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Hercules Came, Saw And
Was Conquered By HBO's
First New ROME Since 2005!!

FIRST! by DishyDish	Jan 14th, 2007 04:39:39 AM
Great show, great show!
It's truly a great show. by TheAllSeeingEye	Jan 14th, 2007 05:27:20 AM
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.
I do so love this show by Razorback	Jan 14th, 2007 06:56:56 AM
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.
How 'bout some SPOILERS damn it! by TopHat	Jan 14th, 2007 08:08:58 AM
You've seen it, but no review? No invisotext? God damn you Herc.
TOPHAT IS RIGHT--DAMN YOU HERC-DAMN YOU!!! by Deus Vult	Jan 14th, 2007 08:46:10 AM
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.
So the show starts "minutes" later but Max Pirkis by FluffyUnbound	Jan 14th, 2007 09:04:39 AM
...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.
fluffy, I think he's replaced later in the season by Deus Vult	Jan 14th, 2007 09:25:23 AM
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!
was there any sex? by punto	Jan 14th, 2007 09:49:32 AM
I don't remeber any sex on this episode. why do they keep whining about it?
punto, have you seen this already? by Deus Vult	Jan 14th, 2007 09:49:45 AM
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.
I've seen the first episode that's airing tonight by DarthMartel	Jan 14th, 2007 10:04:34 AM
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.
Thanks DarthMartel! by Deus Vult	Jan 14th, 2007 10:09:38 AM
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!
yes, I have seen it by punto	Jan 14th, 2007 10:13:11 AM
(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.
VARIETY!!!!!!! by smackfu	Jan 14th, 2007 10:15:48 AM
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!
All the talk about ROME's violence is over-blown... by JohnGalt06	Jan 14th, 2007 10:27:50 AM
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...
okay that's great, but are there any good by Russman	Jan 14th, 2007 10:56:45 AM
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)
darth sidious, that's awful news by Deus Vult	Jan 14th, 2007 11:24:47 AM
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?
Hail Ceasar!! by apersonofinterest	Jan 14th, 2007 11:56:08 AM
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.
Good show despite the sex and violence by BizarroJerry	Jan 14th, 2007 12:15:50 PM
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.
Brock Samson of Ancient Europe's COOKIN THE BOOKS! by DOGSOUP	Jan 14th, 2007 12:32:17 PM
"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."
Herc obviously hasn't seen tonight's episode by Strabo	Jan 14th, 2007 01:27:07 PM
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?
The older Octavian by TheAllSeeingEye	Jan 14th, 2007 01:55:34 PM
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.
this is a test by Deus Vult	Jan 14th, 2007 01:59:10 PM
after learning how to write a break in the post in html, how 'bout some color? will it work? let's see.
nope. by Deus Vult	Jan 14th, 2007 02:01:44 PM
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?
It doesn't conflict with BSG by FluffyUnbound	Jan 14th, 2007 03:07:43 PM
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.
great episode... by datachasm	Jan 14th, 2007 03:17:49 PM
huge fan of the show here, its starts off a little odd but about 20 minutes in i was totally hooked: AGAIN!!!
Yeah, I'm glad there's a second season. by FluffyUnbound	Jan 14th, 2007 08:11:55 PM
I wasn't sure until Pullo pushed the guy off the horse. Then I remembered how much fun the big goofball is.
great start by nemov	Jan 14th, 2007 08:53:20 PM
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?
Nemov, the thing that's hard to replace... by FluffyUnbound	Jan 14th, 2007 08:59:44 PM
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.
HBO Gotta Eat! by IWatchTooDamnManyMovies	Jan 14th, 2007 09:08:03 PM
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'.
just saw the premiere... by slder78	Jan 14th, 2007 09:09:26 PM
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.
three great points here boys by Deus Vult	Jan 14th, 2007 09:23:08 PM
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!
Viva La Revolucion! by IWatchTooDamnManyMovies	Jan 14th, 2007 09:24:19 PM
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.
pass the Che shirts and lets get this done! by Deus Vult	Jan 14th, 2007 09:31:48 PM
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.
It's Not TV, It's All About The Money by IWatchTooDamnManyMovies	Jan 14th, 2007 09:32:19 PM
HBO's new catchphrase...FOR SHAME!
It's all onscreen, Deus... by IWatchTooDamnManyMovies	Jan 14th, 2007 09:35:50 PM
Huge sets, huge casts, not a ton of CGI, crazy multiple costumes...plus they shoot it at Cinecitta in Rome. EXPEN$$$$IVE.
nice one but these are poorly paid Brit actors by Deus Vult	Jan 14th, 2007 09:36:06 PM
so where's the cost? a second season's gotta be cheap considering the sets and costumes are already built and paid for from season one. screw the actuaries! curse them!
much cheaper second season by nemov	Jan 14th, 2007 09:41:36 PM
this season is cheaper, but i'm not sure they're making much off the show. if they were making $$ 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.
oye! there's the cost by Deus Vult	Jan 14th, 2007 09:42:02 PM
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!!!!
