I started watching Spartacus Blood and Sand less than a month ago, and am now caught up with new season. I agree with you that it takes several episodes for the first season to kick in; for me it was Episode Six, Delicate Things, when issue of Sura is settled, when I finally realized what folks were talking about: great writing and acting, compelling characters. I think Gods of the Arena is also great with the exception of the first episode and GOTA is essential back story for new season. It does take time to adjust to Andy Whitfield's absence--he was so great--but good stuff is happening in the new season. Never thought I would like this kind of show, but it's excellent in its own unique way.

"Great writing and acting." Really? The onyl thing I thought was "great" about it was how artfully shot the pr0n was.

Glad to hear they've kept it going. I wasn't thrilled about them going with a prequel (although I understand the tough position they were in). I'll have to give it a shot after hearing from you and others that it's also good.

I've kept thinking how surprised I am that from the first episode, when my girlfriend and I were laughing about how stupid and unnecessary the gore/effects were to now when I've realized that some of the extreme violence (handled a little more effectively in later episodes) really made a difference in how dramatic certain scenes were. Like the Ilithyia scene was very disturbing, but it added to the episode. And in the season 1 finale it made certain moments even more awesome.

Dude, I have no idea what you are talking about, because it seemed to me the premise of that show was someone looking at one of three million versions of Spartacus out there, turned the channel over to see "300," then turned to his buddy and said, "I can do this... but with more taint!"

I have no idea who the audience for this show was/is, because people told me there are great shots of nekkid ladies getting it on and fighting and I tend to favor that, but there was more dong and scrote than b00b in the episode I caught. The acting was atrocious. Even by Starz standards, the show was/is pointless nudity intersped with bad acting.