Spoils of War Troy: Fall of a City

This programme contains some strong language, some violent scenes

and scenes which some viewers may find upsetting.

Odysseus is strangling the life out of us to provoke a reaction.

I've no option but to impose rationing on the whole city.

If we can dig from both sides,

in two months we'll have a supply line from the sea.

-What is it?

-Fortified wine.

It worked when I was trying to conceive.

The king sacrificed his own daughter to appease the gods in coming here.

Where's your Trojan Prince now?

Gone to seek help from some loyal ally?

Make sure he never gets back to the city.

Cilicia. Does that name mean anything to you?

Son of Zeus, and Leto,

great Apollo,

Eros...

help us to feed the people of Troy.

Bless our cause.

Help us to feed the people of Troy.

Bless our cause.

Help us to feed the people of Troy.

Bless our cause.

Help us to feed the people of Troy.

Bless our cause.

Help us to feed the people of Troy.

We're safe!

-Brother.

-We've broken through.

-They're preparing a full supply.

-They're preparing a full supply!

-A full supply!

-Thank the gods!

ALL EXCLAIM

Are you sure you aren't sending too much?

The people of my daughter's city are starving, Chryses.

There's no such thing as too much.

WHISTLING

Brother, do you hear that?

By Apollo...

Father!

SHOUTING AND SCREAMING

BATTLE CRIES

SCREAMING

Take the town.

Myrmidons!

Burn it all!

CHEERING

Get word to my daughter.

Tell them to close up the tunnels.

THEY GRUNT

SHE GASPS

SHE SCREAMS

-Get to Troy.

-Briseis!

Argh!

SHE GRUNTS

INDISTINCT CHATTER

BELL DINGS

Forward! Formation!

Strong leather!

This time tomorrow, the city's going to feel like a different place.

We're still at war.

But we're fighting. The supply line will bring hope,

prove to our people that whatever the Greeks do,

Troy won't be defeated.

You're the one who's made that happen.

It just feels good to do something for once.

The bread, yes, here.

I thought we deserved it.

It's been a while since we had cause to celebrate.

Feels wrong to have this much.

Well, soon we'll have more.

THEY GIGGLE

Get help!

SHE VOMITS

SHE GASPS

You don't have fever, Madam.

No

THEY LAUGH

Hector, Alexander...

-Where've you been?

-I'll explain.

..you risked your lives to give this city a lifeline.

Today, we eat and drink in your honour.

-ALL:

-Hear, hear.

Sir...

I came through the tunnels... from Cilicia.

What happened?

The Greeks...

..a surprise attack.

They set the fields alight,

destroyed the supplies.

The whole city was burning.

Did my father make it out?

-THEY CHANT:

-Myrmidons! Ah-ooh! Myrmidons! Ah-ooh!

CHANTING CONTINUES

Look at this!

First time I've seen you take a spoil.

-Let me see her.

-She's not on parade.

Well done, Achilles.

We're fortunate to have you on our side.

You're not her.

She's the priest's daughter.

-She's mine.

-But, Sir...

I said she's mine.

The Greeks never came near the tunnel entrance.

It's possible they didn't even know about the ration supply

It doesn't matter. We can't allow an open route into the city.

We need to shut the tunnels down.

Father, they're our only way out

Do you want what happened to Cilicia to happen to us?

Fill them in...

..now!

If Cilicia was attacked because they helped us,

then we're the reason those people are dead.

Eetion chose to lend us aid.

It was a decision he made willingly, with knowledge of the dangers.

-No.

-Don't let this crush your spirit, son.

DOOR CREAKS CLOSED

Is this a punishment?

Don't.

Without Cilicia, we will starve.

Cities are lost in war.

Questioning every defeat will send you mad.

The gods are with us.

My father knows.

We're the ones to blame.

This isn't your fault.

I helped dig the tunnels.

I brokered the alliance.

Who else does it fall on?

Paris.

He said it was Achilles.

What?

The messenger,

he said that Achilles led the attack, and murdered Eetion.

I swear on the gods,

if I ever meet him in battle, I'll tear him apart.

That wound will fester.

You should use the ointment.

I'm sorry you lost your home.

War is war.

Cities fall.

But I didn't bring you here because I wanted a slave.

I brought you here because I thought you deserved to live.

Still refusing to use this?

I know that you don't trust us yet.

But the man behind me chose you for his own.

That makes you safer than any man or woman in this camp.

See? All it takes is just a little...

HE GASPS

Cut me free...

..or I kill him.

I spared you once.

I don't like repeating myself.

Your choice.

HE GASPS

Don't fear me.

I have enough men for that.

Andromache.

-Continue.

-My Lady...

Stop! What are you doing?

I need to see my father's body.

Do you ever think you'd make it there alive?

I'm a woman in mourning.

They'd let me through.

Then let me go with you.

But you need to give me time to plan safe passage.

It has to be now.

You're sweating.

-I'm fine.

-Are you sick?

No.

I'm...

Go.

Now.

Why didn't you tell me?

You would have never let me go.

My love,

we will tell our child that their grandfather was good,

and strong, and he would've loved them deeply,

but now it's up to us to live.

