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Sex, Male Egos, Violence, and Misogyny - TVgasm

by J-Unit

rome_ep3.jpg

I am not sure how many of you have been watching, but HBO's Rome has managed to start off a lot better than I previously would have imagined. As somebody who studied the Roman republic and the Empire, I have no problem getting into the story. Historical accuracy is as good as one can expect these days, but I thought that the amount of time spent on a lot of the background history that preceded the first episode was not sufficient for any casual viewer to really get excited about. In fact, I would have to say it would bore most people to death. It looks like I was wrong, or HBO doesn't care, because the series has been picked up for a second season. And lucky for those of us who are into the show, the second season won't air until 2007 (note the sarcasm, HBO producers).

One of the reasons why the show might be doing better than I expected is that the acting is quite good. (I'll have to make room on my crush list for Bollywood star Indira Varma as well.) It's easy to get into what is happening with the main characters, but again, the problem is that you have no sense about the epic nature of what his happening around them. You really don't care as much about what is happening to Caesar, Atia, Pompey et. al. as much as you want to know about the soldiers and the pawns of the politicians, and their regular lives away from the mess the elites are making. There is a fair amount of sex, although in true Roman fashion the woman is there pretty much as a receptacle. Expect plenty of violence, including a great scene where a doctor performs brain surgery on a man while the neighbors watch and laugh as the pus drains out of this guy's skull.

I tell you all of this because if you haven't had a chance to watch it, or have missed an episode, HBO will be replaying the first three parts of the series tonight, starting at 8PM Eastern and again on HBO West at 8PM Pacific.


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Posted by J-Unit on September 16, 2005 11:27 AM

Comments

"Rome" is the best show on TV. It's like "Star Wars." But with sex.

Noel (www.noelrustia.com)

Posted by: Noel | September 16, 2005 1:33 PM(#1 of 11)

SPOILER?


I'm wondering how this season will end. Will it be with the death of Julius Caesar? If so, the second season could start off with the excitement that is...PROBATE!

Posted by: TheMatt | September 16, 2005 2:50 PM(#2 of 11)

THE BEST SHOW IS WEEDS!!!!!!!!!

Posted by: TRINA | September 16, 2005 7:47 PM(#3 of 11)

I've enjoyed the 3 episodes thusfar and I'm really looking forward to see how the rest of the series unfolds. Brilliant production values (as always from HBO) and an absorbing tale of when it was cool to wear togas in a sober state!

Posted by: JR | September 17, 2005 3:17 AM(#4 of 11)

hi how are u @};-

Posted by: madni | September 17, 2005 6:13 AM(#5 of 11)

WHATS GOING ON

Posted by: JOHN | September 17, 2005 10:10 AM(#6 of 11)

panty voilence
mad theams peopel aer tv-story phobic.

Posted by: nilesh kulkarni | September 18, 2005 4:01 AM(#7 of 11)

i dont even know what is yall talkin about

Posted by: ANA Mirkovic | September 18, 2005 10:38 AM(#8 of 11)

Are Landing Strips historically accurate?

Posted by: Gatahbaby | September 20, 2005 12:12 PM(#9 of 11)

more often than not, the muff has been displayed in full force.

Posted by: J-Unit | September 20, 2005 4:11 PM(#10 of 11)

I agree, great show, but confusing at times, especially with the female characters.I fell for the daughter of "Julie Cooper" (thats what we call her becasue she looks so much like her), the one who was given to Pompey, used and disgarded.

Posted by: Jerry | September 21, 2005 9:15 AM(#11 of 11)