Kings (TV series)

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Television series
Original title Kings
Country of production United States
original language English
year 2009
length 40 minutes
Episodes 13
genre drama
idea Michael Green
music Trevor Morris
First broadcast March 15, 2009 (USA) on NBC
occupation

Kings is a 2009 produced, American television series , which from mid-March to end of July 2009 on NBC and Citytv aired.

The plot is roughly based on the story of the biblical King David , but takes place in the fictional state of Gilboa, which technologically and culturally largely corresponds to the United States of today.

action

Kings takes place in the fictional state of Gilboa led by King Silas Benjamin (based on the biblical Saul ), a totalitarian monarchy that is in a long and bloody conflict with its northern neighbor, the Republic of Gath. In a fight against enemy troops, the young soldier David Shepherd destroys a "Goliath" tank and saves the life of Crown Prince Jack Benjamin. In gratitude, the king welcomed him to court and made him liaison officer for the media.

In the weeks that followed, David familiarized himself with the peculiarities of life in the capital and soon discovered that it was filled with intrigue and crises. Both Silas and Jack see a growing danger in the young war hero, who himself has no ambitions for higher office.

Meanwhile, David and the king's daughter Michelle fall in love, but are forced to keep this a secret due to various circumstances. David also learns that King Silas leads a secret double life with a second, his "real" family, and gradually has to realize that his deeply revered king is full of faults and weaknesses. Eventually, he is even arrested as a traitor and almost executed, but before that happens, Sila's brother-in-law William Cross and Prince Jack attempt a coup attempt, which the king barely survives.

With David's help, Silas can recapture the capital and his throne a little later, but in a conversation with God it becomes clear to him that his favor now belongs entirely to David, which is why he tries to kill him again. David flees to Gath and has to leave pregnant Michelle in the care of Queen Rose.

characters

David Shepherd
A young soldier from Gilboa, whose father and brothers fought for King Silas. Destroying an enemy tank makes him a hero and rises to the ranks of power as a military liaison officer.
Silas Benjamin
King of Gilboa and Patriarch of the Benjamin family. Once, a military officer of simple birth, with God's help, he rose to fame and power. In the meantime he has lost the favor of the Lord and his earthly representative, Reverend Samuels, and has to fight for his crown on all fronts.
Rose Benjamin
Wife of Silas and Queen of Gilboa and mother of Jack and Michelle Benjamin. In public, she limits herself to representative tasks, while in the background she has at least as much a role in the government's power games as her husband.
Michelle Benjamin
Daughter of King Silas and Queen Rose. As a child, she became seriously ill and miraculously healed after both she and her father offered God a deal to save her life. She falls in love with David Shepherd and thus comes into conflict with her family.
Jonathan "Jack" Benjamin
Son of King Silas and Queen Rose, younger brother of Michelle and Crown Prince of Gilboa. He hides his homosexuality and usually tries in vain to prove himself to his father. In public he pretends to be the womanizer.
Reverend Ephram Samuels
Head of Gilboa's Church and once King Sila's closest ally in the establishment of the monarchy. Convinced that Silas had turned away from God, he recognized David as the new, divinely willed king.
William Cross
The older brother of Queen Rose and financier of King Silas' political campaigns. Since Silas does not want to continue the war against Gath, which is very profitable for Cross, Cross plans his overthrow secretly.

production

NBC has ordered the pilot for Kings in November 2007, immediately prior to the ongoing strike of writers in the same year. In May 2008, the station then ordered eleven more episodes for a first season.

The role of King Silas was written for Ian McShane from the start, although at times the makers thought it unlikely that he would take on the role. A number of guest stars will also appear over the course of the first season, including Brian Cox , Macaulay Culkin and Saffron Burrows .

Most of Kings was filmed in New York City , including the New York Public Library and Time Warner Center .

Episode list

episode Original title First broadcast on
NBC
1 + 2 Goliath March 15, 2009
3 Prosperity March 22, 2009
4th First night March 29, 2009
5 Insurrection April 5, 2009
6th Judgment Day April 18, 2009
7th Brotherhood June 13, 2009
8th The Sabbath Queen June 20, 2009
9 Pilgrimage June 27, 2009
10 Chapter One 4th July 2009
11 Javelin July 11, 2009
12 The New King (Part One) July 18, 2009
13 The New King (Part Two) July 25, 2009

Web links