Spartacus: Vengeance
Is it a common trait for the Spartacus series to make the initial handful of episodes crap & then suddenly become awesome or is it that Andy Whitfield’s replacement couldn’t carry the show until the weight of the plot rested on Crixus & Gannicus equally? After THE ARENA episode of Spartacus: Vengeance (you’ll know it when you see it), you’ll be riveted, but I’m NOT recommending this show because you have to slog through four episodes filled with gratuitous sex & violence that do nothing to advance the plot. Doctore’s storyline was epically disappointing (only black guy is sad that he’s not a slave & I’m not touchng the S2 plot with his wife). Ashur’s storyline strained believability. Lucy Lawless really needs her own show filled with treachery & madness. When the show improved, the scenes were noticeably more beautiful though slo-mo was a bit excessive. Illithyia & Glaber’s story line felt contrived, but the acting was so good that I accepted it. Mira grew on me even though I don’t remember her. Once again, the series highlights evils of slavery & devaluing of women in ancient Roman society, but felt like abuses were in service of violence & sex as opposed to the reverse, but I’ll stick around for the next season.”