Spartacus: Blood and Sand: Difference between revisions

[[File:Spartacus_BS_7407.jpg|frame|And as [[Fan Service]] goes, this is easily the ''tamest'' example.]]

 

'''Batiatus''': Then do it in the arena. Fight for me, and the honor of my forefathers. Prove yourself, climb to the pinnacle, gain your freedom, and that of the woman you've lost. }}

 

A ''very'' bloody, ''very'' violent, ''very'' sweary, ''very'' sex-filled Starz television series produced by [[Sam Raimi]], Rob Tapert and Steven DeKnight. It was initially picked up for 13 episodes and then got a second pick-up before a single episode aired.

 

 

Season 2 was postponed after star Andy Whitfield was diagnosed with cancer. He passed away on September 11, 2011, and [[The Other Darrin|was replaced by]] Liam McIntyre. A prequel miniseries, ''Spartacus: Gods of the Arena'', premiered on January 21, 2011.

[[Stanley Kubrick]]'s version of the 1951 novel ''[[Spartacus]]'' had a similar reputation; the movie was banned from TV for decades.

 

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* [[Adrenaline Time]]: At least once per fight scene. Even ''John Hannah'' executes a slo-mo kick at one point.

* [[Affably Evil]]: Batiatus loves his wife, dreams of being a father, and does some pretty awful things to his peers and slaves alike.

* [[Affirmative Action Girl]]: The series adds plenty of female characters to the male-dominated traditional story.

* [[Ambiguously Jewish]]: Ashur uses the biblical metaphor "forbidden fruit" in regards to Naevia. He also fulfills many stereotypes of the [[Greedy Jew]], being a duplicitous money-grubber who is physically inferior to the other gladiators. Ashur comes from Assyria, and some Assyrians were Jews. "Ashur" is also the Hebrew name for "Assyria".

* [[Anyone Can Die]]: The list as of the end of Season 1: {{spoiler|Sura, Varro, Batiatus, Barca, Pietros, Duro, Good Solonius, Calavius, Numerius, Ovidius and too many minor characters to count.}}

* [[Arch Enemy]]: Batiatus and Good Solonius, Crixus and Ashur, and for a while Spartacus and Crixus. Despite the early set-up, Spartacus and Glaber [[Subverted Trope|are not arch-enemies]] (at least [[Sequel Hook|until Season 2]]) as after several episodes Spartacus explains that even though Glaber is the man who took his wife, he is not the one who killed her.

* [[As You Know]]: [[Lampshade Hanging|Lampshaded.]]

'''Batiatus:''' Thank you for stating the fucking obvious. }}

* [[Autobots Rock Out]]: Several fight scenes break out the electric guitar.

* [[Bash Brothers]]: Agron and Duro, "the German Brothers".

* [[Battle Cry]]: Spartacus' trademark "RUAAAARGH!"

** Pietros is a male example, though he and Barca genuinely love each other. [[Depraved Homosexual|Gnaeus]] on the other hand...

* [[Benevolent Boss]]: Batiatus plays this straight when it suites his purposes, primarily with Ashur and Oenomaus. {{spoiler|Ashur was granted a promotion to the villa and was given Crixus' woman, and Oenomaus was slated for freedom and being hired as lanista}}. He averts the trope whenever he feels that he can wring more advantage to do so (See [[Bad Boss]] above)

* [[Berserk Button]]:

** Batiatus does not like it when he is mocked and denied a higher status due to his heritage. ''Not at all''.

** Ilithyia does ''not'' like being laughed at.

** Sura, to a lesser extent. She is ''not'' an easy mark for a Geddi gang-rape, and does ''not'' run for safety when her husband comes to her rescue. She also gives Spartacus his marching orders: Kill them all.

* [[Blondes Are Evil]]: Ilithyia; also Lucretia when she is not a [[Evil Redhead|redhead]].

* [[Body Paint]]: A number of slaves at a party are painted white to resemble marble statues. Ironically, real Roman statues were painted to look like people. Also used for the [[Bed Trick]] mentioned above.

* [[Bullying a Dragon]]: Ovidius (the loan shark) tries to intimidate Batiatus in early episodes, but has a difficult time of it since Batiatus is usually followed by at least one famous and deadly gladiator.

** {{spoiler|None of them survive. Not Barca, Pietros, or Gnaeus.}}

** Then averted with {{spoiler|Agron}}, who survives ''Blood and Sand'' but isn't revealed to be gay until ''Vengeance.''

* [[Butt Monkey]]: Spartacus at first.

** "Jupiter's cock!" might as well be Batiatus'.

** Crixus has one in-universe - "Capua! Shall I begin?"

** "Apologies."

* [[Chained Heat]]: Spartacus and Varro.

* [[Chekhov's Skill]]: The show takes time to highlight Spartacus' tactical mind, showing that he's capable of formulating plans and adapting them to new situations, skills that will later prove crucial during the revolt. It also shows Crixus as having a knack for inspiring loyalty and admiration in those around him, which will come into play {{spoiler|when Crixus breaks off with half the rebels when Spartacus decides to leave for Gaul.}}

* [[Clark Kent Outfit]]: Who was expecting Good Solonius of all people to be so ripped?

* [[Coitus Uninterruptus]]: Since this is set in Ancient Rome, this happens often. Batiatus and Lucretia are especially guilty of it. They have slaves act as fluffers before they get down to business with each other, and Lucretia even once asks Batiatus to have anal sex with one of her slave girls in the bath for her viewing pleasure. Barca and Pietros also have sex in their cell, which is easily visible to anyone who walks by.

