Reign (2013–2017): Season 4, Episode 10 - A Better Man - full transcript

Previously on Reign...

Have you any news from your
daughter, the queen of Spain?

She wants Henri on the throne,

not his older brother.

Leeza will allow Charles to remain king

while Henri's delayed.

I feared that Mary's wedding
would empower other nations.

- She could invade!
- If she does,

she will not find you
alone. I am here, Elizabeth,

and I will not forsake you.

Since Nicole has her hands on Charles,



we'd best control her.

- You can do that.
- I'm not sure bedding the lover

of the king is a wise idea.

I can't help wishing
that, at the right time,

I'd met someone like you.

Lord Moray and Mary have developed

an uncanny, nearly preternatural ability

to undermine me.

So I had her home watched.

You betrayed me, Emily.

James drew you in
with lies and used you.

As much as I might want
to, I can't call off

this wedding to Darnley, because...

I'm pregnant with his child.



Only a suggestion, but perhaps some

additional percussion throughout,

its strong beat a representation

of the king's own mighty heart.

Aha.

More percussion throughout.

Mary!

I'm glad you've come.

So, what do you think?

Well, you commissioned
it for your coronation.

It need only please your ear.

I need to borrow my private secretary.

You may have him back
when we're finished.

David has been indispensable
in planning my coronation.

Thank you for allowing him to assist me.

- Of course.
- Mary...

um, it has been nearly a
month since our wedding.

Might you at last allow me to
visit your chambers tonight?

You do still desire an heir?

I've been traveling, Darnley...

And a show of face to the
people is always advised,

but you have also been
avoiding me. Mary, we are wed...

Which is why you need to plan

your coronation. I don't have time

to discuss this. David?

Come with me.

Play it again.

I've invited Lord Hamilton to court

in the hopes that he will stay
for Lord Darnley's coronation.

As a powerful Protestant,
his family's support is vital

if I wish to take the English throne.

What may I do to help?

Well, there are issues that divide us.

In addition to having a very
strong claim to my throne,

Lord Hamilton sent a...
a marriage request...

before I chose Darnley.

- Jealousy.
- It goes beyond that.

A blood feud has long existed

between the Hamiltons
and Lord Darnley's family.

If I wish to gain Lord
Hamilton's support,

it's best accomplished without Darnley.

I've arranged a full itinerary

for Lord Hamilton and his
guests when they arrive.

I need you to keep Darnley occupied

with... planning for his coronation,

- so that their paths never cross.
- I'll involve Darnley

in every detail, no matter how small,

so that you may focus on
the larger issue of politics.

Thank you. I'll let Darnley
know when the time is right.

Good news. Lord Hamilton
has accepted your invitation.

If the Protestants
of Clan Hamilton agree

to stand with you, it
will prove to the world

that you are a tolerant queen.

And Knox would be greatly weakened.

Lord Hamilton is sure to tell

his Protestant ally about our meeting.

Is it possible the Reverend Knox

will just sit back and do nothing?

You must see Emily.

If her husband has plans

to interfere with our negotiations,

she may know something about them.

You know, Darnley won't
be happy when he learns

that you've met with the
Hamiltons behind his back.

My concern is for Scotland,

- not for Darnley's bruised feelings.
- And if his feelings

interfere with your legacy,
you do need to produce an heir.

Actually, James...

- I am already pregnant.
- So soon?

Mary, that's wonderful!

No one can know. Not even Darnley.

- Not yet.
- Of course.

You will be an amazing mother.

Thank you, James.

I don't know what I'd do without you.

Am I interrupting?

Hello, James.

Hello, Greer.

I'll leave you two.

I think I've made a horrible mistake.

At your wedding, I told James

how much I desired to have
a man like him in my life.

I had hoped it would encourage him

to express his own feelings,

if he had any for me.
Instead, he now treats me

with the same affection
he shows the furniture.

He's respecting your circumstances.

You are still married, Greer.

So is Emily Knox.

You shouldn't take it personally.

Things aren't always as they seem.

Isn't it wonderful?

There's something about
a bathhouse that is

so incredibly... sensual.

Yes. If one enjoys
the dampness of sweat.

Poor Jane. You're overheating

because you're not dressed properly.

