# Rome 10/9 (open spoilers) **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [October 10, 2005, 2:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rome-10-9-open-spoilers/325490 "2005-10-10T02:54:19Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![alphaboi867](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alphaboi867/32/3898_2.png) [@alphaboi867](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/alphaboi867)\ **Post date:** [October 10, 2005, 2:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rome-10-9-open-spoilers/325490/1 "2005-10-10T02:54:19Z")
Where was Octavian? Is his character coming back by the next episode? Also the whole Octavia/Servilla thing was totally unexpected. How did the Romans view lesbianism? Was it even ackowledged (other than as entertainment for men)? I’m glad we finally going to get to see Cleopatra, but the actress looks too pretty. ---
**Author:** ![flickster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/7bcc69/32.png) [@flickster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/flickster)\ **Post date:** [October 10, 2005, 3:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rome-10-9-open-spoilers/325490/2 "2005-10-10T03:18:14Z")
I figured Octavia & Servilla were going to end up in each other’s arms from their first visit in tonight’s eppy. Doesn’t bode well for last week’s gift getting much use :rolleyes: ---
**Author:** ![AuntiePam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/f19dbf/32.png) [@AuntiePam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AuntiePam)\ **Post date:** [October 10, 2005, 3:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rome-10-9-open-spoilers/325490/3 "2005-10-10T03:20:05Z")
Great episode, all around. Deserves a second look even. Is Caesar really glad to have Brutus and Cicero back in the fold? ---
**Author:** ![Baker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/bb73d2/32.png) [@Baker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Baker)\ **Post date:** [October 10, 2005, 5:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rome-10-9-open-spoilers/325490/4 "2005-10-10T05:15:09Z")
I think the whole Octavia/Servilia thing is straying a little to far from the fold, but it’s their story. And I still think the series is fantastic. Of course, strictly speaking, the two wouldn’t be lesbian, but bisexual, as they each have truly enjoyed male lovers/husbands as well. I felt sorry for Pompey’s family, to see him cut down like that. His death was accomplished as accurately as we know of what went on. Don’t know if Caesar is really _glad_ to have Brutus and Cicero back, but he is probably relieved to have them where he can keep an eye on them. We’ve seen seven episodes so far, does anyone know how many have been filmed? I’m hoping this show is enough of a hit that it will continue. Someone needs to do a good genealogical chart of the characters. Most are related, however distantly, by blood or marriage. ---
**Author:** ![ISiddiqui](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/97f17d/32.png) [@ISiddiqui](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ISiddiqui)\ **Post date:** [October 10, 2005, 6:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rome-10-9-open-spoilers/325490/5 "2005-10-10T06:05:44Z")
Very good episode, with a LOT of action involved. I also continue to be pleased at how much at the forefront this show puts the Gods. To use modern individuals, the Roman gods seem silly and ridiculous, but “Rome” really shows how important they were… to the point of saving someone’s life who let his commander’s greatest enemy get away. I do think it’ll be interesting to see how Servilla/Octavia will turn out, especially when Atia finds out. Octavian probably will not show up for quite a while. He’s at school at the moment, and it would be wierd if he came back so soon (though I guess he was sent away because of any danger that would come to the Julii). Though it looks like a change of scenery for next episode. To Egypt we go! ---
**Author:** ![Broken\_Wind](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/f9ae1b/32.png) [@Broken\_Wind](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Broken_Wind)\ **Post date:** [October 10, 2005, 6:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rome-10-9-open-spoilers/325490/6 "2005-10-10T06:08:16Z")
> [@Baker](#): > > I think the whole Octavia/Servilia thing is straying a little to far from the fold, but it’s their story. And I still think the series is fantastic. Of course, strictly speaking, the two wouldn’t be lesbian, but bisexual, as they each have truly enjoyed male lovers/husbands as well. Saw the whole lesbian encounter thing coming from Servilia’s end, but nice twist that Octavia was the one who made the first move. I doubt lesbianism/bisexuality was all that uncommon/frowned upon seeing the amount of sexual ‘depravity’ that has been portrayed in all the preceding episodes. But, damn, I would have liked to have seen the rest of that scene… > [@Baker](#): > > I felt sorry for Pompey’s family, to see him cut down like that. His death was accomplished as accurately as we know of what went on. I’m no Roman history buff, but you knew Pompey was a goner going in. My only question is was the guy who offed him the same messenger that was decked my Marc Antony in the previous episode? > [@Baker](#): > > Don’t know if Caesar is really _glad_ to have Brutus and Cicero back, but he is probably relieved to have them where he can keep an eye on them. Something tells me Caesar will regret letting Brutus back into the fold… 😉 > [@Baker](#): > > We’ve seen seven episodes so far, does anyone know how many have been filmed? I’m hoping this show is enough of a hit that it will continue. > > Someone needs to do a good genealogical chart of the characters. Most are related, however distantly, by blood or marriage. I don’t know how many episodes total there are, but I think they filmed (i.e., done filming) the whole series over two years, so no fear of it being cut short. I’m sure any decent Roman History book would have the whole lineage of the major (non-fictional) characters outlined. ---
