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Spartacus: Blood and sand - Page 3

post #101 of 234
4/19/10 at 1:28pm
I think that season finale might have packed more raw revenge into a single hour than any television show I have ever seen. It was delightful. And they pulled no punches, either. Crixus didn't show any mercy to Domina. He didn't just cut her head off and give her a quick death. He STABBED HER IN THE STOMACH RIGHT WHERE THE BABY WOULD BE. And then he let her slowly bleed to death. Fucking HARSH.

Loved the almost animal nature of the gladiators when they were unleashed. They weren't even speaking a language anymore, just screaming and killing anything that wasn't a slave. Pretty much exactly what I would expect from a group of highly trained killers who have been oppressed for a very long time. Shame Varo couldn't take part. I really hope his wife doesn't get much of a role in season 2. While her revenge on the kid was fun (I think she might have stabbed him about 20 times), she is a weak, annoying actress and I got tired of her feeble attempts to make Spartacus feel bad.

Overall, a fun, titulating first season. However I suspect they are going to have to change their tone a lot for season 2. I can't see them maintaining the same level of raw violence and nudity with a slave revolt (unless they just have random big breasted peasants standing on the sidelines of battles flashing everyone and screaming).
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post #102 of 234
4/19/10 at 1:55pm
I'm not sure why I really watch this, but I have been since the beginning. Maybe because it plays to the "animal instincts" as some said earlier in this thread. But the extreme vulgarity that seems sometimes out of place, and the silly elements (writing, acting and digital effects) make part of mind mind just laugh at the complete ridiculousness. Not that it is bad or anything, it is what it is.

Ultimately though, I am looking forward to the 2nd season and the growth of the characters. It was nice that Crixus and Spartacus finally acknowledged each other as possible brothers and now it looks like that may actually happen. I don't know, I guess I'm a fan of this show...lol.
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post #103 of 234
4/19/10 at 6:12pm
LOVED IT! I think everything that I wanted to say about this show has already been posted, but I just wanted to share in the celebration of Spartacus. The criticism of the show is mostly deserved and it doesn't matter. The sheer adolescent joy of sex and violence that this show swims in is one of the most refreshing things I've seen since the 80s Action film. If the Conan film has half the balls this show has I'd be surprised.

If 'Rome' is Playboy, 'Spartacus' is Hustler. ...and no one said you can't buy both.
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post #104 of 234
5/5/10 at 3:13pm
Just began watching Spartacus on Netflix, and I love it! I missed Rome alot after HBO cancels it, and this series really fill in the void. I know I'm a latecomer for this show but I'm just really looking forward to catch up with the rest of the eps.
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post #105 of 234
5/11/10 at 8:19pm
I just read about the workaround they've come up with while Andy Whitfield gets treatment for his illness. A six part prequel series about Batiatus before his glory days. Taking place some point where Crixus was there but hadn't yet become Champion of Capua. It'll be odd to see some characters not there but it sounds like as good a plan as they could possibly hope for until Whitfield is back to a hundred percent. Even so this isn't gonna start until January.

The press release via tvbythenumbers.
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post #106 of 234
5/11/10 at 8:23pm
Interesting. Thanks for the info!
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post #107 of 234
8/6/10 at 11:44am
My DVR was running out of space so I decided to watch some of this the other night, 13 hours later.... Holy fuck was that some amazing TV! I loved everything about it, the violence the horrible CGI gore the nudity the Mafia stylings of Batiatus.

I'm sort of sorry I watched it because now I have to wait so long for more episodes!

- Saddest part? Varro's death... the bond those two forged, you'd almost think they were best friends in real life.
- hottest bloody nude chick? the one that got her head bashed in by the other hot nude chick that got fucked by Spartacus.
- best battle episode? - THE PITTS!
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post #108 of 234
8/7/10 at 11:41am
This is incredible considering what it actually is.

