AS SEEN ON TV: MARK ANTONY

With this week's episode of 'Chuck' ("Chuck vs. The Seduction Impossible"), the spy-nerd series cleansed its palate (as Alan Sepinwall described it in his analysis.) The Volkov Industries arc was wrapped up last week and hints for a new storyline were dropped during this otherwise standalone episode that featured the return of spy legend Roan Montgomery (one of the best coined for TV names around!)

It was time for the Volkov/Frost story's completion, but sadly it meant saying goodbye to a great villain in Alexei Volkov - played by Timothy Dalton. At times he was ruthless and in turn absolutely bonkers; and when we first met him, he created an identity for himself as a spy handler nervous in the field whom I was sorry to see go when it all turned out to be a ruse.

Volkov wasn't killed off, so there's always the chance we might see Dalton return in the role someday. (I know it will certainly be hard to top a former James Bond as the series' Big Bad the next time around.) But in the meantime, we're dedicating today's "As Seen On TV" showcase to one of the actor's historical roles on television......

MARK ANTONY

AS SEEN IN:
"Antony And Cleopatra"

AS PLAYED BY:
Timothy Dalton

From Wikipedia:
Marcus Antonius (January 14, 83 BC – August 1, 30 BC), known in English as Mark Antony (and often pronounced "Anthony"), was a Roman politician and general. He was an important supporter and the loyal friend of Gaius Julius Caesar as a military commander and administrator, despite his blood ties, through his mother Julia, to the branch of Caesars opposed to the Marians and murdered by them. After Caesar's assassination, Antony formed an official political alliance with Octavian (Augustus) and Marcus Aemilius Lepidus, known to historians today as the Second Triumvirate.
The triumvirate broke up in 33 BC. Disagreement between Octavian and Antony erupted into civil war, the Final War of the Roman Republic, in 31 BC. Antony was defeated by Octavian at the naval Battle of Actium, and in a brief land battle at Alexandria. He and his lover Cleopatra committed suicide shortly thereafter. His career and defeat are significant in Rome's transformation from Republic to Empire.
BCnU!