Exile – As the episode opens, Agrippa (Ben Batt) introduces the election winners, Publius Cornelius Scipio and Lucius Domitus Ahenobarbus (David Avery). Tiberius (Benjamin Isaac) and Drusus (Ewan Horrocks) question if Livia Drusilla (Kasia Smutniak) will ever recover from her exile. Julie (Liah O’Prey) tells Iullus (Joseph Ollman) that Domitius would be “ash” if he would have heeded her advice. She says their last opportunity to get intimate before her birth is tomorrow while Agrippa is away from Rome. He walks away without responding. Marcella (Alais Lawson) asks Domitius if he has considered her proposal. He assures her that avenging Marcellus’s (Finn Bennett) death is her passion, not his. She suggests it is now or never. He questions if she noticed, Livia is already dead.

Iullus approaches Drusus and Tiberius with a “Triumvirate” proposal, with the army, power, and land split three ways. Drusus warns that it would require Domitius to be liquidated. After a mutual agreement, Iullus walks away. Drusus says with luck, they will not need to liquidate Iullus. Vistilius (Ethan Moorhouse) tells Domitius to do away with the statues that “limit the height of the tenement buildings.” Vilbia (Elliot Barnes-Worrell) demands to speak with Livia. Domitius suggests asking Piso (Darrell D’Silva) where she is holed up. Across the room, Gaius Augustus (Matthew McNulty) questions who Domitius is speaking with. Agrippa identifies the brothers as “businessmen” who sold Domitius their votes. He asks if he has had correspondence with Livia. Augustus claims the last letter came from Egypt.

Following Augustus in the toilet, Octavia (Claire Forlani) tells him that she approves of his decision to exile Livia after she murdered Gemina. She demands he file for divorce to free himself from Livia. He responds with a kiss before leaving.

Livia taps her lover on the buttocks to wake him. Piso tries to encourage her to give up on the Republic. She assures him that Augustus or someone else will come. He warns that her lover is starting to get ideas.

Julius and Iullus are intimate when she complains about continuously waiting on something to happen. She says Domitius never waits, he takes what he wants. He assures her that he is going to take it when her labor starts. Later, Agrippa is thrilled to have another son. Augustus watches a wet nurse breastfeed his new grandson. Agrippa calls his son “Lucius Vipsanius Agrippa.”

Holding a white box, Marcella overhears Julia admitting to having sex when her labor started. Antonia asks where Agrippa was at. Julia says he was outside Rome. As Marcella emerges from the apartment, Antonina (Isabelle Connolly) asks if she saw the baby. Not responding, Marcella enters another apartment to speak with Augustus about Julia. Overhearing the conversation, Antonina informs Julia that Marcella told Augustus about her affair but did not mention Iullus. Julia warns that Agrippa will kill her before pleading with her to care for her children. She disappears into the crowd.

Vilbia asks Livia to find him a prominent wife to help him gain political and social standing in Rome. In exchange, he offers to not tell anyone that Tiberius’ murdered a girl in his brother’s brothel and Drusus owes him a massive gambling debt. She promises to find him a wife. Irate, she orders Tiberius and Drusus brought to her.

Octavia attacks Marcella for informing Augustus of Julia and Iullus’ affair. Marcella reminds Scribonia (Christine Bottomley) and Octavia of Julia taking Agrippa away from her. Irate, Octavia says no matter what, you should never turn on your family when Domitius comes for Iullus. Antonia urges them to get Livia involved. Scribonia assures her that Augustus detests Livia. Augustus informs Drusus, Domitius, Tiberius, and Iullus (not realizing he is Julia’s lover) about Julia’s infidelity. He warns that a divorce would publicly shame her as well as him. He orders them to bring her lover’s head. Tiberius and Drusus claim to be stunned by the revelation. Domitius says their wives will know before leaving. Drusus vows to stick by Iullus.

Domitius breaks Antonia’s finger for withholding Julia’s lover from him. Iullus beats him until she convinces him to stop. Agrippa questions Julia’s disappearance. Augustus informs him of Julia’s infidelity before saying he will not divorce or kill her. Agrippa sets a deadline of tomorrow night for him to turn over Julia and her lover to him. When he returns to his flat, he orders everyone to leave. Vipsania (Joelle) refuses to hand over the newborn. Octavia intervenes as Agrippa collapses on the floor.

Livia receives an expected visit from Julia. She refuses to provide her help. Julia pleads with her to help Iullus before reminding her that only the two of them defended her when everyone was accusing her of murdering Marcellus. Porcia informs Livia of her living situation with Janius. Livia offers her to marry a businessman, Vilbia with financial benefits.

