Reign Season 3 Premiere Recap: Liars and Tigers and Queens, Oh My 

Considering the sour note upon which Season 2 ended, Friday’s

premiere was surprisingly uplifting — well, the first half of it, at least.

Reign ‘Shocker’: Francis Dying in Season 3, EP Confirms

Mary and Francis’ second honeymoon, a glorious haze of love-making and boat-sanding, was cut tragically short when he revealed that his illness has returned. “I don’t know how much time we have left,” he told her. “Every moment matters. It always did, but I just didn’t see it before.” Needless to say, well-deserved tears were shed by all. (Also, spoiler alert: HE’S DYING.)

Fortunately, the it couple was offered a reprieve from despair — or at least a distraction from it — when word came of Catherine’s presence in England. After tricking Elizabeth into temporarily abandoning her home, along with the best soldiers her army has to offer, Mary and Francis’ men snatched up Catherine and escorted her back to French Court. Oh, did I forget to mention she was taken there in the same cage as a freakin’ tiger? I kind of love when Mary lets her freak flag fly.

YASS, KWEENS | Prior to her capture, Catherine made good on her promise to help Elizabeth take down Mary, proposing a two-step plan: Use Mary’s affair with Condé to convince the Pope to stop supporting her, then arrange for Elizabeth to marry her son Charles. (Side note: Catherine’s spiel about how Charles won’t be bone-worthy for at least two years made me pretty uncomfortable, not gonna lie.) Of course, both parts of Catherine’s plan came with a big, fat wrinkle of irony: Elizabeth is currently sleeping with another woman’s husband, making her just as much of a W-word as her enemy.

PLUNDERING FOR BOOTY | As Narcisse continued his relentless pursuit of Lola (rather successfully, I might add), a newcomer to French Court — an actual,

pirate named Martin de Lambert — set his sights on Greer. She wasn’t the only lady on his list, and she certainly also toyed with his emotions, but something tells me those two have a future. Sadly, the same probably can’t be said for Greer and Leith, who was M.I.A. from the premiere.

THE WITCH IS BACK | Speaking of unfortunate couplings, the premiere reunited Bash with Delphine, who’s currently the main suspect in the death of a local boy. Appearing to Bash at night — but definitely not in a dream — she pleaded with him to clear her name, ending the conversation by swiping his leg with a dagger. (Is that how she flirts? This girl is crazier than Bash’s collective storylines combined.)

‘s season premiere? Hopes/fears for what’s to come? After grading the episode, drop ’em all in a comment below.

Mary and Francis are perfect together. Not a fan of Bash’d storyline….miss him and Kenna.

Love reign, hope it gets a season 4!!!, season 2 got a bit boring in some parts, but its still a great show!.

Yay loved the season 3 premiere. Love queen Mary, queen Elizabeth is interesting. Excited for the rest of this season, it better get a season 4.

OMG! Those first few scenes made me cry. Especially since we know what’s gonna happen a few weeks from now. (Damn you TVLine for your spoilers!!)

Catherine is relentless. I though the brother was way younger than what they are now portraying him.

I loved that “Pirate” lime from Martin. Saw it coming from up the block :)

Really wish Francis wan’t going to die. He and Mary are beautiful together. Can’t. he be saved somehow. Don’t know if I can continue watching once he dies he is a main character.

LOVE the 3 queens angle. LOVE the addition of the English court — so much storyline potential! I even enjoyed Greer & Lola’s side storylines, which isn’t usually the case. This episode felt more like season 1 than season 2, which is DEFINITELY a good thing IMO.

What I didn’t love and just don’t understand is why Bash’s storyline seems so far removed from everything else. Torrance Coombs has been a fan favorite from the very beginning — heck, 50% of season 1 revolved around him! But now it’s like he’s on his own little island with his witchcraft & his forest-lurking & he has virtually nothing to do with Mary and Francis. I really hope it doesn’t stay this way. I don’t even mind the witchcraft thing, but give it some connection to something else and someone else. Don’t leave Bash floundering alone. With Francis kicking the bucket in the near future, Bash can (and should!) be a vital part of the storylines moving forward…unless they’re planning on ditching everyone connected to French court when Francis dies…which I pray doesn’t happen.

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