When in Rome…
Wednesday, August 6th, 2008
I’m not a fan of TV series’. In fact, I don’t sit down for a lot of TV at all. Three years ago a commercial flashed across the screen. Very vivid imagery- especially with the blood red running like a river down the cobblestone road and the white roman garb dragging along the street, draped over luscious, barely covered bodies. It was sexy. It was bold. It caught my attention. Immediately, I knew I wanted to see what it was all about.Of course. It was on cable. Drat.
For anyone who doesn’t know, I like living under a rock.
So I forgot all about this show. Out of sight, out of this mind. Until for AP day in April, two years ago, someone gifted me the entire first season on DVD. I skipped home like a giddy school girl in anticipation of what I might see. Mattycakes and I plugged it into the DVD player late one night, both apprehensive, figuring it was going to suck. Neither one of us had heard a peep about the first season. No one really knew what we were talking about. So I guess I was the only one in the world jonsing to see this.
I have to tell you that TV has really changed. Even in the last decade.
Rome was very hardcore. I found myself drawn into the violence, waiting for it with baited breath, cheering for more. The plotting, the scheming, and the back stabbing (although, not literally. At least not in the first season.)- it was like reading a very graphic erotica with some mystery and supsense thrown in. Much better than any wussy soap opera could ever hope to be. It’s based so loosely off history that I found it entertaining without being trite and ridiculous for the time period. Honestly, after I finished the first season, I was ready to lop off to the desktop and write myself a historical Roman erotica.
Mattycakes and I have been gifted with the second season. I’m nearly dancing out of my seat to watch it. We just finished it all on Sunday and all I have to say is.. um, wow. If only I could write like that!
When it comes to reading or watching, it’s all a difference of the visual. Reading allows your imagination to play upon the written word and draw up the imagery. It allows you to see the novel like you’re watching it, but with what you want to see. But TV takes all that away from you. Yeah, TV/movies can create totally visually stunning imagery, but it’s how they perceive it. Not you. Where’s the fun in that? I don’t prefer to watch my sex, violence and mayhem- I prefer to read it and give it a good visual spin in my mind.
How about you? You prefer the rainbows, puppies and kittens side of fiction or do you enjoy the more hardcore, open your eyes in a new light, side? Do you prefer to read or watch fiction? And do you ever watch TV/Movie adaptations of your favorite book?