Reign (2013–2017): Season 4, Episode 16 - All It Cost Her - full transcript
Previously on Reign...
Once the rest of the
Spanish Armada arrives,
I will take the throne.
Nicole, run away with me.
- You will be my queen.
- I'm yours.
Your sons are fighting over a girl.
I understand you're a witch.
Maybe you could help me.
Francis Drake, I trust
you have good news.
We sunk two warships.
King Philip has always desired England.
And now he has grounds for war.
Have you taken any lovers with syphilis?
I've seen men with that.
Thethe... the lesions
all over their body,
thethe madness.
You need to see a doctor immediately.
In a state of emergency,
a privy council can be installed
by a royal signature.
You are still king.
You can assemble a privy
council that supports you.
There is a motion being passed
tomorrow, in front of the
privy council to appoint me
- the child's steward.
- No.
I will have the power to
keep you out of my son's life.
Dear Elizabeth, I ask
that should anything happen to me,
you will protect my child as your own.
I am your king.
I wish to be alone with my child.
Darnley's taken my son!
Step aside.
All right, here we go in there.
You're known associates of King Darnley.
He was educated with my husband.
When was the last time you saw the king?
Over a year ago, why?
We're looking for a
baby. If you have one
and he isn't yours, you'll hang for it.
Unless you cooperate.
It was freezing last night.
They must have taken shelter somewhere.
And Darnley is recognizable,
at least to some.
We're looking everywhere
and he hasn't had much of a head start.
Then where is he? Where is my child?
We will find him.
Your son will be well and
back in your arms in no time.
I pray that you are right,
but Darnley is sick, his mind is...
He's still the boy's father.
A fact he's counting
on for his survival.
Do you honestly think he
intends to raise the child?
He who holds the heir holds the power.
I'm afraid that Darnley might harm him,
because he's not... thinking clearly.
Or perhaps because he is.
Darnley told me once, he saw a child
as his replacement.
That he would be no longer be needed.
I, too, used to think of a child
as a form of power.
Something I could deliver
that Elizabeth couldn't.
An heir to secure my reign.
But as soon as I laid eyes
on him, all of that went away.
And nothing mattered
more than his happiness,
his safety.
Bothwell, where is he?
Where is my son?
Well, I'm glad that
your time in Scotland was...
fruitful.
Tell me, how was Mary?
Struggling to maintain her throne.
Well, she knew it
wasn't going to be easy.
There are struggles here, as well.
I heard that you arrived back days ago.
I had some personal
business to attend to.
Guests staying at one of my houses.
Well, be happy they're
not here at court,
which has gone to hell.
Henri has fled the castle
with his brother's fiancée.
Nicole?
Yes. Nicole.
They're holed up in some
ship beyond the harbor.
A Spanish warship,
waiting for other Spanish
warships to attack,
so he can take his brother's throne.
Dear God. Spain would declare war?
Well, I think they were hoping
for something quick and dirty,
a single assault,
toppling one king and
installing another.
But it appears that Elizabeth
now has their attention,
and the Armada is now
headed for England.
Well, serves her right.
Crisis averted, all is well.
Not quite. Henri doesn't realize
that the ships aren't coming.
We can't get word to him
to tell him to give up,
as there is inclement
weather along the coast.
The fog is so thick that our own ships
could crash against the shores.
So with the fight for the throne lost,
all that lies between my sons is Nicole.
She is the one object
that they can hold onto
as a cause for their feud;
A feud that Charles will never forgive
and Henri will be too
proud to back down from.
Unless...
there's nothing left to fight over.
You're going to kill Nicole.
- It's already in motion.
- But how? You said
she's on a ship that no one can get to.
Someone can. Tell me.
Do you believe in witches?
Emanuelle,
this is Stephan Narcisse,
he's the lord chancellor of France.
Stephan, this is a witch
that my pious daughter,
Leeza, rounded up
amongst other heretics.
I didn't care for her.
Clearly, you don't, either.
Don't worry.
Spain will still be a bother,
but its queen won't be
a problem much longer.
Complications with her third child.
A girl.
You claim to have the
gift of seeing the future?
It's no gift.
Even I must pay a price.
And have you settled on yours?
A thousand livre.
My freedom.
Is that all?
Why did you bring him?
Because I've had some
dealing with the occult.
And I know that the devil
is often in the detail;
The true cost to the buyer a surprise.
So if you have some toll
you plan on extracting
at a later time, beware.
I have very powerful friends.
Nicole's inches from the grave.
She just doesn't know it yet.
Then you'll have your
money and your freedom.
There is one more thing.
Meet me tomorrow night.
Someplace private.
When the moon is full.
You come, too.
For what reason?
You'll see.
Only then will your debt
to the darkness be paid.
Where the hell is the Spanish Armada?
They should have been here yesterday.
It's no good. I need to think.
You need to sleep.
But if you can't do that,
will you at least eat?
Supplies are running
as thin as this broth.
Give me the flour.
Gone, as of this morning.
Bad enough I'm serving
a prince fish stew.
Try this.
A new, delicacy from
the southern continent: Nuts.
It'll thicken it right up.
We've even run out of venison.
I think it's delicious.
I could admit defeat, but if Charles
remains king, he will
force you to marry him.
What's wrong?
Nicole!
Nicole!
No. No, no, no, no.
Mary, I know the idea
of closing your eyes or
taking caring of yourself
is unbearable, but you must.
Why did I take my eyes off him?
Because you needed rest.
You were depleted after
a brutal childbirth.
James.
I'm so happy to see you.
Dearest sister.
I'm happy to see you, as well.
James, I've missed you.
I sent for you a while
ago, did you not receive it?
I was delayed in the Hebrides.
A significant land dispute
that could have caused
animosity towards your crown.
