Spartacus franchise

[Sunbaby]

Eep! Talk about spoilery! Based on the other pictures from the site, Crixus finds Naevia by episode five. Are there only 10 episodes this season, or 12?

[Karen]

10 episodes. It seems that the show is following a European or HBO-like model: you have an arc for a relatively short season and decide how many episodes you need for it, instead of having 22 episodes every year and deciding how the arc is going to be spread across them. 13 episodes like in S1 would have been nice, but I'm just glad the show will be back soon.

Somehow I thought Crixus would find Naevia close to the finale, but I'm glad that they're going to be reunited mid-season. It allows more time to develop something new for them as a free couple and as members of the rebellion.

I'm also intrigued by the description of episode 7: "Lucretia recruits one of her husbands former gladiators." If it's Ashur, that seems way too obvious and it looks like he'll be working for Glaber from the start. Lucretia/Ashur is one sex scene I do not want, so I hope the recruit (or method) is something unexpected.

[Sunbaby]

Ah, thanks for the info. Twelve episodes would be nice, but I'm just being greedy for Sparty!

Those episode descriptions are fairly descriptive! Regarding episode 7, maybe it's Oenomaus? He's supposed to be in the pits, unless he joins Spartacus before Lucretia comes calling. Ashur seems like a logical choice though, Oooh, maybe she'll resurect Varro! I think I'd like to see that.

[Karen]

I'm actually a little surprised by how much I think I may have figured out from these episode descriptions and stills; I felt more clueless when the prequel started. I hope it means they've got plenty of shocks prepared and don't feel like being too cautious when it comes to overall character arcs like the Crixus/Naevia reunion and Ilithyia's pregnancy. In general, I don't want to be completely spoiled about episodes because the show has such good twists (Licinia's death, later Licinia's hand, Ilithyia's door-sealing devilry...), but I'm fine with knowing the big picture beforehand.

Dec 31, 2011 15:26:48 GMT -4 Sunbaby said:

Regarding episode 7, maybe it's Oenomaus? He's supposed to be in the pits, unless he joins Spartacus before Lucretia comes calling. Ashur seems like a logical choice though, Oooh, maybe she'll resurect Varro! I think I'd like to see that.

When I first read about the pits, I thought it would be an early season arc for a conflicted and lost Oenomaus, since he believed in the gladiator institution more than the rest, but he and Ashur are probably the only characters I can think of who make sense. Ashur would serve Lucretia for money/sex and Oenomaus because he's the only one I can see having any sort of loyalty to the memory of Batiatus. I think Oenomaus will probably be training the rebels at that point, but I'd still really like it if it was someone other than the obvious Ashur. So even after the trailers there are still mysteries left.

I'm so glad they didn't kill Varro in episode 4 (!) or 8, like I hear they originally planned.

[Sunbaby]

The first episode of Vengeance is streaming on Starz's website and on the Spartacus Facebook page. It only works for people watching from America though. I did, however, come by the first episode through alternate means.

My inital thought is that Liam will do just fine as Spartacus, even though he looks kind of scrawny. I happen to like his deep voice and delivery of the lines, but I am a bit biased because I think he's a cutie pie.

The brothel scene is nuts! I think you can really only appreciate it by watching it on a big screen. Also, Lucy Lawless is a great actress and does crazy well.

Best/funniest lines for me were the random gladiator's "You had me at whores!" and Ilythia's "Kill it! Kill it!"

[Karen]

It's back! I've missed the cast and the show's own special brand of over the top awesome - that brothel attack really said "Sparty is back!"

Jan 23, 2012 13:05:10 GMT -4 Sunbaby said:

My inital thought is that Liam will do just fine as Spartacus, even though he looks kind of scrawny. I happen to like his deep voice and delivery of the lines, but I am a bit biased because I think he's a cutie pie.

Andy was more brooding, Liam is so cute that I want to aww. But I wasn't impressed by Andy in the first episodes and then grew to love him, so I'm fine with waiting a little longer to make up my mind about how well Liam can do the intense leader thing.

Best/funniest lines for me were the random gladiator's "You had me at whores!" and Ilythia's "Kill it! Kill it!"

I don't think I caught the name of the new gladiator with the axe, but I like him so far (more variety in the fight scenes is good - it's why I was so glad to see Barca with a spear in the prequel). And I've got high hopes for the Lucretia/Ilithyia plot this season. Sweet and welcoming Lucretia is just wrong, I was as creeped out as Ilithyia and Glaber.

Lucretia and Crixus had their brief moment, but since the rebels and Romans are going to interact less than the gladiators and owners did, I actually wouldn't be surprised if the whole season passed without them getting a chance to speak.

[Sunbaby]

We're already up to episode five and no posts since January? For shame!

Episode five was probably the most riveting hour of television I've seen recently, on any network. I knew Crixus and Oenomaus were going to survive (RIP Rhaskos. Keep on whorin’ it up in the afterlife.) but I was still on the edge of my seat. I wasn’t expecting the entire arena to come crashing down! I just thought the spectators were being smoked out. Those were some spectacular effects.

Mira is so kickass, I love her. And how cute are Agron and Nasir! I hope all three stick around for a long time.

Even though Glaber has now become the main antagonist after Batiatus’ death, his turning the tables on Ilythia was hugely satisfying. I actually felt a little bad for him when she coldly informed him that her father was dissolving their marriage.

The relationship between Ilythia and Lucretia is so layered and complex…the actors really pull this off fantastically.

I can’t believe they’re only five episodes left! I will miss Spartacus when the season concludes. The last episode has to top the end of Blood and Sand, and I have a feeling it will be epic.

