DJariya

By djariya at 2012-01-11

Synopsis:



Episode 5 of 10

Promo:

<iframe width="640" height="360" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/xHvBQDwwAhI" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

Gannicus returning tonight.

TGM

hopefully Gannicus can save this ho-hum season!


so, question, Gannicus is a historical figure... if Andy didn't get sick, and they were forced to do that prequel series, is there any discussion as to how this character would have been introduced?

DJariya

You should send a Tweet to Steven DeKnight. He answers some fan questions.

I know you miss John Hannah, but I don't think this has been a ho-hum disappointing season. As I said to you a few weeks ago, this is a transitional season to the whole point of this chapter being Vengeance. I know you liked the Gladiators being all confined together like season 1, but the story has to progress. The violence, blood and action sequences are all IMO up to par with the last 2 seasons. Liam McIntyre has done a very good job as the new Spartacus and he's handled all the action sequences very well.

From what I've read from DeKnight's comments, the tentative plan is for this show to go at least 5 seasons, obviously that depends on Starz and the ratings.

TGM

oh, I'm still enjoying the gratuitous violence and sex... I miss Andy more than I thought I would. Liam is OK, but he's no Andy. Yes, Gleber is a boring villain... he's no Batiatus... I'm with the how until the end, and I hope Gannicus becomes a central player

creekdipper

Great episode. Nice balance of personal intrigue, action, and plot progression. First chapter this season that has me looking forward to next week.

Despite all of the violent scenes in the woods & the arena, the violence (and sex) seemed less gratuitous this episode. My take is that a stronger script requires less of the gimmicks to keep viewers interested. Hope this trend continues.

Arthur Dent

Originally (before the prequel series was on anyone's mind), season two was going to feature one flashback episode. When Andy got sick, DeKnight expanded on what the flashback would have focused on and viola: the prequel series was born.

Fist of Doom

Awesome.

Loved the look on Ilythia's face when Glaber told her that her father died. Those tears weren't for her dear departed daddy.

at the bloodthirsty crowd not even noticing the smoke before the arena fell. Karma's a bitch, folks.

Great action this episode, too. It'll be interesting to see the fallout from the arena being destroyed.

Bill Needle

Totally agree with this. Fantastic episode, best of the season.

Poor Ilythia. Again.

DJariya

Freaking amazing episode. Definitely the best of the Liam McIntyre era.

That whole sequence in the arena was a grand slam homerun. Awesome action and it was just flat out crazy to see the arena burn to the ground and hundreds of innocents die! I was getting concerned for Crixus for a second before Sparty showed up.

Spartacus and his crew aren't holding back on their Vengeance.

Loved the look on Glaber's face when he got some retribution on Ilythia's father by smashing in face for her conniving ways.

Good return for Gannicus. Interesting to see how he will fit in with Spartacus and his group. Honestly, he has no real incentive to join their cause, especially since he already earned his freedom and has been free for some time. There is still alot of tension between him and Doctore for what happened to his wife in the prequel. So hopefully they go into that some more.

Wow, this episode got me fired up.

TGM

HO-LEE-SHIT.

Wow. That's more like it!

MikahC

Best episode of the season so far. This felt like previous seasons.

Ilithyia was RUTHLESS. Her conversation with Praetor Glaber was cold. But doesn't she know she's messing with Darken Rahl?

Josh-da-man

Oh, fuck yeah!

bjh_18

Gannicus lost his rudis in the arena (and they made a point to show that twice - when he first lost it, and when they were leaving the arena). Earlier in the episode, when asked why he kept it with him, he said it was the only way he could prove that he truly had been freed. Based upon that, he would be considered a slave again now that he no longer has it in his possession. Sounds like an incentive to me.

I agree with what everyone has been saying. By far the best episode of the season yet. It's the first one that truly lived up to the awesomeness that "Blood and Sand" and "Gods of the Arena" were.

MikahC

I had this long write-up in my head about how the rudis isn't necessary, but then I remembered the branding (which they also showed). My initial thought was just about everyone in the Rome (and probably farther) knows Gannicus has gained his freedom. I also was wondering how people know any given person is a slave anyway. After all, there are plenty of normal citizens in Rome who aren't noble born. An escaped slave would be able to pass as just any other citizen. But then I remembered the branding. If you're at the market without a non-branded escort, you'd get into trouble pretty quickly if anyone sees your brand. And given "B" stands for House (ludus) of Batiatus, it wouldn't take long for people to know these are slaves from the fallen house.

I still think just about everyone knows Gannicus has earned his freedom, but it's sad that he has lost the one thing that proves it. Well sad for him. I'm tickled he has joined our band of merry men. I did some light reading (google/wikipedia) of the real history so I have some idea what's to come, but Spartacus, Crixus, Gannicus, and Oenomaus? I don't care what you're playing at, that's a good way to start a team.

bjh_18

I agree that one would think just about everyone would know that Gannicus was freed. But, without it, he has no way to prove that he is who he says he is. Most people probably wouldn't recognize him, and it's not like they have government issued photo identification. They'd just see the brand, like you said, and think he's a slave. And since they went out of their way to tell why he had to keep it with him, and then to show that he lost it, it seems pretty clear they'll be using that.

redrum

crazy crazy shit

love this show so much

Gunde

This episode was just flat out fucking amazing! It rivaled the very best of the previous seasons ("Whore", "Kill Them All" and "The Bitter End").

The writers really know how to do build-up and then deliver! This episode brilliantly sets up the rest of the season in terms og politics, intrique and Glaber as a villian worthy of following Batiatus.

Geofferson

Awesome episode indeed. Restored my faith this show in a single episode. Haha

valkyrie

Agreed, by far the best of this season. Had my heart pounding as the Arena came down. Daaaammmnnn. Loved it.

As much as Liam is a shadow of Andy, I really think the biggest letdown is the new chick that plays Naevia. She's just "meh." Granted, she hasn't had much time to show off, but she just seems SO meek and useless thus far.

Ilythia has become my Batiatus (i.e., best villan) of this season, I think. She's quite amazing in this show.

madcougar

I thought this was an Ice Loves Coco thread... my bad.

Thos19

Loved this episode. Watched it a second time.

Thos.