Thoughts on "Rome" HBO series

[Elemental]

I had heard some good things about this series and was considering adding it to my Christmas list this year but wanted to see what the ever wise crew at Trek BBS thought. My research has shown me that it only survived for two seasons. Was this enough to deliver some degree of finality to the series and give it a "proper end"?

As a general reference point, my other series interests include Star Trek (duh), Babylon 5, Lost, Heroes, The X-Files, Prison Break, ER, The West Wing, 24, Dallas, the new Battlestar Galactica. You might notice that a common trend here is continuing story arcs that pay off for long term viewers. With this in mind, if people have any other suggestions to make for good shows, I'd be open to hearing them. I'm including season 1 of The Sopranos on my list as well so wouldn't mind hearing others' thoughts on that one too.

 

[bigdaddy]

I think season 2 is pointless. What is going on with HBO only having shows last 2-3 seasons? "it's not TV, it's FOX... I mean HBO".

Season one is a long movie and all you really need to watch. It's an X rated movie at times through.

Season 1 good, season 2 blah.

 

[Dorian Thompson]

Loved it to death. My only complaint is that the second half of the second season rushed some historical events because HBO knew the series wouldn't have a third season--it is, however, very worth the purchase. The characters are extremely compelling and the acting and cinematography are beyond top notch. What I appreciated most was framing the historical events in the lens of Vorenus and Pullo's friendship. Kevin McKidd and Ray Stevenson ROCKED. THE. HOUSE. as the soldiers who became life long friends. Absolutely incredible chemistry.

 

[broberfett]

I liked it, John Milius was involved in the production(Conan the Barbarian, Red Dawn-that may sound bad to some people, but it is awesome in my book). I wish it had more of a budget for the huge Roman Battles I wanted to see. It doesn't so mostly we get Roman Vulgarity, which is amusing too. There is lots of sex and everybody gets naked all the time, except Octavian's mother. She gets naked at first, but then it seems like she gained weight and in the second season almost never gets naked.

Titus Pullo and Vorenus were cool. I keep wishing Vorenus would act more like Vorenus on Journeyman.

 

[species5618]

I thought both seasons were great, and I highly recommend the series.

As for The Sopranos, despite the controversy over the series finale, I consider it to be the greatest television series in the history of the medium. Season 1 was one of the strongest of the 6 seasons, maybe even the best of them.

 

[DanTheGrey]

I really liked the show and bought both seasons on DVD after having watched it on Movie Central. Yes the timelines are a bit rushed, but it was remarkably well done with some good acting.

 

[firehawk12]

Season 2 was really an accident. Based on the first three episodes, HBO and BBC rushed to announce a second season. Then the ratings in the UK dipped a lot and they realized that it wouldn't be able to sustain itself, especially considering the expense. So by the end of S1, they announced that S2 would be the last.

At the outset, they had a 5 year plan. I can't imagine what it would have been, since they rushed through the Caesar storyline, but they had 5 seasons in mind.

 

[OmahaStar]

I really liked the show. I caught the first episode when it aired, and immediately set my DVR to record the rest.

Now, something to keep in mind ... It wasn't intended to have a second season. It was a miniseries, with a distinct beginning, middle, and end, and was filmed as such.

It wasn't until the first few episodes aired that HBO ordered a second season.

In a way, the second season does feel "tacked on" ... The first season spanned several years. I gather from the way the second season played out that if the writers had any idea it would have been as big a hit as it was, they wouldn't have had so much story there. They would have spread it out over multiple seasons. But there was no way to know.

HBO spent millions creating the city of Rome, not to mention period costumes, and training the extras on how to BE Romans.

The set is still around now, and Doctor Who recently filmed an episode for its upcoming season there.

While it takes liberty with some historical events, they try very much to be faithful to the time period and to the characters.

It's well worth getting both seasons. Best Buy on the day after Thanksgiving will have all HBO titles at half price. It might be worth it to make a stop then.

Also, it's available on Netflix. Try the first disc and see what you think.

 

[Stone_Cold_Sisko]

Fantastic. A lot of people talk about this or that, BSG or Lost or whatever, not winning this Emmy or that Emmy is a crime... but this show not being nominated is a true crime of television.

Pullo and Vorenus = one of the best tv friendships ever.

 

[doubleohfive]

I think I'd like to buy it, but I know I won't til its cheap. :thumbsup:

 

[broberfett]

If you have digital cable they show HBO series shows on Demand on HBO on Demand. It isn't on now, but sometimes an old one crops back up.

 

[Star Wolf]

Elemental said:
As a general reference point, my other series interests include Star Trek (duh), Babylon 5, Lost, Heroes, The X-Files, Prison Break, ER, The West Wing, 24, Dallas, the new Battlestar Galactica. You might notice that a common trend here is continuing story arcs that pay off for long term viewers

Another thing is that they are all broadcast or basic cable shows. Rome is much more intense sex and violence wise. The Romans don't "make love" they fuck. Blood spurts as hacked off limbs fall to the ground

 

[The Lady Eve]

Exciting, well-written and acted and it's a damn shame HBO pulled the plug.

 

[firehawk12]

It was probably BBC more than anyone else. It was panned in the UK.

 

[Temis the Vorta]

I've watched it up thru the Battle of Phillipi. Well worth watching but honestly I'm not sure if I would have wanted them to continue beyond the natural ending point at the end of S2 (well, what I assume is the ending point -

Spoiler: 2000 year old spoiler!

Octavian becomes emporer having defeated all his foes

They cover the most dramatic & famous historical stuff, and I don't see why they'd need to go on and on.

I keep wishing Vorenus would act more like Vorenus on Journeyman.

Decide to kill people because they upset his sense of honor? Yeah, that would certainly go over well in modern-day San Francisco...I think Vorenus would end up in San Quentin pretty damn quick. Modern people are such wusses.

 

[broberfett]

So we have to worry about spoilers for 2000 years? Wow! This board is strict.

 

[Temis the Vorta]

Technically speaking, people might not know what event the series ends on.

It would have been fun watching the series not knowing Caesar gets assassinated or any of the other stuff that happens...bah, I know too much about history.

 

[ManOnTheWave]

ROME was wonderful. It was like a long miniseries. The second season isn't quite as good as the first, but it's still quite good.

 

[Spot's Meow]

I loved Rome. I actually chose to write a paper on it for a history class last year, about the show's historical accuracy (I felt it was as accurate as you can get based on the available sources). Season 1 is definitely better, but season 2 was a nice wrap up. I would definitely recommend buying the series. Everything about it is really well done. You feel like you are in Rome yourself when you're watching it.

 

[WillsBabe]

At risk of adding my voice to the choir, I love Rome. There was so much about it to love. Try it, I'm sure you won't be disappointed.