One of the only shows I now watch every week when it's on.
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post #109 of 234
8/8/10 at 6:45am
Finally caught up on this show. All I wanted from the show was for that lil' bitch boy to die a well-deserved death for his callous call for Varro's death.

And it was dum-diddly-delivered!

Whenever some movie/TV show/book features tons of characters deserving of most-violent deaths, I fantasize about a version of a bloody ending I know I'll never get. This show is tasteless enough to allow me to actually see such a bloody ending. No holds barred... kill the baby... kill the kid... mwa ha ha ha ha.

And now I just realized that Ashur is still alive. DAMN IT!
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post #110 of 234
8/8/10 at 1:15pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by mcnooj82 View Post
And now I just realized that Ashur is still alive. DAMN IT!
Of course he is. They can't wipe the slate clean before Season 2, and Ashur the weasel deserved to get away. Killing him with everybody else doesn't work, he needs something special.
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post #111 of 234
8/8/10 at 1:20pm
Hahahha. Who knows what incriminating situations he'll just conveniently walk in on unnoticed in season 2!?

I was surprised that Crixus didn't even attempt to go directly for him. He pretty much dropped right into his lap. But the guy did have a lot on his plate.
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post #112 of 234
8/14/10 at 3:49pm
Thread Starter 
OK, so, I've been watching the first four episodes on NETFLIX INSTANT and I thought I'd offer up my reactions...

Well, I'm not hating it. It's chock full of stupid, and nearly every scene contains something that makes me want to dive onto CHUD and post up a lecture about how the show runners know nothing about Rome. The speed ramping, rock music and such are god awful, and headache inducing.

With that said... The star is likable enough, the cast is fairly good (John Hannah cracks me up), and I'm kind of hooked despite myself. I'm eagerly anticipating getting off work so I can queue up some more!
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post #113 of 234
8/14/10 at 8:34pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by mcnooj82 View Post
Finally caught up on this show. All I wanted from the show was for that lil' bitch boy to die a well-deserved death for his callous call for Varro's death.

And it was dum-diddly-delivered!

Whenever some movie/TV show/book features tons of characters deserving of most-violent deaths, I fantasize about a version of a bloody ending I know I'll never get. This show is tasteless enough to allow me to actually see such a bloody ending. No holds barred... kill the baby... kill the kid... mwa ha ha ha ha.

And now I just realized that Ashur is still alive. DAMN IT!
I bet they don't kill Ashur the weasel will make himself to useful for them to kill.
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post #114 of 234
8/14/10 at 10:19pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Princess Kate View Post
Well, I'm not hating it. It's chock full of stupid, and nearly every scene contains something that makes me want to dive onto CHUD and post up a lecture about how the show runners know nothing about Rome.
Knowing anything AT ALL about Rome was not high on the producer's list of criteria for this show, obviously. And it shouldn't be high on the viewer's list, either. It's not playing on the History Channel.
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post #115 of 234
8/15/10 at 9:36pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by The NZ Natural View Post
Knowing anything AT ALL about Rome was not high on the producer's list of criteria for this show, obviously. And it shouldn't be high on the viewer's list, either. It's not playing on the History Channel.
Look, I'm enjoying it on some levels, but it's absurd to suggest that a show either needs to make a mockery of the time period and culture it's depicting, or end up boring it's audience like a history channel special.

Exhibit A: HBO'S ROME


That show changed around the big events in order to have fun with things, and insert Pullo and Vorenus into all sorts of wacky situations, but it always felt real. Bruno Heller and a team of scholars were there, pouring over the details of every costume, prop, set and line in the script. Effort was made to present a realistic depiction of Rome's various religions and it's intensely class based society.


