Kings (2009) s01e05 Episode Script

SILAS: Previously on Kings When I read the signs in my Iife, they say that I was sent here to help you.
Then do that.
They only use people Iike us.
Look what they do.
Make me wait all day to get paid because my son died.
SILAS: We will, in six months' time, give over Port Prosperity in exchange for Iasting peace.
Then why are you cutting him out? Because he is taking up too much attention.
MICHELLE: He's a good person.
ROSE: He's not that virtuous.
No one is.
I've been keeping pictures of our family out of the free press for years.
WILLIAM: Being king is a young man's game, and he's grown old.
We need to know we have a replacement at the ready.
What do you call it when I go to the countryside? We say, "You're in Serenity.
" Then, Serenity ends.
HELEN: Silas? Silas? Lucky for the rain.
Silks came in.
Twenty days or so, we'II be ready to harvest.
What do you mean "we," city boy? You're going to give up your parades and princesses and get your hands dirty? King only gave me a 48-hour furlough.
Figures.
Ethan.
Why did you send back my check? I don't want Silas' money.
You don't have to step up for EIi alone.
He was my brother, too.
Boys! Come on in! BRENDAN: So, anybody been in the tabloids Iately? Shut it.
Daniel, table! DANIEL: I just want to check the score! Gilboa and Gath.
A future in which our peoples Why is the King on every channel? instead of bullets and bombs.
Port Prosperity.
A city once conquered from Gath, now pledged by me for return, carrying their pledge for peace.
No lean sacrifice, but fair.
In order to safeguard that pledge I now make public our intention to return to Gath not just Port Prosperity.
All territory taken in the Battle of Prosperity.
Including lands north of the river.
ETHAN: That's us.
JESSIE: He just gave away our home.
We will redraw our own map.
Make our face ugly.
You have to talk him out of this.
Me? You're his hero.
He doesn't Iisten to people Iike me.
If he won't, others will.
You could speak out.
You need to try, David.
FEMALE REPORTER: As the city builds up its infrastructure to house the soon This is not a policy.
This is a decree.
This may well be our King's right, but it is not just.
(PROJECTOR CLICKS OFF) He calls for peace.
But denies me the cost.
Good day to be a critic.
ABNER: This criticism will embolden your enemies.
How should we proceed? DAVID: Sir.
SILAS: Captain Shepherd.
You were with your family when I made my announcement.
How did they react to my decree? They feel betrayed, sir.
My father and brother died to defend our home, and you just gave it to the ones who killed them.
There must be something else we could trade with Gath to preserve the border towns.
You could postpone You were not brought here to debate the merit of my decisions.
Only to determine the position of your Ioyalty, with your family, with your King.
I see both sides.
Ah, both sides amounts to neither.
David, do you believe that there are forces beyond our understanding that have given me this road? I believe you were chosen king for a reason.
And when I ask you to trust me, will you? Port Prosperity has called a forum.
You will go and publicly endorse the King's position.
No one cares what I think.
My family will disown me.
Which is why the people will care what you think.
To see you, of all, sacrifice to your King, will sway others.
And if it doesn't? Then, you will identify anyone attempting to undermine the King's decision and bring them to my attention.
We will have peace.
And those who obstruct it are wolves carving out my flock for food.
David, your family may not Iike it, but your King needs your help.
You worry where you shouldn't.
Don't rush Iines on your face.
The handover of Port Prosperity will proceed as planned.
Unless the people won't allow it.
People will cool off.
Just Iike this omelet.
Now, come on, sit down.
We're going to eat.
They're already starting to protest.
You don't care what your people say about you? A handful grumbling at the press, no cause for alarm.
A healthy exercising of the freedoms I'm pretty sure I gave them.
You should put down your apron and go to their rally at Prosperity.
Show them their King still cares.
I prefer it when you harp on health care.
Yeah, well, I know how it feels to not be heard.
The people cannot have what they want at every turn.
Neither can you.
That's the definition of governing and parenting.
My presence there would only inflame.
Besides, I've got the situation under control.
I've sent my best man.
Who? Silas didn't Iisten, did he? He's not going to budge.
We'II set him straight.
I'm glad you're with us.
MICHELLE: I skipped breakfast.
(CLICKING TONGUE) Even when I'm pissed at him, I take the omelet.
Thanks for the support.
(SIGHING) Trying to change his mind? You'd have an easier time asking the rain to stop.
Uniform, please.
I've run out of ways to please him.
He's used to everyone Ioving him, and he doesn't see as well as he used to.
Or maybe he just doesn't care.
He would if he understood.
This is different.
They're already calling it Port Calamity.
People are gathering right now to protest this.
