I know the official premiere isn't until Friday, but it's already on Starz On Demand and their website.

I'm starting to warm up to this new Spartacus, he kinda looks like Andy Whitfield but Andy had a really distinct voice. He definitely didn't seem out of place and that was my biggest concern. Glad to see most of the rest of the cast back and Batiatus was a good character, but I don't really miss him.

Other than that, it was typical Spartacus, PLENTY of sex & over the top violence. If the first episode is any indication, it will be even more bloody and violence.

i was wondering what the main point of conflict would be

seeing him build an army should be a good watch

i miss andy, but this new cat did a good job

Andy had a calm about him that was dope.

But yea not a bad first episode.

Again Im not the biggest fan of teh extra violence and sex--but looks liek im in the minority and there will be more this year.

---
"though time has passed, im still the future" (c) black thought

...he went from being sentenced to death to winning his life, becoming the best gladiator and then leading the slaves to freedom. He was under more restraint when he thought his wife was alive, but he has nothing to lose now.

It was a cool first episode to see where everbody left off. I did think the violence and sex was more over the top than usual and expect it to be even more so.

Wonder how long Lucretia going to be crazy?

HATED IT.

Season one and the prequel with Gannicus had a lot of Batiatus screen time. With him completely absent this go around, AND a new spartacus, AND just knowing they replaced the chick who played Naevia(Crixus chick), I just couldn't get into it. Too much has changed on and off screen. Next to the OG spartacus, Batiatus was an awesome villain. You grew to understand his character in the prequel series, which made his moves in season one seem all the more calculating and chess like. The writing got better as the season went on as well.

Not feeling the new dude either. The whole time I'm watching i'm like "this nigga didn't know shit about Varro!" or "this nigga couldn't stand in the ring with Theocoles! fuck him!"

R.I.P. to the original Spartacus, Andy Whitfield. Starz totally struck out with this 1st ep in my opinion

It was unfortunate, but Spartacus had to be replaced in order for the show to continue. I wasn't blown away by the new guy, but he was solid.

I'll miss Naevia too, but her character hasn't even shown up yet. It could suck, but at least let her get on stage before u start booin' lol

Batiatus was a great villain, but he really couldn't live after what he did to Spartacus' wife. It was intended to be that way, just like Barca and Varro. Glaber is the biggest threat, but Batiatus had the best lines on the show.

Thankfully, Gannicus will be back.

Im glad they kept at least one of them around

---
"though time has passed, im still the future" (c) black thought

>Im glad they kept at least one of them around

the one married to the roman captain. she was skinny to begin with, but this season she is noticeably skinnier and what curves she had lessened. sad.

GamerTag and PSN: PokeEmAll

played spartacus with a little more vulnerability. but that was also before spartacus led a slave revolt and was thrust into a de facto position as a leader of a group of men. so a change in attitude would be expected.

after blood & sand and gods of the arena, i have no reason to expect that this season would be worse. first couple eps have to set up the conflicts and the new players. batiatus was a great foil, but this show has done a great job with its villians.

also, what are the odds illythia is carrying baby spartacus? my timeline of the show is a little off.

------
"I can't promise I'll try. But I'll try to try."

>
>also, what are the odds illythia is carrying baby spartacus?
>my timeline of the show is a little off.

Not like they could take a DNA test to prove it though...

She fucked more than 1 dude but eh

---
"though time has passed, im still the future" (c) black thought

>played spartacus with a little more vulnerability. but that
>was also before spartacus led a slave revolt and was thrust
>into a de facto position as a leader of a group of men. so a
>change in attitude would be expected.
>
>after blood & sand and gods of the arena, i have no reason to
>expect that this season would be worse. first couple eps have
>to set up the conflicts and the new players. batiatus was a
>great foil, but this show has done a great job with its
>villians.
>
>also, what are the odds illythia is carrying baby spartacus?
>my timeline of the show is a little off.

---
"though time has passed, im still the future" (c) black thought

I remember the series looking cheap, but this was just too ugly visually speaking. The new Spartacus seemed way less intimidating too, although I should probably give him more of a chance because it's never easy replacing another actor.

I'm not sure if I will give it another shot, looks like the whole series just got a huge downgrade, not just the loss of Whitfield.

