Reign on the CW will be premiering an all new Thursday October 2, Season 2 Premiere episode called “The Plague.” Tonight, in the second-season opener, a plague sweeps across the land and threatens the stability of the kingdom. Meanwhile, Francis and Lola aren’t allowed back home because of the quarantine; Kenna’s life is jeopardized; and Leith finds a new romantic interest.
On the last season 1 finale episode when the King’s (Alan Van Sprang) madness and cruelty reached a fevered pitch, Mary (Adelaide Kane) and Francis (Toby Regbo) took action. Their choices changed the course of history, but an unforeseen terror brewing in the woods cost them, and their friends, everything. Mary makes a drastic decision when she learned Lola (Anna Popplewell) was going through a life-threatening labor at a location outside of the castle. Did you watch last week’s episode? If you missed it we have you covered with a full and detailed recap, right here for you.
On tonight’s episode the new King and Queen of France, Francis (Toby Regbo) and Mary (Adelaide Kane) are plummeted into chaos after the Black Plague ravages the land and creeps inside the castle, threatening lives and the stability of their new rule. Francis finds himself on the wrong side of the quarantined gates, with Lola (Anna Popplewell), as they try to make their way back to safety. New and murderous foes are introduced as nobles grasp for power, pressuring Mary — and Catherine (Megan Follows) — even as the death count rises. Meanwhile, Kenna (Caitlin Stasey) and Bash (Torrance Coombs) find themselves separated; Kenna’s life endangered as she risks all to save their young ward. Greer (Celina Sinden) is forced to watch Leith (Jonathan Keltz) move on with a new love and is shocked to realize he’s involved with her fiance’s daughter. Fred Gerber directed the episode written by Laurie McCarthy.
Don’t forget to come back here tonight at 9 PM EST for your live recap of Reign season 2 premiere “The Plague.” In the meantime, be sure to hit up the comments section below and let us know what you’re most excited about for tonight’s episode. While you wait for the recap, check out a sneak peek of tonight’s episode below!
Tonight’s episode begins now – Refresh Page for Updates
Francis rides at top speed trying to get to Lola. He sees a funeral at a small graveyard and notes the priest looks plague marked. Mary tells the people at the castle that they’ve confirmed the plague is upon them. Catherine confirms and they tell them that Francis, as the new king, is being safely housed in a private estate. Nostradamus recites the symptoms and tells them all to be on the lookout. Greer sees Leith with Aloycius’ daughter. She tells him about Leith’s vow to gain money at all costs. They worry he’s targeted her.
Mary tells the court that there have been no signs of plague yet and are prepared. Catherine whispers to Nostradamus that they are definitely not. Mary has to tell Catherine that Francis left and she couldn’t stop him. Greer and Kenna approach her and she says she can’t be with them – as Queen she must be kept safe and in private. They ask where Francis is and she says Lola’s birth is on her but was troubled so Francis went to her. They ask if she’ll be all right but she says she doesn’t know.
Mary says she tried to stop him but he went despite word of the plague. Mary says she has to protect the people now and they agree that’s what it best. Yvette comes to confront Leith and asks if he’d rather be with Greer. He says he wouldn’t. She tells him they may not have long to live and wants to be with him. He says he has things to do but she won’t be dissuaded and tells him a plan to meet.
Kenna tells Bash that Mary is going into isolation. Bash says chaos will follow since there is likely not enough food to see them through. He tells her to find Pascal and hide in their chambers where he’s stored food. He says he has to confer with the king’s guard since Francis isn’t there. A man is with his mistress and says he has to leave for court. We see her touch her neck and there’s a huge plague boil there. He shows up to court and tries to approach but he is held back by sword away from Catherine and Mary.
He drinks from someone’s goblet though and is wiping sweat from his brow. Uh-oh. He brought the plague with him. Francis bursts in and Lola tells him that she’s alive and he has a son. Mary and Catherine sit on the thrones side by side. Catherine laughs grimly and says it’s the two of them. She asks why Francis hasn’t returned. She asks why he would go help one of her ladies. Music begins and they recognize it’s the signal that someone has fallen ill. Mary says that means whoever is sick was already there. Fires are lit near them to burn the air clean.
