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LTTP: Spartacus: Blood & Sand

OP
OP
cognizant

cognizant

Member
Dec 19, 2017
13,756
Just watched the second episode of the prequel, so good. By this point I've seen two people get pissed on their face, and three people have their porridge pissed in. Good times.

Gannicus being forced to have sex with that lady... :( Fucking Romans, man...

radosiewka said:
The only one that I did not like was Naevia, who got actress-switch during the show and the second actress just wasn't as good as the first one.
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Oh wow she gets replaced? That sucks, she was pretty good in season one.
 
radosiewka

radosiewka

Member
Oct 29, 2017
95
Warsaw, Poland
cognizant said:
Just watched the second episode of the prequel, so good. By this point I've seen two people get pissed on their face, and three people have their porridge pissed in. Good times.

Gannicus being forced to have sex with that lady... :( Fucking Romans, man...



Oh wow she gets replaced? That sucks, she was pretty good in season one.
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Unfortunately she did not renewed her contract :( The new actress wasn't so great and she gave Naevia different personality.

Link: https://deadline.com/2011/02/lesley...artacus-role-of-naevia-will-be-reacst-107222/
 
Grimm Fandango

Grimm Fandango

Member
Oct 28, 2017
2,732
Well that and (mild spoilers)
she undergoes a big character change in the other 2 seasons and it's awful. She becomes literally crazy.
 
Tokio Blues

Tokio Blues

Member
Sep 14, 2018
551
Fantastic show.

In memory of Andy Whitfield, the best Spartacus.

Regarding this.. I highly recommend the documentary "Be here now", its on Netflix and relates the last days of Andy Whitfield struggling with his cancer and his prior days on the set of Spartacus.
 

Jerrod

Member
Dec 24, 2017
193
I recently watched the first 3 seasons (1, prequel, 2) and fell in love with this show, but I'm so afraid to watch the last season because the quality has been going down hill and the fact that I know
everyone dies.
 
AzerPhire

AzerPhire

Member
Oct 25, 2017
1,188
You need to watch the last season. The quality is leaps and bounds better than season 2 and Liam really steps into the role. As to your spoiler, it is handled so well.
 
Greecian

Greecian

Member
Oct 27, 2017
642
This show started off as some sort of weird softcore porn and then evolved into one of the best shows I've ever seen
 
Sheepinator

Sheepinator

Member
Jul 25, 2018
28,026
Jerrod said:
I recently watched the first 3 seasons (1, prequel, 2) and fell in love with this show, but I'm so afraid to watch the last season because the quality has been going down hill and the fact that I know
everyone dies.
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You know nothing, Jon Snow. In real life, his body was never found. They assume he was killed in the final battle. There's a nice reference to history and to the classic 60's movie in the final season too, the movies "I'm Spartacus" moment.
 
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NeverWas

NeverWas

Member
Feb 28, 2019
2,608
I never watched it after Sam died, but the first two seasons were fucking phenomenal, despite that ridiculous first episode.
 
holtz

holtz

Avenger
Oct 25, 2017
1,060
NeverWas said:
I never watched it after Sam died, but the first two seasons were fucking phenomenal, despite that ridiculous first episode.
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You and all others are missing out. The first season with new Spartacus was shaky but the final season was fantastic with one of the best series finales ever.
 
Hoodbury

Hoodbury

Member
Oct 27, 2017
658
MoosetheMark said:
Fantastic show, nothing has managed to catch the same vibe for me. Even my dad was obsessed with it, and he never watches anything except sports.

He told me to check out The Last Kingdom, he said it's basically Spartacus but in medieval times. Is there any truth to that?
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So I started up watching The Last Kingdom last night due to your post here and what your dad said. Um, no. Unless he was watching the Douglas version of Spartacus from the 60s?
 

Darkgable

Member
Nov 3, 2017
1,325
"The house of Batiatus stands fucking rampant".

Too much love for this show. All the superbalist quotes and comments have already been mentioned. Will watch again.
 
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Jerrod

Member
Dec 24, 2017
193
zero_suit said:
Last season is good.
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Sheepinator said:
You know nothing, Jon Snow. In real life, his body was never found. They assume he was killed in the final battle. There's a nice reference to history and to the classic 60's movie in the final season too, the movies "I'm Spartacus" moment.
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Septimus Prime said:
The last season is a lot better than its immediate predecessor.
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OK y'all have reassured me so I'll start the last season this week.
 
OP
OP
cognizant

cognizant

Member
Dec 19, 2017
13,756
Still watching ep3, but the prequel has done a great job explaining why Ashur was an outsider. He's still a weasel fuck who I hope gets what's coming to him, but the prequel has made me appreciate his background. Tough break kid.
 
