24. June 2017
Reign Review
I started watching Reign. I studied abroad in London, and enjoyed studying the European art and history. The parade of Marys, Elizabeths, Charles, and Henrys makes it all a bit confusing. Mary Queen of Scotts is one of the bigger power players.
I love the pilot episode. Mary enjoying her nunnery, reflecting on memories of her childhood with her prince charming, hopeful that he will love her. I especially love Mary with her ladies. They are best friends in a crazy situation, adjusting to life in the French court.
Mary struggles with the reigning King and Queen of France, standing her ground and defending her own country. Her primary concern is protecting Scotland, and the best way she can do that is through marriage. Mary is strong. She was sent away from home and betrothed at just six years old. She was then sent to a nunnery because the English kept trying to kill her.
Nothing makes you grow up quickly quite like staring your responsibilities and enemies in the face at six years old. But Mary takes it in a stride. She works hard to ensure the safety of her country. She takes care of her ladies. She devotes herself to Francis, though not so much as her country.
Francis is a kind prince, if a bit weak willed, but Mary’s stubbornness and temper balance out their relationship. Francis’s half brother, however, is sassy. He and Mary have a fun friendship, which gets a bit complicated but resolves eventually. Mary’s rivalry with the queen keeps things interesting. The queen has a tendency to scheme and manipulate. Mary has a tendency to lose her temper and make demands.
She’s not always a relaxing person to be around, as her friends well know. She tends to start fights as much as she ends them. But she fights for those she loves, which is good news for her country and her friends. And she does know how to have fun and enjoy herself when no one is trying to kill her, which happens occasionally.
But my favorite part about this show is probably the fashion. The dresses Mary wears… They are gorgeous. She looks absolutely stunning all the time. I love how she and her ladies always wear these fancy little headbands, it sets them apart and marks them as the young ladies of the court. The dresses that Mary, Lola, Kenna, Greer, and Aylee wear are definitely a modern spin off of the 16th century. Mary wears a lot of gold and silver against black, a stunning combination. She also wears a lot of white gowns. Her wardrobe truly reflects her dominant personality.
Mary, Queen of Scotts, is exceptionally well dressed.
