 Commentators viewed the success of Rome as crucial for the network , especially after the past mixed reception of <unk> and K @-@ Street . In July 2005 , James <unk> of Television Week wrote that Rome was viewed " as the network 's best shot for adding another literate , must @-@ see drama to its schedule " . Writing for the same publication , Tom <unk> said that HBO " has made such a fuss over Rome , and the network itself has put such painful pressure on the show ( and its producers ) to make a <unk> impact , that it 'll be <unk> like a <unk> if it fails to make a truly gigantic splash . " 
