Rome s02e09 Episode Script

Wake up.
Wake up, sleepyhead.
Be quiet, woman.
Posca.
Lucius Vorenus.
Your monthly debauch is finished already? I see yours isn't.
This? This is nothing.
This is for my nerves.
- Where is he? - Where is he? A deep question.
His mortal flesh is in the throne room meeting the delegation from the Senate.
- They're here already? - Yes.
Senator Bibulus and several other distinguished men whose names I forget arrived this morning.
And why are you not in there? I value my life, such as it is.
When the queen growls at me, I retreat.
It's not cowardice.
Who would look after my wife? You lead the animal on slightly.
You see? Depending on how fast he's going.
Drink the water.
Now here's the moment.
The animal thinks only of his thirst.
He knows there is danger.
But he cannot resist the water.
Easy, you see.
My turn.
Antony, if we might discuss the matter at hand? You'll scare off the deer.
- He moved.
The beast moved! - Again.
Regarding the grain supply I have been authorized to offer you double the previous price, if you can guarantee delivery before the end of the month.
Double, you say? That's not bad.
- Triple.
- Agreed.
We will pay triple the correct price.
And Carthage.
Carthage will be annexed to Antony's control.
That may be possible.
Poor Octavian.
He must be really desperate.
People are starving, dying.
Octavian will do what he must to prevent further suffering.
Because he loves the people so.
- He does.
- He loves nobody and nobody loves him.
He could feed the people larks and oysters till they burst, and they would still love me more.
Isn't that right, Vorenus? Yes, sir.
There we are.
The voice of the people.
They love me.
I have no doubt you are right, but we do have an agreement, yes? Yes.
Triple rates and Carthage.
- And Spain.
- Spain? You can't have Spain.
That's a shame.
No deal, then.
- Really, this is absolutely - No deal.
Brava, my love! Venison for dinner, then? Pleasant voyage home, boys.
Get him out of here.
I'll show you to your quarters.
- Is he always like that? - Like what? Well, if that doesn't make the little shit declare war, I don't know what will.
He's a cautious beast.
Perhaps you should simply cut the cord and declare war yourself.
Declare war on Octavian? On my most trusted and beloved colleague? On Rome? On my own people? No, no, no.
No, that wouldn't do.
When I return home, it will be as a savior, not as a conqueror.
I'm very tired.
Oh, Helios.
Selene, off with you.
Off with you.
Can't you see your father needs to sleep? Where are you going? Stay.
You can hear them.
What are you gonna do? Bake 'em a cake? Oh, Dis.
I forget sometimes what a cold-hearted bitch you really are.
Would you have me any other way? Are you joking? Anyone offers me a good horse with the leathers thrown in you're gone.
Back! Back! Keep out of the way! Get out of the way! Let me through.
Get out the way! Clear the way.
Grain! Grain! Grain! Grain! - Please! - My father is starving.
Please! My father Silence.
Silence! The day's ration has been given.
There'll be no more until tomorrow at the appointed time.
No! I know you're hungry.
But you're alive.
If I do as you ask and open the granaries, you'll be well fed today and starving tomorrow.
Go home.
Go home and suffer what the Earth Mother has sent us.
And come back tomorrow.
Right.
Still in one piece, then? Thought they might have ate you.
Too much gristle on the bone.
Lucius, girls, I thought I told you to wait inside.
I'll not cower when there's blood to be spilled.
Where's the honor in that? When you have hair on your chin you can talk of blood.
Vorena, I expected better.
Next time do as you're told.
They're just hungry people.
They'd not hurt us.
Hungry people do strange things.
Then blessed Orbona will protect us.
Well, run along and ask her to send a grain ship.
Me and Mascius have to talk.
You too, Lucius.
Go learn to read or something.
- What's the tally? - Ten days left, a quarter ration, give or take.
- Gods below.
- It's hardly worth giving out.
Just prolonging the misery.
Morning.
The bakers' guild man was round earlier.
I told you not to speak to them.
Nor did I.
He spoke, I said nothing.
They're offering 600 a sack.
600? Yeah, 600 and a few dead children for every sack that doesn't get to the people that need them.
We're not in this for profit.
Still, it's 600.
I piss on the bakers' guild.
- Your call.
- Yes, it is.
Why are you wasting valuable food on him still? Let the poor bastard die.
Memmio? No.
He reminds the other men to stay honest.
