01x10 - Let the Games Begin

[bunniefuu]

It seems today we fight

alone.

There's no telling

what they'll pit us against

An army, animals?

We go back-to-back.

Let's see how many we can take with us.

[crowd cheering in distance]

Thank you

for what you have taught me, Northman.

No.

Thank you, my Numidian brother.

Today we live together,

or die together.

Fire and ice.

[crowd cheering]

Brother, you seem agitated.

[scoffs]

My only concern is that

the Inaugural Games are perfect.

[chuckles]

Yes.

Well, perhaps the cool air of Ostia

will calm you.

Ostia?

Yes, yes.

A navigator

waits for us there after we finish

this day of games.

[footsteps approaching]

[guard]

Soldier, go get the Praetorians! Move!

Keep everybody back! Get back!

I said get back!

Move, keep them away.

I don't want anybody near here, understand?

The sector is closed.

Move it! You as well.

All of you, go around!

Soldier, keep them back!

[Manilius]

Understood.

[whispers]

A navigator has arrived in Ostia

with proof that Domitian

was behind the grain delays.

Come with me.

- [Cala] Please!

- Mum! Mum!

Please, just tell me

why you are taking her.

No women at this gate.

No! No, no. Please, I'm her mother.

I need to know what this is about.

- f*ck off!

- [guard chuckles]

How dare you talk to me like this?

[guard]

Go away!

I'm her mother. I won't leave without her.

- Leave!

- You can't arrest people like that!

[Cala]

She has done nothing wrong.

[guard]

You b*stards!

[fanfare]

Citizens of Rome,

we present you

[crowd cheering]

[Tuccian]

a warrior pair!

[cheering]

- Kwame! Kwame! Kwame!

- Come on!

[Viggo]

Instead of gladiators,

we are to die at the hand of

Roman legionnaires.

As did my father.

Good.

A warrior's death.

Two gladiators, having fought

back-to-back,

as savage Achilles

and sensuous Patroclus.

Fast friends,

bonded in life and death.

Viggo, the Northman!

- [cheering]

- [man] Viggo!

Whoo!

[crowd chanting]

Viggo! Viggo! Viggo!

And Kwame,

the lion k*ller!

[crowd cheering]

- Yeah!

- Come on, Kwame!

Come on, Kwame!

After 11 victories,

today

Viggo fights

the great

Kwame!

[crowd cheering]

k*ller

of the invincible Flamma!

These two,

the greatest of all gladiators,

will, for your pleasure,

fight each other now to

the death!

[cheering]

[crowd cheering outside]

[crowd cheering]

[Tuccian]

Gladiators

engage!

[Viggo]

Kwame.

Be strong, brother. Be strong.

I have your back.

Come!

[crowd murmuring]

Fight! Fight!

[booing]

You're a monster!

They've taken my daughter!

Where have they taken her?

Where?

[crowd shouting]

I've paid my ticket!

Come on, fight!

[chanting]

Fight! Fight! Fight!

Is this part of the entertainment?

[crowd chanting]

Fight! Fight! Fight!

I expected this.

Citizens of Rome.

I present to you

[gates open]

[Tuccian]

Jula.

[crowd gasp]

[Tuccian]

Little sister

of the lion k*ller, Kwame!

[crowd cheering]

Jula!

[Tuccian]

A sl*ve.

The property of Rome!

And the son

of the Northman, Viggo!

[crowd gasp]

- Seven years old, and the light

- No!

of his father's eye.

No. No.

No.

[Tuccian]

What better encouragement to fight,

brave gladiators,

than to save the lives of your family?

[crowd gasp]

[Tuccian]

Who will die?

And who will live?

[cheering]

[sobs]

- No!

- [all gasp]

[cries out]

Did you devise this entertainment?

Brother.

Huh?

Was this your idea?

- Yes.

- Ah, well.

Then the goddess Discordia

lives within you.

For only a devious mind

could conjure such a thing.

[crowd cheering]

[whimpers]

My friend,

I have no choice but to k*ll you.

Please forgive me.

If you succeed,

no forgiveness is needed.

The blame will lie with

these ravening wolves.

The b*stard children of Romulus.

Kwame!

[grunts]

[shouting]

Hey! Girl!

Where is that woman?

[Manilius]

Tenax.

He works with the Aedile Ludi.

Where do I find him?

[guard]

Tenax. He's somewhere inside.

Split up. Find him.

k*ll him.

