Troy – Fall of a City - Historiai

Achilles, Patroclus, Xanthius and that bloke who let all the Trojan horses go, all managed to get in and out the city without needing a giant ... Skiptocontent Finally,wearehere,thelightattheendofthetunnelinsight!It’sbeenabumpyridesofar:therehavebeenafewprettydecentmomentsintheshow,butoverall,intermsofhistoricalandmythologicalaccuracy,it’samess.IfitwerepossibletosomehowhookHomer’sbodytosomesortofturbinefromhisgrave,I’msurehisspinningwouldproduceenoughpowersolvetheglobalenergycrisis.Thislastepisode,however,isnotreallybasedonHomerbecausethe Iliadendsbeforethisepisodeseventskickoff(thoughtherearelittlebitsandpiecesreferencedinTheOdysseywhichdocropupthisepisode).Onthewholehowever,theeventsarebasedonotherwell-knownmythsthatform“TheEpicCycle”.So,forthelasttime,let’sseehowaccurateitallis. It’sahorse.AtTroy.LikeaTrojanHorse.Ah,getit?!IT’SSYMBOLISM!IT’SSUBTLE!DOYOUGETIT?! WeopenwithOdysseusstaringatahorseonthebeach(foreshadowingthatissoonthenosethatitgenuinelymademesneeze),beforebeingwhiskedawaytotalktoXanthiusandhisdog.Imustsay,I’dcompletelyforgottenaboutthisdog.WhenitwasshowninEpisode3asbeingabletoruninandoutofthecity,IthoughtitmightcarrymessagestoOdysseus,maybeaboutfoodrunninglow,orontheTrojantacticsorsomething.Butno,thedogjustranoutonce“whenthetimewasright”andwaspromptlyforgottenabout. Starvingtodeathintwoweeksisnoexcusetoforgetpropergroomingandmakeup. OverinTroy,ParisandtheotherTrojanleadersarediscussingthesituationandthey’reapparentlystillrunningoutoffood!Again,theyweremeanttoberunningoutoffoodinEpisode3,that’swhywehadthewholetunnelescapade–butthetunnelplandidn’twork.BasedoffofAndromache’spregnancythatwasatleast9monthsago!SotheTrojanshavespentanawfullylongtime“runningoutoffood”;maybetheyunderestimatedhowmuchtheyhadinEpisode3.Also,gladtonoticethat,despitethecitystarving,there’sstillenoughfoodfortheprincestomaintaintheirbuffguyphysiquesandlooksopretty. Someonemakestheverysensiblesuggestionthat,withAchillesdeadandtheGreeksdisheartened,theTrojansshouldtryandnegotiateapeacedeal.Parisishavingnoneofthisthoughdespiteitjustbeingestablishedthattheywillbestarvingintwoweeks,andthattheirmenaresohungrythatthey’reinnoconditiontofightproperly.Inreality,itwouldbewiseunderthesecircumstancestoseekapeacedeal,buttheshowhasneverhadmuchtimeforrealism. AndromacheisstillaccusingHelenofbeingatraitorinthecityandbeingtheonethathelpXanthiusescape.I’mgoingtoleavethisfornow,becausethemythologicalportrayalofHelenduringthefallofTroyvariesalotfrommythtomyth,sowe’lldiveintothatabitmorelater.Fornow,sufficetosaythatXanthiusdoesn’tappearinmythsandsothissubplothasbasicallynogroundinginanykindofaccuracy. ParisthendecidesthattheywillleadanattackagainsttheGreeksbecause,astheydecidedearlieron“thisisourchance,wehavetotakeit”.SotheygatherthewholeTrojanarmyforalastdesperateattack…ohno,waittheydon’tdothat.Infact,theyplannedtoattackwithjust3men,Paris,DeiphobusandAeneas,whowillthensendasignaltotheotherTrojanstocatchupwiththem.Theshowhasnomadeattemptatshowinghowclosethebeachistothecity,however,basedoffsomeoftheestablishingshotswe’vebeenshown,it’spresumablyaheftydistanceaway.SoifParis’plangoesawrythenhe(thecommander)andtwoofTroy’stoplieutenantswouldbestuckfightingofftheentireGreekarmywhilewaitingfortheotherTrojanstocatchuptothem.Youdon’tneedtobeAlexandertheGreattoworkoutwhythisisacrapplan.Ifyouwanttoscoutoutanenemy,usescouts,notyourmostvaluablecommanders.Ifthey’recaughtandkilled,yourarmyisscrewed. Unfortunately,itturnsouttheGreekshavesupposedlygonebackhome.IsayunfortunatelybecauseParisdoesn’tactuallymakeittothefallofTroy;hediesbeforetheGreeksmakeitintothecity.Iwasreallyhopingthathewasfinallygoingtogetkilledoffhereinabattlebeforethewholesackofthecity.We’renotthatluckyhowever,anditlookslikewe’regoingtobestuckwithParisrightupuntiltheend. Menelaus:HeyOdysseus,what’swiththemassivetrident?Odysseus:Ohyouknow,justincasewedoadressingupparty,needafancycandelabraorbuildagianthorseforPoseidon.M:Haha…wait,what?O:What? TheGreekcampisdesertedsaveforthefamousTrojanhorse.Now,Iappreciatetheefforttheshowwenttoofactuallymakingahorseprop–that’snice.ButwheredidtheGreeksgetallthislapislazuli,orwhateverbluestonethatisonthehorseshead,from?AndwhoonEARTHbroughtatridenttoTroy?!Andwhy?!AloneGreek,Thersites,hasbeenleftbehindtoexplainthatit’sanofferingtoPoseidonandthattheGreeksthoughtthetidewouldtakeit.Coupleofquickpoints;firstlythisGreekguyshouldactuallybeaguycalledSinon,he’sthepersoninGreekmyththatactuallystaysbehindandtalkstheTrojansintotakingthehorseintothecity.ThersitesdoesappearinHomericmyth,notoriouslyastheugliestmanintheGreekarmy,buthe’sabitofamiscreantandgetskilledbyAchilles.Secondly,theGreeksthoughtthetidewouldtakeit?!It’saprettybloodybigandheavythingforthetidetotake,thinkofabetterexcuse!But,alljokesaside,let’sactuallyhaveaquicklookattheTrojanHorsefromahistoricalperspective. HistorianshavespentafairbitoftimetryingtothinkofvariousexplanationsfortheTrojanHorse.Thewholethingmightjustbeafabricationforanicestoryandsomepeoplesaythatthewholethingissillyandneverreallyhappened.Butthosearethepeoplewhoareboringanddon’tgetinvitedtoparties.Lotsofhistoriansgetakickoutoftryingtothinkofmore“realistic”explanationsfortheTrojanHorse,andithasattractedawholeslewoftheories. Theshowgoeswithoneofthese,thatitisatributetoPoseidon,godoftheseaandhorses.Thiswouldmakesenseasanofferingforsafepassageonthewayhome,andit’sasolidinterpretationbytheshow.AnotherhypothesisisthattheTrojanwallswereactuallydestroyedbyanearthquake.Thereissomearchaeologicalevidencetosupportthisandthestatueofahorsewould,again,makesenseinthisscenario–Poseidonwasnotonlythegodoftheseaandhorses,butalsoofearthquakes.ThentherearethosethatthinkthattheTrojanHorsemightactuallyhavebeenaweapon,suchasabatteringramshapedlikeahorse,thatbecameexaggeratedandmademorepoeticthroughouttime.Lastly,therearethosewhotakethemythatfacevalue,andthatitreallywasusedasameansofhidingGreeksandsneakingthemintothecity.Allthoseideasarefairlysolid,andsopeoplecanpickandchoosewhichtheythinktobemostlikely. Backtotheshowand,despiteafewwarningsfromAndromacheandCassandra,theTrojansdecidetotaketheHorseintothecity.Inmyth,there’sactuallyalittlebitherewhichIalwaysfoundtoberatherfunny:whilsttheTrojansaregatheredaroundthehorsedecidingwhattodowithit,apriest,calledLaocoon,famouslysays“bewaretheGreeksbearinggifts”.Beforeanyonelistenstohimthough,Poseidonsendsacoupleofseaserpentsthatstranglehimandhissons,andtheTrojanshappilycarryonasifnothinghadhappened.ThisalwaysseemedratherPythonesque(punintended)inmyopinion,andIalwaysgotalittlegiggleoutofit.I’measilyamused. AlsoinHomer’s Odyssey,Helentoowassuspiciousofthegift.ShewalksaroundtheHorsemimickingthevoicesofthewivesoftheGreekshiddeninsideandtheGreeks,whoofcoursehaven’tseentheirwivesinalmostadecade,almostcryoutinresponsetothevoicesoftheirlovedones,butarecontrolledbyOdysseus.Again,IcanforgivetheshowformissingoutonthesetwoactionsofLaocoonandHelenasbothprobablywouldhavebeenhardtoportraywithoutlookingrathersilly. Movingonabit,andHelen’snameisapparentlyclearedbyThesites,andtheTrojansallhaveanicekneesuptocelebratetheendofthewar.HelenthensneaksoffduringthecelebrationstohelptheGreeksandnowisagoodatimeasanytodiscussHelen’sroleduringthefallofTroy. AsImentionedearlier,hercharactervariesfrommythtomyth.InVirgil,aRomanpoet,she’satraitortotheTrojans,signallingtothemainGreekarmythattheHorsehasbeensuccessfullybeentakenintothecity.DuringtheactualsackofTroy,shealsohidesDeiphobussword,leavinghimdefencelessandatthemercyoftheGreeks.InHomer,however,shehelpstheTrojans.AsmentionedaboveshetriestotricktheGreeksbymimickingthevoicesoftheirwivesand,inotherversionsofthemyth,HelenspendsthesackofTroydesperatelyseekingsanctuaryandtryingtohide.WhenMenelausfinallyfindsherhedrawshisswordtokillherforbeingunfaithful,butisstunnedandstopswhenconfrontedbyHelen’sbeautyasshetakesoffherrobeandstandsnakedinfrontofhim.WithsomanyvariousportrayalsofHelen,theshowhasafairbitoflibertytouseanyversionitwishes.Intheshow,HelenagreestohelptheGreeksontheconditionthattheydon’thurtanyoneelse.Tobehonest,IfinditnighimpossibletounderstandHelen’smotivations90%ofthetime.TheonlymotivationsheseemstohaveforhelpingtheGreeksisbecauseofthewholePandarus/CiliciasubplotandthatshewasaccusedofbeingatraitorbyAndromache.Buttherearetwomainproblemswiththis;one,HelennevertoldAchillesaboutCilicia,hethreatenedherandheassumedtheanswerbasedoffofherreaction–Helenneveractuallytoldhimanything;andtwo,ifshe’snervousaboutbeingseenasatraitorbytheTrojans,shecouldjusttellthemabouttheGreeksinthehorserightnow,andallwouldbeforgivenasshewouldhaveshownwherehertrueloyaltieslie.IfhermainmotivationisinsteadavoidinganymorewarringandsavingParis,whynotsneakoutwithXanthiuslastepisode?Maybeit’sjustme,butI’vegotaboutasmuchgraspofhercharactermotivationasIdoofstringtheory.  OdysseysandMenelausthengetoutofthehorse…andapparentlythat’sit.Inmyths,theGreekshidadecentamountofmeninthehorse,roughly30or40,largelyconsistingoftheirbestfighters.Theideawasthatthiseliteforcewouldbeabletosneakout,atnight,andmaketheirwaytothecitygatestounlockthemandallowtheotherGreeksintothecity.Intheshow,thewholeTrojanHorseploywasdonetosneakjusttwomenintothecity.Achilles,Patroclus,XanthiusandthatblokewholetalltheTrojanhorsesgo,allmanagedtogetinandoutthecitywithoutneedingagianthorse.Woulditreallyhavebeensohardtosneaktwomoremenin?TheTrojansleavethebloodygateopenhalfthetimeanyways! Trojansretreating,closingthegateinthebackground… …Greeksopeningthesamegatesfromtheotherside TheGreekarmythenstartspouringintothelowercityandParisorganisesadefenceinfrontofthesecondgateinordertobuytimeforAeneastoopenupthetunnelsandgetthewomenandchildrenout.ThepositionisoverwhelmedandParisretreatsbehindthegates.Ican’thelpbutfeelthatParisfundamentallymisunderstandshowtouseagate.Whynotclosethemfirstanddefendfrombehindthem?Ifyou’rewantingtobuytime,abigclosedgateisagoodwayofdoingthatanditmeansyoudon’tloseanyprecioussoldiers.BUTinthenextshot,theGreeksjustopenthegate!Igenuinelydon’tknowwhathappens.Parisretreatsbehindthegate,closesthem,andthenrunsoff.Nextshot,theGreeksareopeningthesamegates.Howdidtheygetmenbehindthegates?DidParisnotlockthegates?Alittlebitlateron,weseeOdysseusandNestoropeninganothersetofgatestolettheGreeksin.Well,howdid thosetwogetbehindthegate?!Didtheyfindawaypastthisgate?Ifso,whyjustthosetwo?WHYDOGATESNOTWORKINTHISSERIES?! TroillusandDeiphobusarebothkilledastheGreekspushtheirwaythroughthecity.AsI’vesaidbefore,Troillusshouldhavebeendeadalongtimeago,hedoesn’tevenmakeitmanhoodinmyth.DeiphobusiskilledinthesackofTroybut,accordingtomyth,hehadbeenmarriedtoHelenafterParisdied.LikeIsaidearlier,HelenactuallysealsDeiphobus’fatebyhidinghisswordandleavinghimhelplessinthefaceoftheGreeks. PenthesileaandLegolaseatyourheartsout!Agamemnonsneersatyourpitifultwosword“badassery” PriamisthenkilledbyAgamemnon.Agamemnon,I’veonlyjustnoticed,iscarryingnotjustonesword,noteventwoswords,butfourswords!!Clearly,thisthereforemakeshimthemostabsolute,super,megabadassofalltime!But,it’snotAgamemnonwhokillsPriaminGreekmyths.It’sactuallyAchillesson,Neoptolomus,whokillshim.Neoptolomusdoesn’tappearintheshow,buthewasabitofabruteandisassociatedwithsomeoftheworstatrocitiestheGreekscommitinthesackofTroy.Inthemyths,PriamisactuallydraggedtoanaltarbyNeoptolomuswhereheiskilled,inamockeryofasacrifice.But,Priamdoesputupabitofafightbeforehand,atleastasmuchasanoldmanlikehecan.Theshowdoesdepictthis,soit’snicethatatleastthatlittlebitwasaccurateandPriamwentoutwithsomedignity. Hecuba,intheshow,thencutsherwristsandkillsherself.Unfortunatelythisisn’taccurateatall,andsheisoneofmanywomenwhosuffergreatlyafterthesackofTroy.Insomeversions,sheistakenasaslavebyOdysseusandinotherssheisdrivenmadatthesightofherdeadchildrenandthefallofthecity.Eitherway,sheisn’tgivensuchacleanendinginmyths.Greekmythsarerarelyeversotidyorforgiving;it’sallaboutthetragedy. ParisthengetstomakealaststandbeforebeingkilledbyAjaxandMenelaus.Themusicswells,thecameralingers,andParisisgivenamoredramaticdeaththananyoneelseintheshow!HectorandAchillesdidn’tgettohavesuchanemotionalfarewellbutforthecowardly,uselessParis,we’reallmeanttoshedatear.Themythsdon’tallowParisthisheroicdeath.AsImentionedearlier,he’sactuallykilledoffbeforethesackofTroyevenbeginsandit’saGreekherocalledPhiloceteswhoisusuallytheonecreditedwithkillinghimoff.Tobehonestthough,Ican’tcomplaintoomuch.Parishasbeenanabsolutepainineveryorificepossiblethewholeseries,soI’mjusthappyhe’sfinallydead. ThenwegettoAstyanax,poorlittleAstyanax.Sadly,mostofwhattheshowtellsusabouthimisprettyaccurate.HeishiddeninHector’stomband,uponhisdiscovery,theGreeksdecidethatitistoodangeroustoallowasonofHectortoliveandpossiblyseekrevenge,soheisthrownfromthecitywalls.ThishorrificactisusuallysaidtohavebeencommittedbyNeoptolomus,Achilles’son,butthereareacoupleofversionsofthemythswhereitisOdysseuswhodoesit,asintheshow.TheversionwhereitisNeoptolomuswhodoesitisactuallyevenmoretragicbecauseAndromacheistakenasaconcubinebyhimandsheisforcedtohaveasonwiththemanwhomurderedherpreviousone.AsIsaythough,theshow’sdepictionofthiseventisaccuratetosomeversionoftheGreekmyths. WethenquicklypopbacktoTroywhereAphrdoiteandZeusremindusthatthegodsarestillmeanttobeapartoftheshowandAeneasisrevealedtostillbealive,asareacoupleofotherpeople.Inthemyths,there’smorethanjustacouplepeopleleftalive,afairfewescapedwithAeneasandheisabletoputtogetheraforcelargeenoughtoneed20shipstocarrythem.Aeneasandthisgroupwilllatergoontheirownepicadventure,theAeneid, andhebecomesoneofthefoundingheroesofRome. Pleasedon’t.Ilovethisactor,butIdon’tknowifthememoryofHomercanhandleanymoreabuse. TheGreeksallsailaway,HelenwithMenelausandCassandrawithAgamemnon,justlikeinthemyths.Asasidepoint,inthemyths,there’salotmoreenslavementinsteadofjustmassacringeveryoneinTroy.TheshowthenclosesonalingeringshotofOdysseusandI’mleftwithasinkingfeelinginmystomachthatistryingtosetupafollowupseriesbasedonthe