Outlander (Season 2)

Outlander is the a television show based on the book series of the same name written by Diana Gabaldon. It is the story of married World War Two Army nurse, Claire Beauchamp, who travels back in time to the 18th century Scotland where she encountered the dashing soldier, Jamie Fraser. It's second season premiered on April 9, 2016.

Catriona Balfe as Claire Beauchamp

Sam Heughan as Jamie Fraser

Tobias Menzies as Frank Randall/Johnathan "Black Jack" Randall  

Andrew Gower as Prince Charles Stuart Edward

I give this TV show a 4/5. Personally, I think that this season is better than the first one. Seeing Jamie and Claire being all bougie in France gave the show more flare. The story this time around was much more cohesive and action packed. It had twists and turns that had me holding onto the edge of my seat. The most heartbreaking scene was when Jamie and Claire said their goodbyes to one another. I'm not going to lie, I did tear up a little. The characters went through a lot of hurdles and had much development compared to season one. Catriona Balfe and Sam Heughan are brilliant in their roles and have amazing chemistry with one another.  Andrew Gower was a FABULOUS Bonnie Prince Charlie. However, the performance that stole the show for me came from Tobias Menzies in episode 1 as Frank Randall when he discovers that his wife was pregnant by anotehr man. His scenes took my breath away. Acting wise, the one weak link in the cast was Sophie Skelton who played Brianna Randall. She really couldn't hold up to Catriona's talent when they were arguing in a scene. The scenery is gorgeous, the clothing is sumptuous, the story is amazing, the actors are brilliant - definitely a go out and see now!

The Royals (Season 2)

The Royals is an E! television drama series on a fictional dysfunctional British royal family. The second season premiered on November 15, 2015 and centers around the ramifications of the assassination of King Simon. 

Elizabeth Hurley as Queen Helena Henstridge

William Moseley as Prince Liam Henstridge

Alexandra Park as Princess Eleanor Henstridge

Jake Maskall as King Cyrus

I give this TV show a 2/5. It's the story of a dysfunctional, drug taking, sex addicted royal family, you know from the get go that this isn't Shakespeare. It's raunchy, it's drama filled, it's a tad cheesy at times but it works. Compared to the first season, the story was a bit all over the place and I felt that the story didn't advance much. The only thing holding this story together was the search for Simon's killer and even that fell a little flat. However, what I felt was an improvement from last season, was character development more specifically for Princess Eleanor's "Len's"character. Alexandra Park, you are a beautiful girl and I hope you get far in your acting career. William Moseley, I'm sorry, you are extremely dull as our protagonist. You had more charisma as Peter from the Chronicles of Narnia than you do here. And when everyone from the story is trying to push you up to be the King they think you are, I don't believe it. Jake Maskall, you CHEW that scenery! Chew it to bits and pieces. His story line was drawl and his character was unappealing - sadly, not in a love-to-hate-him kind of way. Why are the twins even in this series? They aren't funny, they're just annoying. When I heard that Elizabeth Hurley was cast in the role of Queen Helena, my first thought was, "YES!" and she kills it as the Queen. She is at her best when she outsmarts people and boldly says, "I'm the Queen". But her character doesn't go anywhere this season and it feels like such a waste of potential. While I did not approve of Jasper's blackmailing ways in the first season, I saw some potential in him this time around and the unraveling of his backstory was an interesting addition to the plot. It's not good by any stretch of the imagination but if you're looking for some raunchy royal fun, give it a try.   

Versailles (Series 1)

Versailles is a 2015 Canal+ television series on the court of King Louis XIV of France during the construction of the Palace of Versailles.

George Blagden as King Louis XIV of France

Alexander Vlahos as Philippe, Duke of Orléans

Elisa Lasowski as Queen Marie Thérèse of France

Noémie Schmidt as Princess Henrietta Anne of England

I give this TV series a 1/5. I was genuinely excited for this show when I first heard about it because Louis XIV! The Sun King! Which is why I am sad to say it wasn't that good. Now don't get me wrong, the sets and the costumes were absolutely beautiful and it was a visual feast for my eyes. But it wasn't that good. You can tell they were trying to make "The Tudors" version of Versailles and it just doesn't work. This story is so bastardize by Hollywood that I could get drunk with all the tropes I find in it. Tell me if this doesn't sound ridiculous to you. Claudine is a progressive girl in 17th century France who doesn't believe in the magic mumbo jumbo of that century's medicine, instead she believes in "science". Because of her sex, she must disguise herself as a man to work as personal physician to the King who sees her inner potential. Poppycock! To say that Versailles is historically inaccurate is a bit of an understatement. The show butchers every female character it has. Normally, I would forgive changes to history for the sake of drama but when you have such a rich history as the love life of King Louis XIV of France it is downright insulting. Louise de la Valliere was just a religious nutjob and the romantic way that she and Louis fell in love is reduced to a boob grab in the back of church. Athenais, Madame de Montespan, was no maitresse en titre - boring and bland. Queen Marie Therese had a black baby?! I remember reading that this show caused controversy in France because it is in English instead of French. English is my native tongue and I would prefer it to be in English so that didn't bother me but what did bother me was that the only person on the show with a French accent was Princess Henrietta Anne of ENGLAND. Another English figure they ruined was Charles II of England. I was so excited for the Treaty of Dover but the moment Charles II of England came on screen, I recoiled in horror. The man who sired nearly twenty bastards was gayer than the Duke of Orléans. As I was watching the scene unfold, I could not help but think of a much much better show, Charles II the Power and the Passion, and how it knew its source material. This was trash. The thing I will give Versailles credit for are its two main characters. George Blagden looked the part and he acted the part but the person who really stole the show was Alexander Vhalos as Philippe, Duke of Orléans! The moment I saw him I thought he captured the character perfectly! Perfect, simply perfect. I loved seeing the relationship between the two brothers and this can be extended a little to Minette. However, this show was bland and boring for all of its sex and violence and if I didn't have to write this review I wouldn't have even finished it.  

Poldark (Series 1)

Poldark is a 2015 BBC drama series on the first two books of Winston Graham's Poldark novels, debuting on March 8, 2015. Having long believed to be dead in the American Revolutionary War, Ross Poldark returns home to discover everything has changed.  

Aidan Turner as Captain Ross Poldark

Eleanor Tomlinson as Demelza Carne

Heida Reed as Elizabeth Chynoweth

Kyle Soller as Francis Poldark

Jack Farthing as George Warleggan

Ross Poldark returns home to Cornwall after fighting in the American Revolutionary War to discover that his father has died and left his estates in ruins and his sweetheart, Elizabeth, engaged to his cousin. As he tries to rebuild his life, he comes across Demelza Carne, a poor girl whose father has been beating her. He offers Demelza a job as a kitchen maid and she accepts.

Elizabeth and Francis marry. Francis's sister, Verity, falls in love with Captain Blamey, a man who went to jail for murdering his wife. Francis and Blamey duel leading to Francis being shot and Blamey departing, leaving Verity heartbroken. Ross saves Francis's life and Elizabeth reveals that she is pregnant.  

