The Die Is Cast – As the ninth episode of Those About To Die begins, Tenax (Iwan Rheon) sees Titus (Tom Hughes) when he arrives at the race. As Domitian (Jojo Macari) walks by, Tenax tells him they need to speak. Tenax explains that Manilius demands 10 million sesterces. Domitian admits it’s impossible. He reveals that Leto met with Titus and laid out what he’d done. Titus doesn’t know who to believe. Tenax suggests they wager everything they have on a round bet today for Scorpus to take the lead in the seventh lap. If they win, they’ll have enough to pay Manilius and as many Praetorian Guards as they need. Domitian agrees they should do it. It appears Rufus (Michael Maggi) is listening to them discreetly.

Domitian joins Titus who says he seems agitated. Domitian says he’s thinking about the amphitheater opening in two days. Titus says this place will lose the stranglehold the Patricians have over the city. Elia (Goncalo Almeida) and Scorpus (Dimitri Leonidas) get ready for the race. Tenax tells Cala (Sara Martins) about the bet. He instructs her to keep it quiet so they don’t drop the odds. He offers her a tenth if she makes it happen. Cala warns him that betting everything on one race is risky. Then, Tenax goes to Scorpus to tell him about the bet. Scorpus insists a round fix is impossible this close to the race. Tenax explains they’re dead without this. Seconds later, he tells Cala to go to the other betting taverns and bet it all. He asks where she hides the chits.

Rufus watches as she retrieves them. When Cala says she needs help, Tenax asks for Rufus to help. Men in the audience talk about Xenon being dead. Fonsoa hopes his brother sees why he and Andria were drawn to racing. Elia and Scorpus get ready for the race. Tenax goes searching for something and finds a rope with a hook just before the first race begins. Otho (Federico Ielapi) witnesses a wreck. He is asked if he would like to get some food. Elia and Scorpus end up neck and neck during the race. Scorpus ends up crashing because Elia won’t move over. Fonsoa does the same. Elia runs back to check on Fonsoa and carries him to safety. Salena (Romana Maggiora Vergano) makes it to Fonsoa’s side. Domitian is worried about Scorpus and his loss. Elia talks to Fonsoa (Pepe Barroso) about the time he broke his leg.

Fonsoa passes away. Tenax makes it to the rooftop where he notices a leaky water barrel. He finds coins just before learning that Scorpus is dead. Domitian tells Tenax that he’ll be dead before they can build a statue of Scorpus. Tenax says Scorpus was his friend so he’ll commission the statue. He doesn’t think they’ll die so soon because he found their winnings. They have Scorpus’s share as well now. Domitian sits on the throne. They talk about being ambitious. Domitian says Tenax isn’t even a Patrician. Tenax tells him not to be so sure about that. Moments later, Tenax leaves to say goodbye to Scorpus. Elia digs a grave for Fonsoa. He blames himself for the accident. Gavros (David Wurawa) tells him to blame the fates. Caltonia tries to make amends, but Salena doesn’t want to give her the chance.

She asks Salena to meet with her advocate. He believes she has a strong case to get her shares in the Blue Faction back. When a woman has had three children, she is free from the guardianship of her husband. As a result, what belongs to Salena is hers. Her husband stole the shares from her. Salena wants to meet the advocate. Tenax tells Cala he lost one but won another. He asks her to write the scrolls and promises it has nothing to do with her children. Next, Manilius (Davide Tucci) wants the money counted. He says Titus will die in his sleep and Porto will die a short time later. The Praetorians loyal to him will also die. Tenax says both will die if either of them betrays the other. Domitian will die with them. When Tenax returns, Cala tells him he has a sword dangling over his head for as long as he lives. He thinks they all do.

Tenax shows her the hidden room where he hides the scroll. He warns her that she’s in this too now. Domitian visits Hermes (Alessandro Bedetti) who is locked in a cell. He asks Hermes what he wants to tell his brother. Then, he makes Hermes beg him. Domitian tells him he knows too much. The guards cut off Hermes’s tongue. Rufus tells Berenice (Lara Wolf) that Domitian is buying Praetorian Guards. He’s part owner of the Gold Faction and that’s how he gets his money. Rufus only knows what he’s heard. Berenice learns that Cala runs the books and her youngest daughter is in the home of Consul Marsus. Berenice is watched as she visits Antonia (Gabriella Pession). She tells Antonia that they have a common enemy. People arrive at the amphitheater. Cala is summoned by Antonia Cornelia, wife of the Consul Marsus.

