Reign Recap S1E3: Kissed
A rooster crows
on the Scottish Border. An armored English horde crosses. Nostradamus prepares something
for Catherine and gets a vision of war. He’s not sure of its origins, but knows
it will affect her.
Mary and her
ladies talk of kisses. Kenna talks of first kisses and pleasing oneself. Greer
has not had a first kiss yet. She doesn’t come from a titled family and cannot
afford a mistake, but she thinks she has found a man, Tomas, the son of the
King Portugal. Aylee points out the dangers of getting involved with a prince,
since they don’t marry for love, but alliance. Greer tells her that Tomas is a
bastard like Bash, and therefore she has a chance. Mary’s uncle Claude de Guise
has arrives, and Mary goes to him.
Claude makes
his greetings, and her mother’s letter. He tells her that there has been a
massing of the English on the border looking for a skirmish. Her mother has
sent soldiers, but they need more. They’ve asked for France, and King Henry has
dragged his feet thus far. He reminds Mary that she was sent to France to
secure France’s alliance by wedding Prince Francis. She tells him that nothing
has happened, that they’re bidding politicians, jockeying for position, keeping
her in their pocket until its more beneficial to them. As Queen she must act
now though.
Mary goes to
see King Henry. He tells her that he’s been discussing these the matters of
Scotland, and are sending supplies, but Mary wants soldiers. France is worried
about its borders, Henry insists. Mary points out that if their roles were
reversed she would send help, she insists on soldiers, and he gives her
platitudes, blowing her off. She hopes he understands her positions. Francis
thinks that he should send the companies, but Henry thinks that it opens them
up to showing weakness.
Francis goes
to placate Mary. Although he agrees with her, he tells her that if England
invades Scotland, then they’ll be that much more an enemy to France. He tells
her that one day they will wed and rule France and Scotland, but now they have
no real power. Waiting is not an option to Mary, if they have no power, they
must find some.
Young Prince
Charles asks Mary to play with him, and she agrees to, since sometimes kicking
something is just what is needed. Charles likes that Mary is different from
other girls, unafraid of getting dirty. Mary kicks the ball, but too hard, and
it flies into a tree. Mary goes up into the tree after it, and Greer and Tomas
find her up there as she accidentally throws the ball down at them. Tomas teases
Mary, asking if she often strolls in trees, since the young prince has
abandoned her in boredom. He teases more that from his stance Scotland has
attacked Portugal. She asks that he moves so she can get down, and he goes to,
but she falls down onto him. Portugal surrenders, and Tomas bids them adieu.
Mary understands why Greer likes him, and she plots out her first kiss.
Bash and
Tomas engage in some sweaty swordplay, but Henry does not take it easy on his
son. Henry notes that his mind is distracted, perhaps by some ladies of court.
Francis interrupts, he presses about helping Scotland. Henry lets him explain
his stance. Francis thinks that England is looking for a reaction, if they
strike hard and fast they can defeat the English, whereas if they do nothing
they chance losing the Scottish alliance. Henry hears that it’s a balance of
risk, but he’s already decided that the cons outweigh the pros, and he has the
final say. Henry wants to go back to sparring, and Francis jumps in. He doesn’t
get this kind of Daddy bonding time. Francis offers a wager, and Henry accepts.
Game on. Henry doesn’t take it easy on his son, and a slip costs him the game,
but he’s going back on his word, because he can. He tells his son that he’s
looking after the interest of the realm, nothing more. Lesson learned. Bash tries
to offer advice, but Francis isn’t up for any other lessons.
Greer
gathers up the goods for the picnic with Tomas. The Kitchen boy tells her to
just leave the list, but she isn’t sure he can read. She leaves it with him
when Mary comes calling though. Mary asks more about Tomas coming in about a
trade deal. He’s come for timber. It has occurred to her that if a Queen can’t
get what she needs she buys it.
Mary takes a
stroll with Tomas. She wants to talk timber. Scotland has more timber than
France, and she is willing to trade Timber for men. He asks about her alliance,
but she doesn’t need to answer, he understands, France is unwilling to help.
Tomas has the power to make the best deal, and he’d be foolish to turn down the
proposition. He needs time to let Henry down, he tells her that he will confirm
the transaction later.
Henry and
Kenna steal kisses in the hallway. He tells her that the guards are discreet,
she wants to be with him completely, but she needs time. He gives her the time
she needs, and she stumbles away.
Mary rides
in the woods with Tomas, they take their ride across the countryside, far away
from the palace, to an abandoned old church. It was built by Louis the 7th,
and he wants her advice. The new world has brought them vast riches, and he
shows her a cache of jewels asking if it may make a woman think highly of him.
