Spartacus: Blood and Sand: Difference between revisions

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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{{tropelist}}

* [[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.}}

* [[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]].

** [[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.

* [[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.

* [[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.}}

* [[Rated "M" for Manly]]

* [[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.

* [[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.}}

 

* [[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.}}

* [[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.

* [[Black Best Friend]]: Gannicus' best friend is Oenomaus, and he appears quite close to Barca.

* [[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]]

* [[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.}}

** Affable and cheerful Ashur {{spoiler|will become a bitter schemer who manages to kill Barca.}}

* [[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]].

{{quote| '''Batiatus:''' "And one day, we will see proper reward for all we have done!" (scene cuts to {{spoiler|him dead on the floor at the end of ''Blood And Sand''}})}}

{{quote| '''Titus:''' "Tell me you're not the serpent I thought you to be."<br />

''' {{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.}}

* [[Self-Made Orphan]]: {{spoiler|Batiatus thought of doing this, but was stopped at the last minute by [[Thicker Than Water|his father's attempt at reconciliation]].}}

* [[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.

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

* [[Took a Level In Badass]]: Crixus, after a [[Rousing Speech]] from Batiatus and his arena battle with Auctus.

* [[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]]:

** 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.

* [[Attack! Attack! Attack!]]: Marcus seems to subscribe to this strategy.

** 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.

{{quote| '''Marcus:''''' (after hearing a piercing scream from Ilithyia)'' What has happened?<br />

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

{{quote| '''Ilithyia:''' Oh! Gaius. You give hot cause to flutter.<br />

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

* [[Death By a Thousand Cuts]]: The fate of one captured Gaul in episode 4, {{spoiler|until Ilithyia gets fed up and finishes him off.}}

* [[Death Seeker]]: {{spoiler|Oenomaus.}} After the fall of House Batiatus, he begins to fight in {{spoiler|The Pit}} as a means of punishment.

* [[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.

* [[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.}}

* [[Expository Hairstyle Change]]:

** {{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.

** [[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...).

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

* [[Hands-On Approach]]: Varinius teaching Seppia how to use a sword in episode 4.

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

* [[Heel Face Door Slam]]: Any possible chance that Aurelia and Spartacus can finally be on good terms is lost when {{spoiler|he sends her away to find her son but they are ambushed and she is fatally wounded. With her last words she orders him to keep away from her son.}}

* [[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.

* [[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.

* [[Kick the Dog]]:

** 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.}}

* [[Killed Mid-Sentence]]: {{spoiler|Lucius.}}

{{quote| "At least it wasn't a fucking Roman who took my-" (''beheaded'')}}

** 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.}}

* [[Psycho for Hire]]: Ashur enlists ''several'' of these, after finally making Glaber realize his men are not good enough to fight gladiators.

** 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.}}

* [[Red Shirt]]: {{spoiler|Lucretia}} gets to decide which captive gladiator gets to be tortured to death. Among her choices were {{spoiler|Crixus, Oenomaus, [[Mauve Shirt|Rhaskos]],}} and a guy we've never seen or heard from before this episode. Guess who she picks.

* [[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}}.

* [[Shoot the Messenger]]: {{spoiler|After Ashur's terms of surrender are rejected he attempts to leave to deliver their response, only for Crixus (who's pissed about what Ashur did to Naevia) to point out that Ashur's head will be suitable response. Spartacus agrees.}}