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Hercules Came, Saw And Was Conquered By HBO's First New ROME Since 2005!!
SPOILER ALERT !!
I am – Hercules!!
“Rome” ain’t that pretty at all, but it’s still plenty fun.
We last saw these characters 14 months ago, but only minutes have passed for them. Marc Anthony squatting over what’s left of Caesar on the bloody Senate floor. Lucius Vorenus cradling the corpse of his wife. Titus Pullo sitting in the meadow with his pretty ex-slave.
James Purefoy is the star of the first episode, stepping up heroically as the fierce, loyal and gratifyingly vengeful Antony, the Brock Samson of ancient Europe. Set upon by a dozen of Brutus’ knife-wielding thugs the minute he leaves Caesar’s corpse, he manages to fend off the throng of assassins as he embarks upon his long, cunning and brutal sprint toward justice.
But Antony is not the only attraction as the series kicks off its second and final season. There’s young Gaius Octavian (Max Pirkis), who has evolved into a teen of extraordinary persuasive ability - and improbably proves himself even gutsier and brainier than Antony. There’s also Marcus Junius Brutus (Tobias Menzies, never more Rickmanesque), Antony and Octavian’s sneering, scheming nemesis. And of course there’s Pullo (Ray Stevenson) and Vorenus (Kevin McKidd), whose post-Caesar stories build slowly but end the episode with a riveting sequence brimming with angst-fueled mayhem.
It makes my temples throb to think that ten times as many people will be watching “Desperate Housewives” tonight instead.
But what matters Herc’s opinion?
TV Guide says:
… Deadwood in togas, a violent and bawdy tapestry of a vanished civilization. … It takes a while for Vorenus to snap out of his funk, stewing in guilt over the death of his wife and the abduction of his children. But when he does, heads literally roll. …
USA Today gives it two and a half stars (out of four) and says:
… few series that started as well have ever went as quickly and irretrievably off the tracks. With each episode, the show seems to move further from real life and the real Rome and off into some sex-crazed, soap-opera fantasy version of a place that has never, thankfully, existed before or since. … McKidd and Stevenson are as appealing as ever, but the show's strained conflation of fact and fiction has undermined their characters to the point of no return.
The New York Times says:
… engaging even if it isn’t a swords-and-sandals version of “The Sopranos,” as HBO had hoped. It may not be as knowing as “I, Claudius,” but it does excellent work with slit throats, severed limbs, pagan rituals and barbaric sexual acts. …
The Los Angeles Times says:
… smart, dirty fun. … There are all kinds of delicious performances here — James Purefoy's loutish, laddish, animal-clever Marcus Antony; Tobias Menzies' upright, tortured Brutus; McKidd's dangerously stiff-minded Vorenus (who will briefly become the Tony Soprano of the Aventine Hill before, in a distinct echo of "The Searchers," heading off to find his kidnapped children); Lee Boardman's hired-knife Timon, who will likely have more to do this season with the arrival of his brother, a revolutionary from Judea.
The Chicago Tribune says:
It’s hard to know where to start in describing the pleasures of “Rome” … The sprawling cast, most of it from the U.K., is a joy to watch: Polly Walker brings sharp wit and perfect timing to her role as the scheming noblewoman Atia of the Julii, who is the intimate or enemy of everyone who matters in ancient Rome; James Purefoy gives a disturbingly vicious undercurrent to the transformation of Mark Antony from charming playboy to selfish dictator; and Lyndsey Marshal gives Cleopatra a queenly demeanor married to a palpable sensuality.
But this season belongs, even more than the first year did, to Titus Pullo and Lucius Vorenus, who are played with enormous vigor and humanity by Ray Stevenson and Kevin McKidd. The two characters, who met as Roman soldiers, are one of the great TV pairings of our time.
