02x02 - Wedding

[bunniefuu]

Your son
Drusus is engaged

to my daughter Antonina.

He's openly living with
his German concubine.

I won't let anything
happen to you. Ever.

He disrespects my
niece, my family!

I'm not leaving Drusus.

The German
is now a problem.

She has to disappear for good.

No, no, no!

An absolutely
prime female,

and bidding starts at 8,000.

I was thinking
now you're back,

you might need someone
to look after you.

After I lost Antigone,
it was never the same.

What the f*ck are
you staring at?

Come to bed.

Might be a while.

Deep down, Gaius knows
we k*lled Marcellus.

Your new master's inside.

- f*ck.
- Agrippa.

You're unpopular.

Without your marriage to
me, Iullus, you're nothing.

I'm pregnant again,

so it's safe for us
to see each other.

It's not exactly safe.

Domitius,
there you are.

Will you send for Antonia,

tell her that her
husband's here?

Octavia's
new son-in-law...

What do you make of him?

He's
ruthless, ambitious.

- I miss you.
- The usual place, tomorrow?

The son you never had.

Antonina, you're evil! Stop!

Yes, Pugnax, yes!

I sent for him. Come on,
Pugnax, get your tunic off.

Obviously, I want to know what's
what before I get married.

I don't want to just sit there
like a lemon in front of Drusus

on my wedding night.

This is what Antigone did

for Aunt Livia before she
got married. She told me.

Are those the ba*ls?

Can't you ask Mother?

She told me to ask you.

What do I do with it?

Oh, dear.

I don't think I could
get that inside me.

Antonia!

It's Mother. Quick!

Antonia!

Look. Just remember the rules.

Never in your bottom. That's
what male sl*ves are for.

And never in your
mouth, it's shameful

and no Roman lady allows it.

Right.

Don't bother putting that on.

Sometimes I wonder
if you understand

the risk we're running.

Of course I do.
But I don't care.

Did he see us?

How do I know?

Grandfather...

it's Drusus.

I bring you these gifts

and ask for your blessing...

for my wedding.

You can't just ask him
for stuff and leave.

It's rude.

So... yes.

I'm marrying Antonina.

Octavia's youngest daughter.

If you remember...

Mother poisoned her son,
Marcellus, a few years ago.

They haven't spoken
since, not surprisingly.

So, obviously we're all looking
forward to that reunion.

But, uh... as you know,

Tiberius and I have sworn
to restore the Republic

after Augustus dies.

So, Mother says I have
to marry into his family

and give him grandchildren...

for the honor of our family

and the glory of Rome.

Glory and honor?

- Seriously?
- I know.

But what else is there?

Love.

Hope.

Freedom.

Who cares about all that stuff?

This marriage is
what Mother wants.

- That's all that matters.
- Yes, that is all that matters.

Pugnax!

Hurry up, over here!

Pugnax, quick! Quick!

There's something in the water.

Is this really necessary?

Better safe than sorry.

You don't want the
sl*ves talking about you

sleeping with your
sister's husband.

Half-sister.

Seriously?

Listen, I've had an idea

about the wedding...
How to k*ll it dead.

It's, uh...

cruel, but I think it will work.

Do you remember our wedding?

Freezing f*cking cold.

Your ex-husband, my ex-wife.

Drusus and Julia howling in
Antigone's arms.

Half a lifetime ago.

And now...

the last two kids
are off our hands.

Finally.

And think how much
money we saved

marrying them to each other.

Hmm.

- What are you saying?
- What?

- Come here. I'm cheap?
- It's true. No!

- Calling me cheap?
- Stop.

Agrippa.

Oh, send the cook.

As you're aware, politics
is not really my thing.

But, this, uh... this
new marriage legislation

that we're pushing
through the Senate,

forcing aristocracy
to get married

and start producing
children, well...

well, it's not very popular.

So...

I was wondering if we could

maybe push the vote back a bit.

No.