For his grandchild.

So nothing I offer you will please you.

I had no choice, you know.

The gods gave me no choice.

We should toast.

This was her favourite.

I forbade her to drink more than a goblet, but she always disobeyed.

She knew.

She knew I had to do it.

And she forgave her father for doing what had to be done.

To forgiveness?

You do not deserve forgiveness.

And I thank the gods that you are no father of mine.

SHE SCREAMS

HE GRUNTS

Where are your gods now?

-SHE SCREAMS

-No!

No!

SHE SCREAMS

Please!

SHE SOBS AND SCREAMS

Please! No!

Apollo sees everything.

He will punish you.

HE GASPS

Aphrodite...

..tell me what to do.

Can I ask you something?

Of course.

What would you do

if you were told that someone close to you was dangerous,

the cause of terrible things?

And this person...

..do they seem violent?

Evil?

No.

In fact, you'd only really seen them trying to do right.

I'd say I was being led to distrust someone who didn't deserve it.

This war will test us, Hector.

The years will drag, our rations will shrink, and our men will die.

The city needs us to stand strong.

If we lose faith in each other...

..Troy will fall.

WOMAN SCREAM

Nice to be king, isn't it?

SCREAMING CONTINUES

The Myrmidons fight the fight,

but who gets to fuck the winnings?

Hey.

Men!

What's going on?

HE VOMITS

-It's the only way I can think of.

-We only have warhorses left.

-We can't afford to lose them.

-Then I'll give up my own.

It's a small price for a man's soul.

If it was you, I would do anything I could.

What's going on?

Andromache believes that no-one has performed

her father's funeral rites.

Your brother wants to hold the ceremony here,

to permit Eetion safe passage into Elysium.

-But Eetion's body...

-..is inaccessible.

We'd have to offer a holy vessel in his place.

-A vessel?

-A horse.

HORSE TROTS

Are you sure about this?

You make sacrifices for the people you love.

Even if it makes you hate yourself.

Got here last night.

Don't move. Just stand there.

Watching us.

We should gut them.

It's a good idea.

You might replace Agamemnon as Apollo's favourite.

That's my father.

Here to fight for your return?

He doesn't need to.

This sickness takes hold fast.

This is Apollo's wrath.

Indeed.

Your leader violated his priest's daughter.

A single king has the power to damn a nation.

Patroclus...

..you need to rest.

More came in this morning.

A few more weeks, and the sick'll outnumber the healthy.

We came here to fight Menelaus' cause.

And now we die because his brother won't give up his plaything.

Is this honour? Is this what it means to be a warrior?

We came here because a Trojan disgraced a Greek king.

We're loyal to Agamemnon.

You shouldn't let this sickness make us forget that.

HE COUGHS

You all right?

GATE OPENS

HORSE TROTS

HORSE SHRIEKS

HORSE PANTS

THUD

May you cross over, Father.

Is it enough?

It is.

You did a good thing.

I can't unsee it, Madam.

SHE GASPS

Sorry.

My town was hit with a plague like this.

My mother taught me a remedy to slow the sickness.

He was kind to me.

What happened with the plague?

People died.

My parents included.

It passed in the end, but this is different.

Agamemnon has slighted Apollo. The sickness won't lift

until Chriseis is returned.

HE SPLUTTERS

He's bleeding from the inside.

-What the hell are you...?

-Men are dying out there. My man is dying.

All because you won't give back your new toy.

-Get out...

-Give her back!

Or I will.

I can't be the only one thinking they acted on inside knowledge.

-That's a dangerous accusation.

-Forgive me, Madam,

but it's also a valid theory.

The tunnels were a confidential operation.

Cilicia was our greatest ally.

There are 100 reasons the Greeks would've wanted it gone -

none of which involve treachery.

Can we really just dismiss this as coincidence?

If there's even a chance someone here gave Cilicia up...

We owe it to the dead to find out.

We can work quietly.

Interview everyone who knew about the tunnels.

At least eliminate the possibility of a traitor inside Troy.

But our people are loyal.

Why treat them like suspects when the city is in recovery?

I don't believe that Cilicia was a chance attack.

The Greeks must've known what it meant to us.

Even if they did, it doesn't mean they learned that from a Trojan.

Paris, all of this will only cause Andromache more pain.

And if there is a traitor?

How do you think she'll feel seeing them get what they deserve?

Let the gods bear witness...

we hereby return the daughter of Apollo to her rightful temple...

..and relinquish all hold upon her.

-Chriseis.

-Father!

DISTANT: Men, ready!

Must be agonising,

seeing those from home, and not being able to go back with them.

Only Cilicia was never really your home, was it?

The mark of a Trojan exile.

You're Litos,

Priam's high priest.

Once.

Why would a king banish his gateway to the gods?

You saw something?

Knew something he didn't want getting out?

The gods gave you power to guide the future of men,

yet you huddle in silence.

I serve the gods in my own way.

You do Priam's bidding.

I tried

to prevent this war.

-He wouldn't listen.

-Look around.

The earth is soaked with Greek and Trojan blood.

If the gods granted you knowledge to tip the scales,

they intended you to use it.

What do you know?

