In a Clearing

 

In a Clearing
Season 3, Episode 5
Air date	November 13, 2015
Written by	Shannon Goss
Directed by	Deborah Chow
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"We were meant to be happy, and we were, but I have another fate, predicted long ago."

—King Francis

Synopsis

Nostradamus Has a New Vision about Francis
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.

Plot

King Francis finds Queen Mary praying. Mary is at peace with her mother's death because that means Francis gets to live. But with her mother gone, Scotland is left without a leader. Mary aims to reinstate her half-brother, James as regent, as he is both religiously tolerant and loyal to her. Delphine doesn't want to stay at court. Sebastian wants her help capturing the murderer still at large. She agrees to stay and help when Bash tells her that their bond is greater than any binding ritual she may have performed. Sir Nicholas expresses condolences for the death of Marie de Guise and tells Mary that Queen Elizabeth wants to make peace. Elizabeth will drop her attempts at conquest in Scotland if Mary will sign away her claim to the English throne. Francis finds Catherine in his private chambers having the room redecorated. Now that he is healthy once again, she wants the two of them to concentrate on producing an heir. Francis uses his new lease on life to teach Mary how to sail on the boat he built during his sickness. He doesn't want her to abdicate her claim to the English throne but she believes it is a way to save both of their countries. Nostradamus visits Catherine to tell her that the fight to become Regent may not be over and that Francis' life is still in danger. She wants Nostradamus to warn Francis but he believes it will be better received if the news comes from his mother. Mary and Francis sign Elizabeth's peace treaty and send Sir Nicholas back to England to procure Elizabeth's signature. Francis is called away by Catherine. Catherine informs Francis of Nostradamus' prophecy and warns her son that he is still in danger. Something ominous remains his his future, so she begs him not to leave the castle. He refuses and whisks Mary away on a trip to Paris to celebrate his health and their life together. Catherine sees something concerning in their departure. While on their journey to Paris, Francis bristles when Mary speaks of fate. To distract him, she suggests a detour. Francis and Mary make love in the woods while Bash takes Delphine to investigate the site of the most recent murder. She feels rage and evil in a clearing and the two enter a barn where they find a secret room where the killer has jars of human hearts stored in vinegar on a shelf. While they're inside, the killer returns, but he manages to escape. Mary returns to the carriage to retrieve lunch, leaving a mostly naked Francis behind to rest. On her walk, Mary is accosted by assassins. Francis goes in search of his wife and finds the tree from Nostradamus' prediction. He also finds Mary and begins fighting her attackers, killing one of them in the process before being injured by another. He is almost overcome by the assassins but manages to rally his strength and fight back, killing another. After the battle, Francis collapses. Francis dies after telling Mary that he hopes she will learn to love again. Catherine receives word from Bash that Francis has died in the woods on the way to Paris. She and an entourage of palace guards travel to the spot where Francis fell and find Mary by his side unable to leave. Catherine comforts her daughter-in-law as Bash and the guards carry Francis' body back to the castle. Nostradamus looks on as the pieces of his vision come together. Mary visits Sir Nicholas believing Queen Elizabeth is behind Francis' death. He assures her this is not the case, but she finds and burns the treaty anyway, as too much has been sacrificed for England that day. With Greer and Lola by her side, Mary attends Francis' funeral. Bash places Francis' crown and sword on his brother's coffin and takes a place beside Mary. Narcisse pays his respects and tells Mary that the assassins were Scottish Protestants who saw Marie de Guise' death as an opportunity to seize power. She knows Elizabeth was not behind the attack after all and orders the assassin hanged. Sir Nicholas begins plotting during Mary and France's moment of weakness. Catherine invites Nostradamus to return to court to serve as her private counsel, but he refuses, offering a parting prophecy instead. If Catherine is to secure a position as Regent, she will need Mary's help. Mary comes to Catherine and apologizes for causing her son's death. Catherine doesn't blame her and reminds her to remember that they chose to love each other no matter the cost to themselves, and that is what she must remember. - TVFanatic

Quotes

Nicholas: I may be the enemy, but I'm not without my manners.

