Synopsis
The HBO series which shows the rise of the Caesars and the end of the Roman Republic. Season 1 covers the rise of Julius Caesar to power and his ultimate assassination. Let’s face it… that’s about as spoiler-filled as Titanic! Season 2 chronicles the power after his death and the beginning of the end of the Republic. All of the grand history is viewed largely through the point of view of two lowly soldiers as they try to survive the upheavals. The ultimate classic buddy picture? Sure… only slightly more bloody than the Lethal Weapon series.
Evaluation
Pros
- From the very first scene, you see the strength and dynamics of two very different partnerships: Julius Caesar and his main general Mark Antony, then centurion Lucius Vorenus and legionnaire Titus Pullo. All are warriors and although Vorenus & Pullo start off not really liking each other, their friendship grows as the best ones do — really, really awkwardly.
- The writing throughout the entire series, especially the first season. There never really feels like there’s a dull moment in the series, even when the characters aren’t really doing anything.
- Casting some really strong actors in these roles. Kevin McKidd and Ray Stevenson as Vorenus and Pullo, respectively, were amazing to watch the entire time. Between the two, though, I have to give the edge to Stevenson. Pullo has a sunny disposition about him, even through his darkest hours, that just draws you in. His portrayal creates far more sympathy for an audience than does Vorenus. I think in some ways he also attempts serves as Octavian’s Jiminy Cricket during his formative years, but his influence is blunted and overwhelmed by the sheer force of personality of Octavian’s mother, Atia. Polly Walker’s Atia was another great performance, illustrated by her Golden Globe nomination that year. (I remember that the first thing I ever saw her in was Patriot Games.)
- Obviously, it’s hard to judge how historically accurate the series is, since we don’t have the kinds of records we do from even 100 years ago.
Cons
- There were some casting misfires too, I think. Lyndsey Marshal’s Cleopatra was far more effective in Season 2, but in Season 1 I had a lot of trouble believing that she was so powerfully seductive. In her defense, the scene where she orders Vorenus to have sex with her in hilarious!
- Another questionable choice was the character of Gaia, who shows up as a bar wench in Season 2 who later kills Pullo’s wife out of envy. That whole sub-plot seemed pointless to me, especially since they were concerned about having to cut so much because of the short season and subsequent cancellation. Having Eirene die in childbirth or some other non-violent method could have still served to the same effect on Pullo’s worldview. Zuleikha Robinson was good in the role… it just felt unnecessary.
Favorite moments
- A bit from Season 1, when Pullo takes young Octavian to a brothel for the first time:
- Pullo: I don’t suppose… seeing as I’m with the quality, I might be able to–
Brothel manager: Not a chance.
::Pullo hangs his head in shame, defeated::
- Pullo: I don’t suppose… seeing as I’m with the quality, I might be able to–
- As mentioned before, in Season 1, when Caesar first goes to Egypt, Vorenus and Pullo are sent into the desert to find the runaway princess. As they are escorting her back to Alexandria and the waiting Caesar, she decides not to chance not being able to conceive a child with Caesar because… um… the pump is primed, so to speak. So she decides to have one of her Roman escorts do the deed. What ensues involves a lot of awkwardness, sweating and a god deal of ululating.
- Late in Season 2 Servilia, Atia’s nemesis in the series, takes her in her own… in public… in broad daylight…. on Atia’s front doorstep. O. M. G. I think Mark Antony says it best after the moment: “Now that’s an exit.”
Judgment
There were some problems with Season 2, brought on mostly (according to interviews with series creator Bruno Heller) by the fact that halfway through Season 2 they were cancelled and they crammed the major events of Seasons 3 & 4 into the remaining few episodes. In spite of this, the series as a whole has a solid through-line about friendship as expressed by Vorenus & Pullo. Their travails and brushes with history bring the audience closer to experiencing a sense of what it might have been like to live in that time… with a British accent. So I rule in favor of Rome. Not the most family-friendly show, but definitely one for the adults to check out and another jewel for HBO’s original series crown.
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