Rome - The Complete First Season (DVD, 2006, 6-Disc Set)

HBO has a longstanding tradition of bringing us exciting, cutting edge, suggestive drama series, and Rome is no exception.

The first season takes us to Rome, the magnificent time of Julius Ceasar and his clan. Brutal, romantic, colorful, animalistic, ritualistic and graphic, season one's storylines follow the lives of Ceasar's struggles to maintain his worlwide power, the lives of his relatives, and how other Roman citizen's lives entertwine with his. This is human nature in it's rawest forms: The battle of political powers, class divides, religious fanaticism, racism, homosexuality, profanity, treason, incest, murder, adultery, rape...All wrapped up in images of beautiful Romans lounging on their velvet day beds, nibbling on grapes.

Unlike other shock-dramas like Nip/Tuck or Big Love, Rome weaves the worst of human nature into a cloak of gold. Rome awakens all the senses. The amazing thing is that the drama is so beautifully shot and edited that you fall in love with these characters, feel their sorrows and triumphs, understand their bravery in the face of turmoil, and yet they still remain coniving, incestuous, brutal warriors draped in silk... Because the imagery is so superb,you forget that you shyouldn't like these people, and you find yourself cheering them on.

A must for anyone who likes epic tales, Rome is entertaining and eye opening. The cast is also amazing and of course, the sets and filming is spectacular.

I can't wait until it is back on HBO!!!