Nostradamus comes in and says it was a stable hand who will be dead by the evening. He volunteers to help and Catherine explains he thinks he’s immune to the plague and offers to go find Francis and Lola. Catherine again demands to know why Francis rushed to Lola’s side. Mary tells her to not create discord but to thank Nostradamus and say goodbye then be silent. She orders her to do it as Queen and Catherine thanks him.
Kenna chases down Pascal and says they have to go. He’s with the infected man who says the boy was helping him find food. She tells him she’s a lady. He calls her a whore and says he should have her whipped. Pascal agrees to help him and says he’ll come right back to their quarters. She says he doesn’t have to but he goes with the man. The midwife tells Lola she needs to sleep. Francis asks if the carriage is hers and she says the driver ran off. He says all he could think about was that his child was alone and she was dead.
He tells her he resents her for lying and says he should be at the castle with his wife. He says the bridge is out and the only path is through a plague-ridden village. She tells him it’s all right to admit that he doesn’t want the baby. She says the child can have her dead husband’s name and he angrily says she and Mary had this all sorted. The boy there coughs and they realize he has the plague. Francis says they have to leave now and puts her in the carriage.
Lola tells the midwife to come but she says she won’t be safer than they will be and advises them to lie about who they are. Lord Edward comes to tell Catherine and Mary the death toll is rising – it’s at 14 already after one day. Mary asks what he wants and he says he has an enemy he needs to add to the pile and says he has someone he needs dead and wants him exposed to the plague so he can die. He says it’s a demand. He says Pierre Voland is bedding his new wife and he can’t kill him directly because their families trade.
Catherine asks what’s at stake. Edward says his family provides grain and meat to the region and that he delivers to the castle. He says they need the food delivery to go on and says the one life is the cost to keep food coming in to them and their people. Catherine tells Mary welcome to ruling and to the real France. Mary asks if she and Henry always bowed to their nobles like this and tells Catherine that every life matters. Catherine tells her that their wealth and power come from regions controlled by nobles like Edward.
Mary says Francis would never agree to this and Catherine says she can help her take care of this. Mary says every life sacrificed takes her from who she wants to be. Catherine says favors keep her on the throne. Mary says she wants to be a different kind of Queen – one that her husband is proud of. Mary tells the guard to send word to Edward that his request is denied. Leith finds Greer and he tries to reassure her that he didn’t know Yvette was her fiance’s daughter. She asks if he’ll pursue her and he says it’s none of her business. She says if he married her, he would be her son in law.
She asks him to not test her this way and says he’ll destroy her life. She begs him not to meet with Yvette. Lola tells Francis she needs water so she can make milk for the baby. There are other riders and he tells them that they have no plague they just need water. One recognizes him as Francis and he says his name is Louis and they are cousins many times removed. He says he is safe among loyal subjects.
Bash asks the guard if he’s seen Kenna. She left a note and went out to find Pascal. We see Lord Voland and his family being led to seclusion while Edward complains to Mary that she’s made his life difficult. Voland’s daughter drops a toy and Bash picks it up and hands it to her. He says Voland is now in his private quarters and will be difficult to go to. She says her answer is no but Edward tells her to look outside. They see smoke clouds. He tells them that the villagers and farmers are burning their homes and the fields have caught fire. He tells them the hungry will rise up and kill them.
Lola has the baby calm and happy and she tells Francis that his cousins are generous. He tells her they are planning on staying until the plague is gone. He tells her the roads to the castle are blocked by fire and asks why she didn’t tell the truth. She says she was trying to save him and marry and he says she wanted her freedom and didn’t want to be tied to him and court. He says he would like to have been consulted. She says she can take her son and go. He tells her that the child is who he says he is and it’s not up to her.
Kenna finds Pascal in a room and says the man wouldn’t let him leave. He’s covered in blood and we see the jerk dead in his bed. Pascal tells her his throat hurts and his bones hurt. She says they have to cover him and he has to act well. A maid sees them and shouts for the guard. They shut Kenna and Pascal in the room with the dead man.
Lola tells the midwife to come but she says she won’t be safer than they will be and advises them to lie about who they are. Lord Edward comes to tell Catherine and Mary the death toll is rising – it’s at 14 already after one day. Mary asks what he wants and he says he has an enemy he needs to add to the pile and says he has someone he needs dead and wants him exposed to the plague so he can die. He says it’s a demand. He says Pierre Voland is bedding his new wife and he can’t kill him directly because their families trade.
