262 replies to this topic

[nichst]

HBO synopsis:

Rome is facing a dire shortage of grain, forcing Octavian to barter with Mark Antony to get new shipments sent from Egypt. But instead of agreeing to Octavian's price--money and territory--Mark Antony flatly turns him down, pointing towards an inevitable conflict between the two former allies and, perhaps, Vorenus and Pullo. As a last resort, Octavian sends Atia and Octavia to Alexandria, knowing their reception will most likely be a chilly one. At the Collegium, where Pullo is rationing out grain to increasingly restless Romans, Gaia saves her master from a caged animal's wrath, but can't save herself. After fleeing a deteriorating situation in Egypt, Posca gives Octavian the ammunition he needs to turn the people against Mark Antony, setting in motion the wheels of war.

[Caroma]

...all that and the poor people never ever got their grain.

[DCRob]

"Venison tonight," a little muff shot from Mrs. Octavian, and Marc Antony made up like Ryan Seacrest. I feel I got my entertainment dollar's worth tonight.

[Cleopatra Nik]

Daaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaamn.

That was like jumping on lily pads across an ocean. We covered some serious time between the last ep and this one.

Initial impressions:

Octavian has a nice ass

Did my eyes deceive me or was Jocasta pregnant?

Was it just me or was the Gaia reveal anti-climactic? It was too wrapped up in a nice little bow for me.

Who'd've thought Memmio would have survived?

I wish there was someone around to tell VtE that Vorenus did NOT kill Niobe.

And last, but not least, WHY????? Why does this show have to go? This is some of the best stuff out there. Damn you HBO! Fool me once (SATC) shame on you, fool me twice...you get the idea.

[The 2nd Evil]

Biggest shocker for me: Vorenus' son is no longer mute.

[kelkatone]

THANK GOODNESS Pullo was the one to kill the Whore. I didn't want her getting off so easy, sacrificing herself to save him. Her having to watch the hate enter his eyes, while he's choking the last bit of life out of her, was justice personified.

[ClosingTime]

Octavian has a nice ass

Yes he does! He gets some extra points for that!

Who thought that MA and Cleopatra were the original Bobby and Whitney?

I wonder why Pullo didn't tell the kids that Vorenus didn't kill their mother?

And finally, how does this show actually make me the tiniest bit of pity for Gaia? And I actually love me some Pullo, but damn!

[Moinllieon]

Pullo's gonna have to be the one who goes and tell Vorenus that the only way he could live is to kill his own son.

That's gonna be interesting.

[Dmlsys26]

God I love this show! I love it that they made me think Gaia was going to get away with murder as she lay there dying, then she suddenly develops a conscience and tells Pullo that she killed his wife. Then he just strangles her, all neat and prim, then throws the corpse to the local sea life. Fucking AWESOME! And my boys had better live next time, dammit! I'm hoping the heartbreaking part is when they kill off Antony, Cleopatra and Ceasarion.

[Ben Stilwell]

I'm glad Gaia was killed by Pullo, but a little justice seemed lost that she was dying anyway.

I laughed so hard when Posca came out for Jocasta. Posca is so awesome.

It was awesome the Memmio survived and they kept him in a cage for 2 years, he was totally unrecognizable to me though.

And finally it was cool that Vorenus described Pullo to Ceasarion.

Edited by Ben Stilwell, Mar 18, 2007 @ 9:19 PM.

[nellyhug]

Biggest shocker for me: Vorenus' son is no longer mute.

That was a shock for me too. My jaw dropped.

I love that Posca was high for most of the episode. I love that almost everyone was high throughout.

Antony in eyeliner, sigh, that man can make anything look good.

Edited by nellyhug, Mar 18, 2007 @ 9:16 PM.

[auzerais]

Did Pullo ever tell Vorenus that he was Caesarion's father, and not Julius Caesar? Because it sure seemed like Vorenus was describing Pullo and not JC when the kid asked V to tell him about his dad.

I was fully expecting that Cleo was getting Antony all worked up and thus was going to disgrace Atia and Octavia by letting them enter the palace and catching her and Antony in the midst of their passion.