S:B+S makes no such effort. Just because they clearly didn't have ROME's budget, and couldn't go to Rome Italy and build the worlds largest set like HBO did, does not mean that the script had to be so bankrupt and tawdry. The WWF atmosphere at the gladiatorial bouts is frankly embarrassing to watch. Without even getting into the whole speed ramping blood thirsty asthetic, the way the crowd is depicted is unacceptable. There would be no coed seating, and women would have been farther away from combat. People were seated by class and station in life, and gladiator bouts -- especially fights to the death -- were sololmn events reserved for funerals or religious holidays (or yes, in the event of a drought fights to the death might be staged). The behavior of the crowd in S:B+D would insult the gods, and negate the entire purpose of the event. Just because Rome's society was sexually permissive in many areas does not mean that the crowd as depicted in S:B+S is accurate in any way


And knowing that the show is depicting things the way it does simply to titillate, all the while it opens each episode with a claim about how it's "intense violence adn sexuality are meant to offer an accurate depiction of Rome" , makes it all the more insulting to the viewer.

That is merely one aspect of the show, but it's chock full of more stuff like that. I'm not going to harp on it, but don't say that knowing something about Rome shouldn't be high on the producer's list. That should be the first thing on anyones list who wants to make a show about the Roman empire

Now, I am enjoying the show despite myself, as kind of a guilty pleasure. It's generally pretty good natured and I like the cast. I'm about to go watch more of it right now, but it is needlessly stupid in places. It could have been violent and cool and "hip" while still respecting the source material and the culture it's depicting. Speaking only for myself, this viewer is sad they chose to go the other direction.
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post #116 of 234
8/18/10 at 8:20pm
Thread Starter 
I'm going to go home tonight and watch the final episode, but over all I enjoyed it well enough. It's pretty good as drama, and the characters and their relationships have been well developed. The set for the ludus is pretty accurate looking for the most part (except for the whole cliff face thing, lol), and the interior closely resembles the lutus of Pompeii.

I kind of wish it had had the budget and ambition of ROME though, because I think seeing more of Capua and Roman society would have helped make clear just how dangerous an individual Spartacus really was. The whole "slave rebellion" concept is treated too lightly at times on the show, with other characters acting as if it's merely a really bad idea, and not something so unspeakable that the very mention of it inspired fear.
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post #117 of 234
9/18/10 at 11:17am
Thread Starter 
S:B+S is RIP

Star Andy Whitfield has unfortunately been stricken with a second bout of cancer, necessitating his departure from the show.

Get well soon, Mr Whitfield. Shame about the second season.
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post #118 of 234
9/19/10 at 12:05pm
The prequel mini-series is still happening as scheduled since he had very little to do with it. As for the second season, I wouldn't be surprised if the role of Spartacus gets recast seeing as this was the highest rated show on Starz, and really, he's not the only guy in the world that cam pull off that role, especially since they were only one season in.
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post #119 of 234
9/19/10 at 1:13pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Princess Kate View Post
S:B+S is RIP

Star Andy Whitfield has unfortunately been stricken with a second bout of cancer, necessitating his departure from the show.

Get well soon, Mr Whitfield. Shame about the second season.
Just read this earlier this morning on thrfeed. Damn sad.
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post #120 of 234
9/20/10 at 7:13pm
I think Spartacus' role will eventually be recasted. It sucks, but the show must go on, and Starz will not allow their most successful show to expire just because of one actor, even if he plays the lead on the series. I really wish Andy will return for season 2, but that's not going to happen. At least now he can concentrate 100% on beating this cancer instead of thinking about his committment to the show.
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post #121 of 234
9/26/10 at 10:33pm
I finally blazed through this series yesterday. I enjoyed it, but I'm quite disturbed by the fact that "Jupiter's cock!" is now a part of my swear vocabulary, complete with John Hannah inflection.

I'll echo the rest of the love above, but I wanted to add:

I never would have guessed that Devin's friend Erin Cummings (Sura) is from Texas. Didn't realize it until I was looking at the show's IMDB page. Figured she was another New Zealander/Australian.

