'Those About to Die' epic sword-and-sandal series

Is Roland Emmerich still throwing those epic pool parties?

I watched the first episode today. I want to point out that this show did something very right.

Like with all recent shows and movies, the creators wanted to have a diverse cast. What they did right, that almost none of the other shows do, is it provided a rational basis for it. Besides showing that the city of ancient Rome was indeed diverse, it goes out of the way to show that black characters come from Africa in an area controlled by Rome. When there has been controversial diversity casting, it could have been avoided if lazy creators just provided in the production some way for it to make sense.

Any peen? Real peen?

Any mansex like in Spartacus?

There are naked butts in the baths. However, the naked men are all turned around to show only but. If facing forward, they hold something in front of their Roman rods.

Vespasian's son Domitian is portrayed as a scheming queen. He has a lover, Hermes.

I don't think I lasted five minutes, the writing is atrocious. When Hopkins leaves his carriage to do an expo dump on the five or so assorted patricians in front of the green screen, I had to turn it off. It's probably good for history newbies, but I'm too familiar with Rome, so I should probably just stick to documentaries.

I wanna see Dimitri's tooshie and hairy chest so bad, though. Maybe I'll have it on in the background.

Looks great

Roland Emmerich survived a brain tumor and it shows.

[quote]When Hopkins leaves his carriage to do an expo dump on the five or so assorted patricians in front of the green screen, I had to turn it off.

Hopkins isn't as sharp as he used to be.

He still can be when it's a role that's important to him. But those have been few and far between in recent years, looking at his output. He's bent on amassing as much money as possible for his grandkids while he's still able to work. Which is nice of him, it just doesn't make for compelling viewing.

Hopkins is estranged from his daughter and has said he doesn't even know if he has grandchildren. He seems to work because he likes it. He did voice work in Zack Snyder's Rebel Moon as a robot, this guy isn't precious about roles.

It took four episodes to get a glimpse of gay sex.

Did Hopkins utter "I think I am becoming a God"?

[quote] Did Hopkins utter "I think I am becoming a God"?

Yes. That’s an actual quote said in jest by Vespasian. Many successful Roman emperors were deified after death. He was thus joking that his death was making him a god.

So in 2024 we are still getting an old school fag villain in the shape of Domitian, who (as Roman emperors go) wasn't that gay.. Why not make goodie Titus the gay one?

The ones really into the homosex were macho Trajan and his successor Hadrian, whose obsession with Antinous is well known, of course. Bur Trajan ("Optimus Princeps") was just as gay.

R14 that statue is not Vespasian, that's Claudius.

[quote] that statue is not Vespasian, that's Claudius.

Read the article.

This is really boring so far. Where's a Lucy Lawless type to camp it up?

Omg, this the sleaziest campfest i ve seen in a while. Everyone acts up to 180%. The dialogue is atrocious. The cgi, together with the constants sepia, makes it look like almost an animated movie.

It is a pity, as the Vespasian, Titus and Dometian hears were quite interesting and eventful, including decadence and plenty of homosex. I will try the second episode.

Plenty of eye candy but only nudity from extras, so far. Rupert Penry Jones was always cute but his career has gone down the shitter. Tom Hughes is cute but almost unrecognizable from his younger self.

[quote] Omg, this the sleaziest campfest i ve seen in a while. Everyone acts up to 180%. The dialogue is atrocious. The cgi, together with the constants sepia, makes it look like almost an animated movie.

I totally agree with you, but being a man, I’m sure I’m going to watch all the episodes. I watch anything Roman Empire.

R21, you are my Roman Empire.

The Spaniards are cute.

[quote]Tom Hughes is cute but almost unrecognizable from his younger self.

I was only made aware of Hughes from his work in the limited series "The English" (2022), so seeing him in his younger years is a shock. He was very pretty. I prefer how he looks today.

Tom Hughes is just Prince Albert in Roman gear. He's a terrible actor and he ruins every scene he's in during this series.

I'd already completed forgotten about this show.

Rome is for incels

Tired: Rome

Wired: Byzantium