Sony Alexander - nostalgia - episode 99

This is one of the best scenes of Alexander's on this show as it summarizes his character perfectly. We see his ambition to conquer the world but his love for his mother and his devotion to her placed above all. As he promises to make his name and hers as a tribute to her lifelong sacrifices for him, you can see beneath the warrior the little boy who always seeks his mothers approval and blessings. He is as emotional as Olympias is but verbally less expressive, and after she kisses his forehead his heart is in his eyes for us to see. The background music adds to the tenderness of this moment but is also full of hopes and dreams just as Alexander's mind and heart are before he embarks on this adventure. Before leaving the hall, he puts his hands on her shoulders to take her leave and his face, amidst displaying a myriad of emotions, is set with determination to make this wonderful woman proud of him.

Even as he goes out to mount his horse as the powerful leader of the fearless Macedonian soldiers, he does not leave until he has taken one last meaningful look at his mother who stands at the balcony to farewell him, his eyes showing he is feeling her pain of separation. He knows what it cost her to let him go in order to fulfill his dream despite her fears, and he acknowledges the fact that beneath the lioness exterior she has the gentle heart of a mother whose tears he does not want flowing even in his absence, a wish he communicates to her with an imperceptible nod. It was a lovely juxtaposition to the Alexander angry theme music playing in the background.

What a beautiful, moving scene!

Back then I had thought this was the final farewell so I was very moved and very impressed by the way it had been conceptualized and performed. This scene has been etched on my mind forever, and provides the emotional context of their relationship as I watch Alexander these days battle to get back his most precious treasure of all: his beloved mother.