You may go.

And see to it that I'm not disturbed.

Were you seen?

I was not.

Would you like to hear
what's being planned

for your birthday
celebration this evening?

Is it you and me in bed...

with you feeding me cake?

Close.

A gala in your honor.

Hundreds of nobles and dignitaries.

It's the perfect opportunity
for you to peruse a number

- of potential suitors.
- These suitors,

- are they Catholic?
- The majority.

With Mary now wed to Darnley,

your only hope of gaining the
support of Catholic nations

is with a Catholic union of your own.

Good. I will need your help

if I am to choose wisely.

Of course.

I have a... thorough understanding

of your politics, but also your...

personal tastes.

Good. I will need to find a husband

who I can not only tolerate,

but who will not plot
to have my head removed.

Agreed. Your neck must
be protected at all costs.

You do understand that

our current relationship

is only temporary.

Once a match is made, we
will need to stop this.

There's no confusion.

I'm your advisor first,

your lover second.

And right now...

I'm done giving advice.

I want to thank you.

You've done wonders with Charles.

He no longer suffers night terrors,

- his confidence grows daily.
- Stephan.

I've been looking for you.

I see you have Nicole well in hand.

I'm turning her into a proper lady.

She wants to be a courtesan.

In return, she is
guiding Charles for us,

- keeping him in line.
- Well, if only

that were enough for
Leeza, queen of Spain

and of meddling in French politics.

She still wants Charles off the throne.

She believes that Henri is the
man to keep France Catholic.

The Protestants have
been troublesome of late.

A firm hand is needed.

Well, a firm hand will be needed

to keep my sons from
each other's throats.

And after agreeing to
let me handle matters,

Leeza went behind my back and
she wrote to Henri directly.

And he is on his way here now,

fresh from his latest
defeat of the Turks,

aware that Spain wants
him on the throne.

Toppling the Turks.

You know, I have to say,
he does sound impressive.

He's ambitious.

And Charles,

he's no match for his younger brother.

Nicole must get him
to willingly abdicate

and disappear from the world's stage.

And once he does, we must
pray that the people accept it,

and leave him in peace,

because I cannot survive the loss

of another son.

It's gorgeous.

There is another reason for my visit.

An important task for
you, regarding Charles.

It won't be easy, but

you will be well rewarded.

A country chateau of which
you will have full control...

kitchen, staff,

- decor.
- Go on.

It would be your new home.

Once Charles agrees to abdicate.

How is that even possible?

Unless Charles leaves court.

Well, he would leave court.

Well, he'd have to go far away,
to remove himself completely

from the public eye.

You really have learned so much.

That's what the chateau is for.

He would still be a Valois,

a noble of high rank.

And as for you,

well, you would have
your every need fulfilled.

It's more than you could
possibly have dreamed of.

I dreamt that I'd be
the first of my family

to escape that dreary farm.

That I'd meet someone like you,

who would initiate me to the excitement

and intrigue of court.

I don't want to go off into hiding

with some weak, fallen king.

I want to be in the thick of things.

With you.

With me?

I've fallen for you.

- I love you.
- I need you

to save a king's life.

You must convince Charles to abdicate.

Which means going away with him.

You don't care about me at all.

I could. I might.

But we have an arrangement.

Which is now utterly

and completely over.

Nicole...

You hurt me.

I'm done helping you,

and the monarchy, and France.

It is your country, too.

I don't

care.

Lord Mortimer, I will have
no excuse now for being late.

But I thank you.

It's lovely.

Your Majesty, it's
time for you to dance.

Impressive turnout.

32 suitors from 16 countries.

Congratulations, Your Grace.

I will do my best to screen out anyone

who holds opinions
strongly opposing your own.

And if anyone shows
promise, I'll take them

for a stroll in the garden,

so I can speak to them more privately.

Your Majesty, may I introduce.

Count Alfred Von Buren of Vienna.

My father always advised me, find
a woman who can cook and clean

and a woman that's fantastic in bed.

Then pray the two never meet.

Your third wife was barren?

How very sad for you.

She appeared perfectly
normal when we first met,

only to find out later
she was defective.

Such a disappointment.

What use is a woman if
she cannot reproduce?

