Rome Season 2
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Rome Season two boxed set contains all ten episodes spread evenly with two episodes each on five discs. It comes in a nice sturdy wooden box that offers fantastic protection to the discs. The cover work is very well done and very apt, with sepia style images of Roman architecture from antiquity, and at the forefront an image depicting a Roman woman holding a dagger at her side. Opening the outer lid, you are greeted by a Roman style image of Romulus and Remus being suckled by the she-wolf. The inner carton that holds the discs as two images, one of a battle, the other of a Roman triumph. Finally behind each disc is an image of one of the main characters. On the inside of the opposite lid is an image of an asp, possibly depicting the asp that killed Cleopatra VII Thea Philopator, the last Ptolemy and Pharoah of Egypt. The box itself and discs are very well done and give a clear distinct impression of quality.

The Cast
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Kevin McKidd ~ Lucius Vorenus
Ray Stevenson~ Titus Pullo
Ciaran Hinds~ Julius Caesar (Season 1; cameo in Season 2)
Polly Walker~ Atia of the Julii
James Purefoy~ Marc Antony
Tobias Menzies~ Marcus Junius Brutus
Lindsay Duncan~ Servilia of the Junii
Indira Varma~ Niobe (Season 1; cameo in Season 2)
Max Pirkis~ Gaius Octavian (Seasons 1/2)
Simon Woods~ Caesar Octavian
Nicholas Woodeson~ Posca
Kerry Condon~ Octavia of the Julii
David Bamber~ Marcus Tullius Cicero
Lee Boardman~ Timon
Michael Nardone~ Mascius
Chiara Mastalli~ Eirene
Lyndsey Marshal~ Cleopatra
Zuleikha Robinson~ Gaia (Season 2)
Camilla Rutherford~ Jocasta (Season 2)
Allen Leech~ Marcus Agrippa (Season 2)
Alex Wyndham~ Maecenas (Season 2)
Nicolo Brecci & Max Baldry~ Caesarion (Season 2)
Nigel Lindsay~ Levi (Season 2)
Coral Amiga~ Vorena the Elder

Synopsis
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Rome Season two is an historical drama set in Classical Rome, and was aired in the UK. the second season started on 20th June, 2007, on BBC Two and ended on 24th July, 2007. This is the complete compiled box-set on this entire series, which swiftly picks up where season one left off. The first episode opens up to an explicit, haunting image of Gaius Julius Caesar laying on the Senate floor in a huge puddle of his own blood, having been stabbed twenty seven times. Marc Antony is chased through the streets by a mob armed with swords. Lucius Vorenus is covered in the blood of Niobe, his wife and he has cursed his children by Hades, which have been abducted into the slave trade. News of the assassination as spread like wildfire leaving Rome in anarchy, whilst Servilia washes the blood of Caesar from the hands of the evil traitor Brutus. It seems that the Julii are eternally doomed, and Ocatavian implores that he, Attia and Octavia must flee the dreaded city, now controlled by Cassius, Brutus and Servilia of the Junii. Things looks bleak but Rome season 2 plays out virtually historically accurate as it charts the civil war between Antony and Caesar Ocatvian. Followed by the unity of Antony, Lepidas and Caesar Octavian against the huge forces of Brutus and Cassius. It covers the second triumverate of the Roman republic. It also culminates in the greed and treachery of the egomaniacal, eccentric Marc Antony, along with his harlot, Hellenistic, Egyptian queen Cleopatra and the ensuing war with the tenacious Caesar Octavian. In the series, all the time that these huge events occur, you understand the impact on others whilst you see Vorenus and Pullo wrestle for control of the Aventine Colegium against the other captains, especially the articulate, deceitful Memio, one of the most powerful and corrupt of the captains. You also see poor Levi who is used and abused by Atia and desperate for respect as to fight with his conscience when it finally comes to having to do things against his morality. You see the turmoil also as he clashes with his identity as a Jew in a Roman world, a world where Jewish identity is classed as sub species. Here we have the beauty of Rome. You see it has so many little sub plots that all centre around all the cataclysmic events that cover diverse extremes of race, social or political status.

I especially liked the scene where Titus Pullo is sent to assassinate Cicero. It is so tastefully done. There is a mutual respect between Cicero a novice homo, powerful wealthy noble, and a former legionary not even of Roman birth and who's station is little more than a Plebian. Throughout the tense minutes, there is a strange form of etiquette surrounding the entire process of the killing. Even the irony of Titus Pullo being enthralled by the juicy ripe peaches on the tree. These fruits are something that the wealthy Cicero has in abundance, but for all they are worth they cannot help him now. Thoughtlessly, but in an innocent child like manner, Pullo intrudes on Cicero's moment to collect himself before death, for these peaches are dominating the forefront of Pullo's train of thought and he sweetly asks may I have some of those peaches. For the man who has them, the peaches no longer have value, but for the man without peaches they have more value than life itself, Since even after returning from the deed, Pullo asks " Does anyone want any peaches"

