no, I have been made to look a fool
9 Aug 2006 09:50 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
kangeikoSo I bought the Rome s1 box-set, and watched the first episode a few days ago. Predictably, I already have my favourites: Atia and her offspring, and the Vorenus/Pullo interaction.
Atia, first: my, that lady can spin a tale or eight. Her hauteur and overt sexuality reminds me of Darla in many ways, but there is something else about her, an undercurrent of true malice, that marks her apart. She cares about her children, it is true, but in the same way that a viper might. ThI'd love to see her interact with someone who is an actual threat to her, whether socially or through some other means, rather than simply moving in circles where she is the queen bee. I'd like to see her with her back against the way, and see what she has in her arsenal. Whatever it is, I suspect that it is poisonous, and I do not envy Pompey one iota. She's very much "All About Eve", that one, and does not like to be made a fool of. Am I wrong?
Otavian and Octavia: not having studied Roman history, this naming thing is going to bug me until I avail myself of a few dozen good textbooks, isn't it? Anyway, I was initially dismissive of them both, although there was something strangely familiar about the incestuous overtones on both the sibling and paternal level - either the Caligula background has well and truly seeped into my subconscious, or I've seen this sort of relationship before. Anyone know offhand where? There is something to the vampire bit of it, and the sibling/parent/lover mix that led me to the scene of Darla and Drusilla embracing in the street, but it's not quite that.
Anyway, that was what I initially thought: an interesting premise for the two of them, but separately, they seemed a bit weak. That is, until they were actually separated and we got to see Octavian reasoning out Caesar's plans without even paying that much attention. Oh, I thought, he's a smart one. Shame about his sister, being pushed around by their mother. Weak little thing. Until, of course, Octavia was pushed into a corner, and we saw her teeth. My, what poisonous little fangs she has, that one. I'm looking forward to her revenge.
Vorenus/Pullo: I already looked this up online and, predictably, there is all the slash in the world. Well, implied, if not actually written. However, there seem indications that they're going to be used as the 'brotherly love' ideal, which I find a bit odd given that it's the Roman army and they've had no company but each other for donkey's years - but, whatever, I'm listening. I like the lack of gloss over it - Vorenus's remark of "when was the last time you had a woman who wasn't screaming or you weren't paying?" - quite won my heart. Much like Deadwood, there isn't much of a shine put over the brutal relations between the sexes. Brutal on both counts, of course. I doubt that Atia plays nicely with her toys.
Cicero: not so much about the character, but more about the actor, because having recently re-watched P&R, i was wondering what work David Bamber had done after it. This is lovely for him, and it is such a surprise to see him in something other than the servile, cringeing Mr Collins guise.
The sets / setting: oooh, the sets is teh pretteh! I am full of much love and adoration. Again, not familiar with Rome (we studied Egypt instead, then went straight ahead to William the Conqueror and after that it was European & American History post 1500 from GCSE straight to degree level) and so perhaps I missed some of the subtlety, but what the hell. I loved the crucifixion scene - "take them down" *eyeroll* - you can just hear him think, "but I only just put them up!" - and the fight scene where we meet Vorenus and Pullo was splendiferous.![[livejournal.com profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/external/lj-userinfo.gif)
wingsmith commented that Vorenus was very much like a PE teacher, blowing his whistle for the changes. Yes, ok, true, but also - the scary precision was just, well scary. And, also impressive.
The opening titles: Was this made by the guy that made Carnivale's titles and those of Desperate Housewives? Because it certainly seems like it.
That is all for the moment, having only seen the opening episode. Expect more coherence when I've actually watched some more. Also, fic recs, please? Anything Atia-related would make me happy.
Atia, first: my, that lady can spin a tale or eight. Her hauteur and overt sexuality reminds me of Darla in many ways, but there is something else about her, an undercurrent of true malice, that marks her apart. She cares about her children, it is true, but in the same way that a viper might. ThI'd love to see her interact with someone who is an actual threat to her, whether socially or through some other means, rather than simply moving in circles where she is the queen bee. I'd like to see her with her back against the way, and see what she has in her arsenal. Whatever it is, I suspect that it is poisonous, and I do not envy Pompey one iota. She's very much "All About Eve", that one, and does not like to be made a fool of. Am I wrong?
