| The Lamb and the Slaughter | |
| Season 2, Episode 4 | |
 | |
| Air date | October 23, 2014 |
| Written by | Laurie McCarthy Adele Lim |
| Directed by | Sudz Sutherland |
| <font-family:Trajan Pro;font color="white">Episode Guide | |
| previous Coronation |
next Blood for Blood |
- "The world can be dark, Mary, and uncertain and cruel. The only thing that matters is that we face it together. No matter what happens, you are my light."
- —King Francis
Synopsis[]
Dark and Mysterious Forces Are Afoot
When a shepherd is attacked by shadowy riders in the night, Bash and Lord Condé (Sean Teale) investigate what may be the unrest of angry spirits or the beginnings of a religious war. Mary examines her relationship with Lola in light of the upcoming christening, with Francis’ illegitimate child serving as both a bond and an obstacle between them. Greer takes control of her future when Leith returns to court. Meanwhile, Lola feels something is awry when Lord Narcisse (Craig Parker) introduces his familiar new bride.
Plot[]
A shephard is gathering his sheep at night in the rain, when he three horsemen staring at him. He becomes frightened and begins running away, while they chase him. The ballroom is being prepared for John Philip's Christening, while Catherine is in the lead. She and Francis are discussing the choice of the baby's godparents and Catherine points out that she has been denied by Lola. Lola is uncomfortable and walks away, but Mary goes after her and assures her that when it comes to parties, Catherine dominates them all. Lola believes she and the baby shouldn't be under foot, but Mary reminds her that Francis wants to father his son. Lola would like to move to the East Cottage, which is on the grounds, but separate. Mary wonders if she has done something to make Lola want to leave. Lola worries that Mary will come to resent her and her son. Mary assures her she would never be upset with a child. Mary wondered what the distance would mean to Lola's role as one of her ladies. Lola talks of releasing her and Mary does it on the spot. Condé has heard of the story of the shepherd and the horsemen who frightened him. The people are afraid. Francis dispatches Condé and Bash to check it out. Leith shows up and Francis apologizes for the loss of his lands. Since Francis has no other lands to offer, he offers Leith a place at court helping Bash. Mary's ladies are lavishing gifts upon Lola for the christening when Lord Narcisse rolls up. With him is the girl whom he had in a cage and who had housed Lola when she went into labour, Estelle. Narcisse introduces her as his bridge. Hands shaking, she gives Lola a gift. Inside is a note, "help me." Mary is talking about propelling a child to walk on the hills where she and Francis played as children then announces she is with child. They are soon taking another tumble in bed. He wonders how she kept it a secret so long. She didn't want it to interfere with the coronation or the christening. In pops Catherine! Stay back! Screams Francis. But grandmama knows. She has had her eye on Mary and she's super excited. This makes Mary an heir bearing Catholic and strengthens their claim to the English throne. Catherine has an entire menagerie of stuff brought including food and sage to ward off spirits. Mary shares the news with her friends and they have champagne. Lola wants to marry again because it's the only way women can have any standing, lands, money. Bash and Conde are visiting the shepherd. The horsemen offered him a gift, a mark that would protect him and his family. They wanted him to renounce god and he knows others who have been approached. Estelle has horrible stories about Narcisse from his household staff. They haven't consummated the marriage, but she has heard of his past wives in puddles of blood and bleeding to death because of sex too soon after a miscarriage. She figures the King's mistress could help. Kenna shares about her happy marriage of passion with Greer while she tries to get Greet to admit she is ruled by desire even more than Kenna and she might as well just admit it and be happy. Lola goes to the King and Queen to plead for Estelle. It leads to a brash discussion between Lola and Mary. They have wicked words and Mary agrees that Lola should be housed elsewhere and out of her sight. Lola immediately goes to Estelle and agrees to whisk her out of the castle. It's the party before the christening and there is a giant butter sculpture. Bash delivers the news of the shepherd to Francis. Mary looks for Lola to apologize. She confers with Conde about Narcisse. Narcisse is on his fourth wife. Conde takes Greer to dance and she meets up with Leith for the majority of the dance. Mary happens upon Narcisse and asks after Estelle. She's still getting ready. Mary wonders why he married Estelle when there are so many ladies without lords after the plague with substantial dowries. Then Estelle goes to Lola's chamber and Estelle is there. She has just killed a guard. Mary decides to help. She claims her servants are transporting Henry's heart to the basilica. Mary and Lola mend their friendship and Lola asks her to be godmother. Francis is utterly pleased. On her way to the christening, Mary starts to suffer a miscarriage. Conde happens upon her and helps her to her room. There is blood on her shoes. She doesn't want to ruin the christening and won't tell anyone until after. Conde is concerned. Conde is stunned at how strong Mary is at the christening considering what just happened. The baby's name is John Philip something first baron something. Lady Greer shows up at Castleroy's. She rode all night because she wants to marry him, but he calls her bluff. He knows she loves Leith differently. He no longer wants to marry her and she must leave. A servant rushes to Lola. Estelle threw herself over the cliffs when she heard her parents calling to her from below. They died in the plague. Conde goes to speak with Francis to tell him Mary didn't look right after the ceremony. Bash barges in. Something has happened with the shepherd. They must go. Lola finds Narcisse rubbing the hair of Estelle's dead body. He doesn't understand how she got away. Lola says Estelle seemed troubled. Narcisse shares that Estelle's father owed her a great debt. They got married so she could keep her lands and because he needs an heir. He explains his other wives to Lola. The first miscarried so many times because his father pushed for an heir. His second wife was a hemophiliac and died before his eyes. The shepherd has killed his wife and children. He thinks he was possessed. He said no, but he got the mark anyway and they took his soul and let the devil in. Mary is in bed. She's pale. She tells Francis and he wonders why she didn't send for him. Mary wanted him to be happy and she has spent so much time wondering what their child would look like and she starts sobbing while being cradled by Francis. Greer refuses to leave Castleroy. She knows who he is rather than wondering what kind of man he will become. Greer wants to see what's really between them. She seduces Castleroy. Francis doesn't know what to believe about the shepherd. Bash is worried that the shephard is truly possessed. While walking in the hall, Catherine sees two little girls. She follows them as they run into a secluded hallway and sees them stuck by the sage. She kicks it aside and they run off, giggling. Francis talks with Mary about fireflies they used to chase as children. His favorite part was waiting with her. He takes her to a balcony where he has set a flight a host of sky lanterns. |
Quotes[]
Queen Catherine: Well done avoiding the whole thing. Few queens have ever attended the christenings of their husband's bastards. I say that with growing affection for my grandson.