Listen, brother...

could you run the vote
without me tomorrow?

You're f*cking joking, right?

I've some things I
need to deal with.

Piso's expecting me.

Ah.

Livia.

He ambushed me as well.

You two asked me to
officiate at this wedding.

Well, there's a condition.

And I know you hate conditions,

but things haven't been
right with you two since...

well, business
with the German girl.

- Her name was Gemina.
- And it's time...

to make up.

Both of you...

or I'm not doing it.

Hmm.

All right.

I'm sorry.

No, you're not.

You'd do the exact same
thing all over again.

Yeah.

But I didn't enjoy it.

I'm sorry about that.

There you are, Piso.

We're both sorry.

I feel bad lying to
him about the girl.

What choice did he give us?

We've been waiting
years for this wedding.

He better not f*ck it up.

Well, yeah, we have
waited a long time.

And this marriage will
cement his position

as Augustus' heir at
the heart of the family.

So show him some
love and respect,

or you'll lose him.

And if we lose him then
we lose everything,

because Tiberius is no
f*cking use to us on his own.

That hadn't actually
occurred to you, had it?

I need you to vote in
the Senate tomorrow.

Ah, those stupid
new marriage laws.

Everyone hates them.

- Whose idea were they anyway?
- Mine.

- Yours?
- You vote "yes."

What is going on, Livia?

It's possible everything
will depend on it.

Don't be late.

Are you sure you can spare
the time for adultery?

You're supposed to be
babysitting Octavia

day and night for Livia.

Yeah, well, she's asleep.

And Livia's paranoid.

You know, she'll
betray you in the end,

if she has to... Livia.

She won't like it,
but she'll do it.

Sometimes, Iullus, I just
don't think you get it.

Mother!

Mother!

Mother!

- Marcella.
- Mother.

Marcella.

My darling, you're soaking wet.

It was horrible.
I was so scared.

- You've got fever.
- No, no, no.

He was so pale.

And he looked...

- so unhappy.
- What?

He touched my hand,
and he was icy cold.

Who?

Marcellus.

Marcellus?

Oh...

Julia. Julia. There you are.

Antonia!

You idiots, I know.
I've always known.

Marcella's had a
dream or... something.

And there's a right
to-do on the terrace.

Um...

Julia, they all think
you're asleep in bed.

You come back with
me, and I'll sneak you

back to your bedroom
through the kitchens.

Antonia, listen.

You know...

Iullus and I...

This only happens
when I'm pregnant.

So I always know my
husband's the father.

The traditional Roman way.

You know I'll never tell.

Come on.

Oh, Domitius.

Where have you been?

Couldn't sleep.

Everything all right?

It is. Yes.

If you'll excuse me, I'm
gonna get some sleep.

The sl*ves are out?

Wait.

It's so beautiful.

Thank you.

Conscript fathers.

Tomorrow...

Rome celebrates a
marriage in the family

of Caesar Augustus.

And there is nothing
more important

to Caesar Augustus

than the institution
of marriage.

Where is he then?

Yeah, where is he?

For the
children it produces

are Rome's most precious asset,

something the aristocracy of
Rome seems to have forgotten.

With these new laws,

Caesar Augustus gives social

and financial incentives

to those who marry
and produce children.

Ah...

And imposes...

suitable penalties on those

who choose to ignore
their duty to the state.

As the guardian

of the laws and morals of Rome,

Caesar Augustus expects his
own family to set an example,

and he asks you all...

He
deflowered my mother!

And mine!

He asks you all to follow it.

I commend these new
measures to the Senate

and call for a vote.

Oh, don't worry.

It f*cking passed.

I wasn't worried.

Tell me, Tiberius, why
has she got Augustus

shoving his morality
down our throat?

Everyone knows he used to
f*ck everything in Rome.

Yeah, before he married
your mother, of course.

I can't see it, either,
but whatever it is,

she's been planning
it for months.

I won't
be here tomorrow.

