Empire (2005): Season 1, Episode 5 - Fortune's Fool - full transcript
Antony has Octavian bitten by a snake and left to die. He claims the murderers were consuls,whom he has summarily executed whilst banishing Brutus and Cassius. Former soldier Agrippa,charged with disposing of Octavian's body,takes him to vestal virgin Camane,who heals him. Tyrannus discovers that his wife is dead and his son is being raised by the kindly Marius who can give him a better life,so he returns to the gladiatorial ring,where Antony recognizes and imprisons him. Learning that Octavian is not dead Antony sends out more assassins but Agrippa and Octavian escape.
Rome, 44 B.C. Julius Caesar has conquered the known world.
Murdered by the senate,
Caesar names his young nephew Octavius heir to the empire.
I know what it is to feel overwhelmed.
You will be Caesar.
Antony was like a brother to my uncle.
That man saved my life.
I need his help. I need his legions.
What does Antony need?
The risk is too great here. We'll be leaving.
He's a gladiator. He doesn't trust anyone.
Your duty is here, but your heart is elsewhere
with your wife and your son.
I'll take the governorship of Gaul,
and I'll also take Germania, Spain, and Macedonia,
and of Rome herself.
I am Caesar and no one else.
Caesar would never crawl to others,
begging them to fight his battles!
Go. Go to your family. Your service is done.
A pact?
And should anything happen to me,
my legacy from Caesar falls to you.
What happened to your gladiator?
He's gone.
Let us guard you, then.
Saying you are Caesar does not make it so.
The inn of Balbus is this way?
The main road into the hills.
Denarii for a flag?
Who's dead?
Caesar, of course.
News travels slow.
Julius Caesar?
No, the young one -- Octavius.
How?
Assassins did it.
The cycle of Marc Antony's madness is now complete.
This is his final masterpiece--
the death of Octavius.
Assigning blame for murders he committed on the new consuls of Rome,
a bloody theater of execution
and the final nail in the coffin for any who would challenge his authority
as the new dictator of Rome.
This is a crime against the republic.
We shouldn't be here.
It's madness.
We should be in Syria raising legions.
Not here.
What is this?
Did you enjoy the play?
By what authority do you slaughter the legal consuls of Rome --
innocent men?
You say this to me with a straight face?
Despite what you think,
Caesar was killed to preserve the rule of law.
What lofty purpose was served here?
Order.
And this is my authority --
the mark of Caesar's ring,
a legacy Octavius bequeathed to me.
Before he was murdered or after?
How dare you?
I will cut out your heart, Brutus.
Bring me a knife. I'll do it myself.
We're not afraid to die.
So you can become martyrs for Rome?
Make peace with your gods somewhere else.
Escort these men to the city walls.
It's exile for you.
Take them away...
before my mercy runs cold.
Good day.
My name is Tyrannus.
I'm here for my wife and child.
I'm sorry.
"Husband, first you must know that Piso is safe.
A nobleman on the island took him in.
Marius is the family name.
Don't be angry.
I can no longer care for him.
Our journey from Italy was difficult.
There were storms.
I shielded Piso the best I could.
By the time you reached Cyprus, my breath was gone.
The healer tells me nothing can be done.
I want to sleep.
I will see you in Elysium.
Look after Piso.
Always, my love.
Moira."
Is someone there?
Are you Camane?
The lictor will cut you to pieces if you're found here, boy -- get on your way.
I bring news, lady.
About what?
About Octavius.
Might as well eat.
The children are at the market with my wife.
He's a special one, your boy.
My wife is taken with him.
We make no claim.
Do you have money?
No.
A house?
Relatives?
Are these men still after you?
I don't know.
Well, I can give you money.
No, thank you. I...
Just one question, then.
What are you?
Slave?
Freedman?
Soldier?
Gladiator.
I got you!
Me too!
They're home.
My daughters won't give him a moment to himself.
Well...
let me fetch him for you.
Wait.
Wait.
What if I had never come?
This was discussed.
And Piso -- what would have happened to him?
He would have lived here.
As a house slave?
Of course not --
as my son.
He would have the finest tutors.
They would teach him latin, science, history.
He would speak latin?
Not just latin, but greek,
many languages.
His destiny would be his own.
I know what you're thinking.
And I agree.
Your world is no place for him.
Piso.
Come on, Piso!
Don't tell him I was here.
Are you sure?
I cannot repay your kindness.
You don't have to.
Good luck to you, Tyrannus.
Over here!
Follow me!
Has there been any change?
It's the venom.
He fights for every breath.
We have to bleed him, get the poison out.
Can he survive that?
Does he have a choice?