Jane, have you seen Her Majesty?

I believe she went for
a stroll in the garden

with the archduke of
Austria. Very handsome.

The queen seemed quite pleased with him.

Did you really say that to him?

Is that funny to you?

Lord Hamilton,

I'm pleased you're here.

And what of your Catholic husband,

the king consort?

Where is he?

His absence suggests he does
not share in your... pleasure.

Lord Darnley is busy with
matters regarding the Crown.

But we are of one mind,

to move forward, one nation,

Catholics and Protestants united.

Then perhaps you should have married me

instead of a Catholic.

Imagine it. You, Catholic,

me, Protestant, both with a
claim to the Scottish throne.

There is the unity you speak of.

But I'm looking beyond Scotland,

to England.

And you can help me.

If you stand with me

at Lord Darnley's coronation,

it will show both faiths

that we share a common goal.

You're asking me to turn
my back on my family,

ignore a hundred years of animosity

that exists between
Lord Darnley's family

and mine.

What's in it for me?

I am willing to restore
the Hamilton family's seat

on the privy council.

You would do this?

Allow me to influence policy,

knowing my hatred for Lord Darnley?

I am interested in the future,

not the past.

It is a generous offer,

and one that I encourage you

to accept.

I will consider it.

James?

May I speak with you?

I'm just heading out.

- Can it wait until...
- No. It will only take a moment.

At Mary's wedding,
there were things said,

by me,

that I'm afraid have made
you uncomfortable around me.

I'm sorry, Greer. If I've
treated you differently, it's...

it's only because I've been
preoccupied with my duties.

And preoccupied with Emily Knox.

Do you care for her, James?

I only press the issue because Mary said

things aren't always as they seem.

And I realize...

love doesn't need to be a
thing of the past for me.

Not if I am clear about what I want.

Who I want.

Greer, my life is...

complicated.

I hope it will not always be,

but for now, it is.

I'm sorry.

Be patient with me.

Please.

I baptize thee

in the name of the Father,

and of the Son,

and of the Holy Spirit.

See that this message
reaches King Charles,

or this church

will become your child's grave. Now run!

If Charles doesn't release

the Protestant prisoners listed here,

they'll start killing the
Catholic hostages, one by one.

Please, do as they ask.

My entire family is in that church,

my baby boy.

We will speak with the king.

And he will respond.

This is worse than I feared.

The gall.

We need to crush them.

Charles has balked at this sort
of military action in the past,

especially against Protestants.

Well, Henri would have
no such hesitation.

But as Charles is king,

only he can authorize a military strike.

Has Nicole spoken with
him about abdicating?

No.

You said you had her in hand.

That was before she decided

she was in love with me.

I tried to hedge my response, but...

But now what?

She's brokenhearted and angry.

Well, the answer is simple.

You must seduce her,

convince her that you could love her.

You're very good at that.

Or you used to be.

What is holding you back?

Charles needs guidance.

You know that he will want to give in

to the Protestants' demands.

If we appear weak,

we are one step closer to civil war.

Another hour passes.

It is time to show your king

that our threats

are to be taken seriously.

How could you invite the Hamiltons here

- knowing our history?
- I explained my reasons.

After it is done.

After they are comfortably

within the walls of our home.

The very people who
murdered my grandfather!

I have heard enough about the
bad blood between your families.

This feud will never
end, unless somebody

is willing to be the better man.

I am asking you to be that man.

Then you are asking to be disappointed.

We need their Protestant support.

It is support that they
are unlikely to give.

I think they will.

I have offered Lord Hamilton

a seat on the privy council.

A seat on the privy council?

Why don't you just hand
him your throne, as well?

The same ambition that
drove the Hamiltons

to take my grandfather's life

could drive them to take yours.

And since you refused me

the Crown Matrimonial,

they will stake their own claim to rule.

You are determined to
paint them as murderers.

And you should have
discussed this with me!

I'm your husband, I'm your king!

Not just some figurehead!

What am I saying?

Of course,

that's all I am to you.

I didn't want it to be like this.

I had hoped that our marriage

would be a partnership in every way.

But with your drinking, your cheating,

- your blind ambition...
- I am trying to be better!

Then try harder.

