Reign is a historical romantic drama television series created by Laurie McCarthy and Stephanie SenGupta for The CW. Set in the late 16th century, the series revolves around the life of Mary, Queen of Scots, and her rise to power in the French court.
Reign is a show aimed at girls, there's no arguing about that. It's fiction, doesn't claim to be otherwise.
It's designed to entertain. It's a love story with some horror elements to it.
The beginning of the season was rough, what with Francis' death and all, but the story grew from that moment and turned into something worth watching.
The series is based ever-so-loosely on the life of Mary Stuart, otherwise known as the Queen of Scots, and it isn't exactly what you'd call historically accurate.
Francis confronted Mary to why she left and she told him of Nostradamus' prophecy. He found it to be superstition. She eventually ruined her relationship with Francis once she made Henry change the line of succession; she would marry Bash instead. Francis heartbroken and betrayed by Mary, leaves the French Court.
The first season opens in 1557, with fifteen-year-old Queen Mary Stuart living in a convent in France, but she is quickly returned to the castle where we learn she is awaiting her marriage to fifteen-year-old Crown Prince Francis, to whom she has been engaged since they were six.
Recently, Lola slept with Francis betraying Mary causing their friendship to fall apart. Lola was loyal to Mary when she went to English's court which ultimately costed her life.
As to why now is the right time for Francis' reign to come to an end, McCarthy said: “We definitely take liberties with history but there is an element of history that we felt beholden to.” But even more than that, killing Francis is a way for the show to honor its pilot, which foreshadows the young king's death.
Historically, Francis died on December 5, 1560 at the age of only 16 after suffering complications from an ear infection.
They license these titles for a fixed period and at the end of the period, it's down to both parties to renew. Given the ramp-up in streaming services often owned by companies previously licensed to Netflix, many have chosen not to renew or even license titles to Netflix anymore in favor of stocking their own services.
Violence & Scariness
A bloody beheading is shown briefly, as is a woman's death by poisoning. Violent threats are commonplace among the powerful characters, and sinister plots threaten lives at every turn.
Reigns: Game of Thrones plays similarly to its predecessors. Described as a "swipe 'em up", the game allows the player to be one of the principals from the Game of Thrones universe, including Cersei Lannister, Jon Snow, Daenerys Targaryen, Tyrion Lannister, and Sansa Stark.
After four seasons, Reign was canceled by The CW. Luckily, the writers had a plan for just the occasion. While the series finale began toward the end of Mary's reign as Queen of Scotland with her new child and the murder of her husband, the episode ended with a flash-forward about two decades into the future.
John Philip is the illegitimate son born to his father, King Francis, and his mother, Lady Lola. He has been given lands and titles, including Baron of Velay. He lost his father to a gang of Scottish assassins and his mother was decapitated not long after, making him an orphan. He is now being raised at French court.
Lola found an unforeseen friend in Queen Elizabeth for a while, until she betrayed Elizabeth on what she thought was an order from her Queen. Lady Lola was thereafter beheaded for treason.
Lola discovered that she was pregnant with Francis' child after their one night together in Paris. Lady Kenna was the first to find out about Lola's pregnancy and who the father was.
Queen Mary finally tells King Francis he is the father of Lola's illegitimate child, just as news arrives that the plague has risen just as the Darkness predicted.
Petals rain down on them as all applaud. In the final scene of the episode, Mary and Francis are making passionate love. After reminiscing of their childhood, Mary announces her pregnancy to Francis in The Lamb and the Slaughter.
Mary wedded Francis, Dauphin of France on 24 April 1558. Francis II (age 15) with his wife Mary, Queen of Scots (age 17) in 1559.
James VI and I, Prince of Scotland, is the son of Queen Mary Stuart and King Darnley.