Currently Netflix is streaming a series entitled TROY: FALL OF A CITY. I regularly teach the Homeric epics, so I’m a hard man to please when it comes to these kinds of adaptations. I have watched only two episodes, but I am favorably impressed by this series. Obviously the series expands upon episodes from the Troy legend and takes some liberties, but the core of the series so far has been faithful to the Greek traditions. The performances are very good, and the production values are generally high. Of course, in the opening minutes of the first episode, we have to have some gratuitous sex and nudity. That seems to be the Netflix way. But the rest of the episodes haven’t been so crass. The writers have drawn from multiple Troy legends and traditions, not just the Homeric epics. The second episode, for example, centers on the sacrifice of Iphigenia to produce following winds that will allow the Greek fleet to sail to Troy. Agamemnon‘s sacrifice of his own daughter was so affecting, I had to continually remind myself that I was watching a show. The director skillfully intercuts scenes of Agamemnon‘s gut-wrenching sacrifice of his own daughter with scenes of Helen and Paris playfully cavorting in bed. I think this show is much more sympathetic to Agamemnon than Homer is. Still, it was a very powerful episode. In short, if you like television and films based on the classics,TROY: FALL OF A CITY might be worth your time. Each episode seems to be around an hour. Just note that if it were a film, it would be at least PG-13 or maybe R for some occasional nudity. I hope the rest of the episodes are as good as these promising first two. Season one has eight episodes. Apparently this is a BBC and Netflix partnership.
Thanks for your review. I'll have to check it out. I wish they would cut back on the nudity and sex scenes in these shows. The inclusion doesn't typically lend to the story and is just pointless. Also same with the excessive gore. It keeps me from allowing my son to watch or having to wait until he's in bed.
I can understand a sex scene to demonstrate the unique allure of Helen. But that’s not what opens the show. The early scene just seems to be a way of saying “this is going to be a series for grown-ups.” And I don’t think that’s a good enough reason.
