate you.
More than I thought possible.
But I need you.
My husband says he forgives me,
but he treats me worse than a common whore.
I am forced to sleep and eat with the animals.
And I am beat
with the same rod.
Emily, I'm sorry.
Tell me how I can help.
You took my life from me,
and now you will find me another.
Away from my husband,
away from you,
away from anyone who knows my shame.
Emily, that's-that's not something I can do.
Because you fear my husband, too.
But you know people in France.
Get me there. I have information that will make it
worth whatever retribution you face from him.
Something horrible is going to happen to Mary.
Tell me what it is,
and I will get you away from here, I promise.
Tomorrow,
before the coronation,
Lord Hamilton has plotted with my husband to kill Mary.
You must be Lord Darnley.
We have not met, Lord Hamilton. What gave me away?
You have the look of an Englishman.
And the face of a traitor.
I wish to apologize for not greeting you earlier.
I also wish to make it up to you personally
by inviting you to stay for my coronation.
Oh, my, aren't you a good lad, doing your wife's bidding.
I can't help but think how different things would be
if the queen had married me.
She'd be pregnant by now, that's for certain.
We are working on it.
Working?
If Mary were in my bed, I assure you
she would not consider it work.
Anyway, no need to feel pressure.
If you fail to produce an heir, well, my family,
as next in line, is more than ready to step in.
Lord Hamilton,
might we not set aside
our differences?
Think of what could accomplish
if we supported our queen and country together.
Hmm. Perhaps.
How long can we really resent one another for the tension
that existed between our grandfathers, anyway?
In truth, it was more than tension.
Your family murdered my grandfather.
Your grandfather was a traitor. And your grandfather was a bastard.
By birth. Who persecuted Protestants,
and then became one.
A Catholic who becomes a Protestant
still serves the same God.
A Scot who becomes an Englishman loses his soul.
Like your father.
I've taken up enough of your time.
I do hope
that you will accept Mary's offer
of a seat on the privy council.
If I do,
it will be to block your every move.
I'll turn the privy council against you
and render you powerless, so everyone can see
what a weak and impotent man you truly are.
And I'll laugh.
Like my grandfather must've laughed
when he slit your grandfather's throat.
A gift from the future
king of Scotland to one of his loyal subjects.
You've probably poisoned it.
Prince Erik, too powerful.
Duke of Savoy, too powerless.
Count Alejandro, too dull;
Alfonso D'Este, too... lumpy?
Elizabeth, these are all viable marriage candidates.
You need to take this seriously.
Uh...
Gideon, about last night...
Oh, I apologize for my outburst.
But I do believe it is best that we
return to things as they once were...
you, my Queen and I, your advisor.
Nothing more.
Um, what about the archduke of Austria?
You said you liked his...
stride. I don't want the archduke.
He's a Catholic, a good fit both politically,
strategically... I don't want any of them.
Then who do you want? You.
What I want,
and what I need,
is you.
Since last night, I have done little
but think about what my life would be like
if we were not together.
A life where I would see you every day
and know that I would not feel your touch at night.
A life where I would be unloved
and unknown as only you love
and know me.
And it is not a life I desire.
This is personal for me, as well.
No explosions from Darnley.
I know I have you to thank for that.
Well, except for a moment when he asked me
to check on alterations being made to the crown,
I was with him all day.
If it all goes according to plan,
by this time tomorrow, Darnley will have his crown,
and the Hamiltons will have their seat on the privy council.
Here's to you taking Elizabeth's throne.
Mary,
you must come with me, quickly.
There's a plot against your life.
Knox incited the Hamiltons to stage a coup.
I've sent guards to arrest the Hamiltons,
but they're not in their chambers.
Until they're located, we must leave the castle.
Now. Greer, you come with me.
David, find Darnley.
He needs to be taken to safety as well.
Stay back.
Halt.
Stand where you are and surrender your weapons.
What have we done?
Are we not allowed to leave if we desire female companionship?
I will ask one more time.
Remove your weapons and lay them on the floor.
You are under arrest
for treason and conspiracy to assassinate
the queen.
So...
Knox was right.
You meant to kill us all along.
Is that what he told you?
Is that why you wouldn't disarm?
He said it was a trap. I didn't believe him.
My God, no. We can't let him die.
He's the only one that can prove Knox has been
feeding us all lies.
Greer, fetch the physician.
No.
Mary, he won't make it.
Emily told me once she was a terrible liar.
She's quite good, actually.
I believed her.
You will never know Emily's motives.
Knox may have given her no choice.
May have threatened her very life if she refused
to feed you false information about the Hamiltons.
And now, because we were unable to save Lord Hamilton,
Knox is free to say that you lured them to the castle,
powerful Protestants to the slaughter.
He'll preach of your treachery.
I will lose all hope of Protestant support.
Unless someone else takes the blame.
James, no.