None of that matters. I'm here now.
I know what Darnley did.
Bothwell has coordinated
the search effort.
- Talk to the head of his guard.
- I already have.
I have my assigned
region and some thoughts
on lesser known areas he
may have taken the boy.
Then hurry, please.
There's the road, my love.
It'll be easier going from now.
I...
I can't think because of the noise.
The child needs to rest.
He can't catch a wink.
Lay him down,
nice and soft.
Give him some peace.
Poor thing.
Poor, poor thing.
Claude, this isn't your fault.
Luc is gone, you are here,
which means he abandoned you.
As I understand it, my son left
because Claude was out
chasing her former fiancé.
So, if you want to lay the blame...
Stop it! Please.
It doesn't matter who left whom.
I lost both the man I loved
and the man I could have loved.
Charles!
Charles.
Where are you?
My God, Nicole.
Henri! Wait!
You can stop plotting to attack my ship.
Spain isn't coming and
you have already won.
Nicole.
What have you done?!
The woman I loved was poisoned
by someone aboard the
ship, someone loyal to you.
Nicole was engaged to
me! You kidnapped her!
Did she try to flee?
Is that why you murdered her?
No, she was poisoned.
And now you're here,
feigning rage, but expecting mercy.
She loved me. She came willingly,
and in your heart of
hearts, you know that.
Stop! Nicole is gone.
And you have every right to be angry,
but instead of turning
against one another,
blame the true culprit.
- Spain.
- Spain didn't abduct my fiancée!
No, but they didn't want you
to marry her, either one of you.
Your own sister, Leeza, has
been working against you both,
against all of us.
And poor, goodhearted Nicole here
has born the brunt
of Spain's treachery.
It is Spain that has turned
brother against brother.
They promised you the
throne and they betrayed you.
Your ships didn't come, did they?
And you, my son, my king,
they want you gone.
There is no pleasing them.
They want France for themselves.
Look at her, working her magic.
Funny you should put it like that.
Was this some kind of witchcraft?
No, of course not.
Would our own sister really do this?
Spain is going after England now.
Believing they've already
succeeded in tearing
this house apart.
You must join together,
redirect your hatred at Spain,
before they swallow us whole!
I'm sorry, brother.
Mother's right.
Has anyone seen a stranger in town?
A welltodo looking fellow,
brown hair, blue eyes,
travelling with an infant.
I may know something.
If you help us, you'll be rewarded.
I don't know anything about this
man they say you're looking for,
but my son's an altar boy.
He says a newborn lad
was left at the church
first thing this morning,
brought in by a farmer.
Which way is the church?
What is this?
This is our new marriage contract.
And what makes you think I
would suddenly agree to terms
that are far more advantageous
to you than our first agreement?
Our circumstances have changed
since we first agreed to marry.
When we drew up the first contract,
your Captain Drake had not
sunk two Spanish warships,
nor was Spain on its
way to attack England.
I've reached out to
the Spanish ambassador,
and I can save you from a
war you cannot possibly win,
but you must first
agree to the new terms.
I'll consider it.
My child.
My child!
Is he all right?
- They said he was cared for.
- He seems to be unharmed.
He was found by a farmer who
brought him to the local parish.
Reward him, James,
and tell him his queen
is forever grateful.
And I will never forget
what you've done for me.
For my son. I must thank you.
We are all grateful.
No, thank you properly.
My son is home, where he belongs.
There will be a formal
naming ceremony to come,
and we will call him James.
In honor of my brother,
a hero of Scotland.
How is Prince James?
He's absolutely perfect.
What is it? What's wrong?
The privy council is moving
ahead with plans to appoint.
King Darnley the baby's steward.
The King Darnley who abducted
the child; He left him to die.
How can they even consider it?
By turning fact to fiction.
Claiming the abandonment is propaganda.
Those who would oppose
me no matter what.
I said some. Not all.
Rumors of Darnley's
erratic behavior circulate.
Even those whose allegiances
lean toward the king
must be wondering if they should
place their loyalties elsewhere.
Do you think they would
switch sides and support me?
I think many would blow
with the prevailing wind.
Especially if King Darnley were gone.
Gone.
And here we are again,
talking of murder.
It is a sin I have been
unwilling to commit.
But there is a very real risk
that Darnley will take
my son from me... legally.
Forever.
I assume you've given this some thought.
I would gather the few
allies you currently have
on the privy council.
King Darnley's blood
would be on all our hands,
making it difficult to pin
the blame on any individual,
particularly you.
Your involvement must
not be known to anyone,
except those you implicitly trust.
I could involve your brother.
Leave James out of it.
He has suffered enough on my behalf.
Most importantly,
you must be kept well
away from the incident.
I'll need an alibi, a very public one.
Ideally one provided by my foes.
You would be risking your life for me.
I would do all that, and
more, to keep you safe.
But, Mary,
you must be sure.
There's no turning back.
No, there isn't.
Kill my husband, Lord Bothwell.
I thought I would find you here.
- Mother.
- You always loved those summers
you spent here with your cousins.
Is, Kiera here as well?
Yes. She's right...
here...
I don't always see her.
But when I do, she's as real to me
as you are.
I'm not well, am I, Mother?
You've been under a strain,
and that is all the more reason
that you should stay here.
At least until the
privy council names you.
- Steward of the Heir.
- My son, you mean.
My God, I think I left him somewhere.
No, the prince was found. He is well.
I can't do this, Mother. I can't...
I can't take care of him. II...
All parents make mistakes.
- No, no, this is different.
- Yes, it is.
Because if he is your charge,
you control the next king of Scotland.
You are keeping the monarchy stable,
and that brings you respect,
privilege, alliances
that will keep you alive.
