Rome

:

Season 2
  • Network: HBO
  • Series Premiere Date: Aug 28, 2005
Season #: 2, 1
User Score
8.9

Universal acclaim- based on 201 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 190 out of 201
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 201
  3. Negative: 8 out of 201
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User Reviews

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  1. SexiPlexi
    Apr 23, 2019
    7
    Was a decent watch however would of been nice for a director to finally have the balls to make the Egyptians the correct colour of skin.
  2. wiiy71
    Dec 26, 2017
    7
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  3. haw2991
    Jan 11, 2014
    8
    Season two of Rome arguably contains twice as much violence and sex compared to its predecessor however, that does not necessarily equate to a better result. Probably the biggest issue in season two is the obvious rushing of historical sequences (years would past by in most every other episode) due to abrupt and unfortunate announcement that HBO would be discontinuing the series. In theSeason two of Rome arguably contains twice as much violence and sex compared to its predecessor however, that does not necessarily equate to a better result. Probably the biggest issue in season two is the obvious rushing of historical sequences (years would past by in most every other episode) due to abrupt and unfortunate announcement that HBO would be discontinuing the series. In the end, what we get is a clunky paced season filled with great scenes but all feeling compacted too quickly. Not much blame can be put on the creators of the show; being only given two seasons to work with, you would expect the time periods to be significantly off, for what it was; they pulled it off tremendously. Octavian's triumph contains a complete lack of dialogue exchange however facial expressions between characters and an excellent soundtrack creates riveting and raw emotion and in my opinion one of the best ending scenes in television. In the end, Rome, season two like season one was entertaining gold. Another victim of HBO of a series ending prematurely.… Expand
  4. Bruce722
    Nov 14, 2013
    8
    The second season is a bit of a disappointment, mainly because I didn't love the turns in the story or in the main characters. It's still an amazing show but it failed to live up to the ridiculously high standard set by the first season.
  5. Tywin
    Sep 10, 2013
    2
    The series got off to such a great start, Caesar has a great actor and is a pleasure to watch and Octavian was interesting. All of the political intrigue was done quite well. The soldiers were carried along quite well, no problems. Then Caesar died and the whole series came crashing down
    The two soldiers became a soap opera story and the series began to devote more and more time to their    The series got off to such a great start, Caesar has a great actor and is a pleasure to watch and Octavian was interesting. All of the political intrigue was done quite well. The soldiers were carried along quite well, no problems. Then Caesar died and the whole series came crashing down
    The two soldiers became a soap opera story and the series began to devote more and more time to their tiny tales of tiny people. The actually interesting part of the story, the intrigue, began to falter when Augustus Caesar was introduced. The actor just couldn't carry the man and he was no where near a replacement for Julius. Then they show the Egyptians as freeky deeky. I know they are a 3000 year old civilization by this stage but come on. Cleopatra is neither likable nor manipulative, at least in how the show portrays it. They simply say she is manipulative and cut to her getting what she wants, but as they say; the thrill is in the chase, never in the capture.
    The faltering second season just soured the whole thing for me. It became so slow and monotonous, it was just unbearable, I had to skip most of the soldiers sections for being so irrelevant. I'm watching Rome here, I want to see the Senate and the great family's. I don't need the producers creating some plebeians to try and relate to me. I can relate to other human beings just fine thanks, I don't care what their social status is    … Expand
  6. GotTheseScars
    Dec 16, 2012
    8
    Everything that is good about season 1 is still here, to a point. The production quality is still top-notch, and I really enjoyed what seemed a more "grand" scale, maybe a bigger budget? Acting is great, with Cleopatra being especially good. My main issue is with the plot, not that its bad, its just not nearly as compelling as the first season. I still found myself interested and excitedEverything that is good about season 1 is still here, to a point. The production quality is still top-notch, and I really enjoyed what seemed a more "grand" scale, maybe a bigger budget? Acting is great, with Cleopatra being especially good. My main issue is with the plot, not that its bad, its just not nearly as compelling as the first season. I still found myself interested and excited for the next episode, there was just a general lack of plot twists, and the entire mood of the season seemed to be a big downer compared to the previous one. Still, definitely worth watching, wish they didn't cancel it.… Expand
