Those About to Die Is a Lurid Sports Soap for Men Who Can’t Stop Thinking About the Roman Empire

As a classicist and history enthusiast with a particular fascination for ancient Rome, I have to admit that I approached “Those About to Die” with great anticipation. The trailer promised a gritty, visceral portrayal of gladiatorial combat in the heart of the Roman Empire. However, my initial excitement soon gave way to disappointment as I watched the first few episodes.

The thoughts of the Roman Empire continue to intrigue many men, as evidenced by a recent trend on TikTok. This fascination may not appear so unusual when considering the American Empire in 2024, with its demagogues, aging leaders, unsupported wars, economic divide, attempted assassinations, and dwindling political debates replaced by entertainment. However, are most men truly preoccupied with our downfall echoing that of our ancestors? Or is their interest rooted in the idea that ancient Rome offers a platform for masculine fantasies, as scholar Mary Beard describes it? As historian Tom Holland wrote in an essay for TIME: “The Roman Empire stood out in antiquity – strong, intimidating, and captivating audiences.”

As a movie buff, I’m always on the lookout for new and exciting stories, especially those set in ancient Rome. So when I heard about “Those About to Die,” the newest Peacock drama, I was intrigued. During Emperor Vespasian’s reign in A.D. 79, this series takes us inside the world of chariot racers and gladiators who entertained the Roman masses at Circus Maximus and later the Colosseum. But here’s the catch: many of these entertainers were forced into their roles against their will, often paying the ultimate price with their lives.

I strongly believe that a project with such a substantial budget needs reputable figures attached to it, and Those About to Die doesn’t disappoint in this regard. This series represents the television premiere of Roland Emmerich, an accomplished director known for hit movies like Independence Day and The Day After Tomorrow. He helmed the first three and last two episodes of the show. Moreover, Robert Rodat, who was nominated for an Academy Award as the screenwriter of Saving Private Ryan, is the creator of this series. Lastly, Anthony Hopkins lends his exceptional acting skills to portray Vespasian, even though the role turns out to be less expansive than the trailer might lead you to believe.

As a film enthusiast, I’d rephrase it this way: In this captivating production, the real star is Tenax, the daring entrepreneur behind the chariot races, brilliantly brought to life by Iwan Rheon. Tenax, the enigmatic Welsh actor who left us trembling with his chilling portrayal of Ramsay Bolton in “Game of Thrones,” has climbed the ladder from humble beginnings, but he’s no longer content with just running a successful gambling business. His new goal: to establish a fifth faction of charioteers and shake up the current power structure controlled by wealthy patricians. Tenax’s secret weapon? The unpredictable Scorpus (Dimitri Leonidas), an erratic champion racer who refers to himself in the third person, spends his free time indulging in wine and women at brothels, and whose sudden defection from the blue faction sets off a heated rivalry.

Tenax requires a powerful friend in politics, and he finds one in Domitian (Jojo Macari, portrayed with pouting intensity in every close-up). If Tenax is the complex antihero of “Those About to Die,” a man who does despicable acts yet possesses endearing traits and a unique moral compass, then Domitian serves as its unapologetically cruel antagonist. An eloquent speaker who advocates for his father’s agenda in the Senate, he harbors intense anger towards Vespasian favoring his older brother Titus (Tom Hughes), a military commander involved in an unpopular relationship with the Queen of Judaea (Lara Wolf as Berenice). The audience never has to ponder Domitian’s limits due to his relentless killing, maiming, conspiring, and mistreatment of his lovers from the outset.

In other parts of the Roman Empire, we encounter a North African family of three: Aura (Kyshan Wilson), her younger sister Jula (Alicia Edogamhe), and their older brother Kwame (Moe Hashim). When Aura defends her sister from a soldier’s unwanted advances, they are all captured and sold into slavery in Rome. Kwame, an accomplished lion tracker, attempts to rescue them but ends up becoming a gladiator himself. Their devoted mother, Cala (Sara Martins), follows in pursuit, determined to liberate her children. With reliable allies scarce, this family becomes a crucial part of Tenax’s narrative, and Cala develops a romantic tension with him. Another sibling trio, the Corsi brothers, travels from Spain to Rome to sell their unique horses, inadvertently becoming significant players in the story.

As a long-time fan of historical dramas, I must admit that I was initially intrigued by the premise of this new show set in ancient Rome, with its focus on gladiatorial combat and political intrigue. However, after watching the first few episodes, I found myself growing increasingly frustrated and confused.

In “Those About to Die,” the large ensemble cast is a feature borrowed from “Game of Thrones,” shaping up as the standard for mature TV drama series. However, the spectacles are extravagant in size yet lack depth in comparison to “Thrones”‘ most powerful battle sequences. The purpose of the dimly lit cinematography – whether an intentional gritty style or a disguise for technical issues – remains uncertain. Characters meet their end frequently, and the death toll escalates as the story unfolds, yet it’s challenging to evoke emotions from these fatalities. Emmerich’s camera focuses on violent acts and explicit sex scenes; a drinking game that mandated taking a shot each time someone was killed naked during an intimate encounter could prove fatal.

As a movie enthusiast, I’ve noticed that the perspective of this show is undeniably masculine. Out of the 14 executive producers, only two are women. The majority made their mark in the industry with action blockbusters and war epics. The directors, Michael Bay and Marco Kreuzpaintner, share the duties, while Vittorio Omodel Zorini and Daniel Gottschalk handle the cinematography respectively. The series is inspired by Daniel P. Mannix’s 1958 book “Those About to Die.” It’s unfortunate that only a couple of the scriptwriters are women. Although we should be thankful for their presence, the show’s machismo permeates every scene – from battlefields to bedrooms. The female characters are mostly reduced to being silent prostitutes, manipulative lovers, or slaves. Cala, portrayed by Tenax, is one of the rare exceptions.

In this show, there aren’t any particularly distinctive characters, regardless of gender. While opinions differ on what constitutes a soap opera, one consistent feature is a large cast of one-dimensional characters perpetually embroiled in power struggles. Among the many characters we encounter, some patterns emerge. The young ones are consistently optimistic. Everyone else is primarily driven by ruthlessness, although their reasons for acting this way differ. For instance, Cala would do anything to safeguard her children’s wellbeing. Conversely, Domitian derives pleasure from dominating others. The season-long dilemma we are expected to grapple with is determining whether Tenax is essentially more like Cala or Domitian at heart.

I’ve been thoroughly captivated by “Those About to Die,” and I must admit, the show’s relentless tide of gore is a major draw for me. Unlike “Game of Thrones” or “House of the Dragon,” which occasionally pause the violence with poignant explorations of human emotions like grief, guilt, and the senselessness of war, this series seems to revel in the misery of its characters without any deeper meaning or message.

Before the fascination with ancient Rome became popular, “Those About to Die” was already in development. The upcoming “Gladiator” sequel wasn’t the only project Hollywood was pushing hard for, as there has been a long-standing interest in this era. While it’s not a negative thing that more historical dramas about Rome’s decline are being made, particularly during these turbulent times a decade after the Four Emperors’ cataclysmic year, “Those About to Die” is not that production.

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2024-07-17 19:06