Ever since I was in the 5th grade, I have always been obsessed with royal history. To this day, I am still fanatic. I’ve read all of Philippa Gregory’s books that covered the history of the Tudors and the Plantagerants, I even watched all five seasons of The Tudors when I was in middle school, I had just finished watching The White Queen on Starz and was in love when The King’s Speech won an Oscar for Best Picture back in 2011.
So I know my stuff, and I always love it when movies and TV shows get made about these influential rulers in history. But most of the time they don’t quite live up to their expectations mainly because they are historically inaccurate on so many levels. The problem is that the writers will either leave a very crucial thing out that had a dramatic effect in European history, or they’ll get the name of a historical figure wrong just to simplify the plot for the audience.
Or worse, they make up a fictional character who never even existed just to make the plot more interesting!
In the end I just glare at my TV in anger for this lack of accuracy.
So I know my stuff, and I always love it when movies and TV shows get made about these influential rulers in history. But most of the time they don’t quite live up to their expectations mainly because they are historically inaccurate on so many levels. The problem is that the writers will either leave a very crucial thing out that had a dramatic effect in European history, or they’ll get the name of a historical figure wrong just to simplify the plot for the audience.
Or worse, they make up a fictional character who never even existed just to make the plot more interesting!
In the end I just glare at my TV in anger for this lack of accuracy.
So when it was brought to my attention that The CW was going to be airing a television program that centered around the early life of Mary Stuart (AKA Mary, Queen of Scots) two things came to my mind.
The first was:
The first was:
The second was:
Because, let’s be honest here for a moment.
It’s The CW!
The only reason why royal historical pieces on shows like Showtime, HBO and Starz, are successful is because of . . . sex.
Down and dirty sex.
Only for Showtime they tend to show more boobs than sex scenes from time to time.
For instance, when watching The Tudors, are you thinking about how Henry VIII (AKA Jonathan Rhys Myers) will succeed in handling the Protestant Reformation?
It’s The CW!
The only reason why royal historical pieces on shows like Showtime, HBO and Starz, are successful is because of . . . sex.
Down and dirty sex.
Only for Showtime they tend to show more boobs than sex scenes from time to time.
For instance, when watching The Tudors, are you thinking about how Henry VIII (AKA Jonathan Rhys Myers) will succeed in handling the Protestant Reformation?
OF COURSE YOU’RE NOT!
All you think about whenever you watch The Tudors is when the next time Henry will be getting it on with Anne Boleyn!
All you think about whenever you watch The Tudors is when the next time Henry will be getting it on with Anne Boleyn!
So I was a little wary about how The CW would be pulling off a TV show about Mary Queen of Scots. After all, when you think about it, TV shows who have adopted royal historical figures for their program are TV shows who show more skin, more historical background (although who really pays attention to that stuff?) and more costumes that date back to that era. More so, these types of programs are targeted mainly to adults rather than teenagers.
But before the TV show even aired, I did some research on the show itself and was disappointed with what I found.
There were many medias sources who were criticizing the show for its inaccuracy.
And when I say inaccuracy, I mean the ENTIRE SHOW itself is inaccurate.
The costumes are entirely wrong, the historical characters did not even come close to coinciding with the people that they were historically interpreting, and they made up a character who obviously was never alive during this time period at all.
Although, he is very cute to look at:
But before the TV show even aired, I did some research on the show itself and was disappointed with what I found.
There were many medias sources who were criticizing the show for its inaccuracy.
And when I say inaccuracy, I mean the ENTIRE SHOW itself is inaccurate.
The costumes are entirely wrong, the historical characters did not even come close to coinciding with the people that they were historically interpreting, and they made up a character who obviously was never alive during this time period at all.
Although, he is very cute to look at:
Then I realized:
OF COURSE!
We’re talking about The CW here!
The station that got you hooked on The Vampire Diaries, Arrow, One Tree Hill, Gossip Girl, America’s Next Top Model, and of course, THESE guys:
OF COURSE!
We’re talking about The CW here!
The station that got you hooked on The Vampire Diaries, Arrow, One Tree Hill, Gossip Girl, America’s Next Top Model, and of course, THESE guys:
They’re notorious for airing shows with beautiful clothes, cliché characters and gorgeous men! Have you seen what these guys look like?!