What do I think?
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The acting in this series as is fantastic. Everyone truly puts in flawless performances. The research is spot on in terms of the script using correct terminology as well as the clothing. This series is by far the most authentic, realistic accurate interpretation of classical Rome during the republic that I have seen. Now we get to the serious issue of what will make or break the show in peoples opinions. The show is GRATUITOUS in every respect. The is very graphic scenes of sex and significant amounts of nudity. The violence is very graphic, and the language in places would make a vestal virgin blush. There is also graphic scenes of male on male sex, although this is very infrequent. However I must stress there is even scenes of male upon male rape, done in an act of vengeance by the mafia style minions of the Aventine Collegium. I cannot emphasise how graphic this is. Scenes of violence and bloodshed are the most realistic I have ever seen. This show does not look away as a Gladius is slowly pushed through the neck and down into the chest of a victim, and you see it slide inch by vivid inch, even with a mini geyser of blood pumping from a severed artery or two. So why would anybody like this and why am I going to seem a freak by defending it. Normally I would find all this in one film abhorrent, I am not a prude and I would accept a certain amount if it is fitting. The truth is that this is done oddly in a tasteful way. I know it makes little sense but it fits so well, it is so accurate, authentic and when mixed with such a strong script and gripping drama. It is the whole package and the gratuitous is not every single scene, or dominating every piece of dialogue it is so well done. It actually fits and frankly without it Rome would dwindle into mediocrity as it joins the plethora of other historic films and dramas that does not have the courage to give us earthy realism. The sex scenes for a drama are graphic but movie wise would not be deemed quite so, and I would term it as soft porn. However, and I stress it is not done in a pornographic manner, it is still done in a tasteful appropriate way. The soundtrack is also very good and really fits

well with the theme. I have never seen anything like this in my life. It has won shed loads of awards, and it cost mega money to make. Sadly it cost so much that apparently there will be no season 3, I live in hope they will change their minds.

EPISODES:
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Episode 1: Passover

In the wake of Caesars death, Marc Antony considers a move north, whilst Vorenus issues a curse that he soon regrets.

Episode 2: Son Of Hades

Cleopatra arrives in Rome, to Atia's dismay; Octavian wins over the masses; Vorenus steps into Eraste's shoes

Episode 3: These Being The Words Of Marcus Tullius Cicero

Mark Antony finds his plans derailed following Cicero's message to the Senate.

Episode 4: TESTUDO ET LEPUS {The tortoise And The Hare}

Atia turns the tables on Servilia, Octavian wins a battle against Antony, Vorenus learns of his childrens fate.

Episode 5: Heroes Of The Republic

Vorenus returns to the Collegium, two former adversaries patch up their differences, Atia welcomes home her son.

Episode 6: Philippi

Two armies clash with the future of Rome at stake, Pullo is sent on a brutal mission.

Episode 7: Death Mask

Servilia drives Atia to distraction, Octavian and Marc Antony forge new alliances, political and personal.

Episode 8: A Necessary Fiction

Octavian proclaims a new era in Rome, Vorenus uncovers inner treachery behind a missing gold shipment; personal tragedy strikes Pullo

Episode 9: DEUS IMPEDITIO ESURITORI NULLUS {No God Can Stop A Hungry Man}

A crippling grain shortage in Rome triggers fresh hostilities between Octavian and Mark Antony.

Episode 10: DE PATRE VOSTRO {About Your Father}

Mark Antony and Cleopatra ponder a grim future; Pullo is sent to track down Vorenus and young Caesarion.

* Audio commentary on episodes 13, 15, 19, 20, and 22 by Bruno Heller and Johnathan Stamp

DVD Bonus Features
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ALL ROADS LEAD TO ROME: Interactive onscreen guide prepared by the series.
A TALE OF TWO CITIES: Ancient Rome was two different cities for two different classes. See how the Patricians and the Plebs differed in all matters, from jobs, to recreation, to religion.
THE MAKING OF ROME SEASON 2: Take a tour of the production of the spic series, from costumes, to sets, to special effects. Plus a detailed look at the battle of Phillipi.
THE RISE OF OCTAVIAN- ROME'S FIRST EMPEROR: The larger than life story of the cunning boy who became the most powerful man in Rome.
ANTONY & CLEOPATRA: A revealing look at one of the most famous love affairs of all time.
FIVE REVEALING AUDIO COMMMENTARIES WITH CAST AND CREW.

As you can see there are a few extras to the boxed set that make it a more complete package. They are all quality, enjoyable extras that offer enjoyable insight and information. It does give you an even greater feeling of value for money, which is great when you consider that HMV are now retailing these little beauties for £35.00. The fact that I am an ancient history student did not spoil my enjoyment of the extras because they are a mine of information and very enjoyable to watch.

Director(s): Michael Apted
Genre: Drama - Historical
Classification: 18 years and over
Official Website: www.hbo.com/rome
Video Category: Television
Country Of Origin: United Kingdom

Release details:
DVD Region: Region 2 (Europe)
Studio(s): WARNER HOME VIDEO; CINRAM LOGISTICS

Many thanks for reading……hope you enjoyed!

© 2007, Adam.