Spartacus: Blood and Sand

[coolghoul]

Is nobody watching this?

For those who don't subscribe to Starz, Netflix' digital play option allows you to watch the episodes that have been telecast so far. And that's how I pick it up.

I am not current with the latest episodes. But recently had the chance to watch ep 105 (Shadow Games) and ep 106 (Delicate Things). While Shadow Games might be the more "obviously" violent episode, featuring Spartacus and Crixus going against the legendary Theokoles (who had defeated a 100 men in the arena ) and had also ended the career of Doktore (Peter Mensah - doing great), the teacher for their gladiatorial house.

It was Delicate Things however that completely blew my mind away - where sometimes knowingly and sometimes unknowingly, Batiatus ( the owner of the gladiators where Spartacus is) does some very violent and disturbing things. And I had not thought that some of the important characters would ... Well, I don't want to spoil people.

For those so inclined, the series features pretty graphic scenes including full frontal male nudity, homosexual and heterosexual sex scenes. And yes, Lucy Lawless as Lucretia is still HOT and is seen topless on several occasions - she's still got it.

 

[Garak]

I freaking love this show. The over the top violence and blood are great, I find the plot compelling, and the characters are great (the acting is so-so but I don't mind). Plus the outrageous nudity is just fantastic.

I thought the last episode, Mark of the Brotherhood, was the best of the series so far.

I heard the show already got picked up for a 2nd season. So stoked!

 

[species5618]

Yeah, it's a fun show--not up to the standards of, say, The Wire or The Sopranos, but it's a guilty pleasure of mine.

And hey, Lucy Lawless topless? That's a bonus right there.

 

[Garak]

^ Exactly, if you don't go in expecting something as utterly brilliant, profound and mind blowing as The Wire is, then it's no big deal - it's just good fun and entertaining to watch.

 

[Skywalker]

Yeah, I was never expecting it to be this great masterpiece of cinema, but the show's turned out to be surprisingly good. I haven't seen last week's episode yet, I'll probably catch the repeat they air just before tonight's new episode.

 

[hyzmarca]

As a Xena fan, I was always disappointed by the lack of lesbian sex scenes. I haven't seen much of Spartacus, but it doesn't disappoint

 

[Forbin]

I'm surprisingly enjoying the show, despite the frequent exposure to peepees.

As someone on Wordforge said, "seeing Lucy Lawless get fingered by a female slave made the whole thing worthwhile."

 

[Kelthaz]

I tried watching the first two episodes and I couldn't even make it halfway through the second. I mean, yeah, it ranks high in the porn category, but not so much in the drama category. Nudity and gore is not a solid replacement for good writing and characters.

I wish they'd just bring back Hercules and Xena.

 

[Brikar99]

It's improved quite a bit. The pilot was empty and ridiculous, but each successive episode gets better and better. Sure, it's a lot of soap opera rivalries and backstabbing, but I think it's rather entertaining.

 

[Australis]

^ Hmm, improves, you say? It's not available Down Under, so I've seen the first two eps by other means. They splash around blood a bit much, in an unrealistic way (seriously, if anyone lost as much blood in the arena scene in the first ep, they'd be dead), that ought to be reined in.

But the ongoing plot could be good. And yes, it's worth it to watch Lucy Lawless gettin' down and dirty.

 

[Ayelbourne]

Nudity and gore is not a solid replacement for good writing and characters.

Judging by the ratings, it is.

 

[coolghoul]

I tried watching the first two episodes and I couldn't even make it halfway through the second. I mean, yeah, it ranks high in the porn category, but not so much in the drama category. Nudity and gore is not a solid replacement for good writing and characters.

I wish they'd just bring back Hercules and Xena.

I was agreeing to your post, but are you seriously suggesting Hercules and Xena as the pinnacle of writing & character?!