[Karen]

Feb 27, 2012 17:26:46 GMT -4 Sunbaby said:

We're already up to episode five and no posts since January? For shame!

Well, at least there's a lot to say now!

Episode five was probably the most riveting hour of television I've seen recently, on any network. I knew Crixus and Oenomaus were going to survive (RIP Rhaskos. Keep on whorin’ it up in the afterlife.) but I was still on the edge of my seat. I wasn’t expecting the entire arena to come crashing down! I just thought the spectators were being smoked out. Those were some spectacular effects.

The B&S finale is still my favorite, but this episode had the same great buildup, now that I think about the first four episodes with the benefit of hindsight. The special effects weren't perfect (though surprisingly good for a small show), but I didn't care, it was all about emotional satisfaction to me. The hordes no longer screaming for blood but in terror, the shocked nobles, the badass work of the arena and sabotage teams, the epic music.

I have no idea how Gannicus could think that Big O would be honored to be killed by a man who had sex with his wife. But it is nice that GOTA wasn't a completely isolated prequel and they're referring to it in Vengeance. They even brought back Diona's awful rapist so that he could be killed.

Mira is so kickass, I love her. And how cute are Agron and Nasir! I hope all three stick around for a long time.

I expected Mira to have a bigger role, so I'm glad that she's much improved this season - not just a pretty love interest but someone who's slowly and believably becoming a badass member of the rebellion. I didn't expect Agron/Nasir before episode 2 (I don't think there were any references to Nasir in cast interviews) but then it was immediately obvious; they're just so sweet with their mastery of loving looks and pretty smiles. I'm also glad Agron is filling the snark void left by Varro's passing.

Even though Glaber has now become the main antagonist after Batiatus’ death, his turning the tables on Ilythia was hugely satisfying. I actually felt a little bad for him when she coldly informed him that her father was dissolving their marriage.

The first half of the season was like a game of Let's Humiliate Glaber, but now I think he's done with being submissive.

The relationship between Ilythia and Lucretia is so layered and complex…the actors really pull this off fantastically.

It'll all come down in flames by the season's end, but I do like how they seem affectionate at the moment (Ilithyia might really feel it, but Lucretia is probably faking). Ilithyia holding Lucretia's hand when she saw how excited she was to see Crixus killed was sweet in a bloody Roman kind of way.

Episode 4 was great for Lucretia and Ilithyia (episode 5 was more Ilithyia and Glaber). They're both in danger now without Ilithyia's father's protection. And I think Ashur might be preparing to backstab Lucretia in some way.

I previously mentioned the description of episode 7, and now that I've seen the preview of 6, I think the gladiator might actually be Gannicus. That would be a twist, him working for the Romans for at least some time.

Seppius still doesn't stand out, apart from his incestuous possessiveness, but I liked Seppia's hesitation over torturing the gladiator.

[Sunbaby]

Feb 29, 2012 6:41:54 GMT -4 Karen said:

The B&S finale is still my favorite, but this episode had the same great buildup, now that I think about the first four episodes with the benefit of hindsight. The special effects weren't perfect (though surprisingly good for a small show), but I didn't care, it was all about emotional satisfaction to me. The hordes no longer screaming for blood but in terror, the shocked nobles, the badass work of the arena and sabotage teams, the epic music.

I have no idea how Gannicus could think that Big O would be honored to be killed by a man who had sex with his wife. But it is nice that GOTA wasn't a completely isolated prequel and they're referring to it in Vengeance. They even brought back Diona's awful rapist so that he could be killed.

Yeah, emotionally the arena collapsing was immensely gratifying. Will this mean an end to gladiator fighting scenes in an arena? I guess they aren't relevant to the story now.

Cossutius (sp?), the lizard-face rapist! Glad to see he got his. I also loved the look of hostility and hatred that Sparty and Glaber exchanged near the end, when all the carnage was going on around them.

I previously mentioned the description of episode 7, and now that I've seen the preview of 6, I think the gladiator might actually be Gannicus. That would be a twist, him working for the Romans for at least some time.

Yes, I would agree with that. In that mega 11-minute preview that Starz posted before the season started, Ashur is shown approaching him in a tavern. Plus, Gannicus needs the money.

KarenK, do you have a guess as to who is climbing up from that well in the episode 6 preview? There's obviously some buildup for it so I'll be disappointed if it's just Ashur.

[Karen]

Feb 29, 2012 12:25:29 GMT -4 Sunbaby said:

Yeah, emotionally the arena collapsing was immensely gratifying. Will this mean an end to gladiator fighting scenes in an arena? I guess they aren't relevant to the story now.

I don't think we'll see more in S2, but maybe they'll return in S3 if the action moves to Rome.

Cossutius (sp?), the lizard-face rapist! Glad to see he got his. I also loved the look of hostility and hatred that Sparty and Glaber exchanged near the end, when all the carnage was going on around them.

The only downside is that none of the rebels present knew what he did, so they can't tell Naevia that her friend's abuse was avenged. But at least the viewers got to enjoy his death! And even though it was so melodramatic, I loved Glaber's "Spartacus!"

KarenK, do you have a guess as to who is climbing up from that well in the episode 6 preview? There's obviously some buildup for it so I'll be disappointed if it's just Ashur.

I had no idea who it could be, but now they've released stills that make it likely that it's a new character who's a warrior of some sort. After I saw the stills of him fighting, I realized that the Roman side has been missing a physical badass who can face Spartacus/Crixus/Oenomaus. I think that could be the role of the new character; even if Gannicus is indeed hired by Lucretia, sending him to fight his brothers outside the arena would be risky.