As the series approaches its conclusion Mark Antony and Cleopatra have suffered a major defeat in Greece a return to Alexandria. It isn't long before Octavian's forces have the Royal Palace surrounded and demands that Antony and Cleopatra surrender to him or he will destroy the palace with them inside. Antony challenges Octavian to single combat but is rebuffed. They know that surrender isn't really an option so discuss whether to flee or commit suicide and decide on the latter course. Before the deed is done Mark Antony tells Lucius Vorenus to save young Caesarion. Meanwhile Octavian orders Pullo to find Caesarion so he can be put to death
he may only be a child but there can only be one son of Caesar. The two old friends are reunited in the desert and after Vorenus is wounded they make their way back to Rome with Caesarion. By now Octavian is also back and it is time for his triumph.
It could be argued that this episode, like much of the season, was a little rushed and we don't see the major battles; I didn't mind this though as it let us concentrate on more intimate details; most notably as Antony and Cleopatra discuss what they should do while their ultimate fate isn't a huge surprise there are some twists in what happens to them. James Purefoy and Lyndsey Marshal were great during these scenes. It was great to see Ray Stevenson and Kevin McKidd share scenes together after Pullo and Vorenus are reunited; as these characters have somehow managed to be involved in just about every major event of the series it was fitting that they were together at the end. Other highlight's included Polly Walker's Atia putting Octavian's wife in her place before the triumph and the very last scene where we can just guess what Pullo has told Caesarion. Overall it is a shame that the series ended so soon but as it had to end I'm glad it had such a good conclusion.
It could be argued that this episode, like much of the season, was a little rushed and we don't see the major battles; I didn't mind this though as it let us concentrate on more intimate details; most notably as Antony and Cleopatra discuss what they should do while their ultimate fate isn't a huge surprise there are some twists in what happens to them. James Purefoy and Lyndsey Marshal were great during these scenes. It was great to see Ray Stevenson and Kevin McKidd share scenes together after Pullo and Vorenus are reunited; as these characters have somehow managed to be involved in just about every major event of the series it was fitting that they were together at the end. Other highlight's included Polly Walker's Atia putting Octavian's wife in her place before the triumph and the very last scene where we can just guess what Pullo has told Caesarion. Overall it is a shame that the series ended so soon but as it had to end I'm glad it had such a good conclusion.
