Wedding – The episode opens at the estate of Octavia, Sabine Hills in Rome, 18 BC. Antonina (Isabelle Connolly) tells Antonia (Hannah Chinn) that she wants to be knowledgeable before her marriage to Drusus (Ewan Horrocks). As a man exposes himself, Antonina questions if it will fit inside her. Antonia urges her to never have anal or oral sex.

Julia (Liah O’Prey) watches a nude Iullus (Joseph Ollman) emerges from the water. They discuss the risks of their relationship when a slave passes along the river bank.

Drusus contributes gifts to his deceased grandfather in exchange for a wedding blessing. Tiberius (Benjamin Isaac) urges him to say a few words. Drusus provides a brief explanation of Livia (Kasia Smutniak) and Octavia’s (Claire Forlani) strained relationship due to Marcellus’s (Finn Bennett) murder. He expresses his and Tiberius’ plan to restore the Republic when Augustus dies. He says Livia believes his marriage to Augustus and Octavia’s daughter will honor their family. Tiberius says what about freedom, love, and hope. Drusus reminds him that it is Livia’s desire, nothing else matters.

Julia lures the slave over to the river, so Iullus can drown him. She informs him of her “cruel” plan to eradicate the wedding.

Agrippa (Ben Batt) confronts Augustus and Livia about a new legislation that requires aristocrats to marry and have children. He suggests “pushing the vote back” because of its unpopularity. Livia rebuffs the idea. Augustus tells him that he has important matters to take care of, leaving him to collect the votes. Agrippa is left stunned and concerned.

Piso (Darrell D’Silva) invites Livia over to discuss Drusus’ wedding. Upon arrival, she and Drusus are surprised to see each other. He informs them of the stipulation for officiating Drusus and Antonina. They are required to revive their relationship. When she apologizes, he says it isn’t genuine. Piso admits to feeling guilty about not telling him the truth about Gemina (Yuliia Sobol). She assures him that Drusus gave them little choice in the matter. He warns that not showing Drusus respect and love will push him away. She asks him to vote for her new marriage Iegislation tomorrow.

Iullus puts Octavia to bed before joining Julia (Liah O’Prey) outside for a sexual interlude. She warns that Livia will betray him. After a nightmare about Marcellus, a frantic Marcella (Alais Lawson) runs to Octavia for comfort. Antonia barges in while Iullus and Julia are being intimate. She confesses to always knowing about their infidelity. She suggests sneaking in through the kitchen while Iullus goes to Marcella. Julia claims to only have sex with Iullus while pregnant to ensure her husband is the father of her children. Antonia assures her that she will never tell.

Iullus finds Domitius (David Avery) comforting Octavia. Domitius demands to know where he has been. Iullus claims he had trouble sleeping.

Augustus gifts Gemina a necklace before they get intimate while Agrippa speaks on the Senate floor. When he emerges, Livia is waiting for the results of the vote. He tells her that the marriage legislation passed. Piso asks Tiberius why Livia is allowing Augustus to force “morality” on them. Tiberius assures him that it is months of planning. Augustus asks Gemina if Drusus marrying Antonina is troublesome for her. She denies having feelings for Drusus.

Vipsania (Joelle) and Antonina approach when Drusus approaches. Shocked, he comments on her being grown up. Livia calls her away to grill her with questions. She is thrilled with her answers.

Octavia informs Augustus of Marcellus visiting Marcella in her dream. After claiming Marcellus disapproves of Drusus and Antonina’s wedding, she confesses to feeling the same way. He suggests speaking with Livia but she refuses. Tycho (Alex Lanipekun) tells Livia that Augustus postponed Drusus’ wedding indefinitely. He says the marriage laws cannot be stopped.

Vibia (Elliot Barnes-Worrell) orders Gemina to leave before Vistilius (Ethan Moorhouse) and Drusus see her. He confesses to having a plan for Drusus. Seeing him again is too much, she breaks down sobbing. Livia tries to come on to Augustus but he is not interested. Stunned, she asks if he no longer wants her. He offers no response. Irate, Antonina blames Octavia for her wedding postponement. Octavia assures her that she will eventually marry. Antonina tells her that she will marry Drusus before reminding Octavia of her father being a mere “moneylender.” Antonia says Antonina should not be punished for what Livia did. Domitius orders her to be quiet.  She and Antonina make an oath to never eat again until Antonina and Drusus are wed.

Marcella reminds Domitius that she owes him before accusing him of opposing the marriage. She confesses to having made the dream up to get back at Livia. He tells her that he doesn’t believe Livia murdered Marcellus or has a spy network.

Tiberius and Drusus blame Livia for the wedding postponement. Drusus sarcastically suggests poisoning Octvia as well. He promises to take Rome if he is the general of the Rhine army. He pleads with her to send him to war. She says he and Antonina will be married in four days. She orders Tiberius to impregnate Vipsania.

Agrippa tells Octavia that Augustus wants Antonina to join the Temple of Vesta priesthood. Antonina pleads with Octavia to not make her do it. Handing her a note from Augustus, he orders her to immediately present it to the high priestess. He tells a frantic Octavia that Antonina can marry after she leaves the female priesthood in 30 years. She describes Augustus’ order as “vile.” He says marriage is nothing more than a “political alliance.” He reminds her there is no evidence to connect Livia to Marcellus’ murder. She swears Antonina will rot in the Temple of Vesta before marrying Drusus.

Tiberius confesses to never wanting to be Augustus. He expresses his ambition to keep Drusus alive. Tycho informs them of Augustus’ order. She orders him to find a way to keep Antonina from taking her priestess vows. Antonia and Antonina meet High Priestess Turia (Alexandra Moen) who claims Livia betrayed her after they were best friends. Antonina flees at the first opportunity. Tycho pulls her into a concealed area while the guards run past. She pleads with Livia to stop them from forcing her to be a priestess. Irate, Livia says it is impossible because women have no power. Vipsania urges her to forget the marriage and return to the temple because Livia is a controlling “monster.” Antonina approaches Drusus with a proposition of sex. The Temple of Vesta only accepts virgins. They are kissing when Antonia pulls her away.

Livia informs Octavia of Julia and Iullus’ infidelity. She claims Julia betrayed Marcellus and now Agrippa. She threatens to publically expose their infidelity before informing her that the wedding is scheduled four days from now.

Scribonia (Christine Bottomley) tells Gemina that Drusus’ wedding has been canceled. Gemina says there is a chance she may be pregnant. Scribonia reminds her that she asked her for “revenge.” She assures her that it will be all right if she takes her advice.

Octavia confronts Iullus about his and Julia’s affair. He admits to always loving her. Julia accuses Livia of sacrificing them to get what she wants. Drusus and Antonina are married as the episode ends.

 

Domina Review

Octavia backs out of her agreement with Augustus to permit Antonina to marry Drusus. After postponing the wedding, Augustus orders Antonina to join the Temple of Vesta as a Priestess. Octavia stands behind her decision. Antonina flees the temple, allowing Tycho to rescue her. To force Octavia’s hand, Livia threatens to take Iullus and Julia’s affair public.

Livia is behind a new marriage law that would force all noblemen and noblewomen to wed and have children. If Antonina doesn’t marry Drusus, she will be a priestess for over three decades. Four days later, they are wed.

Scribonia previously agreed to help Gemina get “revenge,” possibly on Livia. She announces her pregnancy in the episode.

The episode deserves a 6.2. Get more Domina recaps here. Support Reel Mockery by donating to our platform. Our onsite advertising builds online awareness, click the link to learn more.