Really? Who is? PIenty.
That's just awful.
Well, if you really want to help him, maybe some criticism is exactly what he needs.
You have the air of a man who's made a decision.
Not yet, Uncle.
I made you an offer, Jack.
You've Ieft me waiting for an answer.
How about a token, then? Something to help me make up my mind? You're buying Unity News Network.
(SCOFFS) You read the paper? (LAUGHS) Why is everyone surprised when I pay attention? It's the Iargest news station in the country and it's yours.
I want a hand in it.
Buy me a toy, Uncle.
But news doesn't seem your speed.
Or yours.
Maybe we're both just sad about the state of free press in Shiloh.
It's a crime.
Shameful.
My father needs the media today.
If I were the one controlling his public image He'd have to give you more than scraps from the table.
He'd have to kiss my ass.
Is this what it will take? The price of your support against your father? We need our man at the turn of history, Jack.
We need our new king and soon.
Let's just say this will help me make my decision.
I can't believe he did this.
I'm a damn coffeepot.
ROSE: You stood while the poor man was serving.
Well, he should have anticipated.
Have him hung.
"Hanged.
" Laundry is hung.
Valets are hanged.
So are queens who correct their husbands.
(KNOCK AT DOOR) What? Sir, your meeting.
Oh, haven't I got enough on my head today? Didn't I ask that rescheduled? It was.
Well, do it again.
I have.
Shall I put Miss Ghent off a third time? Katrina Ghent? Well Now, I see why she donated so generously at First Night.
What does she want? Well, I can Iive with the mystery.
Send her away.
BOYDEN: (WHISPERING) Centerfold, December '95.
April, '96.
December.
Snow boots.
Definitely furry snow boots.
I've seen better.
Who? Miss Ghent.
The King has to reschedule.
Then I got dressed today for no reason.
THOMASINA: Our sincerest apologies.
Save the apology.
Name the price.
I need an audience with the King, and you're the dragon at every gate.
Even dragons eat.
Ma'am.
Come, woman.
I have too much money not to give you some.
Think of it as a donation towards your sister's care.
That institution can't be cheap.
You're underestimated.
And right tired of it.
Last chance.
No? You're a very good dragon.
Where are we supposed to go? MAN: Mayor, what about our jobs? They're talking about a resettlement package for everyone.
New homes.
New jobs.
The Port at Pella's being expanded to route all shipping and dock work.
ETHAN: He can't do that to us! My brother works for the King! And even he's here with us.
(ALL EXCLAIM) Captain Shepherd.
Captain.
We all saw how you took out that tank and we're all proud that you come from around here.
My family Iives north of the river.
We'II be asked to move, just Iike you.
So, do you think the King is right? I hate the idea of Iosing our home.
I Iost my father.
My brother.
I know a Iot of you here Iost people, too.
And it's natural to say they died for this Iand, and we're never giving it up.
(ALL EXCLAIM) MAN: Yes! But I'd happily trade our farm to bring Dad or EIi back.
Lives are more important than Iivelihood.
I think of all the other fathers and brothers who are going to go on Iiving because Silas ended the war and it makes me Iove our King even more.
ETHAN: What will your King do if we refuse? Will he forcefully evict us out of our homes? As I understand it, you choose to stay, you'II be Iiving in Gath.
(PEOPLE GROANING) God gave us this Iand! Not even Silas can take it away! (ALL EXCLAIM) Who will stand with me against the King? Ethan.
Ethan, stop.
Our blood! Our Iand! ALL: Our blood! Our Iand! Don't do this.
ALL: Our blood! Our Iand! DAVID: Ethan, stop! ALL: Our blood! Our Iand! Our blood! Our Iand! Our blood! Our Iand! Our blood! Our Iand! Our blood! Our Iand! Our blood! Our Iand! Polls indicating overwhelming public support for King Silas's decision to return Port Prosperity This is where it happens.
Where the news gets crafted.
Then run by your father every day.
It Iooks so honest.
Maybe you can make it more so.
I've benefited more than any.
But this country needs an information source that won't yield to the King's approval.
The first town crier to cry freely.
Your father will be so proud.
Port Prosperity.
Let's bring in some criticism.
Give voice to the opposition.
Those who think he's being unkind to our gentle heartlanders.
Yes.
You Iisten to him.
But it will make the King Iook foolish.
Hmm.
And Iater in the day when he Iooks foolish still and he tells all the other cameras to Ieave you tell ours to stay.
REPORTER ON TV: Ioud but peaceful protest at the docks at Port Prosperity.
(DOOR OPENS) I'm going to Port Prosperity.
I'm not sure that's advisable.
Just do it.
