Reign Review: Succession (Season 3 Episode 11)
Reign returns strong with Mary contemplating her inevitable return to Scotland, while her enemies grow stronger, and a killer is still on the loose in France on Season 3, Episode 11 “Succession.”
Meanwhile, Elizabeth searches for the culprit that poisoned her that caused a miscarriage.
Keep your friends close and your murderers closer.
Elizabeth and Lola’s unexpected alliance, at least for this episode, is spent inadvertently finding Elizabeth’s poisoner, one of her “most trusted” advisors.
The man who she sought advice from bought red wigs and paid people to carry them into the castle, so he could have adventures with “Elizabeth,” AKA a regular prostitute he paid, since he is married and can’t have the real thing.
He generally thought he had the right idea about the situation. His love for Elizabeth was inappropriate while he’s married, and would ruin her — much like her and Lord Dudley’s affair. The difference is that Dudley didn’t consider her stature before embarking on this journey, whereas he did, which is why he poisoned Elizabeth. To protect her reign.
An unmarried queen couldn’t have a child out of wedlock.
Is he right? Yes. Were his actions unforgivable and cruel? Also yes. It is not his place to decide Elizabeth’s fate. He is protecting himself and his position in English court, just as much as his love for Elizabeth propelled him to give her the potion that prostitutes use to get rid of “unwanted obstacles.”
The killer is revealed! But taking him down is not going to be easy. The killer is none other than Catherine’s lover, the man she had appointed to King’s guard. Kind of disappointing that it’s someone we just became familiar with, and that Catherine was the one to uncover this secret. This has been Bash’s story all season, showing that he’s truly irrelevant to the show now.
Either way, it was recently revealed that this season would show the end of Bash’s story as the show begins to focus heavily on Scottish court and actor Torrance Coombs will be starring in new projects.
Even more disappointing for Catherine is uncovering that her lover is the killer, while she is Regent and her son’s coronation just took place. Catherine divulged secrets to him during their tie together, and now he threatens to expose her to her son and the entire country. Threats that could destroy her and King Charles.
Poor Mary. This isn’t even the start to her story with Scotland and she’s falling behind. The Protestants are taking over, rioting, and go so far as to publicly burn a replica of her. Desperately searching for a marital alliance, Mary’s attempts are getting weaker.
Does she hold her position as a Catholic, or proceed with an inter-faith marriage to possibly appease her country? Mary will be struggling with this as she contemplates potential suitors.
She will be returning to Scotland shortly, but now Elizabeth is aware of this shift. Will she have her spies in Scotland attack Mary on her travels?
It’s possible, but Mary is sure to have a prepared guard for this dangerous journey. Mary’s trying to appease the Protestants before she returns to settle things smoothly; however, it looks like nothing will be settled until she returns. Only then can she understand exactly what is happening in her country.
What did you think of this episode of Reign? Are you disappointed with the killer’s reveal, and Bash’s expected exit? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
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Reign airs Mondays at 8/7c on The CW.
Jay Ruymann
Jay is a freelance writer and a Slytherin, who uses Leslie Knope as a role model, suffering from an addiction to coffee and television that is only encouraged by his professional life. While busy slaving away at the day-to-day, he also enjoys a good binge-watch of Parks and Recreation and Pretty Little Liars.