Sins of the Past

 

Sins of the Past
Season 2, Episode 13
Air date	February 5, 2015
Written by	Doris Egan Melody Fox
Directed by	Deborah Chow
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"There are those who merely believe they have power, and there are those who actually have it."

—Lord Narcisse

Synopsis

Francis and Mary Reunite as They Learn of England's Plan for Retribution
As the castle prepares for Winter's Ease Feast, King Antoine of Navarre reveals England's plan for revenge against France to Francis and Mary. Bash learns that an "undead" man has been seen in the village and his efforts to track the man down lead him to a mysterious woman in white. Meanwhile, Catherine finds out the cause of her hallucinations.

Plot

While sweeping dust, a servant comes upon the "first bloom," which means Spring is near and the court has yet another excuse to throw a rip-roaring party called Winter's Ease Feast. Condé's brother, King Antoine, has ostensibly arrived to seek a peace treaty between France and Navarre. Francis hopes this could mean new property for him, a chateau that could give him and Mary a fresh start. He's been encouraged by her progress as she's now able to hold hands. In a nearby town, a woman finds an empty grave and shrieks in horror at the realization that someone has crawled out of it. In an audience with the King and Queen, Antoine asks for money for his part in the treaty. He tells them that Navarre has been overrun by French Protestants who fled from persecution they would've fled in France and now they're draining his country of resources. Francis tells him he will consider his request. Condé asks Lola to be her escort to the Winter's Ease Fest while the King sets his sights on Kenna. Mary believes they should accede to Antoine's request, but Catherine urges Francis to decline it and send him on his way, because the Bourbons have always wanted their crown. Francis would rather figure out what exactly is going on in Navarre before making any decisions. Antoine recognizes Bash as the man who killed their brother, Marcus. King Henry wanted to take out the biggest threat to his rule during the Italian Wars and sent an assassin. Antoine swears not to leave court until he learns whether or not Bash is the man who stabbed Marcus in the back and left him to die a long, drawn out, excruciating death. He intends to flirt the information out of Kenna. Francis goes to his mother and asks her about Clarissa before bleeding from his eyes. Catherine's scream attracts Mary and a few guards who want to know what's going on. Catherine believes that she's having a vision, but a doctor determines that she has simply gone mad from syphilis. Princess Claude joins the doctor, Mary, and Francis by her mother's bedside and shamelessly expresses her delight at her mother's illness. She has her mother undergo painfuk treatments such as caged birds to peck the bile out of Catherine's feet, thereby eating the syphilis. This is merely phase one of "the cures" and Claude is taking devilish delight in her mother's torment. Kenna tries to convince Bash to forgive her as spring is right around the corner and so are new beginnings. He isn't so inclined, but knows that they are married for life and promises to work through it. Francis asks Narcisse to figure out what Antoine truly wants, but Narcisse tries to goad Francis into admitting that he wants Condé gone instead, because of Condé's desire for his wife. Francis tells Narcisse to shut up and do as he is told. Antoine asks Kenna for a tour around the castle and asks about her husband. Narcisse goes to Lola and mocks Condé for his predictability before suggesting that they go to the hot springs in the hills after the feast. Lola can't believe Narcisse is still trying to seduce her. Mary asks Francis to sleep in bed with her, but the sound of his breathing triggers the memory of her rape and she panics. He’s able to soothe her with an embrace. Claude invites Narcisse to be her lover and to teach her on the matter of court intrigue so she can better defend herself against her mother's machinations. He is pleased to do both. Bash confirms that a Greek guy rose from the dead, but he can't explain why. All the man knows is that a woman in white pulled him from his grave. Everyone at court is enjoying themselves at the Winter Ease Fest, even Mary is seen smiling for the first time in a long time. While talking to Antoine, Kenna lets it slip that Bash fought during the Italian Wars, which prompts Antoine to push for more information. Antoine tells Condé to quit standing up for his friends at court and remember his loyalty lies with his blood. Meanwhile, Narcisse pulls Francis and Mary aside and confirms what Antoine said about French refugees in Navarre is true. They are struggling and need financial aid. What Antoine failed to disclose is that England has offered that help. Rumour has it that English troops are preparing to enter Navarre and quarter on French borders, which means they could invade France. Narcisse and Claude are making out in a secluded corner, but when Claude insists that they adapt their relationship to her terms, Narcisse walks out on her. Lola sees Narcisse making out with Claude. She hates feeling jealous and decides to take her courtship with Condé more seriously. He has the same idea after Mary's constant rebuffs. Francis and Mary get Antoine to spill the beans on Elizabeth. Turns out she’s taken their attack on Protestants as a move on her crown, as she too is Protestant. Unnerved, she offers aide to Navarre as a preemptive strike. Phase two of Catherine’s treatment involves sweating it out in a mercury oven. Navarre offers her help and in doing so realizes that she doesn’t have syphilis, but has actually been poisoned from handling Henry’s bible. Despite Bash’s best efforts, he’s unable to stop the townspeople from shooting the graveyard boogieman. Bearing witness to this inhumanity drives Bash to look beyond the darkness that’s come between him and Kenna and to seek out all of her heart. Antoine believes he's got the proof he needs against Bash and plans to give him a long and torturous death to avenge his brother. All the hopes Mary and Francis originally held with the treaty were crushed. Mary once again believes that things will never get better, never change for them. She wants to free her husband, They may have to live together for appearances, but she’s allowing him to seek love with another. With a caress of his hair and a kiss on his cheek, she tells him she loves him and at least one of them deserves to be happy.

