Spartacus: War of the Damned
(2010– )
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Spartacus: War of the Damned
(2010– )
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| Watch Trailer 0Share... |
| Series cast summary: | |||
| Manu Bennett | ... |
Crixus
(33 episodes, 2010-2013)
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| Daniel Feuerriegel | ... |
Agron
(26 episodes, 2010-2013)
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| Peter Mensah | ... |
Doctore
(23 episodes, 2010-2013)
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| Lucy Lawless | ... |
Lucretia
(23 episodes, 2010-2012)
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| Nick Tarabay | ... |
Ashur
(21 episodes, 2010-2012)
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| Viva Bianca | ... |
Ilithyia
(21 episodes, 2010-2012)
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| Liam McIntyre | ... |
Spartacus
(20 episodes, 2012-2013)
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| Pana Hema Taylor | ... |
Nasir
(19 episodes, 2012-2013)
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| Cynthia Addai-Robinson | ... |
Naevia
(18 episodes, 2012-2013)
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Heath Jones | ... |
Donar
(17 episodes, 2012-2013)
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| Dustin Clare | ... |
Gannicus
(16 episodes, 2012-2013)
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| Katrina Law | ... |
Mira
(15 episodes, 2010-2012)
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| Ellen Hollman | ... |
Saxa
(14 episodes, 2012-2013)
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| Barry Duffield | ... |
Lugo
(14 episodes, 2012-2013)
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The inspiration behind this series is the Thracian Gladiator Spartacus, who led a slave uprising against the Roman Republic. The Thracians had been persuaded by Claudius Glaber to serve as auxiliaries in the Roman legions in a campaign against the Getae, who had often plundered Thracian lands. However after Glaber reneges on the deal and switches his attentions from the Getae to attack Mithridates in Asia Minor, the Thracians feel betrayed and mutiny. Captured by Glaber, Spartacus is condemned to death as a Gladiator, whilst his wife Sura is condemned to slavery. Spartacus, however, proves to be a formidable gladiator, and defeats the four gladiators tasked with executing him. He becomes a favorite of the crowd, leading Senator Albinius to commute his death sentence to a life of slavery. Spartacus is purchased by Batiatus for gladiator training, who promises to help him find Sura if he proves himself in training. As the series develops, the story follows the betrayals and machinations... Written by WellardRockard
Yes, the show starts out dull and mindless. Yes, the show offers full frontal nudity. Yes, it's bloody violent (if you measure it in buckets of blood). No, it is NOT a storyless show.
To get it out of the way: If you can't stand a naked breast; skip this one. I know how some people are very sensitive to naked skin, but I guess a chopped off head is OK? (Yes, I'm kicking your way you "Oh, that's Janet Jacksons covered up breast on live TV. I have to call the TV network"-people).
Each episode added a new layer as I see it. The characters grow in dept, and the conspiracies grow ever more entangling. I always wanted to see more after the second episode. The show exploded! For a show like this to even work the producers had to make a choice between kiddy-TV and adult TV. They chose the latter and hit the damn spot. Spartacus Blood and sand is one of the few shows that is just for us "big kids". I don't care if people are naked or headless on TV, as long as it suits the show. In this case it had not worked without it. Praise the gods that someone had the guts to think past the double morals of todays television and just press on! Rome was no flower-covered heaven on earth.
The acting can seem stale at first, but each actor grows in their role as the show progresses. A few of them impressed me, as I had deemed them to be c-graded actors a long time ago (Xena, anyone?). Some of the stars of this show seem to have found a show that suited them as much as they suited the roles they had to fill.
To avoid spoilers I will not say much about the story. What I can say is: The story evolves at the same rate as the actors/characters. Nearing the end you will beg for more! It's hard even to catch your breath after what I have just seen: The last episode offers the greatest form of chatarsis I have ever witnessed/felt in a TV show.
I will root for Spartacus in season 2 (and 3, and 4).
Sorry about the spelling errors and such.