I mean it, Darnley.

If the Hamiltons stay

for your coronation,

you cannot let them provoke you

to anger or violence.

A better partner,

a better king knows that sometimes,

we must do things we hate
for the sake of the Crown.

The archduke of Austria

seemed like a nice fellow.

He's a little bit fancy for my taste.

Well, he was very handsome.

With a long, powerful stride.

I was practically breathless
trying to keep up with him.

Stride is what one looks for in a horse,

not a husband.

I prefer to match my pace

to my partner's.

I may take things more slowly, but...

you will still find yourself

breathless.

Wait.

- I forgot to bring the...
- It doesn't matter.

You are a queen looking to make
a strategic marriage alliance.

You can't very well do that

when you're pregnant
with another man's child.

If I can get pregnant at all.

Once I am wed, I will be
expected to produce an heir

and blamed if I do not.

Getting pregnant before I'm married

might not be the worst idea.

If I am barren,

there's no reason to
give up half my throne.

If you do get pregnant...

I could be married within a week.

- With my child.
- No one will know.

What, and that makes it better?

I'm just your stud horse,

testing your fertility?

I'm sorry, I just thought that...

I know this is meant to be

a relationship of convenience
and nothing more, but...

what we share has...

has quite unexpectedly
become very personal to me.

I appreciate that's not what you need

right now. Or want.

I'm sorry for that.

Are you here to lavish me

with more gifts

and then send me away to rot?

You are the only one at court

who has the king's heart.

That makes you very special.

Charles needs you now.

There is a very delicate
situation at Vendome.

Protestants have taken hostages.

I thought I made it clear.

Our arrangement is off.

I won't do anything for a
man who only seeks to use me.

Nicole...

I need to apologize.

You have come to mean something to me.

You're just saying that
now to get what you want.

It's what I want that pains me.

I had a wife who was killed.

Lola.

- Yes.
- Of course.

Why didn't I realize?

Because you're young
and still so innocent.

Being with you

feels like a betrayal...

Because you love me, too?

I don't want to.

The truth is that...

I cannot erase you from my mind.

I have deemed

that immediate military
action is required

to quash the Protestant
insurgents in Vendome,

and save innocent lives.

France will not tolerate
such blatant and aggressive

defiance of the Crown and its laws.

- Very wise, Your Majesty.
- Excellent.

Well done, Nicole.

She's good in bed, and she can turn on

the tears as well as the praise.

And well done you.

I was starting to think
you didn't have it in you.

I played her masterfully.

And all it cost me

was the desecration of Lola's memory.

But that doesn't mean
anything to you, does it?

Emily, tell me what's happened.

My husband knows about us.

And I know you were only using me.

And I hate you.

More than I thought possible.

But I need you.

My husband says he forgives me,

but he treats me worse
than a common whore.

I am forced to sleep
and eat with the animals.

And I am beat

with the same rod.

Emily, I'm sorry.

Tell me how I can help.

You took my life from me,

and now you will find me another.

Away from my husband,

away from you,

away from anyone who knows my shame.

Emily, that's-that's
not something I can do.

Because you fear my husband, too.

But you know people in France.

Get me there. I have
information that will make it

worth whatever retribution
you face from him.

Something horrible is
going to happen to Mary.

Tell me what it is,

and I will get you away
from here, I promise.

Tomorrow,

before the coronation,

Lord Hamilton has plotted
with my husband to kill Mary.

You must be Lord Darnley.

We have not met, Lord
Hamilton. What gave me away?

You have the look of an Englishman.

And the face of a traitor.

I wish to apologize for
not greeting you earlier.

I also wish to make
it up to you personally

by inviting you to
stay for my coronation.

My, aren't you a good
lad, doing your wife's bidding.

I can't help but think how
different things would be

if the queen had married me.

She'd be pregnant by
now, that's for certain.

We are working on it.

Working?

If Mary were in my bed, I assure you

she would not consider it work.

Anyway, no need to feel pressure.

If you fail to produce
an heir, well, my family,

as next in line, is more
than ready to step in.

Lord Hamilton,

might we not set aside our differences?

Think of what could accomplish

if we supported our queen
and country together.

Perhaps.