___________________
"So this is what everybody's always talking about! Diablo! If only I'd known. The beauty! The beauty!"

midway through it really picks up and again becomes one of televisions best kept secrets

---
"though time has passed, im still the future" (c) black thought

And to be honest...it wasn't as bad as I was expecting. Fucking hated the preview clips I saw of the new guy...seemed wooden, not physically convincing enough (nigga you a gladiator, do some push-ups!), fight scenes didn't seem convincing...but he wasn't too bad in this Ep. No Andy by any means, but he's serviceable. Even with all of the changes my man mentioned above, I just feel that the storyline is too compelling, and that the potential for some great fucking episodes is just too high to ignore. I'll keep watching.

I guess Im back in.....

_________________________________________
"Too weird to live.... too rare to die..."

IG: KnowOne215 | PS+ ID: KnowOne215

...that pretty much made the episode to me and OMG@ the opening fight!

It's pretty clear that Lucretia and Ashur are playin' Glaber, but I'm not sure what's the endgame.

Other than that, it was pretty uneventful.

I watched this episode ready to shit all over it, but they got me with the young onemaeus. that shit was dope. Ashur making his comeback towards the end was dope too considering how they left it in the season one finale.

still think the new spartacus is kinda wack, but I guess he's not unwatchable. They keep enough of the original faces around him when he's on screen to keep it convincing.

i guess i'm back in, lol.

anyone know where i could see it....feel free to inbox info
thnx

~~~~~~

inbox for episode 2

~~~~~~

call me a pussy but i constantly have found myself clenching my teeth mad hard throughout episodes...Like i just be tense and shit

---
"though time has passed, im still the future" (c) black thought

eyes popping out and heads being crushed. thought i can't really tell if it's extra compared to the past two seasons or not. they've always had a high gore factor.

------
"I can't promise I'll try. But I'll try to try."

my girl thought that opening fight was cool, I tried to play it off, but I was squirming in my chair with one eye open lol

They could've all made it through that gate easily. They just didn't film it in a way that made it look like dude needed to stay behind like that.

GamerTag and PSN: PokeEmAll

of crixus a little better. so, spartacus just watches while ol' boy takes on the romans and doesn't offer to help? and why did spartacus and naevia watch the whole thing instead of just running right away, if that's what crixus wanted.

other than that though, pretty solid ep.

------
"I can't promise I'll try. But I'll try to try."

Anybody watch tonight? Thought this was a pretty good episode and it seems Lucretia playing her hand pretty well so far.


The sexual revolution was born in between these thighs waiting to be reinvented.

Yes, it was much better than last week's episode. Surprisingly, Glber and Ilythia are stealing the show; I'm much more interested in their storyline than anyone else.

damn that could have been the season finale!

Yeah that episode was highly entertaining.

GamerTag and PSN: PokeEmAll

It sets up the show to be more exciting down the stretch.
The new Naevia is wack as fuck. She's cute but looks dumb. Yea I know she's been in the mines so she's a bit batshit, but whatever.

New Andy is growing on me. Not the same, but I'm starting to sometimes forget its a new guy which is a good thing.

LOLOLOL at the CGI of the Capua arena falling...that shit was so bad.

Yea @Grand Royal I love the storylines. I ffwd through some fight and sex scenes to get to the dialogue especially since I got my son running into the room.

In ep 5 I ffwd through the fight scenes leading up to the Primus. Those were just used for unnecessary gore and violence. Id watch teh dialogue in booth between fights.


Yo a couple things though

The Nasir and Agron love story makes no sense...They didnt give much background.
First Agron hated him, then they started making eyes, then Nasir snitched on him, now theyre in love? wtf


then

The Ilythia Varinius angle. Seems way too easy how she was just gonna get a divorce and Glaber bitched up before he had the opportunity to smash out pops. But When did Ilythia start evenn becoming attracted to Varinius, shit seemed to come out of nowhere unless Im missing shit from another season I cant remember.

That brother/sister combo seem like they may grow into good villains.

---
"though time has passed, im still the future" (c) black thought

enough movement in the plot to not be a bad episode at all.

Those dudes Asher is recruiting are no good. I think some of our favorite characters are gonna fall to them by season's end.

I love the Gannicus character. Dude is like a "new age/hippie" gladiator with all kinds of swag. He's my favorite gladiator in the series since Andy. Hope he stays around.

