Daily Archives: February 28, 2011
Spartacus: Blood and Sand Season 2 Foreshadowing
Admittedly, I could have added the foreshadowings to the previous blog, but this subject demands a blog of its own. With the new Spartucus, Liam McIntyre, as the replacement for Andy Whitfield, it will be interesting to see how the conniving and the fighting will play out in season 2 since the conclusion of “The Bitter End” for the prequel series Spartacus: Gods of the Arena.
Here are some the quite possible foreshadowings that might occur in season 2, if not later:
- Starting with the obvious, there might seem some possibility that Spartacus might meet Gannicus on their way to Rome since both are now free. Gannicus was granted freedom by the Roman magistrate honorably, and Spartacus and his fellow gladiators of the first season battled their way out.
- Crixus and Gannicus might finally have their honorable battle one-on-one. Although Crixus earned his status of Champion of the House of Batiatus, he lost his status to Spartacus in the first season. Spartacus may stand in his way of having a good fight with Gannicus, should they meet.
- Ashur now has two axes to grind since his escape from the first season. He might with some degree of certainty confront Oenomaus, now Doctore. And since he was crippled by Crixus and embarrassed by the Brotherhood, he might confront Crixus as well. However, he is no match for either of them skillwise. Perhaps a call from his Syrian brothers, perhaps appealing to someone earlier in the line to Xerxes, like Antiochus…not out of the reach of this series, if it lasts long enough.
- Since the death of Tullius of the Roman magistrate in the prequel supposedly, Spartacus may have to confront Cicero, or more specifically Marcus Tullius Cicero. Or was this man Cicero, a man with sufficient leverage to confront Julius Caesar politically, buried beneath the walls of the arena of Capua who might find means of escape?
- Should he find a way to live in season 2, Batiatus may have to confront Lucretia for the untimely death of his father Titus. Whether he lives or not for this second season remains to be seen.
- Vettius is not without his resources although he was banished by Solonius. He could ultimately return in Rome or elsewhere.
- The rivalries between Oenomaus, Spartacus and Crixus will live on. All three men have different opinions on the term of freedom. All three have honorable intentions, but they may have to deal with the subject on their own terms with each other. Discussion will resolve the issue partly but not entirely.
These are some of the foreshadowings of season 2 of Spartacus: Blood and Sand in my opinion. Whether they will occur, that remains to be seen.
Spartacus: Gods of the Arena: The Bitter End Review
It is the bitter end for the prequel to Spartacus: Blood and Sand.
Batiatus sought consolation with Lucretia and his fellow gladiators of his ludus for the death of his father Titus. However, Vettius spoiled the scene for Batiatus demanding payment of Gannicus within a day and lied about Tullius‘, his mentor’s excursion to Antioch for business. Unfortunately, Vettius’ arrival at his father’s funeral brought on his untimely departure prior to the opening of the new arena in Capua. Connecting two and two together, or so he thought, Batiatus believed that Titus was assassinated by Tullius and Vettius, with slight deception by Lucretia. Gannicus, with this knowledge, sought his revenge for the death of Melitta.
With this onset of manipulation, Vettius and Tullius were caught in the crossfire, and Gannicus, Oenomaus, Ashur and Batiatus ambushed Vettius and Tullius. Sadly, Tullius was buried alive in the walls of the new arena. Additionally, Vettius gave his ludus and his gladiators to Solonius without Batiatus’ consent and departed Capua to join his mentor, Tullius, in Antioch supposedly. Solonius finally earned his place as a leonista and within the upcoming games in Capua and abroad. He had learned from his former mentor and friend the art of deception, and they have become rivals as a result.
After the formalities, the gladiator fights began with the gladiators of the House of Batiatus and the House of Solonius. At night, the real games began, the ultimate fight between the two Houses, a Royal Rumble between the two teams of gladiators set in a ring of fire. Those who were kicked out of the ring were eliminated from the primus in Rome, and those who died were eliminated altogether. Solonius gladiators notably outnumbered Batiatus’ gladiators 2 to 1, but numbers don’t count for raw talent.
As the Royal Rumble began, the Roman drum chorus rang through each clash of the swords, shields and spears. Ashur killed his Syrian brother, Dagan. Surprisingly, Crixus dismantled Ashur’s leg for his sole desire to confront Gannicus and kicked Ashur out of the ring. Unfortunately, Crixus soon joined Ashur as he was kicked out of the ring as well. Gannicus became the victor of the Royal Rumble and was finally granted freedom by the Roman magistrate. Thus set the events in motion for season 1 of Spartacus: Blood and Sand with Batiatus’ acquisition of Spartacus…
Overall, a great conclusion to a somewhat dramatic prequel series to Spartacus: Blood and Sand. More on the foreshadowing of season 2 later…