Ross Poldark opens his own mine but struggles to find copper. Ross discovers that his friend, Jimmy, has been poaching. Despite his best efforts to get Jimmy to stop poaching, Jimmy is caught red handed. Even though Ross tries to intervene, Jimmy is sentenced to two years in prison, leaving behind his wife and his newborn child. Ross and Dezelma become lovers and they marry.

Society is scandalized by Ross's mesalliance. Elizabeth gives birth to a son but her relationship with her husband soon deteriorates. Ross's uncle has a heart attack at his grandson's christening and he later dies. Verity makes friends with Demelza. Copper is at last discovered and Demelza reveals that she is pregnant. She gives birth to a girl who they named Julia. 

Ross's friend, Doctor Enys, arrives in Cornwall. Mark, one of Ross's miners, falls in love with an actress, Karen. She quickly becomes disillusioned by Mark's lack of means. Demelza brings Captain Blamey and Verity back together. Ross and cohort decide to start a smelting company in order to driver up the price of copper. 

Ross and Dr. Enys takes Jimmy out of prison and unsuccessfully tries to treat Jimmy but he dies. Depressed, Ross drinks himself silly at the Warleggan ball. There is discovers that George Waleggan's cousin, Matthew, has been cheating at cards. The same Matthew who "won" Francis's mines as the latter becomes an obsessive gambler and a whoremongerer. George Warleggan discovers that the miners are smelting their own copper.

Verity elopes with Captain Blamey and Francis blames Ross. Francis betrays his cousin by revealing the identity of the investors in Ross's smelting company, many of whom having debts to Warleggans. The Warleggans close down Ross's smelting company. Dr. Enys is seduced by Karen and in a fit of rage, Mark accidentally kills her. With the help of Ross, Mark flees to France. Demelza reveals her part in Verity's elopement.

Francis's family is struck with diphtheria. Without Verity to tend to them, Demelza comes to care for them. They all survive but Demelza and Julia soon come down with it themselves. Julia dies. The Warleggan's ship is wrecked off the coast and the townspeople come to take their loot. Matthew drowns. Ross is arrested for Matthew's death and wrecking. 

I give this TV series a 4.5/5. This series is fantastic! I watched the first two episode on Saturday night and finished it off Sunday afternoon. It has everything you want in a period drama love, deception and evil rich people! It is like the Game of Thrones of period dramas! The only problem I have with the show is that I don't fully believe in the Ross/Demelza romance. In the last episode when Ross said that Demelza was the love of his life, I was taken aback. Still, they are very good together and I'm rooting for them come Series 2. Poldark gets a total recommendation to me, go out and watch it now!  

The Scandalous Lady W.

The Scandalous Lady W. is a 2015 BBC production on the scandalous life of Lady Seymour Worsley, nee Fleming.

Natalie Dormer as Seymour Fleming

Aneurin Barnard as Captain George Bisset

Shaun Evans as Sir Richard Worsley

The story of the Lady Seymour Worsley is told through a series of flashbacks as she had her lover, Captain Bisset, runaway to London. All Seymour Fleming wanted in her marriage was to please her husband. On September 17, 1775, she married Sir Richard Worsley, a man whose needs are of a particular sort. Their marriage is consummated only after Seymour gives her husband a strip show through a keyhole. After a few years of marriage, Richard proposes that his wife bed his friend, Viscount Deerhurst, for his viewing pleasure. At first Seymour refuses out of love for her husband but eventually gives into to please Richard.

Worsley begins a criminal conversation against Bisset for the grand sum of 20 000 pounds. In 1778, Sir Richard befriended George Bisset and granted him access to Lady Worsley's bed. The two fall in love and produce a daughter, Jane, although the child is claimed by Sir Richard to avoid scandal. The case seems to be an easy victory for Sir Richard until Lady Seymour decides she is not worth 20 000 pounds. She calls upon all the lovers that Richard forced upon her, her doctor implies that she is infected with a venereal disease and the truth of Jane's bastardom is revealed. The famous incident of the bathhouse concludes the court case. Captain Bisset is to pay Sir Worsley the grand sum of a shilling for damages against his property.

Despite their victory over Richard, George and Seymour's relationship disintegrates. Seymour is sent to exile in France where she lives as an independent woman.

I give this television movie a 1/5. I really wanted to like The Scandalous Lady W., I really did but the highest compliment I can pay this movie is that the costumes and sets are breathtaking and Natalie Dormer is absolutely gorgeous. The script is absolutely horrendous, I felt like I was watching a lifetime TV movie. The script was riddled with many modern sayings that stuck our like a sore thumb. There were too many camera-pan-to-dramatic-stare moments in the show that as I write this I suffer from a horrid headache. They were largely ineffective. I do not know if it's because Natalie Dormer cannot pull off catching an emotion  in her face or lousy directing but it was so terribly awkward! THAT ENDING SCENE! I'm more inclined to believe the latter because there were a few moments when Dormer SPOKE that she shined as an actress. The use of flashbacks in this movie should be called abuse! We would get flashbacks of scenes we saw less than 10 minutes ago. The characters were really under developed for the 90 minute run time that the movie had. You could have replaced Aneurin Barnard with a twig and no one would notice the difference. Shaun Evan had an interesting character to play but the script and the direction caused him to flounder under long and awkward stares. The movie ends with a supposed feminist triumph of Lady Seymour against society but given what happens to her after the final scene concludes leaves much to be desired. I would only recommend this movie if you are a lover of period pieces and pretty dresses. 

The Accidental Empress

The Accidental Empress is a 2015 historical fiction novel written by Allison Pataki on Empress Elisabeth of Austria.

Duchess Elisabeth in Bavaria, "Sisi", lives a happy life in her family's ducal home of Possenhofen with her elder sister, Helene "Nene". Her idyllic life comes to an end when her mother, Ludovika, announces that Nene is to marry Emperor Franz Joseph of Austria. Helene is reluctant to marry the Emperor, preferring to live the life of a nun, so Sisi accompanies her to Bad Ischl to support her.

Almost upon their arrival, Nene makes a terrible impress on Archduchess Sophie, her aunt, and Emperor Franz Joseph. Helene is barely able to speak so it is up to Sisi to make small talk. Franz Joseph becomes enamored with Elisabeth, completely forgetting about Helene. Elisabeth is conflicted about falling in love with her sister's intended but Franz Joseph will have no other. Elisabeth and Franz are married on April 24, 1854.

From her very first moments as Empress, Archduchess Sophie makes Sisi's life a living hell.  Franz's occupation with his role as Emperor leaves Sisi wanting. Elisabeth gives birth to her first daughter, named Sophie after the Archduchess despite Sisi's wish to name the child "Helene" after her sister, 11 months after their wedding. A second daughter, Gisela, comes the very next year. Both children are taken from Sisi immediately after they are born and they are instead raised by Archduchess Sophie.

