[StressMonkey]

There is already a general thread for Spartacus War of the Damned

http://forums.digitalspy.co.uk/showthread.php?t=1670589

but as the UK are going to be a couple of weeks behind it would seem to make sense to have separate threads to minimise the risk of spoilers.

So, spoiler tags for unaired episodes an historical fact please (yes, I know, but a lot of people don't know their ancient history )

And can I kick of the thread with - don't be eating while watching the first episode They seem to have upped the gore quotient slightly this year

Lots of blood & guts and a slightly gratuitous soft porn scene for Gannicus - not that I'm complaining mind. So typical Spartacus but add to that our new player - Crassus. He seemed a bit.....wet. You think how can such a man be the richest person in Rome. Then the fight with his pet gladiator & then the twist, that he had deliberately given away the position of the gneral's villa just to gain title and command - I didn't see that coming

Some fantastic scenes between Gannicus & Spartacus, Cixus & Naevia and Agron & Nasir just to remind us why they are here. Some marvellous story telling filling in Spartacus's advance.

Overall, glad to have Sparty back - Saturdays weren't the same without him

[SillyBillyGoat]

I loved it, especially the new antagonists. I always find the bad guys the most watchable.

[welwynrose]

Apparently 88 deaths in the first episode!!!

Does anyone know who played Craccus sparring partner I recognise him from something

Brilliant start to the season

[StressMonkey]

Originally Posted by welwynrose

Apparently 88 deaths in the first episode!!!

Does anyone know who played Craccus sparring partner I recognise him from something

Brilliant start to the season

It was Richard Norton

He's been in loads of things BUT I wonder if you are confusing him with someone who looks incredibley similar like I did to begin with.....that person I am struggling to name lol

[welwynrose]

Originally Posted by StressMonkey

It was Richard Norton

He's been in loads of things BUT I wonder if you are confusing him with someone who looks incredibley similar like I did to begin with.....that person I am struggling to name lol

He reminded me a bit of Victor Mature but I think I know the actor you're referring to and I can't think of his name either

[yorkieUK]

Very promising and blood thirsty start! Watching it will be a little sad I think considering we probably know how it will all end. Or will it end like that? The last episode, number 10, is called "Victory". I cannot imagine Spartacus and his colleagues will best the Roman empire but here is hoping!

[StressMonkey]

Originally Posted by yorkieUK

Very promising and blood thirsty start! Watching it will be a little sad I think considering we probably know how it will all end. Or will it end like that? The last episode, number 10, is called "Victory". I cannot imagine Spartacus and his colleagues will best the Roman empire but here is hoping!

As long as they don't do a 'Gladiator' ending. I may kill my television with a rousing outburst of swearing that Batiatus would have been proud of if they do.

[mickmars]

I miss the gorgeous Lucy Lawless :-(

[yorkieUK]

Originally Posted by StressMonkey

As long as they don't do a 'Gladiator' ending. I may kill my television with a rousing outburst of swearing that Batiatus would have been proud of if they do.

Me too!

I had no idea that Crixus and Gannicus are not entirely fictional characters and, along with Spartacus of course, took part in the Third Servile War.

Yep, lets hope for a good solid no holds barred ending!

[platelet]

Originally Posted by yorkieUK

Me too!

I had no idea that Crixus and Gannicus are not entirely fictional characters and, along with Spartacus of course, took part in the Third Servile War.

As was Doctore Oenomaus

[StressMonkey]

Preview of Episode 2

[flagpole]

**** me it was good.

i've missed it.

[Shrike]

Originally Posted by flagpole

**** me it was good.

i've missed it.

Language!!!

I think you meant to say

"By Jupiters Cock, gratitude for show most excellent. Absence has been most grevious."

[Schmiznurf]

The best moment was when he smashed the guys jaw off with an axe and then crushed his face with the eagle. Great start to the series and Crassus seems like a good villain so far.
I do hope they don't abide by history for the end though.

[Squiggle]

Originally Posted by Shrike

Language!!!

I think you meant to say

"By Jupiters Cock, gratitude for show most excellent. Absence has been most grevious."

LOL...Nice.

