Rome, A Necessary Fiction

[alexandral]

I have been dreading to watch the latest episode of "Rome" .. I watched it finally this evening and I thought it was one of the strongest episodes of this season, but my heart is torn into tiny little pieces now.. So many things happened in this episode!



Maecenas/Agrippa/Octavian
It has been a while since I was so disappointed in the fictional characters I liked. Maecenas, hmm I do not like you! You are a betrayer and the worst kind of betrayer, one who watches his friend and saves his secrets for later, for a good moment to use them. And by the good moment you mean something involving large amounts of money.

I can see where things are going with Octavian who with every episode looses his human traits and turns into some kind of Stalin of Ancient Rome. I actually like this, he fascinates me completely. I am wondering if this portrayal of Octavian is historically correct, but it does feel right. He is going to be totally triumphant, but Livia is not a little creepy..

But most of all I am so disappointed by Agrippa!! I do not care anymore if you built all the Pantheons in the world and won many sea battles. I am so disappointed that you left your first love. And the worst thing is that you left it accepting and justifying the views of the tyrant you work for. Why? I am not sure if this is just because you want to keep a good position, may be because you need to have your conscience clean and sleep well? I want to scream for I loved you so much!! (I apologise for being over-dramatic here!!!)

Pullo and Eirene

I Hate Gaia!! I HATE what happened! I know this world is an unfair place, but a little bit of happiness once in a while for good people could be nice!! Even if they make mistakes!
To try to look on the bright side (if there is one), Pullo will not have to choose between Eirene and Vorenus anymore.

But! There were some good things too!

1. Mark Antony! I am on some kind of see-saw with this character. One moment I feel absolutely disgusted, another moment I laugh so hard, and in the third moment I think he is great. I absolutely wished that he strangles Octavian there and then, but I guess this would be historically wrong..



2. Octavia was great too.. " "You are marrying a monster. " was so so fabulous. Yay Octavia!



3. Titus Pullo is made of awesome. I absolutely cheered when he bit of the tongue of Memmio and shouted "Thirteen"!!!!!!!!

4. A scene of Vorenus and Pullo separation. I am very heartbroken for Vorenus and it seems he reached the end of his endurance. I love them together and separately, they make this show so great for me.














I have made some icons, they mostly reflect the fact that Titus Pullo was incredibly great in this episode, even with all his mistakes and shortcomings and weaknesses he is so absolutely awesome.

They are free to share, please let me know if you need any text added and I will do it with pleasure!!!

Preview:

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.01.02.03.04

.05.06.07.08

.10.11.12.13

.14.15.16.17

.18.19.20

Comments

[queenofthorns.livejournal.com]

I have been waiting for you to see this - and man, my heart broke for Pullo and for Eirene and that scene at her grave and for Vorenus and Vorena too... SO MUCH PAIN! (Also, come back, Pullo, all is forgiven. Especially if Gaia is eaten by dogs!)

The icons (and caps are so lovely) - I love in that scene with Vorenus how green Pullo's eyes are. Man, now I CAN'T CHOOSE, alexandra! I love 3, 4, and 12 and 13 and 16. I might have to take all of those. AND I'm sure I will also make some more icons, so now I need, like 100 icons from "Rome".

[alexandral.livejournal.com]

I have been waiting for you to see this - and man, my heart broke for Pullo and for Eirene and that scene at her grave

It was reflecting so much of what Niobe's burial was.. Pullo and Vorenus alone. And the fact that they digged a grave together was so symbolical.

and for Vorenus and Vorena too... SO MUCH PAIN!

This makes me so sad that I can't even wirte about this moment, it hasn't settled yet. On the bright side no one died so there is a hope in the future. Vorenus is going to change finally now, I think. I could just see how all his views of the way he should live came down at once.

Also, come back, Pullo, all is forgiven. Especially if Gaia is eaten by dogs!

Wasn't he just so great in that leather gear!! And even more, wasn't he just so great when he was not drinking anything for two days after Eirene's death and then took a cup from Vorenus's hands. And even greater when he shouted "Thirteen".

Sorry, I am rambling - I should really go to sleep, but this episode was so heart breaking that I can't.

