Kings

[Ptrope]

Why are fans so concerned about backstory and wondering if the world in Kings is a divergence from ours. I seem to remember a little movie called Star Wars which began its story in the middle!

Because Star Wars wasn't an alternate history. That's the point of alternate histories: to explore the consequences of a divergence in the established history.

OTOH, Kings probably shouldn't be considered an alternate history, since it's really just a retelling of a biblical tale, but in the same light, it's paradoxical that the story of David and Goliath could still be a part of their bible and yet be played out in exact details thousands of years later, with no one the wiser, especially since they've made it clear that religion is an integral part of the society; it's a chicken-and-egg tale.

 

[Nerys Myk]

How much do we know about their religion other than its monotheisitic?

 

[Anwar]

How do you know it's just an entirely alternate world that just has similar trappings to ours in some ways, but not in others (they may not have a Bible)? This sort of silly nitpicking just ruins enjoyment, just accept it's a Bible story in the modern day and let it play itself out. Since it's supposed to be a Bible story in the modern day we can accept that they don't have the same Bible we do now because theirs hasn't been written yet.

 

[Professor Zoom]

How much do we know about their religion other than its monotheisitic?

I was thinking the same thing while watching the last episode. When Rev. Samuels was in the Church, I kept looking for a cross. Didn't really see one, certainly no crucifix.

Maybe they don't have a Bible, maybe they have a Book of Good Things To Do To People.

 

[species5618]

How do you know it's just an entirely alternate world that just has similar trappings to ours in some ways, but not in others (they may not have a Bible)? This sort of silly nitpicking just ruins enjoyment, just accept it's a Bible story in the modern day and let it play itself out. Since it's supposed to be a Bible story in the modern day we can accept that they don't have the same Bible we do now because theirs hasn't been written yet.

I'm not sure Kings is set in a completely alternate world--I recall in one of the first one or two episodes, David is given the gift of a piano supposedly played and/or owned by Franz Liszt. Well Liszt was a real composer in 'our' world who lived during the 19th Century, so I'm thinking the world of Kings may have been identical to ours until a point of divergence, perhaps somewhere around the period Liszt lived in, perhaps earlier.

Something else to remember is that Silas is the first king--he instituted the monarchy after uniting Gilboa from 3 smaller nations. What form of government those nations had hasn't been discussed yet as far as I know.

 

[MeanJoePhaser]

Maybe they don't have a Bible, maybe they have a Book of Good Things To Do To People.

You mean the "Kama Sutra"?

 

[Mysterion]

Maybe they don't have a Bible, maybe they have a Book of Good Things To Do To People.

It's a......COOKBOOK!!!!

Sorry. Had to.

 

[Anwar]

How do you know it's just an entirely alternate world that just has similar trappings to ours in some ways, but not in others (they may not have a Bible)? This sort of silly nitpicking just ruins enjoyment, just accept it's a Bible story in the modern day and let it play itself out. Since it's supposed to be a Bible story in the modern day we can accept that they don't have the same Bible we do now because theirs hasn't been written yet.

I'm not sure Kings is set in a completely alternate world--I recall in one of the first one or two episodes, David is given the gift of a piano supposedly played and/or owned by Franz Liszt. Well Liszt was a real composer in 'our' world who lived during the 19th Century, so I'm thinking the world of Kings may have been identical to ours until a point of divergence, perhaps somewhere around the period Liszt lived in, perhaps earlier.

Something else to remember is that Silas is the first king--he instituted the monarchy after uniting Gilboa from 3 smaller nations. What form of government those nations had hasn't been discussed yet as far as I know.

We know that one of the countries Silas conquered in the Unification War was ruled by King Vesper, in fact Vesper may have been the King of the original country Silas came from that he overthrew to become the new King.

Gath is a Military Dictatorship from what we've seen, their ruler being called the Premier.

 

[species5618]

^^^thanks for the clarification--was King Vesper the character (played by Brian Cox) who Silas had secretly locked up?

 

[Checkmate]

I thought Vesper said mentioned that they were both supposed to be ruling as king. I don't know how that would work, but I'm pretty sure he said something to that effect.

 

[species5618]

I thought Vesper said mentioned that they were both supposed to be ruling as king. I don't know how that would work, but I'm pretty sure he said something to that effect.

A duoarchy, I guess? Is that even a word?