---
"though time has passed, im still the future" (c) black thought

>Those dudes Asher is recruiting are no good. I think some of
>our favorite characters are gonna fall to them by season's
>end.

I was thinkin' the same thing. I got a feeling it's gonna be Gannicus or Agron.

>I love the Gannicus character. Dude is like a "new age/hippie"
>gladiator with all kinds of swag. He's my favorite gladiator
>in the series since Andy. Hope he stays around.

The previews look like they are gonna feature Gannicus pretty heavily, so I'm expecting big things. I can understand why he feels like there is no point to the rebellion, but I going back to Capua is not a good idea. Glaber is desperate to find Spartacus and he knows where they are.

>
>>Those dudes Asher is recruiting are no good. I think some of
>>our favorite characters are gonna fall to them by season's
>>end.
>
>I was thinkin' the same thing. I got a feeling it's gonna be
>Gannicus or Agron.


Fuck Agron...he's liek a secondary character whos gonna die soon anyways. If his brother can die so can/will he.

Id be willing to bet lots of money he will die.

One of the big 4 will also die.
Spartacus (no), Crixus (maybe), Oenamaus (maybe), Gannicus( I think most likely--probably saving Oenamaus). Or maybe in a twist of plot Oenamaus gives up his life to save Gannicus.
>
>>I love the Gannicus character. Dude is like a "new
>age/hippie"
>>gladiator with all kinds of swag. He's my favorite gladiator
>>in the series since Andy. Hope he stays around.
>
>The previews look like they are gonna feature Gannicus pretty
>heavily, so I'm expecting big things. I can understand why he
>feels like there is no point to the rebellion, but I going
>back to Capua is not a good idea. Glaber is desperate to find
>Spartacus and he knows where they are.
>

---
"though time has passed, im still the future" (c) black thought

I believe its oenamaeous (sp?) that dies first. Then again they aren't exactly going by what history says.

GamerTag and PSN: PokeEmAll

---
"though time has passed, im still the future" (c) black thought

is finally back!

The first couple episodes were kinda weak. I was getting worried about the series. I thought, "well, Game of Thrones is coming in April so I'm not too worried" But then Glaber starts to come into his own by turning the tables on his whore of a wife. The deceit in the old Batiatus house BACK!!

Still love the old Naevia but the new chick looks pretty as well.

I see Spartacus' chick Mira being his downfall in the future. Her loyalty will be taken for grated and She'll cross him. She just has that villain face in my opinion.

I nearly died laughing when Lucretia was sexing Ilithyia's father at the crib. LoL! Straight nasty!

>is finally back!
>
>The first couple episodes were kinda weak. I was getting
>worried about the series. I thought, "well, Game of Thrones is
>coming in April so I'm not too worried" But then Glaber starts
>to come into his own by turning the tables on his whore of a
>wife. The deceit in the old Batiatus house BACK!!
>
>Still love the old Naevia but the new chick looks pretty as
>well.
>
>I see Spartacus' chick Mira being his downfall in the future.
>Her loyalty will be taken for grated and She'll cross him. She
>just has that villain face in my opinion.
>
>I nearly died laughing when Lucretia was sexing Ilithyia's
>father at the crib. LoL! Straight nasty!
>
>

GamerTag and PSN: PokeEmAll

I've seen all episodes. I just arrived in this thread super late and wanted to express myself. LoL!

If the Romans were smart they would have just made the gladiators soldiers, they just make them look them look silly


****Spoiler Below****









I had a feeling that Ilythia would be captured, but I had no idea it would be Gannicus.

---
"though time has passed, im still the future" (c) black thought

That's gotta be a setup

---
"though time has passed, im still the future" (c) black thought

---
"though time has passed, im still the future" (c) black thought

Tonight's episode was better than last week.

It is funny to see Ashur and Lucretia try to outwit the other. Just waiting to see who kills who first.

I knew that young girl Sepia was going to make a play for Glaber, now what is she going to do when she finds out it was him who killed her brother

Naevia can't catch a break with all the men trying to attack her at one point or another..

Good episode
The sexual revolution was born in between these thighs waiting to be reinvented.

If it's him and his vagabonds that kidnapped ilythia.

---
"though time has passed, im still the future" (c) black thought

they showed gannicus, though it did seem like they were careful to not show gannicus and illythia in the same camera shot. however, the rudis was there so it seems that gannicus was there, unless it was a fake rudis.