So will we ever know who let Memio out of his cage?

[Midge]

I can't believe they're squishing all this yummy stuff into so few episodes! next week's finale better be extra long.

I love Posca so much I can hardly stand it. Who doesn't love stoned Posca in Eqyptian drag? This episode made me wish for more Jacasta even, and I never liked her before.

Uh, Vorenus? Raise your standards, citizen! Love how you told that little brat Cesarian about Pullo in place of Cesar though.

Good riddance Gaia. Thanks for stealing precious time that could have been spent on the more interesting story lines.

What, exactly, was Livia doing to Octavian? Not the first part, cuz duh!, but the second. What a psycho. I like Octavian more this week though, less reptilian yet even more manipulative.

Antonia was adorable, and Atia obviously loves her, which is nice. For all their disfunction Atia & Octavia have a pretty good relationship, don't they?

I am sick and tired of VtE. Why, oh why hasn't anyone told her what really happened? Whether Vorenus wants them to know about Niobe's suicide or not is irrelevant at this point, it's just harmful. Taking the veil sure hasn't made her more forgiving has it?

Edited by Midge, Mar 18, 2007 @ 9:18 PM.

[Ben Stilwell]

Did Pullo ever tell Vorenus that he was Caesarion's father, and not Julius Caesar?

he didn't have to he was the one that sent Pullo into Cleopatra.

[Dmlsys26]

It was awesome the Memmio survived and they kept him in a cage for 2 weeks, he was totally unrecognizable to me though

I think it's been about 5-7 years. Now THAT will fuck you in the brain, and hard. I was amazed he had it together enough mentally to make it out of the cage, however he did it.

[andreamb]

Ben Stilwell: It was awesome the Memmio survived and they kept him in a cage for 2 weeks, he was totally unrecognizable to me though.

Dmlsys26 beat me to it!

anyway, I loved the scene with little Caesar and Vorenus, Vorenus tellin him about his Daddy Pullo. Hee.

Was glad Gaia got hers. Too bad she kinda redeemed herself a little by saving Pullo.

Edited by andreamb, Mar 18, 2007 @ 9:21 PM.

[cherry malotte]

Holy Juno, that was a total fuck-a-thon - and MA with body henna...yuck. I'm totally sure that MA knew exactly what Vorenus thought of him....he's just been smoking too much Cleo to care.

I have to agree, somebody should tell those kids to shut the fuck up already, their ma jumped. Suicide was supposed to be an honorable way out. I suppose though that if they go on about her jumping, it'll have to be known about Niobe having it on with the brother in law, and so begat little Lucius. I dunno...do you think he knows anyway? That's always been a bit unclear to me, if the boy knows his true parentage. The girls must have told him at some point.

Poor Atia...I felt sorry for the gal actually.

Damn, we should take up a collection to get another season of this. Two seasons is not enough.

[Ben Stilwell]

sorry I had meant 2 years.

[Dandesun]

Well, Livia is just as much a freakazoid as Octavian is. Clever little bint, isn't she? Also... when Atia slapped the shit out of Octavian upon her return to Rome did anyone feel a mite uncomfortable? Like 'uh, Atia, Octavian digs that sort of shit so you're really not 'punishing' him at all.'

The tattoo on Antony's chest hypnotized me.

I think I kind of love Posca/Jocasta. At the moment they're really the only chance I have for a happily married couple. Vorenus letting them go was nicely done.

The bit between Antony and Vorenus was fucking awesome. I was waiting, waiting I tell you, for Vorenus to say that his soul was as sickened as Antony's and they drew it out to the point where I had just about given up... and then he said it! And Antony's reaction to it all... God. Purefoy and McKidd play off of each other so well. Not that they even come close to the Bromance of Pullo/Vorenus but still.

Pullo's eyes and face going absolutely iron at Gaia's confession was beautiful. As was his throwing Gaia in the river. Holy shit.

And next week it all comes together, huh? I hate that this show is ending. Haaaate it.

But I'd rather it end while I still love it than see it choke on itself much like the actual Roman Empire did.

Now... what will HBO do next? The Vandals? The Saxons? The Franks? Charlemagne? Come on... what other magic can they perform for us?