Now, when did you last eat?
A few days ago, I think.
The staff hasn't been here in
months and you need provisions.
I will return first
thing in the morning.
But remember, you must stay hidden.
Do you understand?
French jewelry, French designs,
French fabric, all found at your home,
given to you by that
French viper Narcisse,
as payment for killing.
Lord Blackburn, admit it.
I'll hang anyway, won't I?
But that's not good enough for you.
You want to hear it, you
want it to your liking,
and nothing else will do.
You royals.
You hate us.
My grandfather worked for Henry VIII,
and when he didn't polish your
father's ring to his liking,
the king sawed off his
finger with a butter knife.
He was sent home, the wound stank,
his veins turned black,
and he screamed in pain for
two full days until he died.
I never hurt you.
Gideon Blackburn never hurt you.
He didn't deserve to die.
I'm sorry you were born a servant...
No, you're not. You
like having servants.
They dress you, feed you,
know your every need. But
what do you know of us?
Of the undeserving losses
we suffer all the time?
We suffer...
I do not require a lesson in suffering
from the likes of you.
So, the girl your sons loved is dead.
They must both be sad.
Sad, but bonded in their grief.
And the moon is full,
and I've brought...
Lord Narcisse, as...
requested.
Well, as much as we've enjoyed
chatting and drinking wine,
is there...?
Shouldn't...?
Why don't you, um...
tell us what you need
to fulfill the debt.
Or, um, um, land, and...
What is it?
Is it gold?
It's not a thing that I desire.
But rather, an experience.
You're both so powerful.
Together, we can truly
change the world...
I don't want to be doing this.
The wine. I think
we've been drugged.
Give me your hand, beauty.
You've cut here before.
You invited Him to you as well.
Invited who?
Sanguis vitam
ipse est... diablo.
Sanguis vitam ipse est... diablo.
Diablo? That's Latin for the devil.
Are you calling Satan himself?
Get off of her, she's
trying to get pregnant!
I'm gonna be sick.
How dare you involve us in this.
It was payment you agreed to.
But it's not my usual form.
Let me pay you the
way that I've planned.
Why won't you die?
Is it true?
People are saying your
servant Jane was murdered.
Yes.
Tragic. No one knows by whom, but
the archduke thinks the
wedding is still happening.
Well, you're hoping you won't
have to go through with it.
And I thought the
backstabbing generally began
after the wedding vows.
I'm hoping
the idea I might marry a
Catholic will give Spain pause,
and buy you enough time to
ready the Royal English Navy
for war.
I'm assuming we'll need
more than pithy retorts
to defeat the Spanish Armada,
which is coming for us.
A lot more, I'm afraid.
Even with the infusion of gold
we stole from your fiancé's family,
there's only so many
ships we can outfit for war
in such a short time.
But that's not our greatest worry.
Even if we defeat the Armada,
the victory will be a costly one.
It will deplete England's
military at every level.
Gunpowder, steel, soldiers.
Which leaves us vulnerable
to a ground invasion
from the North.
Scottish forces could make easy
work of our weakened defenses.
Which Spain will allow.
Happy to have her on my
throne, as she is a Catholic.
As always,
the specter of Mary Stuart
hovers over me like an Axe.
Shh.
I know that look.
You're afraid.
Yes, I am.
But the baby is safe.
He'll never be safe.
Not until...
You are doing what you must,
for your son and for Scotland.
Not just for Scotland.
I'm reminded of the prophecy
Bash sent, through David Rizzio.
That your heir would unite both
Scotland and England in peace.
I don't know if any of it's true.
But I do know that my son means
more to me than my own life.
I don't regret what I've done tonight.
I would do it again,
without a moment's hesitation
to protect my child.
Only...
what am I going to tell
him about his father?
Are you sure King Darnley's inside?
The queen had Lady Lennox followed.
Darnley's inside and alone.
The explosion should kill the
king and set the house on fire,
destroying any trace of foul play.
Hopefully, then,
it will all appear to be
a most tragic accident.
It's vital Queen Mary not be implicated.
Which is why, at this very moment,
she's hosting a reception
for the new privy council,
cajoling them as well,
so that, when they receive
news of the king's death,
they might fall to our side.
It's time. Head back to court.
Make sure you're seen so you
can vouch for the two of us.
Something's wrong. The charges
should have ignited by now.
Wait here.
Clarkson!
You'll hang for this!
There's a letter from
Queen Mary, Your Majesty.
Dear Elizabeth.
My duty is to my heir, and to Scotland,
both of which I fear could be lost.
So, from one lonely queen to another,
I ask that should anything happen to me,
you will protect my child as your own.
In turn, I promise you
that your throne shall
never be threatened by me.
There you are, Elizabeth.
You should have your
staff collect your things.
And search for a bride elsewhere.
What are you saying?
That our marriage is no longer
of strategic importance to England,
and as such, it will not happen.
I received a letter today
from my cousin Mary,
in which she renounced
her designs on my throne.
Scotland is no longer
a threat to my reign.
Mary. How can you trust her?
Because she is besieged on all sides
by a world of men who
seek to tear her down
because they cannot control her.
Somehow I understand her predicament.
But Spain.
I am trying to save you. You are...
I am England.
And I need no one to save me.
Not from Spain,
not from the Catholic
Church, not from anyone.
I am Elizabeth Tudor,
and I will bow to no man.
I will face every threat to
my reign with sword in hand.
And any who stand in my way shall fall.
To the destruction of Spain.
Justice for Nicole.
Here, here.
- Are you sure your plan will work?
- I am.
The Basques are Spain's
greatest internal threat.
If we supply their rebels
with enough weapons,
They'll rain disaster upon Philip,
while his troops are away in England.
Don't be fools.
