I'm not sure you really hear what Mary was saying in that scene? She wasn't saying that her marriage was an awful mistake because she's unhappy with her husband, she is very clearly saying the opposite. She is saying that she chose LOVE over duty and that was her mistake. She specifically says that she could have made secret deals or won favors for DUTY but instead she chose love and that made her stay with Francis, despite all his initial warnings that THIS EXACT SITUATION would arise. That, as rulers, no matter how much they love each other and how much they desire to put their own happiness first (and their spouse's happiness) that is simply not an option sometimes. Not unless they want to fail at being King and Queen, and we can see plainly that neither of them do.

Mary even admits that she *knows* Francis does not "only think of France" merely that he must do what she wants to do for Scotland-- ensure her safety, freedom and wellbeing, above all else. She does not feel neglected because of this, she empathizes with it. She wants him to do what he must do, she knows why he must do it and she forgives him (verbatim) for it, she only hopes he can forgive her for doing the same.

To misunderstand this moment is to misunderstand the premise of the show, which was presented in the pilot, by Francis. Now Mary and Francis have reversed roles. She finally, truly understands what he was warning her about, but it's too late. They have both fallen in love in a way that cannot and will not be erased.

As has been the case with MF from day 1, their marriage is complicated by their LOVE for each other, not for lack of it.

God, it's so beautiful I could cry. Maybe I am crying. Don't look at me. *wipes tears profusely*

I hate coming over just to strike back in defense of my ships as if I didn't care about the rest, but I have to say something about this. I don't see what's repulsive about two people who have been married for about like two months deciding to discuss sex and even have some, especially since they agreed to try and make the marriage work.
Moreover, they didn't talk about Henry as in some sick form of perversion, they mentioned him because Bash thought she might have bad memories. He was actually so respectful it was touching.
Finally, Bash rushing to have sex with Kenna because of Mary. Maybe. Or maybe he realized there's no way he'll ever have Mary and it was time to move on. While I agree the thing was unclear (apparently not to Kenna, though), I'm not sure I can put a finger on it until it's dealt with in the next episode or whenever they like.
TBH I think we saw worse thing to feel disgusted about.

What a beautiful post, Rachel. :heart:

Lol I swear.
I thought that, given the trauma Kenna obviously felt being married to Bash (I mean, he definitely didn't miss her tears), the fact that he is trying extra hard to be as gentle as possible with her is all to his credit. It's a far cry from the Bash who demanded of Mary to forget Francis to be emotionally available to him - there, he is making himself small so she can get used to him and forget Henri.
My feelings on Bash have never been a secret on this board, and Kenna achieved what I thought was impossible: she made him endearing again.

Tell me about it.

Petition for Bash and Kenna to hunt the Darkness together.

So Kenna really took Diane's place: before Mary, Bash only had scene with his mother this better stop ! Also, it would have been smarter to have him go to war instead of Francis I know they have 2 spare (Charles and Henri) but it is so stupid to have THE DAUPHIN of all people risks his life.

Kenna would look hella sexy with a sword.