The best episodes of Reign
Ranked by viewer rating, highs first. Lit marks on the season rail place this list across the run. Vote on a placement to back it or contest it.
- 01
When Mary arrives in Scotland, she is stunned by the treacherous world it has become and is forced her to keep her royal identity a secret until she learns who she can trust. When Elizabeth jeopardizes her standing with an unbearable new suitor, Lola steps in to help, which causes the Queen to question Lola's ulterior motives. Meanwhile, Charles secretly plots to relinquish Catherine of her power.
- 02
Mary struggles to resist her feelings for Gideon as she works to align herself politically with potential allies. Elizabeth and Greer find themselves in similar heart-wrenching situations with the potential for very different outcomes. Catherine and Narcisse continue their vicious power struggle over the Regency, while Claude finds herself in the fight of her life on her wedding night.
- 03
Mary becomes suspicious of Prince Don Carlos' true condition and relies on Gideon to help her uncover the truth. Elizabeth makes a shocking discovery which could change the course of her reign over England and forces Dudley to make a tough decision. Meanwhile, Narcisse forces Claude to marry someone of his choosing, against her wishes.
- 04
Mary learns from Lola that she has a chance to get to Scotland safely, but she must act quietly and quickly. When Catherine is framed for murder, Mary must decide if she should stay to protect her, which would jeopardize her safe passage to Scotland.
- 05
Mary makes a bold move to defend her reign in Scotland, which results in a battle royale with her cousin, Elizabeth. Lola is accused of a heinous crime and suffers the drastic consequences. Meanwhile, back in France, Catherine finds that Charles has returned a changed man after paying a price for his mother's relentless quest for power.
- 06
Queen Mary, unsure who to trust, tests her brother James to ensure his loyalty after hearing of his meeting with John Knox. Queen Elizabeth agrees to help Lord Darnley, in an attempt to sabotage the powerful suitor's relationship with Mary.
- 07
Mary must deal with the political repercussions of a potential marriage to Lord Darnley and King Charles disappears, leaving Catherine to pick up the pieces. Elizabeth comes to Gideon's aid, while Claude receives an interesting proposition.
- 08
As Mary strategizes ways to take over the English throne, Elizabeth struggles to find an appropriate suitor to marry. Meanwhile, James gets caught up in a scheme orchestrated by John Knox and has to deal with the tragic aftermath.
- 09
A tragedy occurs, pushing Mary and Darnley apart as their wedding looms. Meanwhile, Mary is forced to enlist help from Catherine; and a traitor to Spain petitions Elizabeth to support an expedition to the New World.
- 10
Mary risks everything to take down Condé, even as Francis believes she is turning against France. Catherine makes a bold move and meets with Queen Elizabeth in a stunning plot to seek revenge on Mary. Meanwhile, Kenna has a secret that will seal the fate of her relationship with Bash.
- 11
Grateful for a future with a revived Francis, Mary considers signing away her claim to the English throne, and staying in France forever. Catherine learns that Nostradamus has returned -- with a new vision involving Francis' fate.
- 12
As Mary and Catherine deal with the aftermath of Prince Don Carlos' accident, Mary realizes that she will have to marry for the good of her country and not follow her heart. When Catherine is accused of poisoning Francis, Lola is shocked when Mary thinks Narcisse framed Catherine in order to become Regent of France.
- 13
Mary realizes her need to return to Scotland is becoming increasingly imminent and that along with the help of Bash, she must raise her own army to save her throne. Elizabeth enlists Lola's help to find out information about her mother, which backfires when Lola gets caught.
- 14
In order to get Mary to agree to a marriage, Lord Darnley must demonstrate his loyalty when she voices her concerns about his true intentions. Catherine and Narcisse work to repair King Charles' reputation after rumors spread about his strange behavior and threaten the throne.
- 15
Mary and Darnley wed in a lavish affair, which proves to be a successful decision in regards to her political standing. James makes an interesting discovery about Greer, while Elizabeth frantically tries to salvage England's power.
- 16
Mary is presumed dead, so Elizabeth seeks her crown with assistance from Lola. Meanwhile, Mary's half brother tries to safeguard her throne from John Knox; and Mary and Bash wind up in the clutches of the intimidating clan leader who killed Francis.
- 17
Queen Mary discovers there is a leak amongst her advisors and sets out to uncover the traitor. Queen Elizabeth enlists in Narcisse to further her quest for supremacy. Meanwhile, Catherine takes desperate measures to regain some of the power she has lost.
- 18
When Darnley gets a surprise visitor, his marriage to Mary hangs in the balance. Elizabeth learns her attempt to stop Mary backfired. Meanwhile, Catherine and Narcisse find King Charles and must convince him to return to the castle.
- 19
Mary and Darnley are at odds as they put their plan to seize England into action. Elizabeth is conflicted about her feelings for Gideon as she attempts to find a Catholic to marry. Catherine's son Henri attempts to claim the throne from Charles with the support of Spain and Narcisse.
- 20
Mary's life hangs in the balance — Childbirth threatens to take Mary's life, which leaves her and her unborn child's safety in jeopardy. Elizabeth discovers that someone in her inner circle was the cause of the death of someone close to her.
- 21
Mary, in order to protect Elizabeth, unknowingly puts Gideon's life in danger. To save him, Mary turns to another Englishman for help - Robert Dudley. Meanwhile, Bash is determined to track down the men behind the threats to Catherine.
- 22
Gideon shows Mary what life could be like if she chose love over country. Catherine fights to cover King Charles' increasingly erratic behavior, while Claude finds an unlikely enemy in her sister
- 23
When Lord Darnley surprises Mary with a visit in Scotland, Mary sees a glimmer of a union that could be more than just political. Elizabeth fights to gain allies in her favor and Catherine must work to get Claude back on track by finding her a new husband.
- 24
Queen Mary struggles to hold on to her power in Scotland amidst Queen Elizabeth's campaign to sabotage her with the help of a new ally in Queen Catherine. Meanwhile, with Francis' fate at odds and Elizabeth distracted by temptation in her first love, Robert Dudley, both queens struggle to rule.
- 25
When King Antoine unexpectedly returns to Court, Mary must help Francis hide his weakening condition long enough to secure his family's future. With the Throne in jeopardy and time running out, they must turn to an unlikely ally in need of redemption. Megan Fellows, Anna Popplewell, Craig Parker, Torrance Coombs, Celina Sinden, Jonathan Keltz and Rose Williams star.
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