What's to be done, then? Fetch my best clothes.
I'll see if his honor has any ideas.
Hey! Quiet, you.
You fucking hairy bastard.
So far it's just the old and the sick that are dying.
But by next moon, our granaries will be empty.
I understand that dogs make good eating.
They do.
Taste like pork if you cook 'em right.
All gone.
I wondered why the nights were so peaceful.
- No barking.
- This is no moment for wit.
I wish there were something I could do.
But the state granaries are near as empty as yours.
I can only give to you by taking from someone else.
- The military silos are untapped.
- And the army needs to eat.
Well, then, send three legions to Africa.
Let Lepidus feed them.
That would supply the city with enough grain for a month.
Have it done.
It's only a temporary solution, but it's the best we can offer.
- I'll send you what we can spare.
- Thank you.
Pullo.
Tell me what the people are saying.
Tell me who they blame for this famine.
You, they say.
- You're the man in charge.
- Not Antony? They hear the newsreaders saying that he's holding back the shipments and all that, but well, it's Antony, innit? Why would he starve them? They've always loved him and he's always loved to be loved.
Whereas you Well, you're you, aren't you? Cold and heartless? I'll not say that.
But you've never been the affectionate type now, have you? Thank you, Pullo.
- I'll be hearing about the grain, then, will I? - Agrippa will see to it.
- Perhaps Bibulus will succeed? - No, he won't.
Antony's not entirely irrational.
Given enough money, why should he refuse? Antony's not motivated by money.
He hopes the people will rise up in anger and depose me.
Either that, or he simply wishes to provoke me into declaring war on him.
Has he really become so foolish? Who knows what he's become after all these years out there? Who knows what Cleopatra whispers to him? He was always a fool for his women.
If he wants a war, why not give it to him? You heard Pullo.
You might as well declare war on wine and song.
No, no, no, no.
War on Antony is doomed unless the people are with us.
Send for my mother and sister.
I shall have dinner with them this evening.
Grandma? You shouldn't be here.
It's dangerous.
Antonia, where are you? She's up here with me.
I'll bring her down.
You naughty girl.
What have I told you about going on the roof? I swear on Diana, I shall have someone beat her.
She doesn't listen to a word I say.
She's a good girl, really.
Just like you were at that age.
And I turned out so well? Your brother, on the other hand, was as biddable as a shepherd's dog.
No trouble at all.
Castor, are there any letters for me today? No, Domina.
Strange.
I had the strongest feeling that today was the day.
Mother? There will be no letter.
You're wrong.
Sorry to be blunt, but Well, don't you think it's time to face facts? Antony promised to send for me and he will.
Even if he did, do you think Octavian would let you go? I don't give a fig.
Truly, is he worth torturing yourself like this? Domina? Octavian Caesar summons you both for dinner this evening.
What does he want now, I wonder? Nothing to our benefit.
Family and friends.
Nothing better.
Octavia, I have a favor to ask of you.
You are aware of the grain shortage, I suppose? You know that the people are dying in the streets for want of bread? And you want me to feed them? In a manner of speaking.
Your husband has plenty of grain in Egypt.
But he is playing politics with it, holding it back.
If you were to go and talk to him I? Go to Egypt? The soft voice of a loving wife may succeed where all else has failed.
You are joking? I cannot remember the last time I made a joke.
Last market day.
You said something about fishes which made me laugh quite distinctly.
I was speaking figuratively.
If you are serious, it is not I should go, but Mother.
She's his real wife.
I thought you might go together.
Present Antony with both reality and appearance.
That's all very well, but I have no desire to take a long sea voyage.
- Do you? - No.
Besides, we're not hungry.
And we need no grain.
So what's in it for us? How will you pay us for our trouble? What do you want? Pompeii's become vulgar.
I'd like a villa in Capri.
That's fine.
What about you, Octavia? Do you want a villa? I don't know.
A villa would be nice.
Some gladiators would be fun as well.
Why not take cash and decide later? - Good idea.
Cash.
- As you wish.
Maecenas, have the newsreader announce they are leaving as soon as possible.
I like birds.
I don't like eggs.
There is something quite sordid about eggs.
We shan't serve them anymore.
Unless you object, of course.
Why are you sending Atia and Octavia to Egypt? - You heard why.
- Well, yes, but that can't be the real reason.
You know Antony will refuse what they ask.
It's very likely.
