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[pants]

Didnt really like this ep except for Crassus, but it's been a while since Spart aired last, so maybe I just need to find my sea legs gladiator's cock

 

[Cornballer]

- Huffington Post vid: 'Spartacus' Premiere Recap - Liam McIntyre Talks First Episode Of 'War Of The Damned'

 

[Senator Soufflé]

Just watched it, twas pretty good, Crassus seems quite interesting so far.

What's up with Spartacus' multi-coloured breast plate though?

 

[Dysun]

Spartacus aint playing. Every time I see Liam try to rage out it makes me miss Andy, I just dont buy it.

They did a good job with Crassus, I actually want to see his pursuit of Spartacus and seems like a worthy foe.

I wonder how Caesar fits in to this

 

[JDSN]

Introducing a roman that isnt a complete total fucking monster has made this new season already great, a nice contrast to showing the rebels as violent decadent savages, Crixus and Gannicus dont have the same perfect physique of the past seasons. I was kinda expecting to see Crassus spare his slave and bring him as an escort, it would have been an interesting dinamic but it really brought the point home that the guy doesnt need handouts.

Oh, and Gannicus grinning in the background as Spartacus decapitated the romans was amazing!

 

[Dreams-Visions]

Just watched it, twas pretty good, Crassus seems quite interesting so far.

What's up with Spartacus' multi-coloured breast plate though?

Yea. His shrewd meekness worries the hell out of me. He's playing Chess with guys used to playing Checkers.

 

[Ripclawe]

Crassus gets rid of his two rivals for leadership by getting Spartacus to kill them and showing him that he is willing to do things outside the normal battle plans.

He hasn't left his house yet.

 

[RS4-]

I liked the Crassus/Valaris fight along side the raid on the villa. Not a bad return.

 

[-Mikey-]

I love how ridiculous the gore is. The music playing during the opening fight sequence had me pumping my fists in the air! lol

It's nice that I like Crassus as a character from the very beginning instead of wanting him dead like Batiatus and Glaber.

Great to have this show back.

 

[Hours Left]

Just watched it, (thanks Canada) and it was a really awesome premiere I thought. Everything has already been set into motion and I'm already invested in the new characters. (Crassus is excellent, and I can tell Tiberius is gonna stir things up.) I got a lot of Nagron, so that's awesome, and Naevia has seemed to found her groove again.

I want to watch the next episode right now.

Noticed how Crixus and Gannicus look fatter/less defined muscles, and Spartacus somehow looks even skinnier.

Yeah, I noticed that too. Crixus just looks thickly muscled though, but Gannicus was a bit less defined. (Perhaps intentionally so, due to his drinking.) Spartacus looked cut, but still on the lean side. (I just think Liam doesn't have the body type to really bulk up. It's obvious he is really fit though.)

Agron is just stacked as hell though, maybe he really is a god.

 

[ThirstyFly]

Fantastic first episode, but there wasn't nearly enough Lugo. They never have enough Lugo!

 

[Gibbo]

loved the first episode. strictly in terms of dialogue, am i crazy in thinking that this is one of the best written shows out there?

 

[ThirstyFly]

loved the first episode. strictly in terms of dialogue, am i crazy in thinking that this is one of the best written shows out there?

You are not crazy. The writers have turned cursing into an art.

 

[Radec]

Awesome episode. Love how Spartacus moves

 

[MrHicks]

the nudity, cursing and gore in this is HBO on steroids

 

[Dreams-Visions]

Crassus gets rid of his two rivals for leadership by getting Spartacus to kill them and showing him that he is willing to do things outside the normal battle plans.

He hasn't left his house yet.

Now that you say it...yep, he's the fucking man. This will not end well.

I'm sad, because I'm sure my fav Gannicus is going to get killed by being set up by a whore or some shit. I'm prepping for it now.

 

[Net_Wrecker]

Spartacus aint playing. Every time I see Liam try to rage out it makes me miss Andy, I just dont buy it.

They did a good job with Crassus, I actually want to see his pursuit of Spartacus and seems like a worthy foe.

