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The Best Episodes of Reign

Every episode of Reign ranked from best to worst. Let's dive into the Best Episodes of Reign!

Binge this in 2d 6h•Peaking at 8.5/10

Mary, Queen of Scots, faces political and sexual intrigue in the treacherous world of the French court.

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Episode Rankings

  1. #1 Fan Favorite
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    Reign Season 4 Episode 4 - Playing with Fire
    8.5/10(3 votes)

    #1 - Playing with Fire

    S4:E4

    When Lord Darnley surprises Mary with a visit in Scotland, Mary sees a glimmer of a union that could be more than just political. Elizabeth fights to gain allies in her favor and Catherine must work to get Claude back on track by finding her a new husband.

    Director:Fred Gerber
    Writers:John J. Sakmar, Kerry Lenhart

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  2. Reign Season 4 Episode 2 - A Grain of Deception
    8.2/10(4 votes)

    #2 - A Grain of Deception

    S4:E2

    Queen Mary discovers there is a leak amongst her advisors and sets out to uncover the traitor. Queen Elizabeth enlists Narcisse to further her quest for supremacy. Catherine takes desperate measures to regain some of the power she has lost.

    Director:Fred Gerber
    Writers:Patricia Carr, Lara Olsen

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  3. Reign Season 3 Episode 8 - Our Undoing
    8.0/10(3 votes)

    #3 - Our Undoing

    S3:E8

    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.

    Director:Lee Rose
    Writers:Gretchen J. Berg, Aaron Harberts

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  4. Reign Season 3 Episode 10 - Bruises That Lie
    8.0/10(3 votes)

    #4 - Bruises That Lie

    S3:E10

    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.

    Director:Megan Follows
    Writer:P.K. Simonds

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  5. Reign Season 3 Episode 17 - Intruders
    8.0/10(1 votes)

    #5 - Intruders

    S3:E17

    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.

    Director:Lee Rose
    Writers:Drew Lindo, April Blair

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  6. Reign Season 4 Episode 8 - Uncharted Waters
    8.0/10(3 votes)

    #6 - Uncharted Waters

    S4:E8

    As Mary’s upcoming wedding looms, a terrible tragedy pushes Mary and Darnley apart, forcing Mary to enlist in Catherine’s help. Elizabeth encounters a traitor to Spain, who petitions her to support an expedition to the New World.

    Director:Fred Gerber
    Writers:Bo Yeon Kim, Erika Lippoldt

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    The 20 WORST Episodes of Reign

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  7. Reign Season 4 Episode 12 - The Shakedown
    8.0/10(3 votes)

    #7 - The Shakedown

    S4:E12

    After a tragic earthquake hits Scotland, Mary must face John Knox amidst claims that she isn't coming to the aid of her people. Elizabeth takes drastic measures after she is discovered with Gideon, while Charles makes a decision that backfires.

    Director:Norma Bailey
    Writers:Patricia Carr, Lara Olsen

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  8. Reign Season 4 Episode 13 - Coup de Grace
    8.0/10(2 votes)

    #8 - Coup de Grace

    S4:E13

    Darnley teams up with John Knox to strip Mary of her throne, which will leave a close friend of Mary's dead. Elizabeth must banish Gideon from court at the request of her future husband, while Charles takes a bold stance against his brother Henri.

    Director:Megan Follows
    Writers:John J. Sakmar, Kenny Lenhart

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  9. Reign Season 4 Episode 16 - All It Cost Her
    8.0/10(3 votes)

    #9 - All It Cost Her

    S4:E16

    In the series finale, Mary changes the course of history with a decision she makes, and her perilous move for survival causes her to have a stunning realization. Meanwhile, Elizabeth steadies herself for war and becomes the instigator in Mary's demise.

    Director:Holly Dale
    Writers:Laurie McCarthy, April Blair

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  10. Reign Season 4 Episode 15 - Blood in the Water
    7.7/10(3 votes)

    #10 - Blood in the Water

    S4:E15

    Mary’s life hangs in the balance — Childbirth threatens to take Mary’s life, which leaves her and her unborn child’s safety in jeopardy. Elizabeth discovers that someone in her inner circle was the cause of the death of someone close to her.

    Director:Charles Binamé
    Writers:Drew Lindo, Wendy Riss

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  11. Reign Season 1 Episode 3 - Kissed
    7.5/10(10 votes)

    #11 - Kissed

    S1:E3

    A Portuguese prince offers much-needed aid to Scotland if Mary accepts his marriage proposal and break things off with Francis. Elsewhere, Francis' feelings for Mary lead him to put Bash in a risky situation.

    Director:Holly Dale
    Writer:Doris Egan

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  12. Reign Season 1 Episode 17 - Liege Lord
    7.5/10(6 votes)

    #12 - Liege Lord

    S1:E17

    Mary uncovers her marriage contract's secret clause, which was added by Catherine and her mother, so she and Francis attempt to persuade the people of Scotland to renounce her mother.

