Extremely lacklustre return to the season. Drab episode, repetitive and bland. Bash is now annoying. They've ruined the character of Elizabeth- this version is hardly the woman who was known for the Golden Age, Elizabeth I was a force to be reckoned with, not an insecure teenage brat. And Mary- nothing. Zip. Zilch. Feels like the actors struggled to go to work.
Hurry up and cancel this show, and replace it with some QUALITY PROGRAMMING
I think the biggest issue is that this episode was not supposed to be aired in the context of just coming back from a stupidly long break. The writers can purposely build up to a mid-season finale and then write it's subsequent return as a mid-season premiere, but this break seemed like nothing more than a wild network reshuffle... Which means there was no big re-entry written into the plot. There was no transition between the last episode and this one because the writers/creators of Reign did not mean for it to air this way.
I like history/historical fiction, but I'm certainly not a history buff, so I can't really comment on this portrayal of Elizabeth. She tends to get on my nerves, but mostly because her plot always feels so redundant. At least there was no Dudley this time... they have the SAME conversation over and over again. Totally dull.
I liked Mary in this episode. Yeah, it was a very tame plot, but that didn't bother me. Like I said before, you can tell that her story was not written as if it was a big splashy premiere, but that's because this episode wasn't meant to be anything extraordinary.
To be honest the way they did that break irritated the hell out of me, and though I used to be super excited for a new episode, this last break was so long right after another long break that I had basically forgotten what was happening and who was who, and that means their buggering around with it is making me lose interest. Hopefully that will be piqued again soon so I can feel the same excitement again at new episodes.
shareYeah, they're totally screwing themselves over by burying the show like this. It's awful to put viewers through multiple hiatuses in one season. I understand that Reign does not do well in the ratings, but they're only making it worse with this type of scheduling.
shareI too agree. By taking such a long break, I completely forgot what had gone on in the previous episodes. Frankly, I was being to think that the show was cancelled. I hope the rest of the season some what of a good plot hanger.
shareBash is NOT annoying. What is annoying is everybody complaining about everything, but his stories especially. Elizabeth WAS a very key role in Mary's life right up until the end. It might be hard for you to realize, but a lot of people really find this show QUALITY PROGRAMMING...unless you think stale old musty vampires is what we need more of.
shareNo, not musty vampires. We just want writers and programs that don't insult our intelligence, and also who value our loyalty in sticking to a show.
shareBash is now annoyingRidiculous! Bash could never be annoying, even if he tried to be.
I like Catherine too actually. I suppose Bash himself isn't annoying, but his storylines are pretty crap.
I can't speak for others, but I tune in to see if there's any improvement in plot etc, and if there are no redeeming features to the show, I stop watching.
However, I must say, SOME certain people on this board are maybe a little too obsessed with fictional characters on a TV show..... The phrase "get a life" springs to mind....
I agree that Bash himself is not annoying to me, but his storylines are pretty lame most of the time. Especially when Delphine is in the episode. I understand why you love Bash, but that doesn't mean his plots are above criticism for the rest of us. I am sincerely glad that you are still enjoying his role on the show. Honestly, I mean that. But I think he's been terribly mistreated by the writers.
shareYes, Bash has been kicked to the curb by these writers and I do NOT understand that at all! However, I don't understand people who crave all the vampire crap all the time but let Bash be involved in a mysterious, foggy night escapade with Delphine and they go ballistic! What is wrong with a little intrigue and spookiness? In the very first episode of REIGN, we see Clarissa standing behind Mary on a thundery night...behind some kind of curtain...in the shadows of the tunnels...nobody bitched about that. Don't worry---Bash is soon to be no more, to my extreme sadness. You won't have to COPE with his annoying stories. Hope you're all happy.
shareI don't like vampire shows, so that's irrelevent.
Delphine is an unlikable character with a shady backstory, which would be okay maybe if they didn't force her on us as Bash's love interest. Let's not forget the whole binding fiasco that she used to manipulate him. Bash has had much better romantic stories than this one, all of which have been flippantly cast aside by the writers, so that makes Delphine extra obnoxious to me. I also don't think the actress is great. She always resorts to a bug-eyed look when she's distressed, and she's distressed 98% of the time she's on screen.
Personally, I prefer for Reign to dabble in the potential of supernatural elements while still leaving room for doubt. It is an integral aspect of the time period for the characters to be wary of pagan rituals, spirits, curses, etc. So I'm not opposed to the occasional bit of hocus pocus here and there as long as they keep it fairly neutral and unobtrusive to the central plot. And that's where Clarissa worked for me. Clarissa was spooky, but not superhuman. Same with the Darkness. It turned out that he was a deeply disturbed pagan guy who was doing what he deemed to be "necessary evil" to keep order. When the plague happened after his defeat, it was up to the audience to decide if we believed in the superstitious mysticism of his prophecy or if we could just say it was a coincidence. Another example would be the "ghosts" that some characters have "seen" around the castle - were they ever real, or were they the product of a character's subconscious sense of guilt and the effects of poison? Well they sort of left that up to our discretion. They don't give us that option with Delphine. They try to pass her off like she's the real deal and that we should be sympathetic to her plight now that Bash is bedding her (ugh).
You won't have to COPE with his annoying stories. Hope you're all happy.
I think you hit on something - it was fun in the beginning when the show had more supernatural elements. Clarissa the castle ghost was introduced in the first episode, she was a big part of the mystery in the first episodes. It made Reign stand out from other historical dramas. Now it's more like the Tudors and Elizabeth is kind of whiny and anxious. I like the traditional version of her where she's much stronger and capable.
shareDelphine is an unlikable character with a shady backstory, which would be okay maybe if they didn't force her on us as Bash's love interest.
Personally, I prefer for Reign to dabble in the potential of supernatural elements while still leaving room for doubt. It is an integral aspect of the time period for the characters to be wary of pagan rituals, spirits, curses, etc. So I'm not opposed to the occasional bit of hocus pocus here and there as long as they keep it fairly neutral and unobtrusive to the central plot. And that's where Clarissa worked for me. Clarissa was spooky, but not superhuman. Same with the Darkness
The long break had an impact on getting back into the story.
I watched prior s3 eps before watching the newer eps to get back into the story line; which helped.
I think we are at the transitional element type eps which make more sense 2 to 3 eps from now.
I don't agree with cancelling the show.
The other show that I watch and enjoy is iZombie. The Superhero shows are getting a bit much.
Reign & Versalles are the only historical dramas that I enjoy.
If you think Reign being cancelled will bring quality programming; then think about containment & Legends of 2morrow. Not a good chance. The good programming seems to be an accident: Reign & iZombie. The not so good shows are prevalent; the same ole same ole rehashed.
I feel compelled to answer in a hostile manner because everybody has complained so much about the Bash and Delphine stories!!! I know I miss Kenna and I know the writers could've handled things better with Bash and Kenna. I feel frustration because adding Conde and now the Elizabeth court jesters and stuff has pushed Bash aside. It just is not fair. But I don't complain about Delphine because at least that gives Bash air time. I just wish I was one of the writers, Bash would not have lost Kenna, would've worked it out, etc. However, I will continue to watch regardless because chances are Bash will visit again.
share