What? You calculate that if Antony turns Octavia away, the people will feel that he has publicly humiliated his darling wife, that Queen Cleopatra has bewitched him, and they will all turn against him.
Something like that.
But on the other hand, if Antony still loves Atia and yields to her pleading, then so much the better.
You'll have your grain.
Clever boy.
Good night, my dear.
I wish you'd stop that.
We'll get there no faster.
Have I changed at all, do you think, since he last saw me? No.
You're just exactly as you were.
He'll fall into your arms in a delirium of love.
Do you mean that? No.
You've become very mean, you know.
Mean and bitter.
You've become girlish and sentimental.
It's disgusting, frankly.
No points.
No points.
I wasn't ready.
Ten points to me.
Well done, Majesty.
Well done.
- Ready? - No, wait! I beg thee! Wait! Useless old woman.
Go away.
Vorenus, play with me.
Throw it properly.
Come on, then.
Good catch.
Tell me more about my father.
I told you all that I know.
You've told me only what every fool knows.
He was a great soldier, the people loved him, blah blah blah.
Tell me what he was like as a man.
Well, he was he was a good man.
He was a good man to have as a friend.
You wouldn't want him as an enemy.
He had a nasty temper when he was roused.
When the battle was going hard and men were faltering, that's when you'd want to see your father at your side.
Bravest man I've ever known.
More.
Fine horseman.
Bad gambler, though he'd never admit it.
He liked the women.
He liked to eat.
He'd eat the whole table if you'd let him.
Really? I've always heard he was very abstemious in his diet.
Yeah, well, that would be right.
There's others knew him far better than I did.
- Where are they? - What's wrong? What do you mean, here? Their ship docked an hour ago.
They're on their way to the palace now.
And they request an immediate audience with you! How delicious.
Wife and lover come together to see you.
Hush, woman.
- What do they want? - I don't know.
What shall I tell them? They will be here.
Just, give give give me time to think.
No.
They would not have come of their own accord.
Octavian must have sent them here.
Sent them to do what? Why else send my wife except to effect some kind of reconciliation.
- Well, you must refuse her.
- Obviously, yes.
But that that is exactly what he wants.
He is forcing me to choose publicly between her and and you.
And when I turn her away, which I will, he will have his premise for war.
Then why so glum? You have what you wanted.
A war that he will start, a war that you did not seek.
And still I do not like it.
He is he is striking at my support amongst the people.
He he will think he has outmaneuvered me.
What matter? As long as you win the war.
Yes.
- I suppose so.
- In any case we must be gracious hosts, ne? We shall throw a lovely party for them.
Charmian, send for the kitchen chamberlain.
No, no, no.
No! No? We must be hospitable.
You'd love that, wouldn't you? Humiliating Atia.
Watching her squirm as you play the queen.
Play the queen? I am a queen.
- You know what I mean.
- No.
No, I don't.
You you just want to flaunt our love in front of her.
Why not? We love each other, don't we? And you no longer love her.
Why should she not know it? It's an act of kindness.
Stop her pining for you.
I'm not wrong, am I? You do no longer love her.
Of course I no longer love her.
And you know I no longer love her.
But neither do I think she deserves public humiliation.
That is the whole point.
That is why they're here, to be humiliated.
No, I don't think she knows that.
Else she would not be here.
I think her fucking son has manipulated her into it.
Let's kill them, then.
What? What did you say? Atia will not be humiliated because Atia will be dead.
Octavian will know that you're not a man to be outmaneuvered.
It's perfect.
No.
My people will despise me as a wife-killer.
Well, their ship sank on the way home.
- No.
- It happens all the time.
No.
I mean it.
No! I see.
Well, either you are a coward or you still have feelings for her.
Which is it? Which is it? Why don't you shut your fucking mouth? Oh, you Gods, what a ghastly place.
Big, though.
It's a sure sign of vulgarity.
Ptolemies were originally goatherds, you know? Why are the doors not open? Enough! No! This is outrageous.
The rudeness.
It just goes to show vulgar.
Royalty, indeed.
This heat's unbearable.
I think I'm going to faint.
You would think they would bring us water.
- Can't we go back to the ship? - Absolutely not.
We're staying here until these wretched people Oh, and about bloody time.
Hello.
Jocasta.
Is it you? Of course it's me.
Who else would I be? What's happened to you? This? Her Majesty doesn't like the Roman style on her women.