The Basques hate the French
even more than they hate the Spanish.
They will betray you, Charles.
Then Spain will march
- on Paris in revenge.
- I think you've had one too many.
- Charles, please. Listen to me...
- You should go rest, Mother.
Come on.
The old girl's not what she used to be.
I think of all the trouble.
It was actually mother's doubt
in me that set things in motion.
How should we supply the rebels?
If we go down the coast...
Are you real?
Whatever you've given me...
keeps hitting me in waves.
- I'm real.
- Why didn't you die?
He protects us.
Us? You're not...
But I am. You
wonder what your children
are going to achieve, don't you?
I can tell you what your sons will do.
Their plot against Spain will backfire.
I'll stop it.
They're puppies, they're
just chasing their own tails.
You could stop it, but
there will be a price.
Are you saying that I have a choice?
Tell me what it is.
If you interfere with their plan,
a plan that is destined to fail,
they will make you their scapegoat.
Your name vilified for all time,
your body hanging from a rope
before the next waning moon.
And if I don't stop it?
They will face ruin.
Charles's rule will not last.
You're asking me to
sacrifice my sons for myself.
No, I've always put my children first.
I have done terrible things.
I've always done it for their good.
But are they worth it?
Francis was.
A noble, decent man and a good king.
Your other sons, Charles and Henri,
are but pale shadows
of your golden child,
the dark side of a moon
that once shone so bright.
And if I don't want
to die for their sins?
The key to your survival,
should you choose it,
is your daughter, Margot.
Blood will flow, but it won't be yours,
if you have Margot at your side.
Is it real?
Princess Margot.
Mother. It's been so long.
I know, darling.
And it's time to come home.
Mother needs you at her side.
I am one among you.
And I will lay down my
life for God and kingdom.
I may have the body of a woman,
but I have the heart of a king.
I will take up arms with you
as your general and your judge,
and I will reward your
every virtue on the field.
We will live or we will die...
but we will not live in fear!
Bothwell, where have you been?
We've been waiting for you all night.
Is Darnley still alive?
No. He's dead.
I'm afraid our original plan went away.
King Darnley survived the explosion.
I...
I had to take his
life with my own hands.
I have a bad feeling about
this. I think we ought to flee.
Flee? Nothing would make
you both look guiltier.
We need to raise troops.
If there are charges of murder,
we're gonna need a force of men.
Lord Bothwell.
You're under arrest for
the murder of King Darnley.
You will be tried for the traitorous
and unconscionable act of regicide.
What are you talking about?
Your husband has been
murdered at that man's hand.
Guard him already.
I am ordering you.
If one of you lays a hand on him,
he will pay with his life.
As for you, Reverend Knox,
may I remind you, I am your queen.
Not for long.
There were witnesses
to my king's murder.
Tell our sovereign what you told me.
It was Bothwell. He
threatened us... said if
we didn't help him murder the
king, he would have us arrested.
You thought Darnley was
alive. You went to Knox hoping
he'd save you from our king's wrath.
And you dragged Lord
Margate into it, didn't you?!
Careful, Bothwell.
You might implicate yourself,
and then what fun would your trial be?
As if you'd let me stand trial!
Arrest him!
Arrest her, too. The witnesses say
she was privy to every detail.
Take him.
Tell him I love him.
Raise him as if he were your own.
I will. I swear it.
I am your queen. You have no proof.
You will never win this!
This is a mistake you'll
never recover from.
It will be your undoing.
The only crime I have committed
that you care about
is that I am a woman.
A woman who wears a crown.
A woman in power goes
against nature itself.
Men will never willingly
bow to the weaker sex.
And they will suffer greatly for it.
It was the start of my undoing.
The only thing I regret
is that it's been so long
since I've seen his face.
Did you get word to him?
I believe that he is my
only chance of survival.
We still await his answer.
You cannot allow the
execution of a fellow queen.
Elizabeth, she is my mother.
A mother you have not seen
since you were an infant.
And whose doing was that?
How much pressure from
you did my uncle endure?
You are an adult now,
and the king of Scotland.
Surely you can make your own choices.
Why have you not gone to her?
For the same reason you have avoided
meeting her your entire life.
Because we both have
what is rightfully hers.
My crown and yours.
It is she who should
be uniting our nations.
James.
She can't.
Her choices have ruined her.
I often wonder, what
choice did she have?
They say my father was mad.
She must have been desperate.
Desperate enough to
come to you for help.
And what did you do?
Held her prisoner for two decades
after promising to protect her!
When I made the offer, I did not know
she would be fleeing a murder charge.
I did not know she would
continue to conspire against me.
Men have conspired against
you using her as a weapon.
These letters you finally
have as evidence...
evidence enough to execute
her... could be forged.
Then petition me to stop it.
But the real forgery is you...
pretending to be brave.
Elizabeth, the Warrior Queen,
who ushered in the golden age,
when really all the while,
you've been living in fear.
Must be exhausting.
It is.
Is that why you need
the final choice to be mine?
Because you know you are
giving into weariness?
Or is it because you know it's wrong?
I ask you
one last time.
Do you want to be named my heir,
James, the first of your name to rule.
England and Scotland, united at last?
Ending the bloodshed
between our two countries,
and fulfilling your mother's dream?
Or...
you could save her...
but she will rot for
decades more in captivity,
because I cannot have
her blood on my hands.
And I cannot let her go.
Has my son replied?
We've received word
from King James himself.
He's not coming, and
there will be no reprieve.
I put my trust in you, my Lord.
Mary? Mary?
Francis.
I've been waiting for you.
Is this real?
Nothing is more real.
I love you.
I always have.
I love you, too.
Were we truly this young?
Yes.
It seems like so long ago.
It's been so difficult, Francis.
