On the second episode of season two of HBO's Rome, Mark Antony enjoys his new job, Cleopatra stirs the pot, Vorenus wrestles with his demons, and Octavian begins planning
Probably no one gave much thought to just how much Erastes Fullmen kept the gangsters on the Aventine in line, until he was beheaded by Vorenus. As a consequence, the Aventine becomes a frightening and violent place, with rival gangs fighting - and killing - for territory. Who could possibly be the man to bring order to the chaos?
Vorenus has been reduced to not much at all, having chosen to stay in bed forever, and wallow in his anger and remorse. The head of Erastes sits on the other side of the room, and he passes the days staring at it, getting some kind of creepy comfort from it. Well, Pullo won't have any more of his friend's behavior, and when his own attempts to get him up and rejoin the world fail, he turns to the one person who he knows will slap Vorenus into shape.
Mark Antony is now Consul of Rome, a position which he is enjoying in a huge way. And, he is getting his and Atia's household ready for a visitor - Cleopatra. Atia's all in a tizzy about the Queen paying a visit, undoubtedly in fits of jealousy over Antony's previous visit to Egypt. Antony assures her that she is nothing special (anyone catch the foreshadowing there?), or he tries to. Meanwhile, Octavian approaches Antony wondering where all of his cash is, because he wants to give the people the money that Caesar promised them in his will. Antony pushes the boy aside, telling him that it will take time, and he will get right on it.
Cleopatra arrives with the crew, and is not the tempestuous girl Antony had met several years before. She doesn't even remember meeting him (yeah, right). She claims that Caesar was like her husband, and that she mourns his death, to which Antony sneers. When they get down to business, the Queen's assistant tries to negotiate for full protection for Rome in exchange for regular shipments of grains. After haggling they come to an agreement. Then the real fun begins.
Cleo wants her and Caesar's son, Caesarion, recognized as the slain dictator's legitimate kid. Antony takes the opportunity to get a little something for hiself in return, which earns him no less than a firm smack across the cheek. He calls her a rude name, and she claims that it is her job to prostitute herself for her country. More nasty things are said, and Antony refuses to recognize Caesarion.
After hearing of the troubles on the Aventine, and realizing that the gang that controls the turf controls the docks and thus commerce, he realizes that his reputation is at stake. And as luck would have it, Pullo comes looking for Antony, asking for his help with Vorenus. Antony goes to Vorenus' apartment with Pullo, and procedes to abuse and badger the fallen soldier until he has snapped out of his fog. He then gives him a new job.
At the party to welcome Cleopatra, it seems that Atia has demanded that Timon and his guys to stand watch as "security", and take care of Servilia, too. Octavian catches on to this, and demands that she send them away, and that killing Cleo would nullify the truce and Rome would descend into chaos. She begrudgingly complies.
Then in comes Cleopatra, dressed in her queenly garb, and ready to strike. She flirts with Antony, thoroughly infuriating Atia, who whispers a few choice words in her ear in an attempt to intimidate her.
Meanwhile, Timon goes home as directed by Atia. His brother, Levi, a Jew living in Jerusalem is there to surprise him. He has decided to take up residence in Rome, shocking Timon, who points out that his brother hates the place. Levi says he wants to expand his trade business, and admits that he was basically kicked out of Jerusalem for badmouthing the Roman soldiers who guarded it. Timon tells him to keep his mouth shut, for his family's sake.
The gang leaders of the Aventine are called to a meeting by a group of priests who honor Concordia, ironically, the Roman goddess of harmony. All of the ring leaders arrive to the designated meeting place, where the priests are, along with their traveling Concordia statue. And who should then enter but Vorenus and Pullo.
Pullo announces that he has been sent by Consul Mark Antony to clean house and take control. The men, of course, protest, even when they hear that they will get paid 5,000 denarii each month and be under the watch of Pullo. They claim that no one - even them - would work with someone as cursed as Vorenus. Vorenus does not take this statement too well, and goes into a fit of rage, smashing Concordia into little bits, and proclaiming that he is the son of Hades (the god of the Underworld). This convinces the gangsters to cooperate.
Again, Octavian comes looking for his cash from Mark Antony. Antony tells him that he is a fool to want to pay the people, because they will only come looking for more. Octavian tells him that he's got a lawyer, who is getting his money ASAP. This, of course ticks off Antony, who think that Octavian is just a silly child (what do they say about hindsight?). Atia fusses at him, trying to keep the peace in the household. When Octavia confronts her brother about his brashness, he tells her of his plan to take over when it becomes obvious that Antony is a bully, and that the precarious condition of the Republic will inevitably lead to collapse. She gets a good laugh, not knowing that he means business.
After the announcement is made that the plebs will get their money, Antony storms into Octavian's bedroom, and wakes him with his anger. Octavian claims he meant no disrespect, that he just wants the people to see their unity. AND, he reminds him that his name - Caesar - will save his butt some day. And when he and Atia hear how much money the boy borrowed against his inheritance, it REALLY ticks Antony off, who begins giving the boy a violent beating.
Even Atia can't get Antony off the boy, who gets even angrier at him when Octavian calls his mother a whore. Octavia comes in to try to break it up, and Antony runs out. Later, Atia finds a note in her son's room that says he has left for a while. She is visibly upset, as the note warns her of her foolish alliance and huge mistake in taking Antony's side.
Octavian heads for Campania (the region where Pompeii is located) to live with a friend, Agrippa, where he will work on growing up and polishing his brilliant political skills.
