TV: Spartacus

[TwisT]

Agreed. Felt a little awkward at first. But slowly you lost yourself in the story.

I wonder if Gannicus will appear this season. After all he told Crixus that when he earned his freedom he should seek him out. Even though they rebelled they are kind of free now. Maybe Gannicus will come back to Capua or they will go to where he is. Or maybe we will see Animaus and Gannicus together again.

[Penner]

I think the folks who make the show said that Gannicus would indeed come back in this season, not sure when or if he's going to be a big part of stuff, but it's something atleast ^^

[Uchiha Barles]

Gannicus's role should be fairly important. If I remember correctly, the show's producers already knew of the existence of Gannicus and what his role would be from the inception of the show. When they decided to do a prequel to tide us over to season 2, they decided that would be a good opportunity to make us care about his character when he shows up.

[Archangel]

Gannicus's role should be fairly important. If I remember correctly, the show's producers already knew of the existence of Gannicus and what his role would be from the inception of the show. When they decided to do a prequel to tide us over to season 2, they decided that would be a good opportunity to make us care about his character when he shows up.

The drunk fucker who stole his best friend's wife? We're supposed to care for that guy?

I couldn't help but compare Spartacus to Spartacus but in the end i don't think it matters that much when it comes to enjoying the show as long as they keep the story moving as it is.

[TwisT]

This is a show about one of the most immoral civilizations throughout history and you decide to draw the line at adultery? Not something that came easy either.

Gannicus and Melitta was really close even before they where forced to fuck. Melitta was the calmest and most kindhearted soul on this show. It's quite understandable that Gannicus sparked more intimate feelings for her. And he struggled with what to do about it. And in the end he lost to Crixus on purpose so that he would be sold. And it's not like Melitta didn't feel for Gannicus. She was just better at resisting her urges. No doubt because she already had someone she loved. After all they where slaves. And as a slave you don't have much in your life. So when you find love it can't be easy when that someone is forbidden fruit.

Gannicus was also probably the most awesome Gladiator we have seen so far. Even though he lost against Crixus and we can't know for sure, i have the feeling he would have won if he had been fully focused on beating him. And he was considered by most to be an equal to Oenomaus (can't believe he spells his name like that) even though i think Gannicus himself still held Oenomaus higher even though he joked about it. And Oenomaus made sport of Crixus and Spartacus when they trained before the Theokoles fight. And he always fought with a smile on his lips. What's not to like?

[rockmanj]

Yea, I won't spoil, but it works. Also, that was pretty much the only actor change.

[Uchiha Barles]

I'm sorry, but I have to bitch about this regardless of having known this was coming for a year and a half now. Lucretia being alive is complete bullshit. Her introductory scene felt tacked on and her existence feels gimmicky. I'm not a fan and I severely doubt anything they do to try and justify her continued drawing of breath is going to fail with me. Needless to say I'd be hugely surprised if that wasn't the case.

Everything else was damned good. I still think Andy was a better Spartacus, but I feel it's because he had to "act" less, so to speak, to play the role. Liam's doing a fine job. Orelia's death was pretty sad to me, because not only was she tragic, but her dying words underlined Spartacus' own tragedy: he's leading these people to their ultimate demise, and it seems anyone who has more than just a passing association with him is going to live and die miserably. He's an excellent example of a cursed character.

Overall, this episode delivered what I expected, and I was not disappointed. It's been awhile since I've felt antsy waiting for an episode of a show to come out.

[Archangel]

We still don't know who treated her and how, so i'll leave the matter alone until it's properly explained.

[Animeniac77]

still the face on Lucretia's friend was priceless upon seeing her lol, and still gotta say i agree with it feeling "awkward" at first, seeing how i saw the 1st season+ it's prequel, upon seeing the 1st ep. of season 2 (Vengeance) i noticed the main actor "Andy" didn't look anywhere similar (so ofc i dug around and just recently found out about his death upon the 1st day of ep.1) but by the end ya forget about and get sucked back into the story...though ya still have that "R.I.P Andy" feeling Q_Q

[Sapphire]

I wasn't expecting Xena to be alive, so I was shocked as hell.

Of course, this episode had just the right combo of blood and sex to make me feel all tingly.

