JACK: Previously on Kings...
Father's birthday is days away.
Days in which a thousand things go wrong
unless managed with attention.
Pay attention, boys. Your father died fighting for this.
Welcome home, Son.
This time things will be different, I trust?
We give up what we want when we want power.
It can't be Iike it was, Joseph. I can't.
But I Iove you.
When I was a Iittle girl, I was very sick.
And the doctors told me I wouldn't get better.
Your daughter takes chances with her Iife as if it wasn't hard won.
I owe you the truth. I'm promised to someone else.
I'm sorry.
(INDISTINCT CHATTERING)
(CLASSICAL MUSIC PLAYING)
SILAS: Thank you.
Happy birthday, sir.
A gun from an ally. Now, is that a gift or an invitation to a duel?
A gift.
I know better than to rankle a Silas with a gun in his hand.
(LAUGHING) Thank you.
Happy birthday, sir.
Thank you, Hanson.
AII this open access to you, sir...
At Ieast Iet us pre-screen first.
I will not take cover every time a threat is made by some quacking Ioon.
You had a death threat made against you this morning.
It's the Ieast we can do.
Well, there must be a way of doing Iess, hmm?
You invite more guards if you wish.
Have you reconsidered inviting Andrew?
William was hoping...
My birthday, my Iist.
I will endure a party in the company of my choosing.
But with none that sour the wine in my cup.
Thank you.
Mmm-hmm.
ROSE: I'm sorry, William. He still says no.
We're running Iate. We should go.
You know, I never much Iiked parties before.
But it might be nice to be royalty again.
I honestly never thought that Aunt Rose
would ever associate with me again in public.
(SIGHS) I was thinking maybe we shouldn't go.
With my schedule, a night out is a rare thing.
Why waste it in the company of so many empty people
when you and I can catch up?
Have dinner together. You still Iike steak?
I wasn't invited, was I?
(CHUCKLES) Of course you were. We're family.
You don't have to be mad on my account.
Most people don't want me around.
You should go. I have my reading to do.
PIans have changed.
Silas' grand birthday is hereby canceled.
NEWS READER ON TV: Local news reporter Lucinda Wolfson at his side.
The Wolfson family is renowned for...
(REPORTERS CLAMORING)
You' re nervous.
LUCINDA: (TITTERS) Oh.
Nothing to worry about.
When in doubt, say thank you and happy birthday.
Hmm.
Okay.
A party fit precisely for a king.
And I'm sure he hates it.
Oh, he does. But shows appreciation for the effort.
And who is this?
You remember Lucinda Wolfson.
She's making an honest man of me.
Well, with a face Iike that, how could she not?
How Iong have you two been seeing each other?
Thank you. Happy birthday, sir.
Oh.
JACK: Find us some drinks, would you?
Usefully quiet.
And a Wolfson.
She's a Iittle out of her depth, but we can fix that.
Well-chosen, Jack.
Happy birthday, sir.
It used to be you'd see me and head towards me.
I'm trying to respect your wishes.
You're promised to someone else.
What am I supposed to do?
David.
The world doesn't just stop because we want to be together.
We?
(GLASS CLINKS)
You need to go.
You should go ahead.
AII right, everyone. The birthday boy!
(GUESTS APPLAUDING)
Come. Me?
Hmm? Say something.
Oh, I hate public speaking.
(GUESTS LAUGHING)
To get old is a terrible thing.
We should do it in reverse, so that we can appreciate the strength.
The only consolation
in the creaks and the Iimited range of vision
is that we don't endure it alone.
GUESTS: Aw.
So, I see... Well, well, almost see.
(GUESTS LAUGHING)
Friends! Family.
BIessings. Oh, there have been days.
And this, this is one of those days. I feel that strength.
My heart is filled with richly oxygenated blood from experience.
And my mind is clear.
(GUESTS EXCLAIMING)
Good timing.
To our city!
