As the daughter of King Silas, Princess Michelle Benjamin acts as the conscience of the royal family, passionately advocating for anyone in need. Michelle considers her title of princess a stamp of moral responsibility and is always on the lookout for ways she can use her position to improve the lives of the less fortunate. Of her many petitions that she diligently brings before Silas and his Ministers, most are exclusively connected to issues of health care reform and the well-being of the country’s children.

Go on youtube and you can see her sing on a Cold Case episode. She's good.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LrskcRzf71c

Wow, I would have never known that was her singing......thanks for the link!

Why does her so-called "vow" not bring Queen Rose far from finding her a husband? And why not David? Maybe she doesn't know anything about it...

It does seem as if Michelle is completely aligned with her father, King Silas. While Queen Rose is working on Jack's behalf, she certainly has demonstrated she's working against Michelle. She interrupted Michelle's latest health care speech and sabotaged her relationship with David. Michelle's faith in her mother appeared to be shaken considerably when Queen Rose admitted the ballet was merely a means to get people to see the royal family -- not her true passion. I'd be very surprised if the Queen knows about the vow, whatever it might be.

I must have missed something....what vow?

I don't remember if it was the second or third episode, but there was a scene between Michelle and King Silas where he reminded her of a vow she took. The nature of the vow was not revealed. Shortly afterwards, she gave David a discouraging look which he interpreted as her no longer being interested in him.

I wonder, could not Michelle grow to be more like her mother?

I wonder this too: We know that eventually biblically, "Silas/Saul" will be defeated by his children protecting David.... and that Jack dies in a battle. I wonder if one way Queen Rose continues the monarchy will be for Michelle to become Queen with David as King?

Such a thing has dynastic precedent after all.

I don't think that David will become king for having married Michelle. Because in that way, Michelle would be the "king in charge", not him...

Not necessarily, there are plently of examples where a non-royal assumed the crown matromonial and ruled as King. I could cite the list but it would be long. Suffice to say, I think it would be a constitutional way for David to become king. Unless Michelle gave up her right to the throne (after her brother Jack) and David was then elected. I suspect it would be a combination of them.

In any case I think it's kinda early to say...

I believe she does know about the vow in some ways. I just believe Queen Rose doesn't want anyone else to be in the limelight except the King, Jack and her. She wants her daughter to marry, but she wants it to be someone who can help the King, but stay in the background. David just doesn't do that. I thought she was very presumptuous. She didn't like it when someone wanted to pay $100,000 to sit next to David because it put all the limelight on him and she wants it to be only about them. She wants the country to only look to them for their happiness, not a lowly soldier. From what I can see, Queen Rose and her daughter do not get a long very well. I thought it was horrible for the queen to stop the meeting right in the middle of her daughter's talk about healthcare. She could have waiting, but didn't.

He could take over like Silas, by takeover. I think the election would be the way. The people could pull a coup.

Michelle's interests don't have to include politic in Rose's mind. Just an annoying hobby... Rose has specific plans for her daughter, just like she has for her son and her husband. Remember: in Shiloh anyone has an agenda.

I wanna know what the vow is!!!! I figured it was celibacy until her Mom tried to hook her up. Trust me, that woman knows EVERYTHING that is going on in that Kingdom, and I cannot believe she wouldn't know about a vow her daughter took.

I really do feel for Princess Michelle though, as it seems her Mother would like her to be nothing more then a prop for the royal family. I think she interupted Michelle's presentation just because she doesn't want the public to see Michelle as a viable part of the royal family, just the sweet little Princess that sits in the background.

This show is my new addiction!

Welcome!

I see that we all agree about the ambiguity of Queen Rose's figure and the fact that she could be very scary...

Didn't know you were watching Kj

what intrigues me is the two sides of michelle's character (or what's been alluded to briefly). on the one hand, she's passionate, sweet, grounded, ect. however, on the other hand, she's crafty, and at times, masked and a tad icy

I think that is her way of fitting in with the "boys", being 'masked and icy' . But I do like that she is outspoken and stand up for what she believes in.

okay, so this 'vow' thing has really been bothering me. i have one theory which may be really stupid, but it is looming in the back of m head everytime i hear about this 'vow.' is it possible that she is not actually is daughter and that she is actually the old king's daughter (the guy that gave silas all his money when silas showed him some picture of a girl). maybe michelle is his daughter and her 'vow' is that she is not the legitimate princess.

however, i dont know if this fits in with the biblical story, nor do i know if this makes any sense regarding the conversations that surround te 'vow.'

this 'theory' would also provide an explaination for why the queen seems to dislike michelle

Allison Miller interview posted here.

I can not believe the Princess placed herself in a position where she could be taken hostage, all the while citing her father's name!

