Rome

[rm]

I'm a little breathless and so sad and it was just what I needed.



I was s moved by Cicero's death.

And by Brutus'. Brutus in particular, this Brutus, has really plagued me emotionally throughout the show. I know most everyone is on about how he's weak and a coward, but what strikes me about this portrayal of him over and over again until his very last moment is his naivete. He hasn't the tools for his place in the world, for his life, for even his passions. And I feel bad for him. I do. Deeply.

Meanwhile oh chilly little Octavian and Antony trying to deal with each other. Especially that business wehere they are making up lists of people to kill. Aie. I miss Max Pirkis, but this new Octavian is damn eerie and odd too.

Comments

[fuyukodachi.livejournal.com]

I particularly appreciated Cicero's.

[neo-nym.livejournal.com]

I am impressed with this portrayl of Brutus. Mostly, he seemed in constant surprise by the turn of events. He lacks cynicism but all his uncertainty is in his chin and mouth. I thought his death, in the end, mirrored Cesear's.

Cicero was an opportunist; he finally ran out of lives. I, for one, was not sorry to see him go, although he seemed more frail at the end. He deserved pity.

The new Octavian. His inexperience makes it easy to like him. His brutality is not yet natural. I find it fascinating to watch a lion discover its strength in the shadow of the alpha male. I love watching his eyes--

And where is Cleo, when does she make her return

ALl in all, I am happy with this show. I look forwatd to SUnday nights.

[tommx.livejournal.com]

Brutus' naivete is an interesting contrast to Octavian's almost clockwork mind. Octavian plans things to the nth degree and leaves as little to chance as possible. Brutus, on the other hand, simply doesn't see the strings that are at work. He is largely dependent on Cicero who obviously needed better messengers. I was surprised to find myself mourning the passing of Brutus, and of Cicero. I almost died when Pullo politely asked if he could pick peaches.

Also interesting is Octavian's reluctance to enter into battle. It's easy to say it's cowardice or inexperience, but I suspect it was different:

1. He knew that the battle was not necessarily a slam dunk, as Julius Ceasar was outnumbered 2 to 1 by Popmpey's army at Pharsalus, yet managed to clobber them. Granted Brutus and Cassius were no where near as great military generals as Ceasar, but still.

2. Octavian and Marc Antony still hate each other's guts, regardless of reconciling, and Marc Antony would probably have no problem killing Octavian if he thought he could get away with it. That'd be easy to do in the heat of battle. If, on the other hand, Antony dies in battle, Octavian's problems are largely over.

3. Octavian is more of a tactician than a hand to hand fighter. He knows this. He is still not used to seeing plans he set down on paper executed. Certainly not on a scale like this. Antony had rode side by side with Ceasar himself and fought in battles that were the stuff of legend. Octavian lacked such experience.

Overall a wonderful episode.