To our people!
May we all grow old together!
(GUESTS TOASTING)
(GUESTS EXCLAIMING)
(ALL CHATTERING)
Ah! Happy birthday.
On his birthday?
The blackout covers the full city through the entire south Iand.
None of our enemies are claiming responsibility.
The entire grid shut down.
Power, communications, Iand, and cellular.
We ask the world to watch our skies and offer them a display of our humiliation.
Cause?
Not cause, not source.
Eight power plants were ordered serviced simultaneously,
creating a demand spike.
And how did you manage to have eight power plants serviced simultaneously?
A clerical error.
Mmm-hmm? I'd Iike to meet this cleric. Hmm?
Every minute the Iights stay down
powers rumors of our impotence and tempts opportunists.
Just get the Iights on.
There's a switch somewhere. FIip it.
It's Iike a blanket over the city.
Let's go see.
You know what this is?
This is time stopped.
This is permission.
For what?
For us.
This is our chance.
Should we take it?
Sir. You should hear this.
PFC Chris Beals.
The man issuing your death threats over Port Prosperity.
He was just seen outside AItar Mansion.
Service went after him, but he eluded capture.
Headed east, towards the river.
They said they saw him armed.
THOMASINA: Taking advantage of the blackout.
And the Princess, sir. She's not here.
Was he following her?
IVAN: We don't know.
I passed out pictures of him.
AII are on highest alert. We'II find her.
We have every available man on it.
Is the power back on?
HANSON: No. Sir?
Then why is there music?
Sir?
ABNER: Gath has unveiled a hundred new armored divisions.
Calls them Goliaths.
Range doubles ours. They amass at the demilitarized zone.
SCHOLAR: Another sneak attack in the plains of Dan Ieft 36 casualties.
One more of the wounded just airlifted in.
Critical and in the balance.
FAWKES: If we counter, it will only cause Gath's escalation.
We'II provoke a new war.
What news of my daughter?
No updates, sir. As she was an hour ago.
An hour ago, she was not well.
(DOOR CLOSING)
You have run his court since it began, Chancellor Scholar.
You know when his moods are foul.
Dark.
You fear as I do.
My daughter's illness has Ieft him unable.
(WOMAN CHATTERING ON PA)
He's hurt badly. We don't know.
He can hear you.
Come tell him that you're here.
Let your father know you're praying.
It's not fair.
I know.
We weren't supposed to be fighting anymore.
Why did they attack us? Why did Dad have to be there?
Come on. Let's go see him.
SILAS: The ANC.
Too Iow. She's severely anemic.
Well, try something else.
Her blood and bone marrow are overwhelmed.
She's strong. She'II survive another treatment.
Sir...
There's nothing Ieft, but to spend time.
She's Iooking better. In Iess pain.
This treatment's working.
I'm sorry, sir. It's not.
No!
She doesn't Iose tonight.
Beautiful Princess, friend to elves
and maker of music in the meadow with nothing but her hair.
Dad, I'm not five.
You're four. You're two.
Eyes that Iight up the beltway.
You Iook strong.
Look what I brought you.
"Harlow. " Hmm.
I thought we were doing the classics.
You know the classics better than any professor.
You've read this a hundred times.
Well, what's one more time?
Harlow, Several Dumplings and the Sabbath Queen.
Mmm-hmm?
Right.
"She knew she was meant for school, for book things and pencil time.
"And yet..." "And yet, Harlow found herself veering Ieft, not right,
"where she knew the schoolhouse still sat.
"And with that confidence, she dropped her books
"and took her first step into the dark.
"The Sabbath Queen. "
THOMASINA: Nothing yet on the Princess, ma'am.
IVAN: We've posted Iookouts all around the city.
We're checking everywhere we know.
Everyone we have, on the street.
I want her back here safe now.
IVAN: I'II coordinate with city police.
We'II pull palace guard and remaining service.
Everyone.
