 The prequel mini-series was actually filmed and aired between Season 1 and Season 2. The first season was titled Spartacus: Blood and Sand (i.e., Season 1). The House of Batiatus is on the rise, basking in the glow of its infamous champion Gannicus, whose skill with a sword is matched only by his thirst for wine and women. These are the times a young Batiatus has been waiting for. Poised to overthrow his father and take control; he'll freely betray anyone to ensure his gladiators are in the highest demand. And he'll have his loyal and calculating wife Lucretia by his side for every underhanded scheme, drawing on the brazen talents of her seductive friend Gaia when it counts. Together, they will stop at nothing to deceive the masses, seize power, and bleed Capua dry in this audacious prequel to Spartacus: Blood and Sand. 1.01 Past Transgressions - Opening a few years before the arrival of Spartacus, Batiatus finds himself in control of his father's ludus, while his father is away living in semi-retirement. Seeking to make a name for himself beyond the ludus, Batiatus selects his most skilled gladiator, Gannicus the Celt, to win favor of nobleman, Tullius, in order to be a part of the opening games in the new Capua arena. And thus, the story of the Celt warrior Gannicus, the original champion of the House of Batiatus begins. The origins of the Gaul, Crixus are also explored. Batiatus overpays for the Gaul slave, Crixus, seeing that the Gaul has potential to be a great gladiator. At the same time, Batiatus faces the local crime lord Tullius and his teenage henchman Vettius, the owner of a rival ludus, and learns that he isn't yet in their league. Meanwhile, Lucretia welcomes the sudden return to Capua of Gaia, an old friend. Gaia is something of a wild child widow who likes to party, have lots of sex (with both men and women), and takes opium. Lucretia seems ready to go along. The introduction of veteran gladiator Oenomaus and his slave wife Melitta, as well as Syrian slave recruits Ashur and Dagan also occur. 1.02 Mission - A week has passed since he received a severe beating at the hands of Tullius' men and Batiatus has now recovered sufficiently. Tullius sends him a message to the effect that he acted hastily by saying 'no' to his offer to purchase Gannicus, and offers a compromise. Batiatus is in no mood to compromise however and plans his own revenge. Batiatus succeeds in securing the position of primus for his man Gannicus in Vettius' upcoming games through an elaborate scheme: Quintillius Varis comes to Capua to select gladiators for his games and Gaia, who knows him, plots to have him come to Batiatus' house where Batiatus will seemingly go to any length to impress Varis but his blind enthusiasm does not sit well with the men. Meanwhile, Oenomaus is challenged by Doctore, killing him and receiving the title of the new Doctore. Gannicus and Melitta are ordered to have sex with each other for Quintilius Varis' entertainment, leaving both of them deeply and emotionally troubled. 1.03 Paterfamilias - Batiatus is pleased with himself having arranged for Gannicus to appear in the primus of Quintillius Varis' games. He is not however prepared for the sudden return of his estranged father, Titus, who arrives home to find his son cavorting in a threesome with Gaia and Lecretia. He treats his son with disdain and has heard of the mess he's made of things with Tullius. Titus laughs when he hears that Gannicus will represent the house in the games and sets out to undo everything the younger Batiatus schemed to arrange by placing the inexperienced Crixus in where Gannicus was to fight. Auctus, on the other hand, gets killed by Crixus in an intense battle. Meanwhile, things are run amuck when Oenomaus feels he does not deserve his new position as Doctore. While father and son are away, Varis returns to the Batiatus home with a friend, Cossutius, expecting to again experience the pleasures of his previous visit. 1.04 Beneath the Mask - The power struggle between the younger and the elder Batiatus shakes the roots of their house and sees alliances formed and loyalties divided. Batiatus is having more than just a bit of difficulty accepting his father's ongoing - and seemingly permanent - presence at home. The patriarch refuses to take on the powerful Tullius and continually tells his son to learn his place to respect and fear the crime lord. When Gaia sees someone she had once met in Rome, she introduces him to Lucretia and he immediately comments on what he has heard about the pleasures available at her home. Gaia again sees an opportunity to make gains for the House of Batiatus but the elder Batiatus would never allow such revelry in their so they convince him to leave for day or two. Lucretia sides with her husband albeit reluctantly in performing a risky plan while Gannicus finds himself on unstable ground. 1.05 Reckoning - Gaia's death strengthens Quintus Batiatus' resolve to get revenge against Tullius. Titus announces a tournament to determine the worth of the men that make up his stable of gladiators. Crixus, dedicated to proving himself, is drawn into the power play within the house. In responding to his father's ultimatum that he choose between his home and his wife, Batiatus attempts to gain time is not appreciated by Lucretia who believes she would have him leave. He convinces her otherwise and she pushes him to settle on his course while she has her own plan. Lucretia also has her own solution to her husband's desire for a son. Meanwhile, Melitta and Gannicus increasingly lust after one another. Gannicus finds a solution to their situation but fate presents a different outcome. Titus is finally killed by poisoned wine given to him by Lucretia, but unfortunately so is Melitta. 