Reign Review: Intruders (Season 3 Episode 17)
Oh, Mary. Reign Season 3 Episode 17, “Intruders,” finds Mary dead… to her brother, Scotland’s regent, and Queen Elizabeth. How has she not actually died yet?
Mary: I am Mary, Queen of Scots, and I have come for my throne.
The plot that John Knox cooks up, after learning that Mary is indeed still alive, is even more devious than Queen Catherine’s infamous plans: tricking James to rid Scotland of the monarchy before Mary can return to claim her throne. He’s smart. He’s possibly more of an enemy than Elizabeth at this point.
Mary’s death is sparking a revolution she never intended on, which is going to make taking the throne more difficult than anticipated. Elizabeth truly believes Mary met her demise, and plans to take over Scotland and unite the two nations under her rule.
Lola: My friend is alive? Oh, dear God, this is terrible.
Which queen will fall first? Elizabeth seems to be leading the race, Mary is second, and Catherine is losing. With Charles kidnapped, Catherine is holding her family’s rule by a string, as Martel de Guise appears at French court to investigate his father’s death; little does he know, Catherine killed him.
The only welcoming twist because of the Red Knight’s story is Catherine’s relationships with Claude and Charles. They have their problems, they always will, but their lives on the line prove Catherine will do anything to save her children.
Though she still would probably throw any of them to the wolves to save her own neck.
Mary’s super attractive brother, James, is almost exactly like King Henry, Francis’ father. All women beware.
The plot for revenge never ends well, just ask Emily Thorne. Mary wants to kill Monroe, leader of the clan that is “escorting” her to Edinburgh to meet her soon-to-be husband. Mary’s clear overestimation of her power is a clumsy unforeseen issue in this path. She’s trying to kill the leader of an entire clan by herself, and then escape and head to Edinburgh.
When will Mary learn her own capabilities? Three seasons later and Mary still tries to take matters in her own unskilled hands.
Mary: Now my husband is dead for nothing!
For the first time in her life, her actions pay off. Who would’ve thought you could murder someone with a necklace? Apparently Mary, Queen of Scots. Ingenious, actually. She probably learned that skill from Catherine’s tutelage. Perhaps there is hope for Mary’s reign in Scotland.
Murdering someone with her own hands is going to change Mary. It might possibly be the edge she needs to take her country back and bring peace to the land. Or it might end her sanity.
Other thoughts:
- Catherine’s plan to faux-hand herself over, while her nobles infiltrate the Red Knights and attack them by surprise was brilliant. But she still didn’t receive Charles and his safety.
- Who could’ve tried to trick Lola into killing Queen Elizabeth? She’s built a decent alliance between Scotland and England. Could it be Narcisse?
- Mary’s entrance to the Scottish castle was kind of badass. She’s assertive enough to be the Queen of Scots, finally.
- What will John Knox try to do to ruin Mary’s triumphant return? Obviously he’ll try to bring about a Protestant rising, but will Mary be persuasive enough to lead through?
- Will Bash sacrifice his life to save Mary? He’s still alive, and the next episode is his final bow. It’s entirely possible his death will be used to shake Mary enough to de-throne her.
What did you think of this episode of Reign? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
Reviewer Rating:
User Rating:
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.