Passover (Rome): Difference between revisions

Template:Rome episode "Passover" is the first episode of the second season of the television series Rome.

Template:Spoilers

Plot Summary

The second season begins shortly after Gaius Julius Caesar's assassination and Niobe's suicide. Several events happen somewhat simultanously.

• As Mark Antony is leaving the Senate chambers after the assassination of Caesar, he encounters Quintus Pompeius and several of his men waiting in ambush. Unarmed, Antony is forced to flee for his life after a brief struggle.

• Brutus, in a state of confusion and shame over his part in the assassination, returns home and attempts to wash Caesar's blood from his face and hands. He is greeted warmly by his mother, Servilla, who expresses her deep pride in her son's actions, claiming the Republic has been saved and the family honor is redeemed. Despite Brutus' self-doubts, Servilla insists that he be strong, as the Senate and the Roman people will now look to their family for leadership.

• Despite the apparent severity of his assault in the previous episode, Caesar's trusted slave and advisor,Posca has survived the assassination that has claimed the life of his master. In a tearful goodbye, Posca manages to cover Caesar's face with his robe, an act that Caesar was unable to perform himself due to his wounds.

• Vorenus becomes overwhemlmed with grief over Niobe's death. Upon seeing Lucius, his supposed grandson, Vorenus becomes confused and enraged, and attempts to vent his frustrations out on the boy. His two daughters, Vorena the Elder and Vorena the Younger, intervene and attempt to stop their father from harming Lucius. He strikes at them, and lays a curse of Hades on his children. Blinded by rage and grief, he leaves his home and Niobe's body to be tended to by the children. Stumbling blindly through the streets of the Aventine, he is collapses in delerium as word spreads through the streets of Caesar's death.

Posca manages to escape with his master's body before it can be further defiled. At the house of Atia, Caesar's assassination provokes different reactions within the family. Atia is overcome with grief, Octavia is enraged over having been betrayed and used by Servilla, and Octavian, in a highly adult and competent manner, attempts to maintain order. Octavian specifically advises his sister to not speak of how Servilla used the knowledge of Lucius' true parentage, as it might be misinterpreted as complicity in Caesar's death.

Timon arrives at the house of Atia, and although he was summoned for mercenary work, it's apparent from his mannerisms that his concern is more of a personal than a professional nature, with Atia's own safety more important than that of the family and its position of power. Both he and Atia agree that the family needs to escape the city, but Octavian strongly disagrees on the grounds that they should wait before taking any actions whatsoever, as they do not have a clear picture of the general reaction to Caesar's death and they should wait for Antony to arrive. Atia argues that Antony is probably already dead, or otherwise he would have already been at her side. Octavian further argues that fleeing Rome would be exactly what Servilla wants her to do, but Atia ignores this plea. As she orders her servants to pack the money and household gods for departure, Antony barges into the house.

Having escaped Quintus' pursuit, Antony bathes quickly amid epithets and vows to kill all the assassins. After a brief argument with Atia over Antony's failure to leap to Caesar's defense, and a second argument surrounding Atia's jealousy over Antony's promiscuity, Antony decides to leave Rome and head north, where Antony plans to raise an army. As he attempts to leave, he places the safety of the family in Timon's hands - for a price - then goes to Caesar's house to evacuate Calpurnia with them.

A still-confused Vorenus has been discovered by a blind, elderly priest being led by a young boy. Vorenus asks for spiritual assistance from the priest, but he and the boy instead knock Vorenus unconscious and rob him of his few possessions. ] Away on a pilgramage in the countryside, Titus Pullo apologizes to Eirene for having killed her slave lover, and asks her to marry him. After some explanation that as a freed woman, her decision should be a free one. After making several promises to care for Eirene, she agrees and they marry each other using a "common law" ritual.

At the house of Caesar, Calpurnia is seeing to his remains, and a post mortim ritual is performed. Antony, Atia and the children arrive and insist that Calpurnia escape with them. Despite Antony's vehement urgings that time is of the essence, she refuses to leave on the grounds that Caesar's will has not yet been read. The will, read by Posca, provides for his widow's financial security, grants each Roman citizen 75 denarii - an action Atia sees as a "waste", gives Posca his freedom and a stipend, and bequeathes Octavian his name and estate, making him his adopted son and sole heir.