GamerTag and PSN: PokeEmAll

>they showed gannicus, though it did seem like they were
>careful to not show gannicus and illythia in the same camera
>shot.

I mean they showed us flashbacks to the moment---but theyve never been shy of showing all out violence...Why wouldnt they have just shown Gannicus serving up that crew and taking Ilythia if their trying to tell us its him anyways? It doesnt fit how they usually run the plot. Seems like a major fight (mad troops + a badass tattooed face dude) to not show it full. I mean you just showed a dude getting his face chopped off...

It also doesnt fit Gannicus' character. He's a stonecold killer if you fuck with him, but he doesn't really go looking for trouble unless he just really loved that prostitute a lot. He also was supposed to go get Glaber...he usually doesnt deviate from plans like that.



however, the rudis was there so it seems that gannicus
>was there, unless it was a fake rudis.

Im thinking either fake Rudis, or Gannicus dropped it off when he tried to shake the tattoo face dude and get out of town.

---
"though time has passed, im still the future" (c) black thought

He never said one way or another to Xena.

I wouldn't be surprised if this is Ashur though, they made his reactions to Glaber offering Gannicus position pretty obvious.

GamerTag and PSN: PokeEmAll

I wouldn't put it past Ashur, but I don't see him having the balls to take out Glaber's best guards and tattoo dude. Although it COULD have been those other dudes that he recruited. He was quick to call out Gannicus tho'.

My only question is how Gannicus got out of the city while being followed. I wouldn't be surprised if Gannicus took out tattoo dude to escape and Ashur used it to his advantage.

I wouldn't be surprised if Gannicus took out
>tattoo dude to escape and Ashur used it to his advantage.


Again if gannicus really did take Illythia they wouldnt try to hide it in teh previews for next week since they already showed us in the flashback he did it.

Theyre trying to send us one way in the episode, they would typically just show us part of it in the preview. The unidentified hand trapping Illythia to me tells me its not ganniucs.

---
"though time has passed, im still the future" (c) black thought

it would also make sense if gannicus is being set up since that would likely drive him back to spartacus and co. just for the backup and to get back at ashur/glaber.

not matter the explanation, i can't wait to see next weeks ep.

> I wouldn't be surprised if Gannicus took out
>>tattoo dude to escape and Ashur used it to his advantage.
>
>
>Again if gannicus really did take Illythia they wouldnt try to
>hide it in teh previews for next week since they already
>showed us in the flashback he did it.
>
>Theyre trying to send us one way in the episode, they would
>typically just show us part of it in the preview. The
>unidentified hand trapping Illythia to me tells me its not
>ganniucs.

GamerTag and PSN: PokeEmAll

why wouldn't they just show that scene from illythia's POV? riding in the carriage, show some sword flashes, gore, etc, and then only have the rudus there as something to indicate it was gannicus.

the fact that they showed gannicus, and that the whole episode showed him getting more and more disgusted with glaber, makes it seem like this is the logical conclusion for him.

i was initially going down another direction, that lucretia knew all along that gannicus wouldn't skulk into the house and kill gannicus in his sleep (that's too much like ashur's work), and that she would have more to gain if gannicus kidnapped illythia.

but the entrails and everything at the scene make it seem like ashur's men. i'll have to re-watch that ending.

------
"I can't promise I'll try. But I'll try to try."

....damn spartacus.....

__________________________________

*Note to self: Add Sig*

lol this was an interesting episode...not my favorite episode despite all the action. So many different plotlines/trees were introduced today.

---
"though time has passed, im still the future" (c) black thought

It's official, EVERY woman on the show hates Glaber now lol Even Seppia is gonna start plottin' now.

Spartacus basically told Ilythia that she isn't even worth killing. He's a cold blooded killer and that is the coldest thing I've seen him do lol

Crixus need to stop sparring with his lady, he's gettin' soft! If it wasn't for old Lucius, it would be over! Too bad Lucius got murked by the Capuan Terminator.

I found out this weekend one of my boys watches teh show. I was so thrilled man. First non-online person I met who watches that shit. Him and I had a good 20-25 minute convo about the series at this birthday picnic.

---
"though time has passed, im still the future" (c) black thought

Each time you see those titties I am just like ah I love this show.