Elisabeth proposes that Franz take her and the children tour Hungary. Franz agrees despite his mother's protest that the girls aren't strong enough for the journey. In Budapest, the Empress meets Count Julius Andrassy. This idyllic period in Sisi's life comes to an end when both of her daughters fall in. Gisela manages to recover but little Sophie dies in her mother's arms on May 29, 1857.

Sisi falls into a deep depression after the birth of her eldest child. While pregnant with her third child, Elisabeth falls dangerously ill. She is saved only due to the intervention of her mother. On August 11, 1858, the Empress gives birth to a long awaited son, Rudolf. Again her happiness is short lived. Sisi learns of her husband's infidelity when she is infected with a venereal disease. The Empress decides to flee.

After years abroad, Empress Elisabeth of Austria returns to Vienna. While her relationship with her husband is frosty while her relationship with Count Andrassy is in full bloom. The Austo-Prussia war begins on June 14, 1866 but ends a scant seven weeks later. Because of Austria's defeat, the Hungarians press for a constitution. Sisi gives into Franz and he agrees to a dual monarchy. Their coronation occurs in 1867 and ten months later their four child, Marie Valerie, is born. Franz agrees to let Sisi raise the child in Hungary and she and Andrassy consummate their love.

I give this book 1.5/5. It is evident from page one that Allison Pataki  does not come from a history background. Every interesting aspect of Sisi's life has been so watered down that it's incredibly bland and boring. Sisi's wikipedia page is more informative than this book is. Pataki seems to forget the existence of Sisi's older brother, Ludwig! One thing that bothered me, is that Pataki gets all the titles incorrectly. It would not have bothered me as much as it is did if she was at least consistent with them! Is Ludovika Duchess OF Bavaria or IN Bavaria? The characterizations of all the characters are incredibly off. Sisi lacks any of the complexity that makes her a fascinating individual. Franz Joseph has no personality whatsoever. Archduchess Sophie wishes that Sisi was the elder but then she gets upset when Franz favours her above Helene? What? The person who got the short end of the stick in this category is Helene. She is so whiny that it's no wonder she was passed over for her younger sister. On the subject of whether or not Sisi and Andrassy were intimate with one another, Sisi once said that their relationship was never poisoned by love. Sisi was also not a physical woman. It is highly unlikely, at least on her part, that their relationship was anything other than platonic.

Reign (S2E05)

Reign is a 2013-2014 TV series, airing on the CW network, on Mary, Queen of Scots and her marriage to her first husband, King Francis II of France. The third episode of the second season garnered an audience of 1.23 million people.

Adelaide Kane as Mary, Queen of Scots

Toby Regbo as King Francis II of France

Megan Follows as Catherine de Medici

Torrance Coombs as Sebastian "Basch"
Celina Sinden as Greer of Kinross

A band of Catholic thugs interrupt a Protestant church service, kidnaps one of the members and burns down the barn the Protestants were using as a makeshift church. It turns out that the member that was taken and later murdered was the nephew of Louis Conde. They find the culprits but the predominantly Catholic members of the court believe that they have done nothing wrong. 

Francis is haunted by the memory of his dead Father and Caroline, the nurse who seemingly gets possessed by Henry, keeps showing up.  He confesses his murder to Caroline but she wasn't really possessed by the spirit of the previous King of France but just an actress paid by Narcisse in order to blackmail Francis. Francis acquiesces to Narcisse's demands causing strife between him and Mary and he blames this on her losing their child. 

Kenna discovers a journal written by a lady at court who has sampled a few men (and women!) at court and she is determined to find out who the mystery man is in the journal and along with her for the ride is Lola. As it turns out this man is Narcisse. 

Greer and Castleroy marry despite him being a Protestant. 

I give this episode a 1.5/5. Girl, I called it. Caroline's actress gave out worse and worse performances as the episodes went on that I couldn't help but suspect that she playing Francis the whole time. While I like the Catholic vs Protestant subplot, but you can't say equal religion for all when one religion is clearly being persecuted. I like how Mary is suddenly uncaring towards people's religions when in reality, THAT'S ALL SHE EVER CARED ABOUT. I am so done with this Castleroy-Greer plot, I don't even know what is going on anymore. Leith give up man. Just give up. She made her decision a million years ago and he still isn't over it. Whatever, I don't care. I don't. Weird lesbian couple scene that didn't have to happen but fanservice so why not - also good openmindedness on the part of Kenna...IN THE SIXTEETH CENTURY. As a side note, the dresses looked incredibly bad this episode...worse than usual. The polka dots that covered the actress's breasts took me out of the environment of the French court and it was done twice, once with Kenna and then with Lola. Greer's wedding dress is more reminiscent to Queen Victoria's wedding dress than say the true Mary Queen of Scots's - another really big distraction. 

Reign (S2E04)

Reign is a 2013-2014 TV series, airing on the CW network, on Mary, Queen of Scots and her marriage to her first husband, King Francis II of France. The third episode of the second season garnered an audience of 1.26 million people.

Adelaide Kane as Mary, Queen of Scots

Toby Regbo as King Francis II of France

Megan Follows as Catherine de Medici

Torrance Coombs as Sebastian "Basch"
Anna Popplewell as Lola

The time has come for the christening of Lola and Francis's child. Lola is concerned by Mary's lack of anger of the actions resulting in the birth of her son. Lord Narcisse comes to court with his new bride who Lola recognizes as Estelle, the girl who took her in when she was in labour. The last time that she had seen Narcisse and Estelle the latter had been placed in a cage. Estelle hands Lola a secret note begging the Lady to help her. Mary reveals the she is pregnant with Francis's baby and news quickly spreads around court. 

Their marriage has not been consummated yet but Estelle has heard rumors of his treatment of his previous wives and she is utterly terrified. Lola promises to do whatever she can for Estelle but Mary believes that they should act on the side of caution, leading to a dispute between the two women. Lola decides to act against Mary's wishes and botches Estelle's escape. When all hope is lost, Mary steps in and they send Estelle off to a safe place. Mary and Lola put their differences aside and Lola asks Mary to be godmother to her son. 

The stress of the day takes its toll on Mary and she miscarries. Conde helps her during her time of needs but she hides the fact that she has lost the child until after the christening. A maid informs Lola that Estelle committed suicide shortly after arriving at the safe location, believing that her parents had been calling out to her. Narcisse and Lola settle the rumors spread about him over Estelle's dead body. Narcisse had kept her in the cage because Estelle believed that her parents wanted her to join them and had attempted suicide before. Narcisse did not play a role in the death of his other wives as previously thought. 

Greer is left in a state of limbo over Lord Castleroy's departure. Castleroy informs her that he no longer wishes to jeopardize his happiness with her and is going to call the whole thing off. Greer wavers between Castleroy and Leith but eventually comes to the decision that Castleroy, beyond just his financial assets, is the best choice. Castleroy is hesitant but the couple consummate their relationship. 