** Spartacus gets his ass handed to him in his first few matches with Crixus.

** Spartacus' 'battle' against {{spoiler|Good Solonius}} in episode 12 was explicitly designed as an execution.

** In the finale, {{spoiler|Doctore vs. Ashur.}}

* [[Cruel Mercy]]: Spartacus lets Glaber live in the first episode, forcing him to go back to Rome in shame. Glaber returns the favour.

* [[Dead Person Conversation]]: Spartacus has a few of these with {{spoiler|Sura and Varro.}}

* [[Disproportionate Retribution]]: Batiatus tends to do this.

* [[The Dog Bites Back]]: Ilithyia in episode 13. {{spoiler|She gets the last laugh on Lucretia by escaping the massacre at the ludus and having her soldiers seal the doors behind her.}}

* [[The Dreaded]]: Theokoles. Crixus nearly shits himself when it's announced he and Spartacus are to face him. Doctore is sure they'll both die.

* [[Driven to Suicide]]: {{spoiler|Pietros.}}

* [[Empathic Environment]]: When Theokoles (aka the Shadow of Death) steps into the arena, ''the sky clouds over.''

* [[Enemy Mine]]: Spartacus and Crixus against Theokoles. {{spoiler|And again at the end of the first season.}}

* [[Mr. Fanservice]]: Most of the male cast, especially the gladiators.

** Ashur refuses to accept Good Solonius's bribe, saying, "I ''am'' a villain, but I'm not your villain."

** Batiatus is also furious with his wife {{spoiler|for manipulating the events that lead to Ilithyia murdering Licinia, although this could be explained away as him being worried about what the costs might be. He does however apologize to Spartacus over Lucretia tricking him into sleeping with Ilithyia, and seems to genuinely mean it}}.

* [[Evil Albino]]: Theokoles, the Shadow of Death.

* [[Evil Versus Evil]]: It is ''great'' fun watching the various Roman characters screw each other over.

* [[Evil Redhead]]: Lucretia, this of course when she is not a [[Blondes Are Evil|blonde]].

* [[Fake Nationality]]: Nobody is from any of the areas of the Roman Republic where their characters would have originated:

** Welsh-Australian Andy Whitfield plays a Thracian, who inhabited south-eastern Europe, beyond the borders of [[Ancient Greece]].

** Kiwi Lucy Lawless plays an Italian.

** American Erin Cummings plays a Thracian.

** Maori Antonio Te Maioha plays a Carthaginian.

** American Nick Tarabay (of Lebanese descent) plays a Syrian.

* [[Fan Service]]: Both male and female actors are almost uniformly chiseled and gorgeous, and the men especially spend most of their onscreen time bare-chested and glistening. Gratuitous female nudity also abounds. There's even an intersexed person in there. Truly equal opportunity fanservice.

* [[Fanservice Extra]]: Some of the arena spectators like to flash their breasts at the gladiators.

* [[Fight Clubbing]]: While the arena is socially acceptable, the Pit is an underground fight club that is considered a shameful den of depravity.

** [[Big Bad]]: {{spoiler|Batiatus}}

** [[The Dragon]]: {{spoiler|Doctore}}, also the [[Token Good Teammate]].

** [[Evil Genius]]: {{spoiler|Ashur}}

** [[Dark Chick]]: {{spoiler|Lucretia}}, occasionally doubling as the [[Evil Genius]].

* [[Foreshadowing]]:

** Marcus Crassus (the Roman general who will become the ultimate nemesis of Spartacus and his men) gets mentioned once or twice by other characters. Now that {{spoiler|his cousin Lycinia has been horribly murdered}} he has personal reasons to get involved in the story.

** Combined with [[Tempting Fate]] when Ilithyia sees the gladiators for the first time, and wonders aloud what would happen if they were to go berserk and try to escape.

* [[Foregone Conclusion]]: We know from history that Spartacus' slave revolt will ultimately fail. Glaber will also get his comeuppance when he chases the escaped gladiators to Mt Vesuvius. All that remains to be seen is whether Spartacus will kill him horribly or grant him a second [[Cruel Mercy]].

* [[Gladiator Games]]: Duh.

* [[Gladiator Revolt]]

* [[Gorn]]: Obvious

* [[Hearing Voices]]: Spartacus periodically has hallucinations of his wife. She tells him to kill everybody.

* [[Historical Domain Character]]: Spartacus obviously, but also Crixus, Oenomaus (Doctore), Batiatus and Glaber.

* [[Improbable Hairstyle]]: Crixus has a modern military crew cut that would be nigh impossible to get at the time. Although the Romans did invent the military cut, the one Spartacus gets would be more accurate. Also Suro has a modern fringe and layers. Subverted with Lucretia, who has unnatural red hair, but episode 3 reveals she wears wigs, which is [[Truth in Television]] for some Roman women.

* [[Interplay of Sex and Violence]].

* [[Jerkass Facade]]: Spartacus adopts a jerkass facade to get respect in the arena, while still remaining a decent guy at heart. For example, when Gnaeus is harassing Pietros, Spartacus angrily orders Pietros to bring him some water, which gives Pietros an excuse to get away.

* [[Karma Houdini]]: Ilithyia as of the season 1 finale. She escapes {{spoiler|the slave uprising at the ludus and heads back to Rome}}. She obviously can't escape it forever judging from her last interaction with her husband.

