Spartacus - Gods Of The Arena

Do you ever just keep something in your download file because you think it will be so cool that you don't want to spoil it by actually watching it and finding out that it isn't cool?" Well I do that all the time. Still haven't watched 'Green Hornet' but I just gave in to watch the sequel or prequel to 'Spartacus - Blood and Sand' entitled 'Spartacus - God's of the Arena'.

The title is misleading because Spartacus is not a character in this six episode mini-series. In fact this series only came about after the actor who played Spartacus became ill with cancer and was not available for a sequel to the popular 'Blood and Sand'. While figuring out what to do about that loss, the producers decided to go back in time and show how Batiatus (played with great villainy by John Hannah) first turned into the bastard he eventually became. This shows the ludus (gladiator school) before it became successful.

We are introduced to a whole new cast of characters who of course swear, fight and fuck like they did in 'Blood and Sand'. I swear I have never heard the word 'cock' used more in an hour of TV outside of the Rooster Fighting Network. That, however, takes nothing away from my enjoyment of this show.


I love the lusty nature of everything - the death and grime and '300' style violent effects. This is the way I always imagined life in Roman times to be. Bread and circuses to keep the interest of the 'mob' for you see the 'mob' IS Rome and it's at the whim of the people that anyone in power remains in power.

Unlike Spartacus, who always had a sour frown on his face, the new top gladiator, Gannicus (Dustin Clare), the first gladiator to become Champion of Capua, loves what he is and what he does. He is a rock star - more like a modern day wrestler than professional athlete.


He adores the cheers he gets from the crowd and knows how to put on a good show. Just don't piss him off or try to mess up his pretty boy looks because then he becomes an unhinged madman and twice as dangerous as you would ever believe him to be. In the first few minutes of episode one Gannicus is so upset that someone would draw his blood that he drops his swords and attacks the other gladiator with only his fists. What better way to make the point that that?

I like that many of the same characters from the first series are reprising their roles here. Most noticeably the beautiful Lucy Lawless as Lucrecia, the wife of Batiatus.

The show is full of intrigue and betrayal as every character seems to have their own private agendas that conveniently come into conflict with someone else's in violent or lustful ways. What else can one want from a Friday night show?

10/10