Rome season 2 episode 7 : Death Mask

[alexandral]

Even though I spend most of this episode with the feeling of dread and impending doom, there were many things I liked about it, and few of the actors, some of my old and new favourites, did a particular good job there.


Things I liked

1. Pullo and Vorenus. The little scene of "what are we going to do with stroppy Gaia?" was so lovely (even though it was full of feeling of dread for what is about to happen). They seem to reach that relationship of equals that not many friends have, absolutely comfortable with each other and almost reading each other thoughts, finishing each other's lines and reflecting each other in body language. AWWWWWWWWW!





2. Scene between Pullo and Eirene. I have a thing for men cradling their wife's tummies like this, feelings of unity and anticipation for a baby to come. But a bad thing is that in fiction (not in RL though, thank you!) these type of scenes usually lead to some terrible disaster. But still, lovely scene, even though bitter-sweet.



3. Maecenas and Posca. I re-watched this scene few times, their conversation was so amusing! And I do love Maecenas so, he is so clever and cunning and at the same time can so loyal to Agrippa (who is a love of my life)! But Maecenas' cleverness! The way he absolutely naturally dropped that line "I bought these news from Herod's men" to steer suspicion away from Posca. Priceless.



4. And I rather liked a travesty of Posca's wedding too. Poor Jacasta, but I guess things could have turned much worse for her. At least she is going to have a loyal husband (and Posca can be very loyal as proved by his relationship with Caesar) who is clever to the bargain. Good gene material, if anything :D And I suspect he is going to become as rich as her father very very soon.



5. Servillia's exit was very dramatic, even though totally historically un-correct.And at least we are not going to see more of Atia and Servillia storyline, I am quite tired with it. I loved loved loved Atia here, expression of stone-wall dread on Polly Walker's face was played into perfection.



6. And I also unexpectedly liked the scene of Octavia's wedding. It was shown to be so matter-of-fact, so cold-hearted affair that it felt exactly right. No one, absolutely no one was thinking of what Ocatvia felt or could feel, not her mother , not her brother. They were thinking about themselves only. I was thinking before "Why would Octavia marry". I was looking at the scene on the screencap below for some time and she looks pretty – Scared? Of her own brother?



7. And this leads me that I like Octavian more and more. He is starting to scare me, and I like him more for this.



8. Announcer and "Mocking of Jews and their One True God should be kept to a minimum".







Things I didn't like

1. Pullo and Gaia. Pool Pullo!! I am not going to say anything else because my liking of this character is not connected to anything he does or will do in the future. I just feel so sorry for him, there was so much self-loathing in his face during the scene with Gaia. Though I liked how Ray Stevenson played this scene, there was an exact single moment, a particular expression of his face when he decided to "give in". Very well done.

And this snake Gaia – I am going to come and murder you by my own hands!!



2. Poor Eirene too. Though I wanted to shout "don't provoke a poisonous snake!! Pleeeeeeeeeese"!. On the other hand I must say her repeating "You must beat Gaia bloody every month" sits somehow wrong with me. Even though Gaia is a poisonous snake!!! I am back to my "everyone should be fair", sorry.



3. I could totally do without "Oh brother, where art thou" by Timon!!




Agrippa picspam

Oh, sad sad sad Agrippa is so gorgeous! If I was Octavia I would have just run away with him to the ends of the Earth!!

Comments

[soniag.livejournal.com]

Fabulous picspam/review.

Pullo broke my heart in that scene with Gaia. And next week is going to be really hard to watch.

Agrippa! I do so love him!

[alexandral.livejournal.com]

EEEEEE! I am so gald you liked!!

Agrippa! I do so love him!

Two times in this episode I felt a strong desire to jump into my TV (computer actually) and "sort it out". First with Gaia and second with Agrippa. He was so incredible – he didn't think of himself, he had been thinking all along that He has no chance to marry Octavia. He was all in hurt for her. And the way she kept almost turning to see HIM whilst giving her vows!!! ** sniff ** But I hope for secret and doomed romance to continue!!!