** {{spoiler|Glaber and Ashur as well. Lucretia lives, but as her husband and unborn child are dead she hardly gets off scot-free}}.

** Ashur's cruelty to Pietros after {{spoiler|Barca is killed.}}

** Ashur again: he is allowed to have any of the slaves as his sex slave, and he chooses Naevia because he knows that she and Crixus are in love. {{spoiler|This was also likely part of a [[Xanatos Gambit]] to get revenge on Crixus, it works flawlessly.}}

* [[Loan Shark]]: Ovidius, who reminds Batiatus of his owed debts in three different episodes. However, [[Deconstructed Trope|it turns out to be a bad idea to browbeat a guy with a stable of gladiators at his beck and call.]]

* [[The Lost Lenore]]: Murdered wife Sura is a classic example. She appears after her grisly demise in flashbacks and dream sequences, and the closest Spartacus comes to a subsequent love interest is a slave whom he chivalrously does not sleep with, at first, who bears more than a passing resemblance to her.

* [[Lady Macbeth]]: Ilithyia convinces Glaber to go against his orders and make a grab for glory (at the expense of Spartacus and his Thracians), which arguably kicks off the entire plot. She is also perfectly capable of making life difficult for Spartacus in her husband's absence.

* [[Made of Iron]]: Several characters, but special mention must go to Theokoles, the Shadow of Death.

* [[Manipulative Bastard]]: Batiatus and Lucretia, who play their slaves and Roman countrymen to whatever tune they like. To a lesser extent, Ashur. The way he goes about {{spoiler|getting Barca killed}} is worthy of mention, as is {{spoiler|his revenge on Crixus, the gladiator who wounded him, in episode 12.}}

* [[Manly Gay]]: Barca.

* [[Mythology Gag]]: The scene introducing Mira to Spartacus bears striking similarity to the introduction of Spartacus and Varinia in ''[[Spartacus]]'', possibly [[Foreshadowing]] their future relationship.

* [[Nice Guy]]: Varro.

* [[No Name Given]]: Spartacus himself, whose Thracian name is never revealed. Batiatus labels him Spartacus, after a legendary Thracian king, because Glaber never bothered to learn his name. Afterwards they make a point of never letting him utter his original name in order to separate him from his past life.

* [[Not Quite Dead]]: {{spoiler|Lucretia in Season 2, according to Lucy Lawless.}}

* [[Not What It Looks Like]]: {{spoiler|Good Solonius, knife in hand, standing over the corpse of Calavius.}}

* [[Offscreen Moment of Awesome]]: DeKnight said in commentary for the finale that the only scene he regrets having to cut was after {{spoiler|Duro's death}}. Apparently, Agron kills [[Roaring Rampage of Revenge|everyone]], and Oenomaus comes to find him surrounded by the bodies of the guards.

'''Agron''': Then I fucking pity you. }}

** Batiatus' slimy henchmen Aulus, {{spoiler|who was ordered to kill Spartacus' wife}}, has one in episode 11; {{spoiler|Towards the end of the episode, he finds himself all alone with Spartacus while he [[Jack Bauer Interrogation Technique|"questions"]] him about the absence of the supposed wound he received trying to rescue her from alleged attackers while en route to the ludus.}}

* [[Oh My Gods]]: "Jupiter's cock."

* [[Ominous Latin Chanting]]: During a sex scene, no less. It makes sense if you have worked out that {{spoiler|it is actually [[Arch Enemy|Ilithyia]] not Lycinia under the mask, making both of them victims of a ''very'' brutal [[Bed Trick]].}}

* [[The Only One Allowed to Defeat You]]: Crixus to Spartacus during and after {{spoiler|the Segovax incident}}.

* [[The Other Darrin]]: Liam McIntyre will be replacing Andy Whitfield as Spartacus as of Season 2. Cynthia Addai-Robinson will also be replacing Lesley-Ann Brandt as Naevia due to Brandt's preoccupation with [[CSI New York|CSI:NY.]]

* [[Poirot Speak]]: Characters do not drop into Latin at random or with any frequency, but the English dialogue is often interrupted by a few specific Latin nouns related to the military, political office or gladiatory games and training (See also [[Shown Their Work]] below)

* [[Pride]]: Ends up causing a lot of the drama in the story.

* [[Race Lift]]: Oenamaus (aka the Doctore) was historically from Gaul, like Crixus. He is reimagined as a ([[Scary Black Man|scary]]) [[Bald Black Leader Guy]].

* [[Rape Is Funny When Its Male On Male]]: Averted. {{spoiler|Gnaeus' beating and raping of Pietros is horrific, in universe as well as both Spartacus and Varro are sickened by it. The others aren't amused by it, but don't seem to care as Gnaeus is a gladiator and Pietros is only a slave.}}

* [[Retired Badass]]: Oenomaus (Doctore) certainly counts, though he is only retired from the ring. He was the only man to ever survive a fight with Theokoles and is able to teach both Spartacus and Crixus a thing or two.

* [[Real Life Writes the Plot]]: Main star Andy Whitfield has been diagnosed with non-Hodgkin lymphoma. While waiting for him to recover, ''Starz'' made up for the gap with a prequel mini-series. Whitfield has since bowed out of the series to continue treatment. Sadly, he lost the battle on September 11, 2011.

* [[The Rival]]: Crixus and Spartacus.

* [[Roaring Rampage of Revenge]]: {{spoiler|The season's finale.}}

* [[Rule of Cool]]: The fight scenes tend to verge on this. Popping someone's head off with a chain, for example.