Hey.
Well, thank you all.
MAN: Thank you.
We're so proud And next time, Lorem to the championships.
I'm from the South End, in case you've forgotten.
We hate Lorem.
Now you're king, you don't have a favorite team.
I used to break things when they'd win.
Sir, the protest at Port Prosperity.
My daughter has already bent my ear on this.
Still, it might be prudent to call an emergency meeting on this.
We did something that was unpopular, but necessary.
There are those that will pitch their fits.
I've dispatched Captain Shepherd.
I trust him to do all the situation requires.
HANSON: Perhaps I'm not making the situation clear, sir.
The protesters are threatening to shut down the port.
This is civil unrest.
This is a tantrum.
I will not be drawn in.
Keep your mood where it is, your staff will dust off the guillotine.
Hmm? Take a bath.
Read a book.
Fire someone.
But this new habit of barking at every shadow is unsustainable.
What about the countryside? You always come back so refreshed and Iikeable when you go there.
Time for a trip.
Hmm? Trip? Hmm.
Not a bad idea.
Thomasina.
Let's go get some air.
Reverend.
A word? William Cross.
Come to my congregation.
Now I really have seen everything.
Don't get your hopes up, Ephraim.
It's you I've come to see.
Not Him.
I will always hope for you.
Change is in the air.
Like winter.
Can you smell the wood burning? I have.
Silas will fall.
That may be his fate.
Someday.
Someday soon, maybe.
And I want to know when that time comes, if you can set aside our differences and do what is best for the people.
Like we did once when we were young and saw a king in Silas.
You and I did not make Silas king.
(CHUCKLES) Funny.
I don't remember Him writing any checks.
Minds are gathering.
Resources More every day.
The group will be meeting to consider the season.
We'd Iike you to join us.
Time to be young again.
God will choose the next king of this realm.
Not you.
Then ask your boss who He's chosen.
Line thrown out, trout brought in.
Necessity turned to pastime, mediated by Iuck, attributed to skill.
It's all in the wrist, you know.
Sir? We have reports.
The press is aware you're here.
Oh! You, too? AII nervous, huh? Hanson, you're Iike a cat at the edge of the tub.
Let a man relax.
KATRINA: Sir! A bad time? It seems you have your audience.
I don't blame you for avoiding me, the notorious Katrina Ghent.
Tabloid staple.
Who clearly doesn't deserve a word of it.
So I married for money.
He was a syphilitic walrus.
Explain the intrusion before I sit you on my fish.
I sold my reputation for a Iot of money.
I want to buy it back.
Make me a minister in your boardroom.
A minister? Do you have any special qualifications I should know about? An area of expertise? Oh, you pick.
I don't care about power.
Assign whoever you want to run the thing and tell me my mind.
I just want a seat at the table.
You're offering to buy a ministry? And overpay.
Unlucky for you, there's no positions in my government for sale today.
But I admire forthrightness.
So, I'm going to pardon you for trying to bribe a sovereign while wet.
Good day, Mrs.
Ghent.
This situation could explode at any minute.
And he's fishing, with her.
He's not himself.
REPORTER ON SCREEN: Law enforcement has been on the scene as a precautionary measure.
But it appears the situation is escalating in Port Prosperity.
(SIREN WAILING) ALL: Our Iand! God's Iand! Our Iand! God's Iand! Our Iand! Don't put this on God.
You don't really believe that.
I believe in our family.
So do I.
You sold us out for the palace Iife.
(PEOPLE CHANTING) You Iost yourself.
And you're a traitor.
We're not going anywhere! (GLASS SHATTERING) (GUNS FIRING) (ALL CLAMORING) DAVID: Ethan! Ethan! (GUN FIRES) (GUN FIRES) Ethan! (GUN FIRING) Ethan! Come on! Come on.
Come on.
What were you thinking? You slew your Goliath.
Maybe Silas is mine.
This isn't a competition, Ethan.
Fighting over the good spot on the couch.
This is real.
What are you doing? What we have to.
They shot first, into an unarmed crowd.
We have the right to defend ourselves.
This was never a rally, was it? You planned an insurrection.
Silas didn't give us a choice.
We're going to shut down the whole port.
Stop everything from moving.
And now, we have the whole world watching.
We'II be here every day, humiliating him until he does right by us.
By our country.
Or he could just kill you, Ethan.
Killing us would turn the whole country against him.
We've tied his hands.
You go out there and you tell him.
We won't stand for it.
We want our God-given Iand back.
And we want the freedom to Iive on it.
(POLICE SIREN WAILING) THOMASINA: We have an update from Port Prosperity.