I'm talking about a whole houseful of guests
standing around, doing nothing.
I want her back safe now!
(GUITAR PLAYING)
DAVID: Are we allowed to dance?
(CHUCKLES)
Last time we danced, you didn't know how.
Last time we danced, I was very nervous.
I was wearing a tux for the first time.
I thought you hated me.
I just didn't know what to think.
People Iike you aren't supposed to exist.
Uh, someone could see.
No, they can't. Not a Princess.
Just a girl in the dark.
Who can do anything she wants.
JACK: Princess.
Princess. Nope.
(DOGS BARKING)
Not her, either.
(CHUCKLES SOFTLY)
(SIGHS)
You're him, right?
You going to freak out on me?
The Iights are down. Be anyone you want.
Jack? Jack!
Jack!
SILAS: If you're not here to tell me you've found her, keep Iooking.
I'm not Ieaving you here alone, sir.
Oh, unless you doubt I know how to use this?
Silas.
Ivan, you stay with the King.
Even if a counter order comes from God.
We'II find her, sir.
(PIANO PLAYING)
Oh, you wouldn't dare. You don't come.
What is this?
Are you hearing music?
(THUDDING)
WOMAN: (WHISPERING) Silas.
The Sabbath Queen.
SILAS: "'No, you cannot go home,' ruled the Sabbath Queen.
"'You'II stay here until you die, and after.'
"Not for the first time, Harlow began to worry
"if she would ever get back to her mother and homework ever again."
You've been reading me Harlow for days,
and somehow, we never get to the end.
I'm a thief and a cheater.
You don't want to end it. You don't want things to finish.
Only beginnings with you. I just... What?
(PIANO PLAYING)
MICHELLE: Are you okay?
You ask me? I'II start again.
Shouldn't we finish it?
There's time for that.
Is there?
They say no.
But you know better?
I do.
What do you know?
You Iive forever.
(SIGHING)
I thought I would win this time.
What can I do?
I don't know.
Can I pray?
I've never stopped praying.
Pray with me.
(INAUDIBLE)
(BEEPING)
(MACHINES BEEPING)
Help! Someone! I need a doctor!
A doctor!
(COARSE HISSING)
(RATTLING)
Joseph.
I don't want any trouble.
The Iights are down.
(WOMAN LAUGHING IN DISTANCE)
(BOTH LAUGHING)
One night together, and you decide to bring me here?
I've always Ioved this house.
We used to come here in the summers
and there were no press or cameras allowed.
My mom Iet me wear shorts.
You know, most girls, they grow up wanting to be princesses.
You're the only Princess who wants to be a regular girl.
You know, the caretaker's house is miles away.
We're completely alone.
We could have been alone back in the city.
Yeah.
But then, I couldn't have shown you this.
Your favorite painting?
No, I hated this. It used to give me nightmares.
I had my first kiss here.
Hmm.
I was twelve, and there was a party on the Iawn for Jack.
And I was standing here staring at this,
trying to convince myself that I could Iook at it without getting scared.
And failing.
And someone came and kissed me.
Not very romantic.
Not at all.
Was it a good one? Not at all.
My first kiss. Stolen.
Wasted.
You know, my whole Iife has been planned out and scored
in perfect four-four time by forces Iarger than myself.
It's okay. I accept it.
AII the disappointments and wasted moments to come.
I won't have any regrets about anything.
Except for this one wasted memory.
I would have that back.
I would have you in the thief's place.
(FOOTSTEPS APPROACHING)
HANSON: Ma'am?
What news, Chancellor?
Unity reports slow going restarting the main plants servicing Shiloh.
(STUTTERING) The King feared so.
He wants the transformer from our plant at Pella
brought to the main station north of Shiloh.
Then have them trigger a black start.
He also wants an account of that blackout's cause.
That surge.
We've already got that, ma'am.
Energy Ministry traced it to a single Iocation.
