Spartacus: Gods of the Arena

I watched the opening episode of this six-part mini-series "prequel" to the Starz network's successful "Spartacus: Blood and Sand" last night.

For those amongst us not familiar with S:B&S and it's new mini - here's a little background from Wiki:

Spartacus: Gods of the Arena is a Starz television mini-series and prequel to Spartacus: Blood and Sand, scheduled to premiere January 21, 2011.[1] The series follows the character Gannicus (Dustin Clare), the first gladiator to become Champion of Capua. Cast members and characters being reprised from the original series include Lucy Lawless as Lucretia, John Hannah as Batiatus, Peter Mensah as Oenomaus, and Manu Bennett as Crixus. Andy Whitfield will make a brief appearance as Spartacus.

The opportunity to produce Gods of the Arena emerged when the second season of Spartacus: Blood and Sand was halted while lead actor Andy Whitfield battled non-Hodgkin lymphoma. Series creator and executive producer Steven S. DeKnight expanded a single flashback episode for the second season into a six-part mini-series.[9] Production for Gods of the Arena began in New Zealand in August 2010

Anyway, this opener was terrific, cartoonish over-the-top fun. fast, furious and ultra-violent gladiatorial combat scenes. John Hannah's Batiatus, tearing around swearing his head off, and most fun of all the combined loveliness of Lucy Lawless and Jamie Murray, indulging in an opium induced lesbian love scene!

I think it's fair to say I'll be with "Gods of the Arena" for the long haul.

You had me at 'opium induced lesbian love scene'...

Should be on Sky 1 soon, apparently

Nick Barlow wrote:You had me at 'opium induced lesbian love scene'...

Funnily enough that's right about where the episode had me too.

Nick Barlow wrote:Should be on Sky 1 soon, apparently

Then I definitely recommend catching it when it materialises.

Well this all too short six episode mini-series bowed out over the weekend in a blaze of highly quality writing, award worthy acting from John Hannah and Lucy Lawless - along with ultra stylistic violence and gore of the highest order.

Gods of the Arena has been an absolute delight. If Torchwood comes anywhere near this quality then Starz and the Beeb have another hit on their hands.