Reign Recap Season 4 Episode 12 The Shakedown

Director: Norma Bailey

Writers: Patti Carr & Lara Olsen

Original Air Date: 12 Mary 2017 

I have finally realised that the way for me to enjoy these last few episodes of Reign is to, as much as possible, not think of them as the last few episodes of Reign. For most of the fourth season, I have been more than a little stressing over how the writers would wrap the story following the  show's cancellation. Now, I have decided to chill. Whether or not the show would be able to wrap all its threads neatly, whether or not the show would have time to present the final moments of Mary, whether or not our hearts would soar or be crushed by the finale (or both) matters not, for now. One episode at a time. One episode at a too quickly moving time. 

At the heart of The Shakedown was the continued duel between husband and wife, King Consort and Queen. When an earthquake struck Scotland, Mary found out that Darnley used the funds set aside for emergency relief as his own personal expense account. Apart from lavishing gifts to foreign born courtesans, Darnley has been buying up lands and using them to gain influence over the nobles. Darnley managed to manipulate Mary into inviting him back at Court. Darnley did not suddenly grow a brain; John Knox has been whispering in his ear.

In France, Catherine's spell turned Charles from a hesitant King to a confident, dangerously confrontational monarch. When Charles ordered that English noblemen living in France who refused to pay taxes thrown into debtor's prison, Catherine knew it was time to end her spell. It did not help. Charles's uncertainties and insecurities returned, and he ordered the beheading of the English nobles. Henri turned the situation to his advantage, stood up against the English ambassador protesting the deaths of his compatriots, and earned the cheers of the French noblemen.

In England, Elizabeth and Gideon's decision to play peasant lovers for a few days almost cost Elizabeth's servant Jane her life. Though Jane possessed dangerous knowledge, Elizabeth could not bring herself to kill her. It was a mistake, for Jane was corresponding with an unknown party and was spying on Elizabeth.  

I would characterise this as an okay episode rather than a triumph. With all the movement in various courts, it was an emotional Claude that caught my attention the most. Claude recognised that, contrary to her promise to Leith, she was falling in love with her husband, the relentlessly decent Luc. Unwilling to be another Valois unable to keep her word, Claude worked to give Luc the heir she promised whilst she also made efforts to find Leith. When Luc found out, he resolved to stop offering her his heart, and to maintain their marriage merely as a politically expedient one. Aw, you two. Rose Williams as Claude has long been a consistently bright spot in Reign. And, though I told myself to think of Reign one episode at a time, I did wonder if this development meant that we are getting a Claude and Leith reunion in the finale.

Strays

 ■ Dissatisfaction of the nobles over Mary's rule was laid out in this episode. It really feels like we are edging closer to Mary's downfall.

■ Did 16th century female servants wear headpieces?

■ Elizabeth is still engaged to the Archduke of Austria.

■ Lol at the way the camera swept over Luc's abs. The shot began with his abs. Thank you for that.

■ Mary tried to recover the funds from Darnley's estate, but was unsuccessful. Bothwell stayed behind as Darnley arrived with his troops, to give Mary a chance to get away. Bothwell was badly beaten. Darnley now knew that Bothwell was in love with Mary.