It’s been more than a year since we’ve had a new episode of “Rome” to watch, and I always find it interesting, especially with these shows on HBO, how our everyday lives roll on as the cast and crew work furiously to but together twelve or thirteen episodes to entertain us for three months before the process starts all over again for another season.
Tonight’s episode picks up moments after Caesar’s murder, and all hell’s breaking loose in the city. For the most part, the creators did a beautiful job of seamlessly rolling the first season into the second. But Atia (Polly Walker) looks quite different to me, so much so that I almost didn’t recognize her when she first hit the screen. It’s possible that they wanted her character to look like she’s aged five to ten years and gained ten to twenty pounds, but something tells me that was an issue the creators had to deal with when they started shooting for the second season.
This episode dealt with the aftermath of not only Caesar’s death, but Niobe’s as well. It’s not often that a show will kill off two of their main characters at the same time, but the parallel storylines make for compelling television.
First, the political implications of Caesar’s death had to be dealt with and it was clear right from the start that Octavian was stepping up his role in the political realm. He’s extremely savvy, so it’s no wonder why Caesar bequeathed his estate to the young man, effectively making Octavian his son. As his mother tres to get the family out of the city, he quickly formulates a plan, and with Mark Antony’s help (and his mother’s approval), he effectively seizes control of the city. Brutus made the mistake of trusting Antony against the advice of all of his advisors, including Servilia. When she put in her two cents, his line – “You too, mother?” – was priceless.
Meanwhile, Lucius is reeling from Niobe’s suicide, but it was clear that he was going to kill her anyway for having a child by another man while he was away at war. He made the mistake of cursing and banishing his children and almost immediately regrets it.
Titus and his slave girl have a nice moment in the woods when he had the best line of the show: “I know I didn’t get us started off on the right foot, killing your man, and I’m sorry for that.” He proposes to her and she agrees to be his wife, but it’s clear that she’s having a tough time understanding that she’s a free woman now. Anyway, once someone rides by yelling about Caesar’s death, Titus hilariously knocks the guy off his horse and uses it to head back to the city.
There, he finds Lucius in a serious tailspin, but helps his friend pull things together. Lucius is torn up about placing a curse his children and the two men discover that their old boss abducted them. After a bloody attack on the boss’ hideout, the man informs the duo that for Lucius’ past transgressions, he “f*cked them, killed them and threw them in the river.” And that was the end of that guy.
It may take a while for Lucius to recover from he day’s events, and he’s not unlike the city of Rome trying to recover from Caesar’s death. Brutus has been sent to the country, so it looks like Antony, Octavian and Atia will control the city for the time being. Octavian and Titus also had words during the episode and it’s clear that kid trusts the big man. Over the season, Octavian is going to develop into more of a leader and it will be interesting to see what role Titus (and Lucius, for that matter) play in the future of the empire.
All in all, it was a great premiere and I can’t wait to see more.
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I do agree that this was a very good opening episode. I do lke how Vorenus is making an almost complete 180 in personality. He should now find a great use for his bottled up anger. I look forward to another great season of Rome. I am curious to see how the recasting of he older Octavian will work out seeing as I like Max Pirkis in the role I do realize they do need to make age.
I wasn’t aware that they were planning to recast Octavian (now Gaius Julius Caesar). Pirkis is 17 and his character takes over control of Italy in 42 BC, when he was 21. I’d like to see him remain in that role, at least for the rest of the season.
Pirkis will be replaced by Simon Woods either late this season or early next season. I’d love to see Pirkis remain as Octavian because I like how he plays the role. Unfortunately he needs to age though.
Wow – that sucks – Pirkis has been great in the role.
I just saw episode 3, and Pirkis did not make an appearance. Perhaps they are setting things up for Woods to step in soon.
i am really upset about the departure of Max Pirkis…all they had to do was maybe cut his hair, give him a bit of facial scruff, a bit of a tan and dress him in a way that made him look a little stockier.
terrible mistake in my opinion. no way i will get used to a new actor in that role
I cannot say how much I LOVE the HBO series Rome! However, I am very upset over the replacement Max Pirkis in the role of Octavian. I thought Max was spectacular and brilliant. He could have easily portrayed an older version of that character with a little Hollywood makeup and costumes! I do agree that his replacement is a fine actor, too. But, he is far less likeable than Max. But, maybe that’s the point?
I really dislike the fact that theyb took one of my favorite characters and gave it to some hand me down no name. I saw the episode with the new guy so far and it’s a complete rip. I always watched Rome to see what happened to Octavian and now, I’m sad to say that the spark that once was the character is gone. :/
The creators felt they had to do it to make age. Pirkis was just too young.
Give the new guy some time. The actor does a great job down the stretch.
No way Pirkis pulls off the role in the second half of the season. He was great when he was on, but they absolutely needed someone else for the older Octavian.
What I don’t understand is how come Octavian was replaced to look older yet Lucius Vorenus’ chiildren remained the same age?? That threw me for a loop.
Are you kidding me? Simon Woods is absolutely terrible as Gaius Octavian, zero facial expression and eyes that might as well be mirrors. And could he be any prettier? I want to stab out my eyes every time he is on the screen.
Max Pirkis was amazing in the role. Whoever decided to switch him out made a grave mistake. My girlfriend and I were completely into this series before the switch. Now it’s just Pullo and Vorenus keeping us watching.
BRING MAX BACK!!!!!
Thanks. I really love this show. Just freaking ditch the Abercrombie and Fitch poster boy please.
No one would’ve cared if Pirkis looked a little young for the new season. Big freakin’ deal! He was way better for the part. The new actor is a good actor, but he doesn’t fit the role of Octavian. Octavian obviously would’ve become different in the time he was away at war, but not as much as the new actor is playing it. What can you do??? They can’t switch back now!