Kings (TV Series)

The New King: Part Two (2009)

Ian McShane: King Silas Benjamin

Quotes 

• King Silas Benjamin : [addressing the nation in a pirate broadcast]  People of Gilboa - a few days ago, our nation was the victim of a coup d'état. Your king was shot, and the reins of our country seized by corrupt and evil men. My people, you have been deceived. I address you today to say that I, Silas Benjamin, king of Gilboa am alive - very much alive. I am still sovereign of this nation. I send a message to the traitors who would depose me, who would subvert God's will and the freedom of my people: I am the rightful king of this nation, I and no other. I will return to Shiloh to take my place, given me by God *and* citizen. Like an earthquake, I will come.

• King Silas Benjamin : You *can* drink with people you hate; life's taught me that much. Come on - might be your last.

  David Shepherd : [sitting down opposite Silas]  ... So that's it, then - we die tomorrow.

  King Silas Benjamin : Odds are not in our favor... Not like the old days - then I was sure. I'd ask the outcome of a battle, and He'd answer in thunder and the answer would always be "yes".

  David Shepherd : No answer tonight?

  King Silas Benjamin : Not for some time.

  King Silas Benjamin : [heavenward]  Hey, maybe we can help You out a little.

  King Silas Benjamin : [pouring a third shot glass at the table]  Just let us know You're listening out there, and that You exist and that You care a little for the back-and-forthings of we tiny men, and that success - or death - in the outcome of battle mean a little out there in the sparkly quintessence... Just knock the glass over. An infant could do it; a breeze... No?... I guess we're on our own.

  David Shepherd : Maybe He doesn't talk to bastards.

  King Silas Benjamin : And here I thought we were getting along so well.

  David Shepherd : I know you - too well now. I'll help you tomorrow; I'll probably die, too... But I'll do it, because the people need you. They have a chance at peace with you.

  King Silas Benjamin : [as they get up to leave]  If we do survive, I owe you more than apologies - I wronged you.

  David Shepherd : The minute I see you in your chair, I'm outta here. I don't wanna see any of you again.

  King Silas Benjamin : ...Do that.

  David Shepherd : Just promise me one thing: If God ever does speak to you again, you'll listen.

  [Silas quietly nods, and the two men leave the room... not noticing that the third shot glass has been knocked over] 

• King Silas Benjamin : [finding the substitute crown on his throne]  You were gonna put this on Jack?

  Chancellor Hanson : [terrified]  Sir...

  King Silas Benjamin : Say there was a gun to your head, and I won't have to put one there.

  King Silas Benjamin : [to the coronation guests]  So - where are they? William Cross, Jack Benjamin... where are they?... I ask once more with words, and then with blood.

  Jack Benjamin : [entering the room]  I'm here... I'm not gonna run - not anymore... You said I couldn't be what I was; God said I couldn't be what I wanted. There's nothing left for me... but to die... Do it. Go on; finish it - I'm ready.

  King Silas Benjamin : We can think of worse things for you than death... You could have had *everything*.

• Andrew Cross : When I came back, my father told me to watch and learn. I learned who should be king - and who shouldn't.

  King Silas Benjamin : Anything else?

  Andrew Cross : You lost a son; I lost a father. Maybe I could be a part of the family.

• King Silas Benjamin : [praying from the rooftop]  Not bad, right? Even You must be impressed today.

  [thunder rolls across the sky] 

  King Silas Benjamin : You're welcome. I give, and I am thankful - for giving is a need; we understand each other on the point. It was a mad idea You had in the first place - kings, a monarchy? In this day and age? I'm looking out at a city that I built in Your name; this is what you wanted. Deny it?

  [subdued thunder] 

  King Silas Benjamin : Then you *can* forgive me; then I still have some role yet to play?

  King Silas Benjamin : [as a soft rain begins to fall]  Oh, thank you! Thank you! Whatever You want, I am ready!

  King Silas Benjamin : [loud thunder roars through the sky]  Him? But why? No - no, what about me? What am *I* supposed to do?

  King Silas Benjamin : [seeing the clouds break and dissipate]  Don't go! Don't go!...

• King Silas Benjamin : [to Thomasina]  Find Shepherd - bring him to the mansion... Tell him I listened.

• David Shepherd : You said I could go home.

  King Silas Benjamin : You were asked for... It seems God has plans other than you might have wanted; get used to that... He spoke to me again; He told me... you were meant to take my place.

  David Shepherd : Me?

  [Silas nods] 

  David Shepherd : No... no, I - I'm no king.

  King Silas Benjamin : It's not up to you, either.

  David Shepherd : But why?

  King Silas Benjamin : [exasperated]  I don't know why. Because you're good? I've been good. Because you're young? I was young too; oh, I gave Him that - everything He ever asked for. But now He turns away, loves *you*.

  David Shepherd : I don't know that He does.

  King Silas Benjamin : ...You have His favor! I doubt I could have escaped the traps I laid for you. You never knew what you were being given; but now - now I see. How long has He been whispering in your ear?

  David Shepherd : He hasn't.

  King Silas Benjamin : No? You didn't feel anything? Hm? Before your butterfly crown? After? Don't lie to me!

  David Shepherd : I never asked for anything!

  King Silas Benjamin : ...He did come to you - offered himself behind my back, yours for the taking. Shameful - the two of you laughing at me.

  David Shepherd : No; God loved you - and so did I!

  King Silas Benjamin : [he throws his drink at Shepherd and tackles him]  Listen to your lies? While you were playing me? The old fool - huh? Is that what you thought? Huh? Is that what you thought? God looked me in the eye - and lied to me! You backstabbing, cheating whore!

  [David gets out from under Silas and begins punching him] 

  David Shepherd : You're jealous! That's why He left you! Maybe I *should* be king! Maybe I should!

• [last lines] 

  Queen Rose Benjamin : An issuance of the king: For her acts of treason in support of her brother, Michelle Benjamin is ordered exiled from Gilboa - stripped of any rights as citizen or noble, removed from all our lands, and kept from any company but her own for a period of no less than one year.

  Michelle Benjamin : What are you talking about?

  Queen Rose Benjamin : [whispering]  I told you I would take care of everything.

  [Michelle is removed by two soldiers] 

  King Silas Benjamin : All our plans...

  Queen Rose Benjamin : We'll make new ones... We'll be young again; everything there is to fight for began with you. You're the stone center; you're Silas.

  King Silas Benjamin : Yes...

  Queen Rose Benjamin : And nothing can take the future from this family.

  King Silas Benjamin : Nothing?

  [Rose exits] 

  King Silas Benjamin : ...Least of all David Shepherd.

  [Rev. Samuels' ghost appears behind Silas] 

  Rev. Ephram Samuels : Let him go, Silas.

  King Silas Benjamin : I will find David; I will hunt him down, and when his dead body lays at my feet I'll come for you for your part in this.

  Rev. Ephram Samuels : Killing David will not keep you king.

  King Silas Benjamin : At least God will know I'm angry.

  Rev. Ephram Samuels : He's gone, Silas - where you can not find him. His family is safe, too. Nothing can stop God's plan.

  King Silas Benjamin : I travel that path no more; I'm a sinner now. He wants peace, I want war - God and I are now constant enemies.

  Rev. Ephram Samuels : Then I bring a message from the enemy: Do not search too hard for my servant, for the day you lay a hand on him... will be the day that you die.

  King Silas Benjamin : Oh, is that what He says? Well, take a message back to Him: We are at war.