I give this episode 1/5. Did this episode further the plot in any way? Mary and Lola weren't mad at each other before and by the end of it they're not bad at each other anymore. Lola has a baby and Mary didn't and by the end of the episode, Lola still has a child and Mary doesn't anymore. Greer's plotline is the only one that progressed and it went in a really weird way, mainly due to the terribly acted love scene by Celina Sinden. It was just so awkward. And this only progressed somewhat seeing as she was already with Castleroy in the first place. Shining light on Narcisse's character was done poorly. "HER DEFIANCE WILL BE THE END OF HER!" He said....lovingly. When Narcisse was talking about his second wife who was a hemophiliac I thought to myself 1) How do you know what that is in the 1500s 2) DAMN GIRL, YOU ARE SO UNLUCKY! Keep in mind I did my extended essay on Hemophilia and the British Royal Family so I know a thing or two about the disease and you'd have to have a FATHER who is a hemophiliac and a MOTHER who is at the very least a carrier to be female with hemophilia. HOW UNLUCKY CAN YOU BE?!

Reign (S2E03)

Reign is a 2013-2014 TV series, airing on the CW network, on Mary, Queen of Scots and her marriage to her first husband, King Francis II of France. The third episode of the second season garnered an audience of 1.36 million people.

Adelaide Kane as Mary, Queen of Scots

Toby Regbo as King Francis II of France

Megan Follows as Catherine de Medici

Torrance Coombs as Sebastian "Basch"

Catherine arranges lavish ceremonies in preparation for Francis's coronation much to the dismay of Mary and Francis, who feel that such displays are distasteful after France was decimated by the plague. As Narcisse has delayed on delivering his grain, Francis and Mary try other French options, ie Lord Ducasse, but Narcisse is quick to put an end to this. They seek help from a German duke, Herr Schuler, who offers them grain in return for the freedom of Protestant prisoners imprisoned by Henry II. Herr Schuler becomes impatient with waiting for their pardon so Mary agrees to free the prisoners without Francis. Francis is angered by Mary's actions as it undermines his position at court. When Herr Schuler comes to free the prisoners, all of them have mysteriously disappeared. As it turns out, Conde was the one who had them smuggled out. With some convincing by Mary, he returns them and all is well.

Kenna becomes embarrassed by Basch's lack of formal home after the Plague especially when Lola has just been rewarded with a summer home in light of her being the mother of Francis's only son. Lady Barnard offers to help Kenna gain some land for cheap, however, it is revealed that this is in fact a bribe to get Basch to stop investigating a murder Lord Barnard has committed. Basch informs his wife that he means to pursue justice but Kenna burns the evidence as she fears retribution if Basch continues to ruffle the nobles' feathers.

Francis calls upon the aid of a summoner to confirm that the wet nurse was indeed possessed by the soul of his dead father. Henry knows that it was Francis who killed him. Francis and Mary have their coronation and are now King and Queen of France, ceremony and all.

I give this episode 2.75/5. The writers are getting SOME political nuance in there and I give them credit for that. I really liked the scene where Francis confronts Mary on weakening his position in the public eye - this show actually has brains for once? But there are still a bunch of stupid points throughout the episode. The wet nurse possessed by the soul of Henry is still ridiculous but it wasn't quite as funny as it was before. The conversation between Catherine and Narcisse was a little iffy. I'm aware of that Catherine de Medici wasn't especially fond of Mary, Queen of Scots. However, considering the main objective of the royal family is to propagate the royal dynasty, so trying to stop Mary from conceiving would be a little counter intuitive. True, if Mary were to give Francis an heir, Catherine's position would wane a little but we must always keep in mind that Catherine is Francis's mother - she is the mother of a King. The sex scene at the end was a little jarring. It came out of no where and I was just thought to myself 'Okay then...'. It was poorly done from a directing stand point as there was a point where I thought, 'She's on top of him waiting for the camera guy to say action so they can kiss...did you just reuse the same shot? . Progress is key. Still hoping for the best. 

Reign (S2E02)

Reign is a 2013 TV series, airing on the CW network, on Mary, Queen of Scots and her marriage to her first husband, King Francis II of France. The second episode of the second season garnered an audience of 1.09 million people.

Adelaide Kane as Mary, Queen of Scots

Toby Regbo as King Francis II of France

Megan Follows as Catherine de Medici

Torrance Coombs as Sebastian "Basch"

Francis, Lola and their child return to the castle, renewing Mary's anxieties over her lack of providing an heir. With Francis came Lord Narcisse, devastated over the news of his son's, Lord Edward's, death. He confronts Catherine over some discrepancies in Nostradamus's diagnosis, ultimately discovering the truth. Despite Mary's guarantee of his safety, Narcisse has Nostradamus arrested and sentenced to be hang, drawn and quartered.

Lord Castleroy is devastated by his daughter's murder and blames Leith for placing her in such a dangerous position. He accuses Leith of only using his daughter for her position, something previously told to him by Greer. Greer feels terrible for what she has done and tries to make amends. Castleroy reveals that he is leaving on a trip for an extended period of time and this will be a test to see if Greer is actually his.

Now it is Mary's turn to note some discrepancies in the Narcisse family story. She soon realizes that Edward was actually working on the orders of his father when her murdered the Valent family. His true reason for murdering Valent was that the two had killed a cardinal together and Valent became consumed by guilt over the affair. He had meant to confess his crimes but Edward had put an end to that. However, Mary comes to know this by means of confession and therefore she has no substantial evidence. 

Conde sides with Francis in the matter of Narcisse and Narcisse accuses him of being a Huegenot. Conde does not admit to this, he does say that he is against the corruption of the Catholic Church. He is present at Nostradamus's execution as a show of protest against. But the execution is stopped by Francis's timely intervention with a "confession" he discovered written by Lord Valent - actually just a forgery - and Narcisse agrees to halt pardon Nostradamus for some land.  As it turns out, that land is or was Leith's. Nostradamus decides to leave court.

Sebastian warns Mary and Basch of souls that couldn't find peace, souls that want to return. Francis is visited by his father's ghost and is labelled, "Usurper".

I give this episode 2.75/5. I know I said that I would try to keep scores +/- 0.5 so that they're easy to read but, while this episode is better than the season premiere, I just couldn't bring myself to give it a three. I'm sorry. I like that this show is trying to do intrigue but they just don't do it that well. I didn't buy it for a second that there was this giant conspiracy going on. I don't care about the Leith-Greer-Castleroy love triangle, I just don't. However, I loved the twist at the end where the land that Francis gave away was Leith's - although I should have suspected it considering he has never worked that land before. I'm interested in what they're going to do about the Huegenot plot line with Conde but considering that Francis dies in 1560, I don't know how far it will actually go. I don't mind the supernatural plotline for once but the end was a little ridiculous. The ghost of Henry II enters into a the wet nurse's body and asks Francis "Don't you recognize your own father?". If I were Francis I would have bursted out laughing and replied, "No, I don't Dad. You got a big ol' pair of boobs now."

Reign (S2E01)

Reign is a 2013 TV series, airing on the CW network, on Mary, Queen of Scots stay at the French court during the 1550s. The second season premiered on October 2, 2014 to an audience 1.01 million people.