Artdayne

Artdayne

Banned
Nov 7, 2017
5,015
Damn it, you convinced me to watch this show again. The first season and the prequel are good, it definitely loses some of its punch when Andy is replaced by the new actor, he just doesn't have the charisma that Andy did.
 
Rendering...

Rendering...

Member
Oct 30, 2017
19,089
You know, I've been seriously pondering a rewatch of this show. It's a real gem. I can't say enough great things about the cast. I adore how the show transformed itself, after just four episodes, from a bad 300 ripoff to a gripping, clever, dynamic drama that absolutely revels in its own excess.

Spartacus is a special show, and I envy anyone who gets to experience it fresh.

BTW, good call watching the prequel miniseries after Season 1. That's the correct order.

Dr. Mario said:
I'll never get why this show is rated so highly. It's so bad.

It's absolutely hilarious and overall joyful to watch.

But so bad.
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Only the first third of Season 1 and parts of Season 2 are really bad. The show finds its niche after a shaky start and exploits it the the hilt.

The twists and turns and unexpected character development are genuinely well done.
 
Disclaimer

Disclaimer

Member
Oct 25, 2017
11,532
Artdayne said:
Damn it, you convinced me to watch this show again. The first season and the prequel are good, it definitely loses some of its punch when Andy is replaced by the new actor, he just doesn't have the charisma that Andy did.
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He and the show struggle to find their footing in S2, but eventually very much do. Liam's fantastic in S3.
 
Cjdamon042

Cjdamon042

Member
Oct 28, 2017
2,322
Edinburgh
Watched this for the first time last summer/autumn and it was so good.

Like others have said the first episode is ROUGH and it takes a few more to get going, but once it does, oh boy...

I was very sad once I had finished it as I just wanted more, but it ended perfectly so I can't complain. Sad to hear it's leaving UK Netflix but maybe it'll pop up someplace else by the time I fancy watching it again.
 

Samstrike

Member
Oct 27, 2017
247
I see a lot of hate for season 2 but Libertus is still one of my favorite episode from the serie!
 
Raiden

Raiden

Member
Nov 6, 2017
2,922
S1 with Spartacus and Batiatus is so damn good.

Hated the ones with Liam, can't help it.
 
OP
OP
cognizant

cognizant

Member
Dec 19, 2017
13,756
Episode 5 of the prequel.

Not even sad when Oenomaus's wife died in this episode. That's karma for cheating on your husband!

One more ep to go. It's been a fantastic season, so many good performances and plots, but I think Ashur's subplot might be my favourite. I just love the shitty situation he found himself in, making me sympathetic to his plight, and yet he's still written as a piece of shit not deserving of any respect. *spits in his path*

I also love the fact that Lucretia's first time with Crixus was not her seducing him, but a pretty shitty experience lol. So much subversion this season of what we would expect.

Can't wait to see Tullius get what's coming to him!
 
Idde

Idde

Member
Oct 27, 2017
3,674
cognizant said:
Episode 5 of the prequel.

Not even sad when Oenomaus's wife died in this episode. That's karma for cheating on your husband!

One more ep to go. It's been a fantastic season, so many good performances and plots, but I think Ashur's subplot might be my favourite. I just love the shitty situation he found himself in, making me sympathetic to his plight, and yet he's still written as a piece of shit not deserving of any respect. *spits in his path*

I also love the fact that Lucretia's first time with Crixus was not her seducing him, but a pretty shitty experience lol. So much subversion this season of what we would expect.

Can't wait to see Tullius get what's coming to him!
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Ashur is an exceptional written piece of shit. Love it and hate him at the same time. Fucking Ashur.
 
Idde

Idde

Member
Oct 27, 2017
3,674
Sheepinator said:
That scene where Glaber demands Ashur prove himself, i.e. regarding his forearm, damn.
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At that point I actually felt sorry for him. A little. What he did right before and after that showed him for the two faced, opportunistic asshole that he is, but in that moment...yeah I kinda felt for him.

And for all the gory, trashy, nudity and over the top swearing... most of the characters have really good motivations and are really well fleshed out.
 
OP
OP
cognizant

cognizant

Member
Dec 19, 2017
13,756
Finished the prequel season and watched episode 1 of the 2nd season.

Prequel finale was fantastic, entertaining, heart wrenching and a great action climax.

The 2nd season starting off without Andy is sad, as expected I'm not feeling the new guy but will give him a chance. I liked the division between the Gauls and Germans, and also enjoying the Roman politics. Shows like this are way more fun when you've read up on the era beforehand.

Also...WHAT IN THE FUCK at that reveal halfway through the episode!

I don't know how to feel about Lucretia being alive, I literally yelled at the screen in surprise.
 
MidweekCoyote

MidweekCoyote

Member
Mar 23, 2018
865
Just finished this today. Won't share spoilers of note.