[Glowbot]

enjoyed it, but I'm not sure the budget is entirely up to the amount of stretching it needs to convey a large army.
I know it's a bit cartoon-y but crowds and some effects have never really been that convincing IMO. They specialise in the gore really.

Originally Posted by StressMonkey

Preview of Episode 2

There's a

Spoiler

stoning scene where I challenge ANYONE who has seen the Life Of Brian not to do at least one quote
"Oh go on then, I'll have a small bag of gravel" especially.

[flagpole]

Originally Posted by Shrike

Language!!!

I think you meant to say

"By Jupiters Cock, gratitude for show most excellent. Absence has been most grevious."

lol - yes that is exactly what i meant.

[StressMonkey]

Originally Posted by Glowbot

There's a

Spoiler

stoning scene where I challenge ANYONE who has seen the Life Of Brian not to do at least one quote
"Oh go on then, I'll have a small bag of gravel" especially.

You're a very naughty boy

[StressMonkey]

Quite a blood bath

It was nice to see Spartacus effected by the massive loss of life but it makes Glauber's & Batiatus's attacks on rival villa's seem like a little shaving accident

Liking Caesar I'm guessing he has to keep the beard in order to go 'under cover' later? That'll be something

Lots of action and setting up for the rest of the season, not so much with characters though introduced to JC & the woman in the city may be important later.

And yes. The stoning. Thanks Glowbot - guess what my first thought was when the stoning scene started?

[welwynrose]

Good shot by Spartacus with the rock

[SillyBillyGoat]

Wow, I can't side with the rebels anymore after that episode. Murdering innocent children makes them no better than their enemies.

I'm Team Laeta.

[Snozzcumber]

Originally Posted by SillyBillyGoat

Wow, I can't side with the rebels anymore after that episode. Murdering innocent children makes them no better than their enemies.

I'm Team Laeta.

And it's a masterstroke for that very reason. They're really emphasising the fact that not all the Romans that the slave armies are massacring are as cruel and contemptible as others.

The great thing about Batiatus and Lucretia was that there were times that you sympathised with them, even though they were the principal villains. Glaber was far less interesting a foe because there was no reason to root for him. Crassus has already shown himself to be a complex character, in some ways worthy of admiration.

The fact that they've put a little grey back into this black and white conflict makes it all the more interesting.

"He who fights with monsters might take care lest he thereby become a monster. And if you gaze for long into an abyss, the abyss gazes also into you." - Friedrich Nietzsche

[SillyBillyGoat]

Originally Posted by Snozzcumber

And it's a masterstroke for that very reason. They're really emphasising the fact that not all the Romans that the slave armies are massacring are as cruel and contemptible as others.

The great thing about Batiatus and Lucretia was that there were times that you sympathised with them, even though they were the principal villains. Glaber was far less interesting a foe because there was no reason to root for him. Crassus has already shown himself to be a complex character, in some ways worthy of admiration.

The fact that they've put a little grey back into this black and white conflict makes it all the more interesting.

"He who fights with monsters might take care lest he thereby become a monster. And if you gaze for long into an abyss, the abyss gazes also into you." - Friedrich Nietzsche

Oh, I definitely agree. It's fascinating to watch.

[Snozzcumber]

What in Juno's name was that slave doing with Caesar's cock? At first I thought she was just going to shave him, but he was obviously getting off on all that blood-letting. Was she cutting his thigh or skinning his balls... or what?

[Snozzcumber]

Originally Posted by Glowbot

enjoyed it, but I'm not sure the budget is entirely up to the amount of stretching it needs to convey a large army.
I know it's a bit cartoon-y but crowds and some effects have never really been that convincing IMO. They specialise in the gore really.

I totally disagree. I've never seen television do large battle sequences as well as Spartacus has in the last two episodes. Game of Thrones could learn a thing or two from Spartacus.

We'll never get full pitched battles in the Braveheart style, but these little battle vignettes against the backdrop of CGI work really well.

And right from the very first episode, Spartacus has intentionally favoured a graphic novel art style which is hinted at in the title sequences. Everything from the way the colours of the landscapes look painted, and the way blood flows is hyper-real and over-the-top, but that's the nature of the show. It's total excess.