Was I watching Rome or Oz? It was a bit confusing with all the boo-foo scenes. Anyway, I guess that's why Roman culture ultimately died out.
But now to Cicero.... How dastardly of him? Show some balls man! Do you notice how Cicero has problems looking people in the eye? When Marc Anthony asks for his support, Cicero can't bring himself to make eye contact with Anthony as he pledges his support. Of course, Anthony being the fool that he is, is too arrogant to believe in the possibility of a double-cross. Were you surprised at Anthony's brutality in the end? I think Cicero made the wise choice, however, in supporting Octavian. Cicero is influential, and it will help in Octavian's quest for power.
What of Pullo and Vorenus? Pullo is torn between his loyalty to Vorenus and his sense of justice as they are at odds. Pullo leaves in anger after a fallout with (and somewhat of an ass-kicking of) Vorenus, but his loyalty ultimately brings him back. Actually, I'm wondering if his wife will leave him. She is a free woman, and Pullo treats her with dignity unbecoming of a Roman. Will she bolt or will she stick with him for this very reason? When the war breaks out between Octavian and Anthony, on which side will Pullo fight? It will be interesting to see. Will Pullo be able to break Vorenus from the spell of Marc Anthony? Now that Pullo has found Vorenus' children, I wonder if Vorenus will accept them.
Octavia and Agrippa? Hmmm? Do you hear wedding bells?
Finally, I guess Atia gets it. That must have been some pretty good coin for that boy to allow himself to be that guard's bitch just so he could murder Atia. Was he smiling during the "ass-pounding" scene? If so, double-bonus for him.
Monday, January 29, 2007
Monday, January 22, 2007
Son of Hades
They used to call me that in college. But I digress. What an outstanding episode! Can it keep getting better? If so, we are in store for a great season. I almost should have waited for this episode to make my comments about Marc Anthony, but his actions prove my point. I stated it last week, and Octavian says it in this episode: "He is not fit to lead."
I suppose Vorenus is the title character in this episode. Erastes was the brutal captain that controlled the Aventine. Vorenus separated his body from his head for him. That's what it takes to control the Aventine, and that's what it will likely take to control Rome. Brutality. Ruthlessness. Otherwise, it falls into chaos at the hands of warlords. As Vorenus sinks deeper into the depths of Hades, Pullo remains the moral epicenter of the show. BTW, was that Vorenus' children at the end? Hmm?
I'd like to thank my anonymous friend for commenting below with his/her wonderful insights. However, I disagree with you on a comment. While I agree Octavian, soon to be Augustus, is brilliant, I do not think he is ethical (unless you believe in ethical relativism, but that's a subject for a different blog). In fact, I believe it is his dysfunctional upbringing that deprives him of a moral compass. He is politically astute, there is no doubt, but he is an opportunist. In fact, Julius Caesar had a sense of compassion that Octavian lacks (remember he forgave Brutus and Pompey). History tells us, and I'm assuming we'll see somewhere in this season, that Octavian obliterates his enemies. He seeks revenge for the murder of Caesar. Though, he makes an alliance with Anthony, it will break because he has no intent of sharing power with Anthony, and Anthony is too foolish gain/keep control on his own. Furthermore, he will kill (or have killed) the son of Cleopatra, Cesarion, who is potentially an heir to the thrown as the son of Caesar. Indeed, I see the conflict brewing as I believe he will ask Pullo to commit this heinous act. Of course, there is a chance that Pullo is actually the father. The question is: will he do it? Pullo's ethics will be tested.
I suppose Vorenus is the title character in this episode. Erastes was the brutal captain that controlled the Aventine. Vorenus separated his body from his head for him. That's what it takes to control the Aventine, and that's what it will likely take to control Rome. Brutality. Ruthlessness. Otherwise, it falls into chaos at the hands of warlords. As Vorenus sinks deeper into the depths of Hades, Pullo remains the moral epicenter of the show. BTW, was that Vorenus' children at the end? Hmm?
I'd like to thank my anonymous friend for commenting below with his/her wonderful insights. However, I disagree with you on a comment. While I agree Octavian, soon to be Augustus, is brilliant, I do not think he is ethical (unless you believe in ethical relativism, but that's a subject for a different blog). In fact, I believe it is his dysfunctional upbringing that deprives him of a moral compass. He is politically astute, there is no doubt, but he is an opportunist. In fact, Julius Caesar had a sense of compassion that Octavian lacks (remember he forgave Brutus and Pompey). History tells us, and I'm assuming we'll see somewhere in this season, that Octavian obliterates his enemies. He seeks revenge for the murder of Caesar. Though, he makes an alliance with Anthony, it will break because he has no intent of sharing power with Anthony, and Anthony is too foolish gain/keep control on his own. Furthermore, he will kill (or have killed) the son of Cleopatra, Cesarion, who is potentially an heir to the thrown as the son of Caesar. Indeed, I see the conflict brewing as I believe he will ask Pullo to commit this heinous act. Of course, there is a chance that Pullo is actually the father. The question is: will he do it? Pullo's ethics will be tested.
Wednesday, January 17, 2007
Marc Anthony the Epicurean
CAUTION: This post contains vulgar language.
"Eat, drink and be merry, for tomorrow we may die" is the Epicurean motto by which Marc Anthony lives. He relishes in power, sex, violence, and, of course, partying. His actions are not politically astute, but rather hasty to where even the 18 year old Octavian needs to talk sense into him. He failed to see the advantage of the paradox created by Brutus and gang when they assassinated Caesar. He was all set to leave town: grab what you can, including Calpurnia and let's get the hell out of dodge, rather Rome. The wiser, more stoic Octavian knew there was a smarter, calmer course of action.
