Spartacus: Blood and Sand

[bucknersrevenge]

Not everyone gets the Starz network but since there have been so many new shows I wonder if anyone has had a chance to check this out. Terrific show starring Andy Whitfield and John Hannah two guys who haven't been in a whole lot combined. Hannah's biggest role to date maybe the comic relief role as the brother in the "Mummy" movies with Brendan Fraser. Very graphic stuff. Kinda picks up where Gladiator and especially 300 leaves off. But it's great drama and I think pretty good writing as well. If you haven't seen all the episodes and have access to Starz on Demand I highly recommend it.

[BudweiserCeltic]

It's indeed a pretty good ****ographic series. Last episode was pretty awesome.

[indeedproceed]

Gladiator meets Rome and 300 for a threesome. Solid idea. Sometimes it is pretty one dimensional, but that one dimension is pretty awesome. I'm 2 epis back so don't spoil it!

[BballTim]

Gladiator meets Rome and 300 for a threesome. Solid idea. Sometimes it is pretty one dimensional, but that one dimension is pretty awesome. I'm 2 epis back so don't spoil it!

  Yet another thing we have in common (I'm also 2 episodes back).

[bucknersrevenge]

You guys are in for a treat my friends. Getting really good. Especially the last episode. something happens at the very end i completely did NOT see coming!! I don't think I could spoil it even if I wanted to. This show is so wild and raunchy to describe it would probably break like 20 CelticsBlog rules!

[mahonedog88]

Yeah great show.  I watch it regularly with 2 of my roommates and we always get so pumped for it every sunday.

Our jaws dropped after the scene in the last episode.  No explanation needed, you guys know what I'm talking about for those who saw it

[Kwhit10]

I don't know if it was the same but I caught what I thought was the first episode when it played on encore (starz does repeats on it) and I thought it was a craptacular version of 300.  It was very cheesey.

[BudweiserCeltic]

I don't know if it was the same but I caught what I thought was the first episode when it played on encore (starz does repeats on it) and I thought it was a craptacular version of 300.  It was very cheesey.

So was Hercules and Xena the Warrior Princess, and both shows are awesome.

Nothing wrong with the cheese if it tastes good.

[Eja117]

Is it historically irresponsible to the laughability point though?  I mean do they have things like Spartacus fighting ninjas or fighting against weapons that didn't get invented for 1000 years after him like early grenades or something? Or against new world animals?

I really hate that.

[RAcker]

Stanley Kubrick is rolling over in his grave.   

[bucknersrevenge]

Is it historically irresponsible to the laughability point though?  I mean do they have things like Spartacus fighting ninjas or fighting against weapons that didn't get invented for 1000 years after him like early grenades or something? Or against new world animals?

I really hate that.

No I wouldn't say it's historically irresponsible. It's set during the gladiator times but makes no immediate reference to factual events from the day or noted figures. It just sets the backdrop. There are no ninjas or fantastical animals. They do spend a lot of time talking about Jupiter though(if you've seen it, you know what I'm talking about). Check it out. It comes on tonight at 10pm. Very well written I think and definitely keeps you engaged. Although I have heard recently that Whitfield now has lymphoma and the 2nd season has been put on hold.

[hankfinkel]

Although still pretty graphic in the violence as the season has rolled on, that seemed to be the main thrust at the beginning of the season.  As the season has progressed, they have toned down the frequency of the blood spilling a bit, and the character development particularly of Batiatus, Spartacus, and Crixus, as well as some of the female leads, has really been very good.

I have been pleasantly surprised by how engaging the characters have been and how well they have balanced the action and sexuality with some very good acting and writing. Not trying to aspire to be HBO's Rome, a whole different animal altogether, but good entertainment.

And yes, this week's episode was pretty tremendous with a twist that I did not see coming, and carried a lot of dramatic punch.

[thebirdman]

Pretty good show. I was kind of skeptical after the first couple of episodes but I like how the show evolved.

I am wondering however with all the nudity etc. if the episodes are censored in any way in the US?

[BudweiserCeltic]

Pretty good show. I was kind of skeptical after the first couple of episodes but I like how the show evolved.

I am wondering however with all the nudity etc. if the episodes are censored in any way in the US?

It's a premium channel... no need to censor.

[RAcker]

I AM SPARTACUS!