Adelaide Kane as Mary, Queen of Scots

Toby Regbo as King Francis II of France

Megan Follows as Catherine de Medici

Torrance Coombs as Sebastian "Basch"
Anna Popplewell as Lola

The Black Death has returned to France! With Francis away from court to find Lola and her baby, Mary and Catherine are left behind to try and deal with the crisis. The two Queens decide to place the castle under lock down.  Lord Edward demands that Mary and Catherine have Lord Valent murdered albeit subtly via infection and for leverage, he informs them that he controls deliveries of food to court. The two differing values of Mary and Catherine clash over what is to be done about Edward's demands. Catherine falls ill, through the handiwork of Nostradamus, and Mary uses this opportunity to put an end to Edward's plan. In the end, Mary's plans are foiled when Edward reveals that he has already posioned the entire Valent household. Mary punishes Edward for his actions by having him locked in the catacombs so that he may be exposed to the plague and die.

Right and left, people are dying from the Plague and it is up to Basch to contain the outbreak in the castle. Kenna tries to protect Pascal from the disease but he becomes exposed and dies. Basch becomes exposed as well and he slowly begins to lose his sanity as the days wear on. A ghost warns him of the reckoning that will follow due to all the people who have lost their lives from the Plague along with other souls who died violently. Basch and Kenna reunited after this troubling time.

Leith continues to pursue a relationship with Yvette, Lord Castleroy's daughter, much to Greer's dismay. Leith and Yvette make plans to sneak away for a midnight rendez-vous. But it is never to be as Yvette stayed the night with the Valents and unfortunately, she was one of the victims of Edward's dastardly crime.

With the Plague spreading throughout all the countryside, Francis decides to move Lola further north where the disease has not yet affected the population. They are aided in their journey by Francis's cousin, Louis Conde. As they travel, Francis becomes more attached to his son and conflicted about whether or not to send the child away. Conde is set to send his mistress to the Netherlands and he invites Lola and her child to join them. In the end, Francis decides that he wants his son by his side and they decide to return to Paris.

I give this episode a 2.5/5. IT'S BACK! BY SOME MIRACLE THIS SHOW IS BACK! Is this season's premiere better than the first's? Yes. Is the premiere any good? Eh. It was by no means bad. Since we are on the second season, let's not make mention about how this show is incredibly historically inaccurate. No need to beat that dead horse. There were some positives to this episode, namely that tension surrounding the plague. I will admit I got a little teary eyed when Pascal died. And for this season, Nostradamus shaved his scraggle beard making him almost unrecognizable! However, there were some negatives as well like HOLY CRAP, THE PERSON WHO PLAYS EDWARD, Yes, I am referring to you, Kjartan Hewitt, IS A TERRIBLE ACTOR and I find the drama surrounding Francis and Lola to be boring and a little tedious. All in all, not a great episode but not a bad one either. I might actually be looking forward to this season. 

Russia's Lost Princesses

Russia's Lost Princesses is a 2014 two part documentary on BBC Two on the four daughters of Tsar Nicholas II of Russia, Grand Duchesses Olga, Tatiana, Maria and Anastasia.

PART I: The Gilded Cage aired on August 21, 2014

PART II: The World Turned Upside Down aired on August 26, 2014

The Gilded Cage

The story of the last Grand Duchesses begin with the story of their mother, Empress Alexandra Feodorovna of Russia. She was born Princess Alix of Hesse and by the Rhine, the daughter of Grand Duke Ludwig IV of Hesse and Princess Alice of the United Kingdom. When she was six years old, Alix lost her mother and her younger sister to diphtheria, forever changing Alix from a happy girl to a sombre child. At a young age, Alix met and fell in love with Tsarevich Nicholas Alexandrovich of Russia. However, there were concerns about her suitability as Empress from Tsar Alexander III of Russia and Tsaritsa Maria Feodorovna. Not just for Alix but for Nicholas as well. Alexander died in 1894 and the pair were thrown head first into the pitfalls of Imperial rule. Alix's, now Alexandra Feodorovna, shy disposition made her unpopular at court, however, she was able to find consolation in the arms of her husband. The couple were entirely devoted to one another, preferring to live away at Tsarkoe Selo from the glaring eye of the court.

Alexandra had four daughters in quick succession: Olga (1895), Tatiana (1897), Maria (1899) and Anastasia (1901). As the matriarch of their growing family, Alexandra was determined to be a true mother to her children and raised them in the simple upbringing that she herself had experience. The girls grew up in a close knit family unit although each developed their own distinct personality. Olga was the sensitive one, Tatiana was the dutiful one, Maria was the kind one and Anastasia was the rambunctious one. However family life was marred due to the Imperial couple's lack of a son. On July 30, 1904, the splendid event occurred. A son, named Alexei, was born. Unfortunately, he had hemophilia, a blood related disease that he had inherited from his mother. For the family, life would revolve around little Alexei, who could be very spoiled at times.

To deal with Alexei's hemophilia, Alexandra began to rely on the faith healer, Gregory Rasputin. The mysterious man from Siberia came with a bad reputation as a womanizer and many rumors were spread about his relationship with the Tsaritsa and her four daughters. Alexandra was plagued with poor health and was often restricted to her wheel chair or bed. Rasputin became the girls' close contact. By the Romanov third centennial, Russia was already set for the revolution to unfold, something unbeknownst to the four Grand Duchesses.

The World Turned Upside Down

On the eve of the First World War, the four Russian Grand Duchesses begin to blossom into beautiful young women and for Olga and Tatiana love is in the air. The girls find their first crushes among the sailors on the Standart but as Princesses they must marry into their rank.  Nicholas and Alexandra see a prospective match in Prince Carol of Romania but Olga is quick to reject him. Just as the girls are about to enter the spring of their youth, World War One erupts. The elder girls take up work as nurses with their mother and it is during this time that they first come in contact with the outside world. Olga falls in love with one of the wounded soldiers and it was a sweet love that she carries with her until the end of her days.

As Russia enters the war, Alexandra's dependence on Rasputin become stronger. He is not only there for guidance on Alexei but now he begins to interfere in politics. Nicholas fires his uncle, Grand Duke Nicholas Nikolaevich, and places himself at the head of the army, leaving Alexandra (and Rasputin) in charge. Public opinion against the Empress begins to mount. Rumors of Alexandra and her daughters' relationship with the mystic monk began to circulate Petrograd. The people begin to believe that she is a spy for Germany due to her birth. Even within the Romanov family, tensions begin to erupt. In 1916, Rasputin was murdered. The murder was committed by members of the Romanov family in what was the worst betrayal. They believe that this murder will bring the monarchy back from the edge but it is the final push. On March 15, 1917, Nicholas II abdicates for himself and for Alexei. All the girls except for Maria were ill with the measles so Alexandra didn't tell them until a weak later. Everything has changed.