The Washington Post says:
…HBO reminds us of the better uses to which television can be put. The HBO season begins auspiciously and, lest that sound stuffy, raucously tonight … "Rome" dramatizes, among other things, the birth of politics as usual -- and dramatizes it with the flourish of high drama and the urgency of tonight's headlines.…
The Hollywood Reporter says:
… remains a wholly impressive piece of work, stylish and graphic and bold in equal measure while at the same time greatly lacking a cohesive focus. This might be due in part to utilizing a committee of different writers and directors, each of whom no doubt has his own artistic vision. It tends to diminish the enjoyment of an otherwise sumptuous feast. …
Variety says:
… if the show is going to run two years only, this splendidly acted melodrama delivers a bloody good time barreling toward oblivion, delivering enough political intrigue, violence and sex to slake even the most debauched viewing appetites. Unlike the similarly engrossing "Deadwood," concluding the story here -- following the battle to succeed the fallen Caesar -- seems a proper finale. … has a little something for everyone, and its byzantine twists and turns are seldom predictable unless, perhaps, you have a doctorate in Roman history. Even when the narrative occasionally bogs down, the stellar and mostly European cast simply powers through it. …
9 p.m. Sunday. HBO.
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But this season belongs, even more than the first year did, to Titus Pullo and Lucius Vorenus, who are played with enormous vigor and humanity by Ray Stevenson and Kevin McKidd. The two characters, who met as Roman soldiers, are one of the great TV pairings of our time.
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Great show, great show!
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Watched the first episode and i have to agree, one of the best shows on TV for a while.It's still the same kid playing Octavian but in episode 4 he's replaced by Simon Woods so i assume there'll be a '4 years later' scenario there. Should be interesting to see him go after all his enemies, including Marc Anthony.
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Last I heard HBO hadn't even decided to make a second season...so I was pleasantly surprised to see that this was coming back!
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I don't mind that it strays from history... just Wiki that shit if you want to know what really happened. This show is more about what kind of happened and how men with the best intentions often fall from grace... and how the pieces are picked up by those who follow them.
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Man they glossed that over.
Be patient till the last. Romans, countrymen, and lovers! hear me for my cause, and be silent, that you may hear: believe me for mine honour, and have respect to mine honour, that you may believe: censure me in your wisdom, and awake your senses, that you may the better judge. If there be any in this assembly, any dear friend of Caesar's, to him I say, that Brutus' love to Caesar was no less than his. If then that friend demand why Brutus rose against Caesar, this is my answer: Not that I loved Caesar less, but that I loved Rome more. Had you rather Caesar were living and die all slaves, than that Caesar were dead, to live all free men? As Caesar loved me, I weep for him; as he was fortunate, I rejoice at it; as he was valiant, I honour him: but, as he was ambitious, I slew him. There is tears for his love; joy for his fortune; honour for his valour; and death for his ambition. Who is here so base that would be a bondman? If any, speak; for him have I offended. Who is here so rude that would not be a Roman? If any, speak; for him have I offended. Who is here so vile that will not love his country? If any, speak; for him have I offended. I pause for a reply - Brutus to the mob in Julius Ceaser, immediately before the famous speech of Mark Anthony
FRIENDS! ROMANS! COUNTRYMEN! LEND ME YOUR EARS! I COME HERE TO BURY CEASAR, NOT TO PRAISE HIM......... The evil the men do lives after them; The good is oft interred with their bones; So let it me with Caesar. The noble Brutus Hath told you Caesar was ambitious: If it were so, it was a grievous fault; And grievously hath Caesar answer'd it. Here, under leave of Brutus and the rest, - For Brutus is an honourable man; So are they all, all honourable men,- Come I to speak in Caesar's funeral. He was my friend, faithful and just to me: But Brutus says he was ambitious; And Brutus is an honourable man. He hath brought many captives home to Rome, Who's ransoms did the general coffers fill: Did this in Caesar seem ambitious? When that the poor have cried, Caesar hath wept: Ambition should be made of sterner stuff: Yet Brutus says he was ambitious; And Brutus is an honourable man. You all did see that on the Lupercal I thrice presented him a kingly crown, Which he did thrice refuse: was this ambition? Yet Brutus say he was ambitious; And, sure, he is an honourable man. I speak not to disprove what Brutus spoke, But here I am to speak what I do know. You all did love him once,- not without cause: What cause withholds you, then, to mourn for him? O judgment, thou art fled to brutish beasts, And men have lost their reason!-Bear with me: My heart is in the coffin there with Caesar, And I must pause till it come back to me. - Mark Anthony's famous speech in Julius Ceaser
Sadly Atia was NOT naked this episode. Sniff sniff. But Sevilia looked hot with her hair down. -
You've seen it, but no review? No invisotext? God damn you Herc.
