Rome 2x02: Son of Hades
OMG I KNEW THOSE KIDS WERE ALIVE. But more on that in a minute, because I'm going to cut right to the chase and talk about Antony and Vorenus. 'Cause, see, remember that scene in season one, where Vorenus bound himself to Antony and re-joined the Legion? Yes. With the kiss, and the heavily charged personal space invasion, and whatnot. Well this scene tonight trumped that times a bazillion, with Antony breathing on the back of Vorenus's neck when he said, "I am your master."
*helpless flail!*
Just the idea that Pullo was distraught enough to go to Antony, to bring him to see Vorenus in that condition, breaks my heart. That's true fear. And, oh, God, Antony taking control of Vorenus literally like he had him on a chain, the way Vorenus snapped to attention and, did I mention the breathing on the neck? GUH. The lighting in that scene was exceptional as well, all for effect -- Antony in muted color, Vorenus in washed out, dull grey. Antony has pulled him up from the deepest circle of hell to throw him into an entirely separate hell, because it serves his purpose, and wow.
Okay, deeeeep breathing.... *g* (melina123, I don't know if you were watching, but I sure did think of your story. *g*)
Backing up a bit. I liked this more mature, reasonable, smart Cleopatra; she seems almost like an entirely different person, which fits, in a way. I think the real Cleopatra was as changeable as a chameleon, depending upon circumstance. She had to have been. There was budding chemistry there with Antony, and of course then she had to go and slap him, which just sealed her fate. He likes the feisty ones with a good right hook. *g* The negotiation taking place between slaves was awesome, and of course I love Posca working for Antony, and I love how Antony is just putting off Posca's demand for compensation, and Octavian's requests for his inheritance.
The cutting back and forth during the party between skin and skin, glances and glances, food and skin, drawing parallels and illustrating desire -- clever, and effective. But the best part was Atia whispering in Cleopatra's ear, and the way she cut the party off. She tickles me.
Also the incredibly realistic fight between Octavian and Antony, wow. I'm not sure if it was because it was a start-stop-start scene, or because it was seen from multiple angles and so was disjointed and chaotic in its visuals, but wow, it was jarring and scary. I found it completely believable.
Pullo shaving Vorenus was pretty awesome in and of itself, but that tiny smile he gave him while he was doing it? OH, YES. Vorenus seems to have settled in quite nicely to his dark little niche, and Pullo right beside him. Vorenus truly thinks he has nothing to lose, and the weight of duty and that stiff properness has vanished altogether, and he's relaxed in the grasp of his demons. Which is really freaking sexy.
Minor characters are getting some play, too. Gaia is interesting. And Eirene seems to be catching on that she comes second -- way, way second -- to Vorenus in her husband's eyes. Timon has a life outside of being Atia's errand boy! That's good to see...not much to say about that, yet, but with this show, you know it's going somewhere.
And the kids are all alive, as is Lyde! At least they are all together, for now, though there's no telling what's happened or where they are going to end up. Ohhh, the possibilities.
I say it every time, and every time, it's more true: SO MUCH LOVE FOR THIS SHOW.