Nicholas believed that with all of his family connections someone would be able to do something for him and his family. His cousin, George V, initially offered asylum to the family but quickly rescinded the offer. The family was to stay in Russia. The family was moved to Tobolsk where they remained isolated from the world. When the Communists took over, they were moved to Ekaterinburg. Things were becoming increasingly difficult. On July 17, 1918, Nicholas, Alexandra, Olga, Tatiana, Maria, Anastasia and Alexei were murdered. They were shot and bayoneted. They bodies thrown in a mine shaft once it was over.

I give this two part documentary series 2/5. I'm really disappointed in this documentary series. The BBC is usually quite reliable in its quality of production and information but this was a total let down. It felt that it was just an image slideshow - something I'd expect out of a low quality History Channel (Sorry! But the proof is on Youtube) hour long documentary. There were also a lot of mistakes.They labelled a picture of Alexandra holding a baby as Olga when it was clearly Tatiana. Trust me, I'd know. Olga has those damn chubby cheeks. There was a really bad transition between Alix's youth when they showed a picture of her when she was twelve and then switched back to a picture of her when she was six. In short, not the greatest in production value.

Russia's Lost Princesses makes a lot of claims that I don't necessarily agree with. I really did not like how they portrayed Alexandra and Nicholas's parenthood - say what you will about Nicholas's rule, but he made a great husband to Alexandra and father to their five children. They accuse Alexandra of trying to manipulate her children on account of her health which I don't think is the right term for it. I mean you wouldn't call your mother manipulative if she had to go away for a little bit and told you to be good now would you? They say that Nicholas and Alexandra spoiled Alexei which is a tad true but what you have to understand is that EVERYONE spoiled Alexei. OTMA wasn't pushed aside by their parents, they actively took part in loving their little brother too. In my opinion, the show did not handle Rasputin's relationship with the royal family well. To fully understand Rasputin, you need to understand Alexandra's suffering as she watches her son dying before her eyes. The documentary doesn't cover that well enough because it's a documentary on OTMA but then it doesn't cover OTMA's relationship with the mystic monk very well either because they're focusing Alexandra so in the end, you don't get much information either way. There was way too much Nicholas and Alexandra, I bet you a dollar that after watching that film you don't come away with any new information on the four sisters other than they were girls. And the only thing girls care about are boys.

The shows biggest problem is that for a documentary titled Russia's Lost Princesses, it's focus is primarily Nicholas and Alexandra. Filled with many ridiculous claims and poorly presented, I say give this one a pass. From what I've seen, Helen Rappaport has nothing to be proud about.

Farewell, My Queen

Farewell, My Queen is a 2012 French film, directed Benoit Jacquot, on the last few days of the French Monarchy.

Lea Seydoux as Sidonie Laborde

Diane Kruger as Queen Marie Antoinette of France

Virginie Ledoyen as Yolande de Polastron, Duchess of Polignac

Xavier Beauvois as King Louis XVI of France

The movie's protagonist is a young Sidonie Laborde, who works as the Queen's reader. On the eve of the French Revolution, the occupants of Versailles continue their daily routines, ignoring the brewing crisis in Paris twelve kilometers away. 

On July 14, 1789, the French people storm the Bastille. As new spreads of this catastrophe, nobles and servants alike begin to flee, stealing whatever they can get their grubby little hands on. Sidonie, a true believer in the French monarchy, refuses to leave the Royal Family. The Queen has Sidonie run many errands in preparations for a flight from the capital. However, Louis XVI refuses to abandon his people.

Vicious rumors are spread about the Queen's relationship with her favorite, the Duchess of Polignac. Marie Antoinette comes to confide in her reader her true feelings regarding Yolande de Polastron. She becomes distraught believing that the Duchess has forsaken her but after a council meeting, the Queen's favorite makes her appearance and the two share an intimate moment together. However, their time to get won't last long as the Queen of France sends the Duchess de Polignac away for her own safety, something that devastates her. She sends her last message to her favorite via Sidonie in the form of a kiss on the lips.

Sidonie is made to disguise herself as the Duchess de Polignac, while the real one pretends to be her maid, so that they can escape to Switzerland. The Duke and Duchess treat Sidonie with disdain, however, she is able to pull off her role admirably when the coach is stopped by an angry mob. Sidonie comments that her position as reader to the Queen defines her and now that that is over, she will fade into nothingness. 

I give this movie 1.5/5. I am not a fan of the directing style of Benoit Jacquot. His films are always so slow paced and this movie was no different. It started off interesting enough and I think it did a really good job of establishing life at Versailles for the servants. However, once the revolution started to pick up steam, the film failed to do so. Then it gets really really slow.The ending was incredibly anti-climatic and any sense of tension is loss within a minute of it arriving.

Lea Seydoux was an extreme let down as the lead. Her character was bland and boring - her key characteristics is that she's in love with the Queen, big whup. She basically squints her way through the movie. The real star of the movie is Diane Kruger who absolutely kills as Marie Antoinette. Many critics have drawn a comparison between Sofia Coppola's film and Jacquot's but, in comparison, to Kirsten Dundst, Kruger is perfect. The one thing I will praise the film for is properly conveying the relationship between Louis and Marie Antoinette. I think this film best captures the couple's interactions with one another. The film does dive into Marie Antoinette's relationship with the Duchess de Polignac (with homosexual undertones) and I think that's one of its finer points as its rather subtle and is not too heavy handed in the propaganda territory. 

Grace of Monaco

Grace of Monaco is a 2014 biographical film, directed by Olivier Dahan, about the life of Grace Kelly, Princess of Monaco. The films centers around the drama of Kelly's possible return to Hollywood and a dispute between Prince Rainier III of Monaco and French President, Charles de Gaulle.

Nicole Kidman as Princess Grace of Monaco

Tim Roth as Prince Rainier III of Monaco

Frank Langella as Father Francis Tucker

Geraldine Somerville as Princess Antoinette of Monaco

Nicholas Farrell as Jean-Charles Rey

The film begins with Grace Kelly on the set of one of her films. She then marries Rainier and moves to Monaco to become the Princess of the tiny principality. Six years later, Alfred Hitchcock pays a visit to Grace in Monaco where he offers her a role in his new movie, Marnie. Grace begins to become disillusioned with her life as a Princess. Her outspoken nature lands her into hot water with the Chief Treasury Agent to Charles de Gaulle and for that she is scolded by her husband. Although she is President of the Monegasque Red Cross, she is curtailed in pursuing her humanitarian work and is told instead to focus on balls, dresses, etc.

Tensions between France and Monaco begin to escalate as France insists that Monaco begin charging income tax on the French millionaires that seek refuge there. Rainier "Ray" gives Grace "Gracie" his approval for her to star in Marnie under the condition that Hollywood would not release this information until after the Palace publishes. However, the news somehow leaks out. Charles de Gaulle uses this as an opportunity to undermine the Monegasque throne. In light of this, Ray snaps at his wife causing her to seriously reconsider her marriage. 