- So difficult.
- Shh.
That's over now.
Once the rest of the
Spanish Armada arrives,
I will take the throne.
Nicole, run away with me.
- You will be my queen.
- I'm yours.
Your sons are fighting over a girl.
I understand you're a witch.
Maybe you could help me.
Francis Drake, I trust
you have good news.
We sunk two warships.
King Philip has always desired England.
And now he has grounds for war.
Have you taken any lovers with syphilis?
I've seen men with that.
Thethe... the lesions
all over their body,
thethe madness.
You need to see a doctor immediately.
In a state of emergency,
a privy council can be installed
by a royal signature.
You are still king.
You can assemble a privy
council that supports you.
There is a motion being passed
tomorrow, in front of the
privy council to appoint me
- the child's steward.
- No.
I will have the power to
keep you out of my son's life.
Dear Elizabeth, I ask
that should anything happen to me,
you will protect my child as your own.
I am your king.
I wish to be alone with my child.
Darnley's taken my son!
Step aside.
All right, here we go in there.
You're known associates of King Darnley.
He was educated with my husband.
When was the last time you saw the king?
Over a year ago, why?
We're looking for a
baby. If you have one
and he isn't yours, you'll hang for it.
Unless you cooperate.
It was freezing last night.
They must have taken shelter somewhere.
And Darnley is recognizable,
at least to some.
We're looking everywhere
and he hasn't had much of a head start.
Then where is he? Where is my child?
We will find him.
Your son will be well and
back in your arms in no time.
I pray that you are right,
but Darnley is sick, his mind is...
He's still the boy's father.
A fact he's counting
on for his survival.
Do you honestly think he
intends to raise the child?
He who holds the heir holds the power.
I'm afraid that Darnley might harm him,
because he's not... thinking clearly.
Or perhaps because he is.
Darnley told me once, he saw a child
as his replacement.
That he would be no longer be needed.
I, too, used to think of a child
as a form of power.
Something I could deliver
that Elizabeth couldn't.
An heir to secure my reign.
But as soon as I laid eyes
on him, all of that went away.
And nothing mattered
more than his happiness,
his safety.
Bothwell, where is he?
Where is my son?
Well, I'm glad that
your time in Scotland was...
fruitful.
Tell me, how was Mary?
Struggling to maintain her throne.
Well, she knew it
wasn't going to be easy.
There are struggles here, as well.
I heard that you arrived back days ago.
I had some personal
business to attend to.
Guests staying at one of my houses.
Well, be happy they're
not here at court,
which has gone to hell.
Henri has fled the castle
with his brother's fiancée.
Nicole?
Yes. Nicole.
They're holed up in some
ship beyond the harbor.
A Spanish warship,
waiting for other Spanish
warships to attack,
so he can take his brother's throne.
Dear God. Spain would declare war?
Well, I think they were hoping
for something quick and dirty,
a single assault,
toppling one king and
installing another.
But it appears that Elizabeth
now has their attention,
and the Armada is now
headed for England.
Well, serves her right.
Crisis averted, all is well.
Not quite. Henri doesn't realize
that the ships aren't coming.
We can't get word to him
to tell him to give up,
as there is inclement
weather along the coast.
The fog is so thick that our own ships
could crash against the shores.
So with the fight for the throne lost,
all that lies between my sons is Nicole.
She is the one object
that they can hold onto
as a cause for their feud;
A feud that Charles will never forgive
and Henri will be too
proud to back down from.
Unless...
there's nothing left to fight over.
You're going to kill Nicole.
- It's already in motion.
- But how? You said
she's on a ship that no one can get to.
Someone can. Tell me.
Do you believe in witches?
Emanuelle,
this is Stephan Narcisse,
he's the lord chancellor of France.
Stephan, this is a witch
that my pious daughter,
Leeza, rounded up
amongst other heretics.
I didn't care for her.
Clearly, you don't, either.
Don't worry.
Spain will still be a bother,
but its queen won't be
a problem much longer.
Complications with her third child.
A girl.
You claim to have the
gift of seeing the future?
It's no gift.
Even I must pay a price.
And have you settled on yours?
A thousand livre.
My freedom.
Is that all?
Why did you bring him?
Because I've had some
dealing with the occult.
And I know that the devil
is often in the detail;
The true cost to the buyer a surprise.
So if you have some toll
you plan on extracting
at a later time, beware.
I have very powerful friends.
Nicole's inches from the grave.
She just doesn't know it yet.
Then you'll have your
money and your freedom.
There is one more thing.
Meet me tomorrow night.
Someplace private.
When the moon is full.
You come, too.
For what reason?
You'll see.
Only then will your debt
to the darkness be paid.
Where the hell is the Spanish Armada?
They should have been here yesterday.
It's no good. I need to think.
You need to sleep.
But if you can't do that,
will you at least eat?
Supplies are running
as thin as this broth.
Give me the flour.
Gone, as of this morning.
Bad enough I'm serving
a prince fish stew.
Try this.
A new, delicacy from
the southern continent: Nuts.
It'll thicken it right up.
We've even run out of venison.
I think it's delicious.
I could admit defeat, but if Charles
remains king, he will
force you to marry him.
What's wrong?
Nicole!
Nicole!
No. No, no, no, no.
Mary, I know the idea
of closing your eyes or
taking caring of yourself
is unbearable, but you must.
Why did I take my eyes off him?
Because you needed rest.
You were depleted after
a brutal childbirth.
James.
I'm so happy to see you.
Dearest sister.
I'm happy to see you, as well.
James, I've missed you.
I sent for you a while
ago, did you not receive it?
I was delayed in the Hebrides.
A significant land dispute
that could have caused
animosity towards your crown.
None of that matters. I'm here now.