I know.

The wedding.

Does it bother you?

I don't care about Drusus.

I have you.

Sister.

You look... you look tired.

Uncle.

Antonina.

- Are you ready?
- I can't wait.

You should see my dress.

Mother, may I go
and see Vipsania?

No! Uh, Antonina, come!

What's happened?

May we speak alone?

Vipsania!

Drusus.

It's me.

Antonina.

You're all grown up.

And ready to go.

Antonina, walk with me.

You're gonna get the talk.

- What's the talk?
- She asks you questions.

- What are the answers?
- Who knows?

I got them all wrong.

Aunt Livia. Sorry.

As the wife of Drusus

and a member of my family,

you will have a
high public profile.

How will you adapt?

I will set an example
of modesty and chastity,

like you, in public anyway.

And what are the most
important qualities...

in a Roman wife?

Fertility
and loyalty

to my husband, his
career, and his family.

If only there were two of you.

Marcellus came from the
underworld last night

in a dream to his sister.

He came to tell us...

that with all his heart,
he opposes the wedding.

As do I.

I simply cannot face the thought

of marrying my daughter
to Livia's son.

I'm...

I'm so sorry, Gaius.

I've tried to get past this.

And the gods know
that I have tried.

But I cannot.

I've announced it in the Senate.

Declared public holidays.

Everyone we know is coming.

Except Marcellus.

Maybe...

if you spoke to
Livia, even once...

No. Never.

I've accused her
of terrible things.

What if I'm wrong?
What if I'm right?

I go over and over it in my
head and I can't find any peace.

Ever.

I can't just cancel the
wedding the day before.

I understand.

Of course, the decision
is entirely yours.

There's only one thing I cando.

Your husband would
like to see you.

Huh?

He's postponed the wedding.

Indefinitely.

She left it late.

Pay for it.

What's the cover story?

The Augur was consulted,
of course, as he must be.

Tomorrow was
pronounced "unlucky."

We always knew Octavia
wouldn't go through with it.

And it's too late for anyone
to stop the marriage laws.

Well, yeah, but still.

What has to be done,
I'd hoped to avoid.

Mmm.

Leverage like this, you
never want to waste it.

Right.

You want me to make
the arrangements?

Not yet.

Hey, Drusus.

What are you doing here?

You're getting married tomorrow.

Am I? f*ck.

Come on, Vistilius,
let's play dice.

Uh, listen, I promised Tiberius

I wouldn't go gambling
with you again,

after that last time.

He has this theory that your
reckless, impulsive nature

leads you to make

self-destructive
investment decisions.

Yeah, yeah. I know
all that. Come on.

Also... um, I'm broke.

I'm not.

Hey.

Get out. Drusus is here.

You shouldn't have come.

You didn't say that

when I was bringing
him here every night

to lose a fortune.

You got your cut.

Drusus is very important to
us. We have big plans for him,

and we don't need
you f*cking them up.

I don't know. Do you
want me to deal with her?

Brother, I always ask myself,
"Is this violence necessary?"

Sometimes it's just enjoyable.

Drusus!

Vilbia.

It's great to
see you. We missed you.

So, who's winning?

No one yet.

Oh.

I heard.

This makes it look really bad.

Most powerful man on Earth,

and I can't even arrange
a f*cking wedding.

I thought my sister
was over everything.

Give her time.

You're taking this very calmly.

Do you have a plan?

You always have a plan.

Yeah, I have a plan.

I have a plan.

Mm-mm. Mm-mm.

Livia...

What?

What? This is how we always
get past our setbacks.

We haven't done it in weeks.

- Weeks.
- Hmm.

I...

What?

What, don't you want me anymore?

No, it's just...

It's okay.

I'm sorry.

Um...

Um...

Yeah, give her time.

She'll come 'round.

No, she won't.

Livia, I...

You had one job. One.

Shall I have the couches for
the wedding feast removed?

No, give everyone the day off.

