Curse – The episode opens in the forests of Western Germany in 11 BC. Germanicus gives Drusus (Ewan Horrocks) a skull before taking a seat on the ground beside him. When Ballomar approaches, an elated Germanicus rushes to greet him. Antonina (Isabelle Connolly) scolds him for leaving without telling her. He says they went hunting. She reminds him of Tiberius (Benjamin Isaac) and Julia’s (Liah O’Prey) wedding. Excited, he scoops up Germanicus before saying they are returning to Rome.

Julia scolds Tiberius for forcing her to wait. Antonia (Hannah Chinn) reads their final wedding draft. Scribonia (Christine Bottomley) accepts the terms for Julia. Tiberius and Julia go their separate ways.

Livia Drusilla (Kasia Smutniak) tells Piso (Darrell D’Silva) that Julia and Tiberius despise each other. He suggests they live separate lives. She describes the couple as “unstable.” Piso asks if she is glad Drusus is returning to Rome. She says he is even more unstable. He compliments Drusus’s effort in Germany. When she blasts the war, he suggests asking Gaius Augustus (Matthew McNulty) to recall Drusus. Livia assures him that it is best to keep them apart with Octavia (Claire Forlani) dying. Piso reminds her of Octavia not liking her. She voices concern about how her death will impact Augustus.

Domitius (David Avery) tells Musca (Nathan Welsh) that Livia will depart Piso’s at dawn tomorrow to attend Tiberius and Julia’s wedding. Musca says his men are camped out there. Domitius claims she will have four guards and Tycho (Alex Lanipekun) to protect her. Doubting it will be an issue, Musca warns that the woods are packed with “ruthless outlaws.” Domitius says he can laugh after he kills Augustus’ wife.

Ursa (Mia Jenkins) is making out with a boy when Tycho orders her to come on. A man observes from behind a tree before rushing back to camp to alert the others. The men gather their belongings.

Octavia tells Augustus that she will not be attending the wedding. She invites him back after the wedding to discuss something important. Scribonia forces Julia out of bed to prepare for the wedding.  Antonia says her affair with Gracchus (Jack Brett Anderson) is a public scandal. Scribonia questions how the affair has not reached Augustus. Antonina tells her that she and Drusus became aware of it while they were in Germany. Antonia suggests looking at her and Tiberius’ marriage as a “fresh start.” Antonina warns Julia of Tiberius’ dangerous side.

Tiberius complains about his “beautiful, fragile” wife, Vipsania’s (Joelle) marriage to “venal twat,” Gallus. He says while Vipsania is being abused, he is marrying a “spiteful drunk,” Julia whom he is prohibited from abusing because of Augustus. Iullus (Joseph Ollman) claims him and Julia are a thing of the past. Drusus suggests keeping Tiberius away from Vipsania and Gallus during the wedding. Tiberius asks Antonina what Drusus says in his sleep. When she refuses to answer, he calls her Livia’s “little disciple.” They agree it is vital to keep Drusus away from Augustus. She believes Drusus should be recalled from Germany.

Augustus orders Vistillius (Ethan Moorhouse) to bring him the key to decode Drusus’ letters. He assures him that he never “forgets his friends.” Vistillius suggests searching for it while Drusus is playing dice.

Livia, Piso, and their guards come under attack. She and Ursa plow through Musca’s men while Piso and Tycho remain behind. Piso is stabbed in the chest with a sword. Tycho offers to remove but Piso urges him to find Livia. After finding Livia and Ursa’s horses, Musca orders his men to deliver her alive. Livia rips off the bottom of Ursa’s dress, so she can run more freely. Ursa suggests following the stream to the river. Tycho finds Musca’s man blowing a horn.

Tiberius sees Gallus with Vipsania. Gallus tells Drusus that he considered running for Consul next year but heard he was already running. Drusus confirms his future Consul run. Gallus walks away while Vipsania stares at Tiberius who is hitting the wall with his fists. Drusus assures him that it will be okay but he does not buy it. Augustus sends his men to search for Livia. He walks Julia to the pulpit where Tiberius is waiting. After they agree to marry, Iullus confirms their marriage. Scribonia informs Octavia of Livia’s absence at the wedding. Octavia pleads with her to stay. Julia, Tiberius, and Gracchus have disappeared. Antonina tries to convince Drusus to not play dice to no avail. She asks Vistillius to help Iullus to keep a lid on Drusus. She and Antonia find Julia and Gracchus having sex. Iullus attacks Gracchus. While trying to pull Iullus away, Julia is injured.