Otavian and Octavia: not having studied Roman history, this naming thing is going to bug me until I avail myself of a few dozen good textbooks, isn't it? Anyway, I was initially dismissive of them both, although there was something strangely familiar about the incestuous overtones on both the sibling and paternal level - either the Caligula background has well and truly seeped into my subconscious, or I've seen this sort of relationship before. Anyone know offhand where? There is something to the vampire bit of it, and the sibling/parent/lover mix that led me to the scene of Darla and Drusilla embracing in the street, but it's not quite that.
Anyway, that was what I initially thought: an interesting premise for the two of them, but separately, they seemed a bit weak. That is, until they were actually separated and we got to see Octavian reasoning out Caesar's plans without even paying that much attention. Oh, I thought, he's a smart one. Shame about his sister, being pushed around by their mother. Weak little thing. Until, of course, Octavia was pushed into a corner, and we saw her teeth. My, what poisonous little fangs she has, that one. I'm looking forward to her revenge.
Vorenus/Pullo: I already looked this up online and, predictably, there is all the slash in the world. Well, implied, if not actually written. However, there seem indications that they're going to be used as the 'brotherly love' ideal, which I find a bit odd given that it's the Roman army and they've had no company but each other for donkey's years - but, whatever, I'm listening. I like the lack of gloss over it - Vorenus's remark of "when was the last time you had a woman who wasn't screaming or you weren't paying?" - quite won my heart. Much like Deadwood, there isn't much of a shine put over the brutal relations between the sexes. Brutal on both counts, of course. I doubt that Atia plays nicely with her toys.
Cicero: not so much about the character, but more about the actor, because having recently re-watched P&R, i was wondering what work David Bamber had done after it. This is lovely for him, and it is such a surprise to see him in something other than the servile, cringeing Mr Collins guise.
The sets / setting: oooh, the sets is teh pretteh! I am full of much love and adoration. Again, not familiar with Rome (we studied Egypt instead, then went straight ahead to William the Conqueror and after that it was European & American History post 1500 from GCSE straight to degree level) and so perhaps I missed some of the subtlety, but what the hell. I loved the crucifixion scene - "take them down" *eyeroll* - you can just hear him think, "but I only just put them up!" - and the fight scene where we meet Vorenus and Pullo was splendiferous.
wingsmith commented that Vorenus was very much like a PE teacher, blowing his whistle for the changes. Yes, ok, true, but also - the scary precision was just, well scary. And, also impressive.The opening titles: Was this made by the guy that made Carnivale's titles and those of Desperate Housewives? Because it certainly seems like it.
That is all for the moment, having only seen the opening episode. Expect more coherence when I've actually watched some more. Also, fic recs, please? Anything Atia-related would make me happy.
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no subject
Date: 2006-08-10 05:26 am (UTC)That'll come, and it'll be a major, major plot thread, she says mysteriously. Let's just say one of the big revelations is that Atia is actually not the most dangerous woman in Rome.
Also, names: It should not be "Octavian" at this age, but Octavius. Gaius Octavius. When Caesar adopted him postumously, he became Gaius Iulius Caesar Octavianus, but never used the "Octavian" because he styled himself as Caesar the second instead; however, his political opponents did use "Octavian", pointedly. And post- defeat of Antony & Cleopatra, of course, it became Augustus. Anyway, this is the first screen presentation I can buy. (Brian Blessed was far too good natured, and Roddy McDowell too weak.) Max Pirkis is great in the role.
no subject
Date: 2006-08-11 09:39 pm (UTC)That'll come, and it'll be a major, major plot thread, she says mysteriously. Let's just say one of the big revelations is that Atia is actually not the most dangerous woman in Rome.
Servila? It's Servila, right? Ooooh, Atia so overplayed her hand there! And with Antony, too! Poor lamb. *pets*
*examines bit hand*
Humpf.
no subject
Date: 2006-08-15 05:17 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2006-08-15 05:19 pm (UTC)*snuggles you*
*runs away*