01-12-2007, 05:13 PM
Today's LA Times ran a review of the new season of HBO's Rome.
Again, no plot points that will come as much of a surprise to anyone who has been watching.
The reviewer does compare the battle between Attia and Servilia as something out of the old Soap Opera Dynasty, and he's right there is quite a bit of soap in this Roman opera. However that is not a surprise -- when the BBC sat down to make "I Claudius" they hit upon the idea of doing it like an American Soap Opera and the form worked beautifully. Granted, the amount of soap may have gone up for this show, but that is the glory of having a bigger budget.
One interesting note: It seems they are going to change actors playing the part of Octavian (passage of time) and they have a photo in the paper of the "older" Octavian with some of his troops.
The Eagle is being carried on horseback by a soldier wearing a regular helmet -- not bare headed or wearing an animal skin. :?
The helmets are the same as last season's. :?
The shields are rectangular scutum, not oval. :?
The soldiers are wearing segmented armor not mail. :?
They are also wearing knee length trousers. :?
Because they are switching actors for Octavian I wonder if perhaps they will end this season at Actium? (Of course, as we all know, I Claudius opens with a celebration marking the anniversary of that battle.) If this indeed is the last season then Actium would seem the right place to end it.
Narukami
Again, no plot points that will come as much of a surprise to anyone who has been watching.
The reviewer does compare the battle between Attia and Servilia as something out of the old Soap Opera Dynasty, and he's right there is quite a bit of soap in this Roman opera. However that is not a surprise -- when the BBC sat down to make "I Claudius" they hit upon the idea of doing it like an American Soap Opera and the form worked beautifully. Granted, the amount of soap may have gone up for this show, but that is the glory of having a bigger budget.
One interesting note: It seems they are going to change actors playing the part of Octavian (passage of time) and they have a photo in the paper of the "older" Octavian with some of his troops.
The Eagle is being carried on horseback by a soldier wearing a regular helmet -- not bare headed or wearing an animal skin. :?
The helmets are the same as last season's. :?
The shields are rectangular scutum, not oval. :?
The soldiers are wearing segmented armor not mail. :?
They are also wearing knee length trousers. :?
Because they are switching actors for Octavian I wonder if perhaps they will end this season at Actium? (Of course, as we all know, I Claudius opens with a celebration marking the anniversary of that battle.) If this indeed is the last season then Actium would seem the right place to end it.
Narukami
David Reinke
Burbank CA
Burbank CA