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How is it that their abs are so perfect?!
Anyway, back to my main point: The CW gives very little care into their accuracy of historical period dramas. After all, in the show, they play contemporary pop music (which actually isn’t all that bad).
So in the whole grand scheme of things, the show really does a successful job drawing in their younger teenage audience, but they also do a poor job satisfying the gun-ho royal history buffs (like myself) by eclipsing the historical themes with metallic botanic accessories and “pretty” clothes.
All in all, from a historical point of view let me first explain why the show is completely wrong in the first place:
1) In the show, England never shows any interest in having an alliance with Scotland. They only want to invade the country.
Anyway, back to my main point: The CW gives very little care into their accuracy of historical period dramas. After all, in the show, they play contemporary pop music (which actually isn’t all that bad).
So in the whole grand scheme of things, the show really does a successful job drawing in their younger teenage audience, but they also do a poor job satisfying the gun-ho royal history buffs (like myself) by eclipsing the historical themes with metallic botanic accessories and “pretty” clothes.
All in all, from a historical point of view let me first explain why the show is completely wrong in the first place:
1) In the show, England never shows any interest in having an alliance with Scotland. They only want to invade the country.
FALSE
In 1543, King Henry VIII of England proposed a marriage between Mary (who at the time was only six months old) and his own son, Prince Edward hoping for a union of Scotland and England known as the Treaty of Greenwich. However, the treaty was later rejected by the Parliament of Scotland when Cardinal Beaton (who is never mentioned in the show) pushed for a pro-Catholic and pro-French agenda, which angered Henry because the purpose of the treaty was also to break the Scottish alliance with France.
Also, at that time, England was a Protestant country and everyone basically hated them.
2) Mary spent the first twelve years of her life in a nunnery before officially moving to the French court.
Also, at that time, England was a Protestant country and everyone basically hated them.
2) Mary spent the first twelve years of her life in a nunnery before officially moving to the French court.
FALSE
Mary was NEVER EVER in a nunnery! In the show, they state that for Mary’s protection, she lived in a nunnery for a majority of her life, before she moved to the French court after a failed assassination attempt on her. This also never happened. Any mention of a nunnery happened when the Scots suffered a heavy defeat at the Battle of Pinkie Cleugh. Mary’s guardians turned to their ally, France for help. The French King, Henry II, proposed to officially unite France and Scotland together by marrying the young queen to his three-year-old son, Prince Francis. In return, France would supply Scotland with military help against the English. When the Scots agreed to the marriage, the Scottish Parliament signed the French marriage treaty at a nunnery. Meanwhile, Mary was moved to her safety at Dumbarton Castle, which was near the nunnery that the treaty was being signed.
But to clear, SHE WAS NEVER IN A NUNNERY!
3) In the show, Mary arrives to the French court when she is around sixteen or seventeen years of age.
But to clear, SHE WAS NEVER IN A NUNNERY!
3) In the show, Mary arrives to the French court when she is around sixteen or seventeen years of age.
FALSE
After Mary’s marriage agreement was in place, she was sent to France at the age of five. She then spent the next thirteen years there at the French court.
4) Mary had four friends named Kenna, Lola, Greer and Aylee, who were also her ladies-in-waiting.
4) Mary had four friends named Kenna, Lola, Greer and Aylee, who were also her ladies-in-waiting.
FALSE . . . well, kinda
Okay, so Mary did have four ladies-in-waiting that she brought over to France but they were all named Mary and they were referred to as the “four Marys.” These Marys were girls Mary’s own age, who were the daughters of some of the noblest families in Scotland. Not only did these four girls tag along with their young queen, but also two of Mary’s illegitimate half-brothers as well.
5) Prince Francis was a beautiful handsome gent like this:
5) Prince Francis was a beautiful handsome gent like this:
FALSE
If you already have your heart set on this guy, get ready for some serious bad news. Francis was a sickly and weak-willed young man. And (SPOILER ALERT) he died of an ear infection two years into his marriage with Mary.
Out of all deaths you can image, you have to agree that that's a pretty lame way to go.
6) Francis had a half-brother named Bash:
Out of all deaths you can image, you have to agree that that's a pretty lame way to go.
