ROME: THE SPOILS (TV)
Summary
One in this drama series about ancient Rome during the first century B.C., focusing on its transition from Republic to Empire. In this episode, Pullo, still depressed by the loss of Eirene and by Vorenus’ rejection, continues his work as a hitman for hire. Vorenus continues his work as a magistrate, mediating the plebians’ problems, and is soon greeted by an old army friend, Mascius. When he asks, Vorenus says that Pullo is “dead to him.” Mascius then tells him that their veteran “brothers” are unhappy and want the land they are owed from Caesar, and Vorenus promises to handle the situation. Pullo is chided for his lack of “discretion” in his last killing, but promises to be more subtle next time. When Vorenus talks to Caesar and Antony, Caesar says he will give his men land in the far-off territory of Pannonia. Vorenus speculates that they will object to the location, but Caesar says that the men will do as Mascius says, and encourages Vorenus to bribe him into agreement. Caesar then invites Vorenus and Niobe to a party, saying that they will get used to “good society.”
As the newsreader alerts the people of Caesar’s appointment as “dictator for life,” Brutus and Cassius notice some graffiti of Brutus murdering Caesar, which Cassius deems to be flattering and a sign of the plebs’ support. Brutus objects, saying that he is still Caesar’s friend despite his objectionable power-grabbing, but Cassius argues that Caesar must die, and Brutus must be the one to do it. Elsewhere, Pullo kills another man in broad daylight, but seems deeply regretful when a woman berates him as a murderer. As predicted, Mascius dislikes the offer of land in Pannonia, but Vorenus manages to talk him into accepting for a bribe of 12,000 denarii. At the party, Atia warns her uncle Caesar that Brutus will betray him at Servilia’s behest, but he dismisses her. Atia introduces Vorenus and Niobe to Caesar, and Vorenus reports his success with Mascius. Octavian reveals that Pullo has been arrested for his latest crime and implores Caesar to help, but he refuses, saying that the man Pullo killed was a prominent opposer of his and it would look bad to pardon his killer, even though he was uninvolved. Octavian takes matters into his own hands and sends for Timon. Atia, despite her anger at Antony, finds herself drawn to him once again and they passionately reunite.
Timon searches with difficulty for a good lawyer for Pullo and finally finds a willing man, but Pullo is uninterested in defending himself. At the trial, the prosecutor condemns Pullo harshly, observed by a distressed Vorenus. Mascius, also present, reveals that he and the other veterans plan to violently avenge Pullo if he is convicted, but Vorenus quickly talks him down, saying it will hurt Caesar to do so. Pullo refuses to name his employer and is immediately condemned to death in the arena. Later, Caesar and Brutus talk, and Caesar essentially orders Brutus to leave Rome and rule Macedonia. Brutus is shocked and offended, seeing this as proof of Caesar’s distrust in him, especially when Caesar admits that he cannot ignore the rumors and graffiti. Heartbroken, Brutus realizes he must indeed take part in the plot against his honorary father. In his cell, Pullo asks the gods to protect Eirene and the Vorenus family, and then is taken into the arena, where he simply sits down and refuses to defend himself as the crowd boos and Vorenus watches in great pain. The gladiators mock Pullo, but he seems uncaring until they begin to insult his beloved thirteenth legion, at which point he goes on a rampage, messily dispatching one after another with yells of "Thirteen!" as the crowd roars its approval. When a huge man enters to finish Pullo off, Vorenus too leaps into the arena to defend his friend and helps Pullo escape. Elsewhere in the city, Posca pays Pullo’s employers and criticizes their choice of killers, revealing that Caesar was indeed behind his opposer’s death. At home, Brutus wretchedly tells his mother that he must “do his duty” against Caesar, and she reacts with sympathy.
Details
- NETWORK: HBO
- DATE: November 13, 2005 9:00 PM
- RUNNING TIME: 1:00:00
- COLOR/B&W: Color
- CATALOG ID: B:90580
- GENRE: Drama, historical
- SUBJECT HEADING: Drama, historical
- SERIES RUN: HBO - TV series, 2005-2007
- COMMERCIALS: N/A
CREDITS
- Frank Doelger … Executive Producer
- Anne Thomopoulos … Executive Producer
- William J. MacDonald … Executive Producer, Created by
- John Milius … Executive Producer, Created by
- Bruno Heller … Executive Producer, Created by, Writer
- Jim Dyer … Co-Executive Producer
- Eugene Kelly … Co-Executive Producer
- Marco Valerio Pugini … Producer
- Robert Papazian … Co-Producer
- James Hirsch … Co-Producer
- Frank Yablans … Co-Producer
- Todd London … Co-Producer
- Mark McGann … Co-Producer
- Bruce Everett … Co-Producer
- Michael Apted … Consulting Producer
- Mikael Solomon … Director
- Jeff Beal … Music by
- Kevin McKidd … Cast, Lucius Vorenus
- Ray Stevenson … Cast, Titus Pullo
- Polly Walker … Cast, Atia of the Julii
- Lindsay Duncan … Cast, Servilia of the Junii
- Tobias Menzies … Cast, Marcus Junius Brutus
- Kerry Condon … Cast, Octavia of the Julii
- Indira Varma … Cast, Niobe
- Max Pirkis … Cast, Gaius Octavian
- Lee Boardman … Cast, Timon
- Nicholas Woodeson … Cast, Posca
- Lorcan Cranitch … Cast, Erastes Fulmen
- Chiara Mastalli … Cast, Eirene
- Anna Francolini … Cast, Clarissa
- Coral Amiga … Cast, Vorena the Elder
- James Purefoy … Cast, Mark Antony
- Ciaran Hinds … Cast, Gaius Julius Caesar
- Manfredi Aliquo' … Cast, Castor
- Ewan Bailey … Cast, Pertinax
- Michael Culkin … Cast, Presiding Magistrate
- Douglas Dean … Cast, Lawyer #1
- Peter Eyre … Cast, Accusator Nigidius
- Guy Henry … Cast, Cassius
- Paul Kynman … Cast, Gladiator #2
- Bruce MacKinnon … Cast, Priscus Maevius
- Christina Mantis … Cast, Prostitute #1
- Ian McNeice … Cast, Newsreader
- Graham McTavish … Cast, Urbo
- Stefano Miceli … Cast, Lawyer #2
- Danny Midwinter … Cast, Gladiator #1
- Michael Nardone … Cast, Mascius
- Marco Pollak … Cast, Lucius
- Anna Fausta Primiano … Cast, Vorena the Younger
- David Quinzi … Cast, Rubio
- Julian Rivett … Cast, Lawyer #3
- Oreste Rotundo … Cast, Aufidius Dento
- Tom Shaker … Cast, Court Lictor
- Robin Sneller … Cast, Cloth Maker
- Helen Stirling … Cast, Old Weaver