Somewhere in California there is dark room filled with HD plasma TVs and computer screens all over the walls. Every episode of Spartacus is being played simultaneously while Twitter feeds, message boards, magazine and newspaper articles scroll from the bottom of one monitor to another like the code in the Matrix. A lone messenger pigeon flutters anxiously on the floor eager for his many brothers to return with news from afar about the show. There is a red crushed velvet winged back chair in the middle of the room on top of a bear skin rug; probably an endangered bear. And in that chair sits Steven DeKnight, sipping blood red wine from a goblet and twirling his fingers in delight while he laughs maniacally at the madness he has created; a madness that we all call Spartacus: Blood and Sand.
It is official. We are addicted. How did this happen? When did this happen? And is this an addiction that needs to be treated, or is it something that we should keep feeding? I vote for the latter, thus leading me to this week's blog..."The Path to Addiction." And like any addiction it begins with the first step...
Ancient Rome in General
Rome was the foundation for the laws and government of our nation. We learn Roman history when we are children because Greek and Roman society is the basis of Western civilization, so we tend to romanticize it.
The fascination with the gladiatorial arena naturally evolved into our modern professional sports as evidenced by football, basketball, wrestling and, in the clearest cases, boxing and ultimate fighting.
There is also something intriguing in the dichotomy of Roman civilization. It was both extremely ordered and modern for the period while at the same time violent, cruel, and dangerous. The wise voice in our heads tells us the law and order of Rome would keep us safe while our dark spirits argue that back then we could have gotten away with murder and risen to the heights of Caesar. As our world gets smaller and our every movement is followed more closely, simpler times like Ancient Rome and American Westerns become a more and more tempting place to escape to. And while we like to romanticize this freedom and think of the things that we could get away with without the CSI's tracking us down, the reality is that we would most likely be the victims. Not to mention, lice was a problem back then.
Language
An array of accents and a unique turn of phrase, reminiscent of Shakespeare, help to transport us to another world. Catch phrases like "Jupiter's Cock!" have led to a drinking game, the creation of its own cocktail, and are challenging Frak! as the exclamation of choice when couch potatoes stub their toes. Spartacus has brought back an elegance and flair to cursing that makes our moments of exasperation and anger just a little bit more creative and fun (especially if you do it with a Scottish accent.)
The Use of Sex
Sex. We all like it, right? But this show offers us a valid excuse to shrug off our hang-ups and wade right on in to the orgy with every episode. It is valid to show the sexuality of the time and to have naked bodies on display because that was so much of a part of Roman Society...so we've got that excuse. And thank Heavens for it! All those dangerous woman and scantily clad gladiators roaming around under the hot sun...it's a recipe for addiction!
I think my favorite things to read are the comments on the Spartacus Fan Page on Facebook where couples come on and talk about how this humble television show, Spartacus, has become "date night" or "role play night" for them every Friday night. They mention how it's livened up their OWN sex lives or inspired them to stop eating junk food and get back into the gym and get in shape so they can look sexy for the person they love. I think that is just absolutely FANTASTIC. Who would have thought that the show would have had that effect?
The Evolution of CGI
The CGI and effects in this show are integrated so completely with the live action that it is almost impossible to tell where the sets end and the green screen begins. From roiling, boiling clouds to thunderous rainstorms, the skies above Capua have a life all their own. And the city and rivers below, as viewed from our perch on the cliff, drift in and out of the clouds like a dream.
Meanwhile, in the arena, the CGI allows us to view graphic violence and horrible displays of cruelty through a safe filter. It is often times so incredibly real that I've heard my friends gasp in shock and shout out with excitement. Yet the "Graphic Novel Style" is a constant reminder that, while shocking, this isn't real. So it's okay to eat that pizza while watching the fight scenes...just, maybe not the spaghetti.
Character Development
Who knew that by Episode 12 you'd be so angry at Ilithyia that you'd long for her to die a double scoop of death just so she'd have to suffer twice?
Who knew when Ashur was offering Spartacus a wedge of bread in Episode 2 that he'd turn out to be such a villain? And just when you started to hate him, the writers swung back in the other direction by showing you his past pains, betrayal by Crixus and loyalty to Batiatus. Then, just before you can start rooting for him, they have him take Naevia...oh, you Syrian Snake!
Who would have thought that Batiatus and Lucretia, simple business owners and lovers up on the hill desperately longing to have a baby, would give birth instead to so much death and deceit that Niccolo Machiavelli himself would say, "A Lanista never lacks legitimate reasons to break his promise." (or something like that)
Who knew that preening, arrogant and bullying Crixus would transform into a heartbroken, humbled man who longs only to hold the woman he loves in his arms again?
And who would have thought the three hundred pound grown man sitting next to you would actually sob like a baby over the death of Varro?
Cliffhangers That Physically Hurt
Take your pick of any one of these goodies.
Episode 1
. Surviving out of sheer willpower, a blooded and newly imprisoned man stands in the middle of the arena while the crowd chants his freshly given sobriquet, "Spartacus!"
Episode 2
. Defying the odds, Spartacus passes the test by defeating the Champion of Capua and receives his gladiatorial brand. Batiatus initiates Spartacus personally, "Welcome to the Brotherhood." I felt my testosterone level jump up on that one.
Episode 3
. Spartacus is forced to surrender in the arena in his first act of supplication. Doctore tells Spartacus, "You needed more training." Spartacus says, "I shall train harder then." A sad Doctore replies, "No. It is too late for such things."
Episode 4
. Breaking his promise to Batiatus, Spartacus fails to die during the final bout in the pits because he saves his Master's life. On a bleak Ludus cliffside, Batiatus admits he's in Spartacus' debt and declares to Doctore, "He is to rejoin the Gladiators as soon as he is able."