Oh yeah, I barely remember what happened in this show. Spartacus' girlfriend looks more foreign to me than Spartacus does. I guess I'll figure it out as we go along...

[Uchiha Barles]

"Short" Recap:

Spartacus and his Thracian forces were conscripted by the Roman army to aid them in defense of Thrace, a region the Romans had interest in. When the roman commander, Legatus Claudius Glaber, was given an opportunity for greater glory at a different battlefront, he ordered the Thracians to follow him there, leaving the towns women and children defenseless against the oncoming horde. The Thracians refused and rebelled, and so were either murdered by the Romans or taken slaves, Spartacus and his wife included.

After surviving execution by gladitorial combat, Spartacus was sent to a gladiator training camp while his wife was sent elsewhere far away. Lanista Quintus Lentulus Batiatus promised Spartacus that he would be reunited with his wife, and so Spartacus fought hard to survive and please Batiatus. Spartacus made friends and rivals during this time including many of the men you see currently. Batiatus and Lucretia, however, were social climbers. They used everything they could, Spartacus included, to increase the prestige of their family. They did so in spectacular fashion, it was fun to watch. So Batiatus had Spartacus' wife murdered, making it seem like she was killed by a band of brigands on her way to the Ludus. Having nothing left in the world other than his relationship with the "honorable" Batiatus, Spartacus became the perfect Gladiator. That is, until he discovered his wife's true fate by word of the man Batiatus used for the deed.

Spartacus then plotted to murder Batiatus, being fully prepared to face execution afterwards. Mira (his current fling) explained to him that his actions would seal the fate of all the slaves in the house. This helped Spartacus realize that his problems formed only a small subset of the *real* problem. The republic itself was corrupt, immoral, and the real cause of the tortured existence of the slaves in the Ludus. Indeed, the real cause of slave suffering throughout the empire.

Spartacus began plotting a revolt. Biding his time, he sought support from the slaves, house servant and gladiator alike. A number of the gladiators looked up to Crixus instead of Spartacus, and Spartacus needed their numbers for the revolt to succeed. Crixus was resistant at first. But Lucretia made the mistake of poisoning him before sending him into a death match against Spartacus, all to punish Crixus for loving another woman. Instead of taking advantage and winning the fight, Spartacus helped Crixus realize the depths of dishonor that existed in house Batiatus. He finally joined forces with Spartacus. In one of the bloodiest displays I've seen on TV, the slaves began murdering every single roman in the house, Batiatus and Lucretia included. They then left the house to unleash their fury on the Romans abroad.

There was a lot of other related stories that made the show great, like Illithya manipulating Numerius into having Spartacus kill his best friend Varro, in what was supposed to be a mock gladiator match. But that's the gist of it.

[Sapphire]

Wow, that was a really good synopsis! Reminds me of why this show is so damn good. I'm pumped up again for episode 2!

[Animeniac77]

Can't wait till this season really gets into gear though O.o makes ya ponder 'bout that Movie "300" without all the fiction o.o

[Sapphire]

Yeah, this show is pretty much a serialized version of 300.

With a plot.

[Animeniac77]

Question: does the new actor who plays "Spartacus" seem a lil...idk..."Scrawnier"? then the Main one? (Andy)

[Uchiha Barles]

I think he's overall just not as good, though I haven't gone back to check andy's physique against Liam's. A friend of mine mentioned that Andy seemed to be in better shape though, so you might be right.

[Animeniac77]

well i just rewatched "Blood and Sand" and "Vengeance" (Via DVR) and watching 2nd season after watching the 1st with 2 varying role actors...as you mentioned "Liam's" physique just doesn't "feel/look" right after being used to Andy's...but i'm sure i'll prolly brush it off by the 5th or so ep. ~.~ (Liam should maybe work out a lil more to live up to people's expectations "mine anyway") i'm somewhat of a "perfectionist" i get bugged by even some of the slightest details @.@

[Sapphire]

Interesting. I think the new guy is quite good.

[Animeniac77]

Interesting. I think the new guy is quite good.

you don't have any complaints about him? o.o not even miniscule ones?

[Sapphire]

Nope. No complaints.