TEXT: ACT 1, SCENE 1 - THRONE ROOM: (In preparation for her beheading, Catherine runs through the motions with the executioner, but in typical Catherine fashion, she still carefully threads her corset, braids her hair and puts on expensive jewelry) Catherine: (to the executioner): Make the blows sure and quick... (The executioner runs his axe across a blade, making sure it's sharp) Catherine: (off-screen): Remember, I've paid you extra. I don't want my children to see you hacking at me. (He tugs at the necklace, moving it out of the way) Catherine: Don't break the clasp! I've promised this necklace to one of my ladies (Catherine's head lies on the block. The executioner looms above her, but before he removes her head from her neck, she receives a formal looking piece of paper) Catherine (rising): Prunes?! My oldest daughter can't eat them. (Catherine looks around the room in disgust, pointing out all of the flaws in the decorations) Catherine: The flowers! Full vases, cascading bouquets.. where are they? Servant: We were told by the King to save them until the actual day. Catherine: I need to see their placement. (The servant hands Catherine the sheet of paper and she scoffs at it) Catherine: What about the wine? 100 (indistinguishable), flowing freely. The nobles will expect it. Yes, let them drink and swim in my blood, thinking theirs is next once that b*st*rd Sebastian takes the throne. ACT 1, SCENE 2 - ELSEWHERE IN THE REALM: (In a small cottage elsewhere in France, Lola is preparing herself for the last leg of the journey back to French court) Lola (hearing a knock at the door): Come in, Please. I'm nearly ready. Francis: No rush. They're bringing the horses around. Lola: No rush? I feel awful we stopped at all. You swear you didn't do it for me, because I'm a terrible rider? Francis: We gained
SUMMARY:
Queen Mary's mother, Queen Marie de Guise (Amy Brenneman), arrives and advises her daughter against marrying Bash. Nostradamus tells Queen Catherine that he stopped having visions of Francis's death after Clarissa died, and had a new vision of Mary and Prince Francis's happy future together. When Prince Francis returns to the castle, Queen Catherine advises him to pursue Queen Mary and promises never to harm her again. King Francis and Bash fight over Queen Mary, and Prince Francis tells her of the change in Nostradamus's visions- News arrives that the Queen of England is dead, and King Henry pressures Mary to choose one of his sons. Queen Mary ultimately chooses Prince Francis and they are wed; King Henry pardons Queen Catherine for the occasion. Nostradamus discovers that Clarissa is still alive. Meanwhile, the castle, Queen Mary is angered to learn that her own mother had fabricated the news from England to push her into making a choice, and orders her to leave. Nostradamus has a deeper vision of Queen Mary and Prince Francis's future: They will indeed be happy but Prince Francis shall perish just one year into their marriage from a bleeding ear. King Henry makes Bash watch Queen Mary and Prince Francis's consummation before he is escorted from the castle. Believing the royal guards were ordered to kill him, Bash finishes them off first and escapes.