Contains spoilers for this episode and earlier episodes.
Defeat in Africa leaves Cato and Scipio without a way to recover their campaign against Caesar. They take their own lives, and Rome receives the news as an end to the remaining Pompeian resistance. Caesar returns to celebrations that are painful for Brutus, whose public submission has not settled his private loyalties. Octavian also comes home now that being a member of Caesar's family is safer. Atia celebrates his return, and Caesar listens to the young man's ideas about governing the city. Victory brings the soldiers back too, with Vorenus able to rejoin Niobe while Pullo faces a less welcoming civilian future.
Work in the family's butcher shop draws Vorenus into a confrontation with Erastes's men. His refusal to give way threatens the household with violent retaliation. When Erastes arrives, however, Caesar is already there to invite Vorenus to stand for municipal office, making an attack suddenly far less convenient. Servilia continues trying to damage Caesar through Octavia. She encourages her to obtain a secret from Octavian, leading Octavia into a sexual encounter with her brother and exposing both Caesar's illness and Niobe's hidden affair. The attempt damages Octavia rather than bringing the clean advantage Servilia wants. Atia learns what has happened and arranges an assault on Servilia, leaving her stripped and injured in the street.