Rome, again, mini rant

[rispacooper]

In which we finally get to what bothers me about Rome (aside from the weird timeline games they play with my head)...as I was discussing Vorenus' recent behavior with Kittie, it occurred to me how very badly they've explained the role of an ancient Roman Republican(patrician) male to the audience. I mean, I think they wanted it to be like Deadwood--making a past era seem understandable to modern folks with grammar/actions etc. But the fact is it was a different time and place and, kind of like men in the 50's, men were supposed to be in control of themselves and others *at all times*. This of course isn't possible, and tends to lead to some serious fucking problems when emotions get involved, but it was nonetheless the ideal. (I think Octavian comes the closest, and he was practically a sociopath). Vorenus is just coming off more and more like a psycho--which he would be, given what has happened to him and the fact that he wouldn't be allowed *at all* to deal with it in any way we would accept now--but the show hasn't really shown him feeling anything. Not even in quick moments, in simple glances, nothing, instead focusing on Antony (who is awesome, admittedly) and as-yet-annoying subplots. We're just supposed to *know* (I guess)how much he loves his children, Pullo etc...

I suppose I just would have preferred this series to be *about something*. You know, something behind it other than showing ignorant Americans that Romans sexed it up and killed each other a lot. Don't get me wrong, I still love the show, but maybe if the theme had been about how the Roman Republican ideals ultimately killed the Republic, expressed through nobles and simple soldiers alike, that would have been awesome. Cuz Antony is violent, excessive, and not truly in control at all. Along with Vorenus, who feels too much to pretend he doesn't. Brutus, trying so very hard to be and waaaay too emotional. Those who actually managed to be that cold are the two dictators/tyrants who destroy the Republic. Which is awesome in a geeky way, and I want to see it. If that makes sense.

Ah well. Whatev.

Comments

[paraxdisepink.livejournal.com]

Vorenus isn't a patrician, though at that time it probably wouldn't have mattered, as most patricians had only their names to go by. He's not as lower class as Pullo, and though he's climbed to senatorial class, but he's not patrician.

I think the show has tried to show that at the end of the day, all of these people are just people, and none of them act as they're supposed to for the time - not Atia, not Octavia, not Pullo, and definitely not Niobe. So I think they want us to see each character as a human, in their individual light. Several characters have remarked on Vorenus' personality being weird. So I don't think they've failed with Vorenus' character - no one said we're supposed to like him or side with him - I think it just has to be accepted that he's something of a dick, regardless of the time period. Explaining how he's supposed to act isn't going to make a difference, because that doesn't excuse his behavior. He's *still* a dick. And i'll bet he stops being a dick real soon and I'll have to lust after him again.

[rispacooper.livejournal.com]

you know when you just rant and rant (or write and write) and you don't really know where its going but you're doing it anyway to see where it goes and then thinking maybe you can edit once you've finally found your point?

i haven't hit that yet.

but...i feel like total crap in RL so maybe that's got something to do with it. meh.

[paraxdisepink.livejournal.com]

heh i feel like crap too. My chest muscle problems aren't going away. Boo.

[rispacooper.livejournal.com]

chest shit never really goes away. thats what sucks about it. like it will end you think when thr weather warms up... and then every winter after that you'll have to be careful.

basically, these days, between work and no money and my extremely crappy life and crappy health, i don't sit at the comp for long.

i reall ought to write something. but i don't feel like it. meh.