Grace decides to make the best of her situation and embrace her station as Princess Consort of Monaco. While she is training, she has her trusted friends investigate the spy that leaked out the information of her returning to Hollywood. Gracie learns that her mentor, Father Francis, is soon to depart for America and she is devastated. This revelation brings Rainier and Grace back together. They also discover that the spy within their ranks is Rainier's sister, Antoinette, who has been having an affair with Jean-Charles Rey. The couple are banished from the Principality. 

Princess Grace hosts a formal dinner, Charles de Gaulle is invited, where she expresses her hope of having a true fairy tale ending. They all live happily ever after.

I give this movie 1/5. Let's address the elephant in the room: I'm not particularly familiar with the story of Grace Kelly. She was an Academy Award Winning Actress that married a handsome Prince and they had three lovely children together. The end. I am aware that this movie is INCREDIBLY historically inaccurate.  Prince Albert and his two sisters have basically denounced the movie as a load of hogwash. However, this review will be primarily based on what I saw as a movie goer....and yeah, inaccuracies aside, this movie was still pretty bad. It was just kind of nothing. When I finished the movie I thought to myself, "That's it? THAT'S IT?!". The ideas that Olivier Dahan tries to convey are lost in its delivery. Yup, tax evasion is a good thing, kiddies. While the movie looks nice, that's about as much a compliment that I can pay it. 

On to Nicole Kidman as Grace Kelly. Despite all the criticism she's received, come on, you guys, you have to admit that when you saw the trailer you thought that Nicole Kidman was a decent choice to play Grace Kelly. She certainly resembles the late Princess of Monaco. When I first saw Nicole Kidman's performance I couldn't help but think "FOR THE LOVE OF GOD, WHAT HAPPENED TO YOU NICOLE KIDMAN!". There's something not quite right about her face. However, there are moments where you see that connection between the actress and her character. Is her performance good? No. Not particularly but I blame it more on the director than Kidman herself. At first when the camera came up real close to Kidman's face, I thought it was quite artsy as she does have beautiful eyes. However, he does it constantly and after a while I can't help but think BACK OFF, YOU BOZO. The rest of the cast wasn't memorable. Tim Roth was just there...muttering and smoking in the background. The part where Grace confronts Antoinette was horrendous. Geraldine Somerville was just shrieking like a 10 year old girl (my poor ears). 

Boring. Nonsensical. Unmemorable. Don't watch it. Just don't. Not even if you like Grace Kelly. Not even as a starter. Just don't.

I Wanna Marry Harry (TV Series)

I Wanna Marry Harry is a 2014 reality television show about twelve women vying for the hand of who they think is Prince Henry of Wales. In reality, the bachelor whose affection they seek is Matthew Hicks, a Harry lookalike. The first episode premier on May 20, 2014. The show was cancelled on June 12, 2014 after airing four episodes. The remaining episodes were uploaded onto Hulu.com the next day.

Episode 1 - Leah Tom

Episode 2 - Andrea Fox

Episode 3 - Carley Hawkins

Episode 4 - Chelsea Brookshire (Quit) and Anna Lisa Mattias

Episode 5 - Maggie Toraason

Episode 6 - Jaqueline Conroy and Meghan Ramsey

Episode 7 - Rose Copeland

Episode 8 - Kelley Andrews and Karina Kennedy

WINNER: KIMBERLY BIRCH!

I give this show a 2.5/5. For all the criticisms that this show received from me, I have to admit one thing: It was damn good entertainment. The show definitely got better in the later episodes so I'm a little sad that it stopped airing before getting to the good stuff. I've made the comparison between the Bachelor and I Wanna Marry Harry countless times but what I liked about the show is the camaraderie between the girls on the show. They interacted on the show and seemed to be having a lot of fun. Now hold up! Let's talk about the Mean Girls on the show. Anna Lisa was Regina George. She pushed Chelsea closer and closer to the edge until the poor girl fell off. Meghan was another big drama creator in the show but she's a lot like Gretchen Wieners - she's funny. I do believe that she got a lot of undeserved flack from the girls. Although she did get wrapped up in the whole 'OMG HE'S PRINCE HARRY' scenario, she seemed pretty genuine in her person. I liked how she referred to him as babe and their date together was pretty cute. Kelley kept mentioning Meghan rubbing her boobs in his face and at first I was like 'What boobs' but then holy cow - yes, they were big. But I feel that Kelley's criticism against Meghan was on the most part slut shaming which I strongly disapprove of. Ah Rose, our resident Karen Smith, ironically, she was the only person who actually figured out that Matt Hicks is not Prince Harry. KUDOS. I felt kind of sad to see her go because even though she figured out that Matt wasn't actually Harry, she still stuck around to try and get to know him better. Man, I wholeheartedly disliked Kelley. STAGE FIVE CLINGER. Say what you will about Meghan but that girl was more obsessed with the Prince lie than anyone else. If you ask me, she was the conniving woman, trying twice to ruin relations between Matt and the other girls. I'm glad he got rid of her once he knew that she was trying to manipulate him.Y'all know how much I like Karina. She proves herself time and time again that she is an absolutely darling. But I don't mind that Kimberly won. She seems the most down to earth out of all the girls. The money at the end was a good twist and I thought it was sweet that Kimberly accepted him anyways. I probably would have been more concerned that he lied to me rather than a prince but hey, I hear they're still together. I'm hoping for the best for those two <3>

I Wanna Marry Harry (Episode 4)

I Wanna Marry Harry is a 2014 reality television show about twelve women vying for the hand of who they think is Prince Henry of Wales. In reality, the bachelor whose affection they seek is Matthew Hicks, a Harry lookalike. The first episode premier on May 20, 2014.

Carley Hawkins - Eliminated

Rose Copeland 

Meghan  Ramsey

Maggie Toraason

Kimberly Birch

Kelley Andrews

Karina Kennedy

Jacqueline Conroy

Chelsea Brookshire - Quit

Anna Lisa Matias - Eliminated

Andrea Fox - Eliminated

Leah Thom - Eliminated

THIS SHOW - ELIMINATED

On June 12, 2014, Fox canceled the show after four episodes due to poor ratings.

I give this episode a 2.5/5. I'm sad to announce that this redneck of a show has gotten cancelled :'( R.I.P the multiple brain cells that have died watching this show. I guess the only people watching this show are us monarchist folk. Now on to the review....Karina is such a sweet heart and I absolutely adore her. They finally kissed this episode and it had me squealing with how cute it was! Maggie needs to calm herself. She gets drunk EVERY SINGLE EPISODE. Mad respect for Chelsea for calling it like it is and not taking any of that nonsense from Anna Lisa. It's ironic that Anna Lisa's "bullying" forced Chelsea off the show yet she was the one to leave next! Although props to her for calling Matt Hicks out on his noes...it's all in the nose. Kelley seems crazy obsessed and I feel like by giving her the Crown Suite you're just feeding into the crazy. Excited to see what the next episode has in store - oh wait....

I Wanna Marry Harry (Episode 3)

I Wanna Marry Harry is a 2014 reality television show about twelve women vying for the hand of who they think is Prince Henry of Wales. In reality, the bachelor whose affection they seek is Matthew Hicks, a Harry lookalike. The first episode premier on May 20, 2014.

