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Post by Leanne on Mar 1, 2009 16:31:42 GMT -5
"The Stolen Eagle" Directed by: Michael Apted Written by: Bruno Heller Synopsis After eight years of war, Gaius Julius Caesar has finally completed his bloody conquest of Gaul. Just as he is prepared to celebrate a resounding victory and return to Rome with his army, he receives word that his daughter Julia has died in childbirth. Drained and grief-stricken, he quickly dispatches aides to help find Magnus Pompey -- his son-in-law and fellow ruler of the Republic -- a new wife. Back in Rome, Caesar's calculating niece, Atia, and long-forgotten paramour, Servilia, eagerly await his return, while the ruling class is fearful that the popular general's homecoming will disrupt the status quo. Four hundred years after the founding of the Republic, Rome is now the wealthiest city in the world. Though conceived on principles of shared power and personal competition, its foundations are now crumbling. The ruling class has become extravagantly wealthy, and there now exists are great chasm between the classes. The balance of power lies in the Senate with Pompey Magnus, who is counseled by Cato, Cicero, Scipio and other members of the old-guard to renounce Caesar, lest his return and popularity among the masses challenge Pompey's ruling status-to say nothing of their own wealth and power. For his part, Pompey Magnus is torn between his own drive to maintain power (the once-provincial commoner rose up to become a national hero after conquering Spain and Syria) and his long-standing friendship with Caesar, the father of his recently departed wife. Atia has taken it upon herself to assuage Pompey's grief by offering her daughter, Octavia, to be his new wife, despite the girl's deep love for her current husband, a commoner. Careful to play both sides of the escalating power struggle, Atia also sends Caesar a grand token of her gratitude, a regal white horse hand-delivered after a perilous journey by her precocious 11-year-old son, Octavian. When his army's gold eagle--a symbol of his reign--is stolen, Caesar's cousin and commander, Mark Antony, enlists two soldiers, Lucius Vorenus and Titus Pullo, to track it down. Despite their differences (Vorenus is an honorable and pragmatic Centurion, Pullo is an arrogant, rebellious Legionnaire), the two make a formidable duo, and elevate themselves by retrieving not just the missing standard, but the head of its thief: Pompey Magnus's chief attendant. discuss episode below
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Post by Leanne on Mar 2, 2009 6:05:15 GMT -5
Right I managed to watch the first episode last night I think you just get hooked from the beginning the opening Credits role up and the theme song starts and you just know ....LOL what you are in for. Jeff Beal composed the theme music and its excellent.
Our introduction to Lucius Vorenus is done on a battle field and quite odd now that we have seen Kevin in another Army role that of Dr Owen Hunt and seeing the difference between Lucius and Owen (I think that this is a topic for discussion on its own) Vorenus is just not a relax type of guy he is uptight, noticed in his manner and way of speech. Pullo of course it the exact opposite and probably why the union or friendship works. You also see how Vorenus handles the horrors of war (the crucifixtion) and now that we have seen the whole show we know he had to go home and become a husband ~ I guess he deals with similar issues to Owen if you think about it.
Notable scenes the chat between Vorenus and Pullo around the fire, lovely piece of humor between them. On finding the Eagle and riding back to the barracks the smirk on Vorenus's face on returning you could see how proud he was to have done this.
Max Pirkis I enjoyed as the Young Gaius Octavian. Kato was the only odd fellow in the scene it bugs me that his dress is so different and yet not explained ....if anyone knows why please let me know. Cicero in his short scene got my attention. I would be interested to know if you were hooked from the first episode or did you have to watch a few more before this series really hooked you. Let me know what you thought of this first episode / if you find any articles pertaining to this episode link below
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Post by kaz on Mar 2, 2009 8:12:44 GMT -5
Leanne, I will post my thoughts on episode one when I get the chance (I'm already up to season 2 in my own personal Romathon as I started a little while ago).
It's a while ago now since I saw episode one for the very first time but I distinctly remember that my husband and I were hooked from the start.
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Post by Leanne on Mar 2, 2009 8:54:26 GMT -5
Oh thanks Kaz....I actually watched season 2 first originally because season 1 was releast when I had just had my daughter and TV was not a happening thing in our household LOL but I think I to would have been hooked from the start.....and the nice thing about Rome is that hubbys and men in general really enjoy it too The Stolen Eagle Wiki 1. Plot 2. Historical/Cultural background 3. Inaccuracies and errors my question answered : Cato's simplicity of dress distinguishes him from the other Senators; he is usually seen wearing a simple, dark toga pulla, and nothing else over his torso. Cato was famous for his reverence of Rome's agrarian founders, whom he sought to emulate in his personal dress and habits. This included wearing the toga without a tunic (which latter garment was adapted from Greece), and always going barefoot.
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betinad
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Post by betinad on Dec 2, 2009 17:42:18 GMT -5
Well, finally I got the chance to see Episode 1 ... what a week! My comments: We first get a commentary that tries to put a historical background and the social context for the story we are about to see. Then we see the first glimpse of the main characters (Vorenus and Pullo), and the first indication of how different they are – as soldiers and as men. Vorenus is uptight and acts following processes and values, Pullo just reacts to his own needs, without much analysis for consequences… we know we are in for a ride with these two!
And related to this, one of my favorite scenes in the episode: when Pullo is notified that he will be freed but he will be under Vorenus command, he responds: “I won't even stand next to this short-assed crap, leave alone serve under him. I'll stay here, thanks very much”. Their faces are soooo funny ;D
Also the introduction of Ceasar and Mark Antony shows how different they are. I always find their relationship similar to Vorenus – Pullo, only at a different social level and with different inner motivations.
