Can this show get any sadder? This episode focuses mainly on the impending death of Francis. Whom is my absolute favorite character, so his death is going to be really sad and I can't promise I won't shed a tear or two when he passes.
Francis is accepting his untimely death and is planning the future for his country and his wife. He tells Mary he wants her to marry his brother Charles. Charles, even though he's only thirteen will be Francis' successor as the King of France. He wants them to wed so that Mary isn't immediately a target (well, more of a target) and doesn't have to run back to Scotland. He also thinks it's a good idea for Charles so that he has a confidant at his side that knows what she's doing. Even though nowadays it would be weird to strongly suggest your wife marry your brother after your demise, it makes sense in this world. If they do end up getting married, it also means France and Scotland will still be strong allies. You can never have too many allies in the Renaissance period.
When Francis tells Charles of his last dying wish, Charles refuses. He tells them that he wants to marry a girl of his own age and basically that it would be weird marrying his brother's wife. Charles doesn't want to be King and makes this clear with his outburst. I don't blame the poor kid, being a King at age thirteen sounds a little terrifying.
Francis tells his imprisoned mother about his plans for Charles to marry Mary, even though Charles has already refused. Catherine of course doesn't like the idea, but is more concerned about her beloved son's untimely death. This episode is just too sad for me to watch. She begs him to let her help him but he refuses, telling her that he can't trust her and there really isn't anything anyone can do. Can't really blame him here can we?
Charles runs to his mother, asking for her advice on what to do. She tells Charles to pretend to agree to this wedding engagement, but to never go through with it. Instead of marrying Mary he'll take Catherine as his confidant when he's King of France. Catherine advises her son to ask for the country's finances. She tells him to word it in a special way to look important and grown up. Catherine tells her son that they won't take him seriously as King if he doesn't seem responsible.
But this of course isn't her only motive. She tells Charles to ask for the finances in a certain way because this certain way is actually a code for assassins. The assassins, when told this code, are paid to murder the entire Bourbon family line. Catherine wants them all to be killed so they have no chance to overthrow the future King and take the throne. Apparently they have been on the throne before and can steal it back.
Luckily Francis and Mary know Catherine too well and have been watching her and Charles. They immediately stop the assassins and inform Charles of what his mother's real motives were. Thank goodness Charles is a decent human being and is angry at Catherine immediately. He confronts her and tells her that he could have murdered babies and not have known. She basically tells him that you have to do what you have to do. Charles tells his mother and Francis that he will marry Mary after Francis passes. This time actually meaning his engagement. Catherine tells him this is a mistake but he doesn't listen, having enough of Catherine's lies for one day.
Mary visits Catherine later in the dungeon after Charles agrees to marry her. She tells Catherine that when Francis is gone she will convince Charles to have her beheaded. Francis doesn't want to order to kill another parent after already murdering his insane father. She leaves Catherine feeling frightened and angry towards her future. So angry in fact her hands bleed after slamming and punching the door after Mary leaves. If Catherine ever gets out Mary better be hiding.
While all this sad unfortunate events are happening in France, things are heating up in England. I'll be honest, this story line is a little confusing to follow, but interesting nonetheless. Queen Elizabeth feels like a prisoner in her own castle with everyone watching her every move. Especially now that there are rumors going around telling about Catherine's visit to the Queen. Which would be treason against France and would ultimately start a war, and make Elizabeth look weak.
Instead of taking responsibility for her actions, Elizabeth plots to have another take the fall. Her friend Lady Donatella is the victim and Elizabeth pushes her to take responsibility of Catherine being there. Her friend agrees and take the fall for it, but changes her mind. She tells Elizabeth she's going to take it back because she doesn't really get anything in return for helping Elizabeth out. Elizabeth promises her lands and money if she continues to lie and say it was her fault Catherine was there. However when her friend leaves she orders her guards to murder her for treason against the Queen. Taking a stab to the back to a whole new level.
While she's trying to figure out how to not be blamed for Catherine's treason, she also has to appoint an ambassador to the French court. This is an important job for one of her lords to do, and she has to decide who. Everyone attempts to persuade her to choose Lord Dudley. But Catherine dismisses this idea because as we found out in Episode 1, Dudley is her lover. And because she wants to keep him close to her in the castle, she chooses another lord as the ambassador. This makes Dudley angry toward her because she basically told everyone that he wasn't good enough. Queen Elizabeth and Catherine have so much in common, both being incredibly deceitful to get what they desire.
Back in France, Lola and Lord Narcisse are getting closer then ever. Lola still insists on just a fling with Narcisse, especially after an unfortunate event when she takes a bath. She finds a planted dead rat after bathing for a couple of minutes. She assumes it was Catherine's doing (I would too) and tells Narcisse that this is another reason they can't marry. But he wins her heart finally after surprising her with a picnic. She tells him that she wants to marry him when Mary tells her that Francis is dying. Mary asks her friend to think about what she really wants between Lord Narcisse and her because Francis won't be around long to protect her and their son. This gives her the push to finally follow her heart. Hooray! But of course, Narcisse has to ruin it. Toward the end of this episode we find out that he was the one that planted the rat in Lola's bath. I'm not sure why he would to this, but I'm very disappointed in him! He was finally being a better man and I was beginning to like this character. Now we just have to wait until this all blows up in his face, with Lola never trusting him again. Which of course will happen, because people always find out others' secrets in this show.
This episode was so depressing but really intriguing. I think Francis' plan for Charles and Mary to wed is the smartest thing for everyone and the two countries. I'm unsure how I feel about Queen Elizabeth but she makes for an interesting character. Do you think Mary and Charles should get married? Let me know!
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