I also thought that it was interesting that Pullo is left to be a leader in Aventine and Vorenus went to war, remember their previous conversation.

[wildtiger7.livejournal.com]

I also waited to watch this episode, because I was worried about how upsetting it would be. It was upsetting, but it was so, so excellent.

I agree with you on Antony: he's disgusting and fantastic all at once.

I admired what Agrippa did, because going to see Octavia on a regular basis would have put her in too much danger, and at least he had the guts to go and say goodbye. I was more disappointed in Maecenas, for hording information until people (namely, Posca) pissed him off. He didn't mind hurting Agrippa to get at Posca; that's far worse than anything Agrippa did.

[alexandral.livejournal.com]

I also waited to watch this episode, because I was worried about how upsetting it would be.

Now I wish I watched it earlier. I can't sleep!!!

I agree with you on Antony: he's disgusting and fantastic all at once.

I admired what Agrippa did, because going to see Octavia on a regular basis would have put her in too much danger, and at least he had the guts to go and say goodbye.

I admired up to a point. He broke my heart when he said "And anyways, I agree with Octavian on this". He didn't have to say this and it seemed that he really meant it. Oh, I will probably find something that will justify Agrippa's actions tomorrow for I liked this character for so long, but for now I am so angry with him

I was more disappointed in Maecenas, for hording information until people (namely, Posca) pissed him off. He didn't mind hurting Agrippa to get at Posca; that's far worse than anything Agrippa did.

That was so petty and disgusting. He seems to be well worthy of his master. I was expecting that Atia would spill the beans to Octavian, but it was MAecenas after all.

[lage-nom-ai.livejournal.com]

Eeeeee! I agree with you about this episode. And I nabbed some of your wonderful Pullo icons! :)

[alexandral.livejournal.com]

I had to re-watch "Pullo in the cool leather garb" scene few times already.

I am so glad you like the icons!

[the-grynne.livejournal.com]

I loved Maecenas, and I have to admit that I still do. Not only because Alex Wyndham is devastatingly beautiful, and he reminds me of Mark Antony in his most hilarious calculating-but-nonchalant moments. But because of how interestingly this petty, money-obsessed side of his personality - which the writers have invested in him from the start, from his counselling Octavian about his speech to the troops, to his complain to Agrippa in 2.05(?), "Where are the blasted damn figures for the blasted tax projections?" - reflects against what he is remembered for being: a poet, political advisor and speechwriter. Maecenas, here seen without the refracting glass of Caesar Augustus, and in his youth, betrays his equestrian origins.

[alexandral.livejournal.com]

I loved Maecenas, and I have to admit that I still do. Not only because Alex Wyndham is devastatingly beautiful

Absolutely agree! And not only physically, he is very charming!

But because of how interestingly this petty, money-obsessed side of his personality - which the writers have invested in him from the start

Oh, I would not stop liking him as a character yet. :D I agree with you, the latest events seem to make him more multi-dimensional. Maecenas was also the one to remind Octavian how much money they can scavenge from the murders of Cassio and Brutus supporters. But I had a moment with Maecenas just like sometimes I have them in Real Life of "Oh, I don't know him at all". It is just a first shock and then everything gets back on it's proper place.

reflects against what he is remembered for being: a poet, political advisor and speechwriter.

This is so interesting! Like with the portrayal of Brutus, HBO's adaptation helps me somehow to see that Maecenas was a real person, not just "a sum of x, y and z"

[jenlev.livejournal.com]

ah, very well put. and gorgeous icons as always. as for pullo, i'm so worried for him and i agree, a little happiness would have been very nice. it's my happy ending kink. meep.

[alexandral.livejournal.com]

as for pullo, i'm so worried for him

I think having to look after children and being responsible for them will be good for Pullo. He can't disintegrate now..

