As Titus clears up all evidence of Gaia's murder, he presses his son with an ultimatum. Lucretia considers taking matters into her own hands, including choosing to sleep with Crixus in the hopes of getting pregnant and supplying her husband with an heir. Meanwhile Gannicus decides to allow himself to be sold to Tullius, to ensure he will be away from Melitta.
Tropes:
- Accidental Murder: Lucretia poisons Titus's wine but Melitta drinks it by mistake.
- Blood from the Mouth: Both Titus and Melitta when they are poisoned.
- Cerebus Retcon: Lucretia's giving Titus honeyed wine was the source of many Pet the Dog moments between the two. It's now revealed that she has been poisoning it to make him ill.
- Chekhov's Gun:
- Inverted. Tullius's wine is simply a gift, but Lucretia poisons it and is able to pass it off as an attempt on Titus's life.
- The slave girls disposing of Gaia's belongings. Naevia is able to keep some of her money and give it to Diona to flee Capua.
- Died in Your Arms Tonight: Melitta in Gannicus's.
- Expository Hairstyle Change: Lucretia begins wearing her familiar red wig - now known to be Gaia's - as she completes her Face–Heel Turn.
- Heel–Face Door-Slam: Quintus ultimately chooses to leave the ludus if it means staying married to Lucretia. They are prepared to leave when Titus falls ill. It turns out Lucretia has been poisoning him, and he dies - ensuring Quintus becomes the Big Bad of the first season.
- My God, What Have I Done?: Lucretia is horrified when she discovers Melitta has died from the same poison she gave Titus.
- Out with a Bang: Melitta dies from the poison just as she and Gannicus were presumably about to do it.
- Pet the Dog: Titus tells his son that he does love him and all he wanted was to be proud of him.
- Screw This, I'm Outta Here: Gannicus throws the game so he'll be sold to Tullius. Naevia likewise convinces Diona to flee.
- Self-Made Orphan: Subverted. Quintus is prepared to do this and even raises a plank to kill his father with...but ultimately can't go through with it.
- Wham Line: "I'm much worse."