It's time to tie up loose ends.

So, there is nothing I can say.

You're certain about leaving?

- [whistles]

- [Ferox grumbles]

Easy, boy.

I would so love to take you with me.

But you know what they do

to horse thieves.

[nuzzles]

Elia! It's Jula.

They've taken her to the Amphitheatre.

What?

They're using her to force her brother

to fight his best friend.

[cries out]

[all gasp]

[breathes heavily]

No!

[crowd gasp]

[gasps]

[Titus]

Strangely compelling to watch

two supposedly

loyal friends.

Could call them family.

Fighting to the death.

Don't you think, brother?

[Manilius]

You didn't find him?

Right, sir.

Go and check the Royal deck. Now.

Good.

[man]

We're not gonna miss anything.

Let's get back to our seat.

No!

[gasps]

[Ferox whines]

Here.

Hey, you can't leave

your f*cking horse here!

Whoa!

[cries out]

[cheering]

[woman in crowd]

Kwame!

[whimpers]

[gasps]

[gasping]

Stop!

Stop!

Is that your son?

There.

[whimpers]

Get up! Get up!

Get up!

[sound distorts]

[cries out]

[sound resumes]

[gasping]

No!

[groans in pain]

[applause]

[Kwame]

Viggo

has fought

bravely.

Let him live!

[silence]

Live!

- Live! Live!

- Live!

[chanting]

Live! Live! Live!

Let him live!

To fight for you again!

[chanting continues]

Give him quarter!

[chanting continues]

[chanting continues]

I have a decision to make, brother.

Mercy or death?

What's it to be?

Mercy.

Perhaps not today.

[crowd booing]

No! No, no, no.

- No. What?

- What?

No!

No!

No!

No!

Son.

It's all right, son.

It's all right.

You will rest with the Gods

and visit me in my dreams.

Please.

Please do what you can

to keep my son alive.

I will.

I will.

[crowd gasp]

No!

[cheering]

No!

[screams]

[sobs]

The house of death.

I will have no more of this.

[man in crowd]

Wooden Sword!

[crowd chanting]

Wooden Sword!

[chanting]

Wooden Sword! Wooden Sword!

[chanting continues]

[chanting continues]

Brother

[chanting continues]

[chanting continues]

[chanting fades]

With these games

our city

our empire

celebrates its most important virtue:

martial valour

and duty to Rome.

With his victory today

let this gladiator

celebrate freedom!

[cheering]

- [both] Yes!

- Kwame!

[cheering continues]

[chanting]

Kwame! Kwame! Kwame!

[chanting continues]

[chanting continues]

Free her!

[chanting stops]

This gladiator

has earned the right

to deliver his freedom,

however he sees fit.

Let

his

gesture

stand!

[crowd cheering]

[cheering continues]

Take it.

Take it!

[crowd cheering]

You're free now.

You're free.

You're free.

Jula!

Are you okay?

Thank you.

Go!

Come.

Thank you.

[crowd chanting] Kwame! Kwame!

[chanting continues]

[sobs in relief]

Mother.

[chanting continues]

Take her to Tenax's apartment

and wait for me there.

We need to talk.

Go, go!

[chanting continues]

What's wrong?

I bare your child.

Why didn't you tell me?

Because I was afraid

it would make you leave.

Jula

I'm not going anywhere.

[crowd cheering]

[whispering]

[Porto] Our escort to Ostia

is mounted and ready, Lord.

Very well.

Brother

we have business in Ostia to attend too.

I think it would be best

if I stayed for

Your Emperor

commands it.

The Northman's son, k*ll him.

You heard me, k*ll him.

k*ll the boy!

[Viggo's wife]

Ahren!

No! No!

No!

- No!

- [screams]

[cries out]

No!

[screams]

Brother!

[screams]

And with this,

the first day of

the Inaugural Games closes.

Ahren!

[guards speak indistinctly]

[exhales]

Who did this?

[Porto]

We don't know, Caesar.

Nobody saw what happened.

Is this your handiwork?

No.

Take her to the palace.

[guard]

Yes, my Lord.

You heard him.

To Ostia.

[Cala sobs]

[sobs]

[Cala inhales sharply]

You are filthy, betraying sh*t!

There is no betrayal.

Only survival.

You're a gambler. You simply lost.

Domitian will die by his brother's hand,

you will die by my sword here,

and our little arrangement will die,

along with you.

