Sacrilege – The episode opens in the forests of Western Germany in 16 BC. Drusus (Ewan Horrocks) and Vistilius (Ethan Moorhouse) encounter Roman traders hanging on crosses. Gaius Augustus (Matthew McNulty) orders the men’s bodies to be cremated and avenged. Upon returning to the camp, Drusus is surprised to see Tiberius (Benjamin Isaac) who he thought was in the Balkans. Tiberius claims Augustus is supposed to be in Gaul. Drusus asks if he came there to worry before walking away. Tiberius tells Antonina (Isabelle Connolly), and Vipsania (Joelle) that Drusus does not sense danger.

Tycho (Alex Lanipekun) gives Livia Drusilla (Kasia Smutniak) a replica of the “Ring of Augustus.” Assessing it, she orders him to make the arrangements for tomorrow. He warns of the possibility of permanent exile for her and much worse for him. She stresses the importance of knowing what is in Augustus’ will. He reminds her that the will is stored in a vault in the Temple of Vesta. She refuses to turn back now after months of planning. He voices concern about offending the Gods. She curses the Gods for taking everything from her.

Agrippa (Ben Batt) watches as the slaves put out a kitchen fire. He asks Livia if he can stay at her place for a few days. She sarcastically asks if she runs a boarding house. He invites himself to dinner. Tycho says it is set for tomorrow morning. He warns of the fire being a “bad omen.” She brushes off his concern. He secretly trails Priestess Aurelia (Lilit Lesser) to an apartment where she meets Porcia (Alana Boden).

Julia (Liah O’Prey) continues to urge Iullus (Joseph Ollman) to avenge Antonia (Hannah Chinn) by poisoning Domitius (David Avery). He reminds her that he invited Domitius there to discuss Rome’s future. She assures him that it is the perfect opportunity to kill him. He warns that Livia will be blamed if Domitius is poisoned. He asks if she is not grateful for what Livia did for them. She suggests Livia used them to make it back to Rome. He tosses the vial of poison into the sea. Unable to swim, she wades out into the water to retrieve it. Holding up the vial, she calls him foul names when Domitius approaches. Iullus greets him with a handshake while she empties the poison into the ocean. Domitius questions what Julia is waving around. Ignoring the question, he tries to introduce him to Julia but she curses him while walking away.

Aurelia and Porcia are having sex when she looks up to see Tycho. He says husbands have little tolerance for their wives’ infidelity before ordering the woman to leave. After warns Aurelia that if she is caught dishonoring her “vow of chastity,” she will be buried alive. He promises to keep her secret if she borrows Augustus’ will from the temple vault. He orders the will to be delivered to the Senate House and returned to the vault several days later. When she refuses, he threatens to denounce her to the Chief Vestal, Turia (Alexandra Moen).

Antonia announces her pregnancy. Marcella (Alais Lawson) sarcastically says it only took five years before congratulating her. Ordering her to stand up, Domitius gives her an awkward embrace. Iullus tells Marcella to not get pregnant while she is having an affair with Gallus because he will not be there for her. She asks what is his point. Antonia asks Julia if she is happy for her. Julia says, “Sure” before walking past her children without acknowledging them.

Agrippa confesses killing Julia’s lover did not make him feel better. He asks if she is bothered by Augustus adopting his sons and not hers. She assures him that Drusus lacks the brains and ambition to be the next First Citizen. He says she has plenty to go around. He suggests they care for each other’s children if one of them dies.

Aurelia tells Turia about Tycho’s demand. She confesses to getting intimate with a woman. Turia asks the man’s name. Aurelia describes Tycho. Turia says she is to comply with the man’s demand. At the Senate House, Aurelia hands the will to a man. Watching the transaction, Tycho follows the man delivers the will to an apartment. A young girl also watches the transaction.

Domitius tells Iullus that Augustus wants Agrippa’s sons to continue his work when he dies. Iullus assures him that Drusus and Tiberius are not interested in politics. Julia claims to be happy about Antonia’s pregnancy. She announces her affair with Iullus is done because she no longer loves him. Antonia teases her while running away.

