Aug 23, 2012 00:10
Yet another unnecessary update about my current on watch-list TV shows. I've just finished watching SPARTACUS: GODS OF THE ARENA (SGOTA). After finishing the Blood and Sand (SBAS, season 1), I was thinking to continue directly to Vengeance (SV, season 2), but upon watching a glimpse of the first episode, I think the SGOTA is more interesting than SV, and it only consists of 6 episodes. And it proved to be unmistakably true.
I had to say the SBAS totally wins for the depiction of the rough life of a gladiator and the craziness of Roman lifestyle back then. But I just don't really favor the main cast, Spartacus. He sometimes look too stubborn and foolish. And the dialogs are sometimes are not that smart too. I don't know why but I think SBAS lost some elements in trying to make a spectacular show; aside of excessive scenes of blood and nudity. Some scenes are emotionally stirring though, TBH I got boring watching toward the end of SBAS.
*spoiler alert*
The same cannot be said for SGOTA. This mini-series which serves as a prequel to SBAS, is way of higher quality in terms of storyline, character building, dialogs, discussions... In short, I like SGOTA more compared to SBAS. Apologies, but I favor Gannicus more than Spartacus. Gannicus has been a champion since the start of this series, but he looks kinda ignorant and fights in a more relax manner compared to Crixus or Spartacus. And even though he is a champion, he doesn't act so arrogant like Crixus (seniority alert). Oenomaus, who later appointed as doctore (gladiator trainer) is totally a wise man; he's probably the wisest among the ill-mannered gladiators. If SBAS is more centered to Quintus Lentulus Batiatus, then in SGOTA you got to see the influence of his well-respected father, Titus Lentulus Batiatus. We also understands now why Lucretia (Quintus' wife) is attracted to Crixus, why Quintus does not get along well with Solonius (they used to be good friends). I just love the conflicts and arguments in this series, the unrequited love triangle, the characters... They are way more lovable somehow! Of course, there are still nudity, sex scenes, crude language and all, but overall, this show is just better than SBAS. It also has a happy ending (I know, "happy" is ambiguous), even though there are some unfortunate events along the series. Anyway, this show is totally recommended! :D
Still, my favorite quote so far: "To what end?" *blink*
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