The Dying Man is a new drama from Peacock inspired by the 1958 novel by Daniel P. Mannix and brought to life by screenwriter Robert Rodat and director Roland Emmerich. The series delves into the nastiness and excess of ancient Rome, focusing on the gladiators, chariot racers and political intrigue of the era.
Anthony Hopkins stars as Emperor Vespasian, and Ivan Rhynn stars as Tenax, a street gambler who aims to found his own chariot-racing faction. Despite some flaws in terms of CGI and overuse of tropes, the storyline is filled with rich characters and subplots, ensuring a fast-paced storyline. The plot juxtaposes Tenax’s quest to form a chariot racing faction with the tense relationship between Vespasian’s two sons and future heirs.
The visuals, especially the wide shots of grand temples and crowded racecourses, lack detail and grandeur, and the digitized lions lack menace. Despite these flaws, the sheer density of characters and subplots helps the show slightly avoid the sluggish pace so common in hour-long streaming shows.
The show’s tone is often humorous, with characters like Domitian (Jojo Macari) and champion charioteer Scopus (Dimitri Leonidas) providing funny moments. Tenax’s partnership with Kara (Sarah Martins), a mother trying to free her enslaved children, adds depth and slow-burning chemistry to the story.
The plot involving Kara (Sarah Martins-Court) is the most compelling narrative. Carla is a merchant who faces the daunting challenge of freeing her daughter from slavery and saving her son from becoming a gladiator. Her journey into Roman society is full of twists and surprises, making her storyline a compelling one.
However, much of the series focuses on the less exciting political intrigue within the chariot racing industry, which often feels dull. While Roland Emmerich’s direction ensures that the racing scenes are action-packed and entertaining, the behind-the-scenes dealings in stocks and horses dampen the overall excitement. The dialogue is too dense and cumbersome, which increases engagement in these sessions. While the characters pursue luxury and pleasure, the creative execution of these themes falls short, resulting in a disappointing viewing experience. Overall, the emphasis on less engaging plot points detracts from the show’s more compelling elements.
“Those Who Are Dying” attempts to embrace its pulpy nature, blending action, drama and humor. While not a well-known drama, it can be somewhat entertaining, albeit occasionally flawed. The show tried very hard to compete with Game of Thrones and House of the Dragon, but failed in that regard.
While “Those Who Are Dying” may not be groundbreaking, it arrives at a time when the familiar elements of premium cable and streaming dramas are becoming established tools. It makes a suitable addition to the summer TV lineup, but you won’t feel the pinch.
The complete 10-episode first season of The Dying is now streaming on Peacock.
About the Author – Je-Ree Olenik
Je-Ree is the definition of a Jersey girl. A true nerd who loves her comics. When not watching TV, she works as a paralegal during the day. She enjoys writing, reading, watching all the latest shows, and spending time with her family. Twitter @jereereviews
