Spartacus: Gods of the Arena

What seemed like filler and an attempt to stall the show at its most audience and action-friendly place, ultimately turns out to be the best season ever. It also proves how cleverly the whole concept is set up, because it doesn't matter that you know what will happen to the characters years later, where they will end up, or how it will all end, because despite all the blood and seemingly gratuitous sex and suffering, this story always had strong characters and the associated genuine emotions as its main focus. So when someone new comes in, I impatiently sit in nervousness, wondering how (badly) this newcomer will turn out. Compared to the already legendary first season, the Gods are still leading by a hair, because they don't need to search for their visual aspect, they don't need to rush ahead, and on the contrary, they perfectly know their creative strengths. (23/03/2021)

I’m also joining the 100% satisfied club. Waiting for Spartacus: Vengeance is now even harder... Roman nobility and its problems are solved by violence, sex, opium, and money. There is absolutely no need for Spartacus. Lucretia is the one in question. Six episodes are incredibly too little, all conceivable taboos have long since passed into the afterlife, and now it's time for a never-ending orgy. The most beloved of the new characters is the sunny Gaia, Lucretia's old friend, currently also her lover, and that of her husband Batiatus. Past Transgressions delightfully plays out the prologue to the story, of a time when the arena in mighty Capua was yet to flourish, Solonius was a friend of Batiatus, and Oenomaus had his wife and friend Gannicus by his side. The final contrast between the wife's sexual games and her husband's humiliation is wonderfully bitter. Missio is characterized by the fundamental separation of Solonius from Batiatus, the strengthening of the friendly triangle of Oenomaus, Gannicus, and Mellitus, and the retaliation for humiliation by the villainous Tullius. In spite of all this, the pleasure given to the superior Vettius is beyond all senses. It would be a crime not to celebrate this victory with the most delightful fun for three. Paterfamilias, with the vigorous arrival of Batiatus' father, turns pleasure and culminating intrigue into total depression. The confusion of feelings of doom and destruction is underscored by the disgusting act of Vettius' friend Cossusius and the demise of the gay gladiatorial romance between Barca and Auctus. However, Luc has a crush on Crixus and young Batiatus begins to plot a plan to free himself from his father's arms. Beneath the Mask celebrates the rise of the House of Batiatus with the help of satisfying all who would have something to offer in return. The price of negating the competition is too high and the very union of Batiatus and Luc comes into play. How could Gaia let this happen? Gannicus lets his own feelings get the better of him. Reckoning The desire for revenge and a place in the sun is a powerful witch. Betrayal follows betrayal, the vipers continue to warm their breasts and everything culminates in a true ancient tragedy. And it is on these foundations that the strongest union of marriage flourishes. My condolences to all involved. Life in the house of Batiatus will never be the same again. The Bitter End Ashur becomes the king of all the swines, Solonius the turncoat and Diona the saddest of the executed. The exclusive games of Capua shatter all previous notions of a proper show. The story has looped and Season 2 of the main story can continue. (23/01/2011)

The ultimate question is whether this was better or worse than Blood and Sand. I can't answer that. I'm just pleasantly surprised that Spartacus works without Spartacus. A nice 6 episodes was enough for me. (19/05/2011)

Effect-full and effective “comic book generation R-rated Claudius in 300-style" mishmash. As crazy this might sound, surprisingly it really is crazily good. Both the gory gladiator storyline and the “porno" intrigues line functions excellently, maybe the porno one slightly better even. And it functions mainly because, regardless of the amount of violence and erotica, it’s mainly about characters, stories and emotions. (23/05/2011)