Those About to Die Recap: Ride or Die

As a long-time fan of historical dramas and Roman history in particular, I have to admit that “Those About to Die” has been a delightful surprise. The complexity of the characters and their motivations is what really draws me in.

The wheel of fate, or “O Fortuna” as you may call it, keeps spinning, but at times, a gentle nudge can guide its course. Consider Scorpion, Rome’s most renowned charioteer and an ardent self-proclaimer. When his boss Tenax, still recovering from gruesome injuries and surgeries inflicted by his longtime acquaintance Ursus, voices concerns about Scorpion’s dedication to racing due to his heavy drinking and womanizing, Scorpion argues that these activities are inseparable from chariot racing.

Scorpus asserts that racing brought him wealth and recognition. Having wealth allows him to enjoy fine wines whenever he desires. Drinking excellent wine brings happiness. Joy leads him to feel sexually aroused. Being renowned lets him, when desiring intimacy, bed most women in Rome. Would you not follow suit? To forgo the wine and the women for the chariot rides would be to defy Fortuna’s blessings, he argues.

Interestingly enough, Scorpus’s share price has taken a hit in the past few weeks due to ongoing issues with the Gold faction and persistent assassination attempts from his former benefactor Antonia. Adding fuel to the fire are rumors of scandals involving sex. The latest attempt on Scorpus’s life, an attempted poisoning using a scorpion, is quite the unsubtle move.

In this instance, the creative team of the show, spearheaded by episode eight’s writer Marissa Lestrade, takes control and steers the narrative in a new direction. Previously, we knew Scorpus as a charming, talented, and humorous character with various accents. However, unexpectedly, he brutally kills two individuals: he intentionally crashes Andria’s chariot, resulting in his death, while Xenon, who had witnessed the sabotage and refused bribes, is strangled in his sickbed by Scorpus.

I was under the impression that this man would continue being our charming rogue, but boy was I mistaken! Instead, he turns out to be a real lowlife.

After initially dismissing “Those About to Die” as entertaining but cheesy, I’ve found myself questioning my assessment. The early episodes may have seemed simplistic, but upon closer examination, some of the characters reveal intriguing complexities that I hadn’t anticipated.

As a movie reviewer, I’d say: I was taken aback by the unexpected transformation of Consul Marsus, the Blue faction leader, in this historical drama. Deposed by Titus and Domitian for his attempt to seize the Emperor title, he could have continued to scheme and manipulate. But instead, he bravely accepted his fate, even urging his wife, Antonia, to publicly denounce him. It was a refreshing twist, making Marsus seem less like a caricature of an evil Roman patrician and more human. Actors Rupert Penry-Jones and Gabriella Pession truly shone in their roles, bringing depth and complexity to this intriguing character. And kudos to Pession for her versatility – she convincingly portrayed Antonia’s sadness one moment and ruthless determination the next. It was a captivating performance that added richness to an already compelling story.

Or what about the noble struggle of Cala to free all her children from captivity? How’s that going for her? Well, in order to successfully save her son Kwame from the far superior fighter Flamma in the arena, she sneaks into his room while he’s with a woman — grunting into her like a rutting bull, amusingly — and poisons both their glasses. This stranger’s life is a small price to pay for her son’s, I guess, just like Kwame himself felt about the guy whose leg he hacked off to dodge Flamma during their first fight. I’m not saying I necessarily blame either of them, I’m just saying a show only interested in the most bare-bones Roman storytelling wouldn’t complicate surface-level noble characters like these two the way Those About to Die is doing. (And that’s even before we get into the way Cala unintentionally keeps her daughter Aura in the closet by insisting she return to Numidia as soon as possible instead of staying in the steamy streets of Rome.)

We might also examine Domitian’s behavior. Picture him, if you will, donning a toga – I apologize for the imagery – but remember, this is for illustrative purposes only. Domitian is a despicable character who taunts Tenax by poking at his injured leg and orders Hermes to be taken away on a whim, irked about something unrelated. Moreover, he undeniably contributes to the grain shipment delays that brought so much hardship upon his father and brother.

Simultaneously, he is an accomplished politician with the unique talent of understanding and articulating the public’s desires, causing his father, Vespasian, to erupt in amused approval during flashbacks. Scenes like these are why Anthony Hopkins remains a valuable asset; if even he finds your character’s eloquence captivating, what chance do we have as viewers of not being swayed? However, when he ultimately attempts to seize power against Titus by instructing Tenax to assassinate the Emperor before he can be harmed, it becomes challenging to determine whose allegiance to embrace.

Titus is a complex character who presents a challenge to understand. He holds a deep affection for Berenice, his Judean queen, yet keeps her hidden from public view due to practical reasons, with her consent. However, he maintains the subjugation of her people, allegedly to bring Rome essential resources like water. Simultaneously, Titus adheres to his marital duties with his Roman wife and produces an heir, demonstrating commitment to dynastic succession, a virtue even Domitian acknowledges.

I find it more intriguing that he confesses to learning political tactics from his sibling. Instead of making an accusation against Domitian, my brother, regarding the grain shortages – an allegation made by Senator Leto, one of the surviving faction leaders after Marsus’s failed rebellion – I choose to confront him face-to-face about it.

He explains to his younger brother, “I’m figuring out how to play this game with your guidance.” Alternatively, “You’re teaching me the ropes of this game, I’m observing as you react to my accusation.”

“What do you see?” asks Domitian, affecting irritation.

As a movie goer, I must confess, there’s still a piece of that puzzle I’m trying to figure out. Was Titus an oddly devoted sibling or an exceptionally skilled deceiver? With newfound clarity following our chat, it’s clear which label fits: After this exchange, Domitian ordered Tenax to eliminate Titus – a command that would come with a hefty price tag and questionable allegiance from the Praetorian Guards.

Tenax’s actions don’t stop at attempting to overthrow the Roman Emperor; he also harbors romantic intentions towards Cala. However, unlike a typical pursuer, Tenax is considerate of her feelings, taking their flirtation slowly and respecting her desires for patience. I’m still unsure if they make a good or even hot couple based on their interactions so far. Their professional relationship as work colleagues seems more natural to me than a romantic one. To convince me otherwise, they need to present more compelling evidence than Tenax saving Cala’s life in episode seven. Iwan Rheon and Sara Martins are undeniably attractive, but that isn’t enough for me to believe in their romantic chemistry.

I’m developing a strong attachment to “Those About to Die” as it progresses. The show never fails to surprise me with intricate details, such as Xenon’s unexpected advances towards Scorpus, or Antonia’s humorous reaction when interviewing Elia for the driver position, which I believe is an authentic addition by actress Gabriella Pession. Additionally, Tenax’s declaration of “Enough is good, more is better, too much is perfect” as he prepares to unveil the Flavian Amphitheater, later known as the Roman Colosseum, encapsulates the essence of this production.

2024-07-22 19:57

Those About to Die Recap: Ride or Die

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