  7. Tipjar
    Nov 14, 2011
    9
    The second season wasn't as great as the first, especially with the jarring change of Octavian as previously mentioned but it was still worth watching. The depiction of the rivalry between Octavian and Mark Anthony was awesome and well done. I wish there was some way they could continue the series at another point in Roman history, it would definitely be worth watching as this one was.
  8. SusanL.
    Mar 1, 2008
    10
    bigger than life characters in a bigger than anything empire. Costumes, splendour, grittiness -- they got it right.
  9. MarcioP.
    Feb 19, 2008
    10
    It was the best roman movies I have ever seen. I really hope they make the third, fourth, ... seasons.
  10. SteveF.
    Dec 1, 2007
    10
    Loved the show. The NY Times review and several of the other newspaper commentary are just ridiculous. What
  11. DanB.
    Aug 30, 2007
    9
    I could have used more politics. Bit more intrigue and scheming and history. Though I'm not sure I'd have exchanged it for all the sex and the blood. The first season is probably better, but this is still fantastic. The only thing I didn't like was Octavian's muddy motivation. How an overly clever boy turned into a pathological man is either not well explained or I could have used more politics. Bit more intrigue and scheming and history. Though I'm not sure I'd have exchanged it for all the sex and the blood. The first season is probably better, but this is still fantastic. The only thing I didn't like was Octavian's muddy motivation. How an overly clever boy turned into a pathological man is either not well explained or simply handled way too subtly, as if his unblinking, gecko eyes are supposed to impart something to us? Anyway. The show is still great. Shame there'll be no third season.… Expand
  12. JohnTR.
    Aug 29, 2007
    10
    Best show to come around in years. I was a huge Soprano fan also. Why HBO keep awful series going like Curb Your Enthusiasm and lose franchise shows like Sopranos, Deadwood, etc. is beyond me. Pay the actors what they are asking, drop your dead beat shows ie Curb Your Enthusiasm, and make another season. I could take the remainder of the shows HBO has halted production on and make a Best show to come around in years. I was a huge Soprano fan also. Why HBO keep awful series going like Curb Your Enthusiasm and lose franchise shows like Sopranos, Deadwood, etc. is beyond me. Pay the actors what they are asking, drop your dead beat shows ie Curb Your Enthusiasm, and make another season. I could take the remainder of the shows HBO has halted production on and make a powerhouse network. If you havent seen Rome rent seasons one and two and post a review yourself. Classic, gritty, exciting... A production for men as well as women, but make sure the kids are in bed.… Expand
  13. raya
    Aug 12, 2007
    10
    This show is fantastic in everyway...espcially if you are interested in the period. So sad to see it end so soon.
  14. AKelly
    Jul 26, 2007
    10
    Sad that it's ended. James Purefoy as Mark Anthony just rocks, and Pullo, as played by Ray Stevenson, is a fantastic buddy. The duel of hate between Atia of the Julii (Polly Walker) and Servilia of the Junii (Lindsay Duncan) is one no wise man would get between, so they don't :-) I have enjoyed every episode and will buy the two series on DVD because I suspect it will be a long Sad that it's ended. James Purefoy as Mark Anthony just rocks, and Pullo, as played by Ray Stevenson, is a fantastic buddy. The duel of hate between Atia of the Julii (Polly Walker) and Servilia of the Junii (Lindsay Duncan) is one no wise man would get between, so they don't :-) I have enjoyed every episode and will buy the two series on DVD because I suspect it will be a long time before anything as good is on TV again.… Expand
  15. MartiM.
    Jul 4, 2007
    10
    Superb series. Darker and more emotionally charged than the first. More emphasis on the lower classes in this one and it works well to portray the harsh reality of life for most people at that time.
  16. MichaelC.
    May 30, 2007
    4
    ROME is soap opera intended to titillate like a feather drawn across the skin--or shock like a dagger plunged into the abdomen. But it is not good history or good TV.
  17. MarG
    May 13, 2007
    10
    Excelent season... i dont misses...
  18. CoreyB
    Apr 23, 2007
    9
