A.D. The Bible Continues (2015): Season 1, Episode 12 - The Abomination - full transcript

We wish to sit in the temple
and win respect.

I trust you will remember my
generosity in the days to come.

My likeness in the temple
for all to see.

Defend his temple
against this abomination!

We are lighting a fire
that will burn Rome to cinders.

Go to Pilate.

Save this city from a Roman massacre.
Never!

The zealots have formed
an alliance with Ethiopia.

They plan to launch
a huge uprising against Rome.

Move aside!

We are betrayed. Quick!



Forget the Ethiopians' weapons.
We still have our own.

Joanna, come with me.

She will be put to death,
Claudia.

Cornelius, begin.

This ends here.

John, what is it?

The statue.

The statue of the emperor.

It's here.

Well, now...

Here it is.

What do you want?

When I decree it,

the statue will be escorted
to the temple.



There it shall be placed
in the court of the women,

and there it shall remain
until I tell you otherwise.

Governor...

The only uncertainty
regards the number of deaths.

And that's
where you become useful.

We cannot help you.

And I thought we were friends.

Your wife and I are friends.
Aren't we?

Do you know that your wife...

He's lying.

Your wife...

Came to me

and helped me expose
a conspiracy

between Ethiopia
and the zealots?

It's our little secret.

And I am in your debt.

But her outburst just now...

Makes me wonder.

Were you not aware of this?

Maybe I owe you
nothing after all.

My wife...

Delivered this information
with my knowledge and approval.

But I myself am untainted
by her actions,

so there is no debt.

But you also have no means

by which to blackmail me
or the temple,

which seems to me
to be the true purpose

of our conversation today.

You have no allies here,
no one to bribe or bully.

And the statue will never,
ever enter the temple.

So you say.

But when it comes to it
and my men march toward you,

how will you stop us?

We need to get out of Jerusalem.

Why would you
abandon the temple?

Because Jesus warned us.

"These are the beginnings
of sorrows."

Won't be a single stone
of the temple

left standing, Simon.

Remember what he told us.

"There will be earthquakes
and famine and troubles."

So we should pack up
and go to the hills.

Yes.
Let's do that.

The Romans are about to make
Jerusalem worship a false idol.

It's not our fight...
Not anymore.

Who was that?

A messenger
from the high priest.

Saying what?

Just that he wants to see me.

On the same day
that the statue arrives?

He wants us to fight for him.

And why wouldn't we?

Because they will cut us
to pieces.

Why did we believe him
when he offered us sanctuary?

He was always just waiting
for a chance to use us.

We don't know that.

Not yet.

In the name of Christ,
I forgive you.

Cornelius...

God has looked kindly
on your sorrow and repentance.

Send men to Joppa
and find a man called Peter,

who is staying with
Simon the Tanner, near the sea.

Peter.

These are looked upon
as unclean.

But do not call anything impure
that God has cleansed.

There are three men downstairs.

They have come for you.

Go with them.

Don't be afraid,
because I have sent them.

Peter.

There are men downstairs.

Why are you smiling?

You're Peter.

I am.

I had a...

I'm not... I'm not sure
what I should call it...

Not a dream.

I was awake, but...

I was visited...

By...

An I know not what.

An angel.

And... and I heard
your name.

I have been a witness and party
to many terrible deeds.

I saw your Jesus die.

And these hands have...

My mind...

My heart...

Screams, "enough."

My friend Joanna...

How is she?

You killed her.

Didn't you?

Stand up.

Don't kneel before me.

I'm just a man...

Like you.

Thank you for coming so swiftly.

Well, when the high priest
calls...

I've seen some of your brethren
at the temple.

Their delight has been...

Heartwarming.

You know about the statue?
Yes, of course.

See, I am trying to unite the
city against this abomination,

and I believe that if we all
put our differences aside

and stand as one, then we
can repel this barbarity.

Well, that is certainly
a noble intention.

But, um, we cannot help.

I'm sorry.

I let you back in.

I-I offered you safety.

With hidden conditions,
it seems.

Oh, so suddenly
you owe me nothing?

What about the temple?

The building which,
until this Jesus appeared,

was the center of your universe?

Do you feel nothing for it?
Of course I do.

But I worship Jesus now.

I will split you
from your loved ones

and will drive your followers
and their children

into the wilderness.

I will beat and flog
and stone you all.

No one will escape.

How quickly
you slip into threats.

They were right about you
after all.

No. No!

I am trying to save our city!

But you have no interest
in anything but yourselves!

Get out.

Get out!

Do you think Pilate noticed?

I did what I had to.

I think he saw through me.

He realized that I have
no control over my wife...

That she lies to my face...

Someone had to make
the decision.

...goes behind my back.

It had to be done.

What would happen if Pilate told
the zealots what you did?!

They would kill me.

The temple would be endangered.

The temple, Leah!

Who cares about you,
about an individual, a family?

You're no better
than the Nazarenes.

I did it for us.

And you broke my heart
in the process.

Go home.

