Nefertiti and Akhenaten continue their crusade to convert the Egyptians to one god and embark on a plan to create a city dedicated to their chosen god. Meanwhile, General Horemheb brings news of armies encroaching on Egyptian soil and urges Akhenaten to take swift and decisive action. Akhenaten’s gentle and trusting spirit can only believe that they are coming in peace and refuses his general’s commands. The general acts anyway and secretly plans an anonymous attack to drive away the army he knows to be aggressive. Akhenaten is furious and orders the general to take command of his personal retinue, effectively an insult to the great strategist. The only problem with this plan was that it brought Nefertiti and Horemheb closer together. Nefertiti sends him off to do what he will to defend Egypt despite the wishes of Akhenaten.

I rate this episode ★★★★☆ for GOOD. I will say that G. Frederick Lewis’ 3rd chapter in this 5-part saga is impressive. More Drama, yet more Romance. It would’ve been awesome if G. Frederick Lewis wrote extra scenes where the Hittite Prince Zannanza gets to speak about his intentions rather than mentioning his name and then killing him off. The names of the minor characters, particularly the 2 Commanders, may not be accurate. However, this storyline involving power, religion, city structure, and emotional feelings for others have risen, making this episode more intriguing than the previous ones. In our Host’s Prologue, E.G. Marshall refers this tale as the Golden Age of Egypt. In ACT-1, informing us that Nefertiti and her Pharaoh husband were inexperienced on how to rule the 2 sides of Egypt; the South had the Vulture symbol and the North had the Cobra symbol. In ACT-2, learning the number of things that Egyptians invented that affect our modern lives, but also Amarna Tablets made from clay that let us know how Egyptian cities were started. In ACT-3, things are coming together for Nefertiti, but is it the calm before the storm? In his Epilogue, E.G. Marshall asks what distinguishes civilizations? His answer is the Material and the Mind. But also asks us modern people; are we more primitive that we care to admit? Informative narrations and pensive questions our Host gave us. Bravo to you, E.G. Marshall. The sound effects of horses galloping and neighing, howling wind, jackals howling, water streams, musical harp in the background, footsteps, and the birds chirping were helpful. As I said before, if there was scene of the Hittite Prince Zannanza being attacked by the Egyptian Soldiers and if CBSRMT had sound effects of swords, arrows, chariots, and marching armies hollering out battle cries, it would make this episode more epic. The music tracks they used were epic by the way, plus a variety of other tunes that carried out the conflicts of drama and romance. And of course, there’s our cast: Tammy Grimes (as Nefertiti), Russell Horton (as Akhenaton and Commander Templar), Earl Hammond (as General Horemheb), Evie Juster (as Female Beggar and Marianni), and Court Benson (as Male Beggar, Commander Hari, and Beck the Master Architect). Excellent job on Court Benson for playing 3 roles and Evie Juster was great in her 2 roles. Earl Hammond was magnificent as the General Horemheb; very confident and theatrical. Russell Horton got better. Not just playing a Commander, but also improved his performance as the Pharaoh Akhenaton. As for Tammy Grimes, our leading lady improved as well. I think she presented her true self in this episode that she played the part as if she was the Queen of Egypt. This 3rd chapter has been a delight and I’m looking forward to the next chapter. SPECIAL NOTE: This episode was aired on KOA station in Denver with CBS Radio News and 1 commercial of Book Digest Magazine. Until next time…pleasant dreams. =0)