[nutmeg3.livejournal.com]

I found this episode completely heartbreaking. Poor Octavia on her wedding night with That Pig (aka Marc Antony) spitting into his hand. As girl_undone said, I cringed. And then Gaia and her herbal brew... ::shudders:: I confess I'm very upset with Pullo for what he did, in large part because of what it's going to lead to.

[alexandral.livejournal.com]

I found this episode completely heartbreaking. Poor Octavia on her wedding night with That Pig (aka Marc Antony) spitting into his hand. As girl_undone said, I cringed.

I feel so much for Octavia that in a way she accepts all this without a word. But in her and Agrippa's case I feel a consolation that their totally doomed romance will continue. I hope so!!!!

And then Gaia and her herbal brew... ::shudders:: I confess I'm very upset with Pullo for what he did, in large part because of what it's going to lead to.

I felt more sad for him then angry, in a similar way that I felt with Vorenus after their fight. It is themselves they hurt even more then the others, forever and ever changing their own life and something inside themselves. Poor Pullo!!

[wildtiger7.livejournal.com]

Wow, what gorgeous pictures, especially of Agrippa!

I feel much the way you did about this episode, I liked the weddings and how they were shown and felt that Jocasta definitely ended up okay, all things considered.

Octavian is terrifying. In this episode, they pretty much had him show no emotion except anger, and all that was directed at Antony.

[alexandral.livejournal.com]

I am glad you like!!

Octavian is terrifying. In this episode, they pretty much had him show no emotion except anger, and all that was directed at Antony.

Remember little boy who loved his sister? He is changing so rapidly and big props to Simon Woods! Though I guess you must become that or you will never get to the top!!

[petzipellepingo.livejournal.com]

And this snake Gaia – I am going to come and murder you by my own hands!!
The moment I saw her lounging there airing the dairy I knew something bad was going to happen.
He is starting to scare me, and I like him more for this.

When he is watching the sexcapades through those gauzy curtains with that reptilian gaze... brrrr!
And those were possibly the saddest wedding ceremonies I have ever seen. The only person who looked remotely pleased was Posca, who I love because he is smart (unlike his boss Antony).

[alexandral.livejournal.com]

The moment I saw her lounging there airing the dairy I knew something bad was going to happen.

I am almost glad I spoiled myself with the preview for this episode – I would not have survived it otherwise. I am wondering WHO is going to murder her, she has it coming! (Yep, I am cruel!!! :D)

When he is watching the sexcapades through those gauzy curtains with that reptilian gaze... brrrr!

I was thinking that he would make Octavia marry because of her affair with Agrippa. But this was even creepier – fancy someone staring at his mother's frolics!! But he is so awesome in his cold power at the same time.

And those were possibly the saddest wedding ceremonies I have ever seen. The only person who looked remotely pleased was Posca, who I love because he is smart (unlike his boss Antony).

This is why I think Jacasta is not too unlucky – Posca does not look like a man who makes his wife miserable, he is too clever for this. I like him too!

[ghada-bell.livejournal.com]

I was watching the episode and thinking: "Poor Agrippa. I wonder how Alexandral gonna take it !" LOL ! I absolutley loved the way Maecenas tried to confort him. Great relationship those two have.
I am happy that Octavian is growing into other people. Me, I love him ! So much that my love can't grow more than that. I am officially an "Octaviholic". Love the way he seems so classy compared to Antony. He is a God... OK, I stop.
The scene between Gaia and Pullo was pretty disturbing.
Posca was great and I am strangely happy that he married Jocasta. They really are a nice couple, despite the age difference.
Even if I don't like him, Marc Antony cracks me up. I nearly choke myself drinking my cafe when he said: "I don't care if all Italy burns, I'll not marry him". And I loved the look of Antony's groupie during the parade (I mean the happy old woman !)
I really liked this episode !

[alexandral.livejournal.com]

I was watching the episode and thinking: "Poor Agrippa. I wonder how Alexandral gonna take it !" LOL !

Glee! He looked so attractive when sad that I wasn't too upset after all. I hope he and Octavia have a long forbidden relationship!!!

