[King Tones]

I have not watched it yet but I think people should give the new guy a chance before writing him off, also the first episode of Blood & Sand was terrible and cheesy it was not until you watched a few episodes it started to fall into place. People said this about Gods of the Arena also.
Give the show a chance and the new guy.
You wont be able to replace Andy but atleast we do get more Spartacus and I am going to give it a chance, no doubt it will deliver soon enough. By Jupitors Male Chicken I have Faith in Spartacus

[Lalonde]

Originally Posted by King Tones

I have not watched it yet but I think people should give the new guy a chance before writing him off, also the first episode of Blood & Sand was terrible and cheesy it was not until you watched a few episodes it started to fall into place. People said this about Gods of the Arena also.
Give the show a chance and the new guy.
You wont be able to replace Andy but atleast we do get more Spartacus and I am going to give it a chance, no doubt it will deliver soon enough. By Jupitors Male Chicken I have Faith in Spartacus

I think most will Tones, but for me it will be a struggle to accept this new guy as Spartacus, not just because of no more Andy but because I didn't think he was very good. Also going to miss John Hannahs Batiatus.

Loved Gods of the Arena straight from the off, which leads me to question why this didn't grab me. There was just something very flat about the first episode

[Chox1988]

I think batiatus is a huge loss, gods of the arena was so much better than blood and sand imo. But that said I agree with tones, I cant think of a single person that liked spartacus straight away, took a few episodes then it was great

[SimonH]

Yeah but are we not past the "getting into it" stage.

For me, I actually enjoyed it generally, it wasn't the content.

It was the lack of the key characters that screwed it for me.

[Chox1988]

Originally Posted by SimonH

Yeah but are we not past the "getting into it" stage.

For me, I actually enjoyed it generally, it wasn't the content.

It was the lack of the key characters that screwed it for me.

I think the change of characters and huge change of story means the getting into it period has probably started all over again, theres all the chance it could turn out to be dire but Im going to give it 3 or 4 episodes before I make up my mind

[SimonH]

I don't think it's dire at all, I enjoyed a lot of it, I just don't buy into Spartacus at all.

Which is a bit of a problem, he seems to totally lack the intensity, something isn't there.

We may just adjust , but I think it will be a downward adjustment.

[King Tones]

I think thats why I am going to save a few up as I am sure like other I wont like the new guy in place of Andy and hopefully watching a few back to back will help.
I agree about Batiatus, he will be a huge loss but hopefully some other characters emerge. He did have some classic lines. No doubt John Hannah is gutted too with all the lady scenes he had
I also enjoyed Gods Of The Arena from the off but I think that was more to do with knowing how good Spartacus was and knowing this would be great also. Took me time to warm up to Ganacus (think that was the main dude) though.

I might watch it and agree with everyone but thats why I am saving them up. Am sure its still alot better than most shows. Boobs and blood is always a winner for me

[rockmonkey1973]

i just couldnt help but think every time i saw him... that isnt spartacus .
however i take back what i said about giving up on it and i will give it a few more episodes. time will tell.

[muffins]

He just isn't as ripped as AW was...

[richp007]

It will miss John Hannah greatly. Pity they didn't find a way to keep him alive, but that wouldn't have worked I guess.

Gonna watch the 1st episode tonight

[raigraphixs]

Episode 2: A Place in This World

Good episode. The first few minutes were pretty violent, just seemed more so as i was eating at the time and it put me off.

Good to see

 

Ashur

again.

Best was Oenomaus' story.

I was not sure what Lucretia was up to with the ritual, but she's got the look back in her eyes when she saw

 

Ashur

, can't wait for her to get back to her normal cruel self.


Illythia naked always a highlight, and any other female slave

[bekko]

It all seems abit dull for me so far with to many new face just appearing on screen. The new Spartacus i can't get used to either.

[stument]

Originally Posted by muffins

He just isn't as ripped as AW was...

i waas thinking the same!

first episode was pretty decent when i saw the orignal cast appearing, but all the new people... gaaaaa going to take a few episodes to get use to

[SimonH]

Annamais (spelling) backstory was great, and slowly pulling Lucretia back in and the storyline with the note was great, loved that.

In fact any time it focussed on the old characters it was solid.

I still can't buy into Spartacus, he lacks intensity for lack of a better word.

I miss Andy and nobody is close to replacing Battiatus yet, without those two it's still floundering for me.

[Chox1988]

Originally Posted by SimonH

Annamais (spelling) backstory was great, and slowly pulling Lucretia back in and the storyline with the note was great, loved that.

In fact any time it focussed on the old characters it was solid.