__________________________________

*Note to self: Add Sig*

---
"though time has passed, im still the future" (c) black thought

__________________________________

*Note to self: Add Sig*

I was surprised to realize that this was the second to last episode of the season. Now I know why this episode and teh previous one seemed so rushed. It seems like they were trying to fit about 10 story lines into the season before ending.

Lots of action---almost too much going on. Now we see why Oenamaeus is blind. Hope he gets his shot at the Egyptian next episode but it may have to wait til next season.

Will there be a major death next episode?

---
"though time has passed, im still the future" (c) black thought

>Now we see why Oenamaeus is blind. Hope he gets his shot at the Egyptian next episode but it may have to wait til next season.

-Injured in the pits then captured by Ashur
-Whipped and tortured
-Found out his wife cheated with his man
-Almost killed in the arena
-Now blinded and injured AGAIN

I was ROLLING.

...then put the knife in there afterwards lol

bitchass Zootown shut the post down.

This episode really deserved its own post. Its one of the best finales in recent tv history. Reading reviews of the episode around the internet, I'm not the only one who thinks it.


Honestly this is one of the best overall shows on TV period in terms of acting and writing. That gets lost in the gratuitous sex/violence.

I think I'd take Spartacus > Game of Thrones and I love game of Thrones.


Here are my comments from the locked post
http://board.okayplayer.com/okp.php?az=show_topic&forum=6&topic_id=604492&mesg_id=604492&listing_type=search

---
"though time has passed, im still the future" (c) black thought

Why did Oenomaus take sooo many L's this season!?!?

Crixus looks so lame this season. I liked him better as an asshole.

After the finale, I feel the new Spartacus has come into his own. Still not better than Alex but pretty good.

Gannicus is clearly the best and most gifted fighter in the crew judging how he fought against everyone and his kills. He's just not a good leader. After the last EP I think he's going to be a problem since his purpose to fight is now gone.

>
>Why did Oenomaus take sooo many L's this season!?!?


Well at the beginning dude was trying to take Ls and basically kill himself...didnt happen but he eventually got what he wanted.
>
>Crixus looks so lame this season. I liked him better as an
>asshole.

Yea Crixus is boring...a lot of good reviews about the depth of Manu's acting this season, but he needs to step up again.
>
>After the finale, I feel the new Spartacus has come into his
>own. Still not better than Alex but pretty good.

I agree...He really grew on me.
>
>Gannicus is clearly the best and most gifted fighter in the
>crew judging how he fought against everyone and his kills.
>He's just not a good leader. After the last EP I think he's
>going to be a problem since his purpose to fight is now gone.

Gannicus has become one of my favorite characters. He's smug and cocky in a loveable way.

I think he probably has the most raw talent as a fighter but Spartacus mightbe more technical and thoughtful in battle?
lol who knows were just guessing here.

---
"though time has passed, im still the future" (c) black thought

every time he opens his mouth i feel the gods are punishing me.

------
"I can't promise I'll try. But I'll try to try."

one of the best shows on TV

Liam finally became Spartacus for me in this episode. It still would have been cool to see Andy do this episode, but Liam really killed it. I bought into all of his speeches, and they all had me pumped.

Sad to see so many of the big characters go, but I'm not disappointed with the way any of it played out.

unlike lesser shows that get over with violence or sex, this show uses both and still delivers.

i wouldn't go so far as to put it in the same caliber as GOT.
but for what it is, it's well done.

---
www.ikirejones.com
FW16: After Migration.

>unlike lesser shows that get over with violence or sex, this
>show uses both and still deliver
I was reading a Steve deknight interview and he was dying on a big network they probably would've never been able to get away with killing off 6 major characters. But yea they take some risks and it makes for good tv.



>i wouldn't go so far as to put it in the same caliber as GOT.
>but for what it is, it's well done.

The production value is cheaper but I think the characters and acting is just as good. Entertaient wise I thing I enjoy it as much as GOT.
The coOl thing about both is they are based on things people can go read or research about--yet they still keep things exciting.

I've stayed away from the GOT books though cause I wanna see how the show plays out with all surprises.

