Although set at the 16th-century French court, this CW series is no history lesson—instead, Reign uses the era as a springboard for an imaginative period soap opera overflowing with romances, betrayals, and political machinations, with attempted poisonings and executions prominently featured. The action revolves around Mary (Adelaide Kane), young queen of Scotland, who arrives in France at the court of King Henry II (Alan Van Sprang) in 1557 as the betrothed of his son and heir, Francis (Toby Regbo). But Francis's illegitimate brother Sebastian (Torrance Coombs) also has eyes for her, and Henry's wife, Catherine de' Medici (Megan Follows), plots to manipulate affairs, particularly when prophecies from the seer Nostradamus (Rossif Sutherland) suggest that bad things are coming. International intrigue is also part of the mix, with the English lusting after Scotland, and Henry eager to add England to his realm—using Mary as a pawn to that end (while also growing increasingly unbalanced himself). Meanwhile, a bunch of pagans are seeking human sacrifices for their unholy rituals—and that's only the tip of the narrative iceberg in this deliciously loony mix of fact and fiction. The combination of attractive young players, lovely costumes, and devilish plot twists makes for a campy series and a guilty pleasure. Compiling all 22 episodes from the 2013–14 first season, extras include behind-the-scenes featurettes and deleted scenes. Recommended. (F. Swietek)
Reign: The Complete First Season
Warner, 5 discs, 913 min., not rated, DVD: $59.98 Volume 30, Issue 1
Reign: The Complete First Season
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