** Based on their diet and anecdotal evidence, historians believe that most gladiators were actually overweight, as the extra layers of fat would provide the crowds with blood (which they liked) without wounding the gladiator too much to fight. But where's the [[Fan Service|fun]] in that?

* [[Shown Their Work]]:

** In the match between Crixus and Spartacus in episode three both men are armed correctly for their gladiator types (Crixus, a Gaul, is a ''murmillo'', and Spartacus is armed as a ''thraex'', which is a stereotypical Thracian), and the matchup of these sets is one that was actually used in the real arenas.

* [[Sir Swearsalot]]: Batiatus is the absolute ''king'' of this trope.

* [[Smug Snake]]: Ashur.

* [[Sword and Sandal|Sword And Sand(al)]]

* [[Tear Off Your Face]]: An underground pit fighter named Ixion does this to defeated opponents, then wears their faces as masks.

* [[Tempting Fate]]: Episode 13 has this gem;

{{spoiler|''(cue the enraged gladiators storming into the villa)''}} }}

* [[Then Let Me Be Evil]]: When Ashur gets berated for his slimy [[Manipulative Bastard]] behaviour, he pulls this line of defense, pointing out that everybody treated him like pig feed and that nearly every git move he pulled benefited his master, Doctore and the ludus, so ''screw'' the gladiators and their honour. From what we see in ''Gods of the Arena'', his attitude is at least partially justified.

* [[There Are No Rules]] in [[The Thunderdome|the Pit]].

* [[Think Nothing of It]]: Spartacus does this after Mira thanks him for saving her from a guard. It doesn't go well.

'''Mira:''' ...You are an ass. ''(storms off, as Varro chuckles.)'' }}

* [[Throwing Your Sword Always Works]]:

** All the time in the pilot. It's practically Spartacus' signature move.

* [[Title Drop]]: In episodes 1, 2, 6, 12, and 13.

* [[Together in Death]]: {{spoiler|Batiatus and Lucretia. Subverted as Lucretia lives.}}

* [[Tragic Monster]]: While not in the series, Theokoles is painted as this in the prequal comic. Basicly speaking he was a good natured, hard working boy who turned out to be exceptionally good at killing, and not much else. Some of the details are especially tragic, but best not to get into them.

* [[Traumatic Haircut]]: In episode 2, Spartacus's long hair is hacked off when he becomes a gladiator. For some reason, Barca and the two German brothers are allowed to keep their hair long.

* [[Turned Against Their Masters]]: The gladiators famously turn against their masters in a mass rebellion.

* [[Unholy Matrimony]]: The series is actually rather good about this - being complete bastards does not stop Batiatus/Lucretia and Glaber/Ilithyia from being relatively loving and devoted couples.

* [[Villainous Breakdown]]:

** Batiatus begins to break down {{spoiler|during the revolt at the end of Season 1, when he sees not only his plans for office, but his own ludus falling apart.}}

* [[Visual Pun]]: When the gladiator who wears his opponents' faces in the Pit turns to the audience with his newest trophy and says, "You wanna face me?!"

* [[Walking Shirtless Scene]]: A lot. This gets particularly ridiculous in the pilot, where Spactacus is shirtless and bare-legged ''in the snow''. Also, it isn't restricted to the men, [[Fan Service|not by a longshot]]. It's easier to list the cast members who don't get a shirtless scene.

* [[Whip It Good]]: Doctore.

* [[Woman Scorned]]: Lucretia reacts pretty much as expected when she finds out why Crixus has lost that loving feeling.

 

 

 

* [[Accidental Murder]]: {{spoiler|Melitta}} falls afoul of this in episode 5.

* [[All Women Are Lustful]]: It goes without saying that they love [[Eating the Eye Candy|watching the gladiators training]]. Naevia and Diona's curiosity about [[Bigger Is Better in Bed|the size of Gannicus' cock]] is one example, but the poster girl of this trope is Gaia. That woman is [[Lust]] personified.

* [[Ambition Is Evil]]: Played with -- more so than in Season 1. Batiatus' ambition to rise above his station is a sympathetic goal, but the measures he takes to ensure that he does are questionable. Titus, meanwhile, comes across as more than a little cowardly as he remains humble before the villains of the series and {{spoiler|refuses to allow Batiatus and Lucretia to take revenge on Tullius for killing Gaia.}}

* [[Badass Boast]]: Batiatus' idle boast that any of his men could defeat any of Vettius' blindfolded [[Subverted Trope|comes back to haunt him when Vettius demands that Gannicus do exactly that]]. {{spoiler|And Gannicus wins anyway.}}

* [[Benevolent Boss]]: Lucretia is shown to care about her servants and only allowed certain things happen to them because of pure social pressure, although she's not above blackmailing Melitta into convincing Oenomaus not to tell anything about the orgy to Titus. But then again, she apologizes later.

* [[Bi the Way]]: Lucretia and Gaia.

* [[Black and Gray Morality]]: Batiatus, who might count as a [[Villain Protagonist]] given the events of ''Blood and Sand'', comes across as significantly less evil than the competition.

* [[Blonde Guys Are Evil]]: Vettius, though he's more of a jerk than really evil. Tullius is one in the truest sense of the trope.

* [[Book Ends]]

** Then there's Diona, who is {{spoiler|raped repeatedly until she's on the point of suicide. Naevia helps her escape, but she is soon caught and executed in the arena, in front of her only friend's eyes.}}

* [[Broken Bird]]: Diona after her traumatic first time.