6) Francis had a half-brother named Bash:
FALSE
As I said before, and I will say it again:
THIS GUY NEVER EXISTED!!!
Granted, Francis’ father, Henry II had three illegitimate children, although they are never mentioned on the show.
Can we just take this time stare at him for a moment?
As of now, these are the only things that I can think of when it comes to nit-picking the show. Historically, the show is completely wrong.
However, so far what I am noticing is that The CW is using these historical characters to their advantage by creating their own story arch (despite the inaccuracy) to make the show more interesting for their viewers.
And it’s working.
As I said in the beginning, The CW draws their audience in with their formula of hot guys (check), beautiful clothes (check) and a knack for having the viewers care about the characters on their shows (check, check).
It is these factors that get their viewers addicted to their shows.
So putting the historical inaccuracies aside for a moment, let me now explain why this show might just be a genius move by The CW:
1) The Lumineers grace the show with its folk music in the 1557-set background.
THIS GUY NEVER EXISTED!!!
Granted, Francis’ father, Henry II had three illegitimate children, although they are never mentioned on the show.
Can we just take this time stare at him for a moment?
As of now, these are the only things that I can think of when it comes to nit-picking the show. Historically, the show is completely wrong.
However, so far what I am noticing is that The CW is using these historical characters to their advantage by creating their own story arch (despite the inaccuracy) to make the show more interesting for their viewers.
And it’s working.
As I said in the beginning, The CW draws their audience in with their formula of hot guys (check), beautiful clothes (check) and a knack for having the viewers care about the characters on their shows (check, check).
It is these factors that get their viewers addicted to their shows.
So putting the historical inaccuracies aside for a moment, let me now explain why this show might just be a genius move by The CW:
1) The Lumineers grace the show with its folk music in the 1557-set background.
Who doesn’t love The Lumineers? How many times have you caught yourself humming “Ho Hey” to yourself as you type your homework on your computer? The band does all their music to every episode of Reign, and what makes it great is that it’s not overdone. They chime in with soft melodies and even usher in playful tunes that goes great with each scene that is shared.
2) The Clothes!
2) The Clothes!
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Yes, I can use this time to criticize the fact that the period clothes in this show are wrong, but honestly, I don’t seem to have a serious problem with it. Granted, the clothes in the show are obviously period-inspired, but not over the top distracting Renaissance. Perhaps the clothes are suppose to look a little modern so that the viewers could incorporate a contemporary feel in the costumes. Knowing the network and the show’s demographic, it makes sense to keep the costumes fun but not strictly accurate to sixteenth century fashion.
Although my friend Lena, has a serious issue with this. Hi Lena!
3) They’re some freaky things going on in this show!
Although my friend Lena, has a serious issue with this. Hi Lena!
3) They’re some freaky things going on in this show!
More specifically, there is a castle ghost in the show, and neither Mary nor the viewers know if it’s a figment of Mary’s own imagination, or an actual apparition. This ghost shows up in random times and places with the purpose of helping Mary survive in the French court. It does seem silly – a castle ghost, come on – but believing it or not, this character plays an important part in the TV show that leads the viewers in suspense over the destiny and demise of their heroine, Mary.
4) BOYS! BOYS! BOYS!
Need I say more?
I’m just going to leave this here for you to enjoy.
4) BOYS! BOYS! BOYS!
Need I say more?
I’m just going to leave this here for you to enjoy.
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Oh, you’re back.
Good.
So that’s pretty much the good and the bad that I have with Reign.
It’s totally inaccurate, but it does a good job appealing to its viewers.
Overall, the show is a mash-up of Gossip Girl, Game of Thrones and The History Channel.
Is that a bad thing?
Not necessarily.
If anything, Reign is a perfectly respectable period YA soap that might have some potential with its viewers if continuing to be done right.
Also, headbands.
Lots and lots of headbands in this show for some apparent reason.
Good.
So that’s pretty much the good and the bad that I have with Reign.
It’s totally inaccurate, but it does a good job appealing to its viewers.
Overall, the show is a mash-up of Gossip Girl, Game of Thrones and The History Channel.
Is that a bad thing?
Not necessarily.
If anything, Reign is a perfectly respectable period YA soap that might have some potential with its viewers if continuing to be done right.
Also, headbands.
Lots and lots of headbands in this show for some apparent reason.
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