Rome S02E02 (HBO)

Downtown Quebec City, Quebec Canada. Taken on the 23rd of June 2006, taken with a Sony Cybershot DSC-P93 5.1 MP camera. Part of the Quebec City Lights Series.

This new season of Rome has a very dark feel, with Verenus’s family sold off as slaves. We discover this after the first episode, where Verenus killed the mobster responsible, but he thinks that they are dead. His wife committed suicide when Verenus discovered that she was the father of the son that he thought was his grandson; she had an affair while he was away. Verenus had totally broken down and Pollo goes to see Marc Anthony to discuss this.

Marc Anthony is still as soldier, even if he is a Consul. He sees Pollo and stops immediately. They both make their way back to Verenus and wake him out of his mourning. Marc Anthony tells him to take over the underworld.

Meanwhile Octavian, Atia’s son who was made rightful heir to Caesar’s fortunes, is constantly probing Marc Anthony for his estates and wealth. This comes to a confrontation, when Octavian borrows against his fortune to pay the plebs. Marc Anthony beats him up and Octavian leaves his mother’s house the following night for good.

Cleopatra makes an appearance in Rome and stirs up trouble for Marc Anthony in Atia’s bed. Atia is insanely jealous about Cleopatra. The Egyptian queen tries to have her bastard son by Caesar recognized as a son of Caesar, but naturally Marc Anthony refuses. Atia wanted to have Sevillia killed, but Octavian stops her in time.

Trouble is stirring all around Marc Anthony, and he seems like a man no longer up for the job of running Rome. Octavian seems to be the only one knowing how bad things really are in Rome under the surface. The Republic is breaking apart, and no one seems to be the wiser for it.

* * * * *

An excellent episode, with a lot of new developments. We know that Octavian will become Rome’s first emperor as Augustus, but when? I have purposefully not read up on the subject as to not ruin the surprise. I have always enjoyed Octavian’s adventures.

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