And even though he plays an asshole, I have to give some love to Nick Tarabay because he's a fellow Lebanese and because he played that asshole well.
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post #122 of 234
1/14/11 at 12:01pm

Just started watching this show. Oh man the first episode had a little dude with a dildo strapped to his head. Delightful!

So inaccurate, so blatantly borrowing from others but wow was that scene where they yanked his wife away from him just gorgeous. 

 

Fun show to watch in between episodes of the Xena rewatch.

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post #123 of 234
1/15/11 at 6:26am

Finale was on again last night, man i never get sick of that episode.  The look on Doctore's face when Crixus taps his shield towards Spartacus is priceless.

 

I find myself falling in love with Ilithyia more and more every time i watch it.

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post #124 of 234
7/31/11 at 3:13am

Submitted this yesterday.

 

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post #125 of 234
8/1/11 at 10:59am

Jupiter's Cock that looks awesome!!!!

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post #126 of 234
8/1/11 at 11:18am

I'm not gonna lie; this is a welcome return. Missing Whitfield, but glad to see Lawless made it. Also, glad to see more Viva Bianca.

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post #127 of 234
8/1/11 at 2:44pm

I thought Whitfield had recovered.  Did I hear wrong?

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post #128 of 234
8/1/11 at 2:54pm

He's still undergoing treatment.

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post #129 of 234
8/1/11 at 3:13pm

Andy recovered, and he was prepping to film season 2 - but then his cancer came back, and they couldn't put off filming any longer, so they recost. He is still going through treatment, and hopefully, it'll stick this time. 

 

But, OMG YAY! GRanted, it's a bit jarring to see Liam, he is still very, very pretty.

I just can't wait. It's going to be good. 

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post #130 of 234
8/1/11 at 3:17pm

As long as it satiates my bloodlust for the throat-ripping of all those that deserve it... I will be happy.

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post #131 of 234
8/1/11 at 5:43pm

Oh, I just meant missing Whitfield in that trailer. I dunno, the new guy could end up being better so I'm up for the recast. Bigger question mark is the change of home base away from the ludus. 

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post #132 of 234
8/1/11 at 5:49pm

Whitfield was pretty Boss as Spartacus.  But the new guy looks a lot like Whitfield and he seems pretty good in the trailer.  Regardless, I'm looking forward to a new season of bloody awesomeness, Roman coliquialisms, and soft core pornography!

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post #133 of 234
8/1/11 at 5:55pm

So, how was the recent Spartacus series that aired this past year?  Any good?

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post #134 of 234
8/1/11 at 6:00pm

It was pretty bad ass.  If you liked Batiatus, you got a lot of him scheming and becoming a real degenerate.  But yeah, I really dug Blood & Sand.  And it looks like

Warning: Spoiler! (Click to show)

Gatticus

 

is returning in Vengeance.


Edited by Simon West will kill Again - 8/2/11 at 2:45pm
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post #135 of 234
8/2/11 at 10:19am

Yeah, the prequel was terrific. It really felt like it was written before the original season aired, it was THAT finely interwoven and developed.

 

Simon, as a response to someone who hasn't seen it, I'd consider that last line a major spoiler. 

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post #136 of 234
8/2/11 at 11:42am

The prequel was well done. I think I was a bit less enthused for it than this upcoming season, only because the end of the 1st season had soo much damn momentum that going back felt like slamming on the breaks. But the same quality was there, and the digital blood may have gotten more realistic.

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post #137 of 234
8/2/11 at 2:46pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Farsight View Post

Yeah, the prequel was terrific. It really felt like it was written before the original season aired, it was THAT finely interwoven and developed.

 

Simon, as a response to someone who hasn't seen it, I'd consider that last line a major spoiler. 



Sorry about that.  I mean, you see him pretty clearly in the trailer for Vengeance, but yeah, if you haven't watched it, I guess it could be spoilerific.