**Author:** ![ISiddiqui](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/97f17d/32.png) [@ISiddiqui](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ISiddiqui)\ **Post date:** [October 10, 2005, 6:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rome-10-9-open-spoilers/325490/7 "2005-10-10T06:10:56Z")
> [@Broken Wind](#): > > My only question is was the guy who offed him the same messenger that was decked my Marc Antony in the previous episode? He wasn’t. Pompey would have recognized his own messenger. Pompey definetly seemed to be saying yes, I know you, when actually he did not. He was trying to be a bit polite. ---
**Author:** ![Baldwin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/baldwin/32/7264_2.png) [@Baldwin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Baldwin)\ **Post date:** [October 10, 2005, 11:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rome-10-9-open-spoilers/325490/8 "2005-10-10T11:32:55Z")
I loved Titus Pullo’s response to Lucius Verinus suddenly killing the man with the metal nose: “Bit harsh, don’t you think?” This episode covered a lot of historical territory; pity there wasn’t time for an extended, completely gratuitous lovemaking scene between Octavia and Servilia. ---
**Author:** ![Lissa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/85f322/32.png) [@Lissa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lissa)\ **Post date:** [October 10, 2005, 12:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rome-10-9-open-spoilers/325490/9 "2005-10-10T12:37:18Z")
Two words: _corpse boat._ :eek: I’m sure they must have lifted this tale from some legend, because it rings a vague bell, but I can’t place it. And I gotta say I hope like _fuck_ that the short-haired woman they showed in the previews is not supposed to be Cleopatra. If it is (oh god please no) they’re portraying her as a druggie weirdo slut. ---
**Author:** ![JeffB](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jeffb/32/188_2.png) [@JeffB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JeffB)\ **Post date:** [October 10, 2005, 2:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rome-10-9-open-spoilers/325490/10 "2005-10-10T14:36:46Z")
> [@Baker](#): > > Someone needs to do a good genealogical chart of the characters. Most are related, however distantly, by blood or marriage. Although it’s not a full chart, HBO does list relationships of the [characters](http://www.hbo.com/rome/cast/). > [@Lissa](#): > > Two words: _corpse boat._ :eek: I’m sure they must have lifted this tale from some legend, because it rings a vague bell, but I can’t place it. Can you imagine what that smelled like? ---
**Author:** ![AuntiePam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/f19dbf/32.png) [@AuntiePam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AuntiePam)\ **Post date:** [October 10, 2005, 2:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rome-10-9-open-spoilers/325490/11 "2005-10-10T14:55:42Z")
The corpse raft was great. (I flashed on Lost for a second.) What was it that Vorenus said made the body float – “platonic ether”? Will Pompey’s family be killed too? Or did the Romans not worry so much about heirs as rally points for dissension? ---
**Author:** ![hajario](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hajario/32/171_2.png) [@hajario](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hajario)\ **Post date:** [October 10, 2005, 3:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rome-10-9-open-spoilers/325490/12 "2005-10-10T15:24:06Z")
I am really enjoying this series, the usual great dialogue found in HBO dramas and great sets too. I think that this was asked before but are Verinius and Pullo based on real people. Their adventures and developing friendship is the best part of the series. ---
**Author:** ![kidchameleon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/898d66/32.png) [@kidchameleon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kidchameleon)\ **Post date:** [October 10, 2005, 3:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rome-10-9-open-spoilers/325490/13 "2005-10-10T15:41:04Z")
Is it just me or has the nudity quotent dipped a bit from the beginning? ---
**Author:** ![CalMeacham](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/calmeacham/32/35_2.png) [@CalMeacham](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CalMeacham)\ **Post date:** [October 10, 2005, 3:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rome-10-9-open-spoilers/325490/14 "2005-10-10T15:49:52Z")
> [@](#): > > What was it that Vorenus said made the body float – “platonic ether”? I suspect it was _[Plutonic_ ether, Pluto being the Lord of the Underworld, where the Dead are, and all. I’ve maintained that the bloated appearance of the Dead is recorded in myth. See my book. ---
