Couldn't wait for the 2nd season, but have been badly dissapointed. It has lost something - turned into a sex and violence fest (not that I have anything against sex and violence). First season was classic - it may be that Michael Apted left.

messed up

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.

I can't understand why the critics are so lukewarm towards this great show - Philistines if you ask me. ' 'Deadwood' in togas it certainly is - and that was one of the best TV series I have ever seen.

Sorry to see it end in 2007

A TV classic, a level (but just a level) lower than I Claudius, this is a gem that for some unknown (to me) reason has not caught on with the intellegentia. Bravo! A memorable show, and educational too.

one of the best shows on TV today . I found the show to watch after the Sopranos Finale.

One of the greatest series ever aired =)

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!

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

the best ever

It's a great show about one of the greatest civilizations to ever exist and is by far the best non-reality show on TV after 24.

One of my top 5 TV shows, and the second season started fantastically hopefully proving that this season will leave its intended mark. Tonight's episode should be wonderful.

I thought this show did an excellent job in portraying the Rome that was. The reason I didn't give it a 10 is that I think they could have toned down on the nudity and still got the point across. I would be really interested in another series that covers the rein of Nero.

It is just sad to see this how get slighted so often by critics. Not only is Rome totally underrated-it is better than both Six Feet Under and, and I know I'll be hated for this, Deadwood (It's still not quite on par with The Sopranos or The Wire-but those are the two best TV Dramas ever, so......). Season 2 has started just fine, all you naysayers. It's just ridiculous that show is mentioned in the same breath as Aaron Spelling in some of these capsules. Although I will not try and argue that everything in the show is historically accurate (as far as characters and events go), it still gets the overall atmosphere right, and all the sex and violence that goes on is entirely appropriate. Regardless of the history though, the show just flat-out entertains, in addition to being expertly acted and produced. Easily one of the top five shows on the air right now. Forget the critics, check this show out.… Expand

Best series on tv.

Not as good as the first season, still very watchable and easily the best thing on the box. The collaboration of the BBC and HBO was bound to make something good e.g. extras

This show is awesome! I look forward to it's viewing each week. I hate that it won't be back for a third season.

Why does it need to end?? Finally something that could replace the Sopranos.

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.

Rome's first series got better and better as it went along last year. Since this will be its second and final series, the quality should remain very high, so I'm very excited that they'll bring the story to a satisfying ending. You never know, though. It could stink. My hopes are up, though. Combined with Battlestar Galactica, Sundays are back in business!

Tad Friend and Matt Roush are fucking retards. Best show ever.

excelent series

Wow, I'm totally hooked on this series! I just watched the first season all in one weekend via HBO-On Demand and loved it. Rome has it all: sex, drugs, heads rolling, and one hellofagood story line. Now waiting until Sunday night each week to watch the next episode is going to be hard! It must cost millions to produce and they do an amazing job. Try it, you won't be sorry.

Though not as good as the first season, its still my favorite guilty pleasure to watch. I can't wait to see what they do with Octavian.

Spectacularly convincing and complex personalities, in a largely accurate historical portrayal. Ancient Rome brought to life and made human. A brilliant series. Brilliant!

Best show on tv...

Smart and fun

I still have yet to see any haters present a logical argument of why this show is not outstanding. I just wish it wasn't finished after 2 seasons

I can't wait from one Sunday to the other. Pleace make season three. Go all the way to the end I got it all figured out: Pullo is going to have a son and Lucious Vorenus has the son of his wife and the other guy. They can take the story after their parents die of age. Continue the friendship and join the army bla bla bla thru Caligula, Neron and all those guys and of course pilatos washing his hands regarding jesus. It will be just great.… Expand

It is hard to describe how huge the scope of this show is. Its cast isn't quite as large as HBOs show The Wire, but it is close and still has 2 more seasons to catch up. Although the cast isn't as large as the wire yet, the sets/locations might as well be as accurate as Baltimore, except 2000 years ago. The historical accuracy of the story lines is questionable, but the emotion is very strong. The storylines parallel many modern day issues so it is easy to get immersed. I agree with previous reviews that Season 2 isn't off to the start the first season was, but the season is still young. And HBO shows have a tendency to put the best episodes at the beginning and end of the season.… Expand

I have to go back to I Claudius to find as good a series. I wish Rome would go as far as the reign of Nero.

great shgow but did not have to end

Common, as Titus and Lucius thread their way through history (sort of) is a hoot. Bring on a third season.

This show was great! Definitely hoping for a third season.

Vini, vidi, vici...way to go HBO!

Sorry to see it end, wish there would be a third season.

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).