Quite irrational about the subject if you ask me.
But anything for a quiet life.
I rather like it now.
What are you doing here? Have you come for Crocodile Day? That's what I call it, anyway.
I can't get my mouth round their lingo.
She will shriek.
But I just pretend I'm a little mad, and she leaves off.
Why is the door kept shut? Why is there no one here to greet us? Oh, I'm sure there'll be someone along in a while.
Things move ever so slow around here.
It's the heat.
Listen, why don't you go inside and tell Antony that we're waiting to see him? Obviously, he's not been informed that we're here.
I couldn't do that.
No one's allowed to speak to Antony without she says so.
Except my dear little Posca.
And Lucius Vorenus, of course.
I love your hair like that.
Is that how people are wearing it now? Thank Juno.
Posca.
- What in heaven's name is - Jocasta, what are you doing? - I was only - Quiet, woman! Posca, where's Antony? Yes, yes! A great pleasure.
Indeed, yes.
Come along.
Posca? Posca? Thank you.
They've all gone insane, obviously.
So hot.
It's for the best, you know.
This palace life is no good for you.
You need action.
Yeah.
You'll be much more happy when the war begins.
- Vorenus.
- Sir? I have a delicate mission for you.
I'm glad to see you haven't gone native, at least.
Perhaps you can talk some sense.
What is the matter with these people? Why hasn't Antony been told of our arrival? I've been ordered by Triumvir Mark Antony to escort you both back to your ship, and to make sure that you leave Alexandria as soon as the wind allows.
Without seeing him? He turns away the mother of his child? That's correct.
It was she who ordered you to do this, wasn't it? Antony wouldn't act so low.
I take orders only from Mark Antony, madam.
No, we're not going.
- Mother, I - Madam We are not going.
I am not moving from this spot unless Antony comes down himself and tells me to go.
If you will not go willingly, I have been given orders to use whatever force necessary to remove you.
You would manhandle the women of the Julii? No, but these men here they have no such scruples.
- Antony! - Madam.
Come down, you bastard! Madam, please! You tell my husband that he's cowardly scum.
Tell him that.
You realize, of course, we'll have to leave all our money behind.
- I don't care! - We're penniless.
I'm scared.
I want to go home.
Please, hurry.
- Going somewhere? - No.
No.
What makes you think that? Please, Vorenus.
Don't tell.
Please don't tell.
Have mercy on us.
They'll kill us.
They'll throw us to the crocodiles.
My wife is overwrought.
We were merely going to take a stroll along the harbor to look at the ships.
Then you must hurry.
The wind is changing.
The ships look best when the sails are set.
Come with us.
- No.
- War is sure to come now.
This is no place for decent Romans.
True, but I have responsibilities here.
Now is the time.
If you happen to see Titus Pullo, ask him to kiss my children for me.
I will do that.
Thank you.
Hello again.
Sorry to trouble you.
Would you mind awfully if we hide here until this boat is at sea? I've told you everything I remember.
There must be more than that.
Look to yourself.
You are what remains of him.
Vorenus.
Well? They're gone.
Good.
Good.
And how was Atia? I suppose she took it with her usual poise? - No.
- No? Well.
Had to be done.
Where's Posca? I sent for him but he did not come.
I don't know, sir.
Do you wish me to go and look for him? Oh, no, no.
It's all right.
I'm sure he'll turn up.
Sir, your wife instructed me to tell you something.
She instructed me to tell you that you are cowardly scum.
She did, did she? And and what's your opinion of that? It's not my place to have an opinion, sir.
Nah.
Tell me anyway.
Is that an order? Yes.
That's an order.
You're no coward.
But you do have a strong disease in your soul.
A disease that will eat away at you until you die.
Really? And what is this disease? I don't know.
I'm not a doctor.
No.
No, you're not.
So how can you be so sure of your diagnosis, then? I recognize your symptoms.
I have the same sickness.
Long one.
Hello, Mother.
And Posca.
What a pleasant surprise.
I gather Antony was not amenable to persuasion.
No, he was not.
But you knew that, didn't you? You wanted a villa in Capri.
Now you may have one.
Is Octavia well? Posca has something here that will help you destroy Antony.
- Mother, I am hoping - Crush Antony and his queen.
And you can keep your damn villa.
You have something for me, Posca? It is the last will and testament of Antony and Cleopatra.