It is because of me that you're in this trouble, Mary.
You must hold me accountable.
But it's because of me that you slept with Emily
in the first place. Mary,
to take England, to hold Scotland,
you must say that I acted on my own.
You must ban me from Scotland.
Make me a public spectacle so that all will hear of it.
You shouldn't have to do this.
You are a good and fair queen, sister.
Your people need you.
My only regret is that I will no longer be able to serve
at your side, and protect you.
Only for a time.
I will call you back, James.
What am I going to do without you?
Summon Lord Bothwell.
I know he would rather die than see you harmed.
You can't rely
on Darnley for this, it's too important.
Tell me, Mrs. Knox,
When you told James that the Hamiltons intended me harm,
did you know it was a lie,
even as you spoke it?
It is no worse than lies he has told me.
Why don't you kill me now?
You've destroyed my life anyway.
I may still need you,
to connect your husband to the slaughter.
His followers believe he is God's messenger.
Anything you do to him will only make him a martyr.
You have cost me much, Emily.
But something tells me
there is some truth in your lies
about the way you live, hmm?
Go home
to the powerful man who knows
that you betrayed him.
Enjoy the living hell that is your marriage.
That is your punishment.
Your Majesty.
It has just been confirmed...
the attack on the rebels has been executed.
And the hostages?
Thanks to your quick action, they are saved.
But at what cost?
How many gallant soldiers did I send to their deaths?
Charles, come with me, please.
There's something you need to see.
You helped Charles find the strength
to do the right thing.
You saved lives today.
I did it for you.
Charles, the savior of France!
It's all right, you are their hero.
They're calling me their savior.
They love you.
Is that... My son.
What's his name?
Charles.
Named after the king who saved his life.
I wish Leeza were here to see this.
Charles, a Catholic king
embraced by his people.
Oh, I'll make sure she knows.
And perhaps this turn of events
will get her to stop interfering in French affairs,
and let us live in peace.
I wouldn't go that far.
She is your daughter, after all.
Perhaps this will buy us some room.
Yes, giving us time to secure Charles' reign.
If we can keep his hand steady,
he won't need to abdicate.
Henri might not be too happy about that.
We can't have him contesting the throne.
Not when his brother is finally embracing being king.
And as long as Nicole thinks she has your love,
We can use her to control Charles.
For the good of France, of course.
For the good of France.
Lord James Stuart, Earl of Moray,
for your egregious crimes,
you are hereby banished from Scotland.
Furthermore, your lands and titles are forfeits
to the Crown, your wealth stripped from your person
as you leave in disgrace.
Wait.
How many more people will you sacrifice?
Was there no other way?
Don't go.
I have work.
Or should I tell the privy council
that the queen's needs are more pressing?
Fine. You're released.
Shall I write to the archduke
to officially initiate courtship proceedings?
It's all right.
For England's sake, you still need a husband.
I understand that.
But I don't want to lose you.
You won't.
I've traveled this path before.
It won't be easy standing on the sidelines,
seeing me with someone else.
You will want a love of your own.
It's very complicated.
I'm not Dudley.
I expect no more than what we enjoy now.
It will not be enough for you. It is.
If our love must be secret,
and our child, so long that it is loved,
never know its father, then... so be it.
At least I'll be a part of your life.
The most precious part.
You're getting good at this.
Well, I'll have to be a great swordsman
if I want to lead France to victory on the battlefield.
And you're no longer afraid of that responsibility?
Not anymore. I understand that
sometimes a king must wield a sword
to protect his people.
And your people will honor you for it,
as they did today.
They loved me.
I can still hear the crowd chanting my name.
I want it, Mother. To be king.
I am so proud of you.
Mother.
Looking lovely, as always.
Not exactly the welcome reception
I was hoping for.
Henri, you must not have received my letter.
There's been a change of plan. Oh.
Leeza said Charles is unwell,
and I was needed immediately.
Well, I had hoped to save you the journey.
Your brother is quite recovered.
So he's not going to be abdicating?
No.
Good.
That's a relief.
You're not disappointed?
Charles is my brother,
and the lawful king of France.
And I'm a prince who gets to do
whatever he wants.
Welcome home, my son.
I think we should keep my coronation
a small, private affair.
This does not feel like the time
for pomp or pageantry.
I know how much you were looking forward to it.
I appreciate your understanding and sacrifice.
Sometimes a ruler must do things they hate
for the sake of the Crown.
I know his death is a terrible complication,
but so you know,
I refused to let Lord Hamilton provoke me.
Though I was tempted,
I found strength in your challenge
to be a better man.
That is what I hope to be.
I can take care of you, Mary,
and I can protect you,
if you will only allow me.
I will consider it.
Might you also consider, at last,
starting a family with me?
Actually...
we have already started.
I am pregnant with your child.
I will be a good father and a good husband.
On that you have my oath.
All hail the king!
Oh, no.