I wonder how Caesar fits in to this

Quite different for me. It took the year between seasons and the first episode this year for me to FINALLY get used to Liam as Spartacus. I still thought of how Andy would've delivered certain lines during the new episode, but it's more of a genuine curiosity now than me simply missing his take on it. While I enjoyed season 2, I'd be lying if I said it wasn't a bit tainted because of me not buying into Liam's Spartacus. I think I can just enjoy the show again for this final season.

And yeah, Crassus was really well done. Looking forward to that confrontation.

 

[TheLegendOfMart]

I loved the past seasons but this ep just went overboard with the sex and the gore. It's trying too hard, tone it down a bit.

 

[Discotheque]

The opening fight was terrible. It was like a parody of the series or something. But then the episode went back into form after. Already love Crassus.

 

[TheLegendOfMart]

Yeah was brilliant, was a bit sad for his slave. Can't wait for his kid to get knocked down a peg or 5.

 

[HarryHengst]

No kidding. I'm all for crazy action but that was a little too crazy since it made the Romans look like complete amateurs to not even handle one guy on a horse which they had strategies for anyway. That's like George Washington charging right into British line infantry by himself and surviving simply because it looks heroic. Obviously those Romans weren't the best they had to offer, but they're still trained for that. I know it's expected to be over the top, but there's a fine line.

Well, if Plutarch is to be believed, Spartacus himself did this: 'During the fighting, Spartacus attempted to kill Crassus personally, slaughtering his way toward the general's position, but he succeeded only in killing two of the centurions guarding Crassus', so its not that far off.

 

[Tokubetsu]

"There are none I would trust a Roman to honor"

Gonna fucking miss you Spartacus ='(
Probably gonna finally pick up Vengeance and Gods of The Arena BR next week.

 

[hamchan]

Crassus is a pretty awesome guy.

 

[a secret-boss]

I loved the past seasons but this ep just went overboard with the sex and the gore. It's trying too hard, tone it down a bit.

Really? I just watched season 2 last week. There is no different. Season 2 opening has more sex ei: whore house

 

[Mxrz]

I don't think they'll follow history to the letter. It would make for a boring ending. With the chance of a Caesar spinoff, who knows what they'll do. The show has probably made too much money for everyone to give up this early.

 

[Dawg]

Saw this today:

I knew that guy's face (next to Bruce Willis) looked familiar, but I couldn't put a name on it. Then all of a sudden, I remembered it...

It's Varro!

 

[Cornballer]

- Preview for this week's episode (please spoiler tag any discussion, youtube)

EDIT:
- Sneak peek scene from Friday's episode (please spoiler tag any discussion, MSN vid)

 

[Cornballer]

- 'Spartacus' returns to fewer viewers

The final season of the sex-and-blood-drenched Starz drama Spartacus returned to a slightly smaller arena of viewers.

The premiere episode debuted Friday night to 930,000 viewers, a tally that rose to 2.5 million by the end of the weekend. That’s a solid performance compared to previous years, though a tad softer overall. The premiere weekend for the franchise’s Gods of the Arena prequel in 2011 had 2.8 million viewers and last year’s Spartacus: Vengeance had 2.7 million. (You might see stories out there saying Spartacus came back to its “second-highest rating ever!” That’s from a Starz press release touting a wonky subscriber-universe “GRP” rating that’s normally only used internally at cable networks and not in media reporting; it’s like comparing apples to ostriches).

Normally ratings for a final season of a series don’t really matter much. But in this case, Starz is weighing a spinoff centered on the Caesar (Todd Lasance), who is introduced next week on the show. So you can bet executives will closely follow how Spartacus performs this season (and whether Caesar seizes some fans of his own online).

 

[Inversive]

omg Caesar mini-series yes please (providing the actor is good)! There is alot of material they could use.

 

[Hours Left]

The Caeser spin-off MUST HAPPEN. Starz, you know what to do.

(Though I don't know why they wouldn't be jumping all over it. Spartacus is still their most successful original program by leaps and bounds.)

