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 7^th, 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.