    Despite what many critics stated, it seems only sensible that this show skims over the battles due to the fact that any effort to portray them would seem mindless and poorly done due to the length and funding the show has. However the inaccuracies due to events and characters missing is a significant loss. In the end, too much time is being delivered in too little time. I give it 2 points Despite what many critics stated, it seems only sensible that this show skims over the battles due to the fact that any effort to portray them would seem mindless and poorly done due to the length and funding the show has. However the inaccuracies due to events and characters missing is a significant loss. In the end, too much time is being delivered in too little time. I give it 2 points higher than it deserves due to originality, I'm referring to Hollywood's lack of quality focus on the most popular civilization in history.… Expand
  19. JustinG
    Apr 20, 2007
    9
    I thought the second season was a great follow up to what was an excellent initial outing. As always the show was exceptional when dealing with Vorenus and Pullo, but I thought Attia & Mark Anthony were also very, very good. My primary regret for the second season was that the younger version of August was so much more interesting that the older version, but all in all the show was better I thought the second season was a great follow up to what was an excellent initial outing. As always the show was exceptional when dealing with Vorenus and Pullo, but I thought Attia & Mark Anthony were also very, very good. My primary regret for the second season was that the younger version of August was so much more interesting that the older version, but all in all the show was better than most all around.… Expand
  20. VincentL
    Apr 19, 2007
    10
    It isn't "I Cladeaus" or "The Fall of Eagles" but just as great or graeter! It isn't history,It is not supost to be. It is about life and socity in general. A little view of us, the great and on first glance insignifacent. It reminds us that we all matter. we are all the product, and makers of history!
  21. ChrisM
    Apr 8, 2007
    10
    Easily the best television series I've ever seen. Perfectly done. HBO has obliterated the historical television genre.
  22. ErinC
    Apr 1, 2007
    9
    I am sorry to see it end. I looked forward to it each week. With Sopranos soon comming to an end HBO doesn't seem worth having!
  23. gb
    Apr 1, 2007
    10
    It is a masterpiece and the critics are more concerned about peoples perceptions of their personal taste than in giving this show a fair review. I give it 10 out of 10! Bring on Season 3!
  24. MikeK
    Mar 31, 2007
    10
    Salve, This was one of the best shows ever placed on television.
  25. SanazE
    Mar 31, 2007
    10
    Please, please do another season! This is one of the best historic tv series EVER!!!
  26. EvanH
    Mar 29, 2007
    10
    One of my favorite shows. It's a real shame it ended. It did seem rushed and the 68 average critic review was shocking. The setting is beautiful. Most of the critics seem angry that it's not historically accurate. I didn't know the show presented itself as a historical/educational program; I thought it was just a clever setting for otherwise ordinary problems.
  27. diurnalG
    Mar 29, 2007
    9
    Picture not the best but the story is delightful. Great ending and finally HBO ended something right for a change. PS no more seasons end it here HBO
  28. BrianK
    Mar 29, 2007
    10
    So disappointed to see the series end. Fascinating characters, brisk pace. It seemed like the hour for each episode flew by. I hope Time Warner changes its corporate mind (and "resurrects" Vorenus).
  29. MikeH
    Mar 27, 2007
    10
    Sorry to see it end, wish there would be a third season.
  30. DracoM
    Mar 27, 2007
    10
    Vini, vidi, vici...way to go HBO!
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Awards & Rankings

36
#36 Best TV Season of 2007
19
#19 Most Discussed TV Season of 2007
19
#19 Most Shared TV Season of 2007

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
68

Generally favorable reviews - based on 18 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 12 out of 18
  2. Mixed: 6 out of 18
  3. Negative: 0 out of 18
  1. Chicago Sun-Times
    Reviewed by: Doug Elfman
    75
    "Rome" treats viewers as long-term fans of deep terrain. To follow "Rome," it is required you keep up. If you do, you may be rewarded with a fine tale, proper acting and a better-told history lesson.
    Read full review
  2. People Weekly
    Reviewed by: Tom Gliatto
    63
    As in season 1, the acting is rich and lusty, with no costume-drama fustiness. [15 Jan 2007, p.33]
  3. Seattle Post-Intelligencer
    Reviewed by: Melanie McFarland
    80
    Turns like this take the series further into Aaron Spelling territory than it ever was, an idea that may offend those who can't let go of the notion that HBO is supposed to be better than regular TV.
    Read full review
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