Spartacus: Blood and Sand – An Exercise in Brilliant, Beautiful Insanity

ByPaul Posted on Updated on

Minutes ago, I just finished perhaps one of the best first (and so far, only) seasons of a show I think I’ve ever seen. What’s further impressive is that this is a program I all but dismissed initially, as I was skeptical of its presence on a random pay-channel like Starz, and it seemed to be overly aggressively trying to capitalize on the success of 300, almost copying its style verbatim.

But then I remembered, I loved 300, in all its ridiculous, absurd macho glory, and as I dove into Spartacus: Blood and Sand head first, what I found there made that movie look like Bambi.

Without a doubt Spartacus is the most “mature” fictional series to ever appear on television. On any channel. At any time. It’s a completely ludicrous male fantasy, where blood flows like water and women are rarely seen with clothes on. It takes the concepts of sex and violence to such an extreme, it’s almost a parody of itself, and that’s one of the core reasons it works as a show, as it never takes itself too seriously.

But what really brings it to life? Yes, slow-motion bloody gladiator fights in rings full of topless women might be cool for a while, but even the luster of that fades after a while, and beneath the blood and breasts lies a show that is actually GOOD.

The characters develop over time rather than simply snarl at each other. They make real emotional progress throughout the series, which leads to a payoff that is one of the most satisfying conclusions to a season arc that I can ever remember seeing on TV.

For those of you who don’t know the basic premise, I’ll fill you in briefly. A Thracian barbarian is sentenced to death after attacking a Roman officer who betrayed him. Instead of dying in the arena, he murders four well-equipped men, and is sold to a gladiator trainer as he is believed to have some worth.

After his victory, they call him Spartacus, after an old Thracian warrior king, and he passes through the fires to become a branded gladiator, sparring with undefeated champion Crixus in the process. He is a skilled fighter, but finds he has much to learn if he’s going to survive in the arena, and be reunited with his wife as his master promises.

I’m tempted to further elaborate here on the plot developments that occur throughout the quickly moving season, but I’ll restrain myself and just say that heroes rise and fall, and the entire season weaves a trail of lies and deception around each character arc, and in the end, all secrets come to light, and vengeance rains down from the heavens.

But what’s struck me most was the absolutely astonishing finale. It’s a culmination of everything that came before it, and it’s absolute insanity as main characters are slaughtered left and right. Never before has a payoff been so worthwhile in a TV show.  I can’t remember the last time I watched a show with my mouth open and my legs shaking before, but I was literally cheering and pumping my fists in the air by myself as all these events were unfolding. Embarrassing perhaps to admit, but it was uncontrollable in the moment.

It’s really masterfully done. Yes, the show is absurd in its level of sex and violence, to a degree I didn’t even think was possible on television. The sex sometimes surpasses shows you’d see at 1 AM on Cinemax, while the unrelenting gore punctuates every episode, making anything else filmed before it seem tame in comparison.  As it is on Starz, the show could benefit from HBO production values, as the blood often looks like juice and the backgrounds are all too obviously greenscreened. But what they’ve done with their limited means has been stunning, and it’s a must watch for anyone with a strong stomach and a thirst for a TV show that actually satisfies rather than merely cliffhang.

Yes, it’s true, a prequel series is coming called “Gods of the Arena,” but that has not too much bearing on this season. Another batch of episodes for the show itself are allegedly on their way, but sadly they will come without their star, as Spartacus himself, actor Andy Whitfield, is battling a deadly real life foe, and his struggle with cancer has caused him to not be able to return for season two. The show will probably live on in some form, but it will likely be this season that’s best remembered when the curtain finally does close for good.

In any case, I’m proud to give this show my glowing recommendation, and as it’s only 12 episodes, it’s not a huge commitment to get through. I know it’s not for everyone, but I’d say a fair base is if you enjoyed 300 for what it was like me, and you count Gladiator among your favorite films, you should appreciate it.

In closing, I’d like to offer my support to Andy Whitfield, who can hopefully decapitate cancer and return to glory in the arena once again someday.

You can do it!

I think I'm a part of the first generation of journalists to skip print media entirely, and I've learned a lot these last few years at Forbes. My work has appeared on TVOvermind, IGN, and most importantly, a segment on The Colbert Report at one point.

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17 Comments

  3. @AKR

    Correct, that was awesome. Here it is for anyone else who wants a look:

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ou2TvLK9jzg

    I thnk they’re smart to keep it in the arena with a prequel, because the show becomes a lot less cool once it’s not centered on gladiator fights.

    @Josh

    Do some “SafeSearch Off” Google Image searching for Lucy Lawless, Viva Bianca, Erin Cummings and Katrina Law and you’ll have what you seek.

  4. The season started out kind of slow and aimless for the first 2 or so episodes, but once it got it’s footing it was highly enjoyable. The cast in particular was awesome.

  6. This was the best show I had ever seen, I was glued to my TV every single week just kind of holding my breath waiting to see what happens this time. This show actually gave me goosebumps in some episode and a couple parts even brought some tears to my eyes as you see Sparticus emotionally breakdown at times (yes, men cry).

    Also it is funny you say at the finale about main characters being knocked off, it makes me think how Heroes could have been a lot better if they actually kept people dead.

  7. Greatest show I’ve ever watched the story line kept me interested in every second of the episodes. It is terrible that some of the greatest actors on the small screen are being struck down with cancor (Michael C. Hall & Andy Whitfield) but I’m hoping that they can bring the show back in the prequel.

  8. Sounds like my review of it. Man, I love a show that is willing to completely slash and burn everything they spent an entire season building. As ridiculous as the show is, I have to say I can’t wait for season 2.

  10. Yes, I completely agree. This is my favourite show of the year and I can’t wait for the prequel. I’m completely gutted about Andy though, he played the role perfectly and I can’t imagine anyone else doing it as well now.

  11. Awesome show with wonderful characters, drama, over the top action and a really relaxed way of showing the world of that times with all its barbarism (historical inaccuries apart) and semi and not so semi nakedbodies everywhere (its been a big hit with several of my girlbros). Uncompromising and tense, violent and intense, loving and forceful…really a tour de force in modern TV. To bad about the weak first episode but just endure it.

  13. I didn’t like this show at all. The blood and T&A are all fine, but the problem was the cursing. Don’t get me wrong, I enjoy F-Bombs as much as the next guy, but the way the actors came off when the cursed seemed too much over the top.

    With each curse word, I felt like the actors should’ve “winked” at the camera. It turned me off and made me think the writing and acting sucked.

  15. Rented the first disc on a Tuesday, bought the entire season on Wednesday! The perfect show!

    Re: “juicy” blood, in the special features they talk about trying to keep the look of the show as close to a graphic novel as they could (hence the greenscreening), and really IMO the unreality of the blood helps in that regard, as well as being a bit of a relief. If the blood/wounds were too realistic the show would be a tad overwhelming..

    The biggest selling point for me was that it took all of five minutes for my girl to get hooked on the show! There’s enough “emotional progress” to keep her interested without turning into the freaking soap opera that Rome became..

  17. Couldn’t find a post on season 2.. (or .5?) that’s on right now.

    Anywho, I think it might even be better than the 1st.. WOWWOWOWOWOW~! I love this show. So dirty and wonderfully brutal. <3

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