How long can we really resent
one another for the tension

that existed between
our grandfathers, anyway?

In truth, it was more than tension.

Your family murdered my grandfather.

- Your grandfather was a traitor.
- And your grandfather was a bastard.

By birth. Who persecuted Protestants,

and then became one.

A Catholic who becomes a Protestant

still serves the same God.

A Scot who becomes an
Englishman loses his soul.

Like your father.

I've taken up enough of your time.

I do hope that you
will accept Mary's offer

of a seat on the privy council.

If I do,

it will be to block your every move.

I'll turn the privy council against you

and render you powerless,
so everyone can see

what a weak and impotent
man you truly are.

And I'll laugh.

Like my grandfather must've laughed

when he slit your grandfather's throat.

A gift from the future

king of Scotland to one
of his loyal subjects.

You've probably poisoned it.

Prince Erik, too powerful.

Duke of Savoy, too powerless.

Count Alejandro, too dull;

Alfonso D'Este, too... lumpy?

Elizabeth, these are all
viable marriage candidates.

You need to take this seriously.

Gideon, about last night...

I apologize for my outburst.

But I do believe it is best that we

return to things as they once were...

you, my Queen and I, your advisor.

Nothing more.

Um, what about the archduke of Austria?

You said you liked his...

- stride.
- I don't want the archduke.

He's a Catholic, a good
fit both politically,

- strategically...
- I don't want any of them.

- Then who do you want?
- You.

What I want,

and what I need,

is you.

Since last night, I have done little

but think about what
my life would be like

if we were not together.

A life where I would see you every day

and know that I would not
feel your touch at night.

A life where I would be unloved

and unknown as only you love

and know me.

And it is not a life I desire.

This is personal for me, as well.

No explosions from Darnley.

I know I have you to thank for that.

Well, except for a
moment when he asked me

to check on alterations
being made to the crown,

I was with him all day.

If it all goes according to plan,

by this time tomorrow,
Darnley will have his crown,

and the Hamiltons will have
their seat on the privy council.

Here's to you taking Elizabeth's throne.

Mary,

you must come with me, quickly.

There's a plot against your life.

Knox incited the
Hamiltons to stage a coup.

I've sent guards to
arrest the Hamiltons,

but they're not in their chambers.

Until they're located,
we must leave the castle.

- Now.
- Greer, you come with me.

David, find Darnley.

He needs to be taken to safety as well.

Stay back.

Halt.

Stand where you are and
surrender your weapons.

What have we done?

Are we not allowed to leave if
we desire female companionship?

I will ask one more time.

Remove your weapons and
lay them on the floor.

You are under arrest

for treason and conspiracy
to assassinate the queen.

So...

Knox was right.

You meant to kill us all along.

Is that what he told you?

Is that why you wouldn't disarm?

He said it was a trap.
I didn't believe him.

My God, no. We can't let him die.

He's the only one that
can prove Knox has been

feeding us all lies.

Greer, fetch the physician.

No.

Mary, he won't make it.

Emily told me once she
was a terrible liar.

She's quite good, actually.

I believed her.

You will never know Emily's motives.

Knox may have given her no choice.

May have threatened her
very life if she refused

to feed you false information
about the Hamiltons.

And now, because we were
unable to save Lord Hamilton,

Knox is free to say that
you lured them to the castle,

powerful Protestants to the slaughter.

He'll preach of your treachery.

I will lose all hope
of Protestant support.

Unless someone else takes the blame.

James, no.

It is because of me that
you're in this trouble, Mary.

You must hold me accountable.

But it's because of me
that you slept with Emily

- in the first place.
- Mary,

to take England, to hold Scotland,

you must say that I acted on my own.

You must ban me from Scotland.

Make me a public spectacle
so that all will hear of it.

You shouldn't have to do this.

You are a good and fair queen, sister.

Your people need you.

My only regret is that I will
no longer be able to serve

at your side, and protect you.

Only for a time.

I will call you back, James.

What am I going to do without you?

Summon Lord Bothwell.

I know he would rather
die than see you harmed.

You can't rely

on Darnley for this, it's too important.

Tell me, Mrs. Knox,

When you told James that the
Hamiltons intended me harm,

did you know it was a lie,

even as you spoke it?

