‘Empire’ is a summer series worth watching

Published 9:00 pm Wednesday, June 22, 2005

Networks TV audiences drop by about one-third in the summer, but the answer to the age-old chicken-and-egg question isn’t totally clear.

Do people not watch TV because they want to get out of the house, or do they get out of the house because what’s on TV is so awful?

We might never know the real answer as long as network execs continue to insult us with offerings such as “I Want to be a Hilton” and “Hit Me Baby One More Time.”

But for the second time this summer, an epic miniseries will be unleashed in hopes of capturing an audience when no one else is watching.

TNT’s “Into the West” kicked off earlier this month and continues to slog westward. I think they’re somewhere in Oklahoma by now.

It’s a very realistic series. Watching it truly gives you the feeling of boredom and tedium the pioneers may have experienced as they trudged along.

The danger and disease seems awful, too, but you mostly feel bad for them because they didn’t have TiVo.

Now ABC delivers “Empire,” an ambitious, six-hour miniseries that tells a semi-fictional story of Julius Caesar’s nephew, Octavius, who was thrust into power after that whole “Ides of March” deal.

The series starts with a two-hour premiere at 9 p.m. Tuesday on KOMO-TV, Channel 4. It continues with one hour at 10 p.m. Tuesdays through July.

Of course, we’ve all seen these grand historical efforts before. But this one’s different – it’s actually pretty good.

When summer brings something worth watching, you can’t let it get away. Soon enough, “Empire” will be gone and you’ll be stuck watching Motley Crue drummer Tommy Lee attend classes at University of Nebraska.

I only wish I were joking.

“Empire” starts where most of the Caesar re-creations end. The big guy has just returned from conquering everything and the people love him. The Senate wants to keep its power and fears J.C. is going to take it away.

You know the story: The Senate, including Caesar’s best buddy, Brutus, sets him up and kills him, stabbing him 30 times.

The most fictional part of “Empire” comes in the form of Tyrannus, a gladiator who has sworn to protect Julius Caesar and his 18-year-old nephew and heir, Octavius.

Tons of effort was put into the sets, costumes and filming, all of which was done in Italy, and just as much was put into the casting. Every actor seems natural in his or her place and nothing feels forced.

Jonathan Cake (“First Knight” and “Noah’s Ark”) was made for these types of roles and brings the intensity and physical presence of Tyrannus.

Newcomer Santiago Cabrera (“Haven”) is convincing as the young and frightened Octavius who morphs into a powerful leader in his own right.

The chemistry between the two actors works as Tyrannus becomes a sort of father figure to Octavius, guiding him through a period of exile while civil war rages through Rome until his return as emperor.

The conflicts are clear, the action is intense and the pacing is perfect.

“Empire” doesn’t make the mistake of trying to be too big, even though ABC is calling it “one of the most lavish and technically complex series” the network has ever aired.

Where “Into the West” seemed to be showing off its grandeur, “Empire” – which reportedly cost about half as much to produce – wears it confidently.

Victor Balta’s column runs Mondays and Thursdays on the A&E page. Call him at 425-339-3455 or e-mail vbalta@heraldnet.com.

Philippe Antonello/ABC

Jonathan Cake (left) and Santiago Cabrera star as Tyrannus and Octavius in the ABC miniseries “Empire.”