‘Those About to Die’ Recap: ‘Ride or Die’

Written by John Edward Betancourt

THOSE ABOUT TO DIE -- Episode 101 -- Pictured: Anthony Hopkins as Vespasian— (Photo by: Reiner Bajo/Peacock)

Caution: This article contains spoilers for the Series Premiere of ‘Those About to Die’.
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It really is quite amazing, how much modern mankind remains captivated by the Roman Empire. For while other empires and leaders and civilizations fade from our memories and are really only acknowledged through textbooks in schools… we continue to think upon Rome and its glory days and well, there is good reason for that. After all, so much of what was invented and conceived during that era has stayed with us and discussions about those contributions do come up in our modern world and of course… it’s just captivating to know that a mere two-thousand years ago, this was the kind of world we lived in. One that was both civilized yet savage, which some might say… hasn’t changed all that much. 

But that aside, we do indeed love Rome and we love to explore every corner of its history and its people. Which is why it should come as no surprise that earlier today, a grandiose and incredible series about Rome, hit the airwaves on Peacock. For all ten episodes of Those About to Die, debuted on the network and well, the time has come to start our journey through each and every one of them, starting with the fascinating series premiere of this show. For ‘Ride or Die’ happens to be a story that informs us, this series will be everything a Roman Empire fanatic can ask for more, and it will satisfy more casual fans of this era of history as well, by offering up… a grand and sweeping story.

One that plunges us into the Flavian era of the Empire, wherein Emperor Vespasian hopes to quell the rising unrest in his regime with more bread and more circuses, the latter of which he can easily provide with the arrival of the Circus Maximus. A grand arena for the people and by the people and that setup, brings forth a lovely Roman Empire story. One that explores the political world of the time, the struggles of the people and the life and times of the gladiators that compete for a championship in that very arena. Which gives rise to an epic premiere that introduces a bevy of fascinating characters and storylines filled with juicy drama and big moments, the kind that are supremely cinematic in nature. Especially when it comes to the very races the people crave.

But while it is lovely to be transported to Rome at a precarious time of near decline, there are more wondrous elements to explore within this series. For it is as intelligent and thoughtful as it is epic in nature. For this particular series spends a lot of time outside of the emperor’s palace, so we can see what the people of Rome went through back in the day, and that harbors some fine parallels to our current world. Since class inequity and warfare is present here, as is corruption within the Roman Government and those explorations do indeed echo hard and remind us of how far we haven’t come in some regards, and it will be interesting to see what else this series will offer regarding this thread. Because not many stories about Rome explore such matters.

If anything, that only adds to the richness of this incredible series. One that really does suck you in with its beautiful visuals and stunning set design and direction, and it also doesn’t hurt that the acting sells the moment too. Since each cast member provides us with a performance the feels right for the era, or as right as it can be since we only know so much. Plus, it’s also wonderful that Anthony Hopkins plays the enigmatic emperor with the wonder that only he can bring to a role, and well, it is safe to say that this is going to be nothing short of a wild and incredible journey. One that will thrill us with visuals that drop our jaws, and acting that sells the moment, and commentary, that gives us pause. Courtesy of this grandiose story about an era in history that always finds new ways to captivate us. Until next time.

Watch ‘Those About to Die’

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