[chuckles]

Survival

Hmm.

And the ten million sesterces.

[chuckles]

We all have expenses.

[groans in pain]

[grunts]

[lion moans]

[lion moans]

[lion moans]

[Carpo breathes shakily]

[screams]

[screams]

[cries out]

Tenax!

[cries out]

Never pit a soldier

against a street fighter.

[Manilius falls]

[Manilius strains]

[grunts]

[lion snarls]

You betrayed me!

[Cala gasps]

You lied.

Betrayed, perhaps,

but I never lied to you.

I've k*lled men for far less.

I'm sure you have.

[lion snarls]

[snarls]

[growls]

[guard cries out]

Hug the wall.

[lion snarls]

[snarls]

[lion snarls]

I'll deal with you later.

[people cry out]

[shouting]

Hey!

Everyone get back!

No, no. No, no, no.

What have you done?

I had to.

[footsteps approaching]

I don't understand you.

You never did.

[screams]

[shouts]

[screams]

[indistinct chatter]

How much did Manilius say

he was gonna pay you?

We have orders to k*ll you.

How much?

A hundred thousand.

Each.

I paid him

ten million.

Come with me

and you can share all of that.

The die is cast.

[lion snarls]

Hey!

[man shouts]

[screams]

[screams]

[horse whines]

- [lion snarls]

- Hey!

[Kwame]

Hey!

[both]

Hey!

[Kwame]

I will lure it away.

Protect mother!

Come!

[lion snarls]

[sniffs]

[shouts]

[both gasp]

[shouts]

Come!

Come on!

[shouts]

[scream muted]

[sound cuts back in]

We are one.

You and I.

Children from Apedemak.

Let us curse these Romans

and make them suffer!

[Cala and Aura sob]

[guards]

Yah!

How long

did you lay at anchor off Corsica?

Three weeks.

Upon whose order?

Your family will be protected

if you tell the truth.

Domitian Flavianus.

I saw his orders

and followed them.

Get him out of here.

[footsteps receding]

Oh, I am twice the fool.

Firstly, for trusting you.

Secondly, after that trust had gone

thinking I could control you.

He should die.

Here and now.

No, no. He will.

But

in public.

Thrown from the Tarpeian Rock

after conviction in the Senate.

[guards]

To horsemen! Ready your swords!

It's an ambush!

Emperor! Get back, behind me.

[Porto, shakily]

Forgive me, Lord Titus.

I have failed you.

[gurgles]

[Domitian]

Ah, brother.

The Fates toy with the threads of life.

Bind him.

Time to cut that soiled thread short,

I think.

You think assassination will save you?

[scoffs]

Well, it's a start.

You'll play Morta, will you,

and k*ll me yourself?

I thought I might.

Brother

Little brother.

Hide your fears and hide your tears.

Do you remember what I told you?

You're no soldier.

That in the moment

you'd be unable to k*ll anybody.

What makes you think you could do it now?

- You underestimate me.

- Do I?

Whatever he said he'll pay you,

I'll pay you ten times as much.

- [Domitian] He's lying.

- Am I?

I swear by Saturn,

you'll have all you desire.

Anything, it's yours!

Whatever he paid you,

it would be nothing compared to this.

- [Domitian] Do not listen to him.

- [Titus] Look.

He cannot have witnesses to this evil.

Oh, no!

Listen to me!

Your General,

your Emperor.

Fools! You do not understand.

He will k*ll you all.

- Kneel!

- [scoffs]

Kneel.

Kneel!

My brother is just a child.

He's just a weak, petulant, little child.

So consider this.

Who's more likely to let you live?

I'm a soldier.

Just like you.

I'm a hard man, but I'm a just man

and I'm an honourable man. Look at him.

Look at him!

It's the fear that drives him.

Who can you trust more?

That fear will be your death.

- Shut up.

- [Titus chuckles]

Do not listen to him.

My brother is right, yes.

Do not listen to me.

Listen to your hearts.

Think of your families.

Think of those you love.

And above all else,

think of our beloved Rome!

Who is the greater guardian of this city?

Me

or this vile,

desperate, weak,

despicable worm.

[gasps]

[Titus cries out]

[wheezing]

[strained breaths]

[strained breaths]

Look, brother.

[Titus whimpers]

Bitter tears.

Can you taste them?

From the humiliation and cruelty

I suffered at your hand.

Well, now you can choke on them!

[strains]

Look, brother.

