Ep 12. Royal Blood

The episode "Royal Blood" begins with Queen Mary struggling with her decision-making. She is indecisive about whether to keep her current advisor or choose someone else. She confides in her friend Greer and asks for her opinion, but she doesn't receive the advice she was hoping for.

Meanwhile, Francis is dealing with his own problems. He is still recovering from his illness, and his relationship with Mary is strained. He confides in his father, King Henry, about his concerns. The king advises Francis to stay strong and keep his marriage with Mary intact.

The episode also focuses on the relationship between Catherine and King Henry. Catherine is upset that Henry is spending too much time with his mistress, Diane de Poitiers. She confronts Henry about his infidelity and demands that he choose between her and Diane. However, Henry refuses to end his affair with Diane.

As tensions rise between Catherine and Henry, Mary receives a visit from a young Scottish lord named James. James tells Mary that he is her cousin and has come to France seeking her help with an uprising in Scotland. Mary is hesitant to get involved, but James appeals to her sense of duty and loyalty to her family. Mary ultimately agrees to help him.

As Mary prepares to leave for Scotland, she discovers a dark secret about her family. The revelation shocks Mary and forces her to make a difficult decision. Meanwhile, Catherine plans a scheme to turn King Henry against Diane and gain the upper hand in their rivalry.

Overall, "Royal Blood" is a dramatic episode that explores the complex relationships between the characters. It highlights the struggles of Mary and Francis to maintain their marriage and their respective roles as rulers. It also delves into the power struggles between Catherine and King Henry and their quest for dominance over each other. Finally, the episode features a surprising twist that adds depth to Mary's character and lays the groundwork for future episodes.