* [[Call Forward]]: All over the place, including extensive [[Backstory]] for even seemingly incidental details such as why Oenomaus doesn't drink wine any more, why Lucretia favours her red wig, and how Ashur got his burn scars and crippled leg.

* [[Depraved Bisexual]]: Varus, and the same can be said about other numerous Roman visitors to the house of Batiatus.

** Oenomaus {{spoiler|will become Doctore but will lose his wife and the faith he has to his Ludus, and never see glory in the arena again.}}

** Good Solonius and Batiatus will not stay [[We Used to Be Friends|best friends]].

** Barca and Auctus {{spoiler|won't last, as Barca is with Pietros in the original.}}

* [[Dramatic Irony]]: Being a prequel, the series provides this in spades.

* [[Drunken Song]]: Gannicus sings a [[Bawdy Song|very crude]] one while celebrating his victories in episode 1. While he's balanced on the edge of a cliff no less. It's the [[Call Forward|same song]] the gladiators were singing during the party in "Delicate Things" while {{spoiler|Barca was being murdered.}}

* [[Femme Fatale]]: Gaia, {{spoiler|though her charms failed her in the end.}}

* [[Fake Nationality]]: Gannicus is played by Australian Dustin Clare.

* [[Interplay of Sex and Violence]]: During the primus, there's a crowd shot with a couple having sex while the battle takes place.

* [[Jerkass]]: Vettius.

* [[Karma Houdini]]: Batiatus - but only within the context of this series, with the events of the first season turning it into [[Dramatic Irony]].

** Gannicus

* [[King Mook]]: Caburus. He gives Gannicus and Crixus a run for their money in the finale. {{spoiler|Gannicus finally kills him by shoving a spear tip into his mouth, before ripping his jaw off.}}

* [[Lady Macbeth]]: Lucretia is quite capable of taking the problem of {{spoiler|Titus' stifling influence}} into her own hands. Indeed, she is revealed to have been doing so from the very beginning.

* [[Manipulative Bitch]]: Gaia.

* [[My Life Flashed Before My Eyes]]: The series is Batiatus' dying flashback.

* [[Nothing Can Stop Us Now]]: Batiatus at the end of the final episode.

* [[Oh Crap]]: Titus in episode 5.

''' {{spoiler|Lucretia}}:''' "I'm not. I'm far worse." }}

* [[The Patriarch]]: Titus.

* [[Perfect Poison]]: {{spoiler|How Lucretia killed Titus and Melitta, though the latter was an unfortunate accident. Just a sip of the poisoned wine was enough to make them cough blood and die messily. Actually, she has been poisoning Titus for a long time, not exactly to kill him, but to make him sick and leave them alone. We don't know if it is the same poison in a bigger dose or another, stronger, one.}}

* [[Psychotic Smirk]]: Tullius is fond of doing this.

* [[Rape Is Love]]: {{spoiler|Gannicus and Melitta fall in love after they're forced to have sex with each other.}}

* [[Ring of Fire]]: The showdown between Batiatus and {{spoiler|Good Solonius'}} gladiators in the final episode.

* [[Roaring Rampage of Revenge]]: Batiatus, Gannicus, and Oenomaus go on in the season finale. Ironically {{spoiler|what they really what revenge for (the deaths of Titus and Melitta), are the things Tullius ''isn't'' guilty of}}.

* [[Sensitive Guy and Manly Man]]: Auctus and Barca. Of course Auctus is only sensitive as a gladiator can possibly be, but his [[Pet the Dog|liking of birds]] shows he's a bit more warmthearted than you would expect from a man who lives to kill.

* [[Sequel Hook]]: After Gannicus {{spoiler|is freed in the final episode, he tells Crixus and Oenomaus to come find him when they earn their own freedom. Given that the historical Gannicus was one of the four main generals in the Third Servile War, chances are we will see him again.}}

* [[Shown Their Work]]: The Latin language lacks definite and indefinite articles. Knowing this makes the english dialogue a lot less strange.

* [[Team Mom]]: Melitta to the other slave girls, especially Naevia and Diona.

* [[Tempting Fate]]:

** Also this exchange between Gannicus and Melitta in Episode 2.

'''Gannicus:''' "Well I may have to ''fuck'' my way clear of it!" }}

* [[Title Drop]]: In every episode except number 4. Batiatus also refers to Gannicus as a "god of the arena" in the finale.

* [[Villain Protagonist]]: Batiatus, the [[Big Bad]] of ''Blood and Sand'' {{spoiler|for Season 1}}, is front and centre and only a bit less of a vile schemer. It works because his enemies are even bigger dicks.

* [[We Used to Be Friends]]:

** This series reveals that Batiatus and Good Solonius, bittier rivals in ''Blood and Sand'' who each arrange to murder the other, used to be the best of friends in days past.

** Also, Crixus and Ashur. While by no means best friends, they get along very well, and Ashur even shows concern when he believes Crixus is going to die in his fight against Gannicus. Ashur is absolutely shocked when Crixus cripples his leg.

* [[Women Are Wiser]]: Melitta has shown wisdom, kindness and patience like no one else in the series. It is particularly emphasized when she interacts with the irresponsible and boisterous Gannicus and her husband is always seeking her for advice. Lucretia is also more level-headed and cautious than Batiatus and this trope may apply to all the other women with Gaia being an notable exception, but only in the "morally-superior" part though.

* [[Yaoi Guys]]: Barca and Auctus.

