In "Reign" Season 2 Episode 17 "Tempting Fate," Leith proved he is willing to do whatever it takes to make Greer his wife. But has he made a terrible mistake asking the unscrupulous Claude for help?

Bash offered Kenna the protection of his name until she finds a man who can make her feel safe.

Francis was clearly agonized by having to tell Mary that his mother knew of her infidelity. He has lied to every family member and he continues to protect her, yet she offered him only a weak apology.

Perhaps the biggest moment of "Tempting Fate" was when Condé finally told Mary that he has been working her and Queen Elizabeth. He could not even look her in the eye when he made the big reveal. She now knows that he will protect only himself at all costs. She also called him out for not trusting her. Finally, Mary is seeing Condé for who he really is.

Will Mary now look at Francis differently? Mary has seemed careless about the amount of stress her romantic games have caused him.

Catherine's defense of Mary was surprising. It shows that she cares about and loves her daughter-in-law despite the fact she could lose her son because of her.

Francis, meanwhile, began bleeding from his ears. His mother (and fans) have begun to wonder if the king's condition could be fatal.

"Reign" executive producer Laurie McCarthy sheds light on the King of France's failing health.

"Francis falling ill in tonight's episode, in very much the way we, and those in his life, have feared, reminds our viewers as well as our characters that young men, even young kings, do not live forever," McCarthy told Entertainment Weekly. "The real Francis died young, and while we take historical liberties, we adhere to the major signposts of Mary Queen of Scots' life. Moreover, the foreshadowing of Francis's eventual but untimely death has been woven into our story from the outset."

McCarthy added: "At this point in time, this reminder of what Nostradamus prophesied, this hint of death, of things to come, lights a fire under our characters -- Mary, his painfully estranged wife, and his mother, Catherine de Medici, foremost among them. It also offers his rival, Condé, the man who is currently his wife's lover, a taste of what life could be, if only the King of France were no longer in the picture."

Unfortunately, "Reign" is going on a long hiatus. The next installment, Episode 18 "Reversal of Fortune," won't air on The CW until mid-April. In the next installment, we are going to see whether or not Mary can handle the mounting responsibilities that await her while Francis' health remains in jeopardy.

In the episode trailer, Francis is shown very ill, and Catherine completely blames Mary's recent Conde affair for her son's declining health. Mary goes on a power trip, calling herself king. She threatens anyone who would dare defy her.

Episode 18 "Reversal of Fortune" is scheduled to air on Thursday, April 16 on The CW.

What do you want to see happen with the "Reign" characters in the next episode? Share your thoughts in the comment section below.


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