    Director:Allan Kroeker
    Writer:Doris Egan

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  13. Reign Season 3 Episode 1 - Three Queens, Two Tigers
    7.5/10(4 votes)

    #13 - Three Queens, Two Tigers

    S3:E1

    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.

    Director:Holly Dale
    Writer:Laurie McCarthy

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  14. Reign Season 3 Episode 11 - Succession
    7.5/10(2 votes)

    #14 - Succession

    S3:E11

    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.

    Director:Charles Binamé
    Writer:April Blair

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  15. Reign Season 3 Episode 13 - Strange Bedfellows
    7.5/10(2 votes)

    #15 - Strange Bedfellows

    S3:E13

    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

    Director:Norma Bailey
    Writer:Shannon Goss

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  16. Reign Season 3 Episode 14 - To the Death
    7.5/10(2 votes)

    #16 - To the Death

    S3:E14

    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.

    Director:Michael McGowan
    Writer:Lily Sparks

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  17. Reign Season 3 Episode 16 - Clans
    7.5/10(2 votes)

    #17 - Clans

    S3:E16

    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.

    Director:Fred Gerber
    Writers:Gretchen J. Berg, Aaron Harberts

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  18. Reign Season 3 Episode 4 - The Price
    7.3/10(3 votes)

    #18 - The Price

    S3:E4

    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.

    Director:Nathaniel Goodman
    Writers:April Blair, Robert D. Doty

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  19. Reign Season 1 Episode 8 - Fated
    7.2/10(6 votes)

    #19 - Fated

    S1:E8

    Nostradamus shares with Mary his prophecy about a death, which leads Mary to make a big decision concerning Francis. Meanwhile, Clarissa gets brazen as she pursues her goals; and Kenna tells Catherine about Diane's intentions regarding Bash.

    Director:Fred Gerber
    Writer:Laurie McCarthy

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  20. Reign Season 2 Episode 14 - The End of Mourning
    7.0/10(5 votes)

    #20 - The End of Mourning

    S2:E14

    As Mary and Francis investigate who was behind the poisoning of King Henry (Alan Van Sprang), they unearth secrets of the past which force Mary to confront her feelings for Conde as she attempts to move forward. Catherine finds herself in the middle of a romantic triangle when the Duke of Guise (guest star Gil Darnell) returns, which forces Narcisse (Craig Parker) to commit a hideous act out of desperation. Meanwhile, Greer (Celina Sinden) finds herself in a situation she never fathomed in order to survive.

    Director:Nathaniel Goodman
    Writers:Laurie McCarthy, Nancy Won

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  21. Reign Season 1 Episode 2 - Snakes in the Garden
    6.8/10(6 votes)

    #21 - Snakes in the Garden

    S1:E2

    Mary and Francis play up their romance after an English envoy expresses doubts about their union. Elsewhere, Catherine seeks to eliminate an individual who's aware of her scheme to destroy Mary.

    Director:Matthew Hastings
    Writer:Laurie McCarthy

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  22. Reign Season 1 Episode 10 - Sacrifice
    6.7/10(6 votes)

    #22 - Sacrifice

    S1:E10

    An assassination attempt is made on Bash's life, and Catherine appears to be responsible for it. Meanwhile, Mary offers assistance to a jailed peasant who has a curious link to Bash; and Lola tries to stop Catherine from meddling with Bash and Mary.

    Director:Rachel Talalay
    Writers:P.K. Simonds, Daniel Sinclair

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  23. Reign Season 1 Episode 19 - Toy Soldiers
    6.7/10(6 votes)

    #23 - Toy Soldiers

    S1:E19

    Mary's uncle arrives at the castle and brings dire news about her mother, forcing Mary and Francis to make a tough choice about priorities. Meanwhile, Henry devises a destructive plan; and Bash and Kenna grow closer as they strengthen their forced union.

    Director:Chris Grismer
    Writers:Mike Herro, David Strauss

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  24. Reign Season 2 Episode 7 - The Prince of the Blood
    6.7/10(6 votes)

    #24 - The Prince of the Blood

    S2:E7

    Princess Claude makes a surprise visit home. The princess is known to be a provocative and reckless young woman. Greer's wedding tour ends earlier than expected.

    Director:Deborah Chow
    Writers:Drew Lindo, Wendy Riss

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  25. Reign Season 3 Episode 9 - Wedlock
    6.7/10(3 votes)

    #25 - Wedlock

    S3:E9

    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.

    Director:Norma Bailey
    Writers:Drew Lindo, Wendy Riss

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Best Episodes Summary

"Playing with Fire" is the best rated episode of "Reign". It scored 8.5/10 based on 3 votes. Directed by Fred Gerber and written by John J. Sakmar, Kerry Lenhart, it aired on 3/3/2017. This episode scored 0.3 points higher than the second highest rated, "A Grain of Deception".