Switchboard failure at the manufacturing plant at New Carmel.
And what company owns that plant?
CrossGen, ma'am.
DOCTOR: We're lucky she lasted this long.
There's been severe organ failure. She's not coming back.
(SILAS READING)
"'No, you cannot go home,' ruled the Sabbath Queen.
"'You stay here until you die and after.'
"Even while deciding her fate,
"Harlow thought the Sabbath Queen had eyes as blue as any sky
"or sea or fruit stain she'd ever seen.
"Not for the first time, Harlow began to worry
"if she would ever get back to her mother or homework ever again."
SCHOLAR: Ma'am.
Chancellor Scholar.
I was Iooking for him.
He's still here.
Yes. He's... He's always here.
You've seen what I have.
You alone
know the King is not the King.
Gath threatens war.
Attack or retreat?
Security demands decision.
The country waits on his rule.
Then the country shall have it.
It's over. Let it be done.
Tell her it's...
...it's okay. Tell her she can rest.
(PIANO PLAYING)
(GROANING)
WOMAN: Finish the book.
(PIANO PLAYING)
You.
You make the music that drives me mad.
A gift.
Others meet me in silence.
Out of deference to those who Iove you, I give warning.
You came for her. You cannot have her.
Can't I?
I was chosen by him who made you and all things.
Leave us. You and your music.
You can't threaten me.
He made death even outside his reach.
You Iike to see us suffer.
It is beautiful to see.
Yours most of all.
I come to you sometimes, Silas. I Iook at you.
Then make me suffer more.
Give me pain. Endless. Endless pain.
Name the knife.
DEATH: For this Iife,
I would see you Iose what you Iove more.
Your crown.
It's yours.
Not for me. Who then?
Anyone? Not anyone.
To the better man.
When he's found, when he comes, you stand aside.
Yes.
Willingly, freely. You support his succession.
EIse I come for you.
And you'II Iive to see your name be cursed.
Forgotten. Yes.
Swear it, before all.
Ever more.
Seal the contract.
DEATH: You'II wish I'd taken her.
You'II beg to change now.
Contract sealed.
(WILLIAM EXCLAIMING)
Rose. Look. A party everyone's invited to.
Because he was Ieft off a guest Iist?
"Beluga." You want some of this? It will only spoil.
(LAUGHING)
Shutting down a city for want of an invitation.
It's a party.
He's my son.
You've done worse for yours.
You insist on keeping Andrew in the cold.
You'd better Iearn to Iive in the dark.
You have no idea what you're dealing with.
Turn the Iights back on, William.
No. He needs to Iearn.
And so do you.
You're my brother. But I swear I will have your head.
ABNER: More bombings from Gath.
They destroyed our front Iines.
We cannot wait and do nothing.
Yet Silas does not come.
We will not declare war without him.
The King remains in meditation on the question of war
or not war.
I bring you his answer.
And I pray with you on his wisdom.
"Our hearts armor heavy,
"our grief, hot as the fire we must bring.
"And we must.
"To war...
"...and not Iightly."
And the rest, this is not for me.
(CLEARS THROAT)
"We Iaunch against Gath at sunrise.
"Our army shall seize the north
"as we cut Gath off from the sea,
"to Ieave its war machine parched and in ruins."
So writes our King.
(BLEEPING)
(CLICKING)
(LAUGHING) What... Stop it.
What are you doing?
I thought there were no cameras allowed in the Royal vineyard estates.
(CHUCKLES) Give it to me.
You Iook so beautiful.
Keep going.
Really?
Keep going.
(BLEEPS)
(GLASS SHATTERING)
SILAS: Anybody there? Rose?
(DOOR OPENING)
(BREATHING HEAVILY)
(WHISPERING) Silas.
(BOTH LAUGHING)
DAVID: You're gorgeous.
You're filthy.
Could you imagine if your father saw these?
Ugh.
He'd have my head.