Odyssey. Andtherewehaveit,that’stheendoftheshow.Sohowaccuratewasit?Tobehonest,notvery.Therearesomenicebitshereandthere,someofthecivilianclothingisnice,Troyitselflooksprettygood,andOdysseusstandsoutasawell-actedandwellwrittencharacterthatistruetohismythicalinspiration.Buttheshowisplaguedbywanderingplotlinesthatendupasdeadends,characterswhosemotivationsareimpossibletounderstandand,mostimportantly,afundamentalmisunderstandingofwhatmakesthestoryofTroysopowerful.Keycharacters,likeAchillesandParis,arehandledsobadlythatthey’rehardlyrecognisablecomparedtothesourcematerial.Theshowfocusestoomuchoninaneplots,likeParisbeingexiledand,asaresult,eventswhichshouldbevitaltotheplot,liketheGreekstryingtoappealtoAchillesortheTrojansbeginningtogettheupperhandduetohisabsence,areoverlookedandrushed. Imightdoafollowupposttothisonewhichlooksmorebroadlyatsomeofthekeyissuesandthemesbut,fornow,thankyoutoanyoneandeveryonethatperseveredwithboththeshowandwithmyreviewsofit.It’sgreattoknowthattherearepeoplewhoareinterestedenoughtoreadabouttheaccuracyofshowslikethisandtotryandbetterunderstandthesourcematerialthatthey’rebasedon,ratherthantakingtheseriesatfacevalue. Firstofall,Iapologise,again,forthelateupload,I’vebeenawayonholidaythispastweekcheckingoutsomeawesomeRomanruins.Yes,mylifereallyisthatwild.Also,justaquickthankyouverymuchtoeveryonewhoactuallyreadsanyofthese.Apparentlythissitehadover500viewsduringAprilso,onceagain,thankyouverymuch!Ifyouenjoythesite,pleasefeelfreetoshareitaround! Ok,withthatPSAoutoftheway,let’sjumpinandseehowaccurateisTroy:FallofaCityEpisode7!Myadvice–makesyourselfadrink.Addashottoit.Makeitadouble.Triple.Youknowwhat,justemptythewholebottleinthere.You’regonnaneedit. “Quick,standaroundandlookimportant!Wehavetoremindtheviewersthatwe’restillathing!” WeopenwithAchillessittinglookingathisarmourthatPatroclusworeandnexttohimisthedesecratedbodyofHector.Inthe Iliad,thewholeGreekarmystageahugeamountofgames,includingracesandwrestling,inhonourofPatroclusshowinghowimportantandadmiredhewas,abitcompletelymissedbytheshow.Furthermore,inHomer,Hector’sbodyisactuallypreservedbyAphroditeandApollo.Infact,whenPriamcomestocollecthim,hisbodyisaspristineasitwaswhenhewasalivewithallhiswoundshealed.Now,I’mfairlyforgivingofmodernadaptationsexcludingsupernaturalthingslikethisastheycanbehardtorepresentonscreeninawaythatdoesn’tseemsilly.However,whatIdon’tunderstandiswhytheshowthendecidedtoincludethegodsatall.Idon’thaveaproblemwiththegodsbeingexcludedcompletely,thefilmTroybasicallydidthiswithouttoomanyproblems.Butifyou’regoingtoincludethegods,thenusethem!IwasinitiallyquiteexcitedwheninEpisode1oftheshowitwasestablishedthatgodswouldbeplayingapartinthisadaptationandthattheyalsolookedsohuman,whichwasanicetouch.Butitnowseemsthattheshowhasratherforgottenaboutthem.Theyonlyhaveafewquicklinesoffairlypointlessdialoguehereandthere,butdon’tactuallyimpacttheplotatall. Rememberthattimethatwheneveryonethoughtyouwereacurse?Orthattimethatyouwerebanished?Orthetimeyoulostafightandranawayfromthecity?Thatmakesyouperfectforcommand! Movingon,PriamthengivescommandoftheTrojanarmytoParis.Parisaskstheextremelygoodquestionof“whyme?”andapparentlyit’sbecausehehasa“giftwiththemen”thatTroilusandDeiphobusdon’thave.Firstly,Troilus,atleastinGreekmyths,isdeadbynow,heiskilledwhenonlyaveryyoungman(perhapsevenaboy)quiteearlyonintheTrojanWarbyAchilles.Secondly,Parishasagiftwiththemen?!Sincewhen?!Whenonearthhastheshowevershownthis?He’sbeennothingbutawussandannoying!Twoepisodesago,Pariswasrunningawayinthecountrysidehavingbasicallybeenbanishedfromthecity,butnowheisapparentlyagreatleader?Wehaven’tevenseenParisleadtheTrojanarmyorgivearousingspeechonce!ThePariswe’veseenintheshowhasaboutasmuchcharismaasawetpaperbagandasmuchcommandabilityasonetoo!ItshouldbeAeneaswho,asHector’stoplieutenantandanexperiencedcommander,takescontrolofthearmy.Unfortunately,Aeneashastakenabitofabackseatintheseries(mostcharactersseemto,cometothinkofit)andso,instead,it’sPariswhotakescommand,probablyjustbecausehe’stheonlyTrojanthattheaudiencevaguelyrecognise.Notonlyisthisnotaccuratetomyths,it’salsonotaccuratetowhatwe’veseenofParisintheshow. ThenwegettoPriamsupplicatingAchillesandaskingforHector’sbodyback.*sigh*ThisisoneofmyfavouritebitsofTheIliad,it’ssobeautifullytragicandsadandtheshowdoesn’tevencomeclosetocapturinganyofthat.Let’stakealook…braceyourself,thismightgoonforawhile! Thewise,venerable,OlympianbornPriam…sittinglikeachildinastrop Intheshow,PriamturnsuptothecampandsitsonthesandoutsideofAchillestentrefusingtomoveuntilAchillesagreestotalktohim.Iusedtodosomethingsimilarandsitoutsidemybrothersroomandrefusetomoveuntiltheywoulddressuplikeknightswithme(armourandshieldmadefromthatmostdeadlyofmaterials–oldcerealboxes).ButIwasachild,notapowerfulandwiseking.AchillesthensaysthatHectorisn’tworthburying;theychataboutPatroclusforabitandapparentlyifithadbeenAchillesfightingthatday,PatroclusandHectorwouldstillbealive.PatroclusbeingaliveIcanunderstand,butsurelyifHectorhadfoughtAchilles,Hectorwouldhavediedthenanyways?AchillesthenasksPriamaboutHectorasachildandtheychataboutwhatHectorwaslikeasaboy,andthenextmorningAchillesagreestogivebackthebodyandthattherewillbea12daytruceinordertoallowtheTrojanstomournHector.Tobehonest,I’mboredjustsummarisingit.Letstakealookathowithappensinmyth. Thegods,namelyApolloandAphrodite,areoutragedthatsomightyamanasHectorisnotbeinggivenhisduerespectbyAchillesandappealtoZeus.ZeusagreesandsendsmessengerstobothAchillesandPriam;theonetoAchilles,hismother,isthathemustreturnHector’sbodyandtheonetoPriamthathemustpayaransomforthebody.Bothmenagreetothis,knowingthatitisthewillofthegods.Priamthenputstogetherahugeransomofhisfinestclothes,bronzeandothergoodsandisescortedpasttheGreekguardsandtoAchilleshutbyHermes(see,atleastinthemythspeopleonlywalkpastguardswithdivinehelp!)Here,Priamfallstohisknees,kissingthehandsofAchillesthesamehandsthathavekilledsomanyofhissons.PriamtalksaboutAchilles’father,Peleus,whoisthesameageasPriam.WhilePeleusmaysufferthetroublesofoldage,hecanalwayscherishthethoughtofhissonbeingagreatmanandthathemightseehimagain.Priamhaslostthis;heonlyhasthetroublesofageandthepainoflosingHector.Achillesismovedbythis,hecriesforhisfather,knowingthathetooisprophesisedtonotreturnhomeandthathisfatherwillthereforehavetobearthesamegriefthatPriamdoes(moreonthislater).AchillesisimpressedbyPriam,byhisstrengthofwillandcharacter,agreeingtohandoverthebodyandacceptstheransom.Theymourntogetherandfeasttogether,likeequals.Thepowerofthissceneishardtocommunicatejustinabloglikethis,butthetwomostimportantbitsare:one,PriamkissingAchilleshandsandtwo,thesimilaritiesbetweenPriamandPeleus.Priamkissingthehandsthatkilledhisbelovedsonisjustsuchamovingandpowerfulidea,anditisreallythethoughtofPeleussufferingthesamepainthatPriamissufferingthatmovesAchillestocompassion.Theshowmissingoutonthesetwothingsiscriminalinmybook!Theyaretwoofthemostpowerfulthingsinthescene,andtheshowmissesthemout!Iactuallyhadtositdownandhaveacupofteaafterwatchingthisscenetodestress. Anywho,afterthatcalmingbrew,backtotheshow.PriamtakesthebodyofHectorbacktoTroyandislaterburied(incidentally,inmyths,aswithmostheroeswhodie,Hector’sbodyisburntfirstandthenhisbonesareburied).ThatmarkstheofficialendoftheIliad.Thelastlineofthebookis“suchwerethefuneralritesofHector,tamerofhorses.”Thereasonforthisisthatthe Iliadisn’tactuallyaboutthewholeoftheTrojanWar,itisabouttheangerofAchillesthathappensduringtheTrojanWar.ReturningthebodyofHectoristhefinalstageinAchillesstoryarcinthepoembecauseitiswhatfinallybringshimclosureandsootheshisanger.Butneverfear! ThestoryoftheTrojanWaristhentakenupbyvariousotherwritersanditisonthebackofthosemythsthattherestoftheshowisbased;soI’mstillgoingtobeabletonitpickandpointoutalltheinaccuracies!Aren’tyoulucky? OMG,sokewl!Penthesileagets10+attackspeed NextupisaquicksceneofPenthesileapracticingandsomeawkwardflirtingbetweenherandAeneas.ObviouslyPenthesileaismeanttobea“badass”,she’stoocoolforarmour(tattyleatherworksjustaswellapparently)andsheusestwoswords!Asweallknowtwoswordsisalwayscinemashorthandfor“badass”(seeLegolasintheLordoftheRingsandArthurDayneinGameofThrones).Onlyproblemwiththisisthatbasicallynoonefought‘dualwield’inhistory.Sometimesinyoudocomeacrosssomeunitsofmenwhofightwithaswordinonehandandadefensivedaggerintheother,butforthemostpart,andespeciallyinancienttimes,peopleusedaspearorswordandshield.Iknowthisisarealnitpick,butIthoughtI’dpointitoutnonetheless,cosI’mapedantlikethat.Afavouriteyoutuberofmineactuallydoesagreatbreakdownonthistopicifyou’reinterested:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gJBEDxh0RQw TheXanthius/Telamonguy,Odysseusmaninthecity,getsgrassedupandisquicklyimprisoned.I’venotgotmuchtosayaboutthis,really,exceptfornoneofithappensinanymythorlegend;it’sjustasubplotcreatedfortheshow.Whichprobablyexplainswhyitfeelssopointless. AnotherquickscenewithOdysseusandAchilles,thelattermopingaboutwhatwillhappentohimafterthewar.ThisremindsmeofsomethingwhichItouchedoninapreviouspostbutthatIwanttoexpandonabithere.InGreekmyths,AchillesknowsthatheisgoingtodieatTroy.HeisgiventheoptionofeitherfightingatTroyandwinningeverlastingglorybutdyinginthefighting,ortostayhomeandlivealongandhappylifebutbeforgottenafterhisdeath.ThisshouldbethedrivingforceofAchillescharacter–hisdesireforgloryandremembrance.Infact,itwasthisdrivethatarguablymadehimthegreatestofalltheGreekheroes;heunderstoodthattherewasmoretolifethansimplyliving,thatthegreatesthonourwastoberememberedafterdeath.ItisalsothisprophecythatlendspowertothedeathofPatroclus.WhenPatroclusdies,Achillesre-joinsthebattle,effectivelyresigninghimselftodeath.OnecouldevenarguethatAchillesre-joinsthefighting,notfortheglorythathehasbeenpromised,butbecauseheknowsitwillleadtoaquickdeathsohecanbereunitedwithPatroclus.YoucanseehowmuchdepththisprophecyaddstoAchilles’characterandsoit’sashamethattheshowchosetofocusonalltheParispropheciesbutmissoutonthisone.Achillesinsteadendsupwithasmuchdepthasateaspoonasaresult. FastforwardsomeandtheGreeksconductaprettylame‘falseflag’operation;offingoneofAchilles’menandblamingitontheTrojansinordertoconvinceAchillestobreakthe12daytruceheagreedwithPriam.WhyAchilleswouldbelievethattwoofPriam’ssonswouldbothertoambushtworandomGreeksandonlykillone,Idon’tknow.Itdoesn’treallymatterthoughbecause,sofarasIknow,thereisnomythwhichsaystheGreeksbrokethetruce.There’sagoodreasonforthis:theGreekswereanextremelyreligiousandsuperstitiouspeopleandsobreakingatrucelikethiswouldhavebeenseenasblasphemy,particularlyasitwasatruceforthedead.Greekculturewasveryrespectfulofthedead;AchillesdesecrationofthebodyofHector,forinstance,appalsthegodsand,historically,itwasexpectedthatarmiesagreetrucestoallowbothsidestocollectandburytheirdead,anddesecrationofcorpsesingeneralwasseriouslyfrownedupon.Intheactualmyths,thefightingsimplycontinuesafterthe12daysofpeacehaveexpired.Nofalseflagoperationsneeded,thoughmaybethereweresome“TrojanWarTruthers”whobegtodiffer. IfeelyouBriseis,Ifeelyou. MovingonabitmoreandBriseisisstillwithAgamemnon,whichisn’tremotelyaccurate.InHomer,asI’vementionedbefore,shewasreturnedtoAchillesafterthedeathofPatroclus,thusendingthefeudbetweenAchillesandAgamemnon.IgenuinelythinkthattheshowhasforgottenthatherbeingtakenfromAchillesissupposedtobeakeyplotpoint,thatit’sthewholereasonAchillesrefusedtofightinthefirstplace.YetanotherpartofAchilles’characterthattheshowcompletelymisses.OhandBrisesisnevertriestokillAgamemnonoranything.Shealsodoesn’trunawaylikeshedoeslateroninthisepisode.Instead,shestayswithAchillesuntilhisdeath,mournshimandthenmarriesoneofAchillescomrades. ThereisthenascenewhereAndromacheaccusesHelenofstartingthewar(definitelytruefromwhattheshowhastoldus)whichpromptsHelentosaythatshe’llneverbeacceptedinTroyandthatshewantstorunaway.Again,thiswhole‘whodunnit’plotoftryingtofindthetraitorinTroydoesn’thappeninGreekmyth.IknowthattheshowistryingtoshowHelenasbeingconflictedaboutstayinginthecityorleaving,butthisisthewrongconflictforhercharacter.She