Antonina confesses to wanting to murder Domitius. Iullus reminds her that she is there to mediate peace between them. He apologizes to Domitius for interfering in his relationship with Antonia. He assures her that she is not knowledgeable of Julia’s infidelity. Domitius forgives him. Augustus informs Iullus and Domitius of Agrippa’s deadline for bringing him, Julia. He delegates them the tasks of organizing a search party with the help of the Praetorians and Strabo. He demands they not tell anyone what they are searching for. He sends Domitius to Livia’s house.

Drusus and Tiberius meet Livia to discuss Vilbia’s claims. She explains all her faults as a mother when Ursa (Mia Jenkins) alerts her of soldiers conducting a search inside the house. Domitius says Augustus ordered her house searched. Tiberius says when Julia’s slaves tell Augustus who Julia was sleeping with, it will simplify her succession. He tells her that Iullus believes they will share everything with him. He says the power will be turned over to the Senate or Domitius will inherit this mess. Drusus urges her to convince Agrippa to back off. Octavia pleads with her to help her stepson, Iullus, the only son she has left. Conjuring up a strategy, Livia urges Livia to confess or her slaves will give Iullus up. She warns that bloodshed will be a must but it will save her marriage and force Augustus to forgive her.

Livia orders Drusus to arrange Porcia’s marriage to Vilbia. Drusus introduces Porcia to Vilbia as Senator Marcus Porcius Cato’s daughter. She claims to have given birth twice but both sons died young. Drusus informs him that Livia orders the reunion to take place tonight.

Agrippa arrives to beat a confession out of Julia’s slaves as Tiberius arrives with Julia. Tiberius tells Agrippa that Julia claims her infidelity occurred during her last pregnancy. He says she swears he is the father of her children. Agrippa orders her lover’s name. With a dagger in hand, he goes to where Vilbia and Porcia are to marry. He stabs Vilbia in the chest. Drusus has a big smile on his face. Octavia is thrilled to see Iullus still alive.

Tycho (Alex Lanipekun) greets his daughter, Aelina with an embrace. He is thrilled to see she still remembers him. He informs her of Domitius being behind the famine. Augustus and his men arrive. He admits to missing her before thanking her for finding Julia. As they kiss, Piso boasts of their being back in his good grace. After intimacy, she suggests he adopt Agrippa’s sons to bind them together.

Augustus adopts Agrippa’s sons, Gaius and Lucius. Vistilius monitors from the perimeter. Everyone toasts when Livia enters. Domitius tells Marcellus that Julia’s lover was not Vilbia. Tiberius and Vipsania are none too thrilled with Livia’s return. Chief Vestal Turia (Alexandra Moen) arrives with Augustus’ will. Tycho asks Livia if he is changing it. She informs him of Agrippa’s sons being next in line to succeed, a sacrifice she had to make. Agrippa tells her that it took long enough. The episode ends.

 

Domina Review

Julia gives birth to a son. Marcella informs Augustus of Julia’s infidelity. Unaware Iullus is her lover, Augustus orders him, Tiberius, Domitius, and Drusus to bring him her lover. Julia flees Rome. When Agrippa realizes she is gone, he demands to know where she went. Augustus tells him about her affair.

Julia and Octavia plead with Livia to help Iullus. Livia initially refuses to get involved but her other problem, Vilbia needs to be dealt with. Vilbia demands she find him a wife from a prominent family or he will expose Drusus’ massive gambling debt and Tiberius for murdering a girl in Vistilius’ brothel. She summons Senator Cato’s daughter, Porcia to convince her to accept Vilbia’s marriage proposal.

Livia urges Julia to confess everything to Augustus. She assures her that Agrippa will not divorce her because it would sever his connection to Augustus. Tiberius escorts Porcia back to Rome to marry Vilbia. Porcia and Vilbia prepare to wed while Julia tells Agrippa that Vilbia is her lover. Agrippa kills Vilbia before he can marry Porcia. Iullus scathes death and Julia is forced to mend her relationship with Agrippa.

Grateful to Livia for bringing him Julia, Augustus wants to rekindle their relationship. She convinces him to adopt Agrippa’s sons. She knew it would push Tiberius and Drusus further away from the throne but it was a promise to Agrippa. Tycho informs Livia of Domitius being responsible for the famine.

An absolutely stellar performance by Ben Batt. I have been a fan since his role, Willmus Crabtree, in Jamestown. He is a pleasure to watch, regardless of the role. The show continues to impress. The episode deserves a 7. Get more Domina recaps here. Support Reel Mockery by donating to our platform. Our onsite advertising is affordable, learn more by clicking the link.