 

 

* [[Achey Scars]]: {{spoiler|Lucretia's wound starts to ache when she sees Crixus.}}

* [[Action Girl]]: Mira has been as valuable a warrior as any of the other gladiators so far.

** Saxa revels in her warrior ways

** Also, Naevia has turned into this by the last couple of episodes.

* [[Annoying Arrows]]: Played with in episode 8, Glaber takes an arrow to the shoulder, and despite wearing armor is knocked off his feet. He isn't seriously hurt though. The Egyptian completely ignores a dozen arrows sticking out of his chest, arms, and legs; but he seems to just be ''[[Made of Iron|that tough]]''.

** Completely averted in episode 9, however; every arrow that lands at the very least takes the target off their feet. It almost swings too far in the opposite direction with a little [[Improbable Aiming Skills]] (almost every arrow lands in the throat) and [[Instant Death Bullet|instant death]] thrown in the mix.

** A recent interview with [[Word of God|Steven DeKnight]] revealed that {{spoiler|Ilithyia}} also died.

* [[Armor Is Useless]]: The Romans' heavy armour does them about as much good as in the previous season. The revolting slaves don't trouble to loot or wear any of it, often fighting fully armored soldiers in loincloths.

* [[Asskicking Equals Authority]]: The germans pledge themselves to Spartacus after he kills their greatest warrior.

** When the gladiators arrive at the mines, Mira is presented as an "apology" for the slaves arriving late. The lead Roman wastes very little time in trying to rape her. She however will have none of it, and puts a knife on his crotch and demands he tell her where {{spoiler|Naevia}} is. Turns out that was their plan all along.

** One of the Rhines attempts this on {{spoiler|Naevia}}. It did not end well.

** Naevia and Crixus

** Saxa and whoever she's with now

* [[Beauty Is Never Tarnished]]: Mostly averted in that many characters acquire cuts that become permanent scars. Exceptions include:

** By the end of episode 4, after constant running and fighting through the woods Spartacus' and Mira's faces are both stained with blood and mud. It's all gone by the next episode though.

* [[Big Bad]]: Glaber.

* [[Big Damn Heroes]]

** In episode 4, Spartacus, Mira, Nassir, and Naevia are accompanied by 4 unnamed gladiators three of whom are black. {{spoiler|Admittedly, all four of them die, but the black ones do die first.}}

* [[Blood From the Mouth]]: Averted and played straight; not everyone who bleeds from the mouth dies, but almost everyone who dies bleeds from the mouth.

* [[Boisterous Bruiser]]: All of the Rhines

* [[The Bus Came Back]]: {{spoiler|Gannicus returns in episode 5.}}

** Gannicus is introduced as "A true God of the Arena". Ashur also calls him this.

** In episode 8, {{spoiler|Spartacus presents a thin piece of cloth to Glaber as proof of Ilithyia's capture, perfectly mirroring what Glaber did to him at the beginning of ''Blood and Sand''.}}

** In episode 9, {{spoiler|The House of Ashur, reminding Lucretia and everyone of the House of Batiatus.}}

** In episode 10, {{spoiler|"At last the Roman knows his place before us! On his knees!"}}

** You can almost bet that Agron will say some variation of 'Fucking [Insert Race Here]', usually Gauls, at least once an episode.

** Nasir seems to hiss whenever he is about to fight.

** ''Blood and Sand'' and ''Gods of the Arena'' hinted at this, but ''Vengeance'' is proving that this is ''the'' way Roman Politics were handled. Nearly everyone in the Roman Upper Class is shown to have a case of this.

** Ilithyia accuses Ashur of having this toward Glaber {{spoiler|which is probably the one time in the series when he's actually ''not'' an example}}.

* [[Clingy Jealous Girl]]/[[Woman Scorned]]: Mira does not take learning about the [[Bed Trick]] incident from ''Blood and Sand'' well.

** Spartacus is not terribly happy with {{spoiler|Crixus and the Gauls}} saving him from {{spoiler|Glaber's soldiers. Crixus later states they ''weren't'' there to save him, but to stop him from killing Glaber, as the Roman reprisal would be more than they were ready for.}}

** Naevia {{spoiler|believing that Crixus died so that she could escape, and knowing how many others died in the attempt, she angrily chastises the rebels for throwing away so much to rescue her. Notably, she chastises Agron, who was the one opposed to the rescue from the start for this very reason. When he tells her this, she says he should have tried harder to talk them out of it.}}

* [[Cruel Mercy]]: In episode 8, {{spoiler|Spartacus turns Ilithyia loose into the woods, telling her that Glaber does not love her (which she probably already knew). He even says that it isn't a kindness, as she is now lost without food or water.}}

* [[Curb Stomp Battle]]: Spartacus v Sedullus.

* [[Deadpan Snarker]]: Agron is developing into one between Crixus and Spartacus' constant seriousness.

'''Agron:''' And that turned out so well. }}

** Glaber also shows signs of it.

'''Glaber:''' In matters concerning my wife the gods themselves fear to speculate. }}

'''Glaber:''' The water ripples in evidence. }}

* [[Designated Girl Fight]]:In a massive brawl between the brotherhood and the new German recruits, of course Mira ends up tangling with the only action girl on the other side. Though it's about as brutal as the other fights.

