Reign Review: Strange Bedfellows (Season 3 Episode 13)
On Reign Season 3 Episode 13, “Strange Bedfellows,” Mary continues to search for a way out of this lecherous path with the Vatican, while Catherine deals with demons from her past: the Red Knights.
Catherine: What are you up to, Mary?
Mary’s recent alliance with Gideon, the man sent to seduce Mary in her vulnerable state as a weakened lover and queen, has proved beneficial, if not dangerous, for them all.
The Vatican’s plan is to assassinate Elizabeth, let Mary fall, and replace them with another. Replace them with a man, a Catholic King — their distant cousin, Joseph Tudor, who was all too eager to participate in the murder of his cousins.
Catherine: Why do you dismiss me? Because I’m a woman? I have a mind of my own.
Mary, Catherine, and Elizabeth are continuously knocked down in their station for being a woman, especially for being a strong woman. These aren’t Queens that are going to let the men run their countries while they hold the title, which doesn’t sit well for the Vatican, or any of the men.
Elizabeth removes Mary as her successor after the Vatican’s plan is revealed to her by Lord Dudley, sent by an imprisoned Gideon. She reclaimes her rule and demands that no successor other than an heir will be named.
In doing so, that puts a target on her head for the promise of a different ruler. No, if she were to die, the most worthy would claim the English throne.
Mary disappoints me and proves herself a weaker foe. How can she stand up to Elizabeth, or Scotland, if she isn’t acting like a powerful monarch?
Her relationship with Gideon seems forced, rushed, and out of place. He was originally a spy, and technically still is, he just sends Elizabeth false-ish information.
She’s still vulnerable after Francis’ death, yet she hasn’t had time to grieve because as soon as he died, she was forced to search for a new husband and an alliance that would protect her country. Neither of which she’s done.
Instead, she’s slumming it with a man who Elizabeth herself refers to as a “male prostitute” and still has nothing to grant her safe entry into Scotland, other than the “support” of a Catholic entity that plotted the course for her death. She can’t trust their help.
It’s frustrating seeing Mary make little progress in each episode, though we were promised she’d return to Scotland. Granted, her return would end the interaction between her and Catherine, which is probably the best relationship on this show, but it’s been promised so long that Mary needs to return.
Her life began in Scotland, and her life started in Scotland. This time in France was Mary growing up and discovering her role as Queen of Scots, it’s time she starts acting like it.
Catherine’s choices lately are going to plot her own downfall.
In the hunt for the Red Knights, the group that seeks to destroy the French monarchy, Bash captured a member. Though during the interrogation with Catherine and Christophe, he refused to reveal any of the secrets.
They were left with nothing except a genuine belief that Narcisse was not behind framing Catherine for Francis’ poisoning.
Catherine needs to simmer this threat, the only true threat to her reign, before it’s too late. It wouldn’t be surprising if Bash dies in the attempt to find this group. His story has to end somehow, and has been confirmed to end this season, so what better way to go out than in battle?
He’s floated around this season, useless and as a pawn, he hasn’t had a real story and it’s sad to see a great character and great actor go to waste.
As we grow closer to the season finale, Mary still searches for her way home, even with the Vatican’s support, while Catherine’s feud with these Red Knights could end with her dead, as well.
Keeping Christophe around is no comfort, either, as the confessed killer who jarred his victim’s hearts, but Catherine doesn’t have one, so she’s probably safe, right?
What did you think of this episode of Reign? 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.