I know what Darnley did.
Bothwell has coordinated
the search effort.
- Talk to the head of his guard.
- I already have.
I have my assigned
region and some thoughts
on lesser known areas he
may have taken the boy.
Then hurry, please.
There's the road, my love.
It'll be easier going from now.
I...
I can't think because of the noise.
The child needs to rest.
He can't catch a wink.
Lay him down,
nice and soft.
Give him some peace.
Poor thing.
Poor, poor thing.
Claude, this isn't your fault.
Luc is gone, you are here,
which means he abandoned you.
As I understand it, my son left
because Claude was out
chasing her former fiancé.
So, if you want to lay the blame...
Stop it! Please.
It doesn't matter who left whom.
I lost both the man I loved
and the man I could have loved.
Charles!
Charles.
Where are you?
My God, Nicole.
Henri! Wait!
You can stop plotting to attack my ship.
Spain isn't coming and
you have already won.
Nicole.
What have you done?!
The woman I loved was poisoned
by someone aboard the
ship, someone loyal to you.
Nicole was engaged to
me! You kidnapped her!
Did she try to flee?
Is that why you murdered her?
No, she was poisoned.
And now you're here,
feigning rage, but expecting mercy.
She loved me. She came willingly,
and in your heart of
hearts, you know that.
Stop! Nicole is gone.
And you have every right to be angry,
but instead of turning
against one another,
blame the true culprit.
- Spain.
- Spain didn't abduct my fiancée!
No, but they didn't want you
to marry her, either one of you.
Your own sister, Leeza, has
been working against you both,
against all of us.
And poor, goodhearted Nicole here
has born the brunt
of Spain's treachery.
It is Spain that has turned
brother against brother.
They promised you the
throne and they betrayed you.
Your ships didn't come, did they?
And you, my son, my king,
they want you gone.
There is no pleasing them.
They want France for themselves.
Look at her, working her magic.
Funny you should put it like that.
Was this some kind of witchcraft?
No, of course not.
Would our own sister really do this?
Spain is going after England now.
Believing they've already
succeeded in tearing
this house apart.
You must join together,
redirect your hatred at Spain,
before they swallow us whole!
I'm sorry, brother.
Mother's right.
Has anyone seen a stranger in town?
A welltodo looking fellow,
brown hair, blue eyes,
travelling with an infant.
I may know something.
If you help us, you'll be rewarded.
I don't know anything about this
man they say you're looking for,
but my son's an altar boy.
He says a newborn lad
was left at the church
first thing this morning,
brought in by a farmer.
Which way is the church?
What is this?
This is our new marriage contract.
And what makes you think I
would suddenly agree to terms
that are far more advantageous
to you than our first agreement?
Our circumstances have changed
since we first agreed to marry.
When we drew up the first contract,
your Captain Drake had not
sunk two Spanish warships,
nor was Spain on its
way to attack England.
I've reached out to
the Spanish ambassador,
and I can save you from a
war you cannot possibly win,
but you must first
agree to the new terms.
I'll consider it.
My child.
My child!
Is he all right?
- They said he was cared for.
- He seems to be unharmed.
He was found by a farmer who
brought him to the local parish.
Reward him, James,
and tell him his queen
is forever grateful.
And I will never forget
what you've done for me.
For my son. I must thank you.
We are all grateful.
No, thank you properly.
My son is home, where he belongs.
There will be a formal
naming ceremony to come,
and we will call him James.
In honor of my brother,
a hero of Scotland.
How is Prince James?
He's absolutely perfect.
What is it? What's wrong?
The privy council is moving
ahead with plans to appoint.
King Darnley the baby's steward.
The King Darnley who abducted
the child; He left him to die.
How can they even consider it?
By turning fact to fiction.
Claiming the abandonment is propaganda.
Those who would oppose
me no matter what.
I said some. Not all.
Rumors of Darnley's
erratic behavior circulate.
Even those whose allegiances
lean toward the king
must be wondering if they should
place their loyalties elsewhere.
Do you think they would
switch sides and support me?
I think many would blow
with the prevailing wind.
Especially if King Darnley were gone.
Gone.
And here we are again,
talking of murder.
It is a sin I have been
unwilling to commit.
But there is a very real risk
that Darnley will take
my son from me... legally.
Forever.
I assume you've given this some thought.
I would gather the few
allies you currently have
on the privy council.
King Darnley's blood
would be on all our hands,
making it difficult to pin
the blame on any individual,
particularly you.
Your involvement must
not be known to anyone,
except those you implicitly trust.
I could involve your brother.
Leave James out of it.
He has suffered enough on my behalf.
Most importantly,
you must be kept well
away from the incident.
I'll need an alibi, a very public one.
Ideally one provided by my foes.
You would be risking your life for me.
I would do all that, and
more, to keep you safe.
But, Mary,
you must be sure.
There's no turning back.
No, there isn't.
Kill my husband, Lord Bothwell.
I thought I would find you here.
- Mother.
- You always loved those summers
you spent here with your cousins.
Is, Kiera here as well?
Yes. She's right...
here...
I don't always see her.
But when I do, she's as real to me
as you are.
I'm not well, am I, Mother?
You've been under a strain,
and that is all the more reason
that you should stay here.
At least until the
privy council names you.
- Steward of the Heir.
- My son, you mean.
My God, I think I left him somewhere.
No, the prince was found. He is well.
I can't do this, Mother. I can't...
I can't take care of him. II...
All parents make mistakes.
- No, no, this is different.
- Yes, it is.
Because if he is your charge,
you control the next king of Scotland.
You are keeping the monarchy stable,
and that brings you respect,
privilege, alliances
that will keep you alive.
Now, when did you last eat?
A few days ago, I think.