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Herc--I've been asking for a review, or even a preview, of Rome in coax for days. my requests have gone ignored. now we get this-which is primarily a compilation of reviews from sources I don't care about. additionally, you tell us "rome ain't that pretty at all" but don't tell us why.Herc--we depend on you man! help us out here as you're talking to a guy who convinced his wife to buy him the rome season one dvd set at $70 which for a woman who doesn't watch the show was a HUGE stretch.
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...has suddenly morphed into an older dude? I understand why they changed actors - they don't want to deploy Octavian as a precocious curiosity any more, and probably want to do some Rome 90210 stuff with the character - but Pirkis' work was a really great part of the first season, and his reward is that he gets dumped. A shame.
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from what I understand, he makes it to episode three or four. as such, there must be a flash-forward in the story, perhaps to overcome some of the downtime as he ages and the disparity b/w him and marc antony heats up. the kid is a good actor for sure, and I love how his character develops in the show.btw-nice reference to 90210. that's actually the hook I tried to use to get my wife to watch the show back in 05, but it just wouldn't work. why you ask? easy-she saw me watching "rome-engineering an empire" just before rome started on hbo and vowed to skip it forever. instead she got 90210 season one on dvd for Christmas and spends all her time watching it. at least she's distracted!
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I don't remeber any sex on this episode. why do they keep whining about it?
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there's not really any sex in the show, besides one episode where some poor or luck girl, depending on how you see it, was getting bent over behind a tree while the legion waited. it was pretty cool. wish I could away with that myself.
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HBO released it on DVD for anybody buying an HBO series DVD set last week.
I was a bit pissy because there's a huge HBO watermark across the screen for the entire episode to prevent anybody from ripping it and posting it online. Well... not prevent, but strongly discourage.
Anyhow, I'm not going to ruin what happens for everyone but, I will tell you this.
There is some lovely violence in the episode but, most of it takes place off-camera. Verenus and Pullo whoop some serious ass.
You see some boobies.
The story starts off directly following the moments involving Caesar's killing.
I'll watch it again tonight probably so I can see it without the fucking watermark. Hope you all enjoy it. -
curse HBO--the wife bought me the first season on dvd for Christmas and I didn't get no season two preview dvd!in any case, nice summary, no spoilers, thanks for the preview and I love hearing there's some boobs involved. you know, rome rules for so many reasons, but in my mind #1 is the tits we oft get to see.Hey Darth-have you heard anything more about the show being cancelled after this reason? GAWD I HOPE NOT!
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(that FUCKING watermark). I was talking about _this_ particular episode actually, not the whole series (obviously I remember sex on season 1).
Anyway, there's always a flash-forward in this show, remember how Cleopatra's baby was concieved and born in the same episode? (or maybe it was 2, but they went all the way to egipt and back in like 3 or 4 eps). They also used to go to france and back a bunch of times in the same episode, without making any reference to time passing (and at the same time you would see the "local" storylines happening in rome, which didn't look like they were spaning over months). That's my biggest problem with the show actually.
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HAHA! You said 'the show'. I heard you. I read it. You said 'the show' instead of 'skein'. You can't take it back! You said 'the show', I clearly read it. They're NOT called 'skeins' but 'shows', you fucking admitted it and you can't take it back!
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Listening to some people, you'd think it was an ancient Rome version of "Saw". It's really not that bad. Yes, people do get beheaded and occassionally someone hops on the good foot to do the bad thing, but it's all done in the service of the story and not sheerly for the sake of being blood-and-sex soaked. I don't know how the show can be as good without the great Ciarin Hinds (Caesar) but I guess I'll just have to wait and see...
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sex scenes???? (hey! I know you're all thinking it! Don't shake your head no - you were wondering the same thing. Try to lie to me. I know you better than you know yourself)
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I wonder if anyone else will pick it up? is that even a possibility? don't they have the ratings to keep the show? why do I think this is paid for primary by the bbc?
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I heard rumours that this show was not coming back. I am most joyful at it's return. However, if Sunday is the regular timeslot, that means that it will be up against Family Guy and BSG. That is not cool. BSG should be on sci-fridays not Sundays. Fucking Sci-Fi channel. They're running a commercial on Sci-Fi right now claiming they've heard our comments now watch BSG all day monday. I think if they really heard our comments, they would not be moving the show to Sundays...That being said, I can't wait to see Pullo and Verenous back in action! Brutus I could do without. Atia would be a nice fuck but the old lady that hangs out and watches is defintely a turn off.