[Lila82]

Holy, Juno's ***t.

I feel dirty. DIRTY. Simon Woods is built and all, but we just watched porn. And kiddie porn to boot. There's sex and there's graphic sex and there's Octavian/Livia, and just, incoherent thoughts. If M. Giant thought recapping Pullo/Gaia was tough, just wait for Octavian and his child bride!

Of an episode that was entirely made of awesome, the most powerful scene had to be Vorenus and Antony's unrequited loves. Sickness, indeed. I hate Niobe with the power of a thousand Helioses, but my hopeless romantic heart aches for Vorenus' pain and love and guilt over her death. Just as I ache for Antony and failed love affair with Atia when I should be hating on him for breaking her heart. James Purefoy does the sad eyes really well; Kevin McKidd does them better. Together, I'm a sighing, weepy mess.

Second favorite scene? Vorenus waxing poetically about his heterosexual boyfriend Pullo to Caesarian. *sighs*...Hades is gonna bite Vorenus in the ass when they have to go up against one another in the final battle. Long as Pullo gives those kisses first, I can get through it.

I'm not sure which was more simultaneously disturbing and hilarious: Memmio in a cage! or Cleopatra's target practice with a poor plebe.

Jocasta looked drop dead gorgeous with the eyeliner and crazy hair.

Who thought that MA and Cleopatra were the original Bobby and Whitney?

What's the line, those who do crack together, stay together? Guess opium and kohl eyeliner have the same effect!

[kelkatone]

I can't believe they're squishing all this yummy stuff into so few episodes! next week's finale better be extra long.

Such a shame that they didn't contract for more than 10 episodes this season. I get that they had to end the series - $$$ talks, and the BBC bailed - but would 12 episodes have been too much to ask?

And that makes me even angrier that they gave so much screentime to Timon & his family this season. All those wasted minutes, for NOTHING!

[Caroma]

I did enjoy Caesarion, actually, a spoiled-beyond-belief kid who wants to know his father (at least his official one). Augustus does indeed have him killed after his parents' suicides in 30 BC, when he was 13; the twins Cleopatria Selene and Alexander Helios (get the middle names?) and their little brother were captured by Augustus and paraded in chains that triumph that we see after Actium. That may be the hardest sight to see next episode, and I wonder if they'll dare to show it. Only Cleopatra Selene lived to adulthood, her brothers dying of diseases in their teens.

Did ANYONE catch that the caged animal that killed Gaia (well, mostly) would turn out to be Memmio? I was totally surprised.

The twins were born in 40 BC and looked to be about 5 or 6, so we know the year.

Atia and Octavia really do have nine lives, heh. And yes, Polly is pregnant, but we got plenty of Livia-nudity to make up for it. And I ain't never seen decadence like Cleo and Antony's decadence, and I lived through the 70s!

Did I actually see a naval battle next week? Is the show going to be two hours long? Oh please oh please...

[auzerais]

Antony in eyeliner, sigh, that man can make anything look good.

Forget the eyeliner. I was much more interested in that great tat on his chest! Of course, I've always been weak for guys with great tats.

[Historybabe]

I'm guessing by the ages of Cleo and Antony's twins, and Little Lucius, that about five years has passed.

Some early impressions:
-Very nice to see Indira Varma, if only for a couple of minutes. Poor Vorenus, though, he thinks he's in bed with his wife and instead wakes up to a bald prostitute. What a comedown for him. Speaking of which, I guess KM is a bit shy about showing his bits, but at least we got most of the rest of him.
-I can't believe that Pullo hasn't tried to win over the Vorenii kids in the past five years on Vorenus's behalf. VtE STILL thinks that Vorenus killed Niobe - how is that possible?
-LOVED that Vorenus was describing Pullo when Caesarion wanted V. to tell him about his father. Hilarious! And now also clear that Vorenus is certain the kid is Pullo's, not Caesar's.
-JP and LM definitely have chemistry, although I really dislike Antony now. He's turned into a pussywhipped stoner. Bah!
-I'm guessing that the Pullo supporters will hate that he hooked up with Gaia, but love that he killed her in the end. I'm not surprised he got together with her. I am surprised that she 'fessed up that she killed Eirene. Who knew that she'd have some kind of conscience in the end? Also have to give her credit for finishing off Memmio.
-I actually felt bad for Atia when Antony refused to see her. Gotta give Octavia credit for giving her message to Vorenus to deliver.
-And speaking of Octavia's message, I'm not sure what Vorenus meant when he said that he and Antony have the same disease. Anyone want to take a stab at that one?
-Posca and Jocasta - too funny, and I can't blame them for getting the heck out of there. I just wish Vorenus would have gone with them.
-Judging by the look on Pullo's face when Octavian tells him that Caesarion will have to die, he knows it's his kid. We have the setup for next week, I guess.
-Livia and Octavian have their little mutual S/M club, don't they?

