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Rome Season 2 Episode 7

Death Mask

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Episode Summary

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AIRED: 3/4/07

Antony's nature reasserts itself, and challenges his alliance with Octavian. Timon and Levi set themselves against Herod's plans. Servilia's public displays of grief leave Atia unsettled. Gaia uses Pullo's punishment as a weapon against him. His daughter's sudden interest in business matters arouses Vorenus' suspicions. Posca gets married.moreless

Fan Episode Reviews (5)

Death Mask

10

By TrueTvWatcher, Jan 06, 2012

Death Mask was astounding, awesome and vividly entertaining! I really enjoyed watching this episode because there was a lot of action, drama and intrigue as the various characters have their affairs and plan their plots. I really enjoyed the character development for every one from the eldest daughter of Vorenus to Timon. Servilia made a grand sacrifice while Atia had her hopes shattered. It was interesting to see the cunning of both Posca and Octavian. Titus Pullo gave Gaia a good whipping but it was anything but proper, and in the end it looks like there will be a high price to be paid. I look forward to watching the next episode!!!!!!!!!moreless
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I really cant get enough of this show! To me it is as realistic as it could ever be displayed!

9.8

By entity0, May 04, 2007

Tidus has a fight of a wife doesnt he? I really like Tidus, but I was really hoping he wouldnt be disloyal to his wife. Though we cant really expect much from those times. Thats just the way most men were with their urges. Though I really wish I could kick Verinous daughters butt! Little disloyal and disrespectful child! I do have to say that james (antony) has made a briliant performance once again! Hes just such a you know! Octavian is really starting to show his fathers side through him. At first I didnt think the actor looked the part, but now im really starting to see it. And Servinia! Wow! Shes got issues! I really like Attia because shes the one you love to hate or wish you could be more like. I really think she gets the raw deal from it all. Well if you want to see a show that has it all you must see this one. I really enjoy Rome alot! I feel I get to actually see Rome as it was in live motion!moreless
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Not as strong as the previous, but good enough.

8.0

By Ting13, Mar 13, 2007

I liked this episode well enough... There were some really strong elements, although some quite weak. Gaia and all of her escapades are starting to get tiresome, in fact all storylines concerning Pullo and Vorenus are getting dull. The nobles on the other hand keep having good episodes.

It was nice to see Servilia mourning Brutus. Throughout the show she hasn't seemed very mother-like to me; she seems to have seen Brutus has her servant rather than her son. This is one of the few times where she has shown that she cares for him, and it brought a more human quality to her role. Though for crying out loud, enough with the curses already. Servilia obviously hasn't heard of karma. When did her curses ever work anyway? Truth be told I was quite glad to see her gone. She's been really annoying pretty much from the start, and her hypocricy (sp?) annoys me. She's no better than Atia, but thinks she's such a moral person. Which, in a way, makes her worse. Atia at least stands for what she does.

Is it just me, or is Eirene's attitude towards Pullo kind of odd? He killed the boy she loved, she hated him, and then after a couple of weeks decided that she loved Pullo instead? I don't know, it just seems off somehow. Pullo and Vorenus on the other hand seem to be unusually friendly. I'm glad we're getting a break from the constant fighting between the two of them, it was getting tiresome.

I feel bad for poor Timon. Finally he's doing something good for a change, and it backfires on him. Still, I'm glad to see he gained some dignity before the end.

The marriage between Antony and Octavia was handled well. They put focus on how everyone involved felt about it, without it becoming too sappy or soap opera like. I was amused to see Antony at least try to treat Octavia with a little respect, yet still try to get laid. I don't think we'll get to see much of them together, but it's an interesting pair nonetheless.moreless
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Rome delivers again, and again.