Quotes

Queen Catherine: French refugees, please! More like he's run through his wife's money and she's cut him off. Refuse him and send him home!

Queen Catherine: Oh, that is so like him! A last gift so I'll never forget him or his whores.

Queen Catherine: Say that I died of consumptions while helping orphans!

Lady Kenna: I know I can be my own worst enemy, but I don’t want to be your worst enemy.

Lord Narcisse: Though Navarre may be a tiny nation, his foes don't tend to survive.
King Francis: Another thing that makes you the man for the job.

Lady Kenna: You are terrible.
King Antoine: Tell me about your husband, then.

Lady Lola: I can't believe you're still making these suggestions. The king discredited you. You don't even have a house now.

(Lola finds Narcisse making out with Claude)
Lady Lola: I just saw Narcisse with Claude.
Lady Kenna: In there? Really?... Oh, I'm so sorry!

Lady Lola: I'm being courted by a handsome prince, literally.

Lord Narcisse: There are those who merely believe they have power, and there are those who actually have it.

King Francis: How could you send me to another? How?!
Queen Mary: Because I love you. And one of us should be happy.

Notes

• Queen Elizabeth, King Henry, Diane de Poitiers, Queen Jeanne and Clarissa are all mentioned, but do not appear.
• Queen Elizabeth would like to align with Navarre against Scotland and France, due to King Francis' persecution of Protestants and Mary wearing the English coat of arms earlier that year.
• The opening song returns.
• Nostradamus's Predictions and The Italian Wars are brought up.
• Winter's Ease Feast, also known as First Bloom, is held to celebrate the end of winter.
• King Antoine reveals he has a wife, Queen Jeanne.
• Stirling can be seen at Mary's side in her chambers.
• Stéphane Narcisse reveals he has a brother.
• Although Narcisse's titles, money, and power has been taken away, he continues to be referred to as Lord Narcisse.
• Antoine and Louis reveal to have had another brother, Marcus de Bourbon.
• The family bible which used to be in the possession of King Henry and later Queen Catherine is revealed to have been the cause of both of their poisoning.

Death Toll
- Graveyard Man

Trivia

• The episode synopsis was released on January 15, 2015.
• Celina Sinden and Jonathan Keltz do not appear.
• Torrance Coombs live-tweeted this episode.
• Rose Williams is seen wearing her Pink Dress from her Welcome Home Party by Oscar de la Renta, but with a different top.
• This episode was dedicated to Richard M. Snider.

Historical Notes

• King Antoine and Louis of Condé had 11 other brothers and sisters. None of whom were named Marcus.
• The Italian Wars ended in 1559. Reign has just entered the year, 1559.
• King Antoine does have a wife in 1559, Jeanne III, Queen of Navarre, and already have one child.
• Historically many people were barred alive by mistake. That's where the phrase Save by the Bell came from. When people were not sure if someone was dead, they tied a bell to their finger. If the bell began ringing then the person would be dug up.
• Seeing an open grave in this time period would not be uncommon. Grave robbery was a popular thing in the 16th century. Thieves would dig up anyone they thought might have been laid to rest with anything of worth. It declined in popularity but was around up until the early 1900s.
• Winter's Ease Feast is not a real celebration.

Gallery

Characters

• Credit Order

Actor	Character
Adelaide Kane	Mary Stuart
Megan Follows	Queen Catherine
Torrance Coombs	Sebastian
Toby Regbo	King Francis
Caitlin Stasey	Lady Kenna
Anna Popplewell	Lady Lola
Sean Teale	Louis Condé
Craig Parker	Lord Narcisse
Rose Williams	Princess Claude
Guest Staring
Ben Aldridge	King Antoine
Greg Calderone	Graveyard Man
Cameos
Alania Bale	Female Servant
Katie Bergin	Graveyard Woman
John Fitzgerald Jay	Dr. Batiste
Nigel Hamer	Specialist
Jay Kee	Village Man #1
Rob Notman	Village Man #2
Andrew Butcher	Courtyard Guard

	Character debut
	Speaking debut
	Episode debut

Videos

Reign 2x13 Extended Promo "Sins of the Past" (HD)

Reign 2x13 Promo "Sins of the Past" (HD)-1