Kings

Silas: Be the lamb. Or be the knife. Try to be both, you end up slaughtering yourself.

Rev. Ephram Samuels: He is not your enemy Silas you know that. You have a chance to end this now. Make it right. King Silas: Whatever your visions… Rev. Ephram Samuels: He is only becoming what is meant to be. What God intends for this nation. King Silas: Well then he didn't tell me. Rev. Ephram Samuels: Danger's coming Silas. You were supposed to foster it, to nurture it, to see the future improve upon the past. Now you can still have your part, but don't… (Lights go out) King Silas: So that's it. From arcane to tricks? Rev. Ephram Samuels: Don't give God reason to tear from you this kingdom. I have known you to be a man to make mistakes in the name of vanity. But never a villain. King Silas: There was a time, once, not far from memory, when you lost what was most dear to you. And you asked me that those responsible for the death of your wife not be just punished, not be just killed, but that all memory of their existence on Earth be swept clean. And you asked not with the countenance of God, not magic hands, just as a broken man seeking revenge. Your friend did that for you, and you thanked him for it. So who are you now, to ask that friend not to seek revenge on those that would take from him? Be the lamb or be the knife, try to be both, you'll end up slaughtering yourself.

King Silas: Let him go. Michelle: I don't care what anyone thinks of me so long as they know David is innocent. King Silas: Damnit Michelle, we're trying to make this easy for you. Michelle: I'm going to help him. King Silas: Don't you dare. Michelle: I have to. King Silas: Everyone for David is against me, now stay out of this or by God I'll count you amongst them. Michelle: You want him dead? King Silas: He's guilty. I'll have every shred of his existence wiped from this Earth. It'll be against the law ever to speak his name.

David: You want me to run? William Cross: Only if you want to live. Your death is a foregone conclusion. Silas is only waiting to sell the last few believers on his version of your truth. Rev. Ephram Samuels: Which is why we must protect you David. William Cross: Silas won't be around for long. We need to keep you safe so he doesn't kill you first. David: Why are you so sure he won't be around for long? William Cross: The problem with great men is they don't always die at their best. Some live to make mistakes, which outlive their accomplishments. Rev. Ephram Samuels: Come on David. David: No, if I go with you everything Silas says about me is true. William Cross: You're worried about his good opinion of you? David: I'm worried about my own. I'm no traitor. William Cross: You'd rather die then be misperceived? Careful David, you never wanna be…too good. You heard him. Rush the man back to his execution.

David: There's a plot against your father. I think they mean to kill him, replace him as king. Jack: You call me here to make up some stories about what? Some coup? You think that's gonna save you? You should have stuck to begging. It has more dignity. David: It's your uncle. And Reverend Samuels. Jack: The Reverend? Really? And what do they want from you? You wanna be their king? David: If I did easier for you to attack me when you know I've done no wrong. You need to warn Silas. Jack: You sit in you cell thinking of ways to save a man who's gonna let you hang. You think you're that good? David: He won't listen to me, but he'll listen to you. Jack: He's not your father. He's mine. David: He's still my king. Jack: Even now? David: I'm just doing what you'd do, Jack. You should be careful too.

King Silas: How do you plead? David: Guilty. I stand before you prepared to elaborate on my crimes. Jack: Stop talking, David. King Silas: You're out of order Major. David: I'm guilty. Jack: No, he's not! King Silas: The prosecution will stand down. Jack: I can't go along with this anymore. This was all a set-up. David Shepherd was framed. He's not a traitor. I am. Silas is. King Silas: Silence. Jack: No, there's been silence for too long. I am guilty, but not more so than my father, who colluded to have David found a traitor when he's anything but! King Silas: Shut…Up! Jack: King Silas framed this entire case. Coerced witnesses, faked evidence, convinced me to lie against David! But I see now that David is a better man than the rest of us. Innocent, deserving respect. King Silas: What do you know about respect? You never had it; you've never given it! Jack: He's innocent. It's over. King Silas: He's admitted guilt! Jack: You're no king. King Silas: And you're no prince, you fa---t! Guards, arrest Major Benjamin, now! David Shepherd, you are guilty of treason. Take him away. David: You lied, to everyone. King Silas: You're traitors. You're both traitors. You're all traitors!

William Cross: We have their allegiance now. The king's own guardsmen follow you, as do all Silas's generals. Jack: I couldn't watch him do that to David. I'm sorry. William Cross: Don't be. You were perfect. After seeing what Silas really is, they'll be begging for his replacement. Only one thing changes. Jack: What? William Cross: No more waiting. We act now.