They've barricaded themselves and sent Captain Shepherd out with a statement "We fought for the King and spilled our blood.
"But if he tries to take our Iand, we will fight against him.
" Local police have requested military assistance.
They don't need it.
At Iast count, one is dead, 31 injured.
Shepherd reports a complement of guns.
They can play at soldiers all they want.
We will not get involved.
THOMASINA: Sir.
I have concern for your heart.
Doctor gave it a clean bill just winter.
Not the function.
The temperature.
I fear it's gone cold.
Since Serenity, sir.
Since you stopped going.
I know of no such place.
So it seems.
You have a point? Without it Without her, you have not been yourself as As I know you.
What you spied sharply, escapes notice.
And what gave you pause, doesn't.
And without the counter-valence of warmth, you've grown mean, sir.
And I don't know how to serve this cold Silas.
And my duty is to protect the family.
Then do it from the car.
POLICE CHIEF: How heavily armed are the rebels? They're not rebels.
They're people Iike you and me just trying to make a point for the cameras.
The Mayor just ordered us to go in and shut them down.
No.
You can't move in on the building.
We need to wait the protesters out.
I take my orders from the Mayor now.
You take your orders from the King.
I'm going in to speak on his behalf.
What are you doing? I'm going to give them a chance to save themselves and show them someone still cares.
I care.
My brother, Ethan, is in there.
I can't Iet you do this.
This isn't your place.
Michelle.
Keep him here.
I'm going in.
DAVID: You're going to Iet the Princess walk in there? Don't Iet her go in there! three Port Prosperity police officers, who are Iisted in stable condition.
Wait! Is that Michelle Benjamin? Yes.
We are seeing Princess Michelle making her way to the front of the stronghold.
Until just a few moments ago, it seemed like the police were gearing up for some sort of You're not going to believe this.
Ethan Shepherd? Does this mean Silas is canceling the handover? No.
He's not going to change his mind.
Then what are you doing here? I came to apologize.
The King shouldn't have given up your Iand without consulting you.
That's what you're offering? An apology? And a deal.
Lay down your guns, and I go out to the press and announce that the King has granted you all amnesty.
You can go back to your Iives, your families This uprising forgiven in full.
So, he doesn't even know you're here? But if I speak for him, for you, he has no choice but to honor it.
You think we're going to quit when we've come this far? It's that or prison.
Either way, what you're doing here is going to cause your families more suffering than the handover of Iand ever could.
(GUN COCKING) I think we can do a Iot better than that.
ETHAN: What are you doing? Forcing the King's hand.
This isn't the plan.
We can settle everything today.
Let's see Silas ignore us now.
Bring in the King's Own.
Storm it.
Kill everyone inside.
She gets out safe.
She will.
Media blackout.
No impediments.
AIready done.
Only UNN refuses to comply.
We've got Baker at the helm there.
Call him and tell him to pull them out.
It's not Baker anymore, sir.
Jack? Call Katrina Ghent.
(SIRENS WAILING) SOLDIER: Falcon teams, fall out! Secure the perimeter! NEWS CHIEF: Sir, with respect, we're the only network to defy the King's blackout order.
We're getting pressure.
Dear God, not pressure.
(SCOFFS) My father sent his own daughter in harm's way to be his mascot.
If he's ordering a media blackout, then she already failed, and he doesn't want anyone knowing it.
I say we broadcast some embarrassment.
I say we don't.
Kill the Iive feed.
Go to black or find the weather.
We're off the port.
Excuse me.
Why is anyone Iistening to her? Because they just got the message I own the place.
CrossGen owns the network.
It did.
I just bought up a whole mess of shares.
My Iawyers tell me it's called an angry takeover.
Something Iike that.
What do I know? You must have really pissed off your dad.
He had Katrina Ghent buy it out from under us.
He's that scared of transparency.
WILLIAM ON PHONE: Or of you having any real power.
He'd rather appoint that whore than Iet you assert yourself.
You wanted my answer? You have it.
No doubts.
I'm in.
Deep as you need me.
A pawn Iost.
But we have our King.
He's no good to us without Samuels.
Without his blessing, the public will never support a coup against Silas.
Samuels will come.
REPORTER ON RADIO : a truly unprecedented and historic move by the royal family at Prosperity, with Michelle Benjamin stunning local officials by meeting with protesters.
Now called rebels by some (BEEPING) Who's in command here? SILAS : I am.
Sir, you should know not all the protesters inside meant to risk her Iife.
His brother is one of the rebels.
He means to defend him.
One Shepherd Ieads my flock.
The other Ieads them astray.
Yes.
He took radical action to force your hand.
But he would never hurt her.
Others would.
She's there.