You ought to at least
pretend to think

the wedding isn't happening.

Well, if anything starts
to go wrong, send for me.

And what could
possibly go wrong?

No! This is your
doing! I hate you.

Control yourself.

At least have the
guts to admit it.

- You'll just have to wait.
- For what?

I'm 18. Everyone
I know is married.

Vipsania's married,
Antonia's married,

even Marcella's been
married twice, and Julia.

What do you mean
"even Marcella"?

You will get married.

At your guardian's pleasure,

just like every
other Roman girl.

I am not "every
other Roman girl."

And I will never marry
anyone but Drusus!

One of the five great
families of Rome!

They've had 28 consuls.

How many have we had? One.

Your father was a
moneylender from Velletri.

My grandfather.

- Antonia, please, please...
- No! No!

Whatever youthink Livia did,

it's wrong to punish
my sister or Drusus.

- You be quiet.
- Yes.

Keep your mouth shut.

I will.

Yes. I will.

I swear before all the gods
until you allow this marriage,

I will not eat again.

Yes.

And neither will I.

Oh, God.

Don't worry.

We won't miss many meals.

What do you mean?

She's right.

Livia wants this marriage.

She'll fix it.

I'll speak to Livia
to make sure...

Surprisingly
easy in the end.

You owe me.

You were the one that
didn't want Drusus

marrying into the family.

I just...

wanted to piss off Livia.

And even she won't be able
to get out of this one.

You still don't believe she
k*lled my brother, do you?

Honestly, Marcella,
since you ask,

I don't believe
Livia does anything.

The idea that a woman
runs spy networks

and moves mysteriously
behind the scenes,

well...

Livia got where
she is on her back,

like every other girl in Rome.

You still owe me.

What the f*ck happened?!

Octavia!

Where are they?

Don't look at me.

I know,
it's not your fault.

That's right. It's yours.

How didn't you see this coming?

Octavia was always
going to be a problem.

Well, maybe we can
poison her, too.

Yeah, some things we
just don't say out loud.

Hmm. Look.

Forget Octavia.

You can't take Rome without
an army behind you somewhere.

And the biggest one is
on the German border.

Make me general
of the Rhine army,

and I will make it mine.

After that, it doesn't
matter who I marry.

"Whom I marry."

I'm 20 years old, Livia.

My life is slipping away.

Send me to w*r.

The wedding will
happen in four days.

On the Ides of the month,

that is the next available day.

Can you shut up
and wait that long?

And you, make
your stupid wife pregnant!

I need Agrippa's
family tied into mine.

Dear Mother.

So, the, uh,

situation is...

in hand, hmm?

Why the foul mood, young lady?

When a man refuses a woman,

in bed, I mean, for...
For the first time,

what's he thinking?

Well, honestly, uh...

it could be a lot of things.

I'm 40 this year.

I know. No idea
what to get you.

I'm getting old, Piso.

I'm not ready to get old.

Mother wants you pregnant.

So one understands.

I've brought one of
her dresses along.

Just in case.

Put it on.

I lost a fortune on
that f*ck last time out.

The fights are all fixed.

On the
subject of fixes,

a lot of people aren't
buying the Augur cover story.

I know I didn't.

It's embarrassing, of
course, politically,

given the legislation and all.

A lot of people are
wondering why you went cold

on marrying your niece into
one of the five great families.

The consensus is...

Drusus has fallen from favor?

And a number of senators
have been in touch,

not very discreetly,

wondering if you'd care to
pimp out your niece to them.

Now that she's
back on the market.

She's not back on the market.

Ah, what's Livia got in mind?

She thinks we
should give it time.

But she doesn't know
my sister like I do.

And, besides...

I'm not in the mood for time.

Agrippa.

We're just off to
the country house.

Rome is simply
impossible in this heat.

A message from your brother.

As your daughter won't
now be getting married,

he wishes her to enroll
as a priestess...

in the Temple of Vesta.