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Like The Sopranos, Rome would be a good show even if you edited the sex and violence to a more acceptable level for some. Also, the violence isn't constant, though it can get pretty graphic when it does occur. Pullo and Vorenus' fight in the arena was damned brutal. My biggest problem with the show was it's extremely shortened version of history. From what I remember, the events happening in the first season in reality took place over a few or even several years in history. The show does seem to stay away from dates and does imply the passage of time here and there. It's my guess that the producers were unsure of how long the show would last and wanted to be sure they covered Caesar's rise to power and his murder.
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"Now, Gaius, touch your throat. That tube you feel is your trachea. Think of it as your handle. That thing your thumb is on is your carotid artery. Think of it as your button. I want you to grab the handle, push the button. Can you repeat that, Gaius?" "[gasping] Grab the handle, push the button." "Let go of your own throat, Gaius."
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Octavian is still played by Max Pirkis in tonight's show. In fact, my guess is that he'll probably stay around until episode six at least.The story will stay in roughly the same time period from tonight's episode--the aftermath of Caesar's assassination--all the way until the final battle between the forces of Antony and Octavian, and those of Brutus and Cassius in Philippi in Macedonia.Given that episode six is titled "Philippi", according to TVRage, I'll assume that's the episode with the battle. After that, there is a several year long truce between Antony and Octavian. I assume this will be the break where the new actor takes over for Max Pirkis.I, err, "acquired" a copy of the show a few days ago. Herc was correct where he stated that Purefoy is the star of the show as Antony. Pirkis' performance is just as good though. McKidd (Vorenus) and Stevenson (Pullo) are great as well. Hell, it's Rome. The entire fucking cast does brilliant work.I can't wait to see this season. The great part is that The Shield should be starting up before it's over. Every week between now and probably May will have an episode of either Rome or The Shield. How fucking cool is that?
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Appears from episode 4 onwards.They need to do a fast forward because, historically, Marc Anthony, Brutus and Octavian were all getting along. If i remember my classics right, Brutus tried to raise an army against Anthony and Octavian and was quickly wiped out; he killed himself. After that, Marc Anthony went a bit micey and tried to declare himself King of Egypt with Cleopatra as his Queen. That was the excuse Octavian needed to go after him and we all, (should), know the story after that.As for glossing over the funeral speech. I think they made the wise choice because, mainly, nothing they could do could ever top shakspeares take on it from a dramatic perspective. The real speech would have been too long; i thought it was just a clever touch to see the crowd going wild throwing anything that would burn onto his pyre. Class really.
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after learning how to write a break in the post in html, how 'bout some color? will it work?
let's see.
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well screw it. seems Harry is smart enough to know what kind of html to allow people to use. in any case, thanks for the review AllSeeingEye and Strabo. I'm somewhat new to the entire Roman era, having more strength in eastern empire/crusades period history. what's the battle where cleo and antony get whupped? actium?
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It will be on at 9, right? And BSG will be on at 10? Tell me this is how it's going to be set up. Of course, I can always watch Rome on In Demand.
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huge fan of the show here, its starts off a little odd but about 20 minutes in i was totally hooked: AGAIN!!!
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I wasn't sure until Pullo pushed the guy off the horse. Then I remembered how much fun the big goofball is.
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it's really too bad that this is the last season. the show is really starting to come together.
Octavian is one of the best characters on the show will the midseason switch to Simon Woods work? -
And I hate to sound like the President of the guy's fanclub here, but it's hard to find a guy that age who doesn't sound like an idiot when he tries to sound intelligent. But when they do a scene where Octavian is obviously smarter than Antony or Atia, it's really easy to buy it. The problem with replacing him is that it's really easy to turn the character into Anakin Skywalker if you replace him with the wrong guy. But what's done is done so I guess we can hope for the best.
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They cancelled Deadwood's 4th season for the same reasons that Rome only gets 2; too much money in, not enough ratings to justify the cost out. At least we get the 2 Deadwood movies to wrap that up, no such treatment for poor Rome. By the way, does anyone else miss Ciaran Hinds' Caesar as much as me? I dig Purefoy but...I'm just sayin'.
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as good as I remember it. DEFINITLEY a better than Grey's (insert whinny voiceover here) Anatomy, or Desperate (Insert obnoxious voiceover here) Housewives. My top three list of drama 1)BSG 2)Rome 3)24.
