With the jaw-dropping finale of Season One, I didn't think that it would be possible for ROME to sustain the level of quality it set for itself the first time around, let alone top it. I'm happy to admit I was wrong.
A heady mix of historical fact and melodramatic fiction, shot through with delicious bits of THE SOPRANOS, DYNASTY and MELROSE PLACE - only with togas, swords and chariots. From the opening shot of Season Two's first episode, you know that the creative teams both in front of and behind the cameras are set to take no prisoners, and Episode Two, "Son Of Hades" completely cements that agenda firmly in place, with an hour's worth of jaw-dropping television. The die is cast for the fates of many characters in this one episode, and whether you are a student of Ancient Roman History or just a looky-loo, it doesn't take a genius to figure out that not many of these characters are destined for "happy endings" - be they the spiritual or sexual kind.
Performances are top drawer as always (and has Max Pirkis shot up like a weed or what???) Acting kudos especially to all the female cast members - Polly Walker's Atia, Lindsay Duncan's Servilia and Lyndsey Marshal's extra-hot Cleopatra, (take THAT, Liz!) Viciousness never played this deliciously.
And bravo to director Allen Coulter (THE SOPRANOS) and cast for pulling off what must've been one of the most brutal and wince-inducing scenes of both seasons so far (I won't tell you WHAT it is, but you'll know it when you see it.) When someone asks you why ROME is so addictive, here's a prime example to point them towards. I'm already lamenting that this season may be the last. There are far too few shows like this on cable, and none at all of this caliber on network TV, as good as some of the others might be.
A heady mix of historical fact and melodramatic fiction, shot through with delicious bits of THE SOPRANOS, DYNASTY and MELROSE PLACE - only with togas, swords and chariots. From the opening shot of Season Two's first episode, you know that the creative teams both in front of and behind the cameras are set to take no prisoners, and Episode Two, "Son Of Hades" completely cements that agenda firmly in place, with an hour's worth of jaw-dropping television. The die is cast for the fates of many characters in this one episode, and whether you are a student of Ancient Roman History or just a looky-loo, it doesn't take a genius to figure out that not many of these characters are destined for "happy endings" - be they the spiritual or sexual kind.
Performances are top drawer as always (and has Max Pirkis shot up like a weed or what???) Acting kudos especially to all the female cast members - Polly Walker's Atia, Lindsay Duncan's Servilia and Lyndsey Marshal's extra-hot Cleopatra, (take THAT, Liz!) Viciousness never played this deliciously.
And bravo to director Allen Coulter (THE SOPRANOS) and cast for pulling off what must've been one of the most brutal and wince-inducing scenes of both seasons so far (I won't tell you WHAT it is, but you'll know it when you see it.) When someone asks you why ROME is so addictive, here's a prime example to point them towards. I'm already lamenting that this season may be the last. There are far too few shows like this on cable, and none at all of this caliber on network TV, as good as some of the others might be.