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The Best Episodes of Reign Season 1

Every episode of Reign Season 1 ranked from best to worst. Discover the Best Episodes of Reign Season 1!

The Best Episodes of Reign Season 1

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

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  1. 8.4/10(472 votes)

    #1 - Slaughter of Innocence

    S1:E22

    Mary and Francis take drastic action in response to Henry's madness. Meanwhile, a terror in the woods puts everyone in peril; and Mary makes a bold choice when she discovers Lola is in the midst of a life-threatening labor.

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  2. 8.3/10(669 votes)

    #2 - Left Behind

    S1:E7

    Mary and Francis are taken hostage when the castle falls under siege, and Catherine makes a shocking suggestion in an effort to save them. Meanwhile, Diane reveals to Bash that she's plotting to have him declared legitimate.

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    Writer:N/A
  3. 8.0/10(547 votes)

    #3 - 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.

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  4. 8.0/10(537 votes)

    #4 - For King and Country

    S1:E9

    Mary and Bass return to the castle, where Catherine remains resolved to keep Francis safe from Mary. Meanwhile, Francis learns of the dark prophecy, but it does not dissuade his desire to marry Mary.

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  5. 8.0/10(505 votes)

    #5 - The Consummation

    S1:E13

    Mary must decide whether to marry Bash or Francis, who returns accompanied by Lola. Meanwhile, Mary's mother visits and pushes her own agenda, and her mere presence in the castle troubles both Henry and Catherine.

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  6. 8.0/10(418 votes)

    #6 - 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.

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    Director:Allan Kroeker
    Writer:Doris Egan
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  8. 7.9/10(679 votes)

    #7 - Hearts and Minds

    S1:E4

    Mary has a chance to get out of her engagement, but it requires lying and sentencing a man to death. Meanwhile, Francis and Bash suspect that Tomas may be disguising his real motives.

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    Director:Scott Peters
  9. 7.9/10(518 votes)

    #8 - Inquisition

    S1:E11

    Henry claims Catherine has committed treason and adultery, so she attempts to save herself by shedding light on a dark part of Bash's past, and Bash and Mary then try to even the score. Meanwhile, Nostradamus discloses the truth about the castle's ghost.

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    Director:Mike Rohl
    Writer:Doris Egan
  10. 7.9/10(424 votes)

    #9 - Monsters

    S1:E16

    Bash saves Francis' life while they're in the woods exploring the latest ominous threat. Meanwhile, Henry becomes obsessed with a servant who won a contest; Greer is seen kissing a kitchen servant; and Henry forces a new couple into a union.

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  11. 7.8/10(728 votes)

    #10 - 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.

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    Director:Holly Dale
    Writer:Doris Egan
  12. 7.8/10(459 votes)

    #11 - Dirty Laundry

    S1:E14

    Mary's honeymoon ends and she returns to the castle. Meanwhile, Lola displays some odd behavior, which leads to a secret being exposed; Bash finds a bewildered Olivia and asks Nostradamus to assist her; and Henry seeks help from Catherine.

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    Director:Norma Bailey
    Writer:Drew Lindo
  13. 7.8/10(398 votes)

    #12 - Higher Ground

    S1:E20

    Mary hires a mercenary to help her save Scotland. Meanwhile, Francis prepares France to wage war on England, and Leith becomes his ally in this endeavor; and Lola and Julien's bond deepens, but she fears he will betray her.

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  14. 7.7/10(590 votes)

    #13 - A Chill in the Air

    S1:E5

    An ex-lover of Francis' arrives and brings danger with her, so an uneasy Mary turns to Bash for comfort. Meanwhile, Queen Catherine persuades Aylee to snoop on Mary; and Bash lands in hot water with heretics, who accuse him of disrupting a sacred ritual.

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  15. 7.7/10(497 votes)

    #14 - 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.

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  16. 7.7/10(398 votes)

    #15 - No Exit

    S1:E18

    Mary's brother visits and asks her to return to Scotland, but Francis is suspicious of his motives. Meanwhile, Penelope takes command as Henry's mental instability progresses; and Lola is skeptical about Julien's marriage proposal.

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  17. 7.7/10(383 votes)

    #16 - Long Live the King

    S1:E21

    Mary teams up with Catherine to deal with Henry, whose deranged behavior puts Francis at risk. Elsewhere, Bash resolves to destroy the Darkness after meeting a boy who survived the horror; and a devoted Lola tries to protect Julien.

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  18. 7.6/10(754 votes)

    #17 - 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.

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  19. 7.6/10(571 votes)

    #18 - Chosen

    S1:E6

    Francis observes the growing bond between Mary and Bash, so he turns to Olivia. Meanwhile, Catherine wants to ensure that whoever threatened Mary is captured; Bash seeks to repay his debt; and Kenna tells her friends about her affair with Henry.

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  20. 7.6/10(396 votes)

    #19 - 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.

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  21. 7.4/10(465 votes)

    #20 - Royal Blood

    S1:E12

    Clarissa kidnaps Henry and Catherine's youngest sons, so Catherine turns to Mary and Bash for help. Elsewhere, Lola tries to assist her brother with a debt, but when she gets in over her head, Francis comes to her aid.

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  22. 7.4/10(404 votes)

    #21 - The Darkness

    S1:E15

    A matchmaking event is held for the women in the castle, but Lola doesn't want to take part in it. Meanwhile, Kenna grows frightened when Henry flies into another rage, so she turns to Catherine; and Bash learns firsthand about the horrors of the woods.

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  23. 7.3/10(1.0k votes)

    #22 - Pilot

    S1:E1

    Mary arrives in France to formalize her arranged marriage to Prince Francis, but complications arise when she meets his attractive half brother and skeptical mother in the series premiere of this historical drama about young monarchs.

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Season 1 Ratings Summary

"Slaughter of Innocence" is the best rated episode of "Reign" season 1. It scored 8.4/10 based on 472 votes. Directed by David Frazee and written by Doris Egan, Laurie McCarthy, it aired on 5/15/2014. This episode is rated 0.1 points higher than the second-best, "Left Behind".