From now on,
you will stay there.

You are a wife to me
in name only.

You're just a name...

A shadow.

Without me,
you would never be high priest.

Without my family...
Stop talking.

No one's listening.

I have to know
God's plan for me.

What has he told you?

What has God told me?

I'm not sure.

I'm just a fisherman.

But I've been commanded
to preach his message

to the ends of the earth,

and now I see that you may
also find the salvation

that Jesus offers.

So if I am to do this,

then I must welcome you and...

Baptize you.

This is why we came!

This is our mission!

There was me, thinking
my daughter had forgotten us.

I apologize.

I'm worried about my husband.

I think the burden
of his office has...

Overwhelmed him.

He's become irrational,
sometimes violent.

He no longer behaves in a way

befitting the role
of high priest.

And what would you
have me do about it?

Well, the temple
is no longer safe.

It needs your stable influence.

You want us to remove Caiaphas
from office?

I think it would be
in our family's interest.

Does your poor husband have any
idea of what you're plotting?

What, do you not want
to become high priest?

He is uniting the nation, Leah.

Every sect in Jerusalem and
beyond has flocked to his side.

Any attempt to remove him now
would only weaken us all.

You're afraid.

Stop it.

Stop it now.

Caiaphas is untouchable.

Only death can rob him
of his position.

Go back to your husband.

No one can help you with this.

She is dangerous...

Beyond control.

And she'll drag us down
if we're not careful.

So what shall we do with her?

Leave us.

I am the governor of Judea.

I have responsibilities.

If I refuse to do this,
I will be killed,

and a new man
will gleefully do it instead.

And you'll be lost, too.

So I have no choice!

What is the matter with you?

You enjoy it.

Is this about that woman?

That stupid Jesus follower?

She was nothing.

A symbol, a moment of anger...

A reminder that you
must remain loyal to me.

That's all.

Is that all she was?

Of course.

I will not dine with you
and watch you gloat.

But you are my wife.

You are my wife.

Now, I am fighting them all
on my own,

and I am winning.

But I cannot fight
against you, too.

Maybe you cannot win
every battle.

Oh, yes, I can.

You will prepare our evening
in exquisite detail!

And you will look beautiful,
as you always do.

And together we will win.

This is our life...

Yours and mine...

Together.

Please, stay with us
for a few more days.

We're all eager to hear
more of Jesus' words.

I don't think this little one
will let me go.

I can't let you go, either.

I feel so alive.
My skin prickles with it.

I...
I-i wish I had the words.

I'm... I feel full...

Full up, ready to burst.

Centurion.

What is it?

No, you can speak. You are
needed back in Jerusalem...

Urgently.

Because?

The statue of our emperor
has arrived.

The governor has ordered you

to ensure its safe passage
to the temple.

Thank you.

Um...

I-I-i must go back.

We must, too.

You can't do it.

No, I can't, but I'm a Roman...

And a soldier with orders.

You have been baptized
in the name of Jesus Christ.

Yes, but I'm still a soldier.

So what will you do?

I will...

I will pray that the Holy Spirit
will guide me.

Prepare yourselves!

Begin!

Don't go.

You have a new life now.

I'll come and find you
afterwards.

I'm sorry
for what has happened here.

I must speak the truth.

I am to blame for this.

I knew it.

I didn't know what I was doing.

I thought I was protecting
the temple, but...

My husband...

He doesn't care about you.

Please forgive him.

It breaks my heart.

But it was my husband
who betrayed you.

He's looking for you.

How is your family?

They're well.
Thank you.

Are you ready
to carry out your duties?

I was led to the disciples
of the Nazarene yesterday.

Led? By whom?

An angel.

Uh...

It's true. I swear.

It was like a dream,
except that I was always awake.

And I understand
their faith now.

I believe.

You believe?

Yes.

So quickly?

It's a beautiful thing.

And it could be our escape.

I think my husband
is losing his mind.

So leave him.

Come and follow this new faith.

Come and follow Jesus.

You ask a lot.

I need to think.

I'm here, whenever you need.

I thought he was genuine.

I really thought we had
a chance to end the...

Let's get out of the city.
Great.

Go to the hills and wait for
Jesus to return. Exactly.

No one's moving.

What if this isn't the moment
that Jesus comes back?

What if when it's all over,

there are no troubles,
no famine...

Just a temple that we abandoned
when it needed us most?

The high priest
would come after us.

We can't act out of fear.

No. We must follow
our conscience.

Thousands will die.

Do you want us
to get caught up in that?

Our job is to go out
and preach, not fight.

Peter?

Peter, the Romans...

You know what they're like.

You know what they'll do.

Thomas is right...

This is not our fight.

But if we walk away
and abandon the building

that Jesus called
his father's house...

...if we do not try to stop
thousands from dying...

...if we do nothing,

are we not just like the priest
that Jesus told us about...

The one that walked
on the other side of the road

and ignored the man
who'd been attacked by robbers?

So we have to act.

We have to help.

In any way we can.

