kagu

This is an *incredible* adaptation. One of the finest filmed Shakespeare's I have had the privilege of watching. (And I've seen a few.)

I can only assume that the haters are purists who don't like when people deviate from the original staging. I, however, love a modern lens and in turn loved it. Classics get stale when done to death with no creativity. This adaptation brings it in spades.

This production takes place in South Africa immediately post-apartheid. The political upheaval makes a surprising, but apt parallel to a tumultuous Post-Pompey Rome. Again and again Director Gregory Doran flirts with injecting Rome into South Africa and South Africa into Rome. The wardrobe is military garb and period appropriate fabrics but we see a tribal take on the toga in one pivotal scene, The soothsayer is a show-stopping tribal wiseman, and the timeless concept of the village square is surrounded by a 20th century town suffering economic collapse.

Most notably of all- the *performances.* If this film had been black-box I would have watched with rapt attention. There are no stoic soliloquies. No level headed asides. The classic monologues are uplifted by open rage and sorrow, and Brutus flirts casually with madness as the consequences of his actions crash over him.

If you can find it in your heart to fall in love with a creative retelling of a classic, I cannot recommend this loudly enough.

Fans expecting vapid d*** jokes and gore were aghast to find out the show has a point! Deviating from the A- line story and characters allowed the show to explore different themes; grooming, the abuse of capitalism, dismorphia, the power of authenticity, ect. It's not a comedy episode, it's a mid season special.

This episode felt like the writer stretching their wings and maybe setting up some future character work. I get that feeling just based on how inorganic certain moments felt but it's also possible that it's just a slightly awkward episode *shrug* All in all, I felt it was a solid addition to the season.

Also, props for representation of the deaf community.

Absolutely breathtaking. The cinematography is purposeful as well as beautiful; nothing is superfluous. The performers are, without exception, masters of their craft. No one flounders. They delivery monologues with a look. Every.single.one of them soars. I havent read the book or seen the 1980s film so I came into this blind and was swept away.

Perhaps the most surprising thing about such a sweeping epic is that it DOESNT feel grand. It's rich and detailed but nothing feels overwrought or dramatic in an unnecessary way. Everything feels graceful.

I'll toss out there that the treatment of women in this series is also incredible; nuanced, strong, and unapologetic.

Yes you're going to need to read subtitles, but if that's not normally your thing, it's absolutely worth it.