1.06 The Bitter End - Batiatus seeks vengeance against Tullius for all that has befallen him, including the death of his father. Gannicus pushes Batiatus to complete his sale to Tullius so that he may seek revenge for the House of Batiatus by killing Tullius himself, but Solonius counsels caution and a more sensible, if final, solution. Solonius protects his own position as well, however. the opening of the new Capua arena promises a spectacle of combat and blood. Meanwhile, Naevia replaces Melitta as the personal slave to Lucretia who promises her that no man will ever touch her as happened to Diona, who makes an unexpected return after her capture. After winning the final fight of the opening ceremony, Gannicus receives his freedom and departs the ludus, but not before entrusting its future to Crixus whom is declared the new champion of Capua. The first season was titled Spartacus: Blood and Sand (i.e., Season 1). Although the show was initially renewed for a second season, production was delayed because lead actor Andy Whitfield was diagnosed with early-stage non-Hodgkin lymphoma. Because of the delay, Starz produced a six-episode prequel mini-series entitled Spartacus: Gods of the Arena (i.e., Prequel). After pre-production of season 2 began when Whitfield was cancer-free, his cancer recurred, so Starz replaced Whitfield (who later died on September 11, 2011) with actor Liam McIntyre for the role of Spartacus at the start of season two entitled Spartacus: Vengeance (i.e., Season 2). Cast Notes: John Hannah (Batiatus [6 episodes, 2011]), Manu Bennett (Crixus [6 episodes, 2011]), Peter Mensah (Oenomaus [6 episodes, 2011]), Dustin Clare (Gannicus [6 episodes, 2011]), Nick Tarabay (Ashur [6 episodes, 2011]), Lucy Lawless (Lucretia [6 episodes, 2011]), Craig Walsh Wrightson (Solonius [6 episodes, 2011]), Lesley-Ann Brandt (Naevia [6 episodes, 2011]), Antonio Te Maioha (Barca [6 episodes, 2011]), Stephen Lovatt (Tullius [6 episodes, 2011]), Shane Rangi (Dagan [6 episodes, 2011]), Jessica Grace Smith (Diona [6 episodes, 2011]), Raicho Vasilev (Gnaeus [6 episodes, 2011]), Ioane King (Rhaskos [6 episodes, 2011]), Luke Pegler (Marcus [6 episodes, 2011]), Marisa Ramirez (Melitta [5 episodes, 2011]), Gareth Williams (Vettius [5 episodes, 2011]), Jeffrey Thomas (Titus [5 episodes, 2011]), Jaime Murray (Gaia [4 episodes, 2011]), Josef Brown (Auctus [3 episodes, 2011]), Peter Feeney (Quintilius Varis [3 episodes, 2011]), Steven A. Davis (Indus [3 episodes, 2011]). User Comment: Borconi Teofil from Romania, 22 January 2011 • I have been waiting for the return of Spartacus: Blood and Sand for quite some time now. Unfortunately, Andy's cancer delayed this for a long time, so Starz gave us Gods of the Arena in stead. All I can say is well done! We are introduced into the same society and atmosphere we were presented in Blood and Sand, but a few years before Spartacus's arrival. Most of the cast from the previous show is back, and the producers did a good job with making them look a bit younger. I will not give out the names, to avoid spoilers, but rest assured, you will not be disappointed by the number of familiar faces. And, most importantly, everything that we've seen in Blood and Sand is here! All the gore, sex, and ruthlessness is back, and boy, I've missed it. Seeing the first episode of the new series, I had a sense of seriousness and ambition throughout the show. There is enough action to keep you entertained, but there are also plenty of sensual scenes and political schemes as well. The cast did a good job, as always, and I did not have the feeling that the actors lost interest since the first season, a thing that happens with lots of shows nowadays. Also, the special effects have gotten a little better, the filming is great too. So, as a bottom line, Starz and it's Spartacus is back, just as strong as the old series, even if Spartacus himself is missing, for now. If you loved the previous show, you will love this too, no doubt, and if you didn't, well, you will start loving it now! Summary: A Brilliant Comeback. User Comment: tyjen from United States, 22 January 2011 • There were many skeptics leading into this new season (not technically season 2) of "Spartacus: Gods of the Arena", many feared it would not be worth watching without Andy Whitfield. For those with concerns, here is some advice: watch it! The major antagonist was lost from the previous season, but the character depth/story of the new leading actor is building AND new depths of past characters from "Spartacus: Blood and Sand" are unveiled. The history of how they developed is fascinating. The relationship differences between the two season are significant, thus there is a huge void of curiosity leftover to reveal how they developed to become the personalities they portrayed in season 1. It would be remiss to leave out the absolute, succulent gratuity that peaks our senses! The world is enriched with beautiful people, outstanding wardrobes cast in a time that fascinates most, the Roman Empire. Did I mention that many of these beautiful people are quite revealing? Nudity! It is with taste I might add! Of course, references to porn are made, but no porn has the character depth and sophistication that gives the sexual scenes the passion that is conveyed in this series. The necessity to produce these scenes is important in fostering the time-period's stance of sexual openness. The costume range is great; the rich are adorned with lavish jewelry and a colorful, flowing wardrobe which is artistically chosen, and for the poor, well sometimes they are left with nothing. The gladiators are especially left without much clothing, but the armor they do wear is often demonic, intimidating and everything you would naturally expect to find on a person when they are fighting to the DEATH! The fight scenes are well choreographed and blood is everywhere! The array of weapons to choose from, the differences in fighting styles, the varying levels of fighting skill all make for interesting battles in the arena. Also, bear in mind that the arena is not only for physical fighting, but the political fold is the pressing force behind the fights. Basically, it is more than just a fight, what you see is not entirely what you get. The fight's value is difference for the gladiator, than it is for the crowd, than it is for the owner's of the gladiators; and, these differences are excellently contrasted. The graphics are not top-notch, but it adds a stylistic element to the show. The blood is vibrant and sometimes seems to defy physics--it's great! The acting is intense and the director seems to strive away from being "natural" which is good. The intensity is not monochromatic and individual to each characters personality. In a short and sweet summary, this gratuitous mash of beautiful people, fight scenes, political undertones is nothing short of brilliant. Watch it for what it is and you will not be disappointed. Summary: Spartacus, without Spartacus? IMDb Rating (09/16/11): 8.9/10 from 15,126 users
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