Episode 5
. The rains finally come after Spartacus defeats The Shadow of Death. He raises his arm and becomes The Bringer of Rain.
Episode 6.
Amid dreams of escape into the hills above Capua, Spartacus' great plans are laid to ruin as a bloody Sura falls from the cart and dies in his arms.
Episode 7. Finally placing himself in the hands of the Gods, Spartacus fully releases himself to the ways of a gladiator, screaming, "I...am...SPARTACUS!" I personally got chills on that one.
Episode 8
. Ilithyia, Hell bent on seeing Spartacus dead, recruits Segovax to kill Spartacus with the promise of freedom if he does. Segovax fails and his punishment succeeds in making one million men scream out in unison and one million women shed a tear for Kirk Douglas.
Episode 9
. Hot golden angry masked sex followed by Licinia's bashed in skull with the eyeball hanging out...'nuff said.
Episode 10
. Spartacus being consoled after being forced to kill his best friend Varro. Who didn't need to be consoled after that episode? I gave myself a hug.
Episode 11
. Spartacus discovers who really killed his wife and the Sparty we all know and love is back. He turns, with those blood shot eyes, and says, "I am myself again." Ooohhh!!! Things are about to hit the fan!
Episode 12
. Realizing that he needs a plan for escape, Spartacus opts for simplicity over subterfuge and comes up with the best one: "We kill them all." OMG! Is it Friday yet?!?
Unexpected Plot Twist
I can't tell you how many times I've watched a TV show and, ten minutes in, have known how the episode was going to end. With Spartacus all I have to say is this: sit back, close your eyes and think of all the times over the course of Season One that you have said, "OMG!" "WTF!" "NO WAY!" "I DIDN'T SEE THAT COMING!" "OH NO SHE DIDN'T!" "DAMN YOU STEVEN DE KNIGHT!" And for each one of these times when Steven and his mad squad of writers zigged when you thought they were going to zag...DRINK. (but maybe only quarter shots because we don't want you to end up at the hospital getting your stomach pumped.)
Controversial Relationships
Lucretia and Crixus
- We just found out that Batiatus has known the entire time about the affair, but is the child his? Is Lucretia in love with Crixus or was she just using him?
Naevia and Crixus
- Having witnessed the sad end to this chapter of their relationship the questions now are where has she gone and will Crixus find her again?
Ilithyia and Spartacus- This is a battle to the death. Who is willing to go the furthest to watch the other fall.
Barca and Pietros
- While this relationship is over, the affects of it linger. We feel guilty mourning the death of an assassin and child killer but we also witnessed something beautiful being shattered simply because Asher didn't want to pay a debt. And our viewers at AfterElton.com must be wondering if Spartacus Season 2 will have any more relationships like this one.
Spartacus and Batiatus
- What first appeared to be the beginnings of a bond forged in mutual respect and necessity was revealed to be a masterful plan orchestrated by Batiatus to raise his Ludus and his family's name to great heights on the labor and blood of Spartacus. But now that Spartacus knows that he was being manipulated we will see who truly is the master chess player in the house of Batiatus.
Mira and Spartacus
- Is Spartacus using her as another pawn or does he have feelings towards her? What does Mira see in this man who constantly turns her down and is her loyalty to him genuine?
Ashur and Crixus
- Will these two love birds finally get together? I mean...really!
Spartacus and Aurelia
- Can Aurelia forgive Spartacus for the death of Varro? To what lengths will Spartacus go to protect her?
The Satisfaction of Death
For the most part, the people that you want to see die, DIE. Or at least we know they will get theirs eventually and we all sit anxiously waiting to see how the writers are going to give our villains their just rewards.
The 'No One is Safe' Mentality
So after all of the unexpected twist and turns of the plot, people have been catching onto the 'no one is safe' mentality. "Who's it gonna be this week?" is the question being asked around the work water cooler. We hear people say, 'For sure its gonna be blah blah blah to go next." Or, "Blah blah blah has 'Dead Man Walking' written all over them."
It leads to a certain kind of morbid excitement that we don't get on other shows. It also makes us suspect pretty much anyone but Spartacus is capable of doing an evil deed which in turn leads many of us to develop conspiracy theories and dramatic interpretations of even the slightest move or look given by any one character. It has lead to the dissection of each word and sentences said by every character in the attempt to find some hidden meaning. People wonder "Why did that one guard pat Spartacus on the shoulder after he killed Varro? Could he be a future ally?" and "What did it mean when Mira stormed out of Spartacus' cell? Is she going to betray him to Batiatus?" and, of course, "Maybe Spartacus has been unconscious since his battle with the Shadow of Death and Varro is still alive...and we're all really living in some guy's dream...and there are whole universes that live in a single cell of our bodies... and ... *puff* ... what if, man ... *puff* we're all just like ... floating?" Some do have a deeper meaning, but others are wildly off base.
It has put everyone on the edge of their seats, looking around with suspicion. So suddenly we are like the crowds in the arena, waiting for who will be the next to fall and cheering when they do...or don't.
In Conclusion
We have one more week before we all go cold turkey for a long, painful spell. And we still don't have a definite answer for when that drought will come to an end and all of our addicts can get their Spartacus fix. But never fear, somewhere in his dark cave, our mad genius is flipping the switches that turn the power back on, winding the motors back up on the machines that cranked out Season One and is getting everything ready to produce an even higher quality batch of goods to give Spartacus fans everywhere the fix they're going to so desperately be needing.
And all of us actors, writers and crewmembers will be ready when he flashes his signal into the night sky, calling us to his side like a batch of rag-tag Thundercats rallying around their leader.
Spartacus...SPARTACUS...SPARTACUS...HO!!!!!! (Sorry, geeked out there for a moment.)
Enjoy the final episode of Season One. It's a doozey!
