Season 3 Plot
Reign begins its third season with Mary and Francis realizing that they are more powerful together than apart, believing there is hope for them to move forward, leaving behind the anger and hurt. It also introduces us to another Court, that of Elizabeth, "Virgin" Queen of England. Still early in her reign, Elizabeth faces opposition on all sides, particularly from men who doubt a woman's ability to rule. Like Mary, and Catherine de Medici, she struggles to hold onto power, and love; the women have much in common, and Mary and Elizabeth are reluctant foes, but foes nonetheless, each positioned by birth and fate to destroy all the other holds dear.
Reign Season 3 aired on October 9th, 2015.
Season 3 Episodes
1. Three Queens, Two Tigers
Queen Mary struggles to hold on to her power in Scotland amidst Queen Elizabeth's campaign to sabotage her with the help of a new ally in Queen Catherine. Meanwhile, with Francis' fate at odds and Elizabeth distracted by temptation in her first love, Robert Dudley, both queens struggle to rule.
2. Betrothed
Elizabeth must deal with the political backlash of harboring Catherine in England, while Catherine is imprisoned upon her return to France. Mary is forced to make some difficult decisions about securing Scotland's future and Lola is conflicted in her feelings for Narcisse.
3. Extreme Measures
When King Antoine unexpectedly returns to Court, Mary must help Francis hide his weakening condition long enough to secure his family's future. With the Throne in jeopardy and time running out, they must turn to an unlikely ally in need of redemption.
4. The Price
After Mary receives an urgent message from her ailing mother about the dire situation in Scotland, she finds herself looking to Francis for aid. Catherine finds herself up against Narcisse as she fights to become the regent to Charles. Meanwhile, Elizabeth faces continued pressure to wed.
5. In A Clearing
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.
6. Fight or Flight
Mary realizes she must help Catherine in her quest to become regent, even at the risk of hurting the alliance with Scotland. Claude is determined to help Leith marry while Elizabeth struggles with the prospect of losing Dudley.
7. The Hound and the Hare
Mary unearths a dark secret being kept by a Spanish prince, so she seeks Catherine's counsel. Meanwhile, suspicion surrounds a new ambassador from English court; and Bash's quest to find a mysterious murderer takes him to Greer's tavern.
8. Our Undoing
Mary must marry again in order to help Scotland, whose welfare she has to prioritize over her heart. Meanwhile, Catherine is accused of poisoning Francis, but Mary believes Catherine is being framed by Narcisse, who's angling to become regent of France.
9. Wedlock
Claude is forced to marry someone selected by Narcisse. Meanwhile, a surprising discovery is made by Elizabeth, and it could alter her reign; and Mary asks Gideon to help her confirm her suspicions about Prince Don Carlos.
10. Bruises That Lie
Mary's feelings for Gideon are hard to suppress, but she does her best as she seeks political allies. Meanwhile, Elizabeth and Greer face gut-wrenching scenarios; Claude is in danger on her wedding night; and a power struggle over the regency continues.
11. Succession
Charles' coronation nears, forcing Mary to find a suitor who will be her ally. Meanwhile, Lola discovers who's been poisoning Elizabeth; and the castle's serial killer has special plans for Catherine.
12. No Way Out
Mary must prioritize her life over her cousin's. Meanwhile, Lola and Elizabeth unexpectedly join forces; Catherine can't escape her past; and Mary and Gideon begin to see each other in a new light.
13. Strange Bedfellows
Mary, in order to protect Elizabeth, unknowingly puts Gideon’s life in danger. To save him, Mary turns to another Englishman for help – Robert Dudley. Meanwhile, Bash is determined to track down the men behind the threats to Catherine
14. To the Death
Mary realizes she must return to Scotland and raise an army to save her throne; Lola gets caught while trying to help Elizabeth find information about her mother.
15. Safe Passage
Mary learns from Lola that she has a chance to get to Scotland safely, but she must act quietly and quickly. When Catherine is framed for murder, Mary must decide if she should stay to protect her, which would jeopardize her safe passage to Scotland.
16. Clans
When Mary arrives in Scotland, she is stunned by the treacherous world it has become and is forced her to keep her royal identity a secret until she learns who she can trust. When Elizabeth jeopardizes her standing with an unbearable new suitor, Lola steps in to help, which causes the Queen to question Lola’s ulterior motives.
17. Intruders
When Mary is presumed dead, Elizabeth asks for Lola's help in taking the Scottish crown for herself; James must defend Mary's throne from John Knox; Mary faces Francis's killer.
18. Spiders in a Jar
Mary makes a bold move to defend her reign in Scotland, which results in a battle royale with her cousin, Elizabeth. Lola is accused of a heinous crime and suffers the drastic consequences. Meanwhile, back in France, Catherine finds that Charles has returned a changed man after paying a price for his mother's relentless quest for power.