[jenandhughlove.livejournal.com]

Great caps. Thank you. :)

--Mark Antony! I am on some kind of see-saw with this character. One moment I feel absolutely disgusted, another moment I laugh so hard, and in the third moment I think he is great. I absolutely wished that he strangles Octavian there and then, but I guess this would be historically wrong..--

Ah, this was fantastic. I mean, i wished it too because Octavian was cruel with all members of his family. I've noticed the way Mark Antony reacts when he discovered that Agrippa has a relationship with Octavia (it was priceless). Also, i love the way he said "You talking to my wife" (he was really cute!). I was shocked about that scene with him and Octavian. Their acting was amazing, as the way Octavia told to Agrippa that she's pregnant (just for curiosity, i read her historical profile, and i remember that she's having a baby from Mark Antony but i'm not sure). Cleopatra? I wish to be her for staying with Mark Antony and spending lovely egyptian nights. :)

[alexandral.livejournal.com]

Thank you!!

I've noticed the way Mark Antony reacts when he discovered that Agrippa has a relationship with Octavia (it was priceless).
Also, i love the way he said "You talking to my wife" (he was really cute!).

He definitely does not wish evil upon Octavia, and I don't think he is an evil preson. I don't think he would be even worried that she has a lover. Antony has a lover himself and he is not at all crazy or psychotic to try to dominate everything and everyone.

And it is interesting to see that this difference between the two of them (Octavian and Antony) is doing to be something that will help Octavian to win. Because Octavian is not going to stop at anything!

Octavia told to Agrippa that she's pregnant (just for curiosity, i read her historical profile, and i remember that she's having a baby from Mark Antony but i'm not sure).

As according to the history Agrippa married Octavia's daughter from her first husband. :D

Cleopatra? I wish to be her for staying with Mark Antony and spending lovely egyptian nights. :)

They are so fantastic together! I am looking forward to their interaction in the next episode!

[baleanoptera.livejournal.com]

Oh wasn't the episode absolutely heartbreaking!? I cried when Eirene died and then again when Vorenus fought with his daughter. Oh Vorenus you didn't have to leave!*sob*

And Pullo going without water and food for two days? I might even forgive him for Gaia because of that.

But most of all I am so disappointed by Agrippa!!

I thought of you during that scene in the kitchen, and I will admit I was a little disappointed in him at first. But I'm beginning to understand him a little. Not saying excusing him - but I see where he is coming from. Octavia's talk about escaping and running away is sweet, but not very practical. And love is sweet but it doesn't put bread on the table - and now I sound like the worlds worst anti-romantic, and I'm not. But it's just - in this series setting Agrippa is a nobody. His grandfather was a slave, and his father has probably worked damn hard to rise above that - and Agrippa himself seems to have work damn hard.
So he knows what hard work an toil is - and Octavia does not. How long do you think she would last on the run in the east? What would they do when the money ran out (which it would), and they were being chased by a slightly psychotic Octavian (and he would chase them).
What would they do when the first rush of eloping has gone and hard reality sets in? Octavia doesn't know an occupation and she isn't very strong. I'd wager she would suffer terribly, and by breaking it of Agrippa has spared her of that. He has kept her safe, said all the blame is on him (remember he was very focused on telling Octavian it was all his fault). The result is Octavia is as safe and as well looked after as he can make her at the moment. Heartbroken yes, but safe.

[trufflehog.livejournal.com]

damn you and your logic.
its funny, since agrippa showed up all i've done was make fun of him. he seemed too much like a disney-esque, one-dimensional idealist and not very fitting to this show. and here i am, so damn depressed that he broke it off with octavia! i mean, what she said was sweet, and what he said was practical but i kind of hoped they'd continue to meet in secret. because. dammit they're cute!
marc antony's comment about octavia was kind of sweet, in a weird, antony-ish way. and i loved his final scene with atia.

[baleanoptera.livejournal.com]

Oh and I completely forgot earlier but the icons are lovely! I think my favourites are #13 and 14. (#9 scares me!) and the cropping on # 11 is quite unusual but it works so well!

[alexandral.livejournal.com]

Thank you so much, dear! ( I took N9 off, it was scaring me too :D)

[sandra666219.livejournal.com]

I have to play catch up on Rome. I want to see that new series too Tudors.

