Spartacus: Gods of the Arena

Legend of a Champion

I love this series for its great fight scenes, plot twists and turns, fine acting and superb visuals, so I was very disappointed when I learned season 2 had been delayed because of Andy Whitfield's illness. Kudus to the producers for creating "Gods of the Arena" to hold fan interest while the second season was being filmed. I had doubts that a story without Andy would live up to my expectations, but I was wrong. "Gods of the Arena," a prequel to "Gods of Blood and Sand," tells the story of the original champion of the House of Batiatus. Fans of Blood and Sand may recall a rumor floating around the lunista of a legendary gladiator, Gannicus, who fought his way to freedom. Of course, with all the treachery and lies swirling through the House of Batiatus, appearances aren't always what they seem. Well, here's your opportunity to discover the truth behind the legend. The focus of the six episodes is divided between Gannicus, whose gladiatorial skills are matched only by his thirst for wine and women, and the struggle of young Batiatus and his scheming wife Lucretia to maneuver their lunista in a position of social prominence. Fretting under the thumb of his autocratic father, the blindly ambitious Batiatus will freely betray anyone who stands in his way. A great addition is the character of Gaia, a social-climbing widow (and former friend of Lucretia) who insinuates herself into the House of Batiatus through sly manipulation, opium, and sex appeal. Yes, you'll find all the debauchery and sexuality that characterized Blood and Sand. You'll learn the back story of several important characters: Oenomaus before he assumed the role of doctore, Crixus before he learned to fight like a champion, and Ashur, always scheming to make up for lack of talent. One of the things I like most about this series is the nuance written into the lead characters. People are seldom black or white. Good people commit underhanded acts, and villains sometimes reveal a softer side. For example, Batiatus and Lucretia remain genuinely in love with one another even as they ruthlessly manipulate the world around them. There's plenty of action and betrayal to keep the viewer guessing, so if you can take the finely choreographed gore, this is a series you won't want to miss.

Highly Recommended!!! Excellent!

I greatly anticipated the series on Starz as I am a HUGE fan of the first series, Spartacus Blood and Sand. This is an awesome series, a must see for the mature audience as there is lots of violence and strong sexual content. If you love action, this is a must see!

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