She does. He takes a ring from the collection and drops down on one knee. Mary
is confused, she thought he was interested in Greer. Although Greer is a lovely
girl, he sees in Mary a kindred spirit. Her wildness, her playfulness, is
something that mirrors his own soul, a part of him that he’s kept to himself.
He sees her struggles in France, and tells her that he would never make her
wait, he tells her to say yes and she will have her men. Mary hesitates. He’s
kind, handsome and charming. She’s a Queen, and she needs to marry a nation,
not a man. He gives her the papers of legitimacy that his father has sent to
the pope. This announcement will be made soon. He offers her his heart, and
country.
Aylee is
excited over Tomas’s proposal. Mary hasn’t told her uncle yet, because of
Francis. Mary says that she would be exchanging a man she admires for one she
barely knows in support for Scotland. Furthermore Mary is worried over Greer’s
feelings, but Aylee reminds her that Greer is not even a possibility for a
crowned Prince. Mary isn’t sure if anything will come of it anyways.
At court,
Henry tries to not keep an eye on Kenna. Catherine asks about the warfare of
Scotland in Nostradamus’s vision,
worried about the ramifications reaching France. Francis tells Mary she looks
lovely, but she’s more concerned about France’s lack of action. Henry calls
forth Nostradamus, wanting to hear his wisdom. He wants to know what he’s
telling Catherine. He asks Nostradamus to tell the fortunes of Mary and her
ladies. Nostradamus has no control over his visions; Henry nettles him that
he’s not as good as the Seer in Prague. Catherine tells Henry to leave him be,
but Henry won’t let it lie. He has each of the girls to pick a card. Lola asks
if she will love again, he tells her that she will meet a dark handsome
stranger, and to be wary of thatchery. To Mary he tells her that life will meet
her with many challenges, which she will meet with grace. Henry wants something
more specific. He sees something more, darker, telling her that the lion will
fight the dragon on the field of poppies. To Greer he tells her that she will
fall in love with the man with a white mark on his face. Aylee asks about her
family, but he tells her that she will never go home, but he cannot tell her
more than he sees. Henry remains unimpressed with the show. Catherine calls for
dancing music and Mary confronts Nostradamus of his dark prophecy for Aylee. He
can only say what he sees. Mary doesn’t believe her prophecy either, not seeing
the gains in his lies. She asks who he serves, and he tells her the realm and
himself. Francis takes Mary aside as Tomas watches her. Greer tries to link the
tiny scar on Tomas’s cheek to Nostradamus’s prophecy. He rushes away from her.
Francis tries to assure Mary that he’s done all he can to convince his father.
Bash watches the two on the dancefloor as Mary suggests Francis do more. Tomas
cuts in as music from his country plays. Their dance is far more intimate, and
Mary struggles to keep Tomas. They’re the only two on the dancefloor, and the
dance is an intimate affair. Bash taunts, asking Francis why he doesn’t dance
with her like that, and Catherine delights in the display, asking for another
Portuguese song. Mary tells Tomas that his action was not discreet.
Greer walks
away, and Mary tries to reassure her that it was just a dance. Greer tells her
that she is her Queen, she is rich, and beautiful, and engaged. She thought she
could leave Tomas to her, knowing that Tomas was important, and having no clue
that circumstances had changed. She stalks off to her room, and Francis is
ready to dig at her further. He asks what the display was all about. Mary tells
her that Tomas is being legitimized, and he proposed. It isn’t what she wants,
but her options are limited. Francis is unhappy about the plotting behind his
countries back, acting like a child who just had his toy stolen. Though it was
not Mary’s idea, and not something she wants, France isn’t giving her much
choice. If France will not help, she has to accept Portugal’s offer. He reminds
her that she would be marrying Tomas, not the country.
The girls
gather around the bondfire, and Kenna spots the king. She thinks that he is
extended her an offer to join him on his barge, but as she goes to meet him,
another woman takes his hand in her place. Mary and Tomas walk together, as
Francis watches. Tomas tells her of his first wife whom he loved dearly, but
who died of influenza. A man deliver’s Greer’s no longer needed picnic basket.
Tomas tells Mary that when he learned of his father’s quest to legitimize him,
he thought that his next marriage would be political, until he saw her in a
tree. Greer can no longer stand to watch Tomas and leaves, as Tomas takes Mary
to a nearby barge. Francis jumps aboard another before it shoves off.
