Spartacus: Vengeance (2012) TV series review
I have abandoned Spartacus for quite some amount of time. Last year, I watched the first season and the prequel, and now I am just getting amped up to continue to the second and third season. Initially, I am planning to write a review after I finished watching the whole series, but I am getting too impatient because the second one was very impressive. In my humble opinion, in terms of plot and storyline, the second one far exceeded the first and prequel.
One thing that is visible is Vengeance did not focus anymore on the gladiator trainings, ludus, and organized battle in the arena. It focused on how to survive in the wild as rebels, outdoor battle, and the struggle to seize everything in the way. The characters grew more complex, and the plot was totally twisted. I just love how unpredictable this series became. There was, inevitably, lots and lots of blood. However, the sex scene now has became optional somehow. Yes, there are lots of nudity and spicy scenes to feast the eye. But in my eyes, the plot about treachery and betrayal is totally amusing. It made me wonder, how far the lengths we will go to pursue our purpose. Men could be more animal than the animal itself.
In the first and prequel, I was not quite fond of the actor that played Spartacus and Quintus Lentulus Batiatus. Andy Whitfield seemed too stubborn, and John Hannah acts somehow irked me. Apologies, but I prefer Liam McIntyre because he looked smarter and not too wifey-oriented (it's not his fault though, his role required him to act like one). Also, I was not really fond of the new girl who played Naevia role; I prefer the previous actress, Lesley-Ann Brandt, she looked more gentle somehow. Cynthia Addai-Robinson is too ambitious and trying too hard being traumatic. I understand that she has inflicted lots of pain and been through a rough torture, but she seemed too preoccupied (the same case as Andy Whitfield). I do hope she will improve in the final season.
In the second, Lucretia (Lucy Lawless) still continued to haunt the whole series; a shadow of a gloomy past massacre survivor who was troubled, but pretended to be a saint. In addition, Ilithyia and Gaius Cladius Glaber gave a very stunning performance. They were the ultimate eye-stealer. Ilithyia really shines during her pregnancy; I was astonished with her brutality, she murdered a few people throughout the series. She turned into a very deadly wife. The most striking scene was when she murdered Seppia and throw her into the pool, and after that she made love with Glaber. From that point on, I knew that she is gonna get her karma, and my senses was proven to be true. Her baby was born safely, but he yet unable to live. Hands down to Viva Bianca, she totally suits her role.
Contrary to the the first and prequel, we now finally able to see an open outdoor battle in the forest, similar to TLOTR and Red Cliff. The SFX was enough for a TV series war. I do like the stop-motion effect during a handful of scenes, most noticeably in one on one combat and the brothel sex scene. The music also supports the wild atmosphere. I have to warn you though, watching Spartacus could drive your adrenaline up and make your neck stiff (in case of me, because of improper seating position, but fortunately it was worth it).
There were lots of difficult quotes/phrases, it is funny because in Spartacus, there is no simple live or die terms, instead you said it like this:
- He yet lives OR
- He yet draws breath OR
- His life is denied OR
- He yet forever denied breath.
As a language fan, I am simply bewitched by these versions.
Let me give you examples of some dialog sentences:
- I'll finish, place cock in my ass (this is pretty direct and explicit)
- To what end? (The most popular quote)
- How did you come by that?
- Reveal intentions, and see them embraced
- I would linger but a moment longer
- I would put unfortunate past behind us and seize glorious future
My favorite character here is Saxa, an aggressive female slave who was saved in Neapolis along with the other German slaves. Saxa is portrayed by Ellen Hollman, I can't believe she is 30y.o. already. Her figure is very athletic, and among the other female slaves, she has the most striking abs (which reminds me of Park Kahi from After School). Undoubtedly stunning. I am totally looking forward to her character development in the final season... She finally ended up with Gannicus. I ship their relationship because they seem to have something in common, independent and free-spirited. Did I mention that Gannicus is also my favorite gladiator? ;)
In conclusion, the plot of Spartacus: Vengeance is totally mind-fucking. Magic City was an equal competitor, absent blood sand ashes brutality cruelty etc. This season totally emphasized the positive and negative side of ambition. Men could be more gruesome than every creature on earth, especially to gain advantage to secure their position or lifestyle. It taught us not to trust anyone, even ourselves or our own family. It is definitely a vengeance, in every sense of scene.
Rating: 8 out of 10 (I would give 9, but that would not be fair for Magic City)