Kings (TV Series)

Pilgrimage (2009)

Susanna Thompson: Queen Rose Benjamin

Quotes 

• Queen Rose Benjamin : I'm trying to bury this story with that boy.

  Jack Benjamin : Joseph.

  Queen Rose Benjamin : What?

  Jack Benjamin : His name was Joseph.

  Queen Rose Benjamin : What do I care what his name was? He was trying to ruin you.

  Jack Benjamin : No, he wasn't; he was trying to save me.

  Queen Rose Benjamin : Save you - from what?

  Jack Benjamin : From me... and I destroyed him for it; I'm the reason he's dead.

  [Rose orders Thomasina from the room, then sits quietly next to Jack] 

  Queen Rose Benjamin : You said he was nothing to you.

  Jack Benjamin : ...He loved me... and I loved him.

  Queen Rose Benjamin : No, you didn't. You can't.

  Jack Benjamin : I loved him... I *loved* him.

  [Rose gets up, irritated] 

  Jack Benjamin : I cut him out of my heart, because that's what Dad wanted; that's what you wanted... and now the only person who saw me - who really saw me, and still loved me - he's dead.

  Queen Rose Benjamin : [she slaps him]  Good!

  Queen Rose Benjamin : [shocked by her own reaction, she tentatively embraces him]  This... this mistake of character... this will be our secret.

  Jack Benjamin : Mistake of character?... This is who I am.

• Katrina Ghent : I have no interest in Silas; I've had my fill of old men.

  Queen Rose Benjamin : And without their money, you'd still be dancing on poles, or stilts or - whatever it was you did.

  Katrina Ghent : I may have bought my title, but your brother bought your crown; are we so different?

  Queen Rose Benjamin : As long as I walk these halls, you'll get no respect in this court. You accept it, and you move on. People have been made disappear for less.

  Katrina Ghent : [as the queen exits the room]  Good day, ma'am; may God bless you, and may God bless your kingdom.

• Queen Rose Benjamin : I hate nothing more than lies - wasted words, clouds that darken the blue sky yet bring no relief of rain.

• Katrina Ghent : I want to see you powerless, so you know how it feels - what you do to those around you.

  Queen Rose Benjamin : You have your way; whatever you want, I'll do.

  Katrina Ghent : Choose - I'll let you save one of them, son or daughter. I'll destroy video or pictures; the other I'm going to air. The fall of prince or princess... your choice.

• Michelle Benjamin : I'm in trouble... I can't get out of it on my own, and no one else can help me.

  Queen Rose Benjamin : You should have thought of that during your photo shoot... With David Shepherd, I presume?... You've always been my little girl, even when we both pretended you weren't. Tomorrow, that's over. Your pictures will be broadcast; they'll be everywhere you turn, and places you do not. And there's nothing to be done.

  Michelle Benjamin : But you're the queen; can't you do something?

  Queen Rose Benjamin : It is the queen that is allowing it to happen. The story will dominate the news; you'll be ridiculed by women, made fantasy by men. And while David is congratulated, you'll be dragged through the mud... But when the dust settles, and memory fades, you'll be thought of as a woman - which is what you are - sexual, desirable... formidable. And you'll wield that power in ways young girls cannot.