Kenna goes
inside to watch the fireworks. She tells Bash that his father is a confusing
man. Bash agrees.
Mary tells
Tomas that her family has to verify all that he has told her. He understands
and tells her that he has a ship, and they can leave for Scotland in the
morning. Mary thinks its too quick. Tomas knows that Mary is what he wants, and
he will do whatever it takes to keep from losing her.
Greer is
sitting in the kitchen when the kitchen boy comes. She tells him she needs to
return the basket. He asks if her important friend enjoyed the basket, and she
falls into tears.
Kenna
presses Bash for more insight into Henry, asking if he is a punishing man. Bash
finds the conversation uncomfortable, but Kenna thinks her code is discreet. It
isn’t. He tells her that Henry is playing her. He likes to play, and he likes
to win, and more that a victory without effort is worse than defeat.
Francis
interrupts Henry’s playtime. Francis tells him that if the Scottish alliance is
worth saving, then they need to send troops. Henry doesn’t want to talk about
it, the decision has already been made. Francis tells him that he knows how he
looks at Lady Kenna, and he wonders how his deMedici wife, and French mistress
will like him moving in on a new girl. He tells him that he knows how the women
will make even a King’s life hell. Henry likes this duplicity in Francis. Win
or lose, they’ll go with Francis’s plan, and he will answer for the results as
King’s do. They have six companies at the wait, and they will send their
fastest rider, the sexy Bash. Bash tries to sober up as Francis gives him the
instructions. Bash likes any idea that will keep Mary in France. Francis
cautions his older brother to be careful, and Bash rides like the wind.
The kitchen
boy has found a way to bring a smile to Greer’s face with his goat stories.
She’s never lived with a goat, but her father has many hounds that take up
space all over their house. He asks if that’s why her father sent her here, and
she admits that he father sent her to marry well, that they made it very clear.
Land and title are the goals of her life. Love although she hopes for it, but
isn’t guaranteed and she has younger sisters counting on her. She tells him
that when she was sent off to France, her sisters looked at her like her father
looks at an investment, wondering if it would pay off. He kisses her, and she
gives in for a moment, before stopping herself. He’s a servant, and she cannot
let anything to happen between them.
Francis
gives Mary the good news; six companies are headed to Scotland. He tells her
that he still cannot afford to marry her right away like Tomas, that she would
have a secure alliance with him, but with France is hope that it will soon be
right for both countries. Mary will accept hope.
Mary wakes
Greer with a bribe of coffee. Greer apologizes. There was really never anything
with between her and Tomas except some innocent flirting. She was living in a
dream world, thinking of the perfect kiss with a man with a white mark on his
face, and her being a heroine saving her family. Mary knows that Greer will
find the right man, and she admits that, although she has been engaged for a
long time, she has not been kissed. Greer confesses that she has now been
kissed, but doesn’t reveal who. The other girls arrive, and Mary thinks to call
down for breakfast. Greer takes it upon herself to go to the kitchen with an
extensive breakfast request, and one of the kitchen men go to get it all, while
Greer watches her kitchen boy. He gives her a morning greeting, kneading the
bread, as she leaves he accidentally smears flour across his cheek. The white
mark Nostradamus saw.
Francis and
Mary plot strategy for the French troops. Bash returns home, barely. The men
bring him down to Nostradamus, he is gravely injured. This is part of Nostradamus’s prophecy. Bash
is gravely injured, and although Nostradamus can treat his wounds he makes no
guarantees Bash will survive. Bash reports that the English rode out to meet
them at Calais, he never made it to the ships. It was a slaughter. Francis
apologizes to Bash, but Henry stops him as Nostradamus does his ministrations.
Henry sends Mary away. He tells Francis that he knew it was a risk, he was
influenced by his heart. As king, had Francis made the decision he could have
lost his country. Catherine points out that the English were ready for them,
someone tipped them off. Henry isn’t going to reveal his inside information,
for fear that it would ruin his lesson. He wants to cast doubt on Francis’s
heart.
Mary tells
Francis that he did the right thing. He kisses her, and tells her to marry
Tomas. He hasn’t been thinking clearly. France cannot help her; she needs to do
what is right for her country.
Mary goes to
see Tomas, and tells him that he will need to teach her Portugese. In the
morning, his men set out, to his ship.
He tells her that he will make her happy, and he already has. There are
eight companies of men, and they will be in Scotland soon. His dragon banner
unfurls, and another Nostradamus prophecy is exposed. The English Lion will
fight the dragon on a field of poppies. Tomas takes Mary’s hand as unease comes
over her.
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