As Atia begins to realize the importance of her son's inheritance, Antony and Posca both point out that if the conspirators justify their assassination of Caesar on the grounds that he was a tyrant, then his property could be confiscated and Octavian will receive nothing save for Caesar's name. Antony and Atia then advise Posca to prepare Calpurnia for departure, but Octavian again argues against fleeing the city; he must stay to fight for his name and property, while the family must remain as a whole to protect their status. Octavian quickly devises a plan to force Brutus and the conspirators into negotiating a settlement. First, Caesar must be declared a tyrant, otherwise the act of killing him is murder. But if Caesar is a tyrant, then all of his acts and appointments are illegal. Ergo, if Brutus honors the law, he, Cassius and the rest of the conspirators lose all the power and status awarded them by Caesar. However, if the conspirators are offered amnesty and Caesar's will is allowed to stand, then they may retain their positions, and Atia and her family, as well as Calpurnia and Antony, may remain in Rome. Octavian then stifles any further argument from Atia by assuming the role of the head of the Julii household - much to the surprise and chagrin Atia - and points out that if Caesar's will stands, she is now mother to the richest man in all of Rome. But if it does not stand, then Servilla will claim that title. With this realization of the situation, as Antony and Posca are arguing over Posca's refusal to force Calpurnia to leave against her will, Atia declares that the family will not flee and defiantly remain in Rome.

Pullo and Eirene are drinking to celebrate their betrothal, and Pullo continues in his efforts to enlighten his new bride on the fact that she is a freed woman, and no longer has to refer to him as "master"; "husband" or "honey" are suggested as alternative terms of reference, much to Eirene's confusion and disbelief. Suddenly, a message rider passes by shouting the news that Caesar is dead. Pullo, using his usual methods, secures the horse from the rider and both he and Eirene ride off to Rome. Meanwhile, Vorenus' children and Niobe's sister, Lyde, are preparing Niobe's body for the funeral, when their house is invaded by Erastes Fulmen and his men. Shortly afterwards, Pullo and Eirene arrive at Vorenus' house, where they find Vorenus alone by Niobe's corpse, still dazed and in shock. After explaining how Niobi died, Vorenus explains that he also cursed the children, and does not know of their whereabouts. The newlyweds then attempt to bring Vorenus to his senses in order to determine their next course of action.

A celebrating Marcus Tullius Cicero arrives to the house of Servilla, where he emphatically congratulates the conspirators, including Gaius Cassius Longinus, a still somewhat shaken Brutus, and his still-triumphant mother, Servilia. Although Cicero continues to bray his approval, he quickly changes his enthusiastic tone when told that Antony is still alive. As he turns to leave, he runs smack into Antony, who has come with Octavian's proposal. After some initial accusatory remarks - Cicero claims ignorance of the plot, while Antony demands Quintus leave before he kills him, etc - Antony points out that while the conspirators may have "legally" acted to remove the tyrant Caesar, the beloved Conqueror Caesar will be the one remembered and loved by the people of Rome. And the support that Caesar had from the people will now pass on to Antony by default. Despite claims of military support within the city, Antony presses Octavian's argument regarding appointments made by a tyrant, and after the conspirators realize that their power and positions are in jeopardy, hear Antony's rendition of Octavian's proposal:

• Antony will issue a general amnesty to all involved; Caesar's death will be treated as if he had died of natural causes, with no faults laid.
• Caesar will not be declared a tyrant in exchange for the conspirators not being declared murderers.
• All of Caesar's acts and appointments - and especially his will - will stand as legitimate.
• Antony and Brutus, in a show of unity, will hold a funeral for Caesar, where they will "mourn the man and burn the tyrant".
• Antony will serve out the rest of his term as Consul, and then retire from politics.

