Those About to Die

Previously on Those About To Die...

People of the greatest city on Earth, let the games begin!

Your husband fights well, he will win the wooden sword.

What's this about?

She is now the property of Rome. No! Please!

What is this?

I've enrolled myself in the the Ludus.

The navigator arrives in Ostia this afternoon.

Kill him, here and now.

I have something of the utmost importance

to give to the Emperor Titus.

It seems, today, we fight alone.

There's no telling what they'll pit us against. An army. Animals.

We'll go back to back.

Let's see how many we can take with us.

Thank you.

For what you have taught me, Northman.

No.

Thank you, my Numidian brother.

Today, we live together, or we die together.

Fire and ice.

Brother, you seem agitated.

My only concern is that the Inaugural Games are perfect.

Well, perhaps the cool air of Ostia will calm you.

- Ostia? Yes.

A navigator waits for us there after we finish this day of games.

Soldier! Go get the Praetorians. Move.

Soldier, keep everybody back! Get back!

I said get back!

Soldier, keep them away. I don't want anybody near here, understand?

Except for Praetorians. Move it!

- (GUARD CONTINUES INDISTINCTLY) - (MUSIC INTENSIFIES)

Come with me.

Please, please, just tell me why you are taking her.

No women at this gate.

No, no, please. I'm her mother.

I need to know what this is about.

- Fuck off! - (GUARD LAUGHS)

How dare you talk to me like this?

Go away!

I'm her mother, I won't leave without her. - Leave!

You can't arrest people like that!

You bastards!

Citizens of Rome! We present you...

- a warrior pair. - (ALL CHEERING)

- Come on! (CHANTING) Kwame! Kwame!

Instead of gladiators, we are to die

at the hands of Roman legionnaires.

As did my father.

Good. A warrior's death.

Two gladiators having fought back to back,

as savage Achilles, and sensuous Patroclus,

fast friends bonded in life and death.

Viggo, the Northman!

And Kwame, the Lion Killer!

- Come on Kwame! - Come on Kwame!

After 11 victories, today,

Viggo fights

the Great...

- Kwame! - (CROWD CHEERING)

Killer of the invincible Flamma!

These two, the greatest of all gladiators,

will, for your pleasure,

fight each other now,

- to the death! - (CROWD CHEERING)

Gladiators.

- Engage! - (CROWD CHEERING)

Kwame. Be strong, brother, be strong.

I have your back.

Come!

Fight! Fight!

Fight! Fight!

You're a monster. They've taken my daughter!

Where have they taken her?

Where?

I've paid my ticket!

Come on, fight!

- Fight, fight, fight! - Fight, fight, fight!

This is part of the entertainment?

I expected this.

Citizens of Rome, I present to you...

Jula!

Little sister of the Lion Killer, Kwame!

Jula!

A slave. The property of Rome.

And the son of the Northman, Viggo.

Seven years old, and the light of his father's eye.

No. No.

No. No.

What better encouragement to fight, brave gladiators,

but to save the lives of your family?

Who will die?

And who will live?

No.

Did you devise this entertainment?

Brother.

Was this your idea?

- Yes. - Oh, well,

then the goddess Discordia lives within you.

Only a devious mind could conjure such a thing.

My friend, I have no choice but to kill you.

Please forgive me.

If you succeed, no forgiveness is needed.

The blame will lie with these ravening wolves...

Bastard children of Romulus.

Kwame!

Hey, girl! Where's that woman?

Tenax.

He works with the Aedile Ludi. Where do I find him?

Tenax, he's somewhere inside.

Split up, find him, kill him.

It's time to tie up loose ends.

So there is nothing I can say.

You're certain about leaving?

I would so love to take you with me.

But you know what they do to horse thieves.

Elia, it's Jula!

- They've taken her to the amphitheatre! - What?

They're using her to force her brother to fight his best friend.

No!

- (GRUNTS) - (CROWD EXCLAIMS)

Strangely compelling to watch two supposedly loyal friends...

... could call them family,

fighting to the death.

Don't you think, brother?

- Don't! - (GASPS)

Here.

Hey, you can't leave your fucking horse here.

Oh!

Kwame! Kwame! Kwame!

Kwame! Kwame! Kwame!

Kwame! Kwame! Kwame!

Stop! Stop!

Is that your son?

There.

- Get up! Get up! - Get up!

Da!

(ECHOING) Viggo

has fought bravely.

Let him live.

Live!

Live! Live! Live!

Let him live

to fight for you again!

Live! Live! Live!

Give him quarter!

Live! Live! Live! Live!

Live! Live! Live! Live!

I have a decision to make, brother.

Mercy or death? What's it to be?

Mercy.

Perhaps not today.

- No! - No!

- No, no! What? - What?

No!

No!

No!

No!

It's all right, son.

It's all right.

You will rest with the Gods,

and visit me in my dreams.

Please. Please do what you can

to keep my son alive.