Debra J. Normand

Honestly, I don't know what all the hoopla is about. Being a lifelong fan of this particular brand of entertainment TATD was good, for fans who like movies and television shows like Gladiator and Spartacus remove them from the equation because Those About To Die will not make the grade compared to those behemoths. When I discovered that Roland Emmerich directed several episodes I had high hopes for the series. The first three episodes were boring, but there was something about the series so I kept watching. By the time I reached episode 7 I was blown to kingdom come. It was that good, as well as, the remaining episodes. The actor that bothered me the most was Jojo Macari who played Domitian. He was outright irritating! I wish Tom Hughes had been cast as Domitian instead of Macari. Let's talk CGI for a moment. Like most people, I didn't attend CGI school or study in college. I've seen bad, in-between, and great CGI as the technology improved. No TATD did not incorporate the best CGI into their budget. I'm sure someone knows why, however, it wasn't the worst. I thought the white lion was very well done. The chariot racing was acceptable but not brilliant. If you noticed during the CGI scenes there is quite a bit of dialogue; maybe to focus the mind on what the actors were saying versus the film sequence. The actor who stole the show was Sara Martins who played Cala. During that era, to see an African woman from Numidia acting like she owned the place was unheard of. I cannot say anymore otherwise I will spill all the spoilers and the reason for this subplot that intertwines with the main plot of the show. You will have to watch it. SPOILER ALERT! NO ONE 15 OR LESS IN AGE SHOULD WATCH THIS VERY ADULT PROGRAM. IT CONTAINS INTENSE, GRAPHIC SEXUAL SCENES INCLUDING SAME-SEX SCENES AND SODOMY. VERY HEAVY ON THE NUDITY AS WELL. (However, this is how the Romans were. They had no shame about anything.) Domitian was a good and a bad emperor at the same time and was very unpopular with the Senate. Unfortunately, he died as he had lived. He was assassinated by a freedman of Parthenius, named Maximus, and a steward of Domitian's niece Flavia Domitilla, named Stephanus. I hope Peacock had enough views worthy of a second series. If there were more television programs like TATD for adults TV would be worth watching TV again. Addendum: To Corey Thomas Those About To Die is not a work of fiction. The program is based on real-life events during the last days of Emperor Vespasian's rule who died in 79 AD a year before the Flavian Amphitheater (the Colosseum) was dedicated by his eldest son and successor Emperor Titus in 80 AD. In addition, Domitian did not assassinate his brother. Emperor Titus ruled for two years. Titus died of a fever on 13 September 81. He was deified by the Roman Senate and succeeded by his younger brother Domitian. Titus' sudden death at age 41 was allegedly hastened by Domitian. Although based on true events Hollywood takes dramatic license to change the actual events like more action, more sex, and general intrigue to keep the viewer interested.