Servilla then asks Antony to allow the conspirators time to confer and consider the offer. After much discussion, and despite urgent pleas from Servilla and Cassius - and a hypothetically-phrased one from Cicero - to have Antony killed on the spot, Brutus makes the decision.

While Antony is waiting outside the house of Servilla, he is threateningly watched by Quintus and his men. The two exchange brief, angry glances, but before anything can come of it Brutus exits into the courtyard. Approaching Antony, Brutus and accepts Antony's offer, declaring that they are friends. The two ceremoneously embrace, although Brutus is visibly not as enthusiastic as Antony. As they part ways and Antony is leaving, Antony stops, turns around, and walks towards Quintus with his hand extended in friendship. However, before Quintus can react, Antony kills Quintus with a swift slice across the throat by his sword.

Eirene and Pullo are tending to Vorenus, cleaning the minor wounds he acquired while being mugged by the blind priest and his guide. Vorenus is apparently returning to his senses, and admits to Pullo that he had falsely laid blame upon his children for Niobe's death, and placed a curse on them as well. Pullo points out that since Vorenus failed to sacrifice an animal to seal the curse, it isn't exactly official, and when the children return Vorenus can simply lift the curse and make amends. However, their whereabouts are still unknown despite Pullo's enthusiasm that they will eventually return.

Caesar's funeral is annoucned by the Senate Crier, with no prostitutes, actors or unclean tradesmen allowed to attend. Servilia goes to the house of Calpurnia to pay her respects to the dead Caesar. A tearful Calpurnia receives her frostily and spits on her face twice, and then allows Servilla to "see what she has done" to her husband. Although she shows no visible remorse, Servilla touches Caesar's face as a sign of farewell.

Octavian and Pullo meet in a blacksmith's forge house, and Octavian explains how Servilia had obtained the information about Niobe's adultery and Lucius' true parentage - Octavian had confided the knowledge he and Pullo had tortured from Evander in The Ram has Touched the Wall, and Servilla had learned it by playing on Octavia's naivete - and then how she used it to delay Vorenus on that fateful morning of the Ides of March. Octavian then, to Pullo's surprise, for his forgiveness, which Pullo grants. He also asks for Pullo's silence, lest Octavian and his family be wrongly implicated in the assassins' conspiracy. Pullo also swears to stand by Octavian when the opportunity arises to avenge Caesar's murder.

While Pullo and Octavian meet, Eirene stands watch over the house of Vorenus as Vorenus, lost in prayer and grief, continues to mourn beside Niobe's body.

At the house of Atia, preparations are being made to attend Caesar's funeral. Antony, however, has slept in late, and despite Atia's admonishments refuses to leave their bed until he copulates with *someone*, whether it be Atia in her funeral toga, or one of her slaves. In disgust and frustration, Atia sends for a Germanic kitchen slave to administer to Antony, then returns to her preparations, promising her handmaidens that if their efforts are not what she wishes, they'll be fed next to Antony's lustful appetites.

The Undertaker arrives at the house of Vorenus for Niobe's body, but Vorenus refuses to proceed without the children, who are still missing. He is persuaded by Pullo to perform Niobe's funeral, and in the process Vorenus realizes that Pullo has truly become a brother to him. With Pullo and Eirene as witness, Vorenus then drags the bier to a place for the dead where she can be cremated. Vorenus places coins for the passage over Styx on Niobe's tongue, eyes and forehead, and lights her funeral pyre. They stand in observance while her body immolates, then Vorenus, with the assistance of Pullo and Eirene, collect Niobe's ashes.

While the service for Niobe is performed, Antony and Brutus make their preparations for their eulogies to Caesar are shown. This is followed by the private purification rites for Caesar prior to his being taken to the Forum for his own cremation. There, a furious crowd throws all the available wood they can into the funeral pyre to ease Caesar's passing to the Underworld, a sign of fondness for the deceased. Emboldened by the crowd's response to his sentimental eulogy - and the cold and somewhat hostile off-camera reception of Brutus' eulogy - Antony pressures Brutus, Cassius and their allies to leave Rome under pretext of inspecting the Asian grain ports. That is, all but Servilia, who is to remain in Rome essentially as a hostage. Brutus, Cassius and the others have no choice but to comply.