The staff hasn't been here in
months and you need provisions.
I will return first
thing in the morning.
But remember, you must stay hidden.
Do you understand?
French jewelry, French designs,
French fabric, all found at your home,
given to you by that
French viper Narcisse,
as payment for killing.
Lord Blackburn, admit it.
I'll hang anyway, won't I?
But that's not good enough for you.
You want to hear it, you
want it to your liking,
and nothing else will do.
You royals.
You hate us.
My grandfather worked for Henry VIII,
and when he didn't polish your
father's ring to his liking,
the king sawed off his
finger with a butter knife.
He was sent home, the wound stank,
his veins turned black,
and he screamed in pain for
two full days until he died.
I never hurt you.
Gideon Blackburn never hurt you.
He didn't deserve to die.
I'm sorry you were born a servant...
No, you're not. You
like having servants.
They dress you, feed you,
know your every need. But
what do you know of us?
Of the undeserving losses
we suffer all the time?
We suffer...
I do not require a lesson in suffering
from the likes of you.
So, the girl your sons loved is dead.
They must both be sad.
Sad, but bonded in their grief.
And the moon is full,
and I've brought...
Lord Narcisse, as...
requested.
Well, as much as we've enjoyed
chatting and drinking wine,
is there...?
Shouldn't...?
Why don't you, um...
tell us what you need
to fulfill the debt.
Or, um, um, land, and...
What is it?
Is it gold?
It's not a thing that I desire.
But rather, an experience.
You're both so powerful.
Together, we can truly
change the world...
I don't want to be doing this.
The wine. I think
we've been drugged.
Give me your hand, beauty.
You've cut here before.
You invited Him to you as well.
Invited who?
Sanguis vitam
ipse est... diablo.
Sanguis vitam ipse est... diablo.
Diablo? That's Latin for the devil.
Are you calling Satan himself?
Get off of her, she's
trying to get pregnant!
I'm gonna be sick.
How dare you involve us in this.
It was payment you agreed to.
But it's not my usual form.
Let me pay you the
way that I've planned.
Why won't you die?
Is it true?
People are saying your
servant Jane was murdered.
Yes.
Tragic. No one knows by whom, but
the archduke thinks the
wedding is still happening.
Well, you're hoping you won't
have to go through with it.
And I thought the
backstabbing generally began
after the wedding vows.
I'm hoping
the idea I might marry a
Catholic will give Spain pause,
and buy you enough time to
ready the Royal English Navy
for war.
I'm assuming we'll need
more than pithy retorts
to defeat the Spanish Armada,
which is coming for us.
A lot more, I'm afraid.
Even with the infusion of gold
we stole from your fiancé's family,
there's only so many
ships we can outfit for war
in such a short time.
But that's not our greatest worry.
Even if we defeat the Armada,
the victory will be a costly one.
It will deplete England's
military at every level.
Gunpowder, steel, soldiers.
Which leaves us vulnerable
to a ground invasion
from the North.
Scottish forces could make easy
work of our weakened defenses.
Which Spain will allow.
Happy to have her on my
throne, as she is a Catholic.
As always,
the specter of Mary Stuart
hovers over me like an Axe.
Shh.
I know that look.
You're afraid.
Yes, I am.
But the baby is safe.
He'll never be safe.
Not until...
You are doing what you must,
for your son and for Scotland.
Not just for Scotland.
I'm reminded of the prophecy
Bash sent, through David Rizzio.
That your heir would unite both
Scotland and England in peace.
I don't know if any of it's true.
But I do know that my son means
more to me than my own life.
I don't regret what I've done tonight.
I would do it again,
without a moment's hesitation
to protect my child.
Only...
what am I going to tell
him about his father?
Are you sure King Darnley's inside?
The queen had Lady Lennox followed.
Darnley's inside and alone.
The explosion should kill the
king and set the house on fire,
destroying any trace of foul play.
Hopefully, then,
it will all appear to be
a most tragic accident.
It's vital Queen Mary not be implicated.
Which is why, at this very moment,
she's hosting a reception
for the new privy council,
cajoling them as well,
so that, when they receive
news of the king's death,
they might fall to our side.
It's time. Head back to court.
Make sure you're seen so you
can vouch for the two of us.
Something's wrong. The charges
should have ignited by now.
Wait here.
Clarkson!
You'll hang for this!
There's a letter from
Queen Mary, Your Majesty.
Dear Elizabeth.
My duty is to my heir, and to Scotland,
both of which I fear could be lost.
So, from one lonely queen to another,
I ask that should anything happen to me,
you will protect my child as your own.
In turn, I promise you
that your throne shall
never be threatened by me.
There you are, Elizabeth.
You should have your
staff collect your things.
And search for a bride elsewhere.
What are you saying?
That our marriage is no longer
of strategic importance to England,
and as such, it will not happen.
I received a letter today
from my cousin Mary,
in which she renounced
her designs on my throne.
Scotland is no longer
a threat to my reign.
Mary. How can you trust her?
Because she is besieged on all sides
by a world of men who
seek to tear her down
because they cannot control her.
Somehow I understand her predicament.
But Spain.
I am trying to save you. You are...
I am England.
And I need no one to save me.
Not from Spain,
not from the Catholic
Church, not from anyone.
I am Elizabeth Tudor,
and I will bow to no man.
I will face every threat to
my reign with sword in hand.
And any who stand in my way shall fall.
To the destruction of Spain.
Justice for Nicole.
Here, here.
- Are you sure your plan will work?
- I am.
The Basques are Spain's
greatest internal threat.
If we supply their rebels
with enough weapons,
They'll rain disaster upon Philip,
while his troops are away in England.
Don't be fools.
The Basques hate the French
even more than they hate the Spanish.