When she was chipped, I prayed never to have to use it.
She's surrounded by my best marksmen.
When I give the order, just Iike flipping a switch, everyone in there, save Michelle, goes dark.
They don't deserve this.
My daughter is in there at gunpoint.
I don't care if the whole world dies, as Iong as she comes out safe.
My family has given up so much for you.
PIease don't take Ethan from us.
Let me go in there.
I can talk to them.
I can try to get them to give themselves up.
This is the safest and best plan.
The only way to secure her safety.
Then give me a chance.
Why should I trust my daughter's Iife to chance? When everything inside me screamed I was betraying my family, I still trusted you.
You have two minutes.
But know this.
Once in there we cannot distinguish you from other.
And in two minutes' time, if you're still in there and standing, you die with the others.
You coddle him.
This is no time for it.
We should proceed with the original plan.
Enough.
(GUNS COCKING) DAVID: It's over.
The press is gone.
Everyone is.
Except men with guns.
Put down yours.
While you still have a chance.
But our cause is right.
We can't surrender.
Martyring yourselves won't change anything.
No one will even know.
God will.
God will know.
(CELL PHONE BEEPING) Excuse me.
DAVID: What about Mom, huh? What about our family? I'm doing this for them.
You're not doing this for them.
Or God.
You're doing this for you.
ETHAN: What do you know? You Ieft us! Oh, you couldn't stand that I actually did something while you did nothing.
I took care of Mom! Mom won't survive if she Ioses another son! You think this honors EIi? You're nothing Iike him.
Thank God he's dead.
Because if he could see you, he'd be ashamed.
(GRUNTING) Now.
(GUNS FIRING) (SIGHS) (GUN FIRES) (SIGHS) You can stop worrying.
I'm fine.
Well, good.
Now, I can have you killed.
I should kill your serviceman, too.
He answers to me, not you.
Not ever.
That was the deal.
Do anything that stupid again, and all deals are off, save the one I make with your jailor.
You had me chipped? When you were five.
Your words today at the river Sir More than I ever heard you string together in a month.
Now, you've been in my employ in this capacity for how Iong? I don't keep count.
How Iong? Ten years, eight months, some days.
Maybe, it's time, for a promotion.
KIotz, where can I find Shepherd? AIready sent for him.
Waiting on the King, ma'am.
Oh, my God.
You Iove Thomasina.
Since when? First Night.
Hair up.
Something happened.
You are so screwed.
Oh, I'm so screwed.
Let me explain.
You picked the wrong time to stretch your wings.
I didn't know Michelle was at risk when I told the cameras to stay.
I didn't know.
And if you did? I might have done the same.
You should be careful accepting gifts from your uncle.
They're never actually gifts.
You push me to prove myself, then cut me down when I aspire.
It doesn't exactly encourage.
No.
I haven't been fair to you, have I? Some ministry positions have recently opened.
And I'm thinking of offering one to someone in name only.
Maybe you should have the job of it.
You're giving me a ministry? The teeth behind the title.
Teach you to exercise power without credit.
That's if you're still interested in the position.
I am.
I think you two will enjoy working together.
DAVID: I don't know where they took him.
There's no record of Ethan at any of the jails.
It's Iike they made him disappear.
I didn't know we did that.
I'm so sorry.
What you did Trying to save a princess who doesn't know her place You don't have a place.
He's Iucky to have someone as Ioyal as you.
Captain, the King awaits.
Show him, Abner.
He's earned the right.
You were watching Ethan before the rally? ABNER: Your brother and his accomplices have been conspiring for weeks.
You knew what they were going to do, that there was going to be an uprising, and you Iet this happen? A Ione messenger sent out to face an angry mob, an inadequate response to make me Iook deaf and dumb and all the while, fishing as a crisis played on, to see who took the bait.
ABNER: Draw out the enemies.
You never wanted me to succeed.
The people have the right to mock, scorn, criticize, and burn unflattering photographs in effigy until morning, but I will not have my country drawn back into war by opportunists or fanatics.
What's going to happen to my brother? He committed treason.
DAVID: He saved Michelle.
Which is why he's alive to stand trial.
I cannot brook insurrection.
But on your pledge that he will return to face trial I'II release him into your custody.
Sir.
I don't know why you think he deserves special treatment.
Only concern yourself with that I do.
The Reverend Samuels and William, absent from our catch.
I'd have thought them first in the bucket.
We have no evidence against them.
Should some be manufactured? Their day will come.
Why did you warn me it was a trap? Because Silas has grown soft and is no Ionger the man I swore to follow.
Ethan.
Ethan.
Don't talk to me anymore, David.
Don't talk to any of us.