 

[Anwar]

No, but I do know at least one example of that idea: The Two Emperor Brothers from the Nausicaa manga. They both ruled as equals (until one of them died...) due to being twins born exactly the same time or something.

Vesper seemed kind of nutty, so maybe he just meant that Silas would let him stay on as some adviser or Chancellor or something.

And yes, Vesper was the Brian Cox character. We still don't know who the daughter in the picture Silas gave him is supposed to be: It could be Silas' mistress, it might be Thomasina, it might even be Queen Rose (meaning William Cross is Vesper's son).

 

[Mr Light]

Ancient Sparta had two kings who ruled (this fact was omited from the 300 film). I forget how it worked exactly, I think it was one king ruled in military matters and one in domestic matters maybe?

 

[hyzmarca]

Vesper is kept in a secret dungeon and is know chiefly for the huge bodycount he piled up during his reign. Most likely, the official story is that he was executed, and Silas kept him around chiefly to one day find the location of the gold, and perhaps get some advice.

 

[Anwar]

So the country Vesper was King of was the original country Silas came from before he created Gilboa? Or was Silas' home country always called Gilboa and he just expanded its' territory in the war?

And despite Cox and McShane being close in age, I get the feeling that Vesper is supposed to be quite older than Silas (who is probably supposed to be around 50, I think). If Rose is his daughter that would make Vesper in his 70s at least, and if it's Silas' mistress then he'd still be older than Silas since she looked like she was in her late 30s or so.

Either Rose or the Mistress being Vesper's child (meaning William may be as well) would explain why he also gave up on the gold's location: He'd be more willing to help out the guy who is also the father of his grandchild/grandchildren since they'd go down with him if Silas fell.

 

[Star Wolf]

How do you know it's just an entirely alternate world that just has similar trappings to ours in some ways, but not in others (they may not have a Bible)? This sort of silly nitpicking just ruins enjoyment, just accept it's a Bible story in the modern day and let it play itself out. Since it's supposed to be a Bible story in the modern day we can accept that they don't have the same Bible we do now because theirs hasn't been written yet.

I'm not sure Kings is set in a completely alternate world--I recall in one of the first one or two episodes, David is given the gift of a piano supposedly played and/or owned by Franz Liszt. Well Liszt was a real composer in 'our' world who lived during the 19th Century, so I'm thinking the world of Kings may have been identical to ours until a point of divergence, perhaps somewhere around the period Liszt lived in, perhaps earlier.

Something else to remember is that Silas is the first king--he instituted the monarchy after uniting Gilboa from 3 smaller nations. What form of government those nations had hasn't been discussed yet as far as I know.

It would have been much earlier for monarcies to still exist and unknown nations to be in place. I mean Gathians are not Palistianians, Kurds or Basque. The divergence would be before King David arose and were written in the scrolls that the followers of God cared for. Somewhere in the wilderness during the exodus would be my vote

 

[blockaderunner]

I don't think it's going to matter anymore because when I went to DVR it this morning, it wasn't listed. Just a two hour Dateline followed by two hour Has-been Apprentice. Sad really. Thanks NBC!

 

[Ruaidhri]

I don't think it's going to matter anymore because when I went to DVR it this morning, it wasn't listed. Just a two hour Dateline followed by two hour Has-been Apprentice. Sad really. Thanks NBC!

It's been moved to Saturdays. The next episode is on April 18.

But for those who would like to know more about the world of Kings, check this out:

http://unnreports.com/travel/index.shtml

Pretty neat mock news website. The Travel section is the best, though I think some of the population math is a little wonky.

It includes such interesting facts as this:

The Shiloh Subway closes between the hours of 1:00 a.m. and 5:00 a.m.

Glad I know that! Save some cab money if you're partying late!

 

[hyzmarca]

It isn't althistory. It's dramatic anachronism. It isn't supposed to make sense, any more than Romeo + Juliet starring DiCaprio was. You're just supposed to accept it.

 

[What's his face]

Why is this thread in the Sci-Fi forum? It isn't sci-fi by any stretch of the imagination. It's completely a contemporary drama with the sole exception of the fact that it takes place in an imaginary country.

The West Wing featured fictional countries (Equatorial Kundu, etc). Does that mean the West Wing is also sci-fi?

That being said, it's a great show, and it's a crime that NBC did not promote the damn show more. This wonderful show is going to be cancelled because no one has heard of it and so no one knows what they are missing.