---
"though time has passed, im still the future" (c) black thought

i loved it. its still worth it to watch it from the beginning, right?

man... the brunette older lady? who was the wife of the dude who used to run shit that got killed? man she was fuckin CRAZY. that scene where she killed the sexy hand-maid and turned her throat into sliced apples!! whew. and then of course when she did the reverse swan dive holding a blood soaked blanket with the baby in her hands. DAMN SON.

the gore in this show is BUCKWILD.

you guys are calling this one of the best shows on tv?! start at episode 1 and season 1 is worth it right?

-----------------------------------------

I feel like he should maybe watch them in the order thy actually came out because that's how thy we're planned.

I wonder how tho series would feel different if you watched gods of the arena first. Gods of the arena is a prequel to blood and sand.

I think if you watch gods of the arena first you won't become as attached to te characters. It'll just be fighting and gore. Actually I take that back own emails story with gannicus is pretty cool. I just think the depth of character development may not be quite there because they knew it was a fill in.


I think it's one of the best shows on tv...

But if not its the most underrated shows on tv.

---
"though time has passed, im still the future" (c) black thought

>I feel like he should maybe watch them in the order thy
>actually came out because that's how thy we're planned.
>
>I wonder how tho series would feel different if you watched
>gods of the arena first. Gods of the arena is a prequel to
>blood and sand.
>
>I think if you watch gods of the arena first you won't become
>as attached to te characters. It'll just be fighting and gore.
>Actually I take that back own emails story with gannicus is
>pretty cool. I just think the depth of character development
>may not be quite there because they knew it was a fill in.
>
>
>I think it's one of the best shows on tv...
>
>But if not its the most underrated shows on tv.

GamerTag and PSN: PokeEmAll

GamerTag and PSN: PokeEmAll

the relationship between Batiatus & Solonius. Because after seeing how much they hated each other in the first season it was a shock to see them as good friends, and to see what lead to them turning on each other.

_________________________________________
"Too weird to live.... too rare to die..."

IG: KnowOne215 | PS+ ID: KnowOne215

gods of the arena does so much to shade in the relationships in blood & sand (ashur, oenemaeus, batiatus & solonius, etc.). plus, with the way blood and sand ends, it was nice to see what set this all up.

------
"I can't promise I'll try. But I'll try to try."

It's already been said, but just in case...SPOILERS
.
.
.
.
.
.
Oenamaeous...really? That's some bs right there.

Lucretia? Damn that's some cold ass shit.

Lol at them tying vines together and climbing down that BIG ASS MOUNTAIN!!

I'm actually glad Mira got it. She was starting to annoy me.

Altogether that was a satisfying episode. The show is so much better when there's episodes that don't overdo the sex scenes.

GamerTag and PSN: PokeEmAll

SPOILERS OBVIOUSLY

http://insidetv.ew.com/2012/03/30/spartacus-finale-spoilers-died/?iid=rcfooter-tv-\'spartacus\'+finale%3A+inside+sco

'Spartacus' finale shockers: Showrunner Steven S. DeKnight on why died
by James Hibberd


Spartacus second season finale “Wrath of the Gods” sent several popular characters to the afterlife in grand style, plus set the stage for Spartacus facing a Roman legend in season three. Below, writer-producer Steven S. DeKnight answers your burning questions: Who’s really dead, why they died and what to expect next season (time jump!).

EW: What were your goals with this finale?
DeKnight: I’m a strong believer in putting a punctuation mark on the end of a season. You get the sense there’s something more coming, but it’s also a complete experience; it’s not a big cliffhanger. I wanted to wrap up some story threads, especially looking toward the next season when we bring in Marcus Crassus and Julius Caesar going after Spartacus. There needed to be some housekeeping to make room for the next round of storytelling. More than anything, I want to go for an emotional tale that hopefully will have people leaping out of their seats and yelling at their television. I expect to get a few angry messages.

One of my favorites, Ashur, I figured he was doomed, but at least he went out in style. Since he wasn’t based on a specific person from history, can you talk about that decision?
I made that decision before season 1 was done shooting. I bumped into Nick Tarabay at the grocery store and I was like, ‘Oh I got a great ending for your character.’ There’s a lot of speculation on the Internet about who is going to kill Ashur. It came down to who is the most grievously injured by Ashur and that’s Naevia.

You got to have your cake and eat it too since Lucretia had a hand in that as well.
Yeah, considering how Ashur had turned the tables on her and was abusing her. We have a reputation of killing anybody at any time, but 99 percent of the time you get a great send off.

