Kings (TV Series)

The New King: Part One (2009)

Ian McShane: King Silas Benjamin

Quotes 

• King Vesper Abaddon : You got yourself here; it's time to change - or die. You have to learn to live without air, and for you air is adoration.

  King Silas Benjamin : Oh, is it wrong to seek the opinion of the people?

  King Vesper Abaddon : Of course it is; you're the best thing for them, and they don't know it. That's right - what would they have without Silas?

  King Silas Benjamin : You.

  King Vesper Abaddon : You see? They owe you; stop trying to win their approval. It is better to be feared than loved - necessary. Maybe you once brought your country into a new day, but that day is done; now, you rule by night.

  [cut to Jack discussing plans with William Cross] 

  King Silas Benjamin : My son...

  King Vesper Abaddon : Hang 'im.

  King Silas Benjamin : My peace...

  King Vesper Abaddon : You wanna give Gath the land, do it. Those for, plant in front of the cameras; those against, plant in the dirt.

  King Silas Benjamin : That simple?

  King Vesper Abaddon : Don't hide it - let the sun dapple the whole damn mess. And anyone still plotting against you will do it slipping in a blood puddle.

  King Silas Benjamin : I'm trying to win my people back, not get them to hate me more; they already think me a tyrant.

  King Vesper Abaddon : I know you, Silas, better than anyone. My worst enemy - now, my only friend. You're no tyrant... but you could be - if you tried.

  [cut to William conferring with his son Andrew] 

  King Silas Benjamin : And Shepherd?

  King Vesper Abaddon : You need to kill him - and soon.

  King Silas Benjamin : He's watched over. How do you kill someone whom God protects?

  King Vesper Abaddon : Easy - with a bullet.

• King Silas Benjamin : Tomorrow has come. Some of you meet it with reproach, and with the unkind thought that the return of any land to an enemy is weakness; lose that thought, friends. The handover of Port Prosperity will take place, and Gath will be our unfiring chum. In the name of peace, I will crush any in the blessed event's way.

  Chancellor Hanson : There are some still in their homes, sir, refusing to leave.

  King Silas Benjamin : Any who have not vacated by the deadline will be arrested; any who resist arrest will be shot - twice.

  King Silas Benjamin : [observing two ministers whispering]  Oh - say you have some dissent, please.

  Minister Forsythe : Not at all, sir... Shall I order a media blackout, to keep anyone from thinking you unsympathetic?

  King Silas Benjamin : But I *am* unsympathetic, to all those who oppose my will. Send *more* cameras. Let them remember it was my will that built from the ashes this nation and put in their mouth the right to complain - but there are limits, now reached. Go, do your jobs.

  Minister Forsythe : Sir - what is the official statement on the fate of David Shepherd?

  King Silas Benjamin : Who?

• Queen Rose Benjamin : Jack...

  King Silas Benjamin : Oh, forget Jack.

  Queen Rose Benjamin : No; he's in hiding from you.

  King Silas Benjamin : So he should be.

  Queen Rose Benjamin : He's your son... who once you held in the palm of your hand, whose laughter was God's greatest gift.

  King Silas Benjamin : Not anymore.

  Queen Rose Benjamin : Jack is a surety under this family's legacy. He lives, or the crown dies with you.

  King Silas Benjamin : Lucky I don't die.

  Queen Rose Benjamin : ...I built this country with you. I bound it to our family and name. You may have the will, but I maximize your effect. And tomorrow will be your greatest hour - and you need at least one smile by your side that isn't trying to hold back the tears... So Jack will stand beside you; he will not be arrested, and he will not be harmed. You will acknowledge him, and you will do this for me.

  King Silas Benjamin : And if I don't?

  Queen Rose Benjamin : You'll find yourself standing alone.

  King Silas Benjamin : ...If he behaves, I won't cut his throat.

• Michelle Benjamin : Where's David?

  King Silas Benjamin : Held temporarily underground, until we can find a more permanent place for him there. Noon tomorrow, David Shepherd ceases to exist; time to find a new boyfriend.

  Michelle Benjamin : What if I already did? What if I found someone and was seen with him - let the cameras and the country see that the princess found someone she like more than David Shepherd, how he doesn't mean anything to her, and he shouldn't to them either.

  King Silas Benjamin : What a mature young lady you have become.

  Michelle Benjamin : I want to say goodbye.

  King Silas Benjamin : ...Better hurry.

• Jack Benjamin : I come to beg forgiveness.

  [Silas motions for Jack to approach] 

  King Silas Benjamin : Forgiveness is a form of love, and I do not love you.

  Queen Rose Benjamin : Silas...

  Jack Benjamin : [whispering, almost inaudibly]  Yes, you do.

  King Silas Benjamin : ...Kneel.

  King Silas Benjamin : [seeing Jack's hesitation]  ... *Kneel*.

  [Jack slowly drops to his knees] 

  King Silas Benjamin : Now kiss the ground I walk on.

  Queen Rose Benjamin : Silas!

  King Silas Benjamin : ...Your mouth's been in dirtier places.

  [wincing, Jack prostrates himself and kisses the floor at Silas' feet] 

  King Silas Benjamin : That's the second time your mother's given you life... It'll be the last.

• King Silas Benjamin : Last time we met, we weren't sure who should shake hands first.

  Premier Shaw : Well, you've taken the liberty twice; now, let me be the one to offer my hand.

  King Silas Benjamin : What's it like - governing when the people have hope?

  Premier Shaw : Unusual. And how has it been governing when they're afraid?

  King Silas Benjamin : Easier.

• King Silas Benjamin : Peace is not a lamb, but a lion - and it requires force and discipline; otherwise it will go wild, feed on you. I make no meek apology - history will thank me; you will, too.

• King Silas Benjamin : Our cause is peace. We've been on a long drift from God, and it is the duty of the leader to cinch the tide and turn the soft, blind swimmer towards where we conceive the shore.

• 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.