Ep 2. Betrothed

Betrothed is the second episode of the third season of Reign, which aired on October 16, 2015, on The CW. The episode follows Mary Queen of Scots as she struggles to accept an arranged marriage to Prince Don Carlos of Spain in order to secure the alliance between Scotland and Spain. Meanwhile, Francis, Mary's husband and King of France, is dealing with his own demons as he tries to heal from his illness.

As the episode begins, Mary is still reeling from the news of her arranged marriage to Prince Don Carlos. She confides in her closest confidante, Lola, about her fears and concerns over the match. Mary is worried that Don Carlos will not be a suitable match for her, and fears that she will not be able to love him as she did Francis. Lola tries to reassure Mary that love is not always the most important factor in a marriage, and that sometimes a political alliance can be more important.

Elsewhere, Francis is continuing to struggle with his illness. Despite the treatments that have been administered to him, Francis is not improving. He is plagued by terrible headaches and dizzy spells, and is unable to focus on the tasks at hand. His advisors are growing increasingly worried about his ability to rule, and are beginning to whisper about a possible regency.

Back in Scotland, Catherine is up to her usual tricks. She has arranged for a group of assassins to kill Don Carlos during his journey to Scotland. She hopes that this will force Mary into breaking the alliance with Spain, and will keep Scotland firmly under French control. However, her plans are foiled when Mary's guards intercept the assassins and capture them. Mary is furious with Catherine for putting her future husband's life in danger, but Catherine tries to convince her that it was all for the greater good.

As Mary prepares for her betrothal ceremony with Don Carlos, she still has doubts. She confides in Francis, who is doing his best to support her despite his own struggles. He tells Mary that he believes in her, and that he knows she will make the right decision for Scotland. Mary is comforted by his words, and goes ahead with the ceremony.

The ceremony is accompanied by a lavish feast, where Mary and Don Carlos are formally presented to the court. Despite the opulence of the event, Mary cannot shake off her doubts. She is unable to connect with Don Carlos, and finds herself longing for Francis. In a quiet moment, she confesses to Don Carlos that she is still in love with her husband. Don Carlos is understanding, and tells Mary that he is willing to wait for her to fall in love with him in her own time.

Meanwhile, Francis is continuing to deteriorate. He is unable to hold his own in council meetings, and is haunted by visions of his late father. His advisors are growing impatient, and are considering the possibility of a regency. Francis's mother, Queen Catherine, sees this as an opportunity to gain even more power. She approaches Conde, Francis's cousin and a potential rival for the throne, and suggests that the two of them work together to overthrow Francis.

Towards the end of the episode, Mary's doubts about her betrothal are confirmed. She receives a letter from an anonymous source, informing her that Don Carlos is involved in a plot to overthrow her and take the Scottish throne for himself. Mary is devastated by the news, and realizes that she has made a terrible mistake. She confides in Lola, who tries to comfort her. Lola tells Mary that she will always stand by her, no matter what.

The episode ends with Francis collapsing in his chambers, unable to move. He is discovered by his advisors, who are horrified by his condition. The future of France hangs in the balance, and it seems that all hope is lost.