[alexandral.livejournal.com]

Oh, "Rome" is so so great! I even stopped mainlining "let's go to the beach" (and I am on the great part now where Lee Wan is full of angst whilst wearing cool suits)

[tacitanumeria.livejournal.com]

I Hate Gaia!! I HATE what happened! I know this world is an unfair place, but a little bit of happiness once in a while for good people could be nice!! Even if they make mistakes!
Lemme tell ya, I can not WAIT until the episode where she gets hers.
I. CAN'T. WAIT. I'm gonna tape it and find caps of it and put it as my background.
HATE THAT LADY!

And, yeah, HBO's making this show so damn depressing. I wish someone'd just be happy and live happily ever after. But I guess it just shows how hard life is no matter where you are in history. I'm just so sad that it had to happen to Eirene and Pullo. They're my favorites! But then again it brings Vorenus and Pullo closer together because they've both lost wives and children. (considering Vorena and the rest of Vorenus's kids hate him, which is kinda like losing them)

Oh well. Still doesn't mean I'm not very very very sad that it had to be Eirene.

[alexandral.livejournal.com]

I. CAN'T. WAIT. I'm gonna tape it and find caps of it and put it as my background.
HATE THAT LADY!

Same here! I hope now nothing really dipressing is going to happen anymore, apart for Mark Antony's death, of course!

And, yeah, HBO's making this show so damn depressing. I wish someone'd just be happy and live happily ever after. But I guess it just shows how hard life is no matter where you are in history.

I quite like this.. It is upsetting for me but I can't count it as truly depressing yet. I hope that at the end Pullo and Vorenus will go though all of it.. In a way, this will be very encouraging.

But then again it brings Vorenus and Pullo closer together because they've both lost wives and children. (considering Vorena and the rest of Vorenus's kids hate him, which is kinda like losing them)

Oh, this is an awesome parallel! And Vorenus' children will become like his own for Pullo. He will help them heal. And I hope so much that Vorenus will find a trength to change and will come back to them.

Oh well. Still doesn't mean I'm not very very very sad that it had to be Eirene.

** sigh **

[ghada-bell.livejournal.com]

Lovely icons ! I forgot how awesome Pullo can be. He always have been my favorite character, after Octavian, obviously.
Loved loved loved this episode. The family reunion was by far my favorite moment. BTW, for one second I thought Octavian and Antony were going to make out. LOL ! Is it only me or was there some kind of weird eye connection ?
Again, I was thinking about the way you would react to what happened between Agrippa and Octavia. I may sound too naive, but I think Agrippa did what he did because he feared for Octavia. Octavia was going to be dishonered and even if they ran away, Octavian would have found them. And what kind of life would they have ? No, I really think Agrippa acted the way someone really in love would have: Doing the right thing for Octavia even if it means to brake up to her. I still like him !

[alexandral.livejournal.com]

The family reunion was by far my favorite moment. BTW, for one second I thought Octavian and Antony were going to make out. LOL ! Is it only me or was there some kind of weird eye connection ?

Oh, no! This was a very strange moment indeed! I often find myself thinking that AMrk Antony and Vorenus are going to make out. This is just something in Mark Antony and James Purefoy plays it so well.

Again, I was thinking about the way you would react to what happened between Agrippa and Octavia. I may sound too naive, but I think Agrippa did what he did because he feared for Octavia.

I think today the sun is shining outside and I think so too. :D He most likely made himself sound harsher then he felt. He wanted a clear break because he thought this is the best for her. And in a way, I admire his unlimited loyalty for Octavian too, even though he seems such an "Octavian's pet". And of course I like Agrippa still. :D But yesterday I was ready to remove all my icons of Agrippa. :D

And BTW, aren't Jocasta and Posca so very awesome?

[berniesmommy.livejournal.com]

awesome as usual!

[alexandral.livejournal.com]

Thank you so much!

[shezan.livejournal.com]

These are GREAT icons! Would you be inspired to do some Agrippa ones? *puppy eyes*

[alexandral.livejournal.com]

I can't resist. I will try to make some of Agrippa this evening. You also very welcome to look at:

http://alexandral.livejournal.com/120101.html#cutid1

http://alexandral.livejournal.com/116184.html#cutid1

http://alexandral.livejournal.com/112793.html#cutid4

http://alexandral.livejournal.com/109794.html#cutid2

[shezan.livejournal.com]

But most of all I am so disappointed by Agrippa!!