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make it four: Nemov, Fluffy, toomanymovies and sider you all make sound points. the concern for me is what kind of revolution can we organize to keep this show on the air? can another network pick it up? please tell me there's hope!
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Actually, a ton of HBO subscribers raised utter holy hell about Deadwood going away, and that's what prompted the 2 finale films. Could do the same for Rome, good sir.
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the wife bought me rome season one on dvd for Christmas and I've come close to wearing out the entire set by now. I can't understand why HBO goes through the trouble of developing shows like this, deadwood and sex in the city (neither I watched by my father-in-law and my wife watched each respectively), if they're only going to cancel them?yet one of the dumbest, most unwatchable shows on television; desperate housewives, remains on television! FOR SHAME!--see the hannibal talkback around 830 last night for the birth of for shame! as a hot new aicn catchphrase.
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HBO's new catchphrase...FOR SHAME!
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Huge sets, huge casts, not a ton of CGI, crazy multiple costumes...plus they shoot it at Cinecitta in Rome. EXPEN$$$$IVE.
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so where's the cost? a second season's gotta be cheap considering the sets and costumes are already built and paid for from season one. screw the actuaries! curse them!
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this season is cheaper, but i'm not sure they're making much off the show. if they were making $$ there would be no question that a third season would happen.
after this season what will be left? they're moving through history quickly. i think they shot this season knowing it was the last so there might not be much left. -
one of the lessons my wife taught me is that its okay to spend like crazy and not worry about it.then again one of the lessons the tech bubble bursting taught me is that low or no revenue leads to bankruptcy and a crash of the American economy so perhaps your previous post tells me to accept the fact that the show's going down the drain and I should simply start watching stuff like the Grease musical casting show contest with my wife. oh and Idol when it starts in a few weeks. FOR SHAME!!!!
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Its not improbable that Octavian shows more brains that Antony. Its not that Antony was dumb or anything, but for every act of brilliance on his part, there was a costly mistake. And of course, in the end, Octavian defeated Antony. True, the actual fighting was mostly handled by Octavian's top general/admiral, but it was a credit to Octavian that he recognized his limitations as a military commander, and as such delegated appropriately. Antony was hot and cold, up and down; a roller coaster ride. Octavian was steady, and though not the warrior that Antony personally was, he was almost certainly more intelligent.
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I must say I was very pleased overall although HBO's penny-pinching shows a bit, especially completely skipping over Caesar's funeral. Not enough money for all those costumed extras? Oh well. I guess we'll just have to make do with some guy describing the scene in a tavern. I was worried about how well it would go sans Ciarin Hinds (although he gets a fair bit of screentime for a corpse--easy money) but the new Vorenus/Pullo dynamic is a great addition. Can't wait for the next one...
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I don't think canceling your HBO subscription is going to convince them to stick with ratings-challenged shows. Quite the opposite actually. And if you really look at it from a business perspective, ROME should have never been green-lit. I mean, really, how did HBO ever think it was going to recoup $100 million? How many more people subscribed to HBO so they could watch Rome? How many of the $80 DVD boxed sets (with a case that could survive a nuclear explosion, by the way) did they sell? It ain't gonna turn a profit. So in the end, HBO took a huge financial gamble that didn't pay off and the result is nearly 22 hours of a terrific show for us to enjoy. Quit your bitching.
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Hate to break it to you guys, but, uh, once Octavian defeats Antony, that's it. There's no reason to go on. Octavian ruled largely in peace until his death after the turn of the century. That's fifty-odd years in the future from the point the series is at now. There's no need for a third series. There'd be really no story to tell for half the characters. Sure they could make it the Vorenus and Pullo show, but there'd be nothing left for Octavian. Antony would be dead and gone...so would Brutus, Cicero, Cassius, Servilia, and pretty much every one of the historical characters _other_ than Octavian.Anyway, I second the comment about Pirkis makes the young genius act look completely natural. I hope they were very careful about who they picked to follow off of Pirkis' lead in how he played the character. They'd better not "Anakin" him given what a great job Pirkis is doing.
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And that one was still pretty cool, and about a septillion times more watchable than the best housewives episodes. If I wanted to watch middle aged women act like children, I'd go to an R&B night downtown.