 

[DarkJediKnight]

Spartacus battle tactics:

1. Send your leader/commander on a horse to the front alone against a tightly formed spear unit
2. ???
3. Send in the rest

In 52 B.C. a young Gallic chieftain name Vercingetorix rallied several tribes, which were upset with Roman rule and let them in revolt. Julius Caesar, the Roman governor of Gaul at the time, quickly assembled his forces and set off to put down the rebellion. Vercingetorix was a very clever general and avoided direct battle against Caesar so that he could attack his supply lines and weaken the Romans. In the fall of 52 B.C. Caesar managed to trap Vercingetorix in the Gallic hill fort at Alesia. Caesar and his men prepared for a siege. Vercingetorix dispatched messengers to the chieftains of the Gallic tribes, bidding them to come to Alesia, help him fight Caesar, and set all of Gaul free from Roman rule. Many of the Gallic chieftains answered Vercingetorix’s call, and a large army arrived at Aleisa and attacked Caesar’s forces. The Romans were able to hold their fortifications for several days, but eventually one section of their lines started to waver. At that point Vercingetorix led his men out of the fort and the Gauls attack the weak point of the Roman line from two sides at once.
Caesar, recognizing the danger to his army, put on his trademark dark red cape and personally led a relief force of heavy infantry and cavalry against the oncoming enemy. The Roman defenders now beset on all sides by the enemy, recognized Caesar’s red cape as he rode in the battle. The sight of Caesar personally coming to their aid revitalized the exhausted Romans and instilled in them such great confidence that they were able to beat back the much larger Gallic force. The Gallic army was routed and suffered many losses, and Vercingetorix, now with no hope of relief, surrendered his army to Caesar, effectively ending the nine month long revolt.

 

[Clevinger]

In 52 B.C. a young Gallic chieftain name Vercingetorix rallied several tribes, which were upset with Roman rule and let them in revolt. Julius Caesar, the Roman governor of Gaul at the time, quickly assembled his forces and set off to put down the rebellion. Vercingetorix was a very clever general and avoided direct battle against Caesar so that he could attack his supply lines and weaken the Romans. In the fall of 52 B.C. Caesar managed to trap Vercingetorix in the Gallic hill fort at Alesia. Caesar and his men prepared for a siege. Vercingetorix dispatched messengers to the chieftains of the Gallic tribes, bidding them to come to Alesia, help him fight Caesar, and set all of Gaul free from Roman rule. Many of the Gallic chieftains answered Vercingetorix’s call, and a large army arrived at Aleisa and attacked Caesar’s forces. The Romans were able to hold their fortifications for several days, but eventually one section of their lines started to waver. At that point Vercingetorix led his men out of the fort and the Gauls attack the weak point of the Roman line from two sides at once.
Caesar, recognizing the danger to his army, put on his trademark dark red cape and personally led a relief force of heavy infantry and cavalry against the oncoming enemy. The Roman defenders now beset on all sides by the enemy, recognized Caesar’s red cape as he rode in the battle. The sight of Caesar personally coming to their aid revitalized the exhausted Romans and instilled in them such great confidence that they were able to beat back the much larger Gallic force. The Gallic army was routed and suffered many losses, and Vercingetorix, now with no hope of relief, surrendered his army to Caesar, effectively ending the nine month long revolt.

Key words: "led a relief force of heavy infantry and calvary." Not "went to fight by himself and was eventually backed up some period of time later."

Well, if Plutarch is to be believed, Spartacus himself did this: 'During the fighting, Spartacus attempted to kill Crassus personally, slaughtering his way toward the general's position, but he succeeded only in killing two of the centurions guarding Crassus', so its not that far off.

Yeah. But the context of what Plutarch was talking about makes that much, much less stupid than the context of the show.
!!>>*series/finale spoilers*<<!!

Spoiler

Plutarch was describing the last battle. The slaves were losing and retreating all around him (and I don't know if he knew that Pompey was also coming for him), so it was likely a pure desperation move on Sparty's part. What's more is that if it indeed actually happened, it probably got him killed or captured.

!!>>*series/finale spoilers*<<!!

 

[Cornballer]

Someone on SA pointed out that Crassus' trainer/slave was played by Richard Norton who's 63 years old. You can see him vs Jackie Chan in the final scene of City Hunter back in 1993.