One character that I was very intrigued by was Octavian. It is clear from the beginning that he is smart and has a political insight that is not seen yet in other characters (only at some level in Ceasar). At this point there is no doubt why he became the first Emperor… even Vorenus is impressed…
Favorite quotes :
Mark Antony to Vorenus : Lucius Vorenus. You have a brain. Or so the tribune's say.
Vorenus to Pullo (when talking about why he is not worried about Pullo killing him - as he has nothing to lose - : "Well, if your honor as a soldier of the 13th isn't enough, I'll just have to rely on my superior fighting skills"
Getting ready for Episode 2
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Geniusmentis
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Post by Geniusmentis on Dec 2, 2009 17:55:18 GMT -5
Oh, Leanne, I agree!!! ;D LOL
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Post by kaz on Dec 2, 2009 18:17:43 GMT -5
Okay, chiming in with a few thoughts. This is a series premiere that packs a punch. War, sex, politics, religion, blood, conflict, plotting, betrayal...you name it, it's got it and this episode really sets the scene for the rest of the series in such a superb way. I remember watching it for the first time and being completely hooked in.
I love that first shot we get of Vorenus, followed by the battle scenes. You really get to see the stark contrast between Pullo and Vorenus as men and soldiers. One, so steadfast in his duty to Rome and Caesar and the other, out there revelling in his love of war and brutality (or so it seems at this point at least). I like the way they have incorporated the historical aspect, from Caesar's writings about T. Pullo and L. Vorenus into this introduction of the characters.
There are some incredible moments between Vorenus and Pullo which have already been mentioned and some great acting by both Kevin and Ray. You can really see not only a mutual respect onscreen between actors but also, on a fictional level just how these two characters might become the closest of friends, despite their best intentions and against their better judgment. I also love the occasions on which Pullo refers to Vorenus as SHORT. Only Ray Stevenson could make Kevin McKidd look short. Both of those guys are giants.
Aside from the LV-related things, I also liked the introduction we get to Octavian. Max Pirkis does a great job of showing us a boy who already has some very mature thoughts. You can see from this early stage the political and legal mind, but also the glimpse of brutality that seems to lurk just beneath the surface (the scene where he slaps away the slave's hand and tells his escort on the ride to Gaul not to touch him). Here is a boy who has a tendency towards harsh treatment. Perfectly played.
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Post by samill21 on Dec 3, 2009 0:52:48 GMT -5
Just quickly - hooked from the start. I surprised myself as I have never really been interested in this time period. I will admit that I only bought the DVD because of Kevin - but I tell you what is has to be some of the best television ever created. I will comment on later episodes - when I get a chance to start watching them again which was my plan over the summer.
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Geniusmentis
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Post by Geniusmentis on Dec 3, 2009 4:27:22 GMT -5
There are some incredible moments between Vorenus and Pullo which have already been mentioned and some great acting by both Kevin and Ray. I also love the occasions on which Pullo refers to Vorenus as SHORT. Only Ray Stevenson could make Kevin McKidd look short. Both of those guys are giants. LOL You're right!! Kevin is very high, but Ray seems like a giant, physically!!! For all the rest, they are both giants!!!
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Post by Leanne on Dec 3, 2009 10:35:27 GMT -5
Each time I watch this series I pick up new things in this re-watch I concentrated on the actors now that I know a few of them and have seen them in other roles I am astounded at how well the whole cast acted ... and how each character was so well defined.
LOL yes I picked up on the short phrase to ... and as you say only Ray could make Kevin look short ... I just love those two the dynamics of there relationship works for me. The dialogue is just so good and well thought out.
Atia is also probably one of my favorite characters I enjoy her manipulative ways....
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Post by milena on Dec 6, 2009 9:30:58 GMT -5
Yes, the first episode was truly jam packed. So many characters have been introduced and so many plots were set early on. I'm a sucker for ancient history and Romans in particular but I think that people who are not familar with the subject could be very overwhelmed to the point of having problems with separating one character from the another. I didn't fell in love with "Rome" at the first sight (love came after episode 3) because as I said the first episode felt too rushed and flashy to me and some of the things (Octavia's "betrothal" to Pompey or Atia's bloody bath) seemed to be put there just for a pure shock value. I also thought it would be better if they had not introduced all characters at once and instead focused on Vorenus, Pullo, Antony, Brutus and Ceasar in the first episode while shifting the focus on those left in the city (Junii and Jullii) later. Hovewer my love for Vorenus and Pullo was definitly a love at the first sight ;D from the get go those two striked me as the most intriguing and realistic characters and their interactions and chemistry had me hooked in. Those two (and Octavian) were the real standouts of first two episodes IMO altough I came to love and appreciate almost all characters and actors as the series progressed. Some of my favourite moments from this episode: - Vorenus&Pullo having a conversation by the fire. Classic example of their famous verbal sparring.
- Octavian trying to explain the nuances of Roman politic to V&P. LOL Their faces!
- the first scene that really introduced us to Vorenus, in Mark Antony's tent. I love both KMK and JP acting here. So much is said without really being said.
Yeah I recall someone joking that if only all Roman soldiers looked like RS and KMK, Roman empire would have last much MUCH longer
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Geniusmentis
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Post by Geniusmentis on Dec 6, 2009 10:30:39 GMT -5
LOL Milena, I completely agree!! ;D
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