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post #138 of 234
9/11/11 at 8:13pm

Andy Whitfield died from his cancer. Such a shame. He seemed destined to be a likely break out star from Spartacus.

 

I was surprised to see he was 39. I'd have guess MUCH younger.

 

The show must go on, but that first episode is going to be strange to watch.

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post #139 of 234
9/11/11 at 8:24pm

Agreed -- if not for his cancer, he likely would've been a much bigger star. He was absolutely terrific as Spartacus, and had nothing but big things ahead of him. I'm not saying that's the most important thing, as his family life was obviously very important to him, and his loved ones will miss him for a lot more than his acting career.

 

But, he had a charisma about him, and was about as far from the wussified Hollywood male as you could get. Really, really hate to hear this. It should also be noted that he was exceedingly generous towards the new actor filling the role, giving him as many tips and pointers as he could.

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post #140 of 234
9/11/11 at 8:59pm

That's terribly sad.  I'm also shocked by how 'old' he was.  I thought he must've been in his mid-30s at most.

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post #141 of 234
9/11/11 at 11:07pm

RIP Andy.  We hardly knew ye.  This is very sad, since he was amazing in Spartacus, and probably would have gone on to much greater things.  My heart goes out to his family at this time.

 

Stupid cancer.

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post #142 of 234
9/11/11 at 11:22pm
Thread Starter 
I am sorry to hear about the fate of Andy Whitfield. He was pretty solid on the show, and it's sad to see an actor who had just found success with a starring role in his own series get sidelined by personal hardship. That he crosses to Elysium no one can doubt

ACTA EST FABULA

EDIT I will just add that this news is especially difficult as I'd been holding out hope for his recovery. He did seem youthful (39 is a surprise) and so it's doubly hard to see him lose a battle of this nature
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post #143 of 234
9/15/11 at 12:44pm

Yeah, Whitfield's passing was a bit of a bummer. He looked so not sick on the show and to find out he's dead... well, it's nothing new to those who have experienced cancer in their families but it did remind me of how quickly it can decimate an otherwise perfectly healthy person.

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post #144 of 234
12/8/11 at 3:17pm

Opening scene for Spartacus Vengeance.

 

 

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post #145 of 234
12/8/11 at 5:05pm

So excited.  But I will be missing Andy Whitfield.  RIP. 

 

 

 

 

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post #146 of 234
12/21/11 at 1:36pm

New Trailer. Way more violence and nudity.

 

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post #147 of 234
12/21/11 at 1:48pm

Looks like fun!  But the new guy kinda creeps me out.  Like some kind of Uncanny Andy effect. 

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post #148 of 234
12/21/11 at 2:40pm

I know! I'm willing to give him a shot, and I love the show, so my ass is in the chair watching it...But I think it's going to take some getting used to. Though I wonder, would it have been better to cast someone that didn't resemble Andy Whitfield?

 

One thing that has me meh on this guy is his physicality. I watched an episode the other day (Old Wounds) and I really appreciated how Andy was built slimmer, wiry and lean when compared to say, Crixus. It sells the character that much more. 

 

But I won't complain too much. All that exposed, muscled, oiled flesh. It's a damned candy store! (And it's another thing I appreciate about Blood and Sand. It's objectifying the guys as equally as the girls!)

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post #149 of 234
12/21/11 at 3:24pm

Oh my god, the face slice!!!!

 

I'm also going to be watching this, though I'm not sure the new guy will be amazing as Andy Whitfield.  Still, what I've loved about Spartacus is the incredible writing.  Every episode just crackles with brilliant dialogue.  The eye candy doesn't hurt either.  I'm so in.  Can't wait.  Also glad Lucretia survived but will miss Batiatus.

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post #150 of 234
12/22/11 at 11:12am

     Quote:

Originally Posted by yt View Post

Oh my god, the face slice!!!!


Ouch. That'll hurt, come winter.

 

We need an animated .GIF for this, stat.

 

(...Anybody?)

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