[Tales from the Screen Ep. 01]
Spartacus (2010-2013)
STARZ
Created by: Steven S. DeKnight
Reviewer: Derrick T. Crow
Summary: It was a time of Gods and Gladiators, when one was non-distinguishable from the other, and both stood nary an ant compared to that of the might of Rome. Following the slavery and later rebellion of Spartacus and his men in the fight for freedom, this series – boasted between four seasons – tells one helluva an epic tale with love, betrayal, political intrigue, and gore thrown in for good measure. A series based off true historical events from the ancient Roman period, this is Spartacus!
Review: Spread out between four seasons, respectively titled: Blood and Sand, Gods of the Arena, Vengeance, and War of the Damned - with Gods being a prequel season – this series has both a lot right and a lot wrong with it. But let me just tell you that the good far outweighs the bad, and we're going to break some of them down on both sides.
Blood and Sand
At 13 episodes, the inaugural season of Spartacus is the longest in the series. It features the storied tale of how the titular character went from being a well-off Thracian warrior, to a slave set for execution and later becoming a favored Gladiator and then Roman rebel. There isn't much to spoil regarding all of this, it's how history played out and this season is just fleshing out the small details.
It's in this season we're introduced to many of the characters that'll drive the story for years to come, even if many of them die by the end. From Spartacus himself, to Crixus and Oenomaus, Ashur, Batiatus and finally Lucretia. There are several others as well, but really there is just too many characters in this series to name them all at this time.
At first glance, one will imagine that all Spartacus has to offer is blood, sex, and ineffectual green screen backgrounds, but lying underneath the surface is a heavy amount of political intrigue and an incredibe balance of rich characters that drive the story to its bloody end. In this show, every single character has a vendetta of some kind that allows events to happen fluidly instead of being forced for the sake of story.
It takes a while to kick in though, and that drags this season down quite a bit as its understandable someone may not want to sit through maybe four hours of this show – each episode is an hour long – only in the hope that it'll get better. Not everyone has that much time. If you do sit through it though, you'll be rewarded I promise you. Some of the biggest problems of the show do stem from its overcompensation for sex, gore, and shotty effects. It doesn't seem to age well, and there's really a lot more sex and gore than is necessary.
Again though, it's the characters that shine through, and every action has a cause and effect that ripples thunderously through the series. And it all begins here. Blood and Sand isn't the strongest season this series has to offer, but it definitely isn't the weakest. I see it as a great start.
STARZ
Created by: Steven S. DeKnight
Reviewer: Derrick T. Crow
Summary: It was a time of Gods and Gladiators, when one was non-distinguishable from the other, and both stood nary an ant compared to that of the might of Rome. Following the slavery and later rebellion of Spartacus and his men in the fight for freedom, this series – boasted between four seasons – tells one helluva an epic tale with love, betrayal, political intrigue, and gore thrown in for good measure. A series based off true historical events from the ancient Roman period, this is Spartacus!
Review: Spread out between four seasons, respectively titled: Blood and Sand, Gods of the Arena, Vengeance, and War of the Damned - with Gods being a prequel season – this series has both a lot right and a lot wrong with it. But let me just tell you that the good far outweighs the bad, and we're going to break some of them down on both sides.
Blood and Sand
At 13 episodes, the inaugural season of Spartacus is the longest in the series. It features the storied tale of how the titular character went from being a well-off Thracian warrior, to a slave set for execution and later becoming a favored Gladiator and then Roman rebel. There isn't much to spoil regarding all of this, it's how history played out and this season is just fleshing out the small details.
It's in this season we're introduced to many of the characters that'll drive the story for years to come, even if many of them die by the end. From Spartacus himself, to Crixus and Oenomaus, Ashur, Batiatus and finally Lucretia. There are several others as well, but really there is just too many characters in this series to name them all at this time.
At first glance, one will imagine that all Spartacus has to offer is blood, sex, and ineffectual green screen backgrounds, but lying underneath the surface is a heavy amount of political intrigue and an incredibe balance of rich characters that drive the story to its bloody end. In this show, every single character has a vendetta of some kind that allows events to happen fluidly instead of being forced for the sake of story.