Nononono! He was a complete darling, honourable even if it killed him. Just think: he would have ruined Octavia far more than he would have ruined himself - a married woman, no matter how unhappy the marriage, leaving her home wuld have been completely at fault. I just loved him when he stood up for her with Octavian, trying to take all the blame. And he was so unhappy to have to leave her, poor sweet.

[alexandral.livejournal.com]

Nononono! He was a complete darling, honourable even if it killed him. Just think: he would have ruined Octavia far more than he would have ruined himself - a married woman, no matter how unhappy the marriage, leaving her home wuld have been completely at fault. I just loved him when he stood up for her with Octavian, trying to take all the blame. And he was so unhappy to have to leave her, poor sweet.

I guess that the thing I was disappointed most of all is not the fact that he found some strength to leave Octavia. I was rather sad that he was agreeing with Octavian's crazy views on women and their position in society. But I guess Agrippa IS so loyal to Octavian that it will take more then that to stop him from loving and supporting his friend. It isn't such a bad thing, after all.

After I did some thinking, I still feel sad and disappoined about their break-up, but I guess I still love Agrippa.

[winterfish.livejournal.com]

I love your icons! (I, er, snagged one of your announcer guy icons without commenting earlier.) Now, I have have snagged 3 and 13 from this batch, thank you! Also, I totally agree with you, Pullo was awesome in this episode! When he bite Memmio's tongue off I went Ack! and then \o/. :D

[alexandral.livejournal.com]

I am so glad you like!

Also, I totally agree with you, Pullo was awesome in this episode! When he bite Memmio's tongue off I went Ack! and then \o/. :D

I hope that nothing BAD is going to happen to Pullo and Vorenus anymore. :D

[poohmusings.livejournal.com]

Oh, I always adore your icons. Grabbing a couple.

[alexandral.livejournal.com]

Thank you very much!

[ex-vivere116.livejournal.com]

I didn't even cry when Eirene died. I think I didn't expect it to happen. Sure, I expected the baby to be lost, but I thought she would live. :( I don't know. Maybe I wasn't that familiar with her character after all - but I thought she was sweet. :(

It's sad that Vorenus can never prove he didn't kill his wife. But at least now the storyline of his children won't be involved (hehhh, they were annoying).

YAY! for Cleopatra. She's gorgeous. I'm ambivalent about Mark Antony, too. I only like him when he says something amusing, but even then he's crude...

[ex-vivere116.livejournal.com]

Oh damn. You're right. I forgot Pullo is taking caring of the children (I watched the episode late last night, LOL)! Gahhhhhh. Anyway, I hope Gaia dies soon. Or that Pullo discovers she's a murderess, somehow.

[mona1347.livejournal.com]

I snagged icon #s 2, 5, 7 - will credit if/when I use. These are all lovely and spare, just how I like 'em! :D Thanks.

[alexandral.livejournal.com]

Thank you :D

[starwriterlv.livejournal.com]

Another great set. And excellent thoughts on the episode!

Octavia was great too.. " "You are marrying a monster. " was so so fabulous. Yay Octavia!

I just love that she spoke up.

Could I please have #2 say Atia?

[alexandral.livejournal.com]

EEEE! Thank you!!!

[sdwolfpup.livejournal.com]

Oooh excellent, I needed icons of Vorenus & Pullo hugging and these are beautiful. I'm grabbing 3, 4, and 16 and will credit when used. Thank you!

[alexandral.livejournal.com]

Thank you so much!!

[charlie-bz.livejournal.com]

I am in awe of your icon making ability. I'm snagging the Atia #2. Will give proper credit!

Thanks!

[alexandral.livejournal.com]

Iam so glad you liked! I am so glad someone is watching "Rome"!!!!! YAY!

[imadra-blue.livejournal.com]

Got 2. Lovely work, all of them. Shall credit with use. :)

[alexandral.livejournal.com]

Thank you!!!!!!!