"Kings" The New King: Part One (TV Episode 2009) - Susanna Thompson as Queen Rose Benjamin

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

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.

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.

Queen Rose Benjamin : You've come to tell me... you've come to tell me he's dead.

Rev. Ephram Samuels : ...Ma'am.

Queen Rose Benjamin : No - he can't be. I know him; he's harder than lead. He once looked at a man and he fell dead of fright. And you would have known this - you see things of this size. Did you see some sign? No! Silas does not die like this; he... does not die.

Rev. Ephram Samuels : Rose... Rose, he was just a man, after all... more so today than ever. Now, your son and daughter... the country... they are all gonna look to you for how to mourn... Shall we go and see the body?

Queen Rose Benjamin : Silas is not a body! He is not dead! Any moment, the king will walk through the door.

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.