Then let's go.

Those ones.
Let me see.

I've heard from the schools
of Shammai and Hillel.

They will all stand with you.

It's nearly time.

Before you go, I...

I need to talk to you
about your wife.

Are you ready?

Yes, governor.

You have enough men?
They understand their duties?

They do.

I would not trust this
to any other man.

What's the matter?

Nothing.

They're good men.

This city...

Must be taught a lesson today.

If the crowd tries to impede
your progress, kill them all.

It's coming.

Stand back!
Move aside! Stand aside!

Stand aside!
Move aside!

Stand aside!
You cannot win this!

Do not be the first to die!

Back!
Stand back!

Stand back!
Stand aside!

Go! Pull!

Hold your lines!
Hold your line!

Hold!

Come on! Pull it!

Stand aside, high priest.

I have my orders.

Now please stand aside.

Do what you have to, centurion.

You can kill me
with a single blow,

but I will instantly
be replaced.

And so will the next man,
and the next.

Even you cannot murder
everyone in Jerusalem.

Now! Now! Now!

Our father in heaven,
hallowed be your name.

Your kingdom come,
your will be done...

I dwell amongst lions...

...on earth as it is in heaven... Forced
to live amidst ravenous beasts...

Give us today our daily bread,
and forgive us our trespasses...

...men whose teeth
are Spears and arrows...

...as we forgive those who trespass against us...
.As we forgive those who trespass against us.

Be exalted, o Lord, above the heavens...
...And lead us not into temptation,

but deliver us from evil... And
may your glory descend...

Our father in heaven,
hallowed be your name.

Your kingdom come,
your will be done,

on earth as it is in heaven.

I dwell amongst lions, forced
to live amidst ravenous beasts,

men whose teeth
are Spears and arrows...

...as we forgive those
who trespass against us.

And lead us not into temptation but deliver us from
evil. Men whose teeth are Spears and arrows...

I dwell amongst lions, forced to live amidst ravenous beasts...
And lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil.

Give us today our daily bread, and forgive
Stay back!

...as we forgive those
who trespass against us...

...and lead us not
into temptation,

but deliver us from evil.

What now, sir?

I'm sorry.

There was a sudden rush.

We killed them all,
of course, but...

We couldn't save the statue.

We did try, centurion.

I'm sure.

If we must fall on our swords
for our failures...

There will be
no more death today.

Get the men and the statue
back to the palace.

Yes, sir. Right away.

Are you hurt?

Me? No. Why?

I thought I saw you fall.

You have your orders.

Sir.

Soldiers, regroup!

Come.

You were right.

The prophecy would not
be fulfilled today.

And the temple is saved.

But what about Jesus?

I thought this was it.

I thought
I would see him again...

Today, now.

Did you see the centurion?

He didn't fight.

Did none of you see him?

He knelt.

He knelt before you, Peter.

A centurion?

Why would he do such a thing?

Because I baptized him.

You did what?

He'll send another...

And then another.

I can't believe it's not over.

What do you think?

What do you care?

I'll bring in more men
next time.

I'll crucify 40 women
in the morning

to keep them in their houses...

Kill anyone
who's seen on the streets.

That'll do the trick.

I need to speak with Cornelius.

We can win this.

I just need to be tougher
with them.

Your plans disgust me.

They come with the job.

I loathe you.

I need to see the high priest
and his wife...

Face them down.

You will organize food and drink

to mask any unpleasantness, yes?

Are you not listening?

I cannot bear to be one more
moment in your presence.

Where would you go?

Somewhere you
could never find me.

You've seen
how I deal with my enemies.

You don't think
I would fight as hard for you?

You almost
make it sound romantic.

You know who I am...

And what I am.

And we are bound together.

Then I cut our ties.

I slash them apart.

You will never see me again.

Come back.

No.

Come back.

Is he ready for me?

What?

The governor.
He summoned me.

I-I suppose.

I shouldn't keep him waiting.

How many did you kill?

I killed no one.

I abandoned my post.

I don't know
how I'm still alive.

You didn't fight?
Did anyone see?

Possibly.

Then...

If my husband
learns the truth...

I'll be executed as a traitor.

We can run.

I have money...

Money enough
to buy us protection.

Where would we go?

To... to the ends of the earth.

You really want me to leave him?

Of course.

You're so unhappy.

You want me to leave him
for you?

For Jesus.

My wife and children
are packed and ready to leave.

We'll find Peter and the other
apostles and have you baptized.

You'll find such happiness.

It doesn't matter where we live
once we have him in our hearts.

Claudia?

I'm a fool.

I'm such a fool.

It is a big decision, and
one fraught with danger, but...

I am the wife
of the governor of Judea.

How can I?

No one will be turned away.

For all my sins,
they took me in.

You don't understand.

You can be free.

I cannot.

Claudia!

He calls.

I must go.

God came to me.

I was hesitant,
not sure of his meaning.

A Roman!

I was doubtful too.

And I know how strange it may seem

You!

You...

You'll come with me now.