I realized tonight one of the many things that distinguishes HBO's Rome from anything else on television: there's not a scene wasted, not a minute, not a conversation, that you're not delighted you saw and heard.
Tonight's episode - the second in Rome's return - was especially rich in such wonderful moments. Antony and Cleopatra (played by Lindsey Marshal) were superb. Just the right chemistry. Antony and Atia were great together, too. Vorenus and Pullo have now completed their role reversals - Pullo invokes the gods, Vorenus exults in their denial. And again Antony (the night belonged to James Purefoy) and Vorenus (with Pullo) had a priceless scene, in which Antony shows his understanding of at least a part of the human condition, and pulls Vorenus out of his downward spiral.
But the scene of scenes tonight was the confrontation between Antony and Octavian. Max Pirkis as Octavian more than held his own against a scalding performance by Purefoy. For the first time, we can truly believe that Octavian will triumph over Antony - not just because history tells us so, but because we can see it with our own eyes, in this unforgettable performance.
But that's getting a little ahead of ourselves. Tonight we must content ourselves with Octavian leaving the city - a bit battered, but the furthest thing from bowed.
And, oh yes, Vorenus' children are alive. I knew they would be. In fictional television land - which this part of the story of HBO's Rome is - people are never dead unless you see them dead beyond any possible revival. I'm glad - for Vorenus, and for us.
3-minute podcast of this review
Rome - The Complete First Season
I, Claudius 1977 BBC-HBO series
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4 comments:
You're absolutely right, Paul, not a second is wasted. It's almost too intense, not a moment to sit back and breathe a sigh of relief before being straifed by the next scene. I simply don't understand why this program is to be limited to only two seasons.
In an alternate world, HBO's Rome could easily run for a hundred years, at least....
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I wonder what will happen to Vorenus, since all of his anger are because he believes his children are dead.
Good question, Mike. I would say that what Vorenus thought was the loss of his children brought his demons of anger to the surface, where they now reign. I would guess they will stay in control for a while, even if he learns his children are alive ... and, then, maybe, he'll slowly become more like his old self ... or maybe not...
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