Ep 18. No Exit

In Reign season 1 episode 18, titled "No Exit," Mary and Francis must deal with a crisis that threatens to tear their relationship apart. The episode opens with Mary discovering a letter from Francis' father, King Henry, detailing his plans to have Francis marry Mary's cousin, Elisabeth. Mary confronts Francis about the letter, but he tells her he had no knowledge of his father's plans.

Meanwhile, Bash is dealing with his own crisis. He has been asked by the Druids to lead them in a ritual to protect the castle from a dark force that is threatening to destroy it. Bash is skeptical of the Druids' power, but agrees to help them in order to protect his family and the people he cares about.

As the episode progresses, tensions between Mary and Francis continue to mount. Mary is upset that Francis did not tell her about his father's plans, and Francis is frustrated with Mary's reluctance to fully commit to their relationship. In an effort to ease the tension, Francis invites Mary to go horseback riding with him. However, their ride takes a dangerous turn, as they become trapped in a cave.

As Mary and Francis struggle to find a way out of the cave, they are forced to confront their deepest fears and insecurities. Mary is afraid of losing Francis to another woman, while Francis fears that he will never be able to fully protect Mary from the dangers of court life.

Meanwhile, Bash's ritual with the Druids goes awry when one of them reveals himself to be a traitor. Bash is forced to fight for his life, and ultimately emerges victorious. However, the victory is bittersweet, as he has lost someone he cares about deeply.

In the end, Mary and Francis are rescued from the cave, but their relationship remains strained. Mary realizes that she cannot control Francis' actions, but can only trust that he will make the right decisions for their future. Likewise, Francis realizes that he cannot protect Mary from every danger, but must trust that she is strong enough to handle whatever challenges come her way.

Overall, "No Exit" is a tense and emotional episode that explores the complexities of love and power in the court of a young queen. Fans of Reign will not want to miss this dramatic installment of the series.