It takes a while to kick in though, and that drags this season down quite a bit as its understandable someone may not want to sit through maybe four hours of this show – each episode is an hour long – only in the hope that it'll get better. Not everyone has that much time. If you do sit through it though, you'll be rewarded I promise you. Some of the biggest problems of the show do stem from its overcompensation for sex, gore, and shotty effects. It doesn't seem to age well, and there's really a lot more sex and gore than is necessary.
Again though, it's the characters that shine through, and every action has a cause and effect that ripples thunderously through the series. And it all begins here. Blood and Sand isn't the strongest season this series has to offer, but it definitely isn't the weakest. I see it as a great start.
Gods of the Arena
This six episode prequel mini-series doesn't even see Spartacus as the main character, but instead we're treated to another main character in the form of Gannicus, a gladiator who predates Spartacus at the House of Batiatus by a number of years. I won't spoil why he isn't present in season one, but Gannicus proves himself more than enough of a strong character to shoulder the weight of season main.
It's here that I feel like Spartacus truly finds its footing and begins to understand the world its trying to build. Which I do find ironic, but being a prequel series it builds on plot elements we were introduced to in season one along with introducing others that will travel with us up until the very end. There isn't actually much wrong with this season that I can plainly point out. All the sex, gore, and green screen backgrounds are still there, but the story is impeccably sharper and the tragedy is deeper. Especially when you already know the fate of a few of these characters.
We follow Gannicus, and younger versions of Oenomaus, Batiatus, and Lucretia as they attempt to build up their Gladiator ludus (a training ground basically) from one mired in poo and pee to one fully formed and well respected. Batiatus and Gannicus truly make this season what it is and I'd be hard-pressed to consider anything else its equal.
But as I go on, there is one that stands above it, if just barely...
Vengeance
This freaking season. THIS FREAKING SEASON! Technically season two, Vengeance has 10 episodes and follows the immediate adventures of Spartacus and his men as they officially begin their rebellion against the mighty Roman Republic. This is all still pre-Julius Caesar and the eventual great Roman Empire, but Rome is still an incredible powerhouse to be reckoned with.
To me, this is the strongest season in the whole series. As it takes all the plot threads that have been building since season one and Gods of the Arena and brings them all to an end in what I can only clarify as the single best representation of character driven story that I've seen in a very long time. Every character gets their due, and every character gets time to shine. It's in this season that many of the villains are painted their best, and in fact its the villains that make this season exactly what it is.
Long gone is the total reliance on sex and gore to get people interested, and instead your dragged in screaming by your hair as the Romans force you to sit there and watch themselves drive each other into the grave. Spartacus and his army find themselves vastly outnumbered but never give up hope even when opportunities rear its ugly head. The main villain for this season, Claudius Glaber is portrayed as one of the most sympathetic/non-sympathetic characters in cinema.
I'm sorry, but there isn't much bad I can say about this season. I'd say the finale feels slightly forced on a few accounts, but the story threads that come to a head still feel more natural than most that have been written. And it's simply beautiful to watch. The effects are better this season, and it's obviously apparent that story outweights the sex and gore, and that's exactly the way to go.
This six episode prequel mini-series doesn't even see Spartacus as the main character, but instead we're treated to another main character in the form of Gannicus, a gladiator who predates Spartacus at the House of Batiatus by a number of years. I won't spoil why he isn't present in season one, but Gannicus proves himself more than enough of a strong character to shoulder the weight of season main.
It's here that I feel like Spartacus truly finds its footing and begins to understand the world its trying to build. Which I do find ironic, but being a prequel series it builds on plot elements we were introduced to in season one along with introducing others that will travel with us up until the very end. There isn't actually much wrong with this season that I can plainly point out. All the sex, gore, and green screen backgrounds are still there, but the story is impeccably sharper and the tragedy is deeper. Especially when you already know the fate of a few of these characters.
We follow Gannicus, and younger versions of Oenomaus, Batiatus, and Lucretia as they attempt to build up their Gladiator ludus (a training ground basically) from one mired in poo and pee to one fully formed and well respected. Batiatus and Gannicus truly make this season what it is and I'd be hard-pressed to consider anything else its equal.