And Oenomaus, historically he died fairly early on during the revolt. Was there any thought about keeping him around?
He was historically the first to fall. Deciding whether to kill a character is not 100 percent based on their character, but their relationship with other characters. Like Naevia with Ashur. For Oenomaus, it needed to be a Gannicus moment. Ever since the prequel aired, they’re so tied to each other. It will help cement Gannicus staying with the rebels.

And then there’s the other thing we’ve all been waiting for: Lucretia getting revenge on Ilithyia. Was that exact ending always the one you had in mind?
Yes, that’s the outcome that brought Lucretia back at the end of season one. When I was first asked if she could come back I was like, ‘She has to die with Batiatus.’ Then the next day in the shower I had an idea, which was basically Lucretia as Mad Ophelia. And her wanting the baby and playing it out all season where you think she’s going to take the baby and raise it herself, then you realize she was insane. Her plan was always to take that baby to the afterlife and deliver it to her husband. I half expected Starz to say, “What do you mean you’re going to take a newborn baby over the cliff?!” But no they’re like, “Oh, great!”

What about Ilithyia? As we know, getting stabled in the belly while you’re pregnant in this show doesn’t necessarily mean you’re dead…
I’m here to tell you she’s dead. She gave up the ghost when her baby went over the cliff. I kinda half kicked myself about not going back into the episode and CGI’ing some blood trickle out of her mouth. But I can confirm she’s dead. We talked about it in the 11th hour, about her or Lucretia surviving, but I felt strongly that there was no story for either one of them with Crassus going after Spartacus in season 3. And those characters are so tied together, and it felt like one of their ends should precipitate the others’ end.

And Spartacus, we hit another major chapter in his actual story, the battle at Mt. Vesuvius. Not to be an uber-nerd, but I didn’t understand why the vines on Mt. Vesuvius would only take four people.
Historically all the rebels went down that way. It’s a stealth operation. It’s more about not being discovered. Originally in the script there’s a scene where the rebels on the top pulled the vines back up.

Now that Spartacus has had his vengeance, what will drive him in season 3?
That’s a very good question and one that’s asked of him in season three: What drives him now? it’s something we touch upon when we start the next season. Once you have vengeance its a hollow victory and it’s never enough … If you read the history, they went all of the map marauding, pillaging, raping. For storytelling purposes we touch on some of that, though for a narrative you need a more linear projection for your hero. But that does come into play.

What else can you tell us about season 3?
It’s way too big. Every episode seems gigantic so we’re wrestling with the production issues of that. This season was moving Spartacus toward becoming a leader, next season — which doesn’t have a subtitle yet — is very much about Spartacus being a leader and leading this war. We’ll jump about six months ahead, where Spartacus and his band of rebels have become thousands and they’re causing Rome some real concern.

You’ve cast a young Julius Caesar (photo and story here). How will he differ from other portrayals we’ve seen?
He’s like Gannicus on the Roman side. He’s very brash, very confident, very roguish. It’s the period in history where the least amount is known about Caesar. We do know that he was a tribune. He may have been part of Crassus’ army. There’s nothing in history that says he went after Spartacus so we’re definitely extrapolating on that one. But we wanted that wild card element on the Roman side. Somebody who in the rebels point of view, he’s the villain, but he’s trying to stop this horrible plague on the republic. Another thing we touch on next season is the horrors of war. When Spartacus and his people attack, what happens when women and children are killed too. The human cost weighs heavy on Spartacus and they’re constantly trying to not become the thing they’re fighting against.

Anything other burning fan questions you’d like to address?
I’m sure I’ll get a lot of questions about why I killed Mira, especially in such an atypical Spartacus fashion. Spartacus keeps people at an emotional distance next season because he thinks anybody he gets close to will be horribly murdered. We did it early in the episode because we wanted to start with an emotional impact on Spartacus and also to have her death lead to the idea of going down the mountain on the vines, when he has to wrap her body up. We had a lot of debate about whether she gets to choke out her final words. I thought it would be more horrible if he got her up there and is trying to save her and she’s just dead. Obviously on this show I love strong women and they will continue to be part of the show. But on Spartacus, when your time’s up, your time’s up.

Mira and Oenamaous huge shocks, I mean he's Black so I was surprised he lasted that long and what was Mira gonna do with no Spartacus?

lol@ Ashur getting killed by a slave girl. His death was the most contrived. Yeah Naevia got some revenge, but there's no way Ashur is that sloppy.