Shh. There, now.
There is a custom in Rome, an understanding.
When a man has lost everything,
he leaves his household gods,
the symbols that connect him to this world, at the temple flame.
From that moment on, he is a ghost on the road to Elysium.
The death that follows is an afterthought.
That is the roman way.
Study your books, Piso.
Be a man of peace
and reason.
You know what you're doing, don't you?
I've seen it done.
Hold his arms.
Which god do you worship in this house?
Apollo.
Pray to him.
It's in the gods' hands now.
Octavius?
Octavius?
Oh... Caesar.
Where am I?
Oh, you're safe, my lord.
You're safe.
I ask for african warriors, you send me a half-starved hoplite with the pox.
Perhaps a I need a new slave trader.
Demand is very high. The dungeons are empty.
Tell Marc Antony to slow down.
You can tell him yourself when I throw you to my lions,
which is where your fat ass is headed
unless you find me some fresh meat...
and soon.
I'll fight.
Yours?
Yes, he's... very good.
Show your eyes, slave.
Temper.
Not many men get the drop on Fortunus.
You --
you're the best in Rome?
I am.
Then I'll have to fight you.
Where are your from?
Cyprus.
200 sesterces for the cypriot.
Done.
I owe you one, friend.
What would you like?
Opium?
Whores?
Boys?
I just want to fight.
You've come to the right place.
You slept.
You...
I know you.
Agrippa -- that's your name.
Yes, sir --
of the second legion.
Formerly of.
My father will break my legs if he finds out I deserted.
Good thing he's in Patavium for the harvest.
Patavium?
I'm in the north?
How did I get here?
The feast.
There were a dozen of us from the second posted
as guards at Marc Antony's villa.
Bury him by the hemlock.
What has the general done?
Dig.
Cursed gods. He's still alive.
What are you doing?
Aim for the temple.
It'll be quicker.
This is Caesar!
That's no concern of yours, boy!
On three.
One...
two...
Following orders is one thing...
killing Caesar another.
Tyrannus was right.
Gods, what have I done?
You've put yourself in danger.
I'll be hunted now, and so will you.
They think you're dead.
And, anyway, let them come.
Caesar fought for us...
for men like my father.
Let farmers own their own land.
We should honor him.
I owe you my life.
No, just the opposite.
When I joined the second legion...
I pledged my life to Caesar.
Put... it away.
Remove it from my sight.
- I thought you'd --
- I'll find a way to repay you.
And I accept your friendship.
But save your pledges.
Are you a thracian?
Oh.
Dogs.
In my land we kill thracians for sport.
I love to kill thracians.
It's a tournament --
reterians and secutors.
The winner faces Fortunus, the dimachaeri.
No thracians?
Weapons?
Lucius wants an exhibition.
What?
What is that?
It means they'll give us no weapon.
We're practice for Antony's gladiators.
I'm sorry.
It costs me money, too.
Tomorrow, then.
"Beneath this stone rests Adriana,
who took her own life upon hearing news of the death
of her beloved in the battle of Galatia."
You shouldn't be up, my lord.
I came to thank you.
Of course.
What are you doing?
These tombs are old. No one is left to care for them.
You're different...
just from when we first met, I mean.
Everything is different, my lord.
Why do you call me that?
Out of respect, my lord.
For what?
What have I done that is deserving of respect?
Exactly.
I preferred it before when you called me a child.
At least I understood why.
If I may be so bold, my lord, Caesar chose you,
not Antony.
He made a mistake.
We'll never know, will we?
I know.
I was tested, and I failed!
Tyrannus gave up everything for me --
family, freedom.
But I was lure with promises of legions and empire.
Y-you responded as anyone would.
Not a Caesar.
I failed.
Antony has the legions, has Rome,
and he should keep them.
Are these lives...
any less meaningful because they're not politicians or generals?
That's not the point.
It's just a name, Camane.
Calling me Caesar doesn't make me him.
I've been fighting.
I've been fighting for my life...
not for Rome.
You're up.
Yes.
Another endless dinner with the senators
eager to know your plans.
I don't know why you waste your time.
It's the wise thing, politically.
And you?
How did you spend your evening?
You can tell those old men that Rome was built on the battlefield.
There's been too much talk.
You should have seen their faces...
when I told them about a month of games to honor Caesar...
and the cost.
Let them choke on the cost.
I'm sure they conspire against me already.
Now, what has Hercules incarnate got to fear?
What's wrong?
I can't concentrate.
You waste your time on whores and leave nothing for your wife!
Enough.
Go to them, then.
Vesta, accept this offering of argei
and illuminate a path through fear and confusion
and deliver to us the son of Rome.
