User Reviews

"Slow and steady wins the race", as the moral of Aesop's immortal fable goes. And it certainly applies to this, the Fourth episode of Season Two.

Pullo's unwavering friendship and devotion to Vorenus definitely pays off spectacularly, as Titus tracks Lucius down amidst the dregs of Mark Antony's army, trounced by the forces of swiftly-rising Octavian, (with help from Agrippa). Once Vorenus learns of his children's cruel fate, he's off with Antony's reluctant blessing to get them back.

Meanwhile, Atia's swiftness to vengeance has just cost her more than she ever bargained for. An unfortunate and fatal mistake on the part of a servant saves her life by chance, and the trail of deception leads back to Servilia, resulting in not one but two absolutely brutal torture sequences that finally push someone to the unexpected breaking point...TIMON!

Elsewhere, with the sound defeat of Antony's legions, Octavian (now called Augustus Caesar) is ready to collect on the dividends provided by his careful military and political strategies, much to the consternation of many, particularly Cicero.

And for Vorena the Elder, Vorena the Younger and little Lucius, who thought that their father's curse had consigned them to everlasting Hell on Earth, salvation is at hand in a profound and moving sequence that puts a powerful flourish on this episode.

Having learnt that Vorenus's children are alive Pullo heads north to find his friend. He finds a battlefield; the aftermath of Caesar Octavian's victory over Mark Antony's forces. He is worried that Vorenus may be among the dead but later finds him among Mark Antony's retreating army. Once reunited they head to search for Vorenus's children. Back in Rome Atia has survived an attempt on her life and has poisoner tortured until he names Servilia as the person who paid him to do it. Atia has Timon kidnap Servilia and starts having her tortured; it turns out that Timon has his limits and he eventually lets Servilia go. After his victory Octavian sends word to Rome that he and his army are returning to Rome; something that concerns Cicero as it clearly echoes Julius Caesar's actions after his own victories.

This was another impressive episode; it got off to a good start with the attempt on Atia's life and subsequent torture of her would be poisoner; this was a fairly gruelling scene which ultimately sowed the seeds of doubt in Timon's mind concerning his work; something increased following a confrontation with his zealous brother. The later treatment of Servilia is also somewhat disturbing. It was great to see Pullo and Vorenus reunited; the fact that we don't see any of the battle may have been done for reasons of budget but it was also effective as we could see there were many casualties and it was initially far from clear that Vorenus survived. Pullo's meeting with Octavian was rather fun; Pullo didn't immediately recognise the young Caesar; hardly surprising given that the actor has changed! The cast do a fine job; as usual Ray Stevenson and Kevin McKidd impress as Pullo and Vorenus. Lee Boardman is also particularly good as Timon both in the scenes with Atia and with his brother. Overall another fine episode that fans of the series should enjoy.

Historically, this is one of the best series ever done. Acting, scenery, costumes, look and feel very accurate. Of course I expect them to stretch and tweak the facts. This so far has been acceptable. Until this episode that is. It's the slavery thing. First of all it was illegal to enslave Roman citizens at all. Illegal. Secondly, if somehow Veranus's children were illegally enslaved, they would not have ended up in a quarry. They were educated, spoke good Latin, healthy and attractive. Worth far more than the poor wretches who ended up in the mines. And why was there a brothel in a quarry? The whole thing made no sense, either historically or logically. In general I really like the series, just this episode galled me a bit too much.