No, he'd have worse.
I'II delete these. Don't worry.
Don't.
You should keep them. To remember.
You were once this happy.
Just tell me who.
David.
If I Iose you to someone,
tell me before I read about it in some newspaper.
(SIGHS)
Some alliance?
Something to help your father expand his empire?
It's not him.
It's a promise I made. It's my vow.
I don't understand.
Who are you promised to?
Who are you supposed to marry?
No one.
Ever.
(STUTTERING)
I was dying.
By all measures, gone.
I swear I could feel my Iast breath coming.
I could smell death in the room.
I prayed to God.
And I said, "Give me one more breath.
"And I'II give it right back.
"Let me have another after that and I will give it back again.
"From now on, every breath you give me, I'II use it to serve you.
"To Iive for you. For your work."
(GASPS)
And he Iistened.
MICHELLE: From this day forward,
I'II earn this gift.
Helping others, not myself.
Witness, as I swear.
Oh, stop. Your debt is paid.
I Iive in service for him.
For them. For no happiness of my own.
For no man.
I beg you, don't do this.
As you Iive
you cannot Iet me waver.
Promise me. Michelle.
Promise me.
I promise you.
How can I compete with God?
(BREATHING HEAVILY)
Where are you? Show yourself.
(CLATTERING)
DEATH: (WHISPERS) Silas. Hmm?
(BREATHING HEAVILY)
Sir. There you are. Somebody's in the house.
Stay here. I'II clear the north wing.
(GUNSHOTS)
(MAN SCREAMING)
(FOOTSTEPS APPROACHING)
(PIANO PLAYING)
(VOICES CHATTERING)
You come for me in my house.
I'm ready.
You hear me?
I'm ready.
Come to me. Now!
I'm ready.
(PEOPLE APPLAUDING)
(PEOPLE CHEERING)
(PHONE RINGING)
ANDREW: Hello, Aunt Rose.
ROSE: You brought the lights back on.
I reversed his order in his name.
He'II be furious with me, but not for Iong.
I thought you could use the help.
I'd rather Iive in the dark
than owe you a thing.
(DISCONNECTS)
JOSEPH: You have to go?
The Iights are on.
Just tell me so I know. Was it real?
You're the only real thing I ever touched.
You've made God into my enemy.
It would kill me if that were true.
(CHUCKLES)
I finally fall in Iove.
And he takes you from me.
You Iove me?
I do.
I Iove you.
Everyone keeps saying they know what God wants from us.
I don't know which of the voices in my head at night is his.
God didn't save your Iife so you could pretend you died.
He saved it so you could Iive.
You think he wants this?
How does God not want Iove?
My father can't know.
ROSE: I'II send for the doctor.
You all right, Father?
Yeah. Yeah.
I'm so sorry I Iost you.
I was Iooking for you. I'm glad you're safe.
THOMASINA: Sir.
You're hurt.
It's nothing.
Where were you?
(STUTTERING) It was a beautiful night out. I wanted to see the city.
Luckily, I had a friend who wouldn't Iet me go alone.
He kept me safe.
A friend?
A friend.
And a gentleman.
Thank you.
(KNOCKING AT DOOR)
I thought you bargained me away.
If I die, I die with you.
ROSE: The doctor says it's a miracle.
And how is the King?
(PIANO PLAYING)
The piano.
Then my mind is clear.
Your daughter recovers.
We are blessed. Doubly. We have back our King.
Thank God.
You did well for us in difficult times.
You should be rewarded.
Lands in the countryside, I think. One of our ranches.
You take your family and finally spend the time with them they deserve.
You're dismissing me?
No one can ever know the King broke with greatness.
(MUSIC CONTINUES)
(STOPS PLAYING)
Sir, sorry.
My...
My father died.
Death took what was near.
What is that piece?
I don't know.
Just something he taught me.
And now he's gone.
You play well for him.
PIay on.
(PLAYING)