This isn't what I meant.
All hail to the great Caesar!
A month of feasts and games, and this is the thanks I get.
If you spent more time hearing petitions instead of at the bottom of a wineskin,
they might love you more.
I need the wine.
It dulls the bite of your endless criticism.
Oh. What, am I to be sorry for you now?
As if you were capable.
Glory and honor.
Glory and honor.
May I introduce my new wife, Larissa.
I would be honored if you sit with me up front.
Oh, how exciting.
You're first.
Can I be honest with you, cypriot?
I never killed any thracians.
I know.
Citizens...
...who challenges Rome's finest gladiators.
Citizens, citizens...
the cypriot has proved his worth in the arena
and earned his moment of destiny.
Let met introduce...
our beloved champion...
Fortunus!
Fortunus! Fortunus! Fortunus!
Husband.
Moira.
Tyrannus...
You --
you're not the best...
not until you've killed me.
Try not to miss.
Hold!
Guards.
Strike the blow.
Strike the blow!!
Strike the blow!!
Strike it!!
Strike the blow!!
You coward!!
Coward!!
You coward!!
What is that?
Minstrels.
Well, come on.
Don't go back.
Come with me.
How can I?
How can I stay?
What's wrong with this?
Everything.
Camane.
It isn't enough for you to run from your duty,
but I have to abandon mine, as well.
No.
Camane!
What is this?
A slave was found trying to sell this in a market in toscana.
Is this --
You've jeopardized everything.
Someone dug up the body.
The soldier charged with burying him is dead.
The grave is empty.
Octavius is alive.
What would roman centurions doing out this far?
Gods!
Octavius?
- Milady, remember me?
- No!
It's me.
Come on.
We're surrounded.
Get the horses.
Octavius!
No!
The ring!
How did it reach his hands?
I don't know.
It must have been stolen.
And found its way back here?
It found you.
This is a sign.
What are you doing?
The gods have spoken.
No. Camane.
The centurions are looking for me.
If they find you instead, a vestal,
you'll be executed.
Not if you take your name.
Not if you claim your destiny.
Don't. Don't do this.
Octavius, these are Antony's assassins.
You're no good to her dead.
Camane, please!
Come for me when you're Caesar.
Come for me.
Octavius, we have to go.
You are on a road to revelation...
a road I've been on...
a road that took me through blood...
and fire...
and eventually...
peace...
because I knew my enemy.
I knew his name.
Who thrust you into this conflict?
Who cost you your name?
Your dignity?
Who named a child emperor
even if it meant civil war?
And most important...
who cost you your wife and son?
Caesar.
I will come for you.
I will come for you.
Murdered by the senate,
Caesar names his young nephew Octavius heir to the empire.
I know what it is to feel overwhelmed.
You will be Caesar.
Antony was like a brother to my uncle.
That man saved my life.
I need his help. I need his legions.
What does Antony need?
The risk is too great here. We'll be leaving.
He's a gladiator. He doesn't trust anyone.
Your duty is here, but your heart is elsewhere
with your wife and your son.
I'll take the governorship of Gaul,
and I'll also take Germania, Spain, and Macedonia,
and of Rome herself.
I am Caesar and no one else.
Caesar would never crawl to others,
begging them to fight his battles!
Go. Go to your family. Your service is done.
A pact?
And should anything happen to me,
my legacy from Caesar falls to you.
What happened to your gladiator?
He's gone.
Let us guard you, then.
Saying you are Caesar does not make it so.
The inn of Balbus is this way?
The main road into the hills.
Denarii for a flag?
Who's dead?
Caesar, of course.
News travels slow.
Julius Caesar?
No, the young one -- Octavius.
How?
Assassins did it.
The cycle of Marc Antony's madness is now complete.
This is his final masterpiece--
the death of Octavius.
Assigning blame for murders he committed on the new consuls of Rome,
a bloody theater of execution
and the final nail in the coffin for any who would challenge his authority
as the new dictator of Rome.
This is a crime against the republic.
We shouldn't be here.
It's madness.
We should be in Syria raising legions.
Not here.
What is this?
Did you enjoy the play?
By what authority do you slaughter the legal consuls of Rome --
innocent men?
You say this to me with a straight face?
Despite what you think,
Caesar was killed to preserve the rule of law.
What lofty purpose was served here?
Order.
And this is my authority --
the mark of Caesar's ring,
a legacy Octavius bequeathed to me.
Before he was murdered or after?
How dare you?
I will cut out your heart, Brutus.
Bring me a knife. I'll do it myself.
We're not afraid to die.
So you can become martyrs for Rome?
