Kings (TV Series)

The New King: Part One (2009)

Dylan Baker: William Cross

Quotes 

• William Cross : He thinks it's all selfish - CrossGen, our thick pocket-lining, our pockets swell for war... There's a language to civilization, and a small group of scholars who can read it. I was born fluent; General Benjamin could barely make out the glyphs - as king, he's lost his glasses. Can't see that war is just the fuel of progress. Nothing gets made in peace - except art... He changed; I remember when we first met - I really liked him. He used to be so funny...

• Jack Benjamin : They took from us our best. But we can not let the work of rogues impede my father's best ambition - peace. To that end, let it be said, let it be known, let it be remembered that I, on the day of my melancholy ascension, saw through that goal. But we needn't give up our land to achieve that peace; we can reach out to Gath...

  William Cross : [unable to contain his impatience]  Enough! We suffered enough peacock speeches under him; if there's to be change, let's start there. I don't speak the backwards language of kings, so I'll talk plain: Silas is dead, killed by Gath assassins. The media will confirm the story today. Jack will be king; his first order will be to avenge his father's murder. Gath has never wanted peace with us; they want war, and we will give it to them. Ready our planes to strike.

  Jack Benjamin : No.

  Rev. Ephram Samuels : Perhaps we should wait, mourn our loss - not let grief cloud our good judgment.

  David Shepherd : The country doesn't want this.

  William Cross : They will, when we're attacked. And Gath will strike, right here in Shiloh - you can count on it.

  Jack Benjamin : No; war is not the answer. As king...

  William Cross : Sit down, Jack.

  [a soldier steps behind Jack and places his hand on his shoulder, pressing him into his seat] 

  William Cross : The reverend was right; grief clouds judgment. Our heir apparent has had a traumatic day, so until he has recovered properly and mourned his loss, I'll help make his essential decisions.

  Queen Rose Benjamin : *You* did this.

  William Cross : I've allied the media, the military, now our new king, all to this purpose.

  Queen Rose Benjamin : And you used my son!

  William Cross : Neither you, nor he, nor any vagrant opinion will interrupt what - God, you've got *me* doing it! We attack - today!

  Andrew Cross : Father...

  William Cross : What?

  Andrew Cross : They found his ambulance; there's no sign of him.

  William Cross : Who?

  Andrew Cross : Silas... he's gone.

• Jack Benjamin : Mother...

  Queen Rose Benjamin : Just tell me you didn't know... even if it's not true.

  William Cross : [entering]  Come; time to greet your country.

  Queen Rose Benjamin : Don't do this, Jack. You don't know him - he's alive. I know it; he's alive, he'll come back... and he will kill us all.