shouldbetornbyherallegiancetotheGreeksandtheTrojans.Instead,she’stornbyherdesiretostayorleavethecity,herloyaltytotheGreeksisnevermentioned.ThisisgonnabeimportantlaterwhenHelensuddenlywantstogobacktoMenelaus,whoshehasnevershownanyrespectorloveforintheshowatall,becauseit’sgoingtoseemreallystupid. IknowIsaidIwouldn’tgoonabouthelmetsandarmourtoomuch,butthesehelmetsareagoodhalfamillenniaoff!Itpainsme. ThebattlefollowsandAchillesLeeroyJenkinsthroughtheTrojanlinesonhischariothackingawaywithhissword.Fortunatelyforhim,he’sstillcoveredinplotarmourbecauseinreality,chargingintoamassofspearsonachariotisasurefirewaytogetyourselfkilled,nomatterhowgoodawarrioryouare.Also,thisisnothowchariotswereusedinbattleatthistime.Chariotsseemtohavelargelycomeintwoforms;thefirstwasamobilemissileplatformfromwhicharchersorjavelinmencouldoperate,thesecond,whichappearsinHomer,ismorelikeabattlefieldtaxiservice;youhopoffandfightonfootforabit,thenjumpbackandquicklyretreatormovetoadifferentpointofthebattle.Afewoftheheroesintheshowdoactuallydothis,Menelaus,AgamemnonandOdysseusalldo,butAchillesisapparentlytoocoolforschoolanddoeshisownthing. Toldyou,shouldawornarmour PenthesileaandAchillesthenduelorshouldIsayDUAL(costheybothusetwoswords…it’sapun.Alsodoublethebadassry).Penthesileagetskilledand,genuinequestion,whatwasthepointinhercharacterintheshow?Didsheactuallybringanythingtothestory?ThewholethingaboutherbeingatTroybecauseAchilleskilledoffherfamilyisn’tevermentionedagain,herdeathdoesn’tseemtoimpactanything,sowhyissheintheshow?Inmyth,AchillesdoesindeedkillPenthesilea,butashetakesoffherhelmetheisamazedbyherbeautybecominginstantlyenamoured.Heisheart-brokenatkillingsuchabeautyandmournsherdyingandismockedbyaGreekcalledThersitesfordoingso.AchillesthenkillsThersitesformockinghimandmakessurethatPenthesileaisgivenaproperburial.Inthemyths,asImentionedinanearlierpost,herandAchillesshareafewkeysimilarities:botharebrilliantwarriorsandbothareatTroyseekingpersonalgloryonwhatisbasicallyasuicidemission,buttragically,theyonlymeetonce–inbattle.ItisonlyaftersheiskilledthatAchillesrealises,toolate,whathehasdone.Oneisleftwonderingwhether,iftheyhadmetunderdifferentcircumstances,AchillesmighthavefoundsomeonethatcouldfillthevoidleftbyPatroclus.Thisinturnmakesusquestionwaritself:howmanypeoplehavediedatthehandsofpeoplewhomighthaveprovedtobetheirclosestfriend,ormore,indifferentcircumstances?Seehowinterestinganideathatcanbe?Buttheshowhasgotnotimeforthat!Pentheslieaiskilled,hercharacteriswastedandwemovequicklyon. Achillesgetskilledoffnextinanotherprettyanti-climacticdeathscene.HegetsshotthroughtheheelbyParis,stabbedbyPriamandtheendsupwithanarrowthroughtheneck.TheshowhasmadesolittleattempttogiveAchillesaninterestingcharacterthough,thatithardlyseemstomatter.TheshowscrappedtheideaofAchillesbeingatTroyforgloryknowingthathe’ddieyoung,akeypartofhischaracter,theshowforgotabouttheBriseissubplotandthefeudbetweenAgamemnonandAchilles,anotherkeypointofhischaracter,andtheshowdidn’tevenreallybothtoshowAchillesasthegreatestofalltheGreekheroes,arguablythedefiningpointofhischaracter.IthinkwesawAchillesfightinbattleonceintheshow,anditwasjustbeforehedied.Achilles,inthisadaptation,isn’tjustinaccuratetoGreekmyth,it’sacompletemisunderstandingofhischaracter. AsaquicksummaryofhowAchillesdiesinmyth,heisshotthroughtheanklebyapoisonedarrowfiredbyParisandguidedbyApollo.TheaccountsvarybetweenwhetherAchilleswasscalingthewallsofTroyatthetimeorwhetherhewasambushedbyParis.Eitherway,Priamhadnothingtodowithit.Asaquicksidenote,PariskillingAchillesisnotseenasaheroicact.ParisisacowardinGreekmythandtheuseofpoisonedarrowsisareflectionofthis;ParisisnotmanenoughtofaceAchillesinafairfight,likeHectordid,hehastocheatinstead.Inmyth,justaswithPatroclus,theGreeksthenholdaspectacularfuneralforAchilles,holdingbanquetsandgamesinhishonourandhisarmourishotlycontestedbybothOdysseusandAjax.Intheshow,Odysseusholdshishelmetandwalksdownabeach–powerfulstuff. Finally,there’saquickscenewhereHelenhelpsXanthiusescapeTroysothathecantellMenelausthatshe’snowhappytoreturntohimandtoherdaughter.Ifshereallywantstogoback,whydoesn’tshejustsneakoutwithhim?Peoplehavebeensneakingoutallserieswithoutanissue!AndIthinkthisepisodeisthefirsttimeHelenmentionsherdaughteragainsinceEpisode2orsomething–it’snotlikeshe’sbeenpiningforhomeallseason!Toldyouthisbitwouldseemreallystupid.Atleastitkeepswiththeshow’sthemeofschizophreniaIguess! Andthat’stheendofthisepisode,whichmeansthereisonlyonemoreleft!And,quitefrankly,thankgod.Thisepisodewasprettymuchanotherstinker.Parisisnowapparentlythisbrilliantwarriorandleaderofmen(notaccuratetomyth,ortowhatwe’veseenintheshow,atall),Priam’sscenewithAchilleshadalmostnoemotionalweight,PenthesileaturnedouttobeacompletewasteoftimeandtheBriseisplotwasadeadend.ThemoreofthesepostsI’vewritten,themoreI’verealisedhowtheshowhashandledAchilles’characterwithaboutasmuchgraceasadogflyingahelicopter.Theyhaveabsolutelynoideaaboutwhatmakeshimaninterestingcharacterandhisdeathlostallit’semotionalpunchaccordingly.Fortunately,thereisonlyonemoreepisodeleft.Andyouknowwhatthemeans?ParisHAStofinallydienextepisode!Ican’twait! Ok,solastepisodewasadisaster.Notonlywasitnotaccurateintheslightest,itwasalsoreallyboring.So,surelywecanonlygoupfromhere.Fairwarning,thisoneisalongone,somakeyourselfacupoftea,andlet’sgetstuckin! Barelyascratchonhim!Here’smethinkingAchilleswasmeanttobeinvulnerableone. WeopenonParisafterjumpingoffthecliffand,frustratingly,beingrevivedbyAmazonwarriors(noanimalsacrificeforyouthenAphrodite,mycatwillbegladtoknow).ThiswouldbeallwellandgoodifParishaddrowned,buthejumpedfromacliff!AprettyhighcliffImightadd.I’mprettysurethatwouldresultininjuriesthatalittlebitofchantingwouldn’tbeabletoheal–likeabrokenbackorskull.AquicktitbitaboutAmazons,inAncientGreeceitwasthoughtthattheword“Amazon”camefrom“a-mastos”,meaningwithoutbreast,whichiswheretheideaofAmazonscuttingoffonebreastcomesfrom.Atthesametime,itisalmostimpossibletofindthisdepictedinGreekartwheretheyareusuallyshownquitehappilyasbeingbreasticallysymmetrical.So,itseemstohavebeenuptointerpretation,theshowchoosingtogoforthelatter.Noproblemthere. Nextthere’sasceneofHectortalkingtoawoundedyoungsoldiercalledAstyanaxaftertheTrojanslostthebattle(despitehavinga2:1advantageastheshowmadeclearlastepisode).Asweseelaterinthisepisode,Hectornameshisownsonafterthisguy.ThisisnotaccuratetoGreekmythatall.InHomer,Hector’ssonisactuallycalledScamandrius,afteranearbyriver,butheisnicknamedAstyanax,meaningdefenderofthecity,bytheTrojanpeopleduetohisfatherbeingTroy’sgreatestwarrior.ThisisanicetouchinthemythsbecauseitshowsjusthowlovedandreveredHectoristothepeopleofTroy–he’snotjusttheirprinceorleader,heistheirbesthopeandasourceofhugeprideforthem.It’sashamethattheshowmissesoutonthisnuanceandthiswholebitwithHectornaminghissonafterarandomsoldierfeelsrathercrowbarredin. There’sthenaquicklittlescenewhereaboyasksasoldier“didyoukillanyGreeks?”AquickpointthatIalsoshouldhavementionedearlierbutthatI’lljustslipinhere:theword“Greeks”onlyappearsonceinTheIliad.Therewasn’treallyanideaofaunifiedGreekstateorpeopleatthistime,soinsteadofreferringtothemasGreeksHomerreferstothembytheirethnic‘tribes’namelyAchaeans(used589times),Argives(appearing182)andDanaans(138times).Iunderstandwhytheshowdidn’tdothisbecauseitmighthavebeenfairlyconfusingtoamodernaudience,sothisisreallyjustaninterestingnuggetwhichyoucanimpressorboreyourfriendswith. MovingonabitandParisisintroducedtoPenthesilea,theAmazonianqueen(amItheonlyonewhogetsadistinctEddieRedmaynevibefromthisactress?)Penthesileadoesn’tappearinHomer’s Iliad,butshedoesappearinvariousotherGreekmythsregardingtheTrojanWar,sotheshowhassolidjustificationforincludinghercharacter.Theshowhasjumpedthemythologicalgunabit,however,asshedoesn’tappearuntilaftertheeventsoftheIliad,i.e.untilafterHectors’death.Wedon’tspendtoolongwithherthoughaswe’requicklywhiskedbacktoTroy. Onceyouseeit……youcan’tunseeit InthecityHelenandPriamarelookingoverPandarus’body(sorryIforgottomentionhediedlastepisode.)Thisisalsonotaccuratetomyth.AsI’vementionedinapreviouspost,Pandarusdoesappearinthe IliadbutasaTrojanwarriorwithaparticularknackforarchery.Insteadofbeingkilledbyaspyandputondisplay,inHomerheiskilledinbattlebytheabsolutely,amazinglycoolGreekheroDiomedeswhocriminallybarelyappearintheshow.Incidentally,PandarusinShakespeareactsasagobetweenbetweenTroillusandCressidahelpingtofacilitatetheirrelationship,andsoit’sfromhisnamethatwegettheword“pander”.Themoreyouknow. HelenthenmeetsXanthiusagainwhotriestoconvincehertoleaveTroy,onceagain.Ithinkthatpartofthereasonthatthissub-plotdoesn’tworkandissoboringisbecausethestoryoftheTrojanWarissowellknown.EveryoneknowsthatHelendoesn’tjustgobacktotheGreeks,everyoneknowsthatsheisonlyreclaimedafterthewar.Sothiswholestorylinejustseemsabitpointlessandawasteoftime. It’sallfunandgamesuntilakidgetsanarrowinthehead. BacktotheAmazonsandthey’repracticingtheirarcherywhilstlittlechildrenruninbetweentargets.Now,IknowthattheshowistryingtoshowtheAmazonsasbeing“badass”butdoesn’tthisseemjustalittlecarelessanddangerous?PenthesileatellsParisthatshe’sheretokillAchillesandhasagrudgeofsomesortagainsthim.Now,themythsarealittlehazyonPenthesileabecauseherbackstorylargelyseemstohavebeenlargelycontainedintheEpicCycle,acollectionofpoemsthattakesupthestoryoftheTrojanWarimmediatelyfollowingHomer,manyofwhichhavebeenlostcompletelyoronlysurviveinfragments. Inatleastoneversionthatweknowof,PenthesileaaccidentallykilledhersisterHippolytaandissoovercomewithgriefthatshewishestodie.Asawarrior,however,shewantstodieanobledeathsobasicallygoestoTroyonasuicidemission.Thisisonlyoneversionthough,andHippolytainvariousothermythsiskilledbyHeracles,Theseus,orMolpadia(Hippolytadoesn’tseemtohavebeenveryluckyinmyths).ThoughthedeathofHippolytaisambiguous,theideaofPenthesileabeingeffectivelyonasuicidemissionforgloryfitsthethemesofthe Iliadwell,especiallywhencomparedtoAchilles.AchilleshasbeenprophesisedthatifhestaysatTroy,hewillfindeternalglorybutwilldie.Thetwoheroes,therefore,havethesamemotivationandappearalmostaskindredspiritsmakingtheireventualconfrontationevenmorepoignant. Oooh,wounddabbing!Mustmeanthatathreesomeisroundthecorner. TheshowdescribestoscrapthisandinascenewhereanotherAmazonianwarriorlooksafterParis,itisrevealedthatAchillesapparentlykilledPenthesilea’s“daughters,sistersandsoldiers.”ThisisnotaccuratetoanymythIknowof;AchillesneverfightstheAmazonsexceptforatTroy.ThisisyetanotherexamplewheretheshowignoresthesubtlethemesandcomplexcharactermotivationsofGreekmyths,insteaddecidingtoboilitalldowntorevenge.Hownovel. JumpingbacktotheGreekcampforashortscenewhereOdysseusagaintriestoconvinceAchillestofight.AsIsaidinmylastpost,thisshouldactuallybeabigandimportantscene,heck,it’sawholechapterinthe Iliad.Inthemyth,itisvitalthatAchillesre-jointheGreeksastheyhavebeentakingapoundingfromHectorwithouthim.WhattheshowshouldhavedoneishavehadtheGreekslosethebattleagainsttheTrojansandtheninsertthesceneofOdysseustryingtoconvinceAchillesfromlastepisodehere.AstheGreekswonthebattleintheshow,despitebeingoutnumbered2:1,ithardlyseemsliketheyneedAchillesatall! Theshowthentriestousealittleloopholetogetaroundtheprophecy,thatitestablishedinthefirstepisode,ofTroybeingdoomedifParisstilllives.ApparentlybecauseParis‘died’afterjumpingoffthecliff,thatfulfilstheprophecy.Aphroditeactuallyrestatestheprophecy:“TroywillfallwhileParislives.”Now,I’mnotadoctornoralawyer,butParisseemsverydefinitelyalive,sothefactthathedieddoesn’treallymatter.Hestilllives,sosurelyTroyisstilldoomed?Hopefullythisisjusttheshowthrowingoutacurveball,becauseTroybetterstillbedoomed,andI’mgonnabeseriouslydisappointedifwedon’tfinallygettoseeParisdie.Preferablyinanoverlygruesomeway. AnywaysParisthenzoomsbacktoTroyinthenextscene(strangehespentawholeepisoderunningawayfromitbutcangetbackthereawfullyfast)andsomehowjustwalksintothecity!Didsomeoneleavethegateopenagain?!HavetheseTrojansnotlearntthatperhapstheyshouldputaguardtherebynow?!Anyways,hegoesstraighttoHelenandtheyhavesex,ofcourse.Becausethat’stheonlywayofshowinghowinlovepeopleare.Screwintimateconversation,orimagery,justshowthemhavingsex,that’sallpeopleinlovedoinreallife. Movingonabit,ParismastermindsaplanwithHector;theywillgowithDeiphobus,Troilus,Aeneas,andfiveothermentoraidtheGreekcampwithreinforcementstofollow.Aeneasdoespointintheshowhowstupidthisis,andhe’s100%rightinthisassessment.Firstly,only10mentostartoffwith?Andalso,whyincludeallofthehighestrankingTrojans?Ifthisraiddidgobadly,that’dbetheendofthewarfortheTrojans.Luckilythey’regoinginwithsignificantamountsofplotarmourfornow.Oh,andyes,ofcoursetheyjustwalkthroughtheGreeksiegelines.TheterribleabilityoftheTrojansandGreekstostoppeoplejuststrollinginandoutofthecityisoneofthefewthingsthattheshowisconsistenton. Butanyways,thetenTrojansthenmeetupwithtwoAmazonians,bringingthemuptoaformidabletwelve,andraidtheGreekcamp.Thisbattleisveryroughlybasedonabattlethatdoesappearinthe Iliad.Inthe Iliad,however,theGreeksaren’tstupidenoughtojustleavetheirsuppliesexposed.WhentheyfirstlandedinTroytheybuiltacampsurroundedbyditchesandwalls.Fromthisoutpost,theythenraidTroy’salliesandmeettheTrojanforcesintheopengroundbetweenthecityandtheGreekcamp.AfterAchillesrefusestofight,theTrojansmanagetopushtheGreeksbackinsidethewallsoftheircamp,Hectorthenleadingahugeassaultagainstthecampwhichisfairlysuccessful,burninganumberofGreekships.Thisisthebattlethatisbeingreferencedintheshow.Howeverinmyth,theAmazonsaren’tinvolvedinthewaratthistime,theTrojansdon’tjuststrollpasttheMyrmidons,andthebattledoesn’tstartwithasmallTrojanraid.SotheshowgetsaccuracypointsforincludingabattlementionedinTheIliadandlosesalotfordoingalamejobportrayingit. SothisnumbercanholdofftheentireGreekarmy,buttheycan’twina2:1battle? Also,fromwhattheshowhasshownus,here’sthesituation:Achilles,theMyrmidonsandthesuppliesareallbackatthebeachwiththeGreekcamp,therestoftheGreekarmyhaspushedupclosertotheTrojanwalls;HectorandtheTerrificTwelveareraidingtheGreekcampandtherestoftheoftheTrojansareinsidethecityreadytocomeouttoreinforceHector.Here’stheproblem,assoonastheTrojansbegintheirraidaguardringsthebelltoraisethealarm(atleastoneguardisdoinghisjob)andalltheGreekscomerunningbacktothecamp.SothatmeansHectorand11otherpeopleheldoffalmosttheentireGreekarmyuntiltheTrojansinsideTroycouldmakeitbacktoreinforcethem!Hectorisanawesomewarriorinmyth,nodoubtaboutit,butevenhewouldstruggleagainstthepresumablythousandsstrongGreekarmy. Doeslooklikethefigureofawomanjustabouttogivebirthtoanyone?! Fastforwardabitandhangon…Andromacheisgivingbirth?!SheonlygotpregnantinEpisode4!ThatmeansthatParisspentroughly9monthsrunningawayduringEpisode5!HereallydidmakeitbacktoTroyfastaftermeetingthoseAmazons!Also,theTrojansweremeanttoberunningoutofsuppliesinEpisode3,tothepointthattheywerekillingworkanimals.Thewholetunnelideawasacompletedeadend,sohowhavetheTrojansbeengettingbyforthelast9months?AndwhyisAndromachegivingbirthinastablewithoutanymidwives?Theshowhasalreadyestablishedthattherearemidwives,evenonesspecificallyfortheroyalfamily,sowhyisaprincessjustgivingbirth,onherown,inastable?Thissceneisjuststupid.WhydidtheshownotjusthaveAndromachepregnantatthestartoftheseries?Oralreadywithababy?Thatmighthaveactuallybeenacleverwaytoshowthepassagetimebyshowingherpregnancydeveloporthechildgrowingup.Instead,byhavinghergivebirthnow,they’vekindofscrewedwiththeirowntimeline. BacktothebattleonthebeachandPatroclusleadstheMyrmidonsoutinAchilles’armour,fightsHectoranddies.Thisdoeshappeninthe Iliadbutitisslightlydifferent.AchillesallowsPatroclustowearhisarmourandleadtheMyrmidonswhentheGreeksareseriouslystrugglingagainsttheTrojans,butordershimtoreturnafterbeatingtheTrojansbackandtonotgivechase.PatroclusnotonlyfendsoftheTrojanattacks,butleadstheGreeksinpursuit,defyingAchilles.Hefightswell,cuttingthroughafairfewTrojansincludingapersonalfavouriteofmine(alsoforgottenbytheshow),Sarpedon.But,ApolloactuallyintervenesontheTrojansidemessingwithPatroclusanditisafterthisthatHectorkillshim. Tobefairtoshow,despitethedifferencesIdidenjoythePatroclusvsHectorbit.IliketheeffectofthewholebattlegoingsilentandAchilleslisteningintentlytotheclangingofHectorandPatroclus’swordsonlybeingsnappedoutofitbyPatroclus’screamofpain.EarlierintheepisodeAchillesreferencedhowwhenhefightsaworthyopponentthewholebattlefieldseemstogosilentandthearmiessimplywatchhimduelwithhisopponent.Thisisareferencetothestyleoffightinginthe Iliadwhere,alongsidemassbrawls,keyheroesoftensquareoffoneononewitheachotherandduelinthemidstofthebattlefield.TheshowdoesanicejobincapturingthissamefeelingwithHectorfightingPatroclus.Welldone,show.You’renota100%disasterafterall.Justabouta90%disaster. HiSon,byeSon,gonnagodieSon.Realpowerful. Hectorthenmeetshischild,Astyanax,forthefirstandlasttime.ThisisanodtofamouslytragicsceneintheIliad.Inalullinthefighting,Hectorreturnstothecitytoseehiswifeandson.Hissonisinitiallyterrifiedofhisfather,notrecognisinghiminhisarmourandscaredofhisintimidatinghelmet.Hectorthencomfortshim,wishingthathissonwillgrowuptooutstriphisownachievements.ThishappensinBook6ofthe IliadanditisthelasttimethatHectorwilleverseehissonbeforehediesatAchilleshandsinbook22.Throughoutthewholeofthestoryitisclear,therefore,whatmotivatesHector;hisloveforhisfamilyandcountry.WhenHectordies,AndromacherealisesthatthelasthopeofTroydieswithhimandthatAstyanaxwillneverbeabletoachievethethingshisfatherwantedforhimandthathewillbedoomedtoalifeofservitudeorbekilledbytheGreeks.Ifyou’venotreadthe Iliad,Iurgeyoutodoso,becausethedescriptionofeventslikethesearetrulybeautiful,tragicandheartfeltinequalmeasureandtheyarenotdonejusticehere.Intheshow,therehasnotbeenenoughtimetobuildupthiskindofrelationshipbetweenHectorandhisson,andsothescenelosesalotofitspunch. Movingonabit,AchillesburnsPatroclusbodyandgoestothecitytoduelHector,killingprisonersinfrontofthecitytodrawhimout.ThingsplayoutabitdifferentlyinGreekmyth.Insteadofkillingprisonersinfrontofthecity,Achillesactuallysacrifices12TrojannoblesonPatroclus’pyreathisfuneral.AchilleslaterdoesindeedduelHectorbut,beforedoingso,AgamemnonreturnsBriseistoAchilles,swearingthatheneversleptnortouchedherandapologisesfortakingherinthefirstplace(theshowseemstohavecompletelyforgottenaboutthewholeBriseis/Achillessub-plot).This,combinedwiththedeathofPatroclus,convincesAchillestoreturntobattle,andhegoesonabloodthirstyrampage.ThisisthefirsttimeweseeAchillesfightingwithhisfullrageandskill;healmostsinglehandilyturnsthebattleintheGreeksfavour,evenfightingariverGodwhoisenragedthatAchilleshasfilledhisriverwithsomanydead.ThewholeTrojanarmyfleesbeforehimandretreatsinsidethecitytoregroup,withjustHectorstandingaloneoutsidethegatesofTroytofaceAchilles. PriamandHecubatrytoconvinceHectornottofightandtoruninsidethecity,andHectorhesitatesbutstandshisground.WhenAchillescharges,however,HectoristerrifiedatthesightofhiminsuchangerandrunsaroundTroythreetimestotryandavoidhim.HethenrealisesthathisfateanddeathareinthehandsofthegodsandsquaresuptoAchilles,preparingtofight.Beforetheyduel,HectortriestomakeanagreementwithAchillesthatwhoeverdiesbegiventheproperfuneralrites,anofferwhichAchillesspurns.TheyhavetheduelandAthenaintervenes,helpingAchillesbyreturninghisthrownspear.Atthispoint,Hectorrealisesthatthegodshavedecidedhewilldie.Heacceptsthisfate,drawshisswordandchargesAchillesbeforebeingkilled. IcansortofunderstandwhytheshowdecidednottoshowHectorrunningaroundthecityandwhyAthena’sinterventionintheduelwasn’tshownbecausethesethingsmightseemalittleoutofplaceorstrangetoamodernaudience.Butsofarintheserieswehaven’tactuallyseenAchillesproperlyfight;itwouldhavebeennicetohaveincludedsomeofAchillesonarampagetoestablishjusthowprolificawarriorheisbeforefacingHector,aswellasincludingHectorbeingtheonlyTrojantostandhisgroundoutsidethecitybecauseittrulyshowsHectorasthelastdefenceandgreatestwarriorofTroy.Instead,intheshow,wejumpfromPatroclusdying,totheduelanditallfeelsratherrushedandlosestheemotionalimpactofHector’sdeathislost. Theduelitselfishandledfine.ButIcouldn’thelpbutthemultiplesimilaritiestothefilmTroywithBradPittandEricBana.Firstly,there’sAchillesscreaming“Hector!”inalmosttheexactsamewayasBradPitt,there’stheTrojannobleswatchingtheduelfromacanopiedtower,justlikeinthefilm,Hectorgettingabrokenspearinhisleftshoulder,AchillesdrawinghisswordfrombehindhisshieldandAchillesusinghisshieldbehindhisback.Honestly,re-watchthescenefromtheshowandcompareitthescenefromTroy:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NQ62frK74u0 I’mnotsayingthattheshowdidabadjobofportrayingtheduel,butwhenIwatcheditallIcouldthinkofwashowmuchbetteritappearedinthefilm. Incidentally,HectoractuallydiesaratherquickdeathinHomerviaAchilles’spearthroughhisneck.Afterhisdeath,hisbodyisthendesecrated:GreeksoldiersstabhisdeadbodyandAchillescutshisankles,tyingaropethroughthecutsanddragginghisbodybehindhischariot.Theshowdoestheankleandbodydraggingbit,sokudosthere. Andthat’stheendoftheepisode!Sorrythatthispostwassolong,buttherewasactuallyawholelottodissectinthisone.IthinkthatisthemainproblemthatIhavewithitreally.Injustonehour,wehavesomeofthemostimportanteventsoftheentireTrojanWarcrammedinatonce:tryingtoconvinceAchillestore-jointhefight,thebattleonthebeach,Patroclusdying,Achilleswantinghisrevenge,Hector’slastmomentswithhisfamily,theduelandthendeathofHector.InTheIliadtheseeventsarespreadoutthroughoutbooks(morelikechapters)6-22,witheachonealmostgettingawholechapterdedicatedtothem.Intheshowthey’realldoneinoneepisode.Itlosessomuchoftheemotionalweightthatthesescenesshouldhave.Therehavebeensomanyboring,lameanddeadendstorylinesintheshowthatcouldhavebeencutsoastogivethesecrucialmomentsthetimetheydeserve.But,Ihavetosay,therewereacoupleofsolidmoments,andintermsofaccuracy,thisepisodewasahugestepupfromthetravestyofthepreviousone,thoughthat’snotreallysayingmuch. KeepaneyeoutfortheEpisode7writeupcomingsoontoablognearyou(namelythisone). Asaquick,blanketheadsupforthiswholeepisode,basicallynoneofitisevenremotelyaccurateandit’salllargelyterrible.JustthoughtI’dletyouknow! TheepisodekicksoffwithPandarus,thisseries’Littlefinger/Varyshybrid,tellingHelenthattheycouldn’tfindParis…becausechasingdownamanonfootdespitehavingatonofhorses(whichweseethisepisode)issupposedlytoodifficult.It’salsoapparentlyveryhardtogetinandoutofthecity,whichiswhytheTrojansdidn’tsendmoremenafterhim.TellthattoAchilles,Patroclus,HectorandParis,they’vebeenpoppinginandouthappyasLarry!AndapparentlytheGreekscan’tfindPariseither!Isaidlastepisodetheyshouldhavechasedafterhimstraightaway,IfeelalmostasprescientasCassandraatthispoint. SpeakingofCassandra,HectorthanpullsherupinfrontofPriamandhasagoathimforwantingtokillParisasababy.Tobefair,itwasn’tsomanyepisodesagothatHectorhimselfwasthinkingofkillingParis.Ok,hedidn’tdoitintheend,butneitherdidPriamsoit’sabithypocriticalforhimtobehavingagoatPriamhere.Evenmorestrangely,HectoractuallysayslaterinthescenethatperhapsheshouldhavekilledParisandcallsoffthesearchforhim,resigninghimtohisfateattheGreekshandsandsaying“theGodshavebeenclear.”IhadnoideathatHectorwassobipolar!He’sgonefromberatingPriamatthestartofthesceneforwantingtohavePariskilled,totheneffectivelysentencingParistodeathhimself!Ohanditshouldbasicallygowithoutsayingthat,onceagain,noneofthisisinGreekmyth. Cassandraseemstohavearatherinteresting,andamusing,formofTourette’sinthisadaptation.Everynowandthenshewailssomethingaboutblackbloodoraprophecyandthengoesbacktosleep. Idon’tknowwhyCassandraisinthissceneatallreally.Shedoesn’tsayoraddanythingtothescene.Allwe’veseenofhersofarthisseriesisheractingabitmadeverynowandthenandspoutingoffafewsentencesfromherbed.Easilyoneofthemostpointlesscharactersintheshow,andthere’salotofcompetitionforthattitle!   RighthereMenelaus,thisistheexacttimeyoublewyourchancelastepisode.Ifyou’dmovedthatswordjustatinybitmore,youcouldhavesavedusallfromtheParissubplotthisepisode. OdysseusandMenelausthenhavealittletiffaboutwhetherornotMenelausballsedupinthelastepisodebynotkillingParis.TobefairtoOdysseus,MenelauscategoricallydidmissthechancetokillParis,buttheGreeksdidn’thelpthemselvesbynotbloodychasinghim!AsImentionedinthelastwriteup,in theIliadParisisactuallyspiritedawaybyAphroditesoMenelausisn’ttoblame.ButtheshowhastokeephatingonMenelaussomehow! Onamorepositivenote,OdysseusisoneofthefewcharactersintheshowIactuallygetonwith.He’ssmartandcunning,asheshouldbe,andBenjenStarkdoesagoodjobofportrayingsomeoneexasperatedwiththepeoplearoundhim…thoughthatmaybetheactor’sgenuinereactiontobeingonthisshow. Theold‘LyingontheFloor’ployneverfails…eventhoughweseetheGreeksliterallywalkpasthim.It’snotevennight,youcanseethesunlight! TheGreeksthensendoutanothersearchpartytofindParisandoneguycomplainsaboutthemdoingallthehardworkwhileAchillesjustsitsinhistentandsulksinsteadoffighting.Thislinedoesn’treallyworkbecauseA–noneoftheotherleadersarehelpingthesearch(Agamemnon,Odysseusandalltheothersstayatthecamp)andB–noone’sfighting,soAchilleshasn’tmissedoutonanything.Sowhydoestheguysaythisline?Becauseit’sclunkyexpositionwhichcanbeconvenientlyoverheardbythemostobviousspyinhistory.He’sliterallyjustlyinginthesand,andthesearchpartywalksrightbyhim. Thisisthesearchparty!Iftheycan’tseeaguylyingonthefloorafewmetresawayfromthem,howoneartharetheygonnafindParis?Ohsidenote,thisguyALSOdoesn’tseemtofindittoohardtogetinandoutofthecity… TheTroyplotplodsonwithPandaruslookingforaspyinthecity(Istilldon’tquiteunderstandwhyHelencan’tjustsaythatAchillesbrokein)andHelenmovingtothe“widow’squarters”.Surprise,surprise,noneofthishappensinanymytheither.Pandarusisinthe Iliad,buthe’saproperwarriorandagiftedarcher,notsomekindofspymaster.PriamthensaysthathethoughtPariscomingbackwasasignthatthegodshadforgivenhim…despitehispriestrepeatedlytellinghimthatthiscategoricallywasn’tthecase.PriamactuallybanishedthePriestinthefirstepisodeforsayingthatPariswouldstillbringruintothecity.It’sasifeveryoneintheshowseemstohaveaseverecaseofshorttermmemoryloss. HelenthenmeetswiththeGreekmanontheinside,Xanthius,and(aswithAchilles)shedoesn’ttellanyoneinTroyabouthim.I’veaddressedthispointbefore,butI’llrestateithere:theshowhasnotdoneenoughtoconvincetheviewerthatshehasanyloyaltiestotheGreeksandsothereisnoreasonsheshouldn’tbealertingtheTrojans.Inthe Iliad,sheistornbetweentheTrojansandtheGreeks,respectingmenonbothsidesoftheconflict.Intheshow,noattempthasbeenmadetoshowherashavingsympathiesfortheGreeks,she’ssaidmultipletimehowmuchshehatesMenelaus,howshedoesn’twanttogoback,andsosheseemstowanttobeTrojanthroughandthrough.Thatbeingthecase,thewholeideaofHelennottellingtheTrojansabouttheGreekspyseemscompletelyoutofcharacterintheshowanddoesn’tfitinatall. Paris,stillontherun,goesbacktohisshepherdinglifestyleandseeshisold“dad”Agelaus.AphroditethenblamesZeusforhavingstartedallofthisbymastermindingtheJudgementofParis.Nope,notinmyths.It’sactuallyEris,thegoddessofstrife,whoistoblamefortheJudgementasshepresentsHera,AthenaandAphroditewithagoldenappleengraved“tothefairest”.ZeusthendecidesthatPariswillbetheonetomakethejudgementoverwhothewinneris,buthe’snotthemastermindbehinditall.TheParisplotisabsolutelypainful,mainlybecauseIloathehischaracterintheshow,solet’smoveonasfastaspossible. HectorleadsalittlepartyouttotalkwiththeGreeksandthreatensthatifthey’renotgonebythemorning,theTrojanswillsend100horsesintotheGreekcamptokillthemallashe’sinnomoodformercy(well,apparentlyhe’sinthemoodforatleastonenightsmercy).HealsoinformsusthattheTrojansoutnumbertheGreeks2:1.UnfortunatelyforHector,thisisallkindsofwrong.Inthe Iliadatleast,HomerputstheGreekarmyatabout100,000andtheTrojansat50,000.Thesenumbersmightbeexaggerationsoftheactualhistoricalsizesofthearmy,butit’sasoundassumptionthattheGreekshadmorementhantheTrojans;thelistofGreekalliesissignificantlylongerthantheTrojans,plus,it’saprettystupidmovetobesiegealargerforcethanyourown.Eitherway,itshouldbetheTrojanswhoareoutnumberedandthe100horseswouldn’tpresenttoomuchofaproblemforsuchalargeGreekforce.Hectoralsolatermentionsthathewill“ride[theGreeks]intothesea”.No,noyouwon’tHector.Mountedcavalrymendon’tappearuntilaboutthemid-800sBC,about400yearsaftertheTrojanWar.Beforethat,itwasallchariots. OdysseuspopsintoseeAchillesandtriestoconvincehimtostartfighting.Thisdoeshappeninthe Iliad,sotheshowcanpatitselfonthebackforthat,butit’sgotalotmoreweighttoitinHomer.Inhistellingofthemyth,thefightinghasbeenragingonwhileAchillessitsbackinhistent.Heroesonbothsidesaredyingandbeingwounded,theGreeksarebeingpushedback,andtheneedforAchillestore-jointhebattleisclear.Intheshow,nothinghashappened.Achilleshasn’tmissedanybattleyet,nofightinghasbeendone,sowedon’treallyunderstandtheGreeksdesperationforhavinghimback.TheshowshouldhavescrappedthewholeParisbeinghuntedplot,andinsteadfocusedonshowingabattleortwotoshowhowmuchAchillesismissedwhenhe’snotthere.Orjusthavesavedthissceneuntillatertheshowaftersomeactualfightinghasbeendone. TheTrojans,thefamous“TamersofHorses”,allowingalloftheirhorsestojustrunoutthefrontgatewithoutdoinganythingtotryandstopthem. TheTrojanspy,stilljustlyinginthesand,isthencaughtbyOdysseusbutonlywiththehelpofAthena,despiteOdysseusbeingmeremetresfromthespy(hasthisguygotaninvisibilitycloakorsomethingthatonlygoddessescanseethrough?!)ThisspyturnsouttobeBriseis’brotherandhehelpstheGreeksoutbyreleasingallthehorsesinTroy.Honestly,thesebloodyTrojansareuseless!Peoplewalkinandoutofthecityastheypleaseand,worsethanthat,thisguyisabletoleavethegatesopenlongenoughforatleast100horsestorunout.Wesawthatthereweretwonumptiesguardingthehorses,butisnooneguardingthegate?!Whyisnoonemakingsureitstaysshutduringasiege?Andwhywhenthefirstfewhorsesboltout,doesnoonethentrystoptherestfromgettingout?! Butfinally,theGreeksdecidetoattack!HectorismadeawareofthesituationandisalarmedthattheTrojansonlyhave“men,againsthorsesandchariots”.ANDWALLSHECTOR!Thosemassivewallssurroundingthecity,they’regonnabeprettyeffectiveagainsthorsesandchariots.Justmakesuresomeoneshutstheblastedgatesthistime,waitatthetopofthewallsandtheGreeksdon’tstandachance.Attackingcitiesatthistimeinhistorywasincrediblytricky.Basically,it’dcomedowntoeitherstarvingthecityout,orgettingamanontheinsidetoopenthegates.But,I’lloverlookthistacticalblunder,becausewe’refinallygoingtogetsomemuchneededaction! ComeonAphrodite,justlethimgo.Youknowyouwantto.I’mwillingtosacrificesomekindofsmallmammalinyournameifyoudo. Themenallarmthemselvesand…ohno,nopleaseno.Damnit,we’rebackwithParis.I’mlosingthewillatthispoint,sotoquicklysumup,hegoesbacktovisithispastgirlfriend(tenpointsifyourememberedherfromEpisode1),criesoverAgelausdying,doesaquickrecreationoftheStellascenefromStreetcarNamedDesirebyyelling“HELLENNN”andthenjumpsoffacliff.DespiteitnotappearinginanymythofParisever,IwouldactuallyloveitifthenextepisodecouldstartwithParisgoingsplatontherocksbelowandridusallofthisawfulcharacter.Unfortunately,Idon’tthinkwe’regoingtobethatluckyandI’msureAphroditewillcometosavehim.Ifheisdead,IwillgladlyofferasacrificetoAphroditeasgratitude. Thisepisodewasterrible.IthinktheonlythingthathappensinthisepisodethatappearsinmythsisOdysseustryingtopersuadeAchillestofight,andeventhatwasbadlyhandled.TheshowisabouttheTrojanWar,it’sgot3episodesleft,andwe’veyettoseeasingleproperbattle.Wewastesomuchtimeonthesenon-plots,likePandarussnoopingaroundthecityandParisbeinghunted,thatthemainstory,thefallofTroy,hashardlyprogressedatall!Inthesecondepisode,attheend,therewasareallynicequicklittlescenethatlistedsomeoftheGreekandTrojanheroes,Diomedes,Sarpeden,Glauccus,Ajax,whatthehellhappenedtoallofthem?!Whyhaven’ttheyappearedsincethen? OneofthemainthemesoftheIliadISwar,howdevastatingitis,howeventhemostnobleandbravestofmenaren’tsparedfromit,howiteffectsmenfromthehighestrolesinsocietytothelowest.Theshowdoesnotunderstandthisatall.It’smoreinterestedintryingtoturnthewholethingintoaB-ratesoapopera! Asyoucantell,thiswasnotanenjoyableepisodeforme.Idon’tholdoutalotofhopeforthenextone,butitreallycan’tgetmuchworsethanthis! Seeyounexttime.   Firstly,myapologiesforfallingabitbehindwithallofthis!Marchprovedtobeaparticularlychaoticmonthforme.ButI’mnowbackandplayingcatchup,solet’sjumpbackinwithEpisode4andseehowaccurateitisandhowitstacksupcomparedtomythorhistory! Yup,justgoaheadandburnallthosesupplies,I’msuretheywouldn’tbeofanyuseatalltoanarmyinenemyterritory… It’sthestartoftheepisode,thetunnelsarealldugthroughandAchillesraidstheTrojans.Ascoveredlastweek,thewholeGreatEscapestorylinedoesnotappearinanymyth,butthisraidactuallydoesaswellasAchilleskillingAndromache’sfatherEetion.ThesiegeofTroylastedforoverfor10years,andtherewaslotsofraidingofthesurroundingareabytheGreekstotryandweakenTroybygoingafterherallies,aswellasscavengingforsupplies.Here,theGreeksraidtheTrojansandforsomereasondon’ttakeallthesuppliesbutdecidedtoburnitallinstead.WhatwiththeGreeksallowingpeopletoslipthroughtheirsiegelineslastepisode,andnowburningprecioussupplies,I’msurprisedthattheymanagedtoconqueranything!Also,thesesuppliesareheadingstraightintothetunnelsright?SohowdidtheGreeksnotseeit?IunderstandthatEetionsentamessengertoblockthemup,butnoneoftheGreekssawthisratherlargetunnelbeforehandandthoughtitmightbeuseful?!Anyways,wegetaquickintroductiontoBriseis(don’tholdyourbreath,theostrichfromEpisode1getsaboutasmuchcharacterdevelopmentasshedoes)andEetiongetstherewardformostanticlimaticdeathoftheshowsofar. FastforwardingtheepisodealittleandParistellsHelenthatitwasAchilleswholedtheattack.See,ifsheortheTrojanservantwhospottedAchilleshadraisedthealarmlastepisode,theycouldhavecapturedAchillesrightthereandthenandpreventedallthisfromhappening!Toldyouthey’dregretnotdoingthat. Stage1:Knifetothethroat.Stage2:Threesome.Makesperfectsensetome. OverintheGreekcamp,BriseisiswithAchilles,andChryseiswithAgamemnon.PatroclusdabsacutonBriseis’headandBriseisthreatensPatrcoluswithaknifetohisthroatbeforeAchillesmakesherreleasehim.Thisdoesn’thappeninanymyth,buttheBriseisplotisgoingtomoveatbreakneckpace.ThisisaboutasmuchcharacterisationandrelationshipbuildingwearegoingtogetforBriseisthisepisode. TheAgamemnon/Chryseisplotisalsoalittlestrange.Agamemnonsays“she’snother”andtalkstoChryseisanawfullotabouthisdaughter.TheshowkindaseemstobesuggestingthatAgamemnonistryingtouseChryseisasasubstituteforIphigenia.Thisismadeevenmoreawkwardafterherapesher.IstheshowtryingtosuggestAgamemnonhadsomekindofsexualfeelingsforhisdaughter?Ifso,that’sdefinitelynottrue.I’lladmit,thismightbemereadingabittoomuchintotheshowhowever,andImighthavemisinterpretedthis.Theirrelationshipdoesn’tgettoomuchdevelopmentinthe Iliadeithertobefair,asChryseisonlyappearsatthestartofthebook.However,Agamemnondoesmentionthatsheisbeautiful,cleverandtalented,andsofarasweknow,heneverrapedher.Hegoesasfar,infact,assayingthatheprefershertohiswifeClytemnestraandwishestotakeherhomewithhim,hencewhyheinitiallydoesnotwanttogiveChryseisback. Wethenseethisfigure,whoIassumeisApollo,wanderingaroundthecampandspreadingplagueasapunishmentforAgamemnonnotreturningChryseistoherfatherwhoisapriestofApollo.IntheIliad,ApollodoesindeedspreadplagueintheGreekcampinretribution,buthedoessobyshootingarrows,whichareinvisibletomortals,toinfectpeople.ThiswasHomer’sinterpretationofhowplaguewasspread.Tobefair,IcanunderstandwhytheshowchangedthisastheideaofApollospreadingplaguebyshootingpeoplewitharrowsmightbefairlydifficulttocommunicatevisually;soaminor,butforgivable,change. Thisepisodealsogivesusamoresolidideaofthetimelinenow,whichtheshowhasplayedabitfastandloosewith.Asestablishedlastepisodethesiegehasbeengoingonforaboutayearnow.Apollo’splaguehappensrightatthestartofthetheIliad,sointhe10thyearofthesiege.Theshow,itseems,haddecidedtocutoutthe9yearsinbetweenthestartofthesiegeandthisplague.Thisisabitofashameasthelengthofthesiegedoesalotforestablishingthecharactersinthe Iliad.Forinstance,althoughwedon’tactuallyhearofAchillesfightingtoomuchatthestartofthebook,hispastdeedsarereferencedafairamount,soweunderstandhimtohaveprovedhimselfalreadyasanexcellentfighter.Furthermore,therelationshipbetweencharactersisalsogivenmoreweightasweunderstandthattheyhaveknowneachotherforlongerthanwehearofinthebookalone.Forexample,BriseisistakenfromAchillesatthestartofthebookandAchillesissoenragedthatherefusestofightuntilsheisreturnedtohim.Iftheyhadonlyjustmetthenthiswouldseemlikeanoverreaction,butasthe Iliadoccursinthe10thyearofthesiege,andthroughvariousspeechesgiveninthebook,itisclearthatAchillesandBriseishavebeentogetherforawhileandhavedevelopedalovingrelationship.Moreonthislater! ThiswholeshowisgoingoftherailsonaCrazyTrain. ParisdoeshisbestOzzyOsbourneimpressionsbitingtheheadoffadoveand,again,thiswholesubplotofHectordebatingwhetherornotheshouldkillParisisnotinanymyth.Ifeelabitbadaboutjustregurgitatingthesesamepoints,butthat’spartoftheproblemwiththeshow.Notmuchisgoingon.Inthisepisode,theonlythingsthatreallyhappeninTroyareAndromachebeingpregnantandsacrificingahorse,that’saboutit.Wearehalfwaythroughtheseason,andtheTrojanplothasnotreallymovedforwardsinceHelenarrivedatTroy.Wespentlastepisodefocusingonthewholetunnelescapade,onlytofindoutthatitwasallcompletelypointlessinthefirstfewminutesofthisepisode.Sodon’tblameme,blametheshow! BriseishelpsAchillestakecareofPatrocluswhohasbeenstruckbytheplague,saying“hewaskindtome”.IfIrecallcorrectly,PatroclusdidindeeddabBriseis’woundearlier,butshedidthenalmostkillhim.Apparentlyshe’sforgottenallaboutthis.Evenmoreonthislater.Incidentally,Patrocluswasn’tstruckbytheplague,atleast,notinthemyths.AchillesthenstormsofftoAgamemnontellinghimtogivebackChryseis.InHomerit’sslightlydifferent.AchillessuggeststhattheyconsultwiththeGreekprophet,Calchas.It’sCalchaswhothensaysthatAgamemnonshouldgivebackChyrseistoappeasethegods.WhenAgamemnonrefuses,thenAchillesreprimandshimforbeingselfishandnotdoingwhatthegodsrequest. BacktoTroyquickly,andPriamandtheBackstreetPrincesaretryingtoworkoutwhotoldtheGreeksaboutCiliciathatresultedinitbeingattacked.Again,Idon’tquitegetthis.Whydoesn’tHelenjusttellthemAchillesbrokein?HernottellingtheTrojansaboutAchilleswhenhewasinsidethecitywasbadenough,butwhynottellthemnow?Itwasn’therfaultthatAchillesbrokein,sowhycan’tshejusttellthemwhathappened?IsshenowhelpingtheGreeks?IsshescaredthattheTrojanswouldpunishherforAchillesactions?TheshowkeepssayingthatwhoevertoldAchillesaboutCiliciaisa“traitor”buttobefairtoHelen,Achillesdidthreatenheranditwasn’tlikesheinvitedhimtothecityorwascolludingwithhim,sosheshouldn’tbecountedasatraitor. IthinkthattheshowistryingtoshowHelenasbeingcaughtbetweenarockandahardplace.TheproblemisthattheshowhasspentnotimeshowingHelenashavinganyloyaltytotheGreekswhatsoever.InHomer,sheistorn,butitmakessense:shestilllovesMenelaus,shelovedherhomeofSparta,sheadmirestheGreekkingsandheroesandlongstobewithherdaughter.AtthesametimeshelovesParis(thankstoAphrodite’spowers)butalsoadmiresandrespectsHectorandPriam.ItisunderstandableintheIliadwhyherloyaltiesaretorn.TheshowhasmadenoattempttoshowHelenhavinganylovefortheGreeks;quitetheoppositeinfact,sotheideaofherhelpingtheGreeksbynottellingtheTrojansaboutAchillesjustseemsbizarre. Anywho,fastforwardingagainandParisisdrinkingagainbecausehethinksthewholewarishisfault(don’tworryParis,Helen’smadeitpainfullyclearthatit’sallhersinstead!)However,Hectorthensays,“Wefightwithyou,notbecauseofyou”.Wellthisisachangeoftune!IdefinitelyrememberHectorsayinglastepisode“yourlovestartedthiswar,minemighthelpendit.”Theshowreallydoeshaveaproblemofmaintainingconsistencyinitscharacters,halfofthemseemtobeschizophrenic. ThisistheirTHIRDscenetogether! BacktotheTrojancampAchillesandPatroclusarewrestling(strange,inanearlierepisodeAchillesmockedtheotherking’sforwrestlingeachother)andthingsendupgettingabitmoreintimatebetweenthetwoandBriseis.Nowthisisgoodandbad.AchillesandPatroclusbeinglovers,that’sprettygood.AlotofGreeks,includingAristotle,interpretedtheirrelationshipthisway,andGreekideasofsexualitywerevastlydifferenttoours,notdrawingthedistinctionofhomoandheterosexual,butseeingsexualityinamuchmorefluidsense.What’sbadisBriseisgettinginvolved.I’dliketopointoutthatthelastinteractionBriseishadwithaconsciousPatroclusbeforethisscenewaswhenshewasputtingaknifetohisthroat…andnowthey’rehavingathreesomewithAchilles.Theshowjusthasnotspentenoughtimeontherelationshipbetweenthese3characterstobeabletojustifythisatall.Inoneepisode,briseishasgonefromattackingAchillesandPatroclustohavingathreesomewiththem…Greekshadamorefluidsenseofsexuality,yes,butthisdoeskindoftakethebiscuit.I’veseenpornfilmswithmoretimegiventodevelopingrelationshipsthanthis!Ifonlythey’dstuckwithHomer’stimeline,whereBriseishasbeenwithAchillesforawhile,itbeingthe10thyearofthesiege,thingswouldmakealotmoresense.Iunderstandthattheshowhasonlyalimitedamountofepisodes,butitcouldhavemadesomeattempttoshowapassageoftime,ratherthansuggestingthatthisallhappensinamatterofdays.Theshowdoesn’thavetobe100%accurate,butitcouldatleasttrytohaveacohesiveandwellthoughtoutstoryline. AgamemnonthendemandsAchillesgivesupBriseis.Thisisslightlymorecomplicatedinmythandcarriesalotmoreweighttoit.AgamemnondoesindeeddemandBriseisfromAchilles,however,partofthereasonwhyAchillesissoinsultedisbecausehewasgiftedBriseisbytheGreekarmyinrecognitionofhisachievements.Thisisasmall,butimportantpoint;Achillesisnotjustlosingalover,butheisalsobeingdeeplydisrespectedandstrippedoftherecognitionofhisprowess.Theshowmissesthisnuanceand,becausetherelationshipofAchillesandBriseishasnotreallybeenfleshedoutatall,Achillesdecisiontonotfightdoescomesacrossasanover-reactionandfairlyunjustified.ThisisashamebecausethisreallyisoneofthekeyfocusesoftheIliad.TheIliadrevolvesaroundtheangerofAchillesathavingBriseistaken.Notonlyisshesymbolicofhisprestigeandachievements,buttheyhavealsodevelopedalovingrelationship,Achillesoftenexpressingadesiretomarryher. TheparallelbetweenAchillesandMenelaus’situationismadeclearintheIliad.TheTrojanWarisbeingfoughtasaresultofMenelaus’wifebeingtaken,nowsomethingsimilarhashappenedtoAchilles,hetooshallretaliatebynotfighting.AsI’vepointedoutnumeroustimesthough,theshowhasnotspentnearlyenoughtimewithAchillesandBriseistojustifythisandthescenedoesnothavetheimpactandweightthatitshoulddo. TherearetwoarmiesstandingeithersideofParisatthemoment,bothofwhomaregoingtospendasignificanttimenextepisodechasinghim…butfornow,they’recontenttojustwatch. MenelausandParisthenhaveaduel,whichdoesactuallyhappeninthebooks.TheyscufflearoundforabitandthenthisfeckingpriestturnsupagaintalkingabouttheblackbloodandtheprophecythatParishastodieforTroytosurvive,whichdoesn’thappeninthemyths.ParisthenlegsitafterbeingtoldtobyAphrodite.AndwhydotheGreeks,yetagain,notchasehim?!Usethechariotsguys,they’rerightthere!Inthe Iliad,Aphroditedoesn’tjusttellParistorunawayfromtheduel,he’ssavedbyAphroditewhohideshiminamistandthenwhiskshimawaybacktothesafetyofTroy.Youknow,italmostseemsasifthisHomerfellowwasaprettydecentwriterwhoknewwhathewasdoingwhenhepiecedtogethertheIliadandgavecharacterspropermotivationsandhadactionsandstorylinesthatmadesense.Shametheshowdecidestoignorehimsomuch. Overallthough,notasbadastheEpisode3.Therewasn’tanythingtooridiculouslystupid,unlikelasttime,however,theBriseisplotisextremelyrushedandprettybutchered.ConsideringthelossofBriseisissointegraltoAchillesintheIliad,it’llbeinterestingtoseehowtheshowdealswiththisplotinthenextfewepisodes. Seeyounextepisode!             AndwearebackforEpisode3!Lotsofthingstotalkaboutforthisone,solet’sgetstuckin! Oneword:priorities. WestartofftheshowwithTroyundersiege,andgoodnessmethisfellaiscommittedtohisharvest!Evenwhenrunningforhislifeheholdontoitthewholetime!Iguessyouhavetoadmirehisdedication. Movingon,ParisandHelenaregettingmarried.ThisdoesnothappeninanykindofmyththatIknowof.AfterParis’deathHelendoesmarryhisbrotherDeiphobus,butshelaterhelpskillhimandreturnstoSpartawithMenelaus.Ithinkthisistheshowonceagaintryingtodesperatelyshowtheaudiencethatthetwocharactersareinlove.Tobefairtotheshow,thisisrathertrickytodoastheactorandactresshaveaboutasmuchchemistryasatwovaguelynicelookingpiecesofwood. Wefindoutthatthesiegehasnowbeengoingonforayearandthatfoodisstartingtorunlow.WhyonearthittakesPriamawholeyeartoinstituterationingIdonotknow,youthinkthatwouldbephase1ofbeingbesieged.Anyway,in myththesiegesupposedlytakes10yearsso,intheshow,weoughttoberightatthestartofthewar;hopefullythosesupplieswilllastforafewyearstocome. Whilstnotbeingmentionedinthe Iliad,orinanyothermyththatIcanthinkof,archaeologydoesactuallyshowthattherewasawatertunnelfromthecitywhichwethinkwasthehistoricalTroy.Unfortunatelyfortheshow,thiswatertunnelwasdatedtoaround2600BCandwasinuseuptheRomantimes,sotherewouldbenoneedtobediggingitout.Pointsfortryingthough. HecubathencomfortsHelensayingthewarisnotherfaultandthattheGreekswouldhavebeenbesiegingthecitywithorwithoutHelen.Thisisalittlestrangefortworeasons:firstly,thewarisDEFINITELYHelen’sfaultintheshow.Ascoveredinmylastcommentary,HelenvoluntarilygoingwithParismakesthewarentirelyherfault.Secondly,theGreekssentanenvoylastepisodeaskingforHelenandtributetostopthewar,soitwouldseemthatHelenbeingatTroyisindeedacrucialmotivationforthethembesiegingthecity.IthinkthewritersoftheshowmusthavebeguntorealisethattheyhadmadethewarentirelyHelen’sfault,andtriedtofindwaysofmakingherseemlesstoblame.Moreonthislater. Comeonlads!TwoTrojanshavejustescaped,they’renotgoingtobegoingtopickupgroceries,someonechasethem! HectorandParisthenstartofonanadventuretoseeAndromache’sfatherEetionaboutdiggingthesetunnels.Nobasisforthisanywhereinanymyth…probablyforgoodreason,thecityisundersiegebyamassiveGreekarmy!Youcan’tjustnipoutduringasiegethatiskindofthepoint!Atleast,thatismeanttobethepointinasiege.TheGreekshaveapparentlymissedthismemo.TheshowdoesshowabitofascuffleasParisandHectorgetpasttheGreeklineswiththetwobestcannonfodderAeneassentthemquicklygettingbumpedoff,butthetwoprincesescape.Butwhydon’tanyGreeksfollowthem?!Thisisasiegeforgoodnesssakeandtwopeopleescaped,sendsomeridersafterthem! ThereareafewbodieshanginginthewoodswhenParisandHectorescapeandIguessthisisdonetoshowhownaughtythosepeskyGreeksare.Inreality,mistreatingthedeadlikethiswouldhavebeenaprettybigissuetoAncientGreeksassacrilege,especiallymistreatmentofthedead,wasseriouslyfrowneduponandwouldhavebroughtallkindsofdivinepunishmentuponyourhead.Antigonewouldcertainlyhaveafewthingstosayonthematter! MaybeOdysseusissomekindofdogwhispererthatcanworkoutwhatthisdogissupposedtosignal. Movingon,thisTelamon/Xanthiusguyandhisdogarealsonotbasedonanymyth.ThereisaGreekspymentionedinTheAenid,butheiscalledSinonand,I’msorrytosay,hedoesn’thaveadog.SinonpretendstodefecttotheTrojansandconvincesthemtobringtheTrojanHorseinsidethecityandthenalertstheotherGreeksoutsidethecityofitssuccess.ThisseemstohavebeensubstitutedintheshowforXanthiusandhisdog.Whatisthepointinthedog?Ihavenoidea.AccordingtoOdysseus,Xanthiuswastosendthedog“whenthetimewasright”.Butrighttimeforwhat?WhatdoesXanthiussendingthedogoutnow,mean?Thatthecityisrunningoutoffood?ThatHectorandParishaveleft?Thatitsalmostteatime?Wouldn’tithavejustbeeneasiertoattachanotetothedog?Idigress. HectorandParisdiscusshowHectormetAndromacheanditisrevealedthatitwasanarrangedmarriage.WellHelenwouldbeappalled!Theshowhadhergoonawholerantlastepisodeabouthowawfulpoliticalmarriageswere(despitethembeingverycommonatthetime).Butapparentlyit’sallhonkey-dorywhenHectordoesit.TheshownowgetsatadconfusingasapparentlyParisstoleHeleninachest*.ItwasmadeclearattheendofEpisode1thatParishadnoroleinHelenbeinginthechest.InEpisode1ParistriedtoconvinceHelentoleave,sherefusesandParisgetsreadytoleave.Ashedoes,heissurprisedtohearthatHelenissendingagiftandthenseemstoputtwoandtwotogetherafterseeingthechest.AtnopointisitsuggestedthatParishadahandinplanningallofthat,oranyknowledgeofHelensmugglingherselfawaybeforeseeingthechestitself.Furthermore,Helensaiditwasallherownchoice,thiswasmadeexplicit.SowhyisnotbeingdescribedasParisstealingher?Theshow,onceagain,seemstobetryingtorevisethisplottomakeHelenlessculpable.   Yes,youstartedawholewarandhaveourcitybesiegedandstarving…butnowyou’reHelenofTroy!Noworries! Thisnextsceneis,Ithink,hilarious!HelenspeakstothepeopleofTroyandappealstothemsaying,“Iknowwhatyou’rethinking.HelenofSpartaisthereasonTroyisinthetroubleit’sin.Ithinkittoo.Everyday.”Which,intheshow,isspotonanddefinitelytrue,itisallherfault.Theselineswouldsuggestthata“but”isonitsway,somethinglike“Iknowyouthinkit’smyfault,BUTIwastakenawayagainstmywillandamnowinthistragedywithyoualletc.”.Buttheshowcannotdothis.Ithasbeenitpainfullyclearthatit’sallHelen’sdoing,withnoexcuses.SoinsteadofhavingamomentwhereHelenpleadshercasetotheTrojansandisabletogaintheirsympathyduetohertragicsituation,thereisjustanawkwardlinewheresomerandomwomanpipesupsaying“YouarenotHelenofSparta,youareHelenoftroy”.Andapparentlyallisforgiven!ThefactthatHelen hascausedawar,inwhichtheywillalllosemembersoftheirfamily,andthathasledtotheircitybeingundersiegeandstarvedisapparentlynowforgiven!Thisiswhathappenswhenyoudrifttoofarfromtheworksofsomeofthegreatestauthorsofalltime.Youendupwritingyourshowintosillycorners. BacktoParisandHector,withEetion.HectorisencouragedbytheirformerhighpriesttokillParisinordertosavethecity.Yeah,thisisalsonotathinginmyth.HectorisfairlypissedoffwithParisinthe Iliadandgiveshimalotofgriefforbeingacowardandstartingthewar,butthereisneveratimewhenhetriestokillhim.Thiswholesubplotfeelsratherthinandjustfeelslikeit’sincludedtopadouttheruntime.Nothingisreallyachievedbyitandnotalotactuallyhappenswhichmakesitratherannoyingtowriteabout,soweshallmovequicklyon. Idon’tknowwhytheGreeksbotheredwiththewhole10yearsiege/Trojanhorsething,justgrabacoupleofTrojanhelmetsandagoatandyoucanwaltzrightin! FastforwardabitandAchillesandPatroclussneakintothecity.ThiswholesubplotofAchillesinthecityiseasilythemostludicrousthingintheshowsofar.Itkicksoffwith AchillesandPatroclusgettingintothecityprettydarneasilydisguisedasTrojanguards…thefactthatthetwoguardswholeavethecityareawhiteguyandblackguyandcomeastwoblackguysisadetailapparentlymissedbytheotherTrojans(IknowIsaidIwouldn’tmentionraceagain,buttheshowisn’tgivingmeachoice!)Buteitherway,AchillesandPatroclusarenowinsidethecityandsendasignaltotheotherGreekstoattackthecitywhiletheyopenthegatesfromtheinside…ohwait,notheydon’t.Whynot?! Firstly,ifit’sthiseasyfortheGreekstosneakinthecity,whyhaven’ttheydoneitearlier?But,nowtheyactuallyhavemen,includingAchillesthebestwarriorintheworld,ontheinside–whydon’ttheycapitalizeonthis?!ThisistheperfecttimetousethatrandomdogtogetasignaltoOdysseus,thisisitstimetoshine!Theycouldendthewholewartonight!Thereasontheydonotdothisisbecausethisseriesstillhasplentyofepisodesandnodoubtawfulplotideastogetthrough. Next,AchillesgetsascenewithHelenandohdear,thisisjustpainfullydreadful.Firstly,HelenmentionsthatAchilleswasasuitorofhersandwasbeateninbattlebyAgamemnon.No,no,andno.Firstly,AchilleswasnotoneofHelen’ssuitors,consideringhewouldhavebeenfartooyoungatthetime.Secondly,sorrytobeatadeadhorse,buttherewasnofightforHelen!Andlastly,ifthere hadbeenafightbetweenAchillesand Agamemnon,inmyth,AchillessurelywouldhavewonasheisthegreatestwarriorGreecehaseverknown.TheshowactuallygivesalittlenodtothiswithAchillessayingthat“no-onewieldsabettersword”thanhimself…butthencontradictsthisideaasAgamemnonsupposedlybeathim. AchillesthenseemstogetratherrapeywithHelen,pushingheronabed,andlyingontopofher.Again,thisneverhappens.AchillesandHelenneverevenshareadialoguewitheachotherinmythandAchillesexpressesnodesireforheratall.Hethenrevealshisingeniousplan…tosimplywalkoutofthefrontgatewithHelen.WithHelenbeingoneofthemostrecognizablepeopleinTroy,onethinksthatthiswouldbefairlytrickytodoandthatAchilleshasn’treallythoughtthisthrough.Although,tobefair,judgingbyhowterribletheTrojanguardshavebeensofar,maybethisisn’tsuchastupidideaafterall. ThereissomemoreMenelaushateasHelensaysthatAchilleshasneverrespectedhimandthatsheabhorshim*sigh*.Onceagain,Menelausisahighlyrespectedkingandanexcellentwarrior,AchilleshasnolackofrespectforhimandnordoesHelen.HelenthenberatesAchillesforcomingtotakeherbacktoMenelaus,eventhoughthiswouldobviouslybetherightthingforAchillestodo,ifpossible,asitwouldendthewar.AchillesevensaystoHelenthatthiswouldendallthesuffering…butsheflatoutrefuses,againmakingthewarseemwhollyherfault. ThegreatestofGreekheroesandtheembodimentofGreekideals,ladiesandgentlemen…almostrapingthewomanhe’ssupposedtobesaving. Thiswholesubplothasbeenanabsolutewasteoftimewithoutadvancingtheplotatall.TheideaofAchillesandPatroclussimplybeingabletopopinandoutofTroyalmostonawhim,andtogettoHelen’sbedchamber,isjustabsolutelyridiculous.Furthermore,thecharacterofAchillesjustcomesacrossasarathercreepy,easilymanipulated,foolishman.NotthegreatestGreekhero,andoneofthemostcomplexchracters,ofalltime. Attheendoftheepisode,aTrojanblokethenspotsAchilles,themostfamous,skilledandwellknownoftheGreekwarriors,leavingHelen’sroomand,forsomereason,doesnotimmediatelyraisethealarminordertocaptureorkillhim.Bethe’llregretthislater. Whatacockupofanepisode.BoththeHector/ParisplotandtheAchilles/Patroclusplotwerepointlessandlednowhere.Someofthethingsthisepisode,likeHelenjustrandomlybeingacceptedbythepeopleofTroyandAchillessneakingintothecity,weresoridiculousthatIhadtobuyanewdeskafterputtingmyheadthroughmyoldone. Surelythenextepisodecan’tbeanyworse…comebacknextweektofindout! *AfterrewatchingEpisode2,Inoticedtheshowmentionedthisthenaswell,mybadformissingthat. So,hereweareonepisode2and,intermsofmythologicalandhistoricalaccuracy,it’sastepupfromepisode1withnoostrichinsight.Thedialogueandpacingstillleaveafairbittobedesired,butthatisnotreallymyremitandI’llleavethatsideofthingstosomeonewhocanactuallyspeakonthemwithsomeauthority.Ontomyarea;despitetheepisodessolidattemptataccuracyIstillmanagedtofindafewinaccuracieshereandthere.Let’stakealook. TheepisodebeginswithParisandHelenturningupatTroy(hopefullyHelen’sbackrecoversfromtheinevitablecrampshewillhavedevelopedafterhidinginaboxforsolong).PriamgivesPandarusabitofagrillingfornotkeepinganeyeonParisafterPriam“puthimin[Pandarus’]charge.”ThisseemsalittleharshconsideringthatinthelastepisodePriamsaidthatPariswouldhaveto“learnonhisown”. Movingon,HelencomesinandappealstoPriamandHecubasayingsheneverlovedMenelaus,andthatsheneverwouldhavechosentomarryhim.Inhistoricalandmythologicalcontext,thisspeechseemslikealotofnonsense.Manyhighborngirlswereweddedviaarrangedmarriages,sothisshouldwouldhavebeenthenorm,notsomethingthatwouldbeunheardoforunexpected.Furthermore,HelenhasbeenmarriedtoMenelausfor10yearsbynowinwhathasbeen,sofarasweknow,ahappyunion.Inthemyths,shedoesnothateMenelausatall.Inthe IliadsheoftenseemstornbyherloveforMenelaus,evensayingthatshewishesshecouldhavedied,ratherthanabandoningherchildandhusbandforParis.Inthe OdysseyitisrevealedthatafterthewarMenelausandHelenarereigninginSparta,onceagain,happilymarried. Helenpleadinghercaseandshootingtheshowinthefootwhiledoingso.Lookslikeshe’sswappedherfeathersforshellsthisepisode…notsureifthat’sanimprovementornot. TheshowalsohasHelensay“I’mherebecauseIwanttobe.”Forme,thisisabitofabulletinthefootfortheshow.TheshowisclearlyfocusedontryingtogiveHelenmoreagency;shegenuinelylovesParisandchoosestogowithhimofherownfreewill.TheproblemwiththisisthatcompletelyremovesthetragedyofHelen.Inmyth,Helenissupposedtobeanagentlesscharacter,sheisforcedintobeingwithPariseitherthroughthemachinationsofthegods,orthroughherabduction.Shefeelsterribleguiltoverthemenwhodieinthewarandwesympathisewithherbecauseweknow,whileitmayseemlikeherfault,thattherewasnothingthatshecoulddotopreventit.Sheisatrulytragicfigurewhoisavictimoftheeventsthathappenaroundher. Theshowlosesthiscompletely;Helen,bychoosingtogowithParis,iscompletelyatfaultfortheresultingwar.Infact,ParisisbasicallyabsolvedofanyguiltintheshowasheapparentlyhadnohandinmakingHelenleave.TheshowsinterpretationevenmakesHelenseemratherselfishasshechoosestobewithParisoverherdaughterandhercountry.Furthermore,Menelausisapowerfulkingandhisbrother,Agamemnon,isthemostpowerfulkinginGreece.SurelyHelenwouldhaveknownthatherleavingwouldhaveledtodisaster?BydepictingHelenashavingmadethedecisiontoleaveSpartaonherown,shenowseemsselfish,foolishandratherignorant.Ataglance,thismightjustseemlikeasmallchange,buttheimplicationsofthischangearehuge.HelenisoneofthemaincharactersoftheTrojanstoryandhercharacterisoneofthemosttragicandempathetic.Notanymore. Anyways,backtotheshowand,goodnessmethatcuirassonDiomedesisoffbyafewhundredyearsatleast!WeactuallyhaveafullsetofarmourfromtheapproximatetimeoftheTrojanWarwhichwasprobablyclosertowhatGreekkingsandnobleswouldhaveworn.Itisprobablybestifwejustassumethatallarmourweseeintheshowisnotgoingtobeaccurate,otherwiseI’mnevergoingtomakeitthroughanepisode. EvenDiomedeslookstickedoffathavingtowearitThefamousDendraPanoplyfromtheMycenaeanera.ThisisprobablymorelikewhattheGreekheroeswore. Odysseusisfeigningmadnessbyploughinghisfieldwithsalt,butDiomedesexposeshimbyploppinghisbabyintheway,forcingOdysseustostop.Thisbitactuallydoeshaveasolidgroundinginmythologyandbasicallyhappensexactlyasshown,exceptTelemachusisthebabyandnotayoungboy.Theshowcangiveitselfanicepatonthebackforthisscene. Sidenote,DiomedesisanABSOLUTEbadassinthe IliadwhoisarguablyonlysecondtoAchillesintermsofmartialskillamongsttheGreeks.Heevenwoundstwogods!He’saseriouslymajorcharacterinthe Iliad, buthe’shardlyevershowninmodernadaptationsofthemyth,whichisashamebecausehe’sapersonalfavouriteofmine.Theshowgetsbigpropsforincludinghim!(*spoiler*I’mwritingthisafterwatchingthewholeseries.Diomedesneverappearsagain.TheshowlosesallpropsandI’msad.) FastforwardingabitandweareintheGreekcampwhereAgamemnondoessomeexcellentshoutingand,onceagain,peoplearehavingagoatMenelaus.Firstly,andforthelasttime,noonefoughtforHelen.Asmentionedinmycommentaryonthefirstepisode,eitherlotsweredrawnorHelen’sfathersimplypickedasuitor.Secondly,Odysseussays“Nowarshouldbefoughtforsuchaman”.WhatiswiththeMenelaushateinthisshow?!Menelausissupposedtobeawiseking,anexcellentspeakerandleaderofmen,aswellasbeingatalentedwarrior.Inthe Iliad,heisoftenreferredtoas“war-like”Menelaus,andnooneeverquestionshisqualitiesasakingoraman.I’mnotsurewhytheshowfeelstheneedtopaintMenelausinsuchabadlight,butithasnogroundinginmyth.IftheshowhadmadeMenelausginger,asheisdescribedinthe Iliad,perhapstheabusehereceiveswouldbemorejustifiable!(Joking,calmdown!) AgamemnonmourningIphigenia…andshouting,ofcourse.ThisactorisGREATatshouting.Honestly,rematchtheepisodeandjustseehowmuchtimehespendsbellowing. WethenmoveontothesacrificingofIphigeniawithsomemoreexcellentshoutingfromAgamemnon.LikeOdysseus’madness,theshowdepictsthisprettyaccurately,evenifitdoesseemratherrushed.AgamemnonreallydoessacrificeIphigeniaanditreallywasdoneunderthefaçadeofmarryingAchilles.Theonlytwonoteshereare:firstly,thereasonArtemisdemandssuchasacrificefromAgamemnonisbecausehehuntedadeerinagrovesacredtoher;andsecondlythatinsomeversionsArtemissparesIphigeniabyreplacingherwithadeerjustbeforesheiskilled.But,overall,thisisadecentretellingofthemyth,itisjustashametheshowcouldnotdevotemoretimetothistogiveitsomemoreimpact. WethengetourfirstlookatblondehairedAchilleswhoislooking…decidedlyun-Achillesesque.AchillesisarguablyTHEarchetypalGreekhero.HeepitomiseseverythingthattheGreekslovedabouttheirheroesandsoisportrayedasanembodimentofmaleGreekbeauty;young,withlongblondehair.Hisraceisn’texplicitlymentioned,buthero’sreflectthepeoplethatcreatethem.KingArthurwouldonlyhavebeenimaginedaswhitebytheEnglilshforinstance,orGilgameshasbrownbytheBabylonians.SowhyisAchillescastasablackguy?Again,IgobacktothepointImadeinmycommentaryinthelastepisode:itisnotaproblemfortheshowtohaveblackcharacters,butAchillesissimplynotblack.HeistheepitomeoftheGreekheroicideal,andtheactorshouldreflectthat.BradPitt,incomparison,wasafairlygoodrepresentation:agodlikebody,veryhandsomeandlongblondehair.DavidGyasi,theactorinTroy:FallofaCity,isafineactor,I’msure,buthesimplydoesnotlooklikeAchilles,oneofthemosticoniccharactersinliterature.ThereisabadassblackguyinsomeGreekmythsatTroy,MemnonofEthiopia.HefightsontheTrojansideandisanamazingwarriorwhohasthisintenseduelwithAchilleswherethey’rebotheffectivelymadegiantsbyZeussoeveryonecanwatchthetwolegendsfight.Iftheshowwantedmorerepresentationinthecast,theycouldhaveincludedthischaracterand(likeIsaidinthepreviouswrite-up)castnon-whiteactorsastheTrojans.Wouldhavebeenbetterrepresentedand moreaccurate. Movingon,MenelausandOdysseusgoasdelegatestoTroyalongwithAchillestonegotiatewiththeTrojans.Inthemyths,OdysseusandMenelausdogo,butnotAchilles.MenelausandOdysseusarewiseand political–wellsuitedtonegotiations.Achillesisanexcellentfighter,butnotapolitician.Asasidenote,inGreekmyth,AchillesisonlyayouthwhentheTrojanWarstarts,perhapsonly14,butitisunderstandablewhytheshowhaschosentocondensethis. SofarasIknow,noconditionsregardinganytributefromTroyarementionedinanymyths.IthinktheshowhasincludedthistobetterjustifywhytheTrojansdonotgivebackHelen.Inmyth,itisabithazyastowhytheydonotreturnherbutattheendofthedayitseemstocomesdowntohonour,fateandthegods.Thisdoesnotcommunicateaswelltoamodernaudience,sotheseconditionsseemtohavebeenaddedtolendabitmorecredencetotheTrojandecisiontogotowar.ButBLOODYHELL,Parisjustthreatenedanenvoy!ThisisaBIGnonoinGreekculture,aseriousbreachofreligiouslaw.IftheGreeksandTrojansdidnothaveareasontogotowarbefore,theycertainlywouldnow! AndsotheGreekarmysailstoTroy.Theshowsbudgetobviouslycannotsustainhugeshotsofamassivefleet,andsothefacethatlaunchedathousandshipsseemstohavelaunched5shipsshotfromathousandanglesinstead. LasttimeI’llbringuptheracething,butAeneasisAphrodite’ssonwhowe’vealreadyseenandiswhite.It’dbeniceiftheshowhadabitmoreconsistencyinregardstofamilialsimilarities,asinthelastepisodewithHermesandZeus.Itdoesnotmaketheshowbadbyanymeans,butitdoessomewhatlosetheideaoftheTrojanWaralmostbeingafamilyscufflebetweenthegods.TheTrojanWariscausedlargelybyAphroditefallingoutwithHeraandAthena(allwhoarerelated)duetothejudgementofParis.It’sbasicallyabigfamilyfeudandtheirchildren,likeAeneas,Sarpedonandothers,arelikepawnsusedbytheirgodlyparents.TheshowtouchesonthiswiththedialoguebetweenHeraandZeuslater,butIfeelliketheshowlosesthissomewhatbynotmakingthefamilylinksclear.ThisisthelastpointonraceI’llmakefortheshow,soIjustwanttoclarifymypositionbecauseIknowit’sahottopic:itisnotaproblemfortheshowtohavearaciallydiversecast,buttheshowscastingofclearlynon-blackcharactersandfamilymembersofwhitecharactersasblackactorsisratherconfusing. Aeneas……andhismotherAphrodite.Honestly,woulditbesohardfortheshowtojustbemoreconsistent?   Woadyoubelieveit… WeseetheTrojanspreparingthemselvesforwar,andtheyappeartobepaintingthemselveswith…isthatwoad?!Wrongpartoftheworld,wrongtime,andjustwrong.AncientCelts,mainlyBritons,didusewoadaswarpaintinthetimeofJuliusCaesar,butnowherecanIfindanymentionofTrojansdoingit.IthinktheshowdoesthistotryandhelptheviewerdistinguishbetweenGreeksandTrojansataglance,buttheremusthavebeenanotherway! Agamemnonralliesthetroopswithmoreofhis,nowiconic,excellentshouting!Ithinktheauditionforthisrolemusthaveincludedtheactorbellowingthelinesfromtheothersideofafootballfield. Theshowthenhasareallynicelittlebitlistingthevariouswarriorsoneachsidewithalittleepithet.Thisissomethingthathappensalotinthe Iliadandisanicelittlenodtotheoriginalmaterial;veryHomeric. Overall,stillafairlybumpyridebutlesshistoricalandmythologicalproblemsthanthefirstepisode. Watchthisspacefornextweek’scommentary! TheBBChasreleasedabrandnewswordsandsandalsTVseries;Troy:FallofaCity.TheIliad,theHomericstoryuponwhichmostoftheseriesisbased,isoneofmyfavouritestoriesofalltimesandsothisreallywassomethingthatIwasinterestedinseeing.Foreachepisode,Iwillpostanarticlewhichwilllookatboththemythologicalandhistoricalaccuracyoftheshowandseehowitstacksup.TheIliadisafantasticmythwithplentyofgreatmaterialtoworkfromsofingerscrossedwewon’tseeanyridiculousmadeupstorylinesto“jazzitup”(lookingatyouImmortals!). WealsohaveprettygoodarchaeologicalevidencefortheMycenaeanperiod(c.1600-1100BC)thetimewhenitisthoughtthehistoricalTrojanWarhappened,ifatall.Asaresultofthisweknowroughlythekindofarmourthatwouldhavebeenworn.So,ifIseeonebloodyCorinthianhelmet,coolastheymaylook,Iamnotgoingtobeahappybunny! Thelastadaptionofthe IliadthatIcanrememberwasTroywithBradPittwhichwas,atleastinmyopinion,asolidretellingofthestoryofAchillesandthefallofTroy,evenifitwasnotagreatadaptionoftheactualstoryoftheIliad.NotablyinTroyinsteadofadaptingtheactualpoemofHomer,whichbeginswithAchillesstormingofftohistentafterbeingdisrespectedbyAgamemnonandendswithhimgaininghisrevengeandkillingHector,thefilmfocusedontellingtheoverallstoryofAchillesincludingbitsofmythsfromothersourcesoutsideoftheIliad.Aswellasthis,thefilm triedtogrounditselfmoreinrealitybybasicallycuttingoutalltheGreekgods. ThegodsasshowninImmortals.Painfulonsomanylevels. Troy:FallofaCityseemstobemorefocusedonembracingthemythologyanddoesincludeallthegodsand,hopefully,alltheirschemingandshenanigans.ThisisanicetouchasthegodsalwaysplayedahugeroleinGreekmyths,butareoftencutoutofmodernretellings.Whentheyareincluded,theyareoftendoneinapainfullycringey,overly-CGI’d,uncannyvalleydisaster(againlookingatyouImmortalsandyouClashoftheTitans).Hopefully,theshowwillhandlethisbetterandwillshowthegodsastheGreekssawthem. Onwiththefirstepisode! WeopenwithHecubagivingbirthtoPariswithaquickshotofastatuethatseemstohavebeeninspiredbythefairlyfamous‘Snake-Goddess’.ThisisaMinoanartefactandwehavenoevidencetosuggestthatTroyhadthesamereligionastheMinoans.However,itisatleastfromtherightkindoftimeperiodanditisnotunthinkablethatlargecitieshadnumerousreligionspresentinthem,sotheshowcangetawaywiththisone. ThestatueintheshowThe“SnakeGoddess”statue