I almost felt sorry for Ilythia, which is crazy because she was probably the person I hated the most. And I knew Lucretia was looney, but DAMN that was the most shocking part of the season.

Oh and if the show ended right now, I would be okay with it after watching Glaber eat that sword.

nm

_________________________________________
"Too weird to live.... too rare to die..."

IG: KnowOne215 | PS+ ID: KnowOne215

but i do.

it's a testosterone fueled soap opera.

the dialogue is often laughable.

the good guys are all good.

the bad guys are all bad.

fools is always crying and yelling.

the production values are like a half step ahead of Xena: Warrior Princess.

but Jupiter's cock, i love this fucking series.

-30-
You know it's drama, but it sound real good.

http://www.comingsoon.net/news/tvnews.php?id=90980

Starz Announces Final Season of Spartacus
Source: Starz , EW
June 4, 2012


Starz announced today that the "Spartacus" saga will end with "War of the Damned," which premieres in January 2013. EW has also premiered artwork for "War of the Damned" which we've included below:

STARZ announced today the upcoming season of the international hit series "Spartacus" will be the conclusion of the saga. With a visual style completely unique to television, the franchise has amassed both critical and popular acclaim to become the most successful on the network and one of the highest rated programs in all of cable television. More than six million weekly viewers watched last season, "Spartacus: Vengeance," which has amassed more than 2.5 million Facebook fans. Globally, the series airs in 150 countries in more than 15 languages.

"The fans have been tremendously supportive of our show," says creator and executive producer, Steven S. DeKnight. "We did not come to this decision lightly. It was an extremely difficult and emotional decision for my partners and I. Yet, in the end, the story was best served by rolling all of the remaining action and drama of Spartacus' journey into one stunningly epic season that will be extremely satisfying for everyone who's been along for the ride."

"Steven DeKnight, Rob Tapert, Josh Donen and Sam Raimi have made one of the most groundbreaking shows we have ever seen," says Starz CEO Chris Albrecht. "'Spartacus' is a landmark series for the network which has enthralled millions of viewers and fans around the world. We are in agreement with our partners in the decision to conclude the story after 'War of the Damned,' as we believe it is the best way to maintain the integrity of the series and secure its legacy. While everyone may know the fate of Spartacus, we believe this will be a spectacular season that will startle, amaze and honor the legions of fans."

"Spartacus: War of the Damned," currently in production in New Zealand, takes place following the defeat of Roman commander Gaius Claudius Glaber. Spartacus and his men have amassed major victories against the Romans after the Battle of Vesuvius. These victories have not only forged the legend of Spartacus, but have greatly increased the ranks of the rebellion slaves to more than 30,000. Rome is indeed beginning to tremble at the threat Spartacus now represents.

The Emmy(R) nominated series, already known for its groundbreaking production and visual style, has set the bar even higher to bring the story to its epic conclusion. This year, new sets will include the construction of a full city, a Roman Villa, and the scene of the epic battle along the Appian Way.

Airing in 150 countries, the series is considered an unqualified smash around the world, including Brazil, England, France, Germany, Italy, Korea, Mexico, Portugal, Russia, Spain, Turkey, and more. The enormous international success has led to global licensing for a variety of rights, including: authentic prop replicas, publishing, soundtracks, motion comic books, trading cards, and a few more major deals soon to be announced.

In the US and abroad, the DVDs continue to be one of the most popular titles sold at all major retailers, appearing in the Top 10 of all TV titles sold.

The "Spartacus" franchise began its run Friday, January 22, 2010 with "Blood and Sand." It was followed a year later with the prequel, "Gods of the Arena" (January 21, 2011). "Vengeance" hit the air on January 27, 2012 and "War of the Damned" is scheduled to air January 2013.

"Spartacus: War of the Damned" sees the return on Liam McIntyre (Spartacus), Manu Bennett (Crixus), Dustin Clare (Gannicus), Dan Feuerriegel (Agron), Cynthia Addai-Robinson (Naevia) and Ellen Hollman (Saxa). This year, Todd Lasance joins the cast as Gaius Julius Caesar, along with Simon Merrells, who will be playing Marcus Crassus and Anna Hutchison as Laeta.