**Author:** ![Amok](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/f17d59/32.png) [@Amok](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Amok)\ **Post date:** [October 10, 2005, 3:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rome-10-9-open-spoilers/325490/15 "2005-10-10T15:53:57Z")
> [@hajario](#): > > I think that this was asked before but are Verinius and Pullo based on real people. Their adventures and developing friendship is the best part of the series. I believe they used the names of two soldiers who are mentioned in passing in Ceasar’s _The Gallic Wars_, but nothing more than what’s in that book is known about the real life versions. I’m wondering when, or if, we’ll see Cassius. They haven’t introduced him so far, have they? I know he fought in the civil war between Pompey and Ceasar on Pompey’s side, but then so did a lot of other semi-famous Romans they don’t have time to deal with. But when it comes to Ceasar’s assassination, Cassius is often protrayed as the main conspirator, and he and Brutus are the most famous of the conspirators. I think they’d really have to include him for that. ---
**Author:** ![Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e99b99/32.png) [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Diogenes_the_Cynic)\ **Post date:** [October 10, 2005, 4:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rome-10-9-open-spoilers/325490/16 "2005-10-10T16:08:56Z")
It looks like we’re going to get to see Cleopatra next week. It will be interesting to see how the show decides to interpret her. The development between Servilia and Octavia is very intriguing. I wonder how that relationship is going to be affected when Octavia marries Mark Antony. ---
**Author:** ![Rubystreak](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e5b9ba/32.png) [@Rubystreak](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rubystreak)\ **Post date:** [October 10, 2005, 6:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rome-10-9-open-spoilers/325490/17 "2005-10-10T18:09:47Z")
> [@Broken Wind](#): > > Saw the whole lesbian encounter thing coming from Servilia’s end, but nice twist that Octavia was the one who made the first move. Apparently I had the right mother but wrong child when I said one of Atia’s spawn was gay… > [@](#): > > I’m no Roman history buff, but you knew Pompey was a goner going in. My only question is was the guy who offed him the same messenger that was decked my Marc Antony in the previous episode? I believe it wa Gnaeus Pompey who decked Mark Antony, but a lot of those guys look the same. Wasn’t there a corpse boat somewhere in Alan Moore’s _Watchmen_? Something tells me Caesar will regret letting Brutus back into the fold… 😉 I don’t know how many episodes total there are, but I think they filmed (i.e., done filming) the whole series over two years, so no fear of it being cut short. I’m sure any decent Roman History book would have the whole lineage of the major (non-fictional) characters outlined. [/QUOTE] ---
**Author:** ![Rubystreak](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e5b9ba/32.png) [@Rubystreak](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rubystreak)\ **Post date:** [October 10, 2005, 6:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rome-10-9-open-spoilers/325490/18 "2005-10-10T18:14:40Z")
> [@Broken Wind](#): > > Saw the whole lesbian encounter thing coming from Servilia’s end, but nice twist that Octavia was the one who made the first move. Apparently I had the right mother but wrong child when I said that one of Atia’s kids was gay… 🆒 > [@Lissa](#): > > …corpse boat…And I gotta say I hope like fuck that the short-haired woman they showed in the previews is not supposed to be Cleopatra. If it is (oh god please no) they’re portraying her as a druggie weirdo slut. The short-haired woman is someone who seems to want to sleep with Vorenus, quite badly. I wonder if this is the occasion where his fidelity becomes a big enough problem for Pullo to blow in Niobe’s secret… Cleopatra was the woman with long hair who tells Caesar she is his servant-- not the same girl. Wasn’t there a corpse boat in Alan Moore’s _Watchmen_? (What is it about this show that keeps making me think of comic books?) ---
**Author:** ![Liberal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/848f3c/32.png) [@Liberal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Liberal)\ **Post date:** [October 10, 2005, 7:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rome-10-9-open-spoilers/325490/19 "2005-10-10T19:39:39Z")
I guess I’m the only one disappointed (mildly, I guess) by the lack of a great battle scene, especially given that this was the final battle. Yes, it was nice and arsty-fartsy with slow-motion gaussian-blurred half-second cliplets of men in battle gear, and yes there was only so much time for the story. But still. Maybe the opening scene from _Troy_ spoiled me. ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [October 10, 2005, 7:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rome-10-9-open-spoilers/325490/20 "2005-10-10T19:43:24Z")
> [@Rubystreak](#): > > I believe it wa Gnaeus Pompey who decked Mark Antony, but a lot of those guys look the same. I have a big problem with identifying the characters. I’d like it if they’d put up the character’s name each time someone appeared on screen. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rome-10-9-open-spoilers/325490.md?page=2)