Catherine asks what’s at stake. Edward says his family provides grain and meat to the region and that he delivers to the castle. He says they need the food delivery to go on and says the one life is the cost to keep food coming in to them and their people. Catherine tells Mary welcome to ruling and to the real France. Mary asks if she and Henry always bowed to their nobles like this and tells Catherine that every life matters. Catherine tells her that their wealth and power come from regions controlled by nobles like Edward.
Mary says Francis would never agree to this and Catherine says she can help her take care of this. Mary says every life sacrificed takes her from who she wants to be. Catherine says favors keep her on the throne. Mary says she wants to be a different kind of Queen – one that her husband is proud of. Mary tells the guard to send word to Edward that his request is denied. Leith finds Greer and he tries to reassure her that he didn’t know Yvette was her fiance’s daughter. She asks if he’ll pursue her and he says it’s none of her business. She says if he married her, he would be her son in law.
She asks him to not test her this way and says he’ll destroy her life. She begs him not to meet with Yvette. Lola tells Francis she needs water so she can make milk for the baby. There are other riders and he tells them that they have no plague they just need water. One recognizes him as Francis and he says his name is Louis and they are cousins many times removed. He says he is safe among loyal subjects.
Bash asks the guard if he’s seen Kenna. She left a note and went out to find Pascal. We see Lord Voland and his family being led to seclusion while Edward complains to Mary that she’s made his life difficult. Voland’s daughter drops a toy and Bash picks it up and hands it to her. He says Voland is now in his private quarters and will be difficult to go to. She says her answer is no but Edward tells her to look outside. They see smoke clouds. He tells them that the villagers and farmers are burning their homes and the fields have caught fire. He tells them the hungry will rise up and kill them.
Lola has the baby calm and happy and she tells Francis that his cousins are generous. He tells her they are planning on staying until the plague is gone. He tells her the roads to the castle are blocked by fire and asks why she didn’t tell the truth. She says she was trying to save him and marry and he says she wanted her freedom and didn’t want to be tied to him and court. He says he would like to have been consulted. She says she can take her son and go. He tells her that the child is who he says he is and it’s not up to her.
Kenna finds Pascal in a room and says the man wouldn’t let him leave. He’s covered in blood and we see the jerk dead in his bed. Pascal tells her his throat hurts and his bones hurt. She says they have to cover him and he has to act well. A maid sees them and shouts for the guard. They shut Kenna and Pascal in the room with the dead man. finds them all dead and sees Yvette is dead too.
She tells her people to find out who everyone is so all their families can be notified. Bash sees the young serving girl that handed out the poisoned water. He asks if she’s all right and says he knows her. She is dead. She tells him that he gave her back her doll. He asks what happened to her family. He asks if he’s infected and she says no, that he’ll live. She says she’s not sure where she’s supposed to be and says there are many that will stay until they are done. She says there will be a reckoning and then she’s not longer there.
Mary finds Narcisse who has put out the signal for the grain delivery. She tells her guards to take him and he says it’s done and she can’t change it. She says murder is a serious crime even during a plague when people think a little extra death is no issue. He asks her what about the next shipment of grain and asks what she gains – she says justice. He says his father will free him and she says his father will never find him.
Bash goes in search of Kenna and finally finds her behind a door. He busts through the door and takes her in his arms. He says he was afraid she’s dead. She tells him Pascal is gone. He says they’re both all right and it’s okay now. Louis tells Francis it’s a two days ride to the ship and says he’ll make sure Lola makes it there safely. The baby is crying and Francis calls for Lola. He tries to get the child to stop the finally relents and picks the boy up.
He takes him in his arms and shushes him and rocks him. Lola apologizes and says she was fetching water for the trip. It’s time for her to go. Francis say she understands all the reasons but says she can’t leave and take away his son. He walks out of the tent holding the child. Narcisse is hauled to the catacombs and says he’ll be infected. He says her husband will hate him for this. He says his family gave Francis the crown. He tells her nothing is stronger than royal blood then screams while he’s locked down with the infected. He screams and beats against the door but she won’t relent.
Lola watches Francis with his son. Louis comes upon her and sees it too. Mary stares out the window and then takes her throne. The empty throne beside her seems to dominate her thoughts but then she turns a steely eye forward.
The End!