I absolutley loved the way Maecenas tried to confort him. Great relationship those two have.

Maecenas is awesome. I adore this type – very clever and looks like not a very serious type, but deep inside there is a lot of loyalty!!

I am happy that Octavian is growing into other people. Me, I love him ! So much that my love can't grow more than that. I am officially an "Octaviholic". Love the way he seems so classy compared to Antony. He is a God... OK, I stop.

EEEEEEE! I loved Max Pirkis, but I thing Simon Woods is great too! HE managed to show how that little boy who HAD some feelings is becoming a powerful man who locked his feelings away and forgotten the key. And he is definitely attractive in spades!

Even if I don't like him, Marc Antony cracks me up. I nearly choke myself drinking my cafe when he said: "I don't care if all Italy burns, I'll not marry him". And I loved the look of Antony's groupie during the parade (I mean the happy old woman !)

EEEE! These were two of the great moments!! This is why I like Antony and Atia so much – they never fail to amuse me!!

[tacitanumeria.livejournal.com]

WHAT?!
Gaia and Pullo?
Gods, kill me now.
Poor, poor Eirene. I wanna grab her by the hand and say "C'mon, let's go whup some ass" and go find Gaia and beat that ho.
Not having HBO SUCKS. I miss all this stuff. But I guess it's good because if I did have HBO I'd be screaming and throwing objects at my TV. At least now I've been warned of the travesty.
And I do love Pullo so. I guess he's a man after all.
Now I'm very angry. I need to go punch something.....

[alexandral.livejournal.com]

Poor, poor Eirene. I wanna grab her by the hand and say "C'mon, let's go whup some ass.

I will join you too! Seriously, it has been a while since I have felt such animosity for a fictional character. I wonder who will murder her at the end, she absolutely has it coming for her.

Not having HBO SUCKS

There are other means? ** cough cough **

And I do love Pullo so. I guess he's a man after all.
Now I'm very angry. I need to go punch something.....

I was spoiled for the Pullo and Gaia by preview, and I am glad I was. It is not a thing I could have taken easily otherwise. But I will like him still, for all his shortcomings as well as for good qualities.

[jenandhughlove.livejournal.com]

I love the wedding scene between Antony and Octavia, but i've immagined it different. She was scared, but i think not for her brother.. maybe because this marriage means less time with Agrippa, despite the fact that Antony will never be a faithful husband. Anyway, i don't like very much this Octavian, but it's interesting Simon's acting and the way he potrayed his character in this part of the season.
Just wondering: what Antony said to Octavia at the end, where they were both on bed? The sound wasn't good at this point (i'm interested when he said something like "i'm not happy"..it's that possible?). Thank you in advance!

[alexandral.livejournal.com]

EEEE! Your icon just changed – but they both are fabulous!

She was scared, but i think not for her brother.. maybe because this marriage means less time with Agrippa, despite the fact that Antony will never be a faithful husband.

It is like she never believed she can be together with Agrippa?? ** sniff **

Anyway, i don't like very much this Octavian, but it's interesting Simon's acting and the way he potrayed his character in this part of the season.

I am getting to like him, not in a way I like Agrippa, of course, but he is really getting to be something to consider. His power and his strength grow from episode to episosde!

Just wondering: what Antony said to Octavia at the end, where they were both on bed?The sound wasn't good at this point (i'm interested when he said something like "i'm not happy"..it's that possible?). Thank you in advance!

From HBO Rome : "Octavia lies in bed next to Antony, staring up at the ceiling in misery. "It is our wedding night," he reminds her. "Do as you like," she says, resigned. He asks her to roll over."

[proso.livejournal.com]

Poor Irene is so helpless and vulnerable. I loved the moment when she mentions to Pullo that he should beat Gaia at least once a month and Pullo chokes on his food and smiles a little.
I agree with you, the whole Timon plot seems like a waste of time, imho. And I did love the newsreaders line in this episode!

[alexandral.livejournal.com]

EEEEE! I like you icon!

Poor Irene is so helpless and vulnerable. I loved the moment when she mentions to Pullo that he should beat Gaia at least once a month and Pullo chokes on his food and smiles a little.