Following Niobe's cremation, Vorenus, Pullo and Eirene return Vorenus' house to begin their search for Vorenus' missing children. There they find Niobe's friend and neighbor, Clarissa, hiding in a cupboard. She insists that she only came to recover some tableware she had lent Niobe and tells them that Erastes Fulmen has kidnapped the three children.

While Brutus, Cassius and the conspirators leave Rome, Fulmen is in a tavern, listening to a man mocking Brutus' effete eulogy and contrasts it with Antony's, who had shown and thrown Caesar's blood-soaked toga to the crowd, causing an eruption of anger and grief. Fulmen is enraged by what he calls disrespectful behavior at a consul's funeral, and after warning his men that any of of them who participates in such behavior will fully regret it, leaves for the baths in disgust. While attempting to relax, Fulmen is confronted by Vorenus, who demands to know where his children are. Fulmen calls for assistance from his guards, but Pullo has already killed. After initially feigning ignorance, Fulmen admits to kidnapping, raping and killing the children, and having their corpses thrown in the Tiber. With the realization that his curse upon the children had apparently worked all too swiftly, Vorenus decapitates Fulmen. A bloodied Vorenus and Pullo then leave the bathhouse and ascend out of the Aventine, with a grieving Vorenus carrying Fulmen's severed head by the hair for all to see.

Memorable Quotes

• Quintus Pompeius: (Sarcastically to Antony) 'Morning, Consul. How goes your day?

• Servilla : (Emphatically to Brutus) I am so *proud* of you! Our name is redeemed, the Republic is saved!

• Lucius Vorenus: (To his children) I curse you, I curse you...(spits)...I CURSE YOU ALL! By all the Gods below I curse you...to damnation!

• Mark Antony: Timon, we're going north. You and your men will protect the family until I can gather my own people together.
• Timon: It'll cost you.
• Mark Antony: Of course. I expect no public service from a Jew.

• Octavian: Brutus must declare Caesar a tyrant, else the act of killing Caesar is murder. But all the acts of a tyrant are unlawful, including those appointing Brutus as Praetor, Cassius as Proconsul, and so forth.
• Mark Antony: And so...?
• Octavian: If Brutus honors the law, he loses all rank and position.

• Mark Antony: Amnesty?? I'm going to eat their livers!

• Cicero: Immortals!...Immortals! I say, you noblemen have carved your names deep in the Eternal Stone.
• Brutus: That is very high praise indeed!
• Cicero: I would embrace you all but I'm *desolated* that you did not enlist me in your cohort of heroes, to wield the liberator's knife! What joy you have denied me.

• Mark Antony: (To Brutus, regarding Quintus) If that monkey remains, I shall have to open his neck.

• Mark Antony: I shall serve out the rest of my term as Consul and then retire quietly to the provinces, where I will plow my fields and fuck my slaves. Just like old Cincinattus! And the republic shall roll on without me. (Pause, ironic chuckle) I swear, by the Black Stone I am *done* with politics! Oh, you people play too rough for a simple soldier like me. Knives in the Senate House? (sarcastic, to Brutus) I didn't think you had it in you.

• Mark Antony: I don't think I've fucked a woman in a funeral dress before.
• Atia: Nor shall you now.

• Atia: (To her handmaidens) Come on, get it right this time, or you'll be next for the King of Goats over there!

Regarding The "Leaked Copy"

Spoilers are based on at least two leaked copies of the 2nd season premiere. Both were apparently advanced copies sent out to entertainment reporters for review, and are noted by the HBO logo lightly superimposed or "ghosted" over many scenes. Subtitled identifying the copy as "Property of HBO" or "Property of Home Box Office, Inc." are also evident at various places in. This is the apparent difference between the two, as one version has "Property of HBO" exclusively, while the other has a mix of the two. Also, the "ghosted" logo appears in different places in each version. No differences in scenes, dialogue or runtime exists between the two versions.