Reign

10 Best Episodes of Reign

Mary, Queen of Scots, faces political and sexual intrigue in the treacherous world of the French court.

Written by Sophie and last updated on jan 14, 2023.

PS: The following content contains spoilers!

PPS: I will admit that parts of this page was written with the help of AI - it makes my work so much easier to not start from a blank page!

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Reign - S4E11

#15 - Dead of Night (Season 4 - Episode 11)

Mary and Darnley are at odds as their plan to seize England is put into action; Elizabeth is conflicted about her feelings for Gideon; Catherine's son Henri tries to claim the throne from Charles.

The episode was rated 7.99 from 776 votes.

Reign - S2E21

#14 - The Siege (Season 2 - Episode 21)

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As troops are about to descend on the castle, Mary (Adelaide Kane) and Francis (Toby Regbo) must put aside their differences to determine the extent of Condé’s (Sean Teale) betrayal. Mary also learns of a bittersweet revelation that tears her apart and makes her question everything. Meanwhile, Catherine (Megan Follows) decides to teach Narcisse (Craig Parker) a lesson to prove he can never cross her again and Bash (Torrance Coombs) decides to bring Delphine (guest star Alexandra Ordolis) to the castle.

The episode was rated 7.99 from 481 votes.

Reign - S2E12

#13 - Banished (Season 2 - Episode 12)

Mary finds out the truth from Greer about rumors going around Court, forcing Mary to do something she never thought possible. Francis finds himself in a growing rivalry with Condé for Mary. Bash’s mother Diane returns, igniting a long overdue confrontation with Catherine, while Claude (Rose Williams) is determined to find out the truth about who really killed the twins.

The episode was rated 8.00 from 451 votes.

Reign - S1E11

#12 - Inquisition (Season 1 - Episode 11)

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When King Henry accuses Queen Catherine of treason and adultery, she sets out to save her life by exposing Bash's dark past. Mary and Bash go on a quest to expose an even more deadly secret from Catherine's past. Meanwhile, Nostradamus reveals the truth about the castle ghost, Clarissa, which shocks everyone.

The episode was rated 8.01 from 645 votes.

Reign - S4E15

#11 - Blood in the Water (Season 4 - Episode 15)

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.

The episode was rated 8.01 from 705 votes.

Reign - S4E9

#10 - Pulling Strings (Season 4 - Episode 9)

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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.

The episode was rated 8.03 from 833 votes.

Reign - S3E18

#9 - Spiders in a Jar (Season 3 - Episode 18)

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.

The episode was rated 8.05 from 749 votes.

Reign - S3E5

#8 - In A Clearing (Season 3 - Episode 5)

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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.

The episode was rated 8.05 from 573 votes.

Reign - S1E8

#7 - Fated (Season 1 - Episode 8)

Nostradamus tells Mary of his prophecy that one among them will die soon, which causes Mary to make a decision that will forever change her relationship with Francis. Clarissa becomes bolder with her endeavors, while Kenna informs Catherine of Diane's plan for Bash, which ends up backfiring.

The episode was rated 8.05 from 689 votes.

Reign - S1E7

#6 - Left Behind (Season 1 - Episode 7)

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Mary and Francis are forced to rely on one another when the castle is taken hostage, and Catherine shocks everyone when she makes a surprising proposal to try to save their lives. Meanwhile, Bash’s mother Diane tells Bash of her plan to have him legitimized.

The episode was rated 8.08 from 731 votes.

Reign - S3E15

#5 - Safe Passage (Season 3 - Episode 15)

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.

The episode was rated 8.10 from 684 votes.

Reign - S2E22

#4 - Burn (Season 2 - Episode 22)

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In the second-season finale, Mary stops at nothing to ruin Condé. Meanwhile, Catherine meets with Elizabeth as a part a vengeful plot against Mary; Francis doubts Mary's loyalty to France; and Kenna holds a secret that affects her relationship with Bash.

The episode was rated 8.10 from 474 votes.

Reign - S3E17

#3 - Intruders (Season 3 - Episode 17)

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.

The episode was rated 8.13 from 718 votes.

Reign - S1E22

#2 - Slaughter of Innocence (Season 1 - Episode 22)

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When the King's madness and cruelty reaches a fevered pitch, Mary and Francis take action. Their choices could change the course of history, but an unforeseen terror brewing in the woods could cost them, and their friends, everything. Mary makes a drastic decision when she learns Lola is going through a life-threatening labor at a location outside of the castle.

The episode was rated 8.14 from 553 votes.

Reign - S4E16

#1 - All It Cost Her (Season 4 - Episode 16)

Mary makes a decision that will change the course of history -- forever shaping the fate of her nation, her crown, and her newborn son. Mary's perilous move for her survival causes the stunning realization that perhaps she is not the only one who may not survive. Meanwhile, Elizabeth steadies herself for war and will become the instigator in Mary's demise while later realizing she and Mary might be more similar than either thought. (Series Finale)

The episode was rated 8.14 from 698 votes.

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