* [[Died in Your Arms Tonight]]: {{spoiler|Mira presumably dies in Spartacus' arms, though no one knows she's dead until he puts her down. Oenomaus in Gannicus' arms.}}

* [[The Dog Bites Back]]: {{spoiler|Glaber kills Senator Albinius after he's had enough of Albinius mocking him and he's discovered the conspiracy against him.}}

** After Lucretia tries to put the new and improved Ashur in line with insults, he [[Sarcasm Mode|calmly]] explains to her that she owes him a lot. {{spoiler|And then drives the point home by brutally raping her.}}

** Marcus appears to act as Glaber's second-in-command.

** Ashur becomes Glaber's Dragon later. He's even got his own dragon: the Egyptian.

** A villainous example. Ashur seems to be the embodiment of this trope in his own eyes. He did all of Batiatus' dirty work before AND after he was marked as a member of the Brotherhood. He was the one who {{spoiler|rescued Lucretia and nursed her back to health}} and is alluded to have done countless other favors and deeds for other gladiators. Yet he is still seen as someone who is [[Berserk Button|below standing]].

** Glaber also once he learns that despite his rank, ''no one'' likes or respects him.

* [[Easily Forgiven]]: Averted. {{spoiler|Oenomaus is deeply hurt by the revelation Gannicus slept with his wife, and holds it against for most of the season. He appears to be starting to forgive him in episode 9, and acknowledges Gannicus as his brother before dying in his arms in episode 10}}.

* [[Easy Amnesia]]: Lucretia now remembers nothing of the events of the last few months due to the trauma of what happened at the ludus. {{spoiler|Turns out she was lying about that, at least partially. She's certainly remembered by the end of the season.}}

** {{spoiler|Lucretia's}} natural brown hair has now grown through and reflects her now fragile state. Agron's long hair has now been cut completely short to symbolise the level in badass he has taken.

** Ashur shaves his beard when he becomes a man of influence and power through Glaber.

* [[Eye Scream]]: The Egyptian stabs {{spoiler|Oenomaus}} in the eye in episode 9.

* [[Fate Worse Than Death]]: The mines were hinted to be this in ''Blood and Sand'' and ''Gods of the Arena'', and Mira certainly believes it to be as well. From what we see, she's right.

** [[The Hero]]: Spartacus

** [[The Lancer]]: Agron

** [[The Chick]]: Mira (and Naevia at times)

** [[The Sixth Ranger]]: Gannicus

* [[Foe Yay]]: {{spoiler|Ilithyia fantasizes about Spartacus while she is in the bath.}}

* [[Foregone Conclusion]]: {{spoiler|Oenamaus and Glaber}} dying at Vesuvius shouldn't come as a surprise, as this is what happened historically (the [[Anyone Can Die|bloodbath among the other main characters]], on the other hand...).

** In Episode 1, Glaber and Marcus are discussing Pompey and his war in Hispania. Gnaeus Pompeius Magnus, known as Pompey, was one of the two generals who ultimately defeat Spartacus; [[Shown Their Work|and was in fact absent for much of Spartacus' War due to dealing with a war in Hispania.]]

* [[Genius Bonus]]: Although its possible that the writers did not know, one of the speeches at the arena in episode 5 is one of these. A Roman character says to a Capuan crowd that "Hannibal is at our gates" and then says words to the effect of "but we beat him ultimately". The in-universe audience and the knowledgeable amongst the viewers will know that Capua switched sides and supported Hannibal against Rome and was punished for that, and at the time of the Third Servile War still had a Roman garrison in order to keep the city under Roman thumb.

* [[Groin Attack]]: {{spoiler|Ashur gets a sword to the crotch, courtesy of Naevia.}}

** Spartacus also tries to do this with {{spoiler|Mira}}, but it's too late.

* [[The Hunter Becomes the Hunted]]: {{spoiler|Hunted up the mountain, the rebels finally turn the table and it is Glaber and the Romans in the end who have to defend themselves in the temple}}

* [[Human Ladder]]: The Romans stand on each others' shields to storm the temple walls in episode 9.

* [[I Did What I Had to Do]]: Agron said this almost verbatim after {{spoiler|Crixus confronted him about lying about Naevia's status.}}

* [[Infant Immortality]]: In the final episode, {{spoiler|Lucretia}} takes this trope and throws it off a cliff. ''Literally.''

** "We'll get through this together, as husband and wife."

** Spartacus bringing Glaber Ilithyia's ribbon, the same way Glaber brought Spartacus Sura's ribbon.

* [[Instant Expert]]: Mira masters the bow ''very'' quickly. Though Lucius indicates she has a natural talent for it. Taken [[Up to Eleven]] when later in the same episode she learns how to use it, she shoots an arrow between a dueling Gannicus and Spartacus and hits {{spoiler|Chadara}} in the throat. Though its then immediately subverted when Mira reveals she was aiming to wound.

* [[Jerkass]]: Rhaskos.

** Ashur taunts Oenomaus about {{spoiler|Gannicus and Melitta's affair from ''Gods of the Arena''.}} Later, {{spoiler|he brutally rapes Lucretia just to prove he can.}}

** Glaber crucifies one of Ilithyia's slaves, despite knowing she is innocent, just to show his power, and even forces Ilithyia to confirm that the slave was a traitor.

** In episode 5, {{spoiler|while Spartacus and Agron enter the arena as part of a rescue, Mira and a team of gladiators set fire to the arena's foundations causing it to burn and collapse.}}

** In episode 9, {{spoiler|Glaber's forces catapult flaming debris at the rebels' base. Crixus shoves Varinius in the way of one and he is incinerated.}}

* [[Murder the Hypotenuse]]: {{spoiler|Ilithyia to Seppia.}}

* [[Neck Snap]]: The [[Psycho for Hire|Egyptian]] does this to a random brothel patron, his head doing a full 180.