What? Mother.

Agrippa, this must be a mistake.

No mistake. It's
the highest honor

the state can
bestow upon a woman.

And the temple's always
short of suitable candidates.

No.

No. Mother.

You are to take this
note from your uncle

and give it to the
high priestess.

You are to go immediately.

Wait. Just... Just
leave us. Leave us.

Agrippa,
what is this?

You asked that your
daughter not be married.

- No, no, I...
- Your brother respects that.

I asked that she not be
married to Livia's son.

You need to respect
his alternative.

What, that she be locked away

in a temple for the
rest of her life?

It's only 30 years.

She can still get
married afterwards.

She'll be 48.

She'll be 48 years
old. This is vile!

It's just
a marriage, Octavia.

A political alliance between
one family and another.

- It's never personal.
- She made it personal!

Your son was poisoned
by his sl*ve!

Yes, well, everybody
keeps telling me that!

There's never been any proof
that Livia was involved!

No, you never found it!

And I wonder just
how hard you looked.

What the f*ck?

Oh, yes, Agrippa.

I have seen the way
you look at Livia!

If you change your mind
about the marriage,

I suggest you do it soon.

You tell my little brother

that I'll let her rot
in that temple forever

rather than have her
marry into Livia's family.

I'll tell him.

Yes! Tell him!

You're not sorry about this.

Honestly,

I think that marriage
just brings my brother

one step closer to a
squalid and violent death.

Your father was
an optimist, too.

I don't want to be Augustus.

I don't even want to be me.

I'd like to care
about honor and glory

and your personal quest to
restore the Republic but I...

I just can't.

There's obviously just...

something wrong with my head.

Hmm.

But I do care about my brother.

And I care about
keeping him alive.

That's probably
my only ambition.

I know.

Well...

I told them.

She went for you.

Live a ravenous cougar.

Mother was the same.

So are you.

Oh, I tell you, brother.

I feel sorry for Antonina.

I can't control Rome if I
can't control my own family.

She's just caught in the
middle of some old history.

Brother...

women are like dogs,

they can smell fear.

Horses!

It's Antonina.

He sent her to the Temple
of Vesta to be a priestess.

What?

We didn't see that coming.

And once she takes the vows...

that's it.

Well, get her out of there. Now!

How? It's death for a
man to enter the temple.

Well, you think of something.

I'll catch you up. Go. Go!

Get my horse.

Here it is, the Temple of Vesta.

This was supposed to
be my wedding day.

The sacred flame of Rome.

We guard it, day and night.

If it should ever go out,

the wrath of the gods
would fall down on Rome...

and upon us.

High priestess.

I am Antonia, daughter
of Marcus Antonius.

This is my sister, Antonina.

I know. You
were engaged to Livia's son.

I know Livia well.

We were best friends
when we were children.

Our mothers were cousins.

We were always in
each other's houses.

She used me and betrayed me

as she uses and
betrays everyone.

She's ruthless,

selfish,

and cruel.

Let me show you
'round the temple

and the room you will share
with the other initiates.

Did you hear that?

I wonder what Livia did to her,

the high priestess.

She really hates her.

High priestess...

is it true...

if a priestess breaks her
vow of chastity, she's...

buried alive?

Fortunately, it rarely happens.

Where's your sister?

Oh, no.

Get her! Get her!

Sorry. Sorry.

Come back.

- Are you mad?
- Wait!

Don't move.

Okay?

That was lucky.

Thank you, Tycho.

Make the arrangements.

- We end this now.
- Lady.

Aunt Livia,
you have to help me.

I can't be a Vestal! I can't!

Antonia and Iullus said
you'd fix everything.

They're wrong!

I can't fix anything
because I'm a woman!

And women have no power in Rome.

So if you want something
done, you stand behind the men

and make sure no one
can see you there!

Because otherwise they will
tear you to f*cking pieces.

Keep her hidden
until I get back.

Mother is gonna fix this.