[rosjaq]

Did my eyes deceive me or was Jocasta pregnant?

I thought so for a moment, but it was probably just the style of the dress. Polly Walker, on the other hand, looked extremely preggers in this episode.

Why is it every time the topic of Niobe's death comes up, no one can relay the proper details to Vorena? Last week when they were in the heat of the argument, it's understandable that Vorenus might have been in emotional meltdown, but Pullo could have spared a few words to try and broker the peace amidst the Vorenii.

Livia is the most terrifying character I've seen on this show. Yee gads, those dead eyes.

[ddben]

Terrific episode. Only one more left :( . Each scene was better than the previous. First look at the clock was 0:54 minutes. Gaia/Pullo scene was outstanding. Cleo/MA relationship hot! Octavian/Octivia/Atia scenes awesome. Vorenus rocks and is loyal even though he abhors MA. I think Pullo is ready for some serious fighting. I am almost afraid to watch the last epi next week. Nothing good can really come of it, I fear. Unless P & V can march into the sunset.

[tgray]

I thought Octavian liked to do the hitting? So why was Livia doing it? Was she choking him at the second part? Man Simon Woods is really built, and he's a little jackhammer! It looked kind of painful to watch.

Pullo and Gaia in love made me vomit in my mouth. I just wish I could have had a more dramatic ending to her death (as in she wasn't already on her way to Hades).

Cleopatra, nasty little bitch. My heart really broke for Atia and Octavia. I really love how their relationship though is blossoming and how they had almost switched personalities. I also love Atia's return when she told Octavian to crush Antony. Yeehaw!

Man one episode left. Sunday nights will now be a meaningless void.

Oh edited to add that Egyptian fashion really agreed with Jocasta. I didn't recognize her, but she looked absolutely gorgeous. And I like her and Posca being happy. What a change from her sobbing.

Edited by tgray, Mar 18, 2007 @ 9:35 PM.

[The 6th Element]

What, exactly, was Livia doing to Octavian? Not the first part, cuz duh!, but the second. What a psycho

I was wondering this too. I mean I thought I knew what she was doing but my mind is in the gutter so maybe she wasn't doing anything at all...

I swear if there was a whole spinoff show about Octavian's sexual depravity I'd watch it.

I also got the vibe that Octavian enjoyed Atia's slap as well. In fact I couldn't help but think about how much Livia looked like Atia during that sex scene. He chose that girl for a reason.

I thought Octavian liked to do the hitting? So why was Livia doing it?

Octavian is like one of those uptight businessmen who goes to a dominatrix on Friday afternoons to "relax"

Edited by The 6th Element, Mar 18, 2007 @ 9:32 PM.

[Belisarius]

And that makes me even angrier that they gave so much screentime to Timon & his family this season. All those wasted minutes, for NOTHING.

Not spoiled, but I'm positive that the TPTB wouldn't have indicated Timon leaving for Jerusalem if he wasn't going to make one last appearance when most of the rest of the cast is in the East (maybe even another of those seemingly unimportant things that winds up changing history).

[LittleLou]

I am so in love with the town crier. Say it ain't so dude ...reptiles?? Heheh, so funny!

Octavian had the creepiest look on his face when his mother slapped him, very disturbing. Oh and Livia and the egg debacle? How utterly random was that?