Ben Mark Holzberg/The CW Let the fallout begin.
In tonight's fall finale, Reign's royals will deal with the impact of the harrowing attack on the castle in last week's episode, which found Mary (Adelaide Kane) at the center of a controversial rape storyline after a failed assassination attempt on Francis (Toby Regbo). And showrunner Laurie McCarthy told E! News that the fallout from the shocking attack will affect many of the CW drama's relationships. (You can read our full Q&A with McCarthy about the rape storyline here.)
Here's what's ahead for some of Reign's major pairings in tonight's midseason finale and beyond. And yes, McCarthy confirmed that fans will see an open marriage this season. (Of course, she wouldn't divulge the couple.)
Mary and Francis: When we spoke with McCarthy after the polarizing episode, she discussed the short and longterm impacts of Mary's rape, telling us, It's going to be hard for her to separate this night's events from the political turmoil that she feels Francis is somewhat responsible for and that is going to affect her marriage as deeply as her intimacy issues." As for Francis, she shared, "He's going to have a very harsh reaction, a very impulsive reaction to it. He's deeply pained by it and desperate to make things right."
Mary and Catherine (Megan Follows): To say the two Queens have shared a complex relationship is quite an understatement, but McCarthy said "their dynamic was shifting a little bit anyway" prior to their epic moment after Mary's assault. "She has come to admire Mary, she views her with great respect and after this, she's really going to feel a bond toward Mary."
But that doesn't mean Catherine will be making like Sears and showing off a softer side. "She's ruthless, she's cunning and she's protective of her own power and the power of her children," McCarthy said. "I wouldn't say that this is going to soften her character, but it's definitely paid off a dynamic between Catherine and Mary that has really become a familiar dynamic." (Plus, expect to see King Henry's ghostly return, which we exclusively reported, completely shake up things for Catherine.)
Lola (Anna Popplewell) and Lord Narcisse (Craig Parker): Obsessed with this unlikely-but-insanely-hot pairing? McCarthy is, too. "They're really fun. What I love about that dynamic is that she's really attracted to him and she'd very much like to explore a sexual relationship with him, but she's really wondering what kind of creepy things he's into! [Laughs.] There are many reasons not to go too far with Narcisse…she's both kind of appalled and intrigued and unnerved by him." Hey, different strokes and all that...
Bash (Torrance Coombs) and Kenna (Caitlin Stasey): The fan-favorite couple has been put on the backburner in the first half of the season, but will play a major role when the show comes back in 2015. But be careful what you wish for, Bash and Kenna fans!
"They are two very different people who deeply love each other, but their differences are going to rise up. We have a new character coming to town in the form of Antoine (Conde's brother, played by Ben Aldridge), who's introduced in the 10th episode, and he's going to play a role in what will be a great test of their marriage. Kenna has a thing for kings; I think that won't go away."
Greer (Celina Sinden) and Castleroy (Michael Therriault): Expect to see major fallout for Greer and her Protestant husband after last week's attack on the castle. "We are tilting in the direction that inadvertently her husband donated money to a curse that wound up really damaging one of her closest friends and her Queen," McCarthy previews. "There are going to ramifications for that and they are going to be life-altering for Greer and Castleroy."
Reign airs tonight at 9 p.m. on the CW.