They will betray you, Charles.
Then Spain will march
- on Paris in revenge.
- I think you've had one too many.
- Charles, please. Listen to me...
- You should go rest, Mother.
Come on.
The old girl's not what she used to be.
I think of all the trouble.
It was actually mother's doubt
in me that set things in motion.
How should we supply the rebels?
If we go down the coast...
Are you real?
Whatever you've given me...
keeps hitting me in waves.
- I'm real.
- Why didn't you die?
He protects us.
Us? You're not...
But I am. You
wonder what your children
are going to achieve, don't you?
I can tell you what your sons will do.
Their plot against Spain will backfire.
I'll stop it.
They're puppies, they're
just chasing their own tails.
You could stop it, but
there will be a price.
Are you saying that I have a choice?
Tell me what it is.
If you interfere with their plan,
a plan that is destined to fail,
they will make you their scapegoat.
Your name vilified for all time,
your body hanging from a rope
before the next waning moon.
And if I don't stop it?
They will face ruin.
Charles's rule will not last.
You're asking me to
sacrifice my sons for myself.
No, I've always put my children first.
I have done terrible things.
I've always done it for their good.
But are they worth it?
Francis was.
A noble, decent man and a good king.
Your other sons, Charles and Henri,
are but pale shadows
of your golden child,
the dark side of a moon
that once shone so bright.
And if I don't want
to die for their sins?
The key to your survival,
should you choose it,
is your daughter, Margot.
Blood will flow, but it won't be yours,
if you have Margot at your side.
Is it real?
Princess Margot.
Mother. It's been so long.
I know, darling.
And it's time to come home.
Mother needs you at her side.
I am one among you.
And I will lay down my
life for God and kingdom.
I may have the body of a woman,
but I have the heart of a king.
I will take up arms with you
as your general and your judge,
and I will reward your
every virtue on the field.
We will live or we will die...
but we will not live in fear!
Bothwell, where have you been?
We've been waiting for you all night.
Is Darnley still alive?
No. He's dead.
I'm afraid our original plan went away.
King Darnley survived the explosion.
I...
I had to take his
life with my own hands.
I have a bad feeling about
this. I think we ought to flee.
Flee? Nothing would make
you both look guiltier.
We need to raise troops.
If there are charges of murder,
we're gonna need a force of men.
Lord Bothwell.
You're under arrest for
the murder of King Darnley.
You will be tried for the traitorous
and unconscionable act of regicide.
What are you talking about?
Your husband has been
murdered at that man's hand.
Guard him already.
I am ordering you.
If one of you lays a hand on him,
he will pay with his life.
As for you, Reverend Knox,
may I remind you, I am your queen.
Not for long.
There were witnesses
to my king's murder.
Tell our sovereign what you told me.
It was Bothwell. He
threatened us... said if
we didn't help him murder the
king, he would have us arrested.
You thought Darnley was
alive. You went to Knox hoping
he'd save you from our king's wrath.
And you dragged Lord
Margate into it, didn't you?!
Careful, Bothwell.
You might implicate yourself,
and then what fun would your trial be?
As if you'd let me stand trial!
Arrest him!
Arrest her, too. The witnesses say
she was privy to every detail.
Take him.
Tell him I love him.
Raise him as if he were your own.
I will. I swear it.
I am your queen. You have no proof.
You will never win this!
This is a mistake you'll
never recover from.
It will be your undoing.
The only crime I have committed
that you care about
is that I am a woman.
A woman who wears a crown.
A woman in power goes
against nature itself.
Men will never willingly
bow to the weaker sex.
And they will suffer greatly for it.
It was the start of my undoing.
The only thing I regret
is that it's been so long
since I've seen his face.
Did you get word to him?
I believe that he is my
only chance of survival.
We still await his answer.
You cannot allow the
execution of a fellow queen.
Elizabeth, she is my mother.
A mother you have not seen
since you were an infant.
And whose doing was that?
How much pressure from
you did my uncle endure?
You are an adult now,
and the king of Scotland.
Surely you can make your own choices.
Why have you not gone to her?
For the same reason you have avoided
meeting her your entire life.
Because we both have
what is rightfully hers.
My crown and yours.
It is she who should
be uniting our nations.
James.
She can't.
Her choices have ruined her.
I often wonder, what
choice did she have?
They say my father was mad.
She must have been desperate.
Desperate enough to
come to you for help.
And what did you do?
Held her prisoner for two decades
after promising to protect her!
When I made the offer, I did not know
she would be fleeing a murder charge.
I did not know she would
continue to conspire against me.
Men have conspired against
you using her as a weapon.
These letters you finally
have as evidence...
evidence enough to execute
her... could be forged.
Then petition me to stop it.
But the real forgery is you...
pretending to be brave.
Elizabeth, the Warrior Queen,
who ushered in the golden age,
when really all the while,
you've been living in fear.
Must be exhausting.
It is.
Is that why you need
the final choice to be mine?
Because you know you are
giving into weariness?
Or is it because you know it's wrong?
I ask you
one last time.
Do you want to be named my heir,
James, the first of your name to rule.
England and Scotland, united at last?
Ending the bloodshed
between our two countries,
and fulfilling your mother's dream?
Or...
you could save her...
but she will rot for
decades more in captivity,
because I cannot have
her blood on my hands.
And I cannot let her go.
Has my son replied?
We've received word
from King James himself.
He's not coming, and
there will be no reprieve.
I put my trust in you, my Lord.
Mary? Mary?
Francis.
I've been waiting for you.
Is this real?
Nothing is more real.
I love you.
I always have.
I love you, too.
Were we truly this young?
Yes.
It seems like so long ago.
It's been so difficult, Francis.
- So difficult.
- Shh.
That's over now.