Kings (TV Series)

Pilgrimage (2009)

Ian McShane: King Silas Benjamin

Photos 

Quotes 

• King Silas Benjamin : Today I make pilgrimage; meaningful action requires meaningful thought - ideas born in solitude, brought to life in Shiloh. Last time I did the same, I came back with a vision for peace; before that, with a vision for a capital in Shiloh. Who knows what I'll come up with this time?

• King Silas Benjamin : I need someone close to me that I can trust, and there are those who say that I should not trust you... that you want what you cannot have... I was there, that day - I *saw*.

  [David is cautiously uncertain about what Silas is referring to] 

  King Silas Benjamin : The butterflies - the crown of butterflies; what does that mean to you, David?

  David Shepherd : It's hard to put in words.

  King Silas Benjamin : Try.

  David Shepherd : I grew up hearing your story - how the butterflies crowned your head... and you knew you were meant to be king. So when they came to me... I knew.

  King Silas Benjamin : You knew *what*?

  David Shepherd : It was God - speaking to me, a nothing farm boy... telling me to serve my king.

  King Silas Benjamin : And nothing else?

  David Shepherd : What else could it mean?

• King Silas Benjamin : My family... always in my heart when not in my eye; may the time apart enrich the time spent together. May there be enough love left over 'til the next time we join hands. Amen.

• David Shepherd : [looking around the farm]  I wish I could have this - what you have here.

  King Silas Benjamin : You can, every day.

  David Shepherd : How?

  King Silas Benjamin : Don't ever be a king.

  David Shepherd : Then why not stay here? Leave Shiloh behind; you don't have to be king.

  King Silas Benjamin : Oh, but I do. If it's in you to be of service to your fellow man, then you have an obligation to God to do it, be it a policeman, a fireman, a soldier, a king. If it's in your DNA, if the job fits, you must do it.

  David Shepherd : I don't know if there's one thing I have to do... *can* do.

  King Silas Benjamin : ...Lucky you.

• King Silas Benjamin : Bad back, I can deal with; embarrassment...

  David Shepherd : You have no reason to be embarrassed.

  King Silas Benjamin : Oh, yes I have; I'm not as young or as strong as I was - not like you. Oh, your youth, my experience - we'd be one *perfect* king.

  David Shepherd : You're the most powerful man I know.

  King Silas Benjamin : Not anymore... you are. I've opened up my entire life to you.

  David Shepherd : Why would you do that?

  King Silas Benjamin : [perplexed by David]  ... Sit down.

  [David cautiously sits beside the king on his bed] 

  King Silas Benjamin : We only really know each other when we know each other's deepest secrets - when we know what's in each other's hearts. I trust you with mine; I want you to trust me with yours.

  David Shepherd : ...I do.

  King Silas Benjamin : What's in your heart, David? What is your deepest secret? I want to know you just as you know me; I want to forgive you, just as you've forgiven me, so that nothing can come between us.

  David Shepherd : [torn by his promise to Michelle not to reveal their relationship to her father]  ... I could keep *nothing* from my king.

  King Silas Benjamin : I believe you, my son... Go home.

  David Shepherd : [looking out the window]  The frost... your amaryllis... they'll die.

  King Silas Benjamin : Maybe next year... we'll come back.

• King Silas Benjamin : This was a pilgrimage like no other; rather than envision what the country needs, I came to see what we already have. And I want to acknowledge those who might fill these seats when our hearts fail the rest of us: My son... my daughter... my nephew... my friend. We have so much to learn from youth. Well, you've all heard it - "I wish I knew then what I know now." Well, from this day on, I say, "I wish I know now what I knew then." Imagine...

  [the court applauds] 

  King Silas Benjamin : [he moves to the chair beside his own]  But I have thought long and hard about who might fill up this empty chair, and serve as my advisor - when all the time it was quietly filled... by someone who is earnest, when it is not the fashion, who loves this country almost as much as I do. But above all, whose honesty is something I learned I cannot do without. I want the owner to come down now, and claim his place at my table... and for all to know: David Shepherd.