His propensity to resort to violence (without regret or regard of consequences) is befitting an epicurean. Slitting the throat of Quintus Pompey, while much deserved, was impromptu and shows his lack of regard for the responsibilities of power. Caesar would have shown more compassion. Anthony is not fit to lead.
"I'm not getting out of bed until I fuck something." That may be my favorite line from the Passover episode if not my favorite line of all time. Marc Anthony says this as he lay lazily in the bed on the day of Caesar's funeral. We've all been there. He had morning wood, and he needed to do something about it. What better way to honor the memory of your closest friend than by schtupping some slave right before his funeral.
We shall see what happens to Marc Anthony in upcoming episodes. Will his ties to Caesar be enough to carry him to power or will his urges ultimately be his downfall?
"Eat, drink and be merry, for tomorrow we may die" is the Epicurean motto by which Marc Anthony lives. He relishes in power, sex, violence, and, of course, partying. His actions are not politically astute, but rather hasty to where even the 18 year old Octavian needs to talk sense into him. He failed to see the advantage of the paradox created by Brutus and gang when they assassinated Caesar. He was all set to leave town: grab what you can, including Calpurnia and let's get the hell out of dodge, rather Rome. The wiser, more stoic Octavian knew there was a smarter, calmer course of action.
His propensity to resort to violence (without regret or regard of consequences) is befitting an epicurean. Slitting the throat of Quintus Pompey, while much deserved, was impromptu and shows his lack of regard for the responsibilities of power. Caesar would have shown more compassion. Anthony is not fit to lead.
"I'm not getting out of bed until I fuck something." That may be my favorite line from the Passover episode if not my favorite line of all time. Marc Anthony says this as he lay lazily in the bed on the day of Caesar's funeral. We've all been there. He had morning wood, and he needed to do something about it. What better way to honor the memory of your closest friend than by schtupping some slave right before his funeral.
We shall see what happens to Marc Anthony in upcoming episodes. Will his ties to Caesar be enough to carry him to power or will his urges ultimately be his downfall?
Tuesday, January 16, 2007
Passover
What can I say about the season premier of Rome? My expectations were surpassed. For those of you that have read Shakespeare's Julius Caesar, Rome is its antithesis. From the foul, crass language and the obligatory violence and brutality to the subtle utterance from Brutus when describing to Servilla his horrific part in Caesar's murder "he tried to speak to me, but nothing came out." As if to say, it didn't happen that way Bill! People didn't speak in iambic pentameter and there was no "et tu Brute!" There was no "Friends, Romans Countrymen...." They didn't show the funeral scene or the supposed Marc Antony address to the crowd.
My favorite character, and I'm sure I'm not alone in this, is Titus Pullo. He is violent and brutal as the rest, but he is fiercely loyal and there is a sense of compassion in him not present in any other character on the show. He is ahead of his time. A proponent of equal rights for woman, perhaps? To Octavian, he says he is sorry about Caesar and asks if he is planning revenge, to which Octavian replies "eventually." "I'm up for the task," says the convicted Pullo. This brought tears to my eyes. Pullo is not a politician, and he does not cozy up to Octavian because he is in a position of power, rather he genuinely likes him, just as he genuinely likes, rather loves, Lucius Vorenus. It does not get more real than Titus Pullo.
Brutus is another interesting character. He is certainly this season's tragic hero. His tragic flaw being his naiveté. The actor who portrays him is younger, and I'm wondering if this is by design. He believes in the idea of the republic. He may be the only character that actually does. The other characters would abuse their power in much the same way as Caesar given the chance. He is a coward, and he allows himself to be manipulated by others, such as his mother, Cassius, and the other senators. He will commit the ultimate act of cowardice, whether it be this season or the next.
The republic is destroyed and now Octavian and Antony want revenge for the murder of Caesar. They will hunt down Brutus and Cassius, then they will fight each other. Octavian is a brilliant strategist, and my bets are on him to become the next leader of Rome, possibly Emperor. I guess we'll have to see what happens. I can't wait for the next episode.
My favorite character, and I'm sure I'm not alone in this, is Titus Pullo. He is violent and brutal as the rest, but he is fiercely loyal and there is a sense of compassion in him not present in any other character on the show. He is ahead of his time. A proponent of equal rights for woman, perhaps? To Octavian, he says he is sorry about Caesar and asks if he is planning revenge, to which Octavian replies "eventually." "I'm up for the task," says the convicted Pullo. This brought tears to my eyes. Pullo is not a politician, and he does not cozy up to Octavian because he is in a position of power, rather he genuinely likes him, just as he genuinely likes, rather loves, Lucius Vorenus. It does not get more real than Titus Pullo.
Brutus is another interesting character. He is certainly this season's tragic hero. His tragic flaw being his naiveté. The actor who portrays him is younger, and I'm wondering if this is by design. He believes in the idea of the republic. He may be the only character that actually does. The other characters would abuse their power in much the same way as Caesar given the chance. He is a coward, and he allows himself to be manipulated by others, such as his mother, Cassius, and the other senators. He will commit the ultimate act of cowardice, whether it be this season or the next.
The republic is destroyed and now Octavian and Antony want revenge for the murder of Caesar. They will hunt down Brutus and Cassius, then they will fight each other. Octavian is a brilliant strategist, and my bets are on him to become the next leader of Rome, possibly Emperor. I guess we'll have to see what happens. I can't wait for the next episode.
Rome the Series on HBO
Rome is in it's second season on HBO. I was so fascinated with the first episode of this season that I felt I must create a blog. Hopefully, fans will find this and we can have an intelligent dialog of this brilliant show.
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