Improbably brainier??? by McCroskey	Jan 14th, 2007 10:26:26 PM
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.
Great season premiere! by JohnGalt06	Jan 14th, 2007 11:11:53 PM
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...
Can't we all just be glad HBO did the show at all? by JohnGalt06	Jan 14th, 2007 11:22:22 PM
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.
A third season of Rome? by Strabo	Jan 14th, 2007 11:57:01 PM
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.
the only less than amazing ep was the Cleopatra one... by samsquanch	Jan 15th, 2007 12:16:23 AM
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.
Strabo--It's pretty fucking cool by NoPIX	Jan 15th, 2007 12:20:05 AM

Really? The Cleopatra episode is one of my faves... by JohnGalt06	Jan 15th, 2007 12:25:24 AM
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.
Marc Antony gotta eat... by Zardoz	Jan 15th, 2007 12:27:30 AM
...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?
Fuck Yes by apersonofinterest	Jan 15th, 2007 02:08:41 AM
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?
Brilliant fucking show!! by Rearden	Jan 15th, 2007 04:06:10 AM
Best thing HBO has ever produced.
The cost of producing Rome by TheAllSeeingEye	Jan 15th, 2007 05:55:59 AM
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.
Pullo, not Antony, is the "Brock Samson" of ROME... by SpyGuy	Jan 15th, 2007 09:21:49 AM
The scene at the end of last night's episode where Vorenus and Pullo are streaked with blood after kicking serious ass was classic.
The end scenes did kick ass. by FluffyUnbound	Jan 15th, 2007 09:49:20 AM
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.
DarthSidious by TheAllSeeingEye	Jan 15th, 2007 10:37:49 AM
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.
I think HBO should do a show about Constantine... by JohnGalt06	Jan 15th, 2007 11:01:14 AM
Religious controversey = big ratings, fellas.
No need for a show once Augustus takes power by FluffyUnbound	Jan 15th, 2007 11:02:39 AM
Just pop in the "I, Claudius" DVD instead.
Marc Anthony and Cleopatra vs., Octavia bet Atia... by CrichtonAstronut	Jan 15th, 2007 11:39:17 AM
had a hand in sending her son after those two. Domina's not well pleased.
"anthony looks like the t-1000" Antony's too silver. by CrichtonAstronut	Jan 15th, 2007 11:41:05 AM
Antony's too silver.
eeugh. That was the first time I've ever by samsquanch	Jan 15th, 2007 01:01:24 PM
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.
I can't believe they really killed Caeser by _Maltheus_	Jan 15th, 2007 02:09:27 PM
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.
Caligula? try Tiberius by datachasm	Jan 15th, 2007 04:01:31 PM
Caesar, Augustus, Tiberius, Caligula, Claudius, Nero; these were all Emperors of the Caesar "bloodline"
Fuckin A. by Chest_Rockwell	Jan 15th, 2007 04:12:41 PM
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.
Yeh but we want to see Emperors of note... by TheAllSeeingEye	Jan 15th, 2007 05:18:54 PM
Tiberius is as boring as hell.
About the cancelation by HBO by DreadPirateRoberts	Jan 15th, 2007 05:55:42 PM
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.
The problem I had with I, Claudius is the same....... by Jimmy Jazz	Jan 15th, 2007 06:05:03 PM
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.
The BBC shouldn't complain though by TheAllSeeingEye	Jan 15th, 2007 06:41:34 PM
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.
Totally agree by TheAllSeeingEye	Jan 16th, 2007 08:30:48 AM
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.
Why they didn't show Antony's speech by CatoTheCensor	Jan 16th, 2007 10:04:00 AM
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.
Yes, skipping the speech was good by BizarroJerry	Jan 16th, 2007 12:39:57 PM
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.
Sex scenes... by BizarroJerry	Jan 16th, 2007 12:43:51 PM
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.
Carnivale Also Had Brother-Sister Incest by _Maltheus_	Jan 16th, 2007 01:09:53 PM
Perhaps not out and out sex, but the kissing was even creepier than anything Octavius did.
I still think omitting the speech was a cop-out... by JohnGalt06	Jan 16th, 2007 08:04:35 PM
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...
They didnt need the speech by TheAllSeeingEye	Jan 17th, 2007 11:43:40 AM
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.
It wasn't what Antony said that mattered by CrichtonAstronut	Jan 18th, 2007 10:31:14 AM
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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