Queen Catherine: I would never want to ascend to power if it meant losing you. For what is France without my Francis?

King Francis: You did it!
Queen Mary: No, you did it!
King Francis: Well, that's not the way I'll remember it.

King Francis: Well, I suppose you're going to have to settle for being the queen of two nations, not three.

Delphine: You will survive this, I promise you.
Sebastian: I'm trying to forget the alternative is an option.

King Francis: You cannot keep me in a cage. Even one built with love.

Queen Mary: I always knew we would be wed, even when I first returned and you were nothing but worry and reservations.
King Francis: Did you, now?
Queen Mary: Ever since I caught your eye, watching me dance with my ladies at your sister's wedding. Feathers falling from nowhere.

King Francis: We were meant to be happy, and we were, but I have another fate, predicted long ago.

King Francis: You must wed again. You must love again.
Queen Mary: I can't. I will never love anyone the way I love you.
King Francis: I pray to God that you do.

Queen Catherine: That isn't Francis, he's gone.
Queen Mary: I can't let him go.
Queen Catherine: Let go and hold onto me.

Queen Mary: The only way I am no longer a threat to Elizabeth is if I am gone!

Queen Mary: I will take back what is mine, and if you want to stop me, you'll have to kill me.

Queen Mary: England has taken enough from me this day.

Queen Mary: This is not how we were supposed to go to Paris. We were supposed to dance under the stars.

Nostradamus: Only with the Queen of Scots' help will you rule France.

Queen Catherine: Francis was his own man, who made his own choices. Long ago, he chose to love you. Your love... it gave him so much joy. And that is what you must remember as you move ahead in this life.

Notes

• Marie de Guise, James Stuart, Queen Elizabeth and John Philip are all mentioned, but do not appear.
• Elisabeth and Philip's Wedding, and other scenes from the Pilot are shown and referenced.
• Queen Mary signs her name, 'Marie', in the French spelling for the first time. She historically continues this for the rest of her life.
• Nostradamus' first prediction from the series comes true.

Death Toll
- 2 Farmers
- 5 Scottish Protestants
- King Francis

Trivia

• The episode title and synopsis were released on October 22, 2015.
• This marks Rossif Sutherland's first appearance of Season Three.
• Charlie Carrick has been upgraded to 'Main Cast'
• Rachel Skarsten, Jonathan Keltz, Rose Williams and Charlie Carrick are all credited, but do not appear.
• Both Adelaide Kane and Toby Regbo had to learn calligraphy, and that is their real handwriting shown on-screen when signing the Peace Treaty with England.
• This marks Toby Regbo's final appearance of the series.

Historical Notes

• Queen Mary was indeed a direct descended of King Henry VII, and was King Henry VIII's great-niece.
• King Francis died on 5 December 1560 from Syncope. One month shy of his 17th birthday.
• Mary was shown signing her name 'Marie' on the English Treaty, however, she had always signed her name in the French spelling since she was a child.
• Mary, Queen of Scots briefly met her future husband, Henry Stuart, Lord Darnley in February 1561 when she was in mourning for King Francis II. Darnley's parents, Lord and Lady Lennox, who were Scottish aristocrats as well as English landowners, had sent him to France ostensibly to extend their condolences while hoping for a potential match between the two.
• Mary returned to Scotland on 19 August 1561, after King Francis' death when she was 18 years old.

Gallery

Characters

Actor	Character
Adelaide Kane	Queen Mary
Megan Follows	Queen Catherine
Torrance Coombs	Sebastian
Toby Regbo	King Francis
Celina Sinden	Greer Castleroy
Anna Popplewell	Lady Lola
Craig Parker	Lord Narcisse
Guest Staring
Rossif Sutherland	Nostradamus
Nick Lee	Nicholas
Alexandra Ordolis	Delphine
Cameo
T.J.McGibbon	Young Girl
Mathew Taylor	King's Guard
Matt Cassidy	Royal Guard

	Character debut
	Speaking debut
	Episode debut