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Pullo and Cleo getting it on was hilarious. And I love the inside-the-palace intrigue in Egypt with the boy-king's guardians and eunich. Plus the nice little soapy twist that Caesarion wasn't really Caesar's kid. Someone actually complained to me that that was historically inaccurate and I was just like, man, you are completely missing the point of the show. It's all about weaving a good drama into the cracks of history and having some fun with it. AND can everyone please stop hating on Desperate Housewives? We got it, you hate it, move on. Why bring it up here? I'll quote a line directly from Mrs. Bree van de Camp: "The opposite of love isn't hate--it's indifference." Please, prove you don't love DH by shutting up about it. I for one cannot bring myself to not watch a show where one episode features Laurie Metcalf (aka Aunt Jackie) takes a supermarket full of houswives hostage. DH is the TV equivalent of a twinkie--not sophisticated, full of fat, very bad for me in large doses but absolutely delicious.
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...the hearts of his enemies! I like the show despite how it messes with history; great actors and lots of juicy drama and sex. What more could a simple pleb want?
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The long wait is finally over...I am looking forward to the trail of blood Verenus and Pullo leave in their wake...Mark Antony was also brilliant with his smart assed smugness and slitting the throat of Brutus' man...I'm pretty dissapointed they are replacing Pirkis. HBO can't afford makeup to age him?
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Best thing HBO has ever produced.
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Is split with the BBC. Seeing as the BBC is one of, if not THE, richest media corporations in the world, (it's law in the UK to pay them every year and they make millions selling their stuff all over the world), HBO should be able to afford to continue. Like someone above said, after Octavian comes to power he ruled well for many years. If the show was to continue they'd have to do a fast forward to the next emperor of note, which was Octavians (adopted) grandson; Caligula. It'd be nice to get a good drama from each of the emperors of note, particularly the batshit insane ones like Caligula and Nero. Sure, Pullo and Vorenus might be gone, but, you'd know that everything that happened was down to Ceasar and technically Pullo, for starting the whole war which started the institution of Emperor.As for replacing Pirkis, while he's great as the young Octavian, he wouldn't be right for the role of the man who inspired thousands to support him as he declared himself Emperor. Casting for the show in my eyes has been spot on so i've got faith the replacement will also be great.
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The scene at the end of last night's episode where Vorenus and Pullo are streaked with blood after kicking serious ass was classic.
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Vorenus and Pullo showing up in the middle of all those dead gang members was great. And frankly that last shot of the slum from the top of that alley staircase looked like a trillion bucks on HBO HD.
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A miswording on my part. While he never actually declared himself anything, the absolute control of Rome was always his main goal; the Senate granting him the titles of Augustus and Princeps was just his way of taking power legally (since the mob was rioting when he tried to stand down and he had the support of Ceasars veterans they had no choice). The title of Princeps was his own design so he would not offend the senate or the plebs by calling himself King; but he needed a title that his heirs could inherit too.What i meant to say was, it'd be cool to see him take power. I used the term emperor because, well, that's what history records him as.
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Religious controversey = big ratings, fellas.
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Just pop in the "I, Claudius" DVD instead.
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Jan 15, 2007 11:39:17 AM CST
Marc Anthony and Cleopatra vs., Octavia bet Atia...
by crichtonastronut
had a hand in sending her son after those two. Domina's not well pleased.
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Jan 15, 2007 11:41:05 AM CST
"anthony looks like the t-1000" Antony's too silver.
by crichtonastronut
Antony's too silver.
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said one thing about Desperate Housewives on this site. And I think you may be misquoting, a TV character didn't say that, Nietzsche did.
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I had assumed they'd find some way to bring him back. Oh well. I don't see why they have to end the show after two seasons. Yeah, "I , Claudius" pretty much covers it, but I'd love to see those stories spread out over three or four seasons, with better production values. Given the last two "presidents" we've had, you'd figure people could use a good refresher course in Caligula and Nero. This premier was a great start to the season.
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Caesar, Augustus, Tiberius, Caligula, Claudius, Nero; these were all Emperors of the Caesar "bloodline"
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This show roars back. Of course, this is all exactly how it went down anyway (so the tomes of the times say), so I'm not sure why Herc is acting surprised. But MA's real reason for being "loyal" is not for "loyalty's sake." It's to further his own position. These dudes didn't make a move, unless they had an angle. But yes, one of the best shows on tv. Not sure why Herc says it isn't pretty.
