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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 8.4/10

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 1 Episode 22 - Slaughter of Innocence
    8.4/10(500 votes)

    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.

    Director:David Frazee
    Writers:Doris Egan, Laurie McCarthy

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  2. Reign Season 1 Episode 7 - Left Behind
    8.3/10(687 votes)

    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.

    Director:Jeremiah S. Chechik
    Writer:Unknown

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  3. Reign Season 2 Episode 22 - Burn
    8.3/10(402 votes)

    S2:E22

    As Francis thinks Mary is turning against France, she risks everything to take Condé down; Catherine meets with Queen Elizabeth; Kenna's secret will seal the fate of her relationship with Bash.

    Director:Fred Gerber
    Writers:Laurie McCarthy, Nancy Won

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  4. Reign Season 3 Episode 18 - Spiders in a Jar
    8.3/10(315 votes)

    S3:E18

    Mary makes a bold move to defend her reign in Scotland, which results in a battle royale with her cousin, Elizabeth. Lola is accused of a heinous crime and suffers the drastic consequences. Meanwhile, back in France, Catherine finds that Charles has returned a changed man after paying a price for his mother's relentless quest for power.

    Director:Deborah Chow
    Writer:Laurie McCarthy

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  5. Reign Season 2 Episode 9 - Acts of War
    8.2/10(458 votes)

    S2:E9

    Bash and Francis come up with a daring plan whilst Mary has a surprising proposal for Claude.

    Director:Fred Gerber
    Writers:Laurie McCarthy, Nancy Won

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  6. Reign Season 3 Episode 5 - In A Clearing
    8.2/10(412 votes)

    S3:E5

    Grateful for a future with a revived Francis, Mary considers signing away her claim to the English throne, and staying in France forever. Catherine learns that Nostradamus has returned -- with a new vision involving Francis' fate.

    Director:Deborah Chow
    Writer:Shannon Goss

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    The 20 WORST Episodes of Reign

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  7. Reign Season 3 Episode 17 - Intruders
    8.2/10(297 votes)

    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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  8. Reign Season 3 Episode 15 - Safe Passage
    8.1/10(310 votes)

    S3:E15

    Mary learns from Lola that she has a chance to get to Scotland safely, but she must act quietly and quickly. When Catherine is framed for murder, Mary must decide if she should stay to protect her, which would jeopardize her safe passage to Scotland.

    Director:Stuart Gillard
    Writer:Drew Lindo

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  9. Reign Season 1 Episode 8 - Fated
    8.0/10(562 votes)

    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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  10. Reign Season 1 Episode 9 - For King and Country
    8.0/10(564 votes)

    S1:E9

    Mary and Bash 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.

    Director:Helen Shaver
    Writers:Alan McCullough, Edgar Lyall

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  11. Reign Season 1 Episode 13 - The Consummation
    8.0/10(531 votes)

    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.

    Directors:Fred Gerber, Laurie McCarthy
    Writer:Laurie McCarthy

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  12. Reign Season 1 Episode 17 - Liege Lord
    8.0/10(442 votes)

    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 4 - The Price
    8.0/10(349 votes)

    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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  14. Reign Season 1 Episode 4 - Hearts and Minds
    7.9/10(679 votes)

    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.

    Director:Scott Peters
    Writer:P.K. Simonds

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  15. Reign Season 1 Episode 11 - Inquisition
    7.9/10(545 votes)

    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.

    Director:Mike Rohl
    Writer:Doris Egan

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  16. Reign Season 1 Episode 16 - Monsters
    7.9/10(450 votes)

    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.

    Director:Jeff Renfroe
    Writers:Drew Lindo, Wendy Riss

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  17. Reign Season 3 Episode 3 - Extreme Measures
    7.9/10(327 votes)

    S3:E3

    When King Antoine unexpectedly returns to Court, Mary must help Francis hide his weakening condition long enough to secure his family's future. With the Throne in jeopardy and time running out, they must turn to an unlikely ally in need of redemption.

    Director:Holly Dale
    Writers:Drew Lindo, Wendy Riss

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  18. Reign Season 4 Episode 13 - Coup de Grace
    7.9/10(230 votes)

    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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  19. Reign Season 1 Episode 3 - Kissed
    7.8/10(742 votes)

    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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  20. Reign Season 1 Episode 14 - Dirty Laundry
    7.8/10(488 votes)

    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.

    Director:Norma Bailey
    Writer:Drew Lindo

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  21. Reign Season 1 Episode 20 - Higher Ground
    7.8/10(423 votes)

    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.

    Director:Sudz Sutherland
    Writers:Daniel Sinclair, David Babcock

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  22. Reign Season 1 Episode 21 - Long Live the King
    7.8/10(410 votes)

    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.

    Director:Jeremiah S. Chechik
    Writers:Drew Lindo, Wendy Riss

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  23. Reign Season 2 Episode 1 - The Plague
    7.8/10(470 votes)

    S2:E1

    Francis and Mary's new rule is threatened when a plague ravages the land. Kenna's life is at risk. Greer discovers something shocking about Leith.

    Director:Fred Gerber
    Writer:Laurie McCarthy

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  24. Reign Season 2 Episode 6 - Three Queens
    7.8/10(402 votes)

    S2:E6

    Mary and Catherine have to hide their identities when they meet a mob of angry peasants. Lola wants to become independent.

    Director:Steve DiMarco
    Writer:Doris Egan

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  25. Reign Season 2 Episode 10 - Mercy
    7.8/10(401 votes)

    S2:E10

    Francis comes to a surprising decision. Mary takes part in a treacherous mission with Lord Condé.

    Director:Rich Newey
    Writers:Drew Lindo, Wendy Riss

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Best Episodes Summary

"Slaughter of Innocence" is the best rated episode of "Reign". It scored 8.4/10 based on 500 votes. Directed by David Frazee and written by Doris Egan, Laurie McCarthy, it aired on 5/15/2014. This episode scored 0.1 points higher than the second highest rated, "Left Behind".