Introducing the series Those About to Die

Those About to Die is a new series from the Peacock Network and directed by Roland Emmerich, featuring Anthony Hopkins as the Roman Emperor.

Almost always, Roman stories and epics have two sides of the coin that provide an attractive show for the audience; One is political conspiracies and the other is the display of violence and sometimes corruption in the empire and politics. Those About to Die is a 10-episode series with a large production scale that plays on the same field. This series tries to make ancient Rome very similar to fictional historical stories like Game of Thrones; But well, somewhere in the middle, it floats. Of course, it can be considered a spectacular and entertaining series.

While it can't be considered a guilty pleasure and a guilty pleasure to watch, on the other hand, it can't be said that it has enough control over its characters to deliver a coherent show. Rome in the first century AD was a crowded and chaotic area. At the beginning of the story, we see that a group of Andalusian youths come to this region to make their name known as riders; Just as a desperate woman named Kala has come to the city to save her three children from slavery. The patricians conspire against the empire; Jews conspire against each other.

Meanwhile, the sick emperor Vespasian must make an important decision; Whether he should give his throne to his soldier son Titus or leave it to his politician son Domitian. While these events are happening, there is also an opportunistic and ambitious street personality named Tenex who is looking for a big move; An opportunity to strengthen his position among the important and high-ranking people of the society. Competition is the main source of entertainment in the city and of course the series itself. Chariot riding and betting on this race takes up a lot of time in the series.

When the Roman people are not engaged in chariot racing and gambling on it, they enjoy gladiatorial combat. The Dying Series explores a side of Rome that has never been portrayed before. The dirty business of entertaining people and giving them what mobsters want more than anything else…which is nothing but blood, spectacle and entertainment. This series explores the world of gladiators in ancient Rome. This 10-part series is inspired by the 1958 non-fiction novel by Daniel P. Money, which focuses on ancient Rome and the era of gladiators and chariots.

Roland Emmerich's latest project deals with the corrupt politics of these dangerous games and the actors of evil characters; While the citizens of Rome struggle with poverty, they gain or lose much. One of the biggest problems of this series is the existence of many characters. Although Anthony Hopkins does not have a very prominent role in this series, in the same short period of time, he can attract the attention of the audience and show an attractive effect of an emperor. After getting to know the characters, we realize that there are four groups of high-ranking people in this collection who benefit from the games.

Maybe there aren't too many characters or it can't even be considered a big problem; But sometimes this becomes a problem when we don't get to know them as much as we should. There's really no reason for Season 1 to introduce all these characters and their stories; Characters, many of which are fictional. It seems that the creator of this series, Robert Rodat, among the inclusion of many issues and aspects of ancient Rome, forgets that he is telling a fictional narrative, not a documentary. However, where the show struggles the most is creating nuanced and complex characters whose motivations and actions are interesting.

Even those that have a fixed place in the long-term narrative are underdeveloped, and only their inner, hidden inner motivations sustain them. After all, whatever it is, the narrative must set a goal for the various characters (both the corrupt rich and the innocent slave); Because there is no guarantee that any of them will survive until the end of the season. Despite the points made, we cannot consider “those who are about to die” to be entirely bad; Because it has its own strengths. Although the special effects may be a little lacking at times, the costumes and set design make up for these weaknesses. Undoubtedly, the presentation and the way the story is told is a great strength for the series; Despite its flaws.

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