Kings (TV Series)

The New King: Part One (2009)

Christopher Egan: David Shepherd

Quotes 

• Michelle Benjamin : David... there's no way to say "sorry" well enough; you needed me, and I left you.

  David Shepherd : Did you think I was guilty?

  Michelle Benjamin : No - but there was a reason.

  David Shepherd : I would have bet my life you'd be there for me... I did; you didn't come.

  Michelle Benjamin : I couldn't. Please, just let me explain.

  David Shepherd : I can't trust you, Michelle! Nothing you say could matter to me. Just keep your reasons.

• King Vesper Abaddon : [speaking to David through the prison vent]  Are you *really* not gonna eat any of that? I can smell the meat from here... oh, shame to waste steak.

  [he tosses a string with a hook through the vent, and David attaches the steak and sends it through] 

  King Vesper Abaddon : Aaah... thank you. Mmm... The girl?

  David Shepherd : The king's daughter.

  King Vesper Abaddon : Oooh - not bad.

  David Shepherd : Doesn't matter; the king, in all his wisdom, set me up to die any minute.

  King Vesper Abaddon : That was my idea; sorry about that, David.

  David Shepherd : You know who I am?

  King Vesper Abaddon : Oh, I know lots about you. You gave me back my mind. I was asleep for a long time; I talked to weevils in my mash, filled books with garbage - and then you came, rose like the sun, and outshone the world's brightest star. And then he came to me, and I told him - heh, I told him to blot you out, bring back the night, to turn into me... and he listened! And in helping him, I got my mind back. At some point he'll realize that I was up to no good, and boy, will he be mad!

  David Shepherd : Who are you?

  King Vesper Abaddon : I... am the king.

  David Shepherd : [dismissing the idea as a prisoner's delusion]  You're a prisoner.

  King Vesper Abaddon : I don't suppose they tell in school of Vesper Abaddon?

  David Shepherd : Only about his atrocities.

  King Vesper Abaddon : Hmm - interesting fellow, with his faults. If he were alive, he'd probably tell you that there is nothing to be afraid of in death... Were you loved, David?

  David Shepherd : I'm not sure.

  King Vesper Abaddon : You were; I saw. That's someone whose heart will die when you do. It's lucky - even if it was just skyfire-fast... Since I owe you double, let me give you a parting gift - your obol coin in the mouth:... It is always better to be loved than feared. Some of us made the mistake the other way, and it does not go well. Die loved, you die happy.

  David Shepherd : I'd rather live miserable.

  King Vesper Abaddon : I like you!

• David Shepherd : [praying as he awaits his execution]  I have only ever lived for peace... I lift my eyes to You, and I know I'll find it.

• David Shepherd : It's true, then; he's dead.

  Jack Benjamin : Mourn, if you must.

  [Jack steps forward and embraces David] 

  Jack Benjamin : I was worried you wouldn't make this.

  David Shepherd : It was you - you saved my life; why?

  Jack Benjamin : We're rid of the poison. My father is gone; it's *my* turn to rule, and I want to do it well. I need someone good around here. I will try to do right by your example. I swear to you - from this moment on, I am your friend.

• 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.

• King Silas Benjamin : [lying wounded in bed, attended by Helen]  You come to finish me off?

  [Thomasina appears behind David, pointing a pistol at his head] 

  David Shepherd : I'm not here for that.

  King Silas Benjamin : Or maybe plant a garden?

  David Shepherd : Jack has named himself king, but only as a puppet; Cross is the real power. He wants a war with Gath that will never end.

  King Silas Benjamin : [he motions for Thomasina to lower her gun]  ... Someone had to win.

  David Shepherd : Don't you understand? Everything you ever built will be destroyed unless you go back!

  King Silas Benjamin : I'm done, boy; read the signs.

  David Shepherd : ...What about your country?... No; you don't deserve to die loved. You don't deserve it, you son of a bitch! Get up! After all the wrong you've done to them - to *me*... I fought for you; I believed in you! We all did! You told us you were chosen to lead; was that a lie? Or did God just make a mistake?

  Seth : Daddy?

  King Silas Benjamin : Come here, puppy.

  Seth : Are you leaving again?

  King Silas Benjamin : Remember what I said about working for the king?

  [Seth nods] 

  King Silas Benjamin : [summoning the strength to sit up from his bed]  I *am* the king.