But as I go on, there is one that stands above it, if just barely...
Vengeance
This freaking season. THIS FREAKING SEASON! Technically season two, Vengeance has 10 episodes and follows the immediate adventures of Spartacus and his men as they officially begin their rebellion against the mighty Roman Republic. This is all still pre-Julius Caesar and the eventual great Roman Empire, but Rome is still an incredible powerhouse to be reckoned with.
To me, this is the strongest season in the whole series. As it takes all the plot threads that have been building since season one and Gods of the Arena and brings them all to an end in what I can only clarify as the single best representation of character driven story that I've seen in a very long time. Every character gets their due, and every character gets time to shine. It's in this season that many of the villains are painted their best, and in fact its the villains that make this season exactly what it is.
Long gone is the total reliance on sex and gore to get people interested, and instead your dragged in screaming by your hair as the Romans force you to sit there and watch themselves drive each other into the grave. Spartacus and his army find themselves vastly outnumbered but never give up hope even when opportunities rear its ugly head. The main villain for this season, Claudius Glaber is portrayed as one of the most sympathetic/non-sympathetic characters in cinema.
I'm sorry, but there isn't much bad I can say about this season. I'd say the finale feels slightly forced on a few accounts, but the story threads that come to a head still feel more natural than most that have been written. And it's simply beautiful to watch. The effects are better this season, and it's obviously apparent that story outweights the sex and gore, and that's exactly the way to go.
War of the Damned
With another 10 episodes, War of the Damned brings Spartacus' story to an end. I won't say how it goes, but those who know their history – or at least how to search Wikipedia – know exactly how it's all supposed to play out. That definitey does not keep the ending from being as grand and as emotional as one would expect from this harrowing epic. I will have to however admit that to me, this is Spartacus' weakest season.
Majority of it is unfortunately tied to plot threads being made up and forced on the spot to keep the season going after Vengeance brought everything else to their conclusions. It feels like War of the Damned doesn't know exactly how to build its road to a finale. So we are treated to many episodes of petty bickering among characters and far flung conspiracies that don't truly hold up when examined. The sex and gore still aren't the biggest part of the series now, which is a great thing, but now its just a big question of “how do we get our characters from here to here?” and the road really is a rough one to watch.
We are however treated to Marcus Crassus, and a younger Julius Caesar (before he enveloped Rome) as two of the major villains of the season. While Caesar isn't as great as he could've been, both still hold up as impeccable villains. Especially Crassus, who thinks differently from most Romans and uses that as his advantage to nearly best Spartacus time and time again. And his story is just as interesting to watch as is Spartacus'.
The finale is as grand as the series has promised to be as its built-up, and while it was a long and arduous road it is definitely worth seeing through till the bitter end. Not everything about it is perfect, to be honest how they handle the final scene for Gannicus could've been a lot better, but Spartacus definitely gets the best ending in the show. A fitting end for a free man.
Spartacus: Blood and Sand – Motion Comic –
Bonus!
There is actually one more cinematic endeavor for Spartacus in this particular universe. Another prequel story, a motion comic of four shorts: Upon the Sands of Vengeance, Shadows of the Jackal, The Beast of Carthage, and The Shadow of Death tell the tales of several minor characters from season one of Spartacus. With all these stories written by various creators, each one ends up being of far higher calibur than they have any right being.
With shoddy artwork, and awful motion comic graphics, no one expects the stories to be good enough to actually sit through. But you'd be surprised. In order of best to worse in my opinion, it goes: 1. Upon the Sands of Vengeance; 2. The Shadow of Death; 3. The Beast of Carthage; 4. Shadows of the Jackal.
These are by no means the best stories this world has to offer, but taking Upon as the proper example by the end of the twelve minute short you end up caring about a character that got just a few minutes of screen time in episode one and got his life taken from him in the same episode. Not many lop-sided attempts at making comics move can boast that kind of care put into story.
While none of them are necessary to watch Spartacus in any capacity, they do flesh out a few side characters and open this world up to more than just a tale of Gladiators and Gods. It humanizes some, and demonizes others, but all for the greater good of telling a good story. That, I can respect, and sees me adding this to the list as a recommended experience when sitting down to watch Spartacus.
