Contains spoilers for this episode and earlier episodes.
Years after Antony left Rome, restricted Egyptian grain shipments are making the city's people hungry. Antony and Cleopatra raise their demands when Roman envoys try to negotiate, hoping to provoke a war that Antony thinks he can win. Octavian sends Atia and Octavia to Alexandria, calculating that Antony's rejection of his lover and lawful wife will damage his popularity. The women wait outside the palace only to be ordered away. Posca and Jocasta seize the chance to leave with them, bringing Antony's will back to Rome. Its provisions give Octavian the public weapon he needs to present Antony as an enemy of the city.
Vorenus lets Posca go but stays with Antony despite the chance to return home. He spends time with Caesarion, telling the boy stories that draw on Pullo's character while discussing his father. Back in Rome, Pullo has to calm people struggling with the grain shortage and prepare the Aventine for his absence. Octavian wants him on the Egyptian campaign and makes clear that Caesarion is among those who must die. Pullo agrees to go, carrying a reason to protect the boy that Octavian does not understand. Before departure, Memmio escapes and attacks him. Gaia saves Pullo but is mortally wounded; when she admits poisoning Eirene, Pullo strangles her and disposes of her body.