Make peace with your gods somewhere else.
Escort these men to the city walls.
It's exile for you.
Take them away...
before my mercy runs cold.
Good day.
My name is Tyrannus.
I'm here for my wife and child.
I'm sorry.
"Husband, first you must know that Piso is safe.
A nobleman on the island took him in.
Marius is the family name.
Don't be angry.
I can no longer care for him.
Our journey from Italy was difficult.
There were storms.
I shielded Piso the best I could.
By the time you reached Cyprus, my breath was gone.
The healer tells me nothing can be done.
I want to sleep.
I will see you in Elysium.
Look after Piso.
Always, my love.
Moira."
Is someone there?
Are you Camane?
The lictor will cut you to pieces if you're found here, boy -- get on your way.
I bring news, lady.
About what?
About Octavius.
Might as well eat.
The children are at the market with my wife.
He's a special one, your boy.
My wife is taken with him.
We make no claim.
Do you have money?
No.
A house?
Relatives?
Are these men still after you?
I don't know.
Well, I can give you money.
No, thank you. I...
Just one question, then.
What are you?
Slave?
Freedman?
Soldier?
Gladiator.
I got you!
Me too!
They're home.
My daughters won't give him a moment to himself.
Well...
let me fetch him for you.
Wait.
Wait.
What if I had never come?
This was discussed.
And Piso -- what would have happened to him?
He would have lived here.
As a house slave?
Of course not --
as my son.
He would have the finest tutors.
They would teach him latin, science, history.
He would speak latin?
Not just latin, but greek,
many languages.
His destiny would be his own.
I know what you're thinking.
And I agree.
Your world is no place for him.
Piso.
Come on, Piso!
Don't tell him I was here.
Are you sure?
I cannot repay your kindness.
You don't have to.
Good luck to you, Tyrannus.
Over here!
Follow me!
Has there been any change?
It's the venom.
He fights for every breath.
We have to bleed him, get the poison out.
Can he survive that?
Does he have a choice?
Shh. There, now.
There is a custom in Rome, an understanding.
When a man has lost everything,
he leaves his household gods,
the symbols that connect him to this world, at the temple flame.
From that moment on, he is a ghost on the road to Elysium.
The death that follows is an afterthought.
That is the roman way.
Study your books, Piso.
Be a man of peace
and reason.
You know what you're doing, don't you?
I've seen it done.
Hold his arms.
Which god do you worship in this house?
Apollo.
Pray to him.
It's in the gods' hands now.
Octavius?
Octavius?
Oh... Caesar.
Where am I?
Oh, you're safe, my lord.
You're safe.
I ask for african warriors, you send me a half-starved hoplite with the pox.
Perhaps a I need a new slave trader.
Demand is very high. The dungeons are empty.
Tell Marc Antony to slow down.
You can tell him yourself when I throw you to my lions,
which is where your fat ass is headed
unless you find me some fresh meat...
and soon.
I'll fight.
Yours?
Yes, he's... very good.
Show your eyes, slave.
Temper.
Not many men get the drop on Fortunus.
You --
you're the best in Rome?
I am.
Then I'll have to fight you.
Where are your from?
Cyprus.
200 sesterces for the cypriot.
Done.
I owe you one, friend.
What would you like?
Opium?
Whores?
Boys?
I just want to fight.
You've come to the right place.
You slept.
You...
I know you.
Agrippa -- that's your name.
Yes, sir --
of the second legion.
Formerly of.
My father will break my legs if he finds out I deserted.
Good thing he's in Patavium for the harvest.
Patavium?
I'm in the north?
How did I get here?
The feast.
There were a dozen of us from the second posted
as guards at Marc Antony's villa.
Bury him by the hemlock.
What has the general done?
Dig.
Cursed gods. He's still alive.
What are you doing?
Aim for the temple.
It'll be quicker.
This is Caesar!
That's no concern of yours, boy!
On three.
One...
two...
Following orders is one thing...
killing Caesar another.
Tyrannus was right.
Gods, what have I done?
You've put yourself in danger.
I'll be hunted now, and so will you.
They think you're dead.
And, anyway, let them come.
Caesar fought for us...
for men like my father.
Let farmers own their own land.
We should honor him.
I owe you my life.
No, just the opposite.
When I joined the second legion...
I pledged my life to Caesar.
Put... it away.
Remove it from my sight.
- I thought you'd --
- I'll find a way to repay you.
And I accept your friendship.
But save your pledges.
Are you a thracian?
Oh.
Dogs.
In my land we kill thracians for sport.
I love to kill thracians.
It's a tournament --
reterians and secutors.