But you shouldn't let her.
You shouldn't marry Drusus.

You should go back to the
temple and lock yourself in.

What?

Livia's a monster.

She controls everything
and everyone,

so nobody can breathe any more.

You have no idea what it's like.

She even tells us
when to have sex.

What's sex like?

Well, if you put on
one of Livia's dresses,

it's amazing.

Actually, no.

I've got a better idea.

Better than what?

Drusus, listen.

If I give myself to you,

and we...

you know...

I won't be a virgin,

so I can't be a Vestal.

They'll have to let us marry.

Even I know that's
a terrible idea.

I won't marry a coward.

You won't have to.

Oh, you...

You idiot.

What do you want?

You don't want your daughter
in the Temple of Vesta.

Neither do I.

I don't want my son in
that mausoleum either,

but you stole him from me.

As you once stole my
brother from Scribonia,

because you are Livia,

a thief.

Of people, lives,

and dreams.

And yet, you still expect
me to unite our families

so that your son can
gain a small advantage

in the vulgar scramble

to inherit the
laurels of Augustus.

You understand if I
prefer not to endure it.

Your adopted son, Iullus,
has been intimate with Julia

before, during and after
her marriage to Marcellus.

And now she's betraying Agrippa.

If their long affair
became public,

it would humiliate your brother
and destroy his authority.

Especially now, after his
recent legislation on marriage.

For Iullus, of course,
the choice would be exile

or suicide.

The wedding will go ahead.

The Ides of the month,

in four days' time.

You'd do that to my brother.

I won't have to.

Scribonia, what
are you doing here?

Why aren't you at the wedding?

- That got cancelled.
- What?

Why?

A lot of people hate Livia.

You're certainly not
the only one.

Listen, Scribonia...

- I think I'm pregnant.
- What?

- That's perfect.
- Is it?

Why is it?

What if he doesn't want
me any more when I'm fat?

This
was always the plan.

It's what we've
been working for.

You came to me for advice.

You came to me for revenge.

Do exactly what I tell you

and you will get
everything you want.

You are the only
person in that family

whoever treated me
with any respect.

I always saw your potential.

I won't forget it.

Okay.

Oh, we just heard
one of your sl*ves

- died out on the estate.
- Is it true...

Would you like me to
get you a new one?

It is true about you and Julia?

Oh.

I love her.

I always have.

I can't remember a
time when I didn't.

- I can't help it.
- Oh...

Father,

you shouldn't have left
me alone like this.

I'm not sure how much
longer I can keep doing this.

It's eating me alive.

Mother.

Here she comes.

- You threw us to the wolves.
- They threw you back.

You might not
always be so lucky.

So, Iullus.

Now do you get it?

So...

my sister changed her mind.

Mm.

Suddenly.

The wedding will go
ahead on the Ides,

in four days' time.

That's the next available date.

Mmm.

I expect you had
something to do with it,

somewhere.

And I'm grateful.

How grateful?

It was a bluff, right?

The Temple of Vesta?

We never bluff.

Can I have some wine, please?

Oh, my
god, these are good.

You're hungry?

Just
a bit.

What happened?

Mother won't talk about it.

What's it
been, two hours?

Watch out, Antonina.

I don't care.

See? There you were.

Worrying about nothing again.

As always.

Livia.

Look. My wedding dress.

Piso bought it for
me from the shop.

Hey.

Look, there's Antonina.

Good lad.

Happy now?

Her family's far beneath mine.

So's mine.

Yes.

Welcome, friends,

to the wedding of
Nero Claudius Drusus

and Antonina,

daughter of Octavia
and Marcus Antonius.

Great Juno,

goddess of marriage
and fertility,

we ask your blessing
on this day.

Accept this sheep from
my farm in return.

Now, Drusus, will
you take Antonina?

I will.

Antonina,

will you have Drusus?

All right.

Then, Drusus,

she is yours.

Now, let's
k*ll this sheep!