Carley Hawkins - Eliminated

Rose Copeland 

Meghan  Ramsey

Maggie Toraason

Kimberly Birch

Kelley Andrews

Karina Kennedy

Jacqueline Conroy

Chelsea Brookshire

Anna Lisa Matias

Andrea Fox - Eliminated

Leah Thom - Eliminated

I give this episode a 3/5. Things are picking up! Let's face it, I'm watching this show for ratchetness not the class of these twelve women. I don't want to see them playing polo unless you make it fun and fill with drams. That's what the show did this week. Dayum girl, that pool party was hot! I'm glad they made it more like the Bachelor in some aspects - more romantical, if you will. They had a three on one date with the "Prince" to a little pond and it was all romantic - like the Notebook as Kelley repeatedly states. I don't particularly like Kelley - a mon avis, she's a bit of an attention whore. I'm saw Carley leaving the house from a mile away. At first I really liked her because she had a 4.0 GPA but that's all that she ever says. She's stand offish, not joining into the fun because of her niece. I agree with Meghan - Carley, you don't have to go all skank on everyone but have a little fun, will ya? I was a little sad last week when Andrew went home but I have a new favorite this week - it's KARINA! She is absolutely gorgeous and she's such a sweet heart. I just love the way that Matt didn't need to kiss her on the lips so develop feelings for her. It was all very touching. Can't wait for her date with "Prince Harry" next week! 

I Wanna Marry Harry (Episode 2)

I Wanna Marry Harry is a 2014 reality television show about twelve women vying for the hand of who they think is Prince Henry of Wales. In reality, the bachelor whose affection they seek is Matthew Hicks, a Harry lookalike. The first episode premier on May 20, 2014.

Carley Hawkins

Rose Copeland 

Meghan  Ramsey

Maggie Toraason

Kimberly Birch

Kelley Andrews

Karina Kennedy

Jacqueline Conroy

Chelsea Brookshire

Anna Lisa Matias

Andrea Fox - Eliminated

Leah Thom - Eliminated

I give this episode 2.5/5.You know how the Bachelor is moderately interesting and you get to know people? I can't say that for I Wanna Marry Harry. There are about half the number of girls on this show but I don't know who is who. I don't want to be mean but all I see is -cough cough- American...and moderately attractive. Rose's date with "Sir" wasn't as nice as any of the Bachelor dates that I have seen. It was 'Meh'. Matt Hicks is growing on me - he's no prince charming but he'll get you there...on his bike. All the girls are so bland - someone do something already - Good early lead, Meghan! Whereas last week I felt that the girl that went home justifiably left, I kind of liked the girl that went home this week. Andrea had a bit of spunk to her - although she suffers from the same low IQ that the rest of the girls went through. "I am always first runner up....I am really competitive, I always come first." 

I Wanna Marry Harry (Episode 1)

I Wanna Marry Harry is a 2014 reality television show about twelve women vying for the hand of who they think is  Prince Henry of Wales. In reality, the bachelor whose affection they seek is Matthew Hicks, a Harry lookalike. The first episode premier on May 20, 2014.

Matthew Hick is a twenty two year old British man who works for an environmental consulting firm. To become "Prince Harry", he dyed his naturally blond hair red and went through "princely" training. I am Prince Henry Charles Albert David of Wales, born September 15, 1984.

The women gather at Englefield House. They include....

Carley Hawkins

Rose Copeland 

Meghan  Ramsey

Maggie Toraason

Kimberly Birch

Kelley Andrews

Karina Kennedy

Jacqueline Conroy

Chelsea Brookshire

Anna Lisa Matias

Andrea Fox

Leah Thom - Eliminated

I give this episode 3/5. I see how the ruse works. When you first hear the premise of the show, you think 'That is absolutely ridiculous' but how the show stops short of stealing Prince Harry's identity is that everything is implied. Could this ruse work on me? I'm just going to go out of my way and say no, given that this is a monarchist media blog. But there is 0.0000001% chance that I could seeing as - yes, I'm ashamed to admit it - I don't know what Prince Harry sounds like. Matt Hicks has a great name - but that's the best thing about him. He's a little bland but the British accent should clear that right up! The girls come to the conclusion all on there own - which makes things a whole lot worse for the twelve women involved in this show. Even though I don't know what the word 'ratchet' means, I think I can safely describe all twelve girls as 'ratchet'. Their sophistication level can be summed up in the sentence "I'm going to shank you in the night." - Oh Rose, you craycray. They all look like the real Bachelor rejects. In my honest opinion, I'm a little glad that Leah was sent home because her hair was nasty! It's certainly mind numbing entertainment. I feel the same watching this show as I would when watching Keeping Up with the Kardashians - Dayum girl! I can't wait for the second episode - I hope no one cancels this show.

Reign (Complete Season)

Reign is a 2013-2014 TV series, broadcasting on the CW network, on Mary, Queen of Scots stay at the French court during the 1550s. It premiered on October 17, 2013 to an audience of 1.98 million. The season concluded on May 15, 2014 with 1.24 million viewers. The first season of the show consists of 22 episodes.

On February 13, 2014, the show was renewed for a second season.

The French Royal Family

Adelaide Kane as Mary, Queen of Scots

Toby Regbo as King Francis II of France

Megan Follows as Catherine de Medici

Alan Van Sprang as King Henry II of France
Torrances Coombs as Sebastian "Basch"

Mary's Ladies
Anna Popplewell as Lola
Celina Sinden as Greer
Cailtin Stasey as Kenna
Jenessa Grant as Aylee

Episode 1
Episode 2
Episode 3
Episode 4
Episode 5
Episode 6
Episode 7
Episode 8
Episode 9
Episode 10
Episode 11
Episode 12
Episode 13 and 14
Episode 15
Episode 16
Episodes 17-22

I give the first season of Reign 2/5. First of all, I would like to apologize for not covering the last six episodes of the season but exams got in the way. Never fear, the complete season review is here! 

This show is incredibly INCREDIBLY historically inaccurate. Mary, Queen of Scots is all wrong. Francis II is wrong. Catherine de Medici is all wrong. Henry II is all wrong....you get my point. he biggest thing to keep in mind about this show is that it is targeted towards teens. All teens care about are pretty people and sex and that is pretty much what the show provides. Who cares about historically accurate clothing? Girls just want to see nice dresses so that's what we'll do! The acting is atrocious. I shudder thinking about all the confessions in this series. I think the worst offender is Adelaide Kane herself. The romances in this series are absolutely dreadful. Lola's 10 second marriage shocked me by its sheer stupidity. As a teenage, historically inclined girl, I understand what they are going for. I will admit that I enjoy the romance between Greer and Leith. I enjoyed the struggled faced by Greer between choosing between her heart and duty. However, I was disappointed that just when the show was dealing out a moral lesson it steam rollers itself. Is this series great? Hell no. Good? Meh. Decent? Yes. It's just something you watch to pass the time.  Will I watch season 2? You tell me.