Reign Premieres And Puts The Sexy Back In History S1E1
If you take all the splendor and political intrigue of The Tudors, and none of the history, couple that with the angst of Twilight, and some of its supernatural flare you come close to the recipe of Reign. At the heart of the tale is Mary, Queen of Scots, (Adelaide Kane) and Francis, the future King of France, (Toby Regbo) who are betrothed, and may just get married if they can survive all the palace intrigues and Nostradamus's gloom and doom prophecy.
The premiere showcases Mary's arrival at court, and its hard to be the new girl, where the rules aren't the same and her every move is scrutinized. The boy she's been betrothed to since she was six isn't sure he wishes to marry her, isn't sure France needs Scotland's alliance, but he also isn't sure he doesn't. Way to string a girl along.
She is surrounded by her ladies in waiting: Greer, Kenna, Aylee and Lola, who are to help guide her through the social gauntlet and be her support. Of all the names they could have chosen, they couldn't even pick some close to history? But let's face it this isn't really geared towards the History obsessed sort. And that's a good thing since this first outing isn't getting much right.
Mary's been sheltered a bit, living tucked away in a convent, and coming back to the French Court, Mary is ready to live it up, with her girls in tow, and they do, prancing around like some woodland sprites doing a fairy ring during a wedding.
Also at court is Francis' hot half brother Sebastian, Bash (Torrance Coombs), who fairly smolders in every scene he's in. He's definitely being set up as a part of a lopsided love triangle, and I can't say that I hate the idea. He's got the bedroom eyes and pining down pact. Francis' mother, Queen Catherine (Megan Follows) who spends much of the episode plotting to ruin Mary and save her son. And just when you think this is just a sexed up, teenage history drama they weave an element of the supernatural in it. Well, this is the CW, so are you really surprised?
A mysterious voice warns Mary off of the roofied wine during the wedding. But saving her virtue costs not only a life but her support group. When Lola's love interest, Colin, comes into Mary's bed chambers, he's caught, hauled away and beheaded for "treason," while Mary is powerless to stop it. Mary may be Queen of Scots, but in France she's in just as much danger as those who support her are.
This is obviously the CW's answer to Game of Thrones for the Teenage set, and they pretty much hit their mark. Is the show great? Well, it has a great deal of potential, and it looks really good. It definitely brings sexy back to history, but the real question is did it "Reign" you in?
0 comments: