Barbarians

I have mixed feelings about this series. What I consider positive is that all the episodes were quite watchable, I wasn’t bored and had a fairly good time. On the other hand, what bothered me was too much attention to hygiene - you wouldn’t come across a single greasy hair. Plus, the events in the Germanic village seemed sloppily narrated. I thought the creators would focus all their efforts on the battle itself, which ended up being the biggest disappointment. A several-day long massacre was squeezed into a few minutes, in which barely one maniple fought instead of three legions in full force. I don't know if the Germans were limited by time or money. I'm guessing both. All in all, I think the series is worth watching, but don’t expect too much of it. (01/03/2021)

The theme, delving into the intricate politics of ancient Rome, naturally piqued my interest. However, I found myself a tad uncertain about its execution. The Romans famously deemed anyone without their own aqueducts as barbarians, yet the portrayal of the local Germans left me questioning if they were already enjoying sophisticated plumbing systems in every humble abode. Nevertheless, overall, I found it quite enjoyable. (01/02/2021)

The storyline, which had been off to a decent start, hit a bit of a speed bump. The creators leaned on flashbacks to shed light on past events, a technique often used, but this time it didn't quite hit the mark for me. Rather than enhancing the intrigue, it felt like the plot lost momentum. Here's hoping it will get better next time. 3*- (01/02/2021)

While there were some noticeable improvements from the last episode, it didn't quite hit the mark for me to warrant adding any stars. I appreciate the German creators' efforts to craft a solid historical series, but it seems they might need a bigger budget, a sharper screenwriter, and perhaps a more skilled director to really elevate it. Three stars will have to suffice for now. (01/02/2021)

I have to give credit where it's due: the fourth episode had the most dynamic pace yet, thanks to an uptick in action. Despite these positives, I couldn't bring myself to rate it any higher. There's something about the series as a whole that just doesn't fully engage me. The creators haven't quite succeeded in immersing me in the plot to the point where I forget I'm watching TV. There's a certain element missing. 3*+ (01/03/2021)

While action took a bit of a backseat this time around, it wasn't a major concern for me as politics and intrigue took center stage, both within tribes and between them. However, I couldn't overlook a technical hiccup during the wedding night preparations. Either the cameraman was feeling the heat, or American "morality" is starting to infiltrate European productions. I'm leaning towards the latter, and it's a worrying thought. (01/03/2021)

Call me a stickler, but I had higher hopes for the big showdown the series had been building up to. The fight in the forest was alright, but what unfolded in the open space felt like a joke. I couldn't figure out what the Germans were splashing over the Romans; it certainly wasn't pitch or mead, and the idea of gasoline seemed downright absurd. (01/03/2021)