That’s it. That’s the last episode of “Rome.”
I’ve said before, with all the jumping ahead in time, that this season felt awfully rushed, but the final episode provided a fitting conclusion to most of the show’s storylines.
It starts with a great monologue by Mark Antony as the remainder of his navy rowed its way back to Alexandria.
All my life I’ve been fearful of defeat. But now that it has come it’s not near as terrible as I’d expected. The sun still shines, water still tastes good…glory is all well and good but life is enough, nay?
Then, in contrast, we get another monologue from Atia as she laments the news of Antony’s defeat:
[Octavian] wasn’t like that as a child. He was a good, honest boy. I don’t know what happened. I’m to blame, probably.
Probably?
Antony’s meltdown in the palace is a brilliant piece of acting by James Purefoy. When Cleopatra pleads with him to come up with some military trick to win the war, Antony quips, “I’m a soldier, not a fucking magician.”
Then, he has a “GoodFellas” moment when one of his guests laughs as he gets knocked down. Antony shouts, “I’m a fucking clown?” before killing the weakling in a swordfight. (I had visions of Joe Pesci.) That moment is Antony’s “lampshade” moment. You know, that moment when a partygoer partakes a little too much and their night spins out of control. I’d like to applaud the hazy cinematography of the scene. It really adds depth to Antony’s frame of mind at the time.
He has another great line when Cleo’s slave comes to tell him of her death and to urge him to commit suicide: “Anything to cure this fucking hangover.” The suicide scene with Lucius was intense, and it was a nice gesture that Antony did not force Vorenus to follow him into death.
Then there’s the matter of Caesarion. Though there isn’t any real-world evidence of this, the show’s position is that he is the son of Titus Pullo. When Lucius offers to take Caesarion to his father, Cleopatra asks, “Is he a good man?” Lucius answers, “Define good.”
The negotiation scene between Cleo and Octavian was terrific, and I can see now why they wanted Simon Woods instead of Max Pirkis for the latter half of this season. Octavian was actually 33 when he invaded Alexandria, so casting Woods was a logical choice. Of course, Caesarion was 17 at the time, and the creators didn’t have any problem shaving seven years off of his age.
It was good to see Atia get back to her old self. That was a terrific diatribe she laid on Octavian’s wife before the triumph. Now that the series is over, it’s comforting to know that the bitch is definitely back.
Finally, there’s Titus and Lucius. Even with all its politicking and betrayal, the show is really about the friendship between these two men. It was sad to see Lucius go, but I’m glad he got his wish to see his children and that his eldest daughter decided to forgive him. Titus got his wish - a son - and appears to have finally found some happiness in his life.
And, speaking of Titus, how’s this for the last line of the series?
Listen, about your father…
All in all, the finale did an excellent job of providing fitting conclusions to virtually every major character, but in reality, the only good thing about “Rome” ending is that we’ll finally get to see the last nine episodes of “The Sopranos.”
R.I.P. “Rome.” We’re sad to see you go.
Great show. I’m goinng to miss it.
Definitely going to miss it, though this episode, like the back half of this season, felt rushed (as you already said). It’s a shame that the producers weren’t given the time to tell their story in the proper time frame, because this was simply one of the best shows on TV.
Why does HBO cancel a show that is way better than even the best of the, what, like 8 seasons of the Sopranos? Can’t we get 1 more season, especially now that it has such a great following? Who was in charge of this business decision?
wat? the show’s over? i only caught the last 3 episodes…that’s pretty sh—y timing (on my part) especially now that i discovered octavian…mmmmm watta man…freakin hot ass man and i don’t care if he is gay….definitely gonna miss that show…i’m hoping they might add another season.
Well, the price tag for season 1 was a little over $100 Million. BBC picked up around 25% of that. Season 2 again was around $100 Million, with BBC picking up around 25%. But, the contractual commitment of the BBC network to the show was complete after season 2, and I don’t think that HBO was willing to foot the whole bill. It’s been suggested that HBO bring the filming of the series to America instead of filming in Italy. That would lower the price tag considerably, but I don’t believe that will ever happen. Sex in the City (GONE) Carnivale (GONE) Rome (GONE) Sopranos (Almost GONE) Deadwood (Almost GONE) That’s a crazy resume of great programming, maybe Showtime will have the balls to keep Dexter and the Trudors around for years and years…….
HBO is going to have to come up with good new programming if they hope to keep their subscriber base. I like “Entourage,” “Extras,” “CYE” and “Big Love” as much as the next guy, but I doubt I’ll fork over $15 a month for the privilege to watch them once “Sopranos” and “The Wire” are off the air. For $180 a year, I can rent them all on DVD and invest the remainder in the exciting and profitable gold market.
That raises an interesting question: what are some of the shows HBO has coming down the pipe? Anyone have any inside info on that?
Well one thing i must say about the last episode, we never really see lucious die even though he is mortally wouned. If HBO found some money $100 mill or two they could write him back into the script as surviving his wounds. this was a work of genius it’s very sad to see this show end
Dames and Gents,
In times unprecedented and tinged with despair, it is appropriate to reflect on the founding of our great nation. It was not with George Washington, but with Brutus, and not the one who killed Caeser. There was another who rebelled against the tyrant monarchy of Rome, The Tarquins. He wrote the Roman Constitution that would stand for 500 years. His sons sided with the monarchy. The monarchy lost. So to punish his sons and found a perfect union, he immolated his own sons.
Machiavelli speaks fluently and voluminoulsy and voiciferously on this subject, in ‘The Discourses’, and yet is proved wrong on several counts by the miracle of America.
He says that a nation founded in servitude, as America was a colony, will never win its freedom. He also says that a nation founded on fertile soil that is easily defended, will in time loose all of its freedoms because it will become, eventually, inevitably, sloth and sated, and will forget to protect them.
As regards ‘The DC Madam’, I am personally involved. You can view my involvement at http://www.maytheygetwhattheydeserve.com/KAT.html
Sometimes a mouse will lead you to a kat, and a kat can lead you to a rat and a rat, ironically, can lead you to the truth.
And the truth, as they say, and as it is written, will set you free.
May all those who sincerely and patiently wait for freedom be free and may all those who desire to steal those freedoms find instead the dire consequences that accompany contempt for a great man like Brutus.
As regards Machiavelli,
eram sapiens tamen nefas
And again,
vox vocis publicus est vox vocis deus
May The Republic stand forever and bring the Glory of The World, with Dignity, into Its Treasury.
Purple
How boring Sunday night is without “Rome”!!!
Has to be ranked as one of the all time best TV dramas!
yes. One of the best shows ever. Great character development, great sets, and a great story. Hope they can revive this somehow.
YES IT\’S A SAME, BUT WE COULD DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT… If each fan or each person that wants a fallow up season buys the season pack of Rome, than HBO will see there is stil a great need in the series…PLEASE LISTEN..this is our one and only chance to make a difference and yes we could make a difference.. Send this massage to each person you know that loves the series or/and let them know to buy the series. By doing this we raise more and more money to supply HBO money to even consider to make season 3…PLEASE TOGETHER WE CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE!!
YES IT’S A SHAME, BUT WE COULD DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT…
If each fan or each person that wants a fallow up season buys the season pack of Rome, than HBO will see there is stil a great need in the series…PLEASE LISTEN..this is our one and only chance to make a difference and yes we could make a difference..
Send this massage to each person you know that loves the series or/and let them know to buy the series. By doing this we raise more and more money to supply HBO money to even consider to make season 3…PLEASE TOGETHER WE CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE!!THER WE CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE!!