** Agron seems to be this for Spartacus' side of the Rebels.

** Rhaskos for The Gauls.

** Glaber has a Roman soldier who commands his forces, but his not his [[The Dragon|Dragon]].

* [[Odd Friendship]]: Ilithyia and Lucretia.

* [[Oh Crap]]: Ilithyia gets two in one episode; first when she finds out {{spoiler|she has to return to Capua}} and second when she finds {{spoiler|Lucretia still alive in the Ludus.}}

** Subverted as the season progresses. She's now just as deep as the rest of the Rebels and is usually the [[Action Girl|only female]] that goes with the group into battle.

*** Gannicus could be considered this, since he seems to be only one who realises it's a lost cause trying to take down the Romans.

** Most notable is [[The Brute|the Egyptian]], who very nearly manages to kill Crixus (and later Oenamaus) with nothing but a pair of knives.

* [[Quirky Miniboss Squad]]: Ashur's aformentioned Psychos.

* [[Rape Is Love]]: {{spoiler|Ashur accuses Lucretia of beginning to enjoy him raping her, but she really really doesn't.}}

* [[Retired Badass]]: {{spoiler|Gannicus has been out of the game for five years, and is just as tough as he was in ''Gods of the Arena''.}}

* [[Rich Bitch]]: Seppia.

* [[Say My Name]]: Ashur has his sex slave call him Dominus ("master").

* [[Sex Slave]]: {{spoiler|Lucretia for Ashur.}}

** While their lack of watchfulness merely amuses Mira and she sends them away to have fun in bed and {{spoiler|so she can go strangle someone}}.

* [[Slashed Throat]]: Too many to count.

* [[Slow Clap]]: Lugo initiates a [[Rule of Cool|particularly cool]] one with his sword and shield in episode seven, {{spoiler|as a sign that he and the other Rhines will follow Spartacus.}}

* [[Team Mom]]: Mira.

* [[Throwing Your Sword Always Works]]: Several times. Surprisingly, it also applies for the villains, as throwing an axe earns [[Mook Lieutenant|Salvius]] the honour of being the only Roman legionary to kill one of the main characters.

** Mira has gone from a slavegirl/concubine in ''Blood and Sand'' to having a pretty impressive killcount building up in ''Vengeance''. Actually, her badass level triples per episode.

*** Ashur. Yes, it deserves mentioning twice.

* [[Torture Technician]]: The entire upper-class of Capua/Rome seems to have a minor degree in this.

** Driven home with Glaber as his execution of choice is crucifixion.

** Ashur tries his hand at this to break Oenomaus and get information about Spartacus' whereabouts. While he proves a brutal physical torturer, it's ultimately his calm, smug delivery of psychological torture that breaks Oenomaus' silence.

* [[Trojan Horse]]: {{spoiler|In episode 8, Glaber delivers a wagon that is full of his mercenaries instead of the supplies he promised.}}

* [[Underestimating Badassery]]: The Romans generally underestimate Spartacus and his followers, thinking them "common slaves". Completely ignoring the fact that his fighting force is made primarily of slaves who were trained day in and day out on nothing more than how to fight and kill. Ashur desperately points this out, no one listens.

** Comes to a head in "Chosen Path" after Ashur tells Glaber, for the thousandth time, how dangerous the gladiators are compared to the average Roman mook. Glaber's response is to throw Ashur into a dogpile of soldiers and tell them to go nuts. Ashur kicks the crap out them.

* [[Undying Loyalty]]: Agron to Spartacus, Rhaskos to Crixus.

* [[Unholy Matrimony]]: While Ilithyia and Glaber showed signs of this in ''Blood and Sand'', its taken farther here. Ilithyia even states "We are both monsters Gaius, let us be monsters together."

* [[Villainous Rescue]]: {{spoiler|Ashur saves Oenomaus from death in the pits so he can hand him over to Glaber for interrogation.}}

** Agron dismisses Naevia as just one life and insignificant. Spartacus calls him out and rightfully points out that Agron wouldn't feel that way if Duro was in Naevia's place.

** Spartacus gives one to the Rhines (Agron's kinsmen) after they promptly act like the worst house guests ever.

* [[Worst Aid]]: In episode 10, {{spoiler|Spartacus takes the axe out of Mira's chest before carrying her up the mountain, leading her to bleed to death before they can help her. Though, she was unlikely to live anyway.}}

* [[Wrestler in All of Us]]: Episode five features several gladiator matches where the gladiators drop their weapons and end up grappling on the ground in styles very reminiscent of MMA.

* [[You Have Outlived Your Usefulness]]: Glaber, Ashur, and their mercenaries typically execute anyone they question.

** {{spoiler|Ashur himself becomes a victim of this trope in the finale, when Glaber sends him to offer surrender to Spartacus's army knowing they'll refuse and kill him.}}

* [[Your Cheating Heart]]: Ilithyia and Varinius are cheating on Glaber and Seppia with each other.

** {{spoiler|Glaber cheats on Ilithyia with Seppia when she leaves for Rome.}}

* [[You Shall Not Pass]]: {{spoiler|Lucius does this in episode 8. The Egyptian eventually marches up to him and slices his head off.}}

 

{{reflist}}

[[Category:Ancient Rome]]

[[Category:Sword and Sandal]]

[[Category:American Series]]