It is no worse than lies he has told me.

Why don't you kill me now?

You've destroyed my life anyway.

I may still need you,

to connect your husband
to the slaughter.

His followers believe
he is God's messenger.

Anything you do to him
will only make him a martyr.

You have cost me much, Emily.

But something tells me

there is some truth in your lies

about the way you live?

Go home

to the powerful man who knows

that you betrayed him.

Enjoy the living hell
that is your marriage.

That is your punishment.

Your Majesty.

It has just been confirmed...

the attack on the
rebels has been executed.

- And the hostages?
- Thanks to your quick action,

they are saved.

But at what cost?

How many gallant soldiers
did I send to their deaths?

Charles, come with me, please.

There's something you need to see.

You helped Charles find the strength

to do the right thing.

You saved lives today.

I did it for you.

Charles, the savior of France!

It's all right, you are their hero.

They're calling me their savior.

They love you.

- Is that...
- My son.

What's his name?

Charles. Named after the
king who saved his life.

I wish Leeza were here to see this.

Charles, a Catholic king

embraced by his people.

I'll make sure she knows.

And perhaps this turn of events

will get her to stop
interfering in French affairs,

and let us live in peace.

I wouldn't go that far.

She is your daughter, after all.

Perhaps this will buy us some room.

Yes, giving us time to
secure Charles' reign.

If we can keep his hand steady,

he won't need to abdicate.

Henri might not be too happy about that.

We can't have him contesting the throne.

Not when his brother is
finally embracing being king.

And as long as Nicole
thinks she has your love,

We can use her to control Charles.

For the good of France, of course.

For the good of France.

Lord James Stuart, Earl of Moray,

for your egregious crimes,

you are hereby banished from Scotland.

Furthermore, your lands
and titles are forfeits

to the Crown, your wealth
stripped from your person

as you leave in disgrace.

Wait.

How many more people will you sacrifice?

Was there no other way?

Don't go.

I have work.

Or should I tell the privy council

that the queen's needs
are more pressing?

Fine. You're released.

Shall I write to the archduke

to officially initiate
courtship proceedings?

It's all right.

For England's sake, you
still need a husband.

I understand that.

But I don't want to lose you.

You won't.

I've traveled this path before.

It won't be easy
standing on the sidelines,

seeing me with someone else.

You will want a love of your own.

It's very complicated.

I'm not Dudley.

I expect no more than what we enjoy now.

- It will not be enough for you.
- It is.

If our love must be secret,

and our child, so long that it is loved,

never know its father, then... so be it.

At least I'll be a part of your life.

The most precious part.

You're getting good at this.

Well, I'll have to be a great swordsman

if I want to lead France to
victory on the battlefield.

And you're no longer afraid
of that responsibility?

Not anymore.

I understand that sometimes
a king must wield a sword

to protect his people.

And your people will honor you for it,

as they did today.

They loved me.

I can still hear the
crowd chanting my name.

I want it, Mother. To be king.

I am so proud of you.

Mother.

Looking lovely, as always.

Not exactly the welcome reception

I was hoping for.

Henri, you must not
have received my letter.

There's been a change of plan.

Leeza said Charles is unwell,

and I was needed immediately.

Well, I had hoped to
save you the journey.

Your brother is quite recovered.

So he's not going to be abdicating?

No.

Good.

That's a relief.

You're not disappointed?

Charles is my brother,

and the lawful king of France.

And I'm a prince who gets to do

whatever he wants.

Welcome home, my son.

I think we should keep my coronation

a small, private affair.

This does not feel like the time

for pomp or pageantry.

I know how much you were
looking forward to it.

I appreciate your
understanding and sacrifice.

Sometimes a ruler must
do things they hate

for the sake of the Crown.

I know his death is a
terrible complication,

but so you know,

I refused to let Lord
Hamilton provoke me.

Though I was tempted,

I found strength in your challenge

to be a better man.

That is what I hope to be.

I can take care of you, Mary,

and I can protect you,

if you will only allow me.

I will consider it.

Might you also consider, at last,

starting a family with me?

Actually...

we have already started.

I am pregnant with your child.

I will be a good father
and a good husband.

On that you have my oath.

All hail the king!