Please, please do another season! This is one of the best historic tv series EVER!!!

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!

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!

Easily the best television series I've ever seen. Perfectly done. HBO has obliterated the historical television genre.

This show is fantastic in everyway...espcially if you are interested in the period. So sad to see it end so soon.

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

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

It was the best roman movies I have ever seen. I really hope they make the third, fourth, ... seasons.

Well acted!!! Great story beyond the story. HBO does it again

Best show on tv...

I was intially bummed reading the reviews for this season...and then I saw the first episode. Improved pacing and character exploration, entertaining action and gore, and a bit more sophesticated story telling overall. Please explain to me how a reviewer uses a spelling/90210 analogy for the "new direction" of this series? This is my 4th favorite HBO series of the 4 I enjoy emensly, but come on folks, it is still emensly enjoyable and worth watching. HBO continues to outdo itself.… Expand

Rome may not have as much of a following as a show like CSI or even The Sopranos, but it still remains one of the most epic, bloody, erotic, beautiful, intense series on TV EVER! Sure, this may be the last season, but people will be replaying this series for years to come. It truly does make you feel like no penny was wasted in the budget for this show. Everything has a purpose, even if it's purpose is only to prove that Rome truly was one of the most amazing and horrifying places to ever exist.… Expand

awesome, awsome, awesome!!!!!!!!!!!!

Loved the show. The NY Times review and several of the other newspaper commentary are just ridiculous. What

I love this show very much

I would have given a higher score,but sort of dissapointed in the start of season 2,compared to the end of season 1.It still has a chance to get back to the unpredictability of last year,but seems to be getting caught up in the unneccessary.In the grand scheme of things it seems to be staying with the actual story on the rulership of Rome,and Egypt.*spoiler*If so sorry about your luck M.A,and big C,Octo boy rules!… Expand

If you are a history buff, as I am, this show is pure pleasure. The fact that the cast is made up of quality British actors lends a certain class to the historical production. I can't think of a more fun show on TV today.

Best show on television. There are admittedly too many moments of soapoperaishness, but the show wouldn't be as interesting if it were pure history. Either way, Rome sticks by history pretty closely, much more closely than most other historical dramas on TV or in movies do!

Wonderfully acted, wonderfully directed, great cinematography, great storyline. Not only engaging and entertaining but educational and cerebral.

always entertaining

This show is great! Definitely hoping for a third season.

Best show on HBO, bar none.

Once in a while the critics seem to have blinders on (okay more often than not it seems nowadays). How this series could be rated anything less than perfect by the 'experts' is beyond any rational explanation. Its characters are intriguing -its storyline's plots and subplots intertwine to form a mesmerizing epic. This show is destined to become a cult classic. I fully realize how bold the following statement is - This is the best show HBO has ever put out.… Expand

Much like Deadwood, it's ending too soon.

Best series on HBO ever. It's the only show I look forward to watching every week without fail. Intrigue, politics, history, sex, violence and characters I really care about - no other series has ever matched it's depth. I only wish it had presented at a slower pace, with Caesar's life ending at the end of year two, and spending another two years watching the battle for control of Rome and Marc Anthony's slow decay unfold.… Expand

The show had its flaws but honestly people who get HBO aren't exactly history majors. The character developement gets you hooked. I caught it at the tail end of the 2nd season which is quite dissapointing. I don't see why HBO would end such a good show. Lucius Vorenus and Titus Pullo...come on how can you not love it. I am sad that I wont have my Sunday's at 8 to settle down over a new episode of Rome. I have never purchased a show before and I baught Rome...come HBO...get it together here.… Expand

Up there with 'The Wire' as one of the best show ever made. Beautifully realized characters. Respect and acclaim will only grow once it's off the air. Critics really got this one wrong.

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

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.

Salve, This was one of the best shows ever placed on television.

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

Excelent season... i dont misses...

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

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.

Where Rome: Season 1 excelled in character development, excitement and even managed to get away with its historical inaccuracies and speculation Rome: Season 2 has really dropped the ball. Getting rid of (Max Pirkis) Octavian and replacing him with Simon Woods was a grave mistake, whereas the former played a brilliant introvert leader the second acts and looks like a sociopath. Perhaps it's the script writing but judging from his IMDB page, he pretty much has the same creepy stare and smirk no matter what situation he is in. The heavy reliance on Lucius Vorenus and Titus Pullo to further the storyline is also becoming a drudge to watch. These characters are starting to feel so latched on that I can only compare it to superimposing Spiderman on a Shakespearian play. Had I known that unlike season 1, where I was glued to the screen each and every episode, season 2 would be so dull I would have skipped it.… Expand