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Tiberius is as boring as hell.
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I see everyone jumping all over HBO for cancelling this. I thought this had been pretty well publicised.
The series costs a LOT of money. HBO intended it as a one shot mini-series, but realised they had a mini sensation on their hands, which they needed with the loss of Sex and the City, Six Feet Under, and soon the Sopranos to mention a few. As such, HBO has been counting on assistance from the BBC to pay for it. But the ratings have been quite poor on the BBC (BBC audiences and critics have been much more annoyed by historical inacurracies and the feeling that the sex and violence are cranked up for American tastes ala The Sopranos). So the BBC is left paying for a very expensive series that is not doing well at all there. As such, they balked at paying for more. HBO twisted their arm for a 2nd season, and they agreed (it is not a loss, but it is not worth what it costs), but with the understanding that they will NOT pay anything for a 3rd season. So, no BBC involvement, no Rome on HBO. Anyway, that was the story that came out around the end of the last season. -
problem I have with pretty much have with most of the Doctor Who incarnations: Cheap, horrid production values. Being a fan of the Graves books, I checked out the series from the ibrarym but couldn't get through it. I can appreciate great writing and acting as much as the next guy, but there only a finite amount of suspension of disbelief I can expend on laughable cardboard sets on a stage and costumes that look like they came from a High School drama club. Perhaps it is the shallow, materialistic American in me, but I think that production values and visuals are important in visual media. That is why I appreciate the painstaking work that the producers of Rome take to make it look authentic and real. These things help suck you into the world.
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Since the BBC make ALOT of stuff that's intended for use outside the UK. It's been a point of contention with the people who wish to see the TV licence abolished.Fact is, while the UK audience didn't recieve the opening episodes very well, i was under the impression that the last episodes scored alot higher in the ratings. The BBC even did a special series afew months back focusing on all the Roman Emperors of note.But, that aside, I was always thought that, financially, the show was viable when factoring in the broadcast rights abroad and DVD sales.As for it's popularity in the UK, everyone i know loved the show and can't wait to see season 2. It's just the doddering old gits who love to watch Bargain Hunt, Antiques Roadshow and those bloody awful Charlotte Bronte adaptations that were 'offended' by the sex, nudity and violence. It's a shame that they didn't realise that ancient Rome was such a gaudy place.
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A man who was Deified by the people obviously did something right. It was a good job he was such a man since it was the groundwork he laid that held Rome together under the rule of the fruitcakes who came after him.
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The scene in Shakespeare is just way too iconic. It would have been different than that, and people would have bitched. I think they did it skillfully. trying to actually recreate that scene would have been simply impossible. And if Antony had actually said "Friends, Romans, Countryment, lend me your ears" it would have been laughably silly.
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First of all, the actual text of the famous speech we know was Shakespeare's and not actual history. I think Shakespeare's speech was based on some history that Antony rallied the people against Caesar's assassination and against Brutus.
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The army's rest stop fun with that woman sure as heck wasn't the only sex scene. I seem to recall that one of the first times we ever saw Atia she was riding the Timon train. Not to mention Cleo and Pullo. And Octavia switching teams for a scene with Servilia. Need I go on? Rome also remains the only series I've ever seen including some brother and sister incest. Though we didn't actually see it happen.
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Perhaps not out and out sex, but the kissing was even creepier than anything Octavius did.
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They should have approaced it the same way they approached everything else...fresh. They should've pretended like Shakespeare's version never existed and given us something fresh and original and relevant to the series. It's not a huge gripe for a show so exquisitite but I still wish they'd done it differently...
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You saw the crowd go wild throwing anything that would burn on Caesars pyre and then cut to Brutus and Cassius looking rather glum with Marc Anthony with them looking smug. It was classic.
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That was the point of the whole summery scene where the pleb. Tells the tavern about how Brutus was boring and Antony threw out the bloody robe.
It's a changing values sorta thing.
I thought it worked well.
Antony should be kissing Octavian's ass anyway, if not or him Antony would've been on the run in Gaul instead of having the run of Rome.
Too bad he forgot Octy was smarter than him when he shacked up with Cleo and tried to take on Octy and Rome. Not to mention throwing over Mum.
Speaking of, wonder how Atia will ike Livia.
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