She thought she was doing good in negociating, and negociation is preferable to a point, but not to place herself in a position where she could be taken hostage. Her position as a Royal Princess is of national security.

I like Princess Michelle, but ..... *sigh*

I guess she didn't think about it. We know that princess Michelle is a genuine and positive person, that can do irrational things, guided by her heart, just like David.

Unfortunately, her behaviour is not quite smart sometimes...

I still have my eye on David. I still dont trust him for his disobaying orders and speaking out of turn at the news conference.

I think when he done that, he spoke in behalf of the commoners, that is why he is so loved by most everyone.

We'll save that discussion for David Shepherd's thread. Oh wait, no one is speaking on it! (I kid!!!! lol)

But seriously, he has many flaws that most viewers are not seemingly recognizing. This hagiographic worship David receives dispite his flaws is amazing to me, especially when Jack receives such sharp criticisms.

Don't get me wrong, I like David. But so far I don't see that he has done anything or demonstrated good judgement that would lead me to believe he would ever make a good king. He has a good heart but he's simply not astute enough. David doesnt hold a candle to Silas in terms of kingship or leadership. And Jack has been leading men longer then formerly private David.

hmm well to try to bring this back to michelle while responding about david... I think that michelle is a little naive b/c she's been sheltered. and she does follow her emotions before her head, which makes her act impulsively (agreed like david).

drachenfire, I'm not quite getting where your distrust of david is coming from. I'm getting the sense that you think he has ulterior motives, but I (at least) don't see his actions being untrustworthy. I mean, esp since we saw in the last ep how it ripped him apart when his family (literally) slammed the door in his face. but hey, you may be right if david's colors change down the road.

David's not perfect, but aside from being endearing, I think that people actually admire his actions--it's the idea of standing up to the military, monarchy and even society's codes in such a kingdom, and doing what should be done, but no one dares to do. I mean, david probably gone about it the best ways, but still. Michelle is like this actually and that's why people like her. She doesn't fit into the typical role of a princess and fade into the background; instead she's fighting for healthcare.

now, as for jack... I don't think he's shown great judgment either. that stunt he pulled when he was running the news show? the idea that he would be able to back silas into a corner so easily is telling. He clearly didn't realize who he was up against, or that his uncle was using him as a puppet (perhaps this ep isn't such a good example b/c jack came up w/ the idea, but in other eps it's more obvious. i'd say that in the last ep jack's uncle was certainly nudging him in certain directions).

also, as for his command of his men. (I believe) we don't actually know that for sure. he says that, and his men said that, but do you really think his men would be like, no you're actually not a good commander to his face in the palace? also, didn't silas say that jack was even supposed to be in too much danger? jack may have been pretty sheltered and protected from actually seeing too much battle--and jack himself expressed anxiety about needing the exposure to become a war hero. he could be really insecure, or he may not have actually been doing much in the front, or both. also, i feel like the show wouldn't have brought up the issue whether jack rushed his men into battle recklessly and so often in one of the previous eps if there was more to the story... just a hunch though. also, if i criticize jack I do also realize that he has a lot of issues and so much pressure. i agree that maybe aside from charisma, bravery and a sort of street smart-battle canny, david probably doesn't have that much on jack in terms of leadership yet either.

however, if it were btwn jack and michelle I think michelle would be the better leader (if she were a little less naive, jack's less naive than she is actually) b/c in some ways, when she's not upset and thinking clearly, I think she's smarter and better informed than jack. in addition, i think that in some ways she thinks for herself more than jack does, but that's probably b/c she has more freedom and less pressure than jack does. i also think that overall her passion (esp for the people) is a strength. it would be interesting to see silas (or even her mom) or both show her the ropes a bit more, although that's probably unlikely.

sry *david probably didn't go about things in the best way

HRH the Princess is astounding. She's definitely my favorite character in the show, and quite possibly the most complex. I think there is a lot more to her than meets the eye, and a lot of people have pointed out the apparent dichotomy between her passionate naïveté and her ability to be cold and calculating when necessary.

I think she has the most potential for growth out of all of them. Miss Miller, too, is an astonishingly wonderful actress and plays the part convincingly. She seems more modern than archaic (unlike some of the other characters), and I think that suits her: although I do hope a little of her father's grandeur shows up from time to time.

I was thinking along those similar lines because through the picture at one point you can sort of make out who is in the picture and it is woman with brown hair similar to Michelle's. also especially when king silas said that he "loves her so much it embarrasses us both" perhaps it is embarrassing because she is not actually his real daughter. though i agree it does seem as though this might be a little outlandish even for such a drama filled show.

hmmm personally (and just part instinctively) I'm not quite buying that as an explanation for the vow... I actually think Silas's mistress is the old guy's daughter. I mean, I think the old guy said something like, 'there are others?'--I took that as Silas's illegitimate son. Now, if we assumed that Michelle was the person in the half of the photograph that Silas showed him, who would be "the others"? If Silas was pretending to pass off Michelle as his daughter does that mean there are other kids he decided not to pass off out there? I think that would be too confusing. Anyway, I might not be right either though, so we'll just have to see!