I mean Herc (especially) was pretty simple-minded fluffy stuff, in general. Xena did have some good writing and character. But the greatest hour on television - I never thought so. In general both (with Xena edging out Herc) were fun and some of it made for heartfelt, intense television - I wouldn't hold it as being a model of writing and character tho'. Music? Yeah.... Anyways - I don't necessarily want to make it all about Herc and Xena...

Back to S:BAS - I think the gore will definitely continue. It's a stylistic choice - I am not a fan but I just shrug it off. Including the really apparent CGI shots of the coliseum and the ludus (that's their training area).

I am a fan of the random audience nudity while watching the games btw. I think American Idol and Shall we dance would be eminently more watchable if crowds followed the S:BAS model and let it all hang out in crowd scenes. I am curious btw - does that add to the expense of the show? I don't think a lot of extras would be available who'd want to act nekkid!?! Or is New Zealand a more relaxed society with nude beaches galore?

And how're the ratings for this show? Any links?

 

[Joy]

I only watched the premiere because John Hannah was in the show... but then, because he's a REGULAR in the show, and because it actually managed to hook me, I've seen every episode that's aired to date.

It isn't a show anyone of my acquaintance would expect me to be watching (well, one or two might not be shocked), but it's freaking great. And I love John Hannah; I hope Batiatus will remain in the show (one thing about the show that I love is that you absolutely do not know if a character is gonna make it to the end of an episode alive... well, 'cept Spartacus, I suppose, seeing as how he's the title character, LOL).

 

[Iasius]

I heard the show already got picked up for a 2nd season. So stoked!

Filming for the 2nd season has been delayed because Andy Whitfield (Spartacus) has been diagnosed with Non-Hodgkin lymphoma recently.


That said, I also enjoy this show. The first few episodes weren't all that good, the slow motion blood spraying everywhere was way overdone, but I think it's gotten better, not only in the respect of special effects, but the writing has gotten better as well. It still isn't a show to make you think, but I'm starting to enjoy seeing these characters.

I could see the twist in the latest episode coming, but I still enjoyed it. I'm looking forward to the fallout from this.

 

[T J]

I heard the show already got picked up for a 2nd season. So stoked!

Filming for the 2nd season has been delayed because Andy Whitfield (Spartacus) has been diagnosed with Non-Hodgkin lymphoma recently.

Holy shit! How horrible!

I must admit I hated the pilot, gave it a scathing review... but I admit I've come to eat my words because this has turned out to be one helluva great show.

 

[Kelthaz]

I tried watching the first two episodes and I couldn't even make it halfway through the second. I mean, yeah, it ranks high in the porn category, but not so much in the drama category. Nudity and gore is not a solid replacement for good writing and characters.

I wish they'd just bring back Hercules and Xena.

I was agreeing to your post, but are you seriously suggesting Hercules and Xena as the pinnacle of writing & character?!

Oh no, not at all. As much as a I love those shows, I'll be the last one to argue that they had good writing. But they were fun and entertaining shows to watch, which is something I can't say about Spartacus.

I just miss the days when Sam Raimi pumped out fun and campy rather than dark and "adult". Even Legend of the Seeker is pushing its PG boundary and showing as much gore, violence, and nudity as possible.

 

[Capn Flukie]

I recently joined Netflix and was happy to see that the show is available for dl, so I know what I'll be watching tonight.

 

[Roshi]

Even Legend of the Seeker is pushing its PG boundary and showing as much gore, violence, and nudity as possible.

Nudity? Tell me what version of LotS are you watchin'?

 

[Forbin]

Hey, at least there was artistic sex this week!

 

[Kelthaz]

Even Legend of the Seeker is pushing its PG boundary and showing as much gore, violence, and nudity as possible.

Nudity? Tell me what version of LotS are you watchin'?

Well it's PG nudity, so it's mostly the camera aiming as low as it can without getting the dreaded butt crack or nipple on screen, but the show is clearly trying to push the T&A factor as much as it can.