Livia and Ursa are chased through the woods by masked men. When they are captured, Tycho approaches and kills both men. They flee only to reach a dead end.

Antonina returns to the dice competition to find Vistillius gone. After claiming he left with Polilla, Marcella (Alais Lawson) says Drusus has lost a fortune. Augustus raises the stake which Drusus readily accepts. She reminds him of his being the General of the Rhine Army. Augustus reprimands her. Drusus asks if he is afraid of losing. Antonia informs Antonina of Tiberius and Vipsania missing.

Livia, Ursa, and Tycho make it to an old silver mine. He tells her that Piso was alive when they separated. She thanks him.

Vistilius is searching Drusus’ bedroom when Antonina bursts through the door. Polilla is on the bed nude. He claims Drusus gave him authorization to utilize their room. She reminds him of leaving him with Drusus. She and Antonia later find Vipsania and Tiberius with their son. Antonia says Gallus keeps Vipsania away from her son. Augustus aborts the game but Drusus demands one more throw. Drusus agrees to pay him six times what he owes if he does not row a double. Augustus warns him that he will claim all of his assets if he fails to row a double. Drusus throws two fours. Outside, Vistillius hands Augustus Drusus’ private key code. Domitius asks if he has heard anything from Livia. Augustus assures him that Strabo (Fabrizio Romagnoli) will find her.

Tycho believes they were attacked because they killed Turia (Alexandra Moen). Livia denies they killed her. He blames her for his leaving Turia in the tunnel to die. She assures him that the Gods do not care about him. He claims Antigone (Colette Dalal Tchantcho) said she convinced Tiberius and Drusus to restore the Republic. He says she never trusted him with her secret. She warns that the secret could get him killed before releasing him from his duty. He says her nightmare was Tiberius strangling her while Vipsania watched. He admits to not supporting her plan to restore the Republic because Augustus is better for Rome. He kills one of Musca’s men when he enters the mine before ordering the women to run. A short distance away, he realizes Livia is not with them. She finds herself trapped between Musca’s men and a waterfall. Removing his mask, Musca says rumor has it that she killed Vilbia. He warns that they will take her before removing her guts while she watches. She leaps over the cliff into the water below.

Julia questions why it is taking so long to kill herself.

Livia reaches the shore as Tycho and Ursa approach. A short time later, Strabo rescues them. Musca tells Domitius that Livia is dead before being killed. Augustus decodes Drusus’ letters to discover his plan to force him to cede control of Rome and restore the Republic. Drusus approaches to inform him of their guests leaving. Antonina asks Drusus if he approved of Vistilius utilizing their bedroom to fornicate. He admits to having no idea. Domitius watches Livia kiss Augustus. Tycho tells Piso and Livia that the attack was carried out by Musca. Julia orders Tiberius out of her room. Removing his toga, he climbs on top of her. She demands to know what he is doing. He says Tiberius is not here. Octavia asks Augustus to kill Tiberius or Drusus to avenge Marcellus (Finn Bennett) as the episode ends.

 

Domina Review

Livia, Piso, and Tycho are attacked on their return to Rome. After suffering an injury, Piso urges them to flee. Livia and Ursa flee into the woods. Tycho reluctantly leaves Piso to find them. Once reunited, he tells Livia that Antigone told him about her plan to restore the Republic which he believes is a bad idea. He supports Augustus’ rule. She sets out on her own to lure Musca and his men in a different direction. Her plan fails when Musca traps her on a cliff. She jumps into the river to save herself. Strabo rescues them and Piso a short time later.

Tiberius and Julia are married. While she goes off with Gracchus, he and Vipsania spend time with their son. Vipsania’s new husband, Gallus forbids her to see her son.

Augustus convinces Vistillius to bring him Drusus’ key code. Vistillius stages a sexual interlude with Polilla to conceal his real intention. Antonina and Antonia find him there with Polilla. Antonina asks Drusus if he approved them to utilize the room but he doesn’t remember. Augustus decodes Drusus’ letter to discover his plan to overthrow him as the leader of Rome.

On her deathbed, Octavia asks Augustus to kill Tiberius or Drusus to avenge Marcellus’ murder.

The episode deserves a 6.8. Get more Domina recaps here. Support Reel Mockery by donating to our site. Our onsite advertising builds brand awareness, learn more by clicking the link.