I still can't buy into Spartacus, he lacks intensity for lack of a better word.

I miss Andy and nobody is close to replacing Battiatus yet, without those two it's still floundering for me.

I'd agree with all of that, not sure if its just the nature of the storyline but they havent given spartacus much air time, whether its for the better or worse remains to be seen

[richp007]

Just watched the first 2 episodes and I think its great stuff.

I like the new Spartacus - nobody can replace Andy - but I think this lad will grow into the role as the series progresses. Sadly John Hannah will be missed, regardless of how good the series turns out, but that can't be helped

I thought the back story with Oenamus was great, and it was good to see Asha back. Just 1 more big character to welcome back now, and business will have well and truly picked up

[BigStu1972]

I got all confused with the Oenamus back story as I had become accustomed to him being called Doctori (spelling). Even when Batiatus Dad appeared on the screen I thought “I recognise him” but I couldn’t place him until I realised it was a back story and then it fell in to place.
Maybe some more back stories featuring John Hannah as Batiatus would be a good way of bringing him back without bringing him back, if you know what I mean.

Overall the 2nd episode was ok but there are too many new characters on screen at the moment and it’s all a little confusing

[breakersrevenge]

Sky+ FAILED !!!!

So will watch on Sunday - even my wife was Jupiter's Chicken when we sat down and it showed it failed to record!

[ukbootlegs]

Too much style over substance. There seems even more slow mo action scenes instead of letting the fighting happen in real time.

It's annoying me.

[hits76]

Originally Posted by ukbootlegs

Too much style over substance. There seems even more slow mo action scenes instead of letting the fighting happen in real time.

It's annoying me.

Glad I'm not the only one! The slo mo was way over done... so annoying.

[Doctor Smirnoff]

Watched Eps 1 &2 back to back last night and it left me a little underwhelmed.

I can see how it may become more interesting over time and the more that we get original characters back the more reassured I am. But agree that there's too much 'new stuff' going on and with passing reference to things that happened a few years ago now... tough to keep up.

As for Spartacus himself... nope. It's interesting to see the 'skinny Steve' special effect used in Captain America used here also - but it's just distracting. He just isn't inspiring, tough, ripped or even natural... bad choice. I'd have rather seen Crixus lead.

Aside from that, the sets look cheap and the whole thing is overlit... You used to get a feel for the hot sun beating down in the arena, now you get a feeling that the grip is stood about two yards away with a mega wattage s studio light.

But it has boobs n blood and Lucy Lawless is still amazing in every regard... so I'll watch and hope. At least it's only 12 eps.

[bekko]

Crixus is the main reason for me to keep watching it at the moment.

[Nobbler]

Hope this doesn't make me sound nasty - none intended but with the event of the prequel series in between the two Spartacus led stories, I kinda forgot all about Andy and it's as if this new guy has been playing him all along. I've only ever watched as they've been shown over here and never re-visited them on disc but for me, this series seemes to be just right.
I read a lot about the Roman empire (I'm by no means an expert but have read all of Simon Scarrows and Ben Kanes books - except Spartacus funny enough but it's on my Kindle) and they seem to have the setting just right.

[ukbootlegs]

Originally Posted by bekko

crixus is the main reason for me to keep watching it at the moment.

+1

[bekko]

Me and my big mouth. It was a good episode this week though it made up for the first two.

[Lalonde]

Originally Posted by bekko

Me and my big mouth. It was a good episode this week though it made up for the first two.

Much better episode - although that may be due to more Crixus and less Spartacus.

Series is improving but the new guy is still crap, and a few too many Shortland Street extras. The Kiwi accent is sooo distracting.

[raigraphixs]

Episode 3: The Greater Good - 8.5/10

Very good episode, high on action, Ashur steals it for me.
How many rescues do our rebels have to perform, one saved, another caught.

Poor Oenomaus, the whole Melitta and Gannicus actions laid out for him

[AML]

Very good ep indeed! Started a bit slow for me, this season did, but now getting back in shape.

I also don't particularly like the new sparty, but what choice do we have?

I'm sure he will grow on us in time. He just doesn't have the same screen presence as Andy! And he's physically not big enough. He really needs to start bulking up.

I can sort of see what direction it's going in with crixus/ashur/oenomaus

Hope to see Ganicus in this show!

[Chox1988]

Originally Posted by AML

And he's physically not big enough. He really needs to start bulking up.

This, im sure he looks stacked next to normal people but next to the herculean cast he looks very small, doesnt look or feel like a leader

[Singh400]

They haven't killed off

 

Crixus

surely? He was one of my favourite along with Lucy Lawless.

Did the actress who plays Navia change? It doesn't look like her...