Queen Mary: I am with child. Our child, at last!
King Francis: I don't think I've ever been this happy in my entire life.
Queen Catherine: Good morning. How's the happy trinity? Father, mother, unborn son - oh, I'm hoping for a son! Plenty of time for daughters later.
Queen Mary: I am more than your friend. I am your queen.
Queen Catherine: This ball is as enjoyable as a clergyman's eulogy.
Lady Lola: Despite what the law says, Estelle is a person. Not a thing to be taken or given.
Lady Lola: Have you ever been in love?
Lord Narcisse: That is a rare jewel I've yet to see.
Greer Norwood: You value me. Not as a prize, but as a partner.
Sebastian: There is always a reckoning. And human or Devil, I think the Riders play a part. Dark times are upon us. Plague, famine, kings falling. The reckoning has begun.
King Francis: The world can be dark, Mary, and uncertain and cruel. The only thing that matters is that we face it together. No matter what happens, you are my light.
King Francis: Whatever the future brings, you are my light.
Notes[]
- Princess Claude, Queen Elisabeth of Spain, Prince Henri, Queen Elizabeth of England, Tomás of Portugal, King Henry and Yvette Castleroy were all mentioned, but do not appear.
- Queen Leeza is in Spain as its Regent Queen, while Princess Claude is in Prague, Czech Republic, presumably drinking.
- The Dark Riders and The Devil's Mark are introduced.
- The introduction of The Dark Riders and The Devil's Mark created by the Catholics against the Protestants is, unknowingly to them, the start of The French Wars of Religion.
- More Castle Ghosts are introduced.
- The start of The Reckoning begins, as stated by Sebastian.
- Mary was pregnant with her first child and had been so for 6 weeks.
- Mary had a miscarriage, presumably from drinking too much alcohol, as it was not known to cause problems with pregnancy until the early 1900s.
- Catherine mentioned her Spies and how she had had them looking thoroughly into Mary's habits, which is how she found out about her pregnancy.
- Lady Lola is thought to be The King's Official Mistress within the French Court.
- Estelle is Lord Narcisse's 4th wife.
- Narcisse was married at 15, 16, and again a couple years after that. His first wife had a miscarriage, and only had one child to survive to adulthood.
- Greer and Castleroy's Wedding is currently pending.
- The first glimpse of Lord Castleroy's Château is shown.
- Lola and Francis' child's full name is John Philip Noir un William, Baron of Dalian.
- Estelle murdered one of Narcisse's Guard. [1]
- Estelle committed suicide.[2] [1]
- Lady Estelle Narcisse
- Narcisse's Guard
- The Shepard's Wife and Daughter
Trivia[]
- The name of this episode was released by pictures on the Reign Writer's Twitter account on August 7th.
- Mary's wore an Oscar de la Renta Silk Faille Gown, with a Deepa Gurnani Jeweled Scallop Belt and an Eugenia Kim Goldtone Crown while at the ball. [3]
- The necklace Mary wore before the Christening was an Anthropologie Chained Elsbeth Pendant.[4]
Historical Notes[]
- The French Wars of Religion begins on March 1562 when King Francis II is alive, and ends in April 1598 with King Henry IV.
- King Henry IV of France is King Antoine and Queen Jeanne's son.
Gallery[]
| Official Pictures from each episode, and an additional 50 pictures gallery is available here. |
Characters[]
- Credit Order
| Actor | Character | |
|---|---|---|
| Adelaide Kane | Queen Mary | |
| Megan Follows | Queen Catherine | |
| Torrance Coombs | Sebastian | |
| Toby Regbo | King Francis | |
| Celina Sinden | Greer Norwood | |
| Caitlin Stasey | Lady Kenna | |
| Anna Popplewell | Lady Lola | |
| Jonathan Keltz | Leith Bayard | |
| Sean Teale | Louis of Condé | |
| Guest Staring | ||
| Craig Parker | Lord Narcisse | |
| Michael Therriault | Lord Castleroy | |
| Steven McCarthy | Shepherd | |
| Cameo | ||
| Camille Stopps | Estelle | |
| Matthew Nette | Narcisse's Guard | |
| Sarah Slywchuk | Servant Woman | |
| Howard Hoover | Priest | |
| Ava Preston | Princess Henriette | |
| Madison Oldroy | Princess Emone | |
| Kira Gelineau | Shepherd's Daughter | |
| Character debut | |
| Speaking debut | |
| Episode debut |
Videos[]
References[]
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