In our Those About to Die review, we highlight the major weaknesses in the drama series.
These weaknesses are evident across the board but become more prominent with Xenon (Emilio Sakraya) and Scorpus (Dimitri Leonidas).
The show does not lack robust queer representation, with Domitian (Jojo Macari) being gay and a main character. But he is so disgustingly vile that one can’t wait until he dies.
His relationship with his “boy” is not kilig-inducing, so when Xenon and Scorpius share a moment in the alley in Episode 7, it’s a ‘we’re so back’ moment.
The moment, however, doesn’t amount to much because Scorpus kills Xenon in the following episode.
When the first episode begins, it doesn’t appear as if anything is happening between Scorpus and Xenon.
Scorpus is the King of the Chariots, while Xenon tries to get by after leaving Germany for Rome.
The star of the races has all the pleasure available to him because that’s what happens to stars, and Xenon is trying to get half of that.
This births some competition that sees the duo at odds for six episodes before they make up in the seventh.
One of the major problems with the series is that it doesn’t give enough time for storylines to develop.
If that were not the case, Xenon and Scopus would make a great enemies-to-lovers trope. With enough time, the slow burn would give viewers such a high they wouldn’t want it to end.
Spartacus does this with Agron (Daniel Feuerriegel) and Nasir (Pana Hema-Taylor). They begin with some hate that slowly gives way to love and births one of the best ships of the 2010s.
Episode 7 is a great indicator of how this shallow character exploration affects the story.
Xenon finally decides to squash the beef with Scorpus. They go out to drink, and while drunk, Xenon shares personal things about his life.
All the while, Scorpus’ attention is divided as he flirts with some whore, and by the look on Xenon’s face, he’s hurt.
Looking at their dynamic retrospectively, Xenon has always looked at Scorpus in a different manner. It initially appears to be adoration mixed with some disdain.
As the liquor washes away his reticent demeanor, that’s when it becomes clear that he desires Scorpus.
Everyone knows the pain of desiring someone who you could never have, and seeing Scorpus flirt with whores while Xenon is baring his heart breaks it.
Matters reach a head when, while heading back from the tavern, Xenon takes a leap of faith and kisses Scorpus, who is surprised for a moment there.
Xenon retreats when Scorpus pushes him away, but it’s not addressed until later.
A lot is sacrificed in this arc because the inside thoughts are not well communicated. Did Scorpus like Xenon’s kiss? Did Xenon misinterpret Scorpus’ actions?
While Scorpus is not canonically queer, later signs point out to the fact that the was not against starting something with Xenon. And this being fiction, everything goes.
Two fierce racers would have made for the best ship of the year.
An episode later, Scorpus kills Xenon to hide the fact that he breaks a rule during a race, leading to an abrupt end to the arc.
Like several in the show, it feels under-explored, especially in those last moments.
It leaves several questions unanswered. Does Scorpus like Xenon, or does he bring up events from the previous night to emotionally blackmail Xenon?
Xenon could have kept Scorpus’ secret for several reasons, including love or self-preservation. Why didn’t he?
This development and several others prove that the show sacrifices a lot for the sake of shepherding the crowd of a cast.
The collateral damage is that we lost.