How historically accurate is Spartacus though? It takes quite a few liberties with its story, and there things that are twisted around to fit this world better, but having done quite a bit of research into the historied man himself after watching this show, I can tell you that this series is pretty damn accurate.
There is actually no way to be truly historically accurate in the tale of Spartacus, as all we know of the man and his world is through incomplete accounts and broken tomes. With much information about him lost to history, possibly forever. What DeKnight and his crew do achieve here is unmatched by many stories before it, and I don't think I can recommend Spartacus enough.
Go watch it, and let the blood of Romans rain down upon you in glorious cinematic battle!
Final Score: 4 Godly Gladiators out of 5
With another 10 episodes, War of the Damned brings Spartacus' story to an end. I won't say how it goes, but those who know their history – or at least how to search Wikipedia – know exactly how it's all supposed to play out. That definitey does not keep the ending from being as grand and as emotional as one would expect from this harrowing epic. I will have to however admit that to me, this is Spartacus' weakest season.
Majority of it is unfortunately tied to plot threads being made up and forced on the spot to keep the season going after Vengeance brought everything else to their conclusions. It feels like War of the Damned doesn't know exactly how to build its road to a finale. So we are treated to many episodes of petty bickering among characters and far flung conspiracies that don't truly hold up when examined. The sex and gore still aren't the biggest part of the series now, which is a great thing, but now its just a big question of “how do we get our characters from here to here?” and the road really is a rough one to watch.
We are however treated to Marcus Crassus, and a younger Julius Caesar (before he enveloped Rome) as two of the major villains of the season. While Caesar isn't as great as he could've been, both still hold up as impeccable villains. Especially Crassus, who thinks differently from most Romans and uses that as his advantage to nearly best Spartacus time and time again. And his story is just as interesting to watch as is Spartacus'.
The finale is as grand as the series has promised to be as its built-up, and while it was a long and arduous road it is definitely worth seeing through till the bitter end. Not everything about it is perfect, to be honest how they handle the final scene for Gannicus could've been a lot better, but Spartacus definitely gets the best ending in the show. A fitting end for a free man.
Spartacus: Blood and Sand – Motion Comic –
Bonus!
There is actually one more cinematic endeavor for Spartacus in this particular universe. Another prequel story, a motion comic of four shorts: Upon the Sands of Vengeance, Shadows of the Jackal, The Beast of Carthage, and The Shadow of Death tell the tales of several minor characters from season one of Spartacus. With all these stories written by various creators, each one ends up being of far higher calibur than they have any right being.
With shoddy artwork, and awful motion comic graphics, no one expects the stories to be good enough to actually sit through. But you'd be surprised. In order of best to worse in my opinion, it goes: 1. Upon the Sands of Vengeance; 2. The Shadow of Death; 3. The Beast of Carthage; 4. Shadows of the Jackal.
These are by no means the best stories this world has to offer, but taking Upon as the proper example by the end of the twelve minute short you end up caring about a character that got just a few minutes of screen time in episode one and got his life taken from him in the same episode. Not many lop-sided attempts at making comics move can boast that kind of care put into story.
While none of them are necessary to watch Spartacus in any capacity, they do flesh out a few side characters and open this world up to more than just a tale of Gladiators and Gods. It humanizes some, and demonizes others, but all for the greater good of telling a good story. That, I can respect, and sees me adding this to the list as a recommended experience when sitting down to watch Spartacus.
How historically accurate is Spartacus though? It takes quite a few liberties with its story, and there things that are twisted around to fit this world better, but having done quite a bit of research into the historied man himself after watching this show, I can tell you that this series is pretty damn accurate.
There is actually no way to be truly historically accurate in the tale of Spartacus, as all we know of the man and his world is through incomplete accounts and broken tomes. With much information about him lost to history, possibly forever. What DeKnight and his crew do achieve here is unmatched by many stories before it, and I don't think I can recommend Spartacus enough.
Go watch it, and let the blood of Romans rain down upon you in glorious cinematic battle!
Final Score: 4 Godly Gladiators out of 5