Ep 6. Saturnalia

Plebs is a British television series, set in ancient Rome, which focusses on three young men looking to make their way in the world. The show blends the contemporary with the historical, to create a hilarious comedy that satirizes modern society through the lens of Rome.

In season 1, episode 6, titled Saturnalia, the focus is on the festival of Saturnalia, a time when the slaves of Rome are allowed to take on the role of their masters for a brief period. Marcus, Stylax, and Grumio jump at the chance to experience the debauchery of Saturnalia, hoping to score invitations to the biggest party in town, hosted by the wealthy and powerful Flavia.

The episode begins with the trio seeking out invitations to the party, but they quickly discover that they are not the only ones hoping to attend. The line outside Flavia's house stretches for blocks, and the boys realize they will need a plan to get inside. They enlist the help of Cynthia, Flavia's slave, who agrees to get them in if they help her get revenge on her cruel mistress.

As they try to come up with a way to get past Flavia's guards, it becomes clear that Marcus is more focused on impressing Flavia than actually getting inside the party. He concocts a plan to win her over, which involves him impersonating a scholar, but his scheme quickly falls apart when he meets the real scholar.

Meanwhile, Stylax and Grumio are left to their own devices, causing chaos throughout the house as they search for food and wine. They eventually stumble upon the kitchen, where they meet a group of slaves who are also looking to take revenge on Flavia. The slaves offer to help the boys get inside the party in exchange for their assistance.

As the night wears on, chaos erupts throughout the house, as the slaves and partygoers indulge in debauchery and excess. Marcus is determined to impress Flavia, but his efforts only seem to make things worse, and he finds himself in a series of embarrassing situations. Stylax and Grumio, meanwhile, are having the time of their lives, partying with the slaves and causing havoc wherever they go.

Throughout the episode, the boys confront the realities of life in Rome, and the harsh divide between the upper and lower classes. They begin to see the flaws in their own desires for wealth and power, as they witness the suffering of the slaves and the cruelty of their masters.

In the end, the boys are forced to confront the consequences of their actions, and they learn that Saturnalia might not be all it's cracked up to be. As they stumble out of Flavia's house, battered and bruised, they realize that true happiness might lie in a simpler life.

Overall, Saturnalia is a hilarious and poignant episode of Plebs, using the festival as a backdrop to explore deeper themes of power, inequality, and the true nature of happiness. Fans of the show will love the episode's blend of contemporary comedy and historical satire, as well as the lovable antics of Marcus, Stylax, and Grumio.