Woola and his friend arrive at the arena. Tenax gives instructions to his men while Cala visits Antonia. Cala asks about buying her daughter’s freedom. Antonia alleges that Jula has been spying on her husband and her. They talk to her about Tenax. Antonia says Domitian and Tenax are responsible for the arrest of her husband, Consul Marsus. Cala is asked if she’s planning a coup against Titus. Berenice and Antonia want proof of that in exchange for Cala’s daughter. Cala agrees to get proof. Titus is applauded when he arrives at the arena. Domitian and Titus watch the show together. Titus tells him he’s outdone himself and this is something special. When the gladiators enter the arena, Kwame (Moe Hashim) sees Aura (Kyshan Wilson) nearby. Cala retrieves the scroll. Aura asks Kwame to forgive her for everything.

She has sold herself to the Ludus. Water floods the arena. Cala tells Nica (Mia McGovern Zaini) to listen carefully. Tenax sends the senators out into the area on a boat. Hermes is tied to the front of the boat and Marsus (Rupert Penry-Jones) is on the boat as well. Cala tells Nica to wait for her. She tells Antonia to hand over her daughter before she gives her proof. Nica hands over the scroll and gets her daughter. Berenice confirms the scroll is proof. Jula is taken by soldiers who call her the property of Rome. Alligators are released into the arena. Domitian tells Titus it is wise to reward their betrayal publicly. Tenax learns that a certain navigator has reached Ostia earlier than expected. He will arrive this afternoon. Two senators are killed before Hermes is taken. Titus asks Domitian if that was his boy.

Antonia arrives at the arena and tries to go in. They stop her. Berenice tries to get in. A group of men see her nearby and say this is their chance to get her. Berenice refuses to give the scroll to the guard. Antonia tries to find a way to sneak inside. Marsus is the last man standing on the boat. Antonia watches as he is pulled into the hole. Berenice is followed by the would-be assassins. Soldiers try to get the alligators out of the arena. Tenax wants to speak to Domitian. Tenax tells him they’re out of time because the navigator will arrive in Ostia this afternoon. He asks Domitian to get Titus up into the anteroom and he’ll do the rest. Domitian tells Titus they need to speak alone. Before Tenax can strike him, Porto interrupts to tell Titus something important.

Berenice is followed as she tries to reach Titus. Porto tells Titus that the grain fleet navigator is in Ostia. He has a ship’s log proof that his brother delayed the shipments. Porto thinks they should go to Ostia themselves because he doesn’t trust anyone at the moment. Tenax tells Domitian to go. Domitian tells Titus he was only worried about his safety. Berenice yells at Titus from a distance. She is killed moments later. The scroll falls from her hand.

 

Those About To Die Review

The ninth episode of Those About To Die had some decent moments although there is nothing that really stands out. The series is hindered by being bloated in pretty much every aspect from the cast to the stories. As a result, the episodes are ping-ponging from one story to another without allowing anything to develop fully.

The same can be said about the characters because there are far too many of them. Most of the characters have turned out to be pointless while a good chunk of them have only served to create unnecessary complexity and confusion. It doesn’t help that many of the performances are not particularly strong.

Out of the hundred stories running simultaneously, Tenax’s is probably the most successful. Sadly, the writing was problematic in this episode and that took away from the impact of his story. It was beyond cliché and corny for Tenax to lose the bet only to find the money hidden elsewhere. The CGI remains hideous causing the horrific death scenes to be comical.

Scorpus and Marsus went out on a whimper. Truthfully, the bloated cast is easily the biggest problem. Most viewers will never remember the names of the minor characters or what role they served in the long run. Too much time has been dedicated to these characters only for them to disappear or die later. It’s not a good sign that it’d require significant work and effort to legitimately familiarize oneself with everyone.

Once it reaches that point, you have Those About to Die and it’s really more effort than it’s worth. The ninth episode scores a 5 out of 10. Recaps of Those About To Die can be found on Reel Mockery here. Find out how to support our independent site at this link. Learn more about advertising with us here. See what others are saying at the Reel Mockery Forum.