Intermsofmythologicalaccuracy,thescenehasgotafewerrors.CassandrainGreekmythologyonlygetsher‘gift’offoresight(alongwiththecursethatnoonewilleverbelieveher),aftersheeitherrefusedtohavesexwithApollo,oras‘reward’forhavingsexwithhim(themythsdiffer).Thegirlintheshowappearsfartooyoung,evenbyAncientGreekstandards,tohavebeeninsuchasituation.Inmythology,atleastaccordingtoAppolodorus,Hecubaactuallydreamsofgivingbirthtoaburningtorch.ThisistheninterpretedbythepriestAesacusasshowingthatherbaby,Paris,wouldcausethedownfallofTroy,andthathewouldneedtobekilledinordertosavethecity.NeitherHecubanorPriam,herhusband,couldbringthemselvestodothisresultinginParisbeingabandonedinstead.WhytheshowdecidedtochangethisfromHecubadreamingtoCassandraseeingthefuture,I’mnotquitesure,butpossiblyitwastoestablishCassandra’sforesightearlieronandgivesomemoreweighttohercharacter. ParisisthenshownrunningaroundallshepherdywithhisadoptedfatherAgelaus.Thisisallprettylegit,however,thereareacoupleofsidenotes.Firstly,justaspointofinterestratherthananinaccuracy,AgelausfindsParisabandonedonthehillsideandcarrieshiminabagbacktohishome.InGreek,thewordfor‘bag’isperahencethenameParis.Secondly,Parisisdepictedintheshowasaboisterouswomanizer.ThisisarathermodernviewofParisandtheideaofParisbeingagreatLotharioisnotreallypresentinancientmyths,thoughheisalwaysdescribedashandsomeorbeautiful.IntheIliad,HomerportraysParisasaweakfairlycowardlyindividual,particularlyincomparisontohisbrotherHector.Heisnotagreatfighter,andonlysurvivesbeingslaininaduelwithMenelauswhenAphroditewhiskshimaway(almostliterallyadeusexmachina).EvenHelentearsintohimforprettymuchbeingapansy.Inothermyths,however,heisportrayedasbeingabraveandnoblemanevenbeingnamedAlexander(meaningdefenderofmen)asaresultofhimfightingoffsomebanditsatayoungage.Heisalsorenownedinsomemythsasanhonestandjustman,hencepartofthereasonwhyheislaterchosenasadjudicatorinthegoldenapplescenario. Speakingof,nowwecometotheapplescene!Withoutanyofthepriorset-up,thisscenecomesratheroutoftheblueandit’satadconfusingwhythegodsseemtochoosethisrandomshepherd.Butthenagaingodsseemtohaveabitofathingforshepherdsinlotsofreligions.Thisisallabitbesidethepointthough,howdothegodsshapeupinthisshow?Wellthere’sgoodandbad.Let’sstartwiththebad:Zeusshouldnotbeablackdude.Aswithallreligions,Greekgodswereviewedaslookingthesameastheirmortalworshippers.TheGreekswouldnothaveenvisionedZeusasblack,butlookinglikethemselves.Furthermore,ZeuswasalmostlikeafatherfiguretotheGreeks(hefatheredaridiculousamountofGreekheroes)andwasseenasanembodimentofGreekreligionandsoshouldembodythesecharacteristicinhislooks.It’salsoatadconfusingwhenoneconsidersthatalltheGreekgodsarerelated.Hermes,whoappearsinthesamescene,isactuallymeanttobeZeus’son…thefamilialresemblancedoesnotquiteseemtobethere. Zeus……hissonHermes IrememberwhenGodsofEgyptcameoutandpeoplewere,understandably,annoyedthattheEgyptiangodsofSet,RaandHoruswereportrayedbywhiteguys.ThatisapoorrepresentationofhowEgyptianswouldhaveseentheirgods,likewise,thisisapoordepictionofhowZeuswasseenbytheGreeks. Ontheplusside,theshowhaschosentosteerclearoftheoverlyCGImonstrositiesandkeptthegodslookingrealisticandjustfairly,well,normal.ThisisanicetouchasGreekgods,unlikemanyotherreligions,werenotreallyportrayedasperfectallpowerfulbeings.Theyweremorehumanthatthat;theycouldbejealous,foolishandcruel,justasmuchastheycouldbefair,kindandgenerous.Moreover,thegodsalwaysseemtohavebeenpoppingdownfromOlympustomesswithmortals,andbumpingintosomekindofgodhappenssoregularlythatitseemsalmostasbanalasseeingafoxtoday.Theshowseemstoembracethisandthegodsarepleasantlyhuman. Intheshow,ParisisofferedpowerbyHera,admirationbyAthenaandthemostbeautifulwomenintheworldbyAphrodite.Thisisallbasicallyaccurate,butinmythParisisactuallyofferedwisdomandmilitaryskillbyAthena,boththingswhichI’msureParisregrettednothavingwhentheTrojanWarkicksoff.Also,inEuripidesatleast,Parisisofferednotjust“themostbeautifulintheworld”butspecificallyHelen.Thismightseemlikeafairlyminordistinction,butinEuripides’version,Parisisactivelychoosingthewifeofaking,somethingwhichhemusthaveknownwouldhaveledtotrouble.InEuripides’interpretation,Paristhereforeseemsmuchmoreselfish,foolishandanevenmoreactiveparticipantinthedisastertofollow.AsIsay,thisisjustoneversionofthemythhowever,andtheshow’shandlingofthesceneisjustascredible. ParisthenmeetstheprincesofTroyonthebeach.Theshowhasdecidedtomakethem,forthemostpart,aloadofwhiteguyswhich,fromahistoricalaccuracystandpoint,isprobablyabitoff.SofarasIknow,HomerdoesnotgiveanydescriptionofwhatParis,Hector,orotherTrojanheroeslookedlike,asidefromgenerally“beautiful”.However,historianshavespeculatedthatTroywasapartof,oratleastcloselylinkedto,theHittiteEmpirewhichdominatedTurkeyatthetime.ThisthenwouldsuggestthattheTrojanprincesshouldhaveamoreTurkishlooktothem.InoneofthetrailersfortheseriesMenelausisshowncallingtheTrojans“Asiatic”anditwouldhavebeennicetoseethisreflectedinthecast.Furthermore,evenasearlyasHerodotus,theTrojanWarisoftendepictedasaconfrontationoftheWestandtheEastwhich,anideawhichthecastingoftheactorscouldfurtherhavesupported. Anotherquitnit-pick.Stirrups.Theyarenotgoingtobeuseduntilroughly1000yearslater.Duetomodernhealthandsafetyhoweverthereisnotmuchtheshowcandoaboutthis. Next,ParisisrecognisedbyPriamandHecubabyhisbirthmarkafterascufflewithHector.Inthemyths,thisscuffleactuallygetstothepointwhereHectorandanotherofhisbrothers,Deiphobus,attackPariswithswords.TheshowsubstitutesthisforParisbeingalmostdrownedwhich,consideringhowannoyingtheactorofParishasbeenthusfar,Ifoundarathersatisfyingsubstitute.Icouldnotfindanymythmentioningabirthmarkhowever.ParisisusuallyeithersimplyrecognisedbyPriamandHecuba(whowereapparentlybetteratrecognisingtheirsonthanOedipus’parents)orisproventobetheirsonafterAgelausshowsthemarattlePariswasgivenwhenhewasabandonedasababy.PartofmewondersiftheshowhasincludedthebirthmarkalmostasanhomagetoOedipuswhoseidentityisprovenbyscarsonhisankles.Again,thisisonlyaminorinaccuracyoftheshowhowever. TheshowthengoesintoratherunkownterritoryforabitasParisstrugglestofitinwithhisfamilyatTroy.I’mnotawareofanymyththatdealswiththis,soit’sfairlyopentointerpretation.WhatIwillsayisthatParis’depictionintheshowdoesmakeitalittleconfusingastowhyPriamdecidestosendParis,whohasnotshownmuchaprincelyattitudesofar,toSpartawithoutanyofhismorerespectablebrothers.TheshowtriestojustifythisbysayingParismust“learnonhisown”,butitstillseemsaratherriskyideatosendaninexperienced,recklessyoungmantolearnonanimportantdiplomaticmission. Thecostumethatmadeathousandviewerscringe WenextzoomovertoSpartawhereHelenseemstohavemissedthememoaboutwearing yourbestchitonorskirtandhascomeinfancydressasafairlybedraggledlookingswan.ThismightbetryingtomakeanallusiontothemythofHelensupposedlybeingbornfromaneggasaresultofZeushavingsexwithhermotherLedawhileinswanform(IpromiseI’mnotmakingthatup)butitalljustcomesoffas…well,rathersilly. Paristhenrecountsthestoryofhischildhoodandhowhewastakenfromthepalacewindowbywolves.Apparentlythesewolvessomehowmanagedtosneakpastthehugewallsshownearlierintheshow(bettheGreekswouldlovetoknowhowtheydidthat).Hopefully,thisisjustthecharacterofParisnotknowinghistrueoriginstory,andthathewasabandonedonahillsideinclassicmythologicalbabytreatmentstyle.I’llletthisoneslidefornowandassumethiswillberevealedlaterintheshow. MenelausthendescribeshowhemetHelen,andheretheshowplaysabitmorefastandloosewiththemyths.Intheshow,Helenissupposedly“won”byAgamemnonforMenelaus,afterhefoughtoffahundredothersuitorsandMenelausisdepictedasalmostnotbeingworthyofHelenasaresult.Tobefair,themythsarealsoalittlebithazy,butthisdepictionofMenelausbeingunworthydoesnotappearinany,sofarasIknow.InHesiod,AgamemnondoesindeedgotorepresentMenelaus,however,thisisn’tportrayedasanegativething;Menelaussimplycannotattendthemeeting.However,whatHesioddoesmakeclearisthatMenelausisthebookiesfavouriteoutofallofHelen’ssuitors.Hesendsthebestgifts,hasagoodrelationshipwithHelen’sbrothers,CastorandPollox,andisstrongandwarlike.Infact,Odysseus,anotherofHelen’ssuitors,issosurethatMenelauswillbesuccessfulthathedoesnotbothertosendanygifts.Inanotherversionofthemyth,thesuitorssimplydrawlotsandMenelauswins.Eitherway,MenelausisnotportrayedasbeingunworthyofHelen.Paris’abductionofHelenisnotsupposedtobeanobleorheroicthing,itissupposedtobeareckless,foolishact,andonethatHectorwillseriouslygrillParisforin the Iliad.ThisislostsomewhatintheshowbymakingitseemasifMenelausisnotworthyofHelenandthatheisstiflingher.We’llcomebacktothisagainlater. TheOathofTyndareus,theoathswornbyHelen’ssuitorstodefendwhicheverofthemissuccessful,isalsoconspicuouslyabsentfromMenelaus’retellingoftheevent.Maybethiswillappearlaterintheshow(fingerscrossed). AmoreuncannyresemblancetoHelenthanZeushastoHermes ParisthenbumpsintoHelenoutside…ohwaitno,that’sanostrich.Helen’sfashionsensemakesithardtotellthedifference.WhatonearthanostrichisdoinginBronzeAgeSparta,Idonotknow.PerhapsParisboughtitasagift?Can’timaginemanyGreekkingshadanostrichhangingaround.Wherehegotitfrom,IalsodonotknowbutitmusthavebeenanabsolutemenaceonthatlittlebiremetheytookfromTroy.Shitandfeatherseverywhere! MovingonwemeetHermione,MenelausandHelen’sdaughter,whoapparentlyParisissettobetroth.Thishasnobasisinanymyth.InGreekmyth,HermionewasactuallybetrothedfirsttoOrestes,andlatertoAchilles’sonNeoptolemus.I’mnotsurewhytheshowdecidedtochangethis.Itseemsthewritersoftheshowareequallyunsureasthislittlesubplotdoesnotseemtodevelopintoanything. TheshowquicklynamedropsOdysseuswhoapparentlyhassentgiftsallthewayfromBactriaandAssyria.WithIthacabeingatinyislandofthewestcoastofGreece,itseemsprettyunlikelythatOdysseushadaccesstosuchexoticgiftsfromhalftheworldaway.PerhapsheknowsthesameguythatprovidedPariswiththeostrich. NottobeoutdoneintheMostLudicrousGiftcategory,HermionethenshowsParisaroomfullorsilksthatweregiftedtoMenelausbyanIndianking.Ohdear.SilkisnotgoingtobereachingGreeceproperlyuntilabout800yearslaterwhenAlexandertheGreatconquersthePersianEmpireandsobringsaninfluxofmaterialsfromtheeastintoEurope.Evenifweignorethatfact,wedonotknowthattheGreeksatthistimeevenknewofIndia.Itseemshighlyunlikelygiventhatinthe5thcenturyBCIndiawasonlyvaguelyknownbyGreeksandwassupposedtobeontheedgeoftheknownworld.Butaccordingtotheshow,thisIndiankingactuallywantedtomarryHelen,despiteherbeingontheothersideoftheworld!Theridiculousnessofthisideaisjustbeyonddescription. HELMETALERT!HELMETALERT!ThisisnotquiteaCorinthianhelmet,itismorelikeaChalcidianhelmet,butit’sstillwrong.Holesfortheears,bitofanoseguardandmadeofmetal;helmetssimilartothiswon’tappearinGreeceuntilroughly800-1000yearslater. TheoffendinghelmetintheshowAboartuskhelmetdatingfromtheMycenaeanperiod   FastforwardabitanditappearsthatHelenhashiddenherselfinaboxinordertogowithParisbacktoTroy.This,again,haslittlebasisinanymyth.InsomeversionsofthemythofHelenofTroysheisrapedandabductedbyParis,inothersAphroditecauseshertofallinlovewithhimandtheyelope.Inonlyonesource,Sappho,canIfindaversionwhereHelengoescompletelyofherownfreewill,andnowherecanIfindaversionwheresheissmuggledawayinabox.ThishasimplicationsonthewaytheshowwillhandlethestoryasitalmostabsolvesParisofanyguiltforcausingthewar.Thisisanimportantpointinthe Iliad;ParishashelpedtocausethewarbecauseofhisownrecklessnessandHectorisfuriousthathisbrotherhasstartedawarwhichresultsinsomanydeadandthatPariswon’tevenfightin,unlikehiscountrymen. Furthermore,thisalsoremovessomeofthetragedyofHelen.InHomer’stellingofthemyth,HelenalsoseemsalmostlikeaprisoneratTroy.ShedeeplyregretsgoingwithParisandleavingherhusband,sheissorryforallthementhatdieandconstantlyberatesherselfcallingherselfaslutandabitch.SheisutterlyashamedtosleepwithParisandonlydoessowhenforcedtobyAphrodite,andeventhenshechoosestodisguiseherselfsoshewon’tbeseen.Sheseemslikeapawnofthegodsandwesympathisewithheraccordingly.If,instead,shegoeswillinglytoTroythensheisnolongeranunwillingparticipantthatisforcedintothissituationbyParisorthegods.Infact,iftheshowdoesincludetheOathofTyndareus,thenthewarisentirelyHelen’sfaultasshechoosestogowithParisknowingthatthiswouldmaketheGreekkingswouldgotowar.IthinktheshowmusthavechangedthisinordertomakeHelenandParisseemalmostlikeRomeoandJulietwiththeirforbiddenlove.Whateverthereason,ithaslittletonobasisinmythandtakesalotoftheemotionalpoweroutoftheoriginalstory. Well,that’stheendofepisodeone!I’msureImissedafewmistakeshereandthere,buthopefullyImanagedtocoverthemajoronesaswellasafewoftheparticularlyannoyinglittleones. Staytunedforepisodetwo! Searchfor: Search FollowHistoriaionWordPress.com FollowBlogviaEmail,goonit'llbefun Enteryouremailaddresstofollowthisblogandreceivenotificationsofnewpostsbyemail. EmailAddress: Follow Categories General Iliad Troy–FallofaCity WhatmadeAlexandersuchagoodgeneral? Privacy&Cookies:Thissiteusescookies.Bycontinuingtousethiswebsite,youagreetotheiruse. Tofindoutmore,includinghowtocontrolcookies,seehere: CookiePolicy Follow Following Historiai Signmeup AlreadyhaveaWordPress.comaccount?Loginnow. Historiai Customize Follow Following Signup Login Reportthiscontent ViewsiteinReader Managesubscriptions Collapsethisbar   LoadingComments...   WriteaComment... Email(Required) Name(Required) Website