Reign

Previously on Reign ...

Mm, I see you have Nicole well in hand.

Oh, I played her masterfully.

She wants to be a courtesan.

In return, she is guiding Charles for us.

I am meant to help you,

Mary, Queen of Scots.

It is my purpose.

Rizzio, I am blessed

to have the loyalty you have placed in me.

You must say that I acted on my own.

You must ban me from Scotland.

Summon Lord Bothwell.

I know he would rather die than see you harmed.

I've kept you safe, and aware of Darnley's true nature

- at every turn. - You're my Loyal Watchman.

Yes.

Leeza said Charles is unwell

and I was needed immediately.

Your brother is quite recovered, Henri.

So he's not going to be abdicating?

No.

I am pregnant with your child.

I will be a good father and a good husband.

On that you have my oath.

- (Rose fussing) - _

She certainly adores her mother.

You'll know the feeling soon enough.

Oh, I hope so.

Thank you for returning to court, Greer.

I'd lose my mind keeping this secret alone.

Only Darnley knows you're pregnant?

I told James before he left.

I was hard on you about James.

Yes, but you were right.

In trying to protect my throne, I...

put my brother in a dangerous position

that ended with his banishment.

And now I fear there is a cost for everyone I love.

Well, Darnley should be safe, then.

For your information, Darnley's been

on very good behavior recently.

It sounds like you're warming up to him.

I'm not sure I can,

but he is the father of my child, and...

he's trying.

So I can try as well.

Could something else be in the way, perhaps? Something...

tall, handsome and Scottish?

If you are talking about Lord Bothwell...

Mary.

I've been looking for you.

I have news from England.

I'll leave you two alone.

It's not public knowledge yet,

but my friends at home in England are saying

that our marriage has pressured Queen Elizabeth

to take a husband, the Archduke Ferdinand of Austria.

A Catholic?

- Yes. - Elizabeth has had

countless suitors, and she's never married.

She won't go through with it.

You married me.

Didn't you? To ensure your survival against your cousin?

Well, now she is doing the same.

If Elizabeth marries the archduke,

we will lose our Catholic advantage.

The Vatican may shift its support to England.

Because they will already have

a Catholic king on the English throne.

Yes.

I know that we now have a child to consider,

but if we wish to take England, our forces

must strike before Elizabeth announces her engagement.

It is now or never.

I always knew this day would come,

that as queen, I would have to order the attack, but yet...

It is still a terrifying decision.

But you won't have to face Elizabeth alone.

Just say the word, and I will call forth

my English allies to help us.

1550 Bordeaux.

Oh?

Delicate nose.

- Floral. - Mm.

Earthy.

Yes, I do like that.

You've taught me so much

about wine,

court...

- Mm. - and men.

And... how is King Charles?

His younger brother's presence is bound to shake him.

This morning the king seemed concerned

that Henri is taller and stronger.

I acted as if I hadn't noticed,

as if no man is bigger

than Charles in my eyes.

Well done.

A king's confidence is essential,

and you are the source

of Charles' confidence.

And you are the source of my happiness.

Mm.

That's incredible, Henri.

Every battle is incredible.

I can't describe it, but the air you breathe changes.

It's full of terror,

of life and death.

And the sound

is deafening, like a thunder.

You can't imagine if you've never b...

Charles! Nicole! I was just wondering where you were.

- What's going on? Oh.

Henri planned a family celebration.

- In your honor, brother. - No one told me about this.

We just happened to be passing by

and heard the music.

Someone should have told you.

I'll find that servant and toss him.

But you're here now.

To the king!

Henri, show him what you brought.

Let's see.

I have jewelry, like this temple ring.

Mm.

A Hungarian saber

taken from the front lines.

I also thought we could have

some fun with this.

It's called The Goetia... the book of black magic.

I took it from the last surviving Turk on a battlefield

full of dead soldiers.

Before I killed him, he swore its spells

are what kept him alive.

What kind of spells?

Anything your heart desires.

I was thinking we could perform some magic on Charles.

I don't believe in this nonsense.

I'm sorry that I'm late.

Even Mother was invited?

Henri was just showing us his Goetia.

We're going to do some magic.

Give that to me. This instant!

Henri, why did you...

bring this into French court?

- You know that this is dangerous. - I'm sorry, Mother.

I forgot you're a believer in the occult.

The great seer Nostradamus showed me there are forces

beyond our understanding.

- Stay away from this. Well...

who wants to dance?

Charles?

What is that?

Don't be cross.

I was just trying to show Charles a good time.

Is that so?

I know that you came here expecting

Charles' throne, and to be denied

is certainly a disappointment.

But we mustn't let Spain

divide us from within.

I have recently written to your sister

detailing all of Charles' victories

against the Protestants,

and I am praying that she allows him to stay on the throne.

You should do the same, Henri.

When one Valois

is weakened, the entire line is threatened.

I will pray for him, Mother.

I promise.

Our current plan is to take Queen Elizabeth hostage

in her own castle.

I've invited my most trusted English friend,

Lord Barrett, to lead the mission.

Thank you, Your Majesty.

Elizabeth's castle has vulnerabilities

on the south side that we've long been aware of.

King Darnley's allies across the border

will join our cause,

but we will need gold to fund the coup,

and we will need more men.

If you can give me an advance team of your most skilled

Scottish soldiers, then I can bring them across the border

and into England to recruit more to our side.

Then we will have the numbers

to seize her castle in the dead of night.

Once Elizabeth is captured, and the castle is secure,

the Scottish navy will attack from the shores.

Our infantry will move in from the borderlands,

and should all go according to plan,

Spain will follow suit,

- and England will be won. - Yes, but I have to ask.

Can my fellow English count on you, Queen Mary?

On the night of the coup, Darnley's allies will all

be risking death without ever having met you.

And they will need more assurance than my word.

Tell your men that I recognize

that they are risking their lives to install myself,

and King Darnley, on the English throne.