Yeah, but as for the vow, I also think it's some sort of chastity thing--one of the sorta tag lines that comes up w/ this show from stuff I've read is "forbidden romance" (btwn David and Michelle), so aside from some disapproval over him from fam, silent class distinction, and balance of the monarchy, I think a vow of chastity would add to how their romance is supposed to be "forbidden." Also, of course,
Silas brought her vow up after the tabloids almost came out w/ photos of her making out w/ David.

You may be right...I had not thought of his mistress. Though having a vow of chastity does not really seem strong enough of a reason for that big of deal to be made when he reminded her of it. But that just may be my perceptions of the situation.

Saw this today:
http://www.wwd.com/lifestyle-news/eye/teen...-miller-2105631

so, i wasn't quite there w/ my chastity guess, but here are my questions about the vow since we know she's "promised" to someone else:

-who is he?
-why is it a secret btwn michelle and silas (and no one else)
-why is she promised to someone?--doesn't that seem... so regressive in a modern time? just the idea that michelle isn't free to pick someone she wants (ok, even if she may have come up w/ the vow herself)
-when/how long ago was this vow made?/how long ago was her indiscretion if there was one?
-was she a significantly, or surprisingly different person than she is now? (I mean, I doubt it, but we don't really know too much about her past)

or could she have just told him that she was promised to someone else so that she did not have to tell him the real reason...

it's possible (kudos to you. I didn't think of that), but I don't think so just b/c kings could have a single short season, so the writers don't have time to have her start playing games w/ david. also, it would break w/ kings's typical style so far--they generally answer/tie up loose ends fairly quickly.

In real life, royalty seems to marry royalty quite often, arranged or not. Aside from Gath, have we seen any other monarchies that would be a strategic fit for Silas?

I know they have drifted away from the original material in many places, but i think in the bible she is married off to palti of lash (aka paul lash i am assuming) but in their interactions in the show she does not seem to give any indication of knowing that she is betrothed to him. (this is why i am slightly doubtful that being promised to another is the real reason) thought it is possible that there is another male character that they just have not introduced. I am excited to see where they go with this and how close they stick to the original story.

Keep your friends close, and keep your enemies closer is what I think of when I am reminded of Michelle's oath.....especially when I know that the King is involved with this oath.

In what respect?

What we know:
-There's an event in her past that caused her to make a vow
-She cannot produce an heir
-She wants to have sex but won't because of her vow
-The event is portrayed as being shameful

My guess:
-Abortion

I think its pretty clear that her statement of being betrothed is a lie; perhaps told because she couldn't bare telling david about having an abortion. the procedure itself could have made her incapable of having children and in penance for this, she vowed celibacy until marriage and asked her father to remind her of the vow.

what do you guys think?

Wow!! I'm loving your theory!!

I could totally see this being true. because when she was telling him she said i swore then hesitated like she wanted to say the truth but then just threw out that she was promised to someone else and ran away...as if there was something else that was to shameful. I am impressed that you were able to come up with that.

Sorry I meant to add this to my last post.......

Welcome GeorgeII!

thanks guys!

I strongly disagree w/ this. According to reputable sources, abortion, if safely done, does not make you infertile or incapable of carrying a pregnancy to term. Anyway, as a princess, if michelle did have an abortion and silas knew about it, she certainly would have the best of care. Even if she didn't tell silas--there's just no way she got poor medical treatment. I mean, sure, anything could go wrong, but abortion rarely leads to this; I just don't see it being a reason for her vow.

Yes an abortion can be done safely, no one arguing that, what I think GeorgeII is saying is that perhaps there were complications.

Yeah, una populi, I never meant to make a medical statement about abortions. I completely agree that in reality such complications are extremely rare. But I think you're taking this a little too literally.

Throughout the show, there is the notion that god plays a role in the day-to-day lives of the characters. God can punish and reward (e.g., the sacrifice made by silas to save his son). So, infertility (as a punishment from god and not a technically medical complication) fits with that notion.
Furthermore, I think Michelle shows a more than normal amount of concern for medical care which could also imply that she had some past experience with health care.

I haven't detected any hint of past shame. It's probably just some sort of religious vow, to devote herself to higher purposes, like the people's health. In any case, if you've seen the clip of 'this season on Kings' it obviously ain't going to hold. If David has been divinely chosen to become king then he'll certainly be able to have her. Maybe Samuels will marry them in secret.