One of the most controversial TV shows in recent years, Spartacus: Blood and Sand has everything that would send any Daily Mail reader jumping up and down in self righteous indignation. It covers all the bases.
The violence is so over the top it's like they asked someone who had watched 300 to describe it, but only after they zonked them out on magic mushrooms. It is mental, limbs are chopped off left and right, and blood literally pisses everywhere, covering the whole screen at times.
There are so many sex scenes, the show does some times resemble soft porn. And you see everything. Full frontal nudity from one gender or another usually occupies a typical episode, in fact the episode 'Mark Of The Brotherhood' actually uses genitalia as a motivating factor for a character, but that ends quite gruesomely.
Then, of course there is the language. I was told before watching that the show would teach me a new way of swearing, and that was pretty much bang on. Such quotes as "May the Gods shrivel your cock" and "You kiss my cheek, only to finger my ass?" are pretty much going to be lost on non-viewers. There is one point in an earlier episode where someone is called a "Shitfuck". It's all enough to make even Deadwood's Al Swearengen blush.
But what of the show itself? Well, once you get past the initial shock value (and that takes a couple of episodes) you can't help to be drawn in to the tale of Spartacus (Andy Whitfield), as he is separated from his wife and forced to train and compete as a Gladiator under the rule of Quintus Batiatus (John Hannah, who is superb throughout), whilst having to deal with rival warrior Crixus (Manu Bennett), Batiatus' devious wife Lucretia (Lucy Lawless) and the possibly even more devious Ashur (Nick Tarabay), amongst others.
The entire cast just nail it, and make the show a joy to watch. The two faced back stabbing characters elicited the sort of negative reaction at the screen not seen since the glory days of 24, and that is high praise indeed!
Without giving too much away, the series progresses masterfully and builds up to an amazing conclusion, which will leave you wanting more. Which, sadly is where problems have arisen.
After filming of this first series, Andy Whitfield was diagnosed with non-Hodgkins lymphoma. This obviously delayed a second series, so Starz (the channel that show Spartacus in the States) commissioned a mini series Spartacus: Gods Of The Arena, but sadly Whitfield's condition returned and the lead role has been recast for the eventual second series proper in 2012.
Quite what the future holds for the show is a concern, as recasting Andy Whitfield is a huge risk to take, as he was so iconic in the show. Time will tell of course, but there is no taking away the power and brilliance of this first season. Ballsy and amazing television, not for the weak at heart.
*****
Not for the weak of heart, but get past the sensational violence, sex, nudity and language and you will be rewarded with an amazing story of love, honor and deception. By Jupiter's cock it was good!
1 comment:
Yay - glad you loved it :) Reading this review has made me want to go back and watch it all again - and it can't have been more than a month since I finished watching it!!
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