Oh dear, I must disagree! I really liked a lot of things about Pharsalus, barring the obvious fact that EVERYONE saw the same flash on the screen - "no money to stage a real battle, so we'll just suggest it." I had to wince. I thought that Caesar was very interesting in how he reacted both before, and after the battle. But I actually found it rather clever that we never really find out what happened at Pharsalus until Vorenus and Pullo, surviving the shipwreck by floating on a raft of dead bodies, show up where they can stumble onto Pompey's pathetic little group, fleeing from the defeat.

I thought the discussion between Pompey and Vorenus about the battle was fascinating. As much for Vorenus'attitude towards this remarkable old lion as anything else. I'm afraid I had real issues with the whole sexual thing between Servilia and Octavia - C'MON - so I winced every time they did a flashback to their affair as they did during this episode. You might say this was my "phony" detector going off.

But otherwise, I thought it was an excellent episode and I found the murder of Pompey well staged and quite moving. In fact, I liked the fine actor who portrayed him infinitely better in defeat than I ever had in success.

For those who, like me, have to double-check all that was IN Pharsalus Episode (# 7), here is the HBO-ROME summary.

I do agree with you about the Cleopatra Episode # 8 - I really didn't have any problems with it. Drugged up or sexually promiscuous or not, it was briefly but clearly evident that Cleopatra came from a culture alien to Rome, but that she was one smart, determined cookie - a fair enough judgment, I think. Surely, she seemed to be able to match Caesar stroke for stroke. (Although the idea of Pullo getting there before Julius Caesar I found infinitely amusing).

You mentioned a discussion on the series at AMPHORA - but it's not up yet, correct?? I'd love to see their take on the series.