10

By DWBSR620, Mar 07, 2007

Ok, what can I say about the show that has yet to fail me? Well, quite a lot trust me this episode continues the fine tradition of not letting me down. I know there have been those critiques that have taking a jab at it based on historical accuracy’s, and yes I understand some concerns they may have but in TV you’ve got to give way to some creative licensesing taking for purpose of flow of story. Also face it it’s not a docudrama, or the History Channel, so if you’re a real fan that wants to know the historical accuracy of the material don’t worry plenty books have been written, and there’s always the internet to look up facts. So, there you go, now on to the episode titled, “Death Mask”. I am impressed with the actors portraying these characters, and the life they give them. We see in this episode Marc Antony, Octavian, and the new dynamic of shared power as they’ve formed what’s known as the, ”Second Triumvirate”, along with Marcus Aemilius Lepidus. But the true dynamic that we see in this episode is with that of Marc Antony, and Octavian. The trust factor, and the lack of respect becomes the issue between the two as Marc Antony still shows no respect for Octavian, and give Octavian reason for distrust. Rome having been divided into three part for rule Octavian gets Rome, and the Western part of the empire. Marc Antony gets Egypt and the Eastern part of the empire, while Africa goes to Lepidus. The three agree to equal share of all monies, taxes, and whatever else considered currency, as Antony gains the richest portion of the empire. Antony immediately proves his dishonesty by taking a bribe from Herod who would be King of Israel with his help, or the empires resources I should say, but decides not to share as agreed. Octavian discovers said indiscretion and confronts Antony who shows his contempt towards Octavian by stating his lack of respect for Octavian’s accomplishments, or lack thereof, and going so far as to insult him as a leader instilled on the backs of others accomplishment. Antony seems to miss the bigger picture and that is of Octavians intellegence and cleverness in politics. His accomplishments thus far are astounding by any standard, and Antony’s lack of respect in understanding that threat is setting himself up for an eventual fall. Though for now Rome must not see division among the two as the rumor mill has started thus a show of unity is in the works. Servilia, and Atia have their final conforntation as Servilia parks herself in front of Atia’s house and calls for justice from Atia, literally calls for justice while having ashes poured on her head by her slave day, and night non stop. Atia content to ignore her finally relents, and confronts her with probably one of the best scenes of someone settling a score as you could have back then without bringing violence against them. Servilia curses Atia in front of a crowd then sacrifices her life by killing herself in front of Atia , and her slave sacrifices her own life as well. The scene was fantastic and the point was well made, and Atia was affected by this as the first of her miseries are soon to be realized. Vorenus’s oldest daughter is being played against her father whom she has contempt for as she is lured into a physical relationship with a man without her father’s knowledge, while all the while having been set up to retrieve information about her father’s business. This will play out in a future episode I believe, and it will be interesting to see how her betrayal will affect her father, and family. Pullo, whose wife is pregnant, is put in a position to discipline a slave woman who back talked his wife. Unfortunately for Pullo he allows himself to be drawn into the slave’s game and ends up sleeping with her, more or less, let’s just say this is a polite way of putting it, and that only empowers the slave. Pullo realizing his indiscretion attempts to end it before it goes anywhere else, but I don’t think his slave sees it this way, and will be interesting to see how far she’ll go to fulfill her desires. We are giving the impression that she may be pregnant when she buys powders to end a pregnancy, but whose pregnancy does she really want to end? Time will tell the tale, and the outlook for Vorenus as well as Pullo may be rocky as their problems lying in the wings come to a full head. As for The Roman Empire well don’t worry because Octavian proposes marriage between Marc Antony and a female member of his household. The great thing about this is the long running relationship between Atia, and Marc Antony so Atia encourages this course as an excellent idea to prove all is well between Antony & Octavian. Finally she may get the wedding she’s wanted, but not in this case as Octavian marries off his sister to Antony as children are one of the main reasons for marrying off the younger woman as we learn. Of course his sister and his right hand man Marcus Agrippa are full blown in love, and having an affair without anyone’s knowledge, but customs of the day leaves her with little choice. Obviously both are heartbroken but their relationship stays a secret for now between them, and how this will play out will be interesting to see. Yet no one is in more distress over this then Atia as she probably can’t help but believe that Servilia’s curse is already taking affect as she losses her long time love too her daughter no less, and probably foresees a bleak future for herself. Well thus ends another fine episode of Rome, and with only a few left savor that which is to come, and with its fine delivery thus far I expect no less from what’s ahead. Take care.

Peace To All.moreless
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Atia of the Julii, I beg for justice.

10

By Tessa_Patton, Mar 06, 2007

I think that Death Mask is the best episode of season 2 by now. I love the way this show surprises the viewers, I've never imagined the suicide of Servilia, the wedding between Posca and Jocasta, and the one between Antony and Octavia! Ray Stevenson and Zuleikha Robinson delivered a great performance in the fighting/sex scene, terrific and so realistic. This episode leave open the possibility for some future storylines, the one of Vorenus' daughter betrayal, the homicide of Timon's brother, Eirene expecting a baby and maybe after poisoned by Gaia, and the increasing jealousy of Atia. I'm looking forward to next Sunday, more than ever.moreless
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Cast & Crew: STARS

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James Purefoy	Mark Antony
Kerry Condon	Octavia of the Julii
Kevin McKidd	Lucius Vorenus
Polly Walker	Atia of the Julii
Ray Stevenson	Titus Pullo
Chiara Mastalli	Eirene

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Cast & Crew: RECURRING AND GUESTS

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Ronan Vibert	Marcus Lepidus	Guest Star
Anna Fausta Primiano	Vorena the Younger	Guest Star
Lee Boardman	Timon	Guest Star
Simon Woods	Gaius Caesar Octavian	Recurring Role
Ian McNeice	Newsreader	Recurring Role
Daniel Cerqueira	Memmio	Recurring Role

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Trivia, Notes, Quotes and Allusions

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TRIVIA (0)
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QUOTES (6)
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- Atia : (Being offered food at the wedding reception) I'd rather eat shit.
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- Maecenas: What is marriage if not a machine for the production of babies?
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- Atia: If a marriage was to happen between our two houses.
  Mark Antony: I don't care if all Italy burns, I'll not marry him. (Pretending Atia means Octavio and not herself for marriage.)
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- Eleni: See, good slave now, ever since you gave her a good beating.
  Pullo: There you go.
  Eleni: You should beat her the same way every month.
  Pullo: Hmmm.(Pullo begins to choke while thinking about it since he didn't beat her, he slept with her)
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- Atia and Mark Antony attend Posca's wedding.
  Atia: It makes you think, doesn't it?
  Mark Antony: About what?
  Atia: About marriage.
  Mark Antony: Does it?
  Atia: The two of us.
  Mark Antony: Oh...
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- Mark Antony (After observing Servilia's over the top suicide in front of a crowd of observers): Now that's an exit!
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NOTES (1)
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- International Air Dates:
  The Netherlands: March 21, 2007 on SBS 6
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ALLUSIONS (0)
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