Empire

[g0zen]

So, did anyone watch this on ABC last night? It's pretty much the same storyline used for every Roman-esque movie, series, game, or book, but I still thought it was pretty good. For those of you who don't know what I'm talking about, here's the ABC description:

Empire
Tuesday, June 28 at 9/8c

Starring Jonathan Cake, Santiago Cabrera, Emily Blunt, Chris Egan and Vincent Regan.

Empire, the epic six-hour summer drama series, filmed entirely in Rome and South Central Italy, focuses on Julius Caesar's nephew, Octavius, who is forced into exile after Caesar's murder, and a fictional disgraced gladiator, Tyrannus, who has sworn to protect him.

The time is 44 B.C. and the Conqueror Julius Caesar returns from triumphs in Spain to a neglected Republic and a corrupt Senate drunk with power. Though he's hailed as a hero by the masses, the Senate is wary of Caesar's plans that might place him in a position of ultimate power. Brutus and Cassius try to enlist the help of Marc Antony in overthrowing Caesar, but Antony is loyal to Caesar and refuses. A terrible conflict looms and the fate of an empire will fall to one man - a gladiator named Tyrannus.

Tyrannus , Rome's finest warrior, is undefeated in the arena and considered a champion among men. A slave since he was a young man, Tyrannus impresses Caesar with his fighting prowess and his popularity, and with his dedication to Rome. Caesar offers him freedom in return for his service and friendship. However the Senate puts up a vicious fight for power and manages to separate Caesar from Tyrannus' protective grasp by sending the gladiator to one last match to the death. Cassius and Brutus have Tyrannus' son, Piso, kidnapped. Tyrannus rushes to his son's rescue and kills the kidnappers, only to realize that the abduction is a diversion. He hurries to Caesar's side, but it is too late. His absence results in Brutus successfully leading a group of conspirators in assassinating the great conqueror. As he is drawing his last breath, Caesar swears Tyrannus to an oath to protect his successor, Octavius, his 18-year-old nephew.

Tyrannus and Octavius are forced into exile to protect the young man from those who want to sever Caesar's bloodline once and for all. They are joined by Agrippa, a young soldier, and by Camane, a Vestal Virgin from the powerful religious Order whose members are being hunted down for trying to save Octavius. Together they will help Octavius fulfill his destiny. He leaves Rome an impetuous boy, but will Octavius return as Emperor?

The first episode was on last night. The action was decent and the acting wasn't too shabby either. Some of the standout performances I thought were done by the guys who played Cassius (Michael Maloney) and Caesar (Colm Feore).

[g0zen]

Okay, I've had the second episode taped for awhile now, but only got a chance to sit down and watch it today. So far I think the series has gone great, the characters are interesting and believeable, and the story has played out rather nicely. I'm continually impressed by Michael Maloney's performance as Cassius, but the performaces by the leads have become equally as impressive to me. Anyway, here's the synopsis of tomorrow's episode.

"The Hunt" - Though Octavius believes they are safe at Marc Antony's villa, Tyrannus doesn't trust his host and, after arguing with both Octavius and Antony, he leaves the villa. It turns out that Tyrannus had good reason to distrust the ambitious Antony, who arranges to have Octavius bitten by a poisonous snake and leaves him to die.

The small trailer for it at the end of last week's show really made it look good, like they're taking a turn from the show's course so far of being frantic and takes the audience deeper into the political intrigues of this time period.

[Chux]

Keep talking to yourself.

[g0zen]

Goddamnit.

[Mikey]

Empire!:
www.empireonline.co.uk