Rome: The Complete Second Season

 

 

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Revenge, treacherous intrigues, incest, betrayals, bloody violence, corrupting power, and explicit sex all contribute to the glory of Rome.
Rome delights viewers by giving them a delicious taste of the villainous history of the Roman Empire, between 52 B.C. and 31 B.C.. We see the rise and bloody fall of Julius Caesar and also the political machinations that followed, between Mark Antony and Gaius Octavian Caesar (Augustus Caesar). The stories of these characters are well-known to most of us, with writers such as William Shakespeare and Robert Graves offering us detailed character portraits. However, this is where Rome strives and succeeds to be different. Rome throws out all of these noble, heroic, and clichéd images and starts afresh. Antony, for example, is portrayed as the ultimate lad, his thirst for excess and vice unrelenting, and he just loves a good barbarous battle. Whereas Octavian is an intelligent and often cruel political strategist, who prefers to sit in his tent as the battle commences. Yet, this rehashing of characters is not all that Rome has to offer, for its genius lies in other quarters.
Rome brings to life creatures that are only briefly mentioned by historians, such as Vorenus and Pollo, two soldiers whose exploits are at centre-stage of all the action. And, according to Rome, both men have a profound, if often accidental, influence on Roman history. Vorenus is unintentionally responsible for Julius Caesar's death, and Pollo is responsible for Cleopatra's claim on the Roman Empire. If there are any heroes in Rome, Vorenus and Pollo are the most likely candidates. Vorenus is an honourable soldier, whose dedication to doing the right thing often leads him to ruin and unhappiness. However, Pollo is an entirely different sort of creature. He is just such a lovable, "big-bear," who the viewer can easily forgive the odd, homicidal rampage. Both men are fiercely loyal to each other, even after an argument, and they save each other's lives on numerous occasions.
But Rome's "piece de resistance" is without a doubt the character of Atia of the Julii, played by Polly Walker. She is scheming, vengeful, cruel, and, at times, foul-mouthed; you cannot help but adore her. She perceives life to be a series of trivialities sent by the God's to vex her. Only when she realises that she has lost Antony and that her son has become a cold, callous opportunist, just like his mother, do we see a solemn side to Atia's nature.
Of course, some will argue that Rome takes considerable liberties with history, but what writer worth their salt would ever let history get in the way of a good story?
Rome informs us of the salacious and villainous exploits of Roman nobility, yet it does not forget the Plebs and the Foot Soldiers, who constitute the life-blood of any empire. This epic saga is tantamount to glorious filth, and you will love every violently lecherous minute of it.
In short, Rome is a sumptuous production that sports a superb cast and outstanding writers, and is, quite simply, sublime.

"Rome" represents one of the saddest misjudgments in video history. HBO assembled an incredible cast, built an amazing set, and started telling a story that could have held an audience for many years. Unfortunately, when the series was initially slow to draw fans, HBO decided to cut their losses, and started wrapping up in a hurry. The great loves, hates, and political and moral issues that had begun to be developed were resolved in a couple of episodes. Then, about the time they offed Caesar, they realized that they had taken a potential huge hit and killed it as well.

The second season is a salvage job, still brilliant in terms of characterization, but with a feeling of getting the remaining plot lines concluded as quickly as possible. The brilliant casting, dialog and characterization were murdered before their time due to a fatal lack of patience. Too bad.

Wow! Rome is probably the most entertaining and fun series I have seen on TV. This is an absolute must to watch at some point. This is HBO so beware it is a series for Adults. They spent a lot of money on sets and production to make this series authentic and it shows... I was disappointed there is no 3rd season. Essentially this series covers Julius Ceaser and the fall of the republic until the fall of Anthony and Cleopatra. The show really brings the time period to life in a way that makes you yearn for more knowledge of the period and more episodes. Wildly entertaining from large scale battles, political intrigue, relationships, etc. I am sure there are historical inaccuracies but unless you are a History Prof. you will gain tons of insight on the time period and gain a lot of respect for the ancestors living in that time period... all while being entertained beyond belief. TOP MARKS!

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5.0 out of 5 stars lush, exotic and barbaric what's not to like?
Both years of Rome sparked the interest in many about this civilisation. Indeed, much of the series is based upon its nature, at once our antecent and at the same time exceedingly... Read more

Published 5 months ago by Neil

3.0 out of 5 stars Preferred first season
More fragmented than the first season. The packaging, though outwardly similar in this version, cuts many corners, as it appears the series also does.

Published 7 months ago by Nurseunderconstruction

4.0 out of 5 stars great series
I give season 1 five starts, I give season 2 four starts, Still a brilliant show. The characters seemed a little different, what happend to the morality the two main characters... Read more

Published 22 months ago by Ryan minaker

5.0 out of 5 stars Rome = Season 1 & 2
Bought this for a Christmas present for NEXT Christmas for my sister. She loved the series on TV (so did I) - Excellent price. Fast delivery.

Published on Feb 22 2010 by Margie

5.0 out of 5 stars Rome conquers all
Ho hum, yet another HBO television series of genius. This time it's ROME, in the era during and after the rule of Julius Caesar, so full of Roman colour and authenticity,... Read more

Published on Jan 20 2010 by Elliott Leyton

5.0 out of 5 stars Awesome
This is season two of Rome and is as good, if not better, than season one. The detail of the period and the rounding out of the characters is second to done. Read more

Published on Oct 14 2009 by Isabelle Sibley

5.0 out of 5 stars Amazing!!
This series is the best drama on TV. There aren't enough good things I can say about it! Watch it!! That being said... Read more

Published on Mar 5 2009 by Islander25

4.0 out of 5 stars Rome Season 2
It is funny. I did not start with Season 1. I straightly jumped into Season 2. Therefore, I cannot compare with those 2 seasons like other reviewers did. Read more

Published on Mar 25 2008 by FRED LAW

4.0 out of 5 stars Very Good
Its a great series ... I would recommend anyone to buy this entire HBO series.

Published on Dec 16 2007 by Scotty

3.0 out of 5 stars naked rome
I loved the first season of Rome and revelled in the fact that the Rome it spoke about was gritty and real. Read more

Published on Aug 27 2007 by Dave and Joe

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