Long May She Reign

Even without the usual title, this post will have the same purpose as those where I give you guys some film suggestions. The truth is, I normally use this rubric to also talk about some of my favourite TV series, even thought I’ve been doing it very rarely. I haven’t done one of these posts in ages, but this time I’ll be also publishing another besides this one soon. Apart from films, I’m also absolutely addicted to TV series (or TV shows; I actually prefer the first term), especially those related to historical periods – the so-called “period dramas”. In this context, I’ve watched “The Tudors” and “The White Queen“. I intent to watch “The Borgias” but I’ve yet to do it.

“Set in 1557 France, the highly fictionalised series follows the life of Mary, Queen of Scots, at French court while she awaits her marriage to the future Francis II of France, whom she has been engaged to since they were six. At court, Mary has to contend with the changing politics and power plays, as well as her burgeoning feelings for Francis and the romantic attentions from Francis’ bastard half-brother, Bash. Francis’ mother, Catherine de’ Medici, is secretly trying to prevent the marriage following Nostradamus’s confidential prediction that the marriage will lead to Francis’ death. The series also follows the affairs of Mary’s Scottish handmaidens Kenna, Aylee, Lola and Greer, who are searching for husbands of their own at court.”

Even thought part of its plot is based on actual historical facts, the truth is that the other half was made up by the creators. For an instance, Sebastian never existed and some other characters that appear we’re invented too. Since this is not supposed to be absolutely faithful to the actual true events, I don’t think this is a bad thing. Actually, it adds a certain uncertainty to the series, which is always hard to have on these because they’re based on events that have already occurred, and there’s no escape possible from that.

Reign stars Adelaide Kane (as Mary Stuart, Queen of Scots), Toby Regbo (as King Francis II of France), Torrance Coombs (as Sebastian, “Bash“), Megan Follows (as Catherine de’ Medici), Alan van Sprang (as King Henry II of France), Rossif Sutherland (as Nostradamus), Jenessa Grant (as Aylee), Celina Sinden (as Greer), Caitlin Stasey (as Kenna), Anna Popplewell (as Lola), Anna Walton (as Diane de Poitiers), Katie Boland (as Clarissa), among others.

I don’t know if I’m watching too many TV series but I don’t think I’ve ever been this emotionally invested in one before. From the very first seconds, as you get more and more attached to the main characters, they will rip your heart out of your chest, squeeze it for such a long time that it will seem like an eternity and then aaa into a million little pieces. Don’t get me wrong. This is not a bad thing. On the contrary, this is absolutely a really good sign since it demonstrates that the actors are conveying perfectly their characters emotions and transmitting them to us. As with good books, I love when a TV series makes us feel as if we are part of it, as if we are in the middle of the action feeling every bit of pain and happiness as the characters do. This is not an easy thing to accomplish, so I must give them credit for it, not only to the producers but especially to the amazing cast they’ve selected. Apart from the costumes, which are always so beautiful in these type of TV series, Reign has a very good soundtrack: one of the best I’ve ever seen.

I believe I don’t have much to criticise, except for the fact that maybe they reached the climax too fast. I wish the end of the first half had gone a little bit slower, digging more into some characters’ emotions and actions but I guess it wouldn’t have made sense for the time period in which the plot is set. We have to admit that at that time, History wasn’t being made at a slow pace.

This TV series premiered in the United States of America on the 17th of October. Today (27th February) premieres the second half of the first season. The CW renewed the series for a second season. Until this moment, there’s no date for a premiere on Portugal.

Have you’ve heard of this TV series before? Do you watch it? What do you think of this TV series?