HBO's Rome ep 3

Well, my prof made me feel guilty that I hadn't watched this week's episode of Rome yet, and sifting through differences between the 1818 and 1831 editions Frankenstein was getting tedious (I can't stand the whining, but it does have literary merit), so I did end up watching the third episode tonight.

First, if you haven't read it, David Meadows' review and summary is up here.

I do have to disagree with David, this time, and say that I actually enjoyed this episode. He is correct in that it is not exactly riveting and plot-driven, but I think the character dynamics held well. It is a transitional episode, but I liked what they did. I guess it goes back to what I've been liking the most about this show--Rome really comes alive, even in what may seem to be the more mundane details.

One of the things that I loved (and that, admittedly, my prof pointed out today before I'd watched the episode) was how they included the red ribbon stringing together the death masks and symbolising the bloodline of the family. That was an amazing amount of detail.

I also like how the horse trader (whom I've now dubbed "horseshit guy") tried to dish it out back at Atia by trying to sexually manipulate her. He, of course, ultimately fails.

Also, am I the only person who IMMEDIATELY thought of Timon and Pumba from The Lion King in the scene where Vorenus and Pullo are lying by the campfire, looking up at the stars? They even talked about some of the same star theories! Yes, I realise it's a common thing to do, but I thought of The Lion King even before they started speaking, just because it gave out vibes! Somebody please tell me I'm not crazy for thinking this...

Also, the graffiti on the walls after Atia's party--as David Meadows noted, there was "CINAED," "ATIA AMAT OMNES" and "ATIA FELLAT." Now, the question that arose in another discussion list, and the one that's bugging me now--what is the AATT directly underneath "FELLAT"? Does that stand for something? Any ideas?

And to answer David Meadows' question, yes, Atia did have something to do with Glabius' death. When horseshit guy goes to kill him, he says that Atia sent him. Also, before that, she says that her daughter's issue needs to be taken care of, and then she sends horseshit guy to gather his men the moment he comes to her bed. I really liked the later scene between Octavia and Atia. Admittedly, I was rooting for Atia to be able to deceive Octavia, just because I felt so bad for the girl. It seems like it would be easier for her if she didn't believe her mother had killed her ex-husband.

Other things I liked about the characters:
-Octavius is showing real signs of becoming Augustus. He's not a stupid boy like he was in The Empire.
-Pullo and Vorenus are a wonderful contrast together. I especially love Pullo. I suspect, if you buy into Meyers-Briggs-Jung typology, that Vorenus is an ISTJ and Vorenus an ESFP. That's off-the-cuff guessing, though, and I'm not an expert.
-family struggles--particularly the Vorenus/Niobe tension and probably rebuilding and the scene between Brutus and his mother (where he leaves with Pompey's faction, and she stays behind for Caesar)
-Cato is just so amusing!

So I'm definitely hooked on this show. It has honestly surpassed my expectations, even in what was arguably one of the weaker episodes in terms of plot. I really do think they more than made up for it in detail.

I was going to tell you, dear readers, how fascinating my mythology class is, but I suspect you prefer reading about Rome. Instead, I'll leave you with this thought: this blog is certainly my way of saying, "Tolfink carved these runes in this stone."