Here come the Fates.

Snip.

Snip.

Snip.

[strained wheeze]

[fading breaths]

[silence]

Well done.

[exhales]

I live to serve you

Caesar.

Continue to serve me well,

and I will let you live.

Now leave.

I'll speak to Tenax under four eyes.

[footsteps receding]

See me now, Father?

I am the ruler you should have chosen.

Your greatest show yet.

His bulging eyes.

Almost as entertaining as watching

traitors be eaten by crocodiles.

You will make

an excellent Aedile Ludi.

You honour me.

[exhales]

Now clean up this mess.

My brother died of natural causes,

poisoned by

spoiled fish or something.

Ride ahead.

Have the Senate assemble.

[guard]

Whoa.

[horse whines]

- [horse whines]

- [dog barks]

[indistinct chatter]

My brother

is dead.

- [senator] What?

- [murmuring]

Some will say he was k*lled.

But that is a lie.

I have heard my brother

has promised a portion of the income

from our Flavian Amphitheatre

be given to the four

No.

The five

factions.

This arrangement

is no more.

The Flavian Amphitheatre

belongs to the people

of Rome.

To confirm my brother died

of natural causes,

his body will be brought here,

to the Senate,

where each of you will see

there is not a mark

on him.

I've been told my brother died

from bad food.

A tragedy.

There are some who think me ill-suited

to be Emperor.

In Indeed

there are some of you

who think yourselves better suited

for the curule throne than I.

Disabuse this notion

now.

May the fate of your Consul Marsus

and his co-conspirators

in our Flavian Amphitheatre

tell of how futile such attempts are.

Now rise

to acclaim your new Emperor!

[all, half-heartedly]

Hail Caesar.

[guard]

Orders?

Secure the armoury, the treasury

and the palace.

Inform the legions.

A detail of guards for you.

At a distance.

I wish to be alone.

Yes, my Lord.

[horse whines]

How will you provide for her?

I am riding for the Blues.

- I am their lead charioteer now.

- Hmm.

And when you are k*lled?

We drivers have a club for that.

We save for

Well, just in case.

Do you love him?

Yes.

I do, Mother.

[Cala sighs]

Love,

a weak basis for marriage.

But it will do for now.

Thank you.

[door opens]

[Rufus]

Tenax wants you to come.

Take good care of her.

Or you will answer to me.

And to the Gods of Numidia.

[nervously]

Mm-hmm.

- [door closes]

- [Elia chuckles]

[man] I'm going to make sure

he knows what his duties are.

No more faffing around.

Your new home?

Scorpus isn't using it.

Anyway, he hated it.

He preferred brothels.

[Cala]

Mm.

Domitian, our new Emperor,

has made me Aedile Ludi.

You know what that means?

Julius Caesar, himself,

served as Aedile during his rise.

A deserved prize.

For putting our new Emperor on the throne.

[chuckles]

Now we both know that,

but it's not to be said out loud.

Especially to Domitian.

You understand

that I need to k*ll you, don't you?

I understand

that you believe that.

[chuckles]

No surprise then.

I expected you to try

and bargain your way out of this.

Hmm.

It's only through dumb luck

that I'm alive.

Had that scroll reached Titus,

I would be dead and Domitian as well.

Then you should thank

your Roman God, Fortuna.

[Tenax]

I do!

I take no pleasure in k*lling you.

But you've given me no choice.

I betrayed you.

But did I ever lie to you?

You are from the gutter.

Your money,

your betting,

your allies,

all your allegiances,

your very being all reek of the sewer.

But you live on the Esquiline Hill now!

You need someone honest

to manage what you leave behind.

Without an endless flow of money,

all this will fall apart,

and the senators will roar with laughter

as they kick you back to the gutter.

[gasps]

Why should I trust you?

Who else?

For my children

I will betray you in a second.

But beyond that,

I will never lie to you.

I never have.

Who else can offer you that?

You terrify me.

Good.

You know where to find me.

[Tenax]

I k*lled an emperor,

but the reward was to become Aedile Ludi.

This was only a first step in my journey.

At some point,

I will travel to Syracuse

to find out if I am truly a Patrician,

as Ursus told me.

Maybe this will come with some land

I will inherit.

We will see.

I need to be watchful of Domitian.

He's like a petulant child.

Cruel

and an unpredictable schemer and k*ller.

Hopefully,

I will be able to control him.

Let the games begin.