To be opened and read only on the occasion of their death.
It is a despicable document.
Taken together with his repudiation of your sister, the Roman people would think a war against Antony not only inevitable, but eminently desirable.
- Is it genuine? - It is genuine.
You are a good and loyal friend, Posca.
This one's cooked himself for dinner.
He asks to be buried in Alexandria.
He declares Cleopatra his wife and that they are living gods.
She is Isis and he, Osiris.
- It's perfect.
- Wait, wait.
It's better.
He leaves to his children by Cleopatra all the eastern provinces.
And her son by Caesar is to be given Rome and the west.
Having rejected his loving wife Octavia, Mark Antony has coupled himself to the sorceress Cleopatra, promising her dominion of all Rome! He worships dogs and reptiles.
He blackens his eyes with soot like a prostitute.
He dances and plays the cymbals in vile Nilotic rites.
I know how unhappy you are and I cannot blame you.
For who would not weep when he hears that the great Mark Antony pays homage to foreign gods? That he has abandoned his wife, his child and his country? I am asked if he is gone mad, if he is bewitched.
I have no explanation.
We may weep for him, but then we must do our duty, for he is no longer a Roman, but an Egyptian.
And what is left for us to do but fight him? Fight him and destroy him! Pullo.
My old friend, it's good to see you.
- Sir.
- Come, sit down.
Posca tells me our friend Vorenus stands by Antony even now.
Loyal man, Vorenus.
He sends you his best regards, asked that you kiss his children for him.
- He's all right, is he? - You know him.
Iron as ever.
- You and he are still friends, then? - Yes.
Very soon I will have to go east to end this thing with Antony.
I want you to come with me.
- Why? - You are close to Vorenus.
He is close to Antony.
It may be you can act as a mediator.
Maybe we can save unnecessary bloodshed.
Not to argue with you, but it doesn't seem likely.
There are some will have to die, of course.
Antony cannot be saved.
- The boy Caesarion will have to go, obviously.
- Caesarion? They have named him putative king of Rome, Pullo.
He will have to die but perhaps Cleopatra and her children by Antony may be saved.
- Preserve some stability.
- Yes.
I see.
I do not want to order you to come, Pullo, but I will if I have to.
No.
No problem.
- I'll come.
- Good.
It will be like old times.
An adventure together.
So, Antony more or less forced Octavian into war.
Else the east would be lost to the gyppos.
We wouldn't want that, now would we? Worshipping a bunch of dogs and cats and what have you.
Any road, the thing is, Octavian's ordered me to go along with him.
So that's what I'll be doing.
Going along with him.
- Can I come with you? - No.
Sorry.
You stay here with me.
We'll be fine.
You'll hardly notice I'm gone.
And the good news is, I'm more than likely to see your father.
He sent word that I should give you all a kiss from him.
If I see him, can I give him a kiss from you in return? No.
He killed our mother.
It's true, isn't it? You're a hard one, you.
My father made me so.
I hear you.
While I'm away, there'll be no trouble between you.
No skimming from the grain ration, no stealing of women, nor any extortion, robbery, or arson unless under direct license by Mascius.
Anybody steps out of line, they'll be sharing their dinner with Memmio.
Don't forget your vinegar flask.
Right.
Give us a smile.
Won't be gone forever.
If you really loved me, you'd take me with you.
It's a war, not a shopping trip.
- I can take care of myself.
- I know you can.
Which is why I'm not worried about leaving you here.
- Where are you going now? - Vinegar.
Memmio? This is not happening.
This isn't happening.
What have I done? Why are you punishing me like this? Oh, you selfish bastard.
It's me who's dying.
It's not you who's being punished, it's me.
I'm gonna die.
It is as as it should be.
What have you ever done? You're a good woman.
Don't get sentimental on me now.
One thing I'm not is a good woman.
You've been good to me.
No, I haven't.
Eirene.
Eirene was a good woman.
Not a she-wolf like me.
- She had her moments.
- She was gonna give you a child.
Fate had a different plan.
We're happy enough, you and me.
I'm sorry.
I can't go to the afterlife with lies in my heart.
Nemesis won't let me rest.
What lies? What's Nemesis want with you? Send these people away.
Get out.
Remember when I'm gone, what I did, I did out of love for you.
Did what? It was me who killed Eirene and your child.
I wanted you for myself.
So I poisoned her.
Goodbye, love.