 

[Cornballer]

New videos from Starz (youtube):
- Inspiration behind Episode 1 of Spartacus: War of the Damned (interview with Steven S. DeKnight)
- Sneak peek clip from Episode 2 (please spoiler tag any discussion)

 

[Idde]

Just saw it. Crassus is cool, sympathetic, smart and calculating. Crixus appears to be more laid back and awesome. Gannicus isn't brooding and sulking anymore, and is having fun. As he should be.

Spartacus is kind of hit and miss. His serious face lacks any sort of sublety. He delivers even small bits of texts with the intensity of grand speeches. Contrary to Andy. When he lightens up quite a bit I actually really like the guy.

All in all this episode exceeded expectations.

 

[HarryHengst]

I should really change my friends' ringtone to My Cock Rages On for maximum embarrassment in public.

 

[Dawg]

Finally, a villain/enemy who doesn't refer to Spartacus as a "simple slave". Crassus actually looks at Spartacus as "a man". He respects Spartacus, he knows his enemy.

For this reason alone, Crassus is an interesting and smart opponent. I've also grown bored of 99% of Romans who are like "LOL SPARTACUS IS MERELY A SLAVE AND SLAVES ARE SHIT."

 

[George Claw M.D.]

They're building Crassus up as a likable villain so

Spoiler

that it won't be as disappointing when he finally kills Spartacus.

 

[Clevinger]

They're building Crassus up as a likable villain so

Spoiler

that it won't be as disappointing when he finally kills Spartacus.

And probably also for that possible Caesar spinoff show.

 

[Chairman Yang]

They're building Crassus up as a likable villain so

Spoiler

that it won't be as disappointing when he finally kills Spartacus.

I hate to use spoilers for a historical event, but

Spoiler

wasn't Spartacus' body never found?

That would give the writers an easy out.

 

[Clevinger]

I hate to use spoilers for a historical event, but

Spoiler

wasn't Spartacus' body never found?

That would give the writers an easy out.

That would be pretty lame.

 

[abracadaver]

They should tone down the slow motions. Its like half of the battles are in slow motion. Even when its just someone running at an enemy or ducking or jumping etc. Its always in slow motion ffs

 

[ItAintEasyBeinCheesy]

They should tone down the slow motions. Its like half of the battles are in slow motion. Even when its just someone running at an enemy or ducking or jumping etc. Its always in slow motion ffs

I think they film to fight scenes pretty slowly with the actors, probably better to show it in slow mo rather than normal or sped up.

 

[HarryHengst]

They should tone down the slow motions. Its like half of the battles are in slow motion. Even when its just someone running at an enemy or ducking or jumping etc. Its always in slow motion ffs

You've watched 2,5 seasons of Spartacus and are still surprised they do this?

 

[Tokubetsu]

You've watched 2,5 seasons of Spartacus and are still surprised they do this?

Hahah I thought the same thing to respond. Plus the fact that this is the last season and no doubt production has already wrapped....

 

[Pkaz01]

Good to see that Gannicus is still the best part of the Spartacus crew. Just too awesome.

 

[Leonsito]

Spartacus has amazing villains, Batiatus, Glabber and now Crassus.

I like them so much that when they get killed I really get sad to see them go.

 

[abracadaver]

You've watched 2,5 seasons of Spartacus and are still surprised they do this?

There wasnt so much slow motion in season 1 and gods of the arena if I remember correctly. At least it didnt bother me in those seasons.

 

[Clay Davis]

Spartacus has amazing villains, Batiatus, Glabber and now Crassus.

I like them so much that when they get killed I really get sad to see them go.

glaber wasn't great. he was great when he had batiatus to play off of and his sparing appearnaces, but after he was gone, his inadequacies as someone who could be a primary villain became all to apparent.

hell, I'd argue that lucretia was more of a villain in season 2 than glaber.

 

[Dawg]

Spartacus has amazing villains, Batiatus, Glabber and now Crassus.

I like them so much that when they get killed I really get sad to see them go.

Don't forget Ashur.

God tier schemer.