The winner faces Fortunus, the dimachaeri.
No thracians?
Weapons?
Lucius wants an exhibition.
What?
What is that?
It means they'll give us no weapon.
We're practice for Antony's gladiators.
I'm sorry.
It costs me money, too.
Tomorrow, then.
"Beneath this stone rests Adriana,
who took her own life upon hearing news of the death
of her beloved in the battle of Galatia."
You shouldn't be up, my lord.
I came to thank you.
Of course.
What are you doing?
These tombs are old. No one is left to care for them.
You're different...
just from when we first met, I mean.
Everything is different, my lord.
Why do you call me that?
Out of respect, my lord.
For what?
What have I done that is deserving of respect?
Exactly.
I preferred it before when you called me a child.
At least I understood why.
If I may be so bold, my lord, Caesar chose you,
not Antony.
He made a mistake.
We'll never know, will we?
I know.
I was tested, and I failed!
Tyrannus gave up everything for me --
family, freedom.
But I was lure with promises of legions and empire.
Y-you responded as anyone would.
Not a Caesar.
I failed.
Antony has the legions, has Rome,
and he should keep them.
Are these lives...
any less meaningful because they're not politicians or generals?
That's not the point.
It's just a name, Camane.
Calling me Caesar doesn't make me him.
I've been fighting.
I've been fighting for my life...
not for Rome.
You're up.
Yes.
Another endless dinner with the senators
eager to know your plans.
I don't know why you waste your time.
It's the wise thing, politically.
And you?
How did you spend your evening?
You can tell those old men that Rome was built on the battlefield.
There's been too much talk.
You should have seen their faces...
when I told them about a month of games to honor Caesar...
and the cost.
Let them choke on the cost.
I'm sure they conspire against me already.
Now, what has Hercules incarnate got to fear?
What's wrong?
I can't concentrate.
You waste your time on whores and leave nothing for your wife!
Enough.
Go to them, then.
Vesta, accept this offering of argei
and illuminate a path through fear and confusion
and deliver to us the son of Rome.
This isn't what I meant.
All hail to the great Caesar!
A month of feasts and games, and this is the thanks I get.
If you spent more time hearing petitions instead of at the bottom of a wineskin,
they might love you more.
I need the wine.
It dulls the bite of your endless criticism.
Oh. What, am I to be sorry for you now?
As if you were capable.
Glory and honor.
Glory and honor.
May I introduce my new wife, Larissa.
I would be honored if you sit with me up front.
Oh, how exciting.
You're first.
Can I be honest with you, cypriot?
I never killed any thracians.
I know.
Citizens...
...who challenges Rome's finest gladiators.
Citizens, citizens...
the cypriot has proved his worth in the arena
and earned his moment of destiny.
Let met introduce...
our beloved champion...
Fortunus!
Fortunus! Fortunus! Fortunus!
Husband.
Moira.
Tyrannus...
You --
you're not the best...
not until you've killed me.
Try not to miss.
Hold!
Guards.
Strike the blow.
Strike the blow!!
Strike the blow!!
Strike it!!
Strike the blow!!
You coward!!
Coward!!
You coward!!
What is that?
Minstrels.
Well, come on.
Don't go back.
Come with me.
How can I?
How can I stay?
What's wrong with this?
Everything.
Camane.
It isn't enough for you to run from your duty,
but I have to abandon mine, as well.
No.
Camane!
What is this?
A slave was found trying to sell this in a market in toscana.
Is this --
You've jeopardized everything.
Someone dug up the body.
The soldier charged with burying him is dead.
The grave is empty.
Octavius is alive.
What would roman centurions doing out this far?
Gods!
Octavius?
- Milady, remember me?
- No!
It's me.
Come on.
We're surrounded.
Get the horses.
Octavius!
No!
The ring!
How did it reach his hands?
I don't know.
It must have been stolen.
And found its way back here?
It found you.
This is a sign.
What are you doing?
The gods have spoken.
No. Camane.
The centurions are looking for me.
If they find you instead, a vestal,
you'll be executed.
Not if you take your name.
Not if you claim your destiny.
Don't. Don't do this.
Octavius, these are Antony's assassins.
You're no good to her dead.
Camane, please!
Come for me when you're Caesar.
Come for me.
Octavius, we have to go.
You are on a road to revelation...
a road I've been on...
a road that took me through blood...
and fire...
and eventually...
peace...
because I knew my enemy.
I knew his name.
Who thrust you into this conflict?
Who cost you your name?
Your dignity?
Who named a child emperor
even if it meant civil war?
And most important...
who cost you your wife and son?
Caesar.
I will come for you.
I will come for you.