I thought we were done with all these questions.

Yes, well...

-I suppose they're on edge after Cilicia.

-Still.

The idea of a spy inside the city, it's unthinkable.

Aren't you one of the royal servants?

I saw you at the funeral.

Excuse me.

Madam, shall I prepare your bath?

I think I'd prefer to be alone tonight.

Actually, there's one more thing you could do for me.

KNOCK AT DOOR

What are you doing?

Just breaking into tomorrow's wine ration.

Haven't seen you do this for a while.

We've questioned everyone involved in the tunnels.

No-one knows anything that might point to treachery.

That's a good thing, isn't it?

I just wanted some kind of justice.

You wanted someone to blame.

Someone else.

Anyone who dies in this war, it's because I started it.

Alexander,

we fight with you,

not because of you.

We're family.

We stand together.

It's how we're going to win.

They've been asking questions.

The soldiers from the palace.

Have you told them anything?

Not yet.

I was Achilles' target.

When he walked out of my chamber,

I never thought there'd be consequences for anyone else.

I know how much I'm asking of you.

We don't have to be on opposing sides.

I hope you'll remain in our employ.

You're a loyal servant.

You're getting stronger.

-And you're holding back.

-HE GRUNTS

You almost died, Patroclus.

I'm hardly going to beat you bloody.

Because you could?

Argh!

I told you.

Argh!

-You seem better.

-I am.

Achilles told me you looked after me when I was sick.

Thank you.

I'm glad you didn't die.

Where've you been?

You've been drinking.

I needed to.

What happened with the interviews?

You were right.

We're not about to unearth a traitor.

I love you.

What are you doing out here?

Are the Greeks going to win?

HE SIGHS

They burned Cilicia.

They could burn us too.

I don't want Troy to lose.

Come with me.

-Close your eyes.

-What?

-Just do it.

I want you to picture the Trojan shore.

The way the sand melts from light to dark.

Now imagine you're flying over it.

Across the great plain of wild flowers

spread out like patchwork under the sun.

You're heading for the walls.

Those great gates stretching towards the sky.

Over the threshold and now you're inside.

Across the streets.

Soaring across the citadel towards the palace.

-Do you see it?

-I see it.

Good.

Open your eyes.

However this war ends, you close your eyes,

and Troy will always be there.

OK.

Achilles!

Achilles!

How's Patroclus?

Doing better.

Good news.

Patroclus recovers.

Achilles gets his best man back.

All is well.

Yet here stands Agamemnon.

Stripped of his prize in front of his men.

Forced to do the bidding of an inferior.

-Brother...

-Silence! I am king here.

You are my warrior.

I never pretended to be anything than what I am.

Good. Then you will understand.

Since I was forced to give up something precious at your demand...

..you will return the favour.

I want her.

The Trojans never wronged me.

I came here for you.

I slay men by the day for you,

and now you intend to take my woman...

..so you can feel like a ruler again.

Take her.

But do that,

and I withdraw from the fighting forever.

Agamemnon...

-..we need him.

-Silence!

This war does not rely on you to win it.

Achilles...

You are nothing without me.

SHE GASPS

Agamemnon!

You fight alone now.

We're fucked.

-Shut your mouth.

-Oh, come on, Ajax, we're all thinking it!

Agamemnon's tumbled off the sanity cliff, and Achilles isn't fighting.

I'd say we're all halfway to Hades.

-Fucking...!

-Hey, hey, hey!

What are you going to do now?

-What?

-The Greeks...

..they're proposing a duel.

Single combat to decide the war.

-Who would you fight?

-Not me. You.

And Menelaus.

It's a trick.

Menelaus would never put himself at risk

unless he was certain he could win.

They've asked us to dictate the terms.

-We can enforce a code of honour.

-Where?

Outside the walls.

We'll assemble archers to protect you. I'd be your second.

You're faster than Menelaus.

You could win the war, Alexander.

You really believe that?

I believe in you.

It's his decision, Hecuba.

He wants to fight.

He believes he can win.

"Have faith," you said.

I'm coming back.

How can you be so sure?

I just am.

Like when I first saw you in Sparta.

I knew I couldn't leave without you.

That wasn't life or death.

Yes.

It was.

I know Menelaus.

He'll have something.

So do I.

Something he'll never have again.

HORN BLARES

THEY GRUNT

MOUTHING: Come on.

THEY GRUNT

SWORDS CLASH

You'd kill me, would you, boy?

Become Troy's hero?

There's someone you need to meet first.

Who are you?

I was Troy's high priest.

Your father banished me.

Why?

Because of what I know about you.

Kill him. Now.

I cut the doves at your birth.

The blood ran black.

The gods have cursed you, Alexander.

They place your life on the scales, and Troy on the other end.

You didn't think you were taken by wolves, did you?

What are you talking about?

The prophecy.

For Troy to live, you have to die.

Your own family tried to kill you.

And now you bring them nothing but death.

Make them stop!

A curse on his family.

A curse on his wife.

A curse on the city he fights for!

THUDDING CONTINUES

THEY CLAP IN TIME

BEAT INCREASES TEMPO

-OTHER WORLDLY VOICE:

-Run!