Season 1 is rather spotty. First few episodes in particular are... Bad. The overall "300" comic-book style presentation with pretty cheap green screen and "yoghurt blood" is not to my liking at all. Especially as I came into the series directly after watching the 1961 movie, which (despite age) has incredible sets and production even now, 60 years later. But for whatever reason, I got accidentally invested. Even held back a tear or two at a certain ending montage.

I have to echo the praise given to the character portrayal of Batiatus. By Jupiter's cock, he gave the series so much personality. What I have to absolutely adorn with gold, though, is Simon Merrells as Crassus. He was so incredibly good. By far my absolute favorite portrayal of Crassus in any medium. (You'll see, OP)

Historical accuracy is also very... Weird. In particular, one major historical figure in the last season is shown prominently as having a central role during the rebellion, which felt a bit funny. (I'm almost sure they did it to set up a mini "Roman cinematic universe".) I can appreciate some changes like Oenomaus being Nubian instead of Gaul though, as his actor is very commanding on screen.

Overall 6.5/10 for me, a score elevated mostly by the last season.

Edit: Formatting.
 
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OP
OP
cognizant

cognizant

Member
Dec 19, 2017
13,756
Everyone, I have to admit...season 2 is a slog to get through. I'm up to episode 5 or something and it's turned into background TV. It's hard to pin down the reason, but no doubt the structural change of the narrative and loss of key characters/actors have a big part to play in it. I will plough through it, but yeah, its a shame after the fantastic season 1 and prequel.

I fucking HATE this guy btw. I bet the actor is evil in real life too.

290
 
MidweekCoyote

MidweekCoyote

Member
Mar 23, 2018
865
cognizant said:
Everyone, I have to admit...season 2 is a slog to get through. I'm up to episode 5 or something and it's turned into background TV. It's hard to pin down the reason, but no doubt the structural change of the narrative and loss of key characters/actors have a big part to play in it. I will plough through it, but yeah, its a shame after the fantastic season 1 and prequel.

I fucking HATE this guy btw. I bet the actor is evil in real life too.

290
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I would say it is well worth it for payoffs in future seasons, but if I were to ever rewatch the series, I would either skip season 2 or START with it chronologically. Really, the only thing preventing it from being an outright alternative start is the spoilers the opening and the last episode give to season 1 events.
 
Sheepinator

Sheepinator

Member
Jul 25, 2018
28,026
MidweekCoyote said:
I would say it is well worth it for payoffs in future seasons, but if I were to ever rewatch the series, I would either skip season 2 or START with it chronologically. Really, the only thing preventing it from being an outright alternative start is the spoilers the opening and the last episode give to season 1 events.
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I believe they were referring to season 2 as in 1 -> Prequel -> 2 -> 3. I don't understand why they put that spoiler at the start of the prequel, it's so unnecessary.
 
OP
OP
cognizant

cognizant

Member
Dec 19, 2017
13,756
Finished season 2 today, latter half of the season was much better. I've now got 10 days to finish the final season before it leaves Netflix!


tenor.gif
 
Idde

Idde

Member
Oct 27, 2017
3,674
cognizant said:
Finished season 2 today, latter half of the season was much better. I've now got 10 days to finish the final season before it leaves Netflix!


tenor.gif
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Congrats on making it through season 2. Season 3 has much more charismatic and interesting villians. And though McIntyre is no Whitfield, he's much, much better than he was in season 2. Enjoy!
 
OP
OP
cognizant

cognizant

Member
Dec 19, 2017
13,756
Actually I think it's Feb 1 when the show gets removed from Netflix. I might cram two episodes a day just to be safe.

Idde said:
Congrats on making it through season 2. Season 3 has much more charismatic and interesting villians. And though McIntyre is no Whitfield, he's much, much better than he was in season 2. Enjoy!
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Yeah I hope that's the case. I don't have anything against the new guy, but he lacked that special something. Whitfield had the earnest charisma going for him, with those steely eyes you could disappear into.

Looking forward to seeing Crassus, and how the show manages to end the tale without it being too depressing.
 
Skade

Skade

Member
Oct 28, 2017
8,869
I love that silly show.

Something of note with this show is that it was the first time ever (for me) that i saw live action badass gay warriors depicted in quite a good way. The second being Black Sails. Again from Starz. It's a very rare sight on TV. And a welcome one.

End spoilers :
Especially since Agron and Nasir are basically the only couple that survives at the end.
 
Sheepinator

Sheepinator

Member
Jul 25, 2018
28,026
I just remembered one of the nastiest scenes in Spartacus. Batiatus was walking the city streets with someone, and they stop to do a shit at some place with a long bench and holes cut in the bench, open to the street, and they chat about business like it's nothing then they both proceed to briefly wipe ass with the same brush which is sitting in a filthy bucket.
 
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