I felt sorry for her here – she has not a clue what has happened at all. I hate hate hate situations like this. I felt like hitting Pullo herre (even though I love him with all his shortcomings)

I agree with you, the whole Timon plot seems like a waste of time, imho. And I did love the newsreaders line in this episode!

I could have tolerated it if they attempted to kill Herod or something, but the whole storyline seems to be entirely without sense. I am not that keen on young Vorena's storyline too, but I am not sure yet where it all is going.

[scorpiobleue.livejournal.com]

I loved Antony in this. His reactions are hilarious. I felt so sorry for Octavia. On one hand I understand Octavian's reasoning for marrying his sister off to Antony. On the other hand it seems like another part, in his heart of hearts, for doing it was to spite his mother. He blamed Atia for Antony whipping his behind. So payback and a nice political alliance. Kill two birds with one stone.

[alexandral.livejournal.com]

On the other hand it seems like another part, in his heart of hearts, for doing it was to spite his mother. He blamed Atia for Antony whipping his behind. So payback and a nice political alliance. Kill two birds with one stone.

It felt quite creepy when Octavian was watching his mother and Mark Antony. It is like he has some really strong feelings, but they all are feelings of anger. Plus he tries to bottle them up.

I thought that his mother/Antony as a marriage would have served political purpose too, the explanation Octavian produced about not doing it seemed to be just an excuse

[ex-vivere116.livejournal.com]

Atheugnrdgn!~!! I had to pause Rome as soon as Pullo kissed Gaia! So depressing! And then, what?!, at the end -- is she having second thoughts about the abortion?!

I was amazed Servilia survived so long outside - without any obvious sustenance... Unless she really was somehow fuelled by her need for vengeance.

[alexandral.livejournal.com]

Atheugnrdgn!~!! I had to pause Rome as soon as Pullo kissed Gaia! So depressing! And then, what?!, at the end -- is she having second thoughts about the abortion?!

I was quite shocked with the graphic details of it, but I guess it all played well to show how disgusted Pullo was with himself deep inside. I am quite positive Gaia wants to give the portion to Eirene,. ** shudders **

I was amazed Servilia survived so long outside - without any obvious sustenance... Unless she really was somehow fuelled by her need for vengeance.

I was surprised that she kept shouting too, but there are cases known of people enduring even more when they in some kind of shock-induced state.

[ex-vivere116.livejournal.com]

P.S. Maecenas is so cute - yes, his cuteness wasn't even compromised by him having his hairy legs plucked! XD

P.P.S. Doesn't Octavian have a lurvelly profile? :P

[alexandral.livejournal.com]

P.S. Maecenas is so cute - yes, his cuteness wasn't even compromised by him having his hairy legs plucked! XD

P.P.S. Doesn't Octavian have a lurvelly profile? :P

My HUGE love for Pullo/Vorenus pair is getting seriously undermined by the lovely trio Octavian/Maecenas/Agrippa. Agrippa is totally lovely, but the other two are so great too! I think again like with Pullo/Vorenus their friendship and loyalty to each other add to the attraction in spades. (And lovely profiles, of course !!!:D)

[ex-vivere116.livejournal.com]

P.P.P.S. Mark Antony kept the LOLZ coming, didn't he?! XD

[alexandral.livejournal.com]

I will be seriously bereft when he is gone!

love love Agrippa

[jll0729.livejournal.com]

Sorry, my very new at this, i just signed up yesterday, but alexandral, I am so on board with you about Agrippa. I feel like a Mrs Robinson lusting after Agrippa the way I do. I think my husband is getting jealous. I really hope they continue their (his and Octavia's) love affair. I feel they are the only 2 in all of Rome who generally love each other. Allen Leech I feel is great in this role.

Re: love love Agrippa

[alexandral.livejournal.com]

EEEEEEEE! I am so glad I am not alone!! For a while it was all about Pullo and Vorenus, but after I saw Agrippa.. ** sigh ** And he is not really that gorgeous, there is just some x-factor that makes him so attractive for me..