Upset over Augustus’ will, Livia leaves on her horse. Turia asks the young girl if she saw the man deliver the will there when Tycho approaches. She summons Livia to Temple when she returns. Frantic, Livia tells Piso (Darrell D’Silva) that she saw Augustus’ will. He asks what she expected from the adoption of Agrippa’s sons. She says Domitius is assigned as the executor of the will. He assures her that things can change before Augustus dies. Ursa (Mia Jenkins) asks if she plans to stay for dinner.

Augustus informs Drusus of his plan to take Germany for Rome. He says the region from the Rhine to the Elbe would be the first since his father, Julius Caesar conquered Gaul. Vipsania says why when the region is nothing but swamp and forest. Tiberius warns that Domitius may be offended by his decision to choose Drusus instead of him. Augustus assures him that Drusus earned it. In private, Tiberius warns Drusus that Augustus’ mission is suicidal. Drusus accuses him of being jealous that Augustus chose him. Relenting, Tiberius suggests Augustus would receive the glory if he wins but if it dies in the swamp, it will be on him. Vipsania and Antonina know they are setting a trap.

Turia admits to being in love with her so many years ago but never imagined her love was not reciprocated. She accuses her of not returning Marcus Antonius’ will after borrowing it for her husband. She claims the lashing in front of the Order was nothing compared to the hurt she felt from her betrayal. She says her 30-year service is coming to an end soon. She agrees to loan her Augustus’ will in exchange for her estates in Egypt, Greece, and Italy. Later, Livia reminds Agrippa of how they took Marcus Antonius’ will from the Temple vault. After it was displayed in the Forum, it ended Marcus’s political career and life. She confesses to messing up but refuses to clarify.

Julia believes Livia sends Iullus there to get information from Domitius. He says Tycho acquires information from the lady who gave her the poison. He claims the vial contains a laxative, not poison.

Handing Livia Augustus’ will, Tycho says the seal was redone. Giving the will to Turia, Livia says the clerk will complete the paperwork for the estates. Turia tells her to have it delivered to her lake home. Livia apologizes with an embrace. Turia demands Livia’s mother’s bracelets to be included in the deal. Livia claims they were lost years ago. Tycho delivers a replica of Augustus’ will with Drusus as successor.  She warns that Turia will continue to take from her until there is nothing left to give her. He refuses to take part in anything that harms or kills her because she is protected by the Gods. Later, he watches Turia board a litter. He orders a man to prepare everyone. Livia asks the Gods to forgive her for defending herself against Turia’s unjust vengeance. She promises to build a grant temple. Turia’s litter is overtaken by Tycho. He orders the men to never let her out. The litter is sealed inside a tunnel that she and Livia played in as children.

Livia tells Tycho that she wants a copy of Agrippa’s will as well. She joins Agrippa in his bed as the episode ends.

 

Domina Review

Tiberius becomes suspicious of Augustus when he delegates Drusus to take German territory from the Rhone to the Elbe. He warns Drusus that it is a suicide mission. Drusus, on the other hand, feels it is an honor. Antonina refuses to believe Augustus would put him in danger.

Livia pays Porcia to get intimate with Priestess Aurelia. Tycho threatens to expose her if she doesn’t deliver Augustus’ will to the Senate House. Aurelia confesses to Turia who instantly believes Livia is involved. Turia sets a trap by sending a girl to follow the man who retrieves the will. Unaware of the trap, Livia discovers Augustus’ signed Domitius the executor of his will. As expected, Agrippa’s sons will be the next in line to be the ruler of Rome.

Believing the Gods are Turia’s protector, Tycho refuses to harm her. Turia’s 30-year reign as the High Priestess comes to an end. She threatens to tell Augustus if Livia doesn’t give her all her estates in Egypt, Italy, and Greece. Pretending to accept the deal, Livia orders Turia, inside her litter, to be sealed inside a tunnel that they played in as children.

Tycho and Livia hire someone to replicate Augustus’ will, making Drusus the executor. She now turns her attention to Agrippa’s will.

Julia severs her affair with Iullus after he refuses to poison Domitius. She acquires poison from a woman who sells information to Tycho. He tells her that the vial contains a laxative, not poison.

Another fantastic episode. The show doesn’t fail to impress. Unlike most series, Domina gets better with each episode. I rate it a 7.2. Get more Domina recaps here. Support Reel Mockery by donating to our site. Our onsite advertising is affordably effective, click the link to learn more.