Reign backdrop
Drama

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!

Binge this in 15h 24m•Peaking at 8.4/10

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

Airs on
The CW
BestEpisodes
WorstEpisodes
BestSeasons
AllEpisodes

Seasons4

All1234

Episode Rankings

  1. #1 Fan Favorite
    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

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  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

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  3. 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

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  4. 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

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  5. 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

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  6. 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

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

    7. Trending NowTRENDING NOW

    The 20 BEST Episodes of Reign

    READ
  7. 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

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  8. 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

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  9. 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

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  10. 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

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  11. 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

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  12. 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

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  13. 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

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  14. Reign Season 1 Episode 5 - A Chill in the Air
    7.7/10(603 votes)

    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.

    Director:Bruce McDonald
    Writer:Jennie Snyder Urman

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  15. Reign Season 1 Episode 10 - Sacrifice
    7.7/10(524 votes)

    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

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  16. Reign Season 1 Episode 18 - No Exit
    7.7/10(425 votes)

    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.

    Director:Mike Rohl
    Writer:Hannah Schneider

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  17. Reign Season 1 Episode 2 - Snakes in the Garden
    7.6/10(772 votes)

    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

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  18. Reign Season 1 Episode 6 - Chosen
    7.6/10(582 votes)

    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.

    Director:Bradley Walsh
    Writer:Wendy Riss

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  19. Reign Season 1 Episode 19 - Toy Soldiers
    7.6/10(421 votes)

    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

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  20. Reign Season 1 Episode 12 - Royal Blood
    7.4/10(492 votes)

    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.

    Director:Holly Dale
    Writers:Alan McCullough, Wendy Riss

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  21. Reign Season 1 Episode 1 - Pilot
    7.3/10(1040 votes)

    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.

    Director:Brad Silberling
    Writers:Stephanie Sengupta, Laurie McCarthy

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  22. Reign Season 1 Episode 15 - The Darkness
    7.3/10(428 votes)

    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.

    Director:Steve DiMarco
    Writer:Charles Grant Craig

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

Season 1 Ratings Summary

"Slaughter of Innocence" is the best rated episode of "Reign" season 1. 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 is rated 0.1 points higher than the second-best, "Left Behind".