# Spartacus: Gods of the Arena **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [January 19, 2011, 1:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/spartacus-gods-of-the-arena/568192 "2011-01-19T13:31:29Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![AK84](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/85e7bf/32.png) [@AK84](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AK84)\ **Post date:** [January 30, 2011, 4:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/spartacus-gods-of-the-arena/568192/41 "2011-01-30T16:52:36Z")
> [@EllisDee](#): > > When Barca and his little buddy were planning their future together last season, super duper gay. Barca making out with some random gladiator? Meh. When Barca’s buddy was introduced, Barca was already established as a major bad-ass. It actually gave him character. What the hell has he done this season except make out with dudes and piss in Ashur’s porridge (I will admit that was good). Incidentally Barca’s character is falling victim to PC’ness IMO. He was established as being in a same sex relationship last season oh so he is all of a sudden a twenty first century homosexual, when in actuality a man like him would do anything that moves. It would be courageous of the producer’s to show him boffing some female slaves as well. THAT would make it historically accurate. ---
**Author:** ![John\_Mace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_mace/32/185_2.png) [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Post date:** [January 30, 2011, 4:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/spartacus-gods-of-the-arena/568192/42 "2011-01-30T16:52:41Z")
Watched Episode 2.1 last night. Maybe I was expecting it to be more like _Rome_, but I was a little disappointed. I like it, but many of the scenes seemed a bit comic bookish, and the gore was almost farcical-- more like _Monty Python_ than serious drama. Just getting to know the characters, so I’ll probably need to watch it again to really give it a chance. The Cocky Celtic Gladiator’s character was very good. Batiatus wasn’t very well developed for me, but then I haven’t seen any of season 1. I’m not seeing the villains that he and his wife apparently are (or become). But here’s the thing. I don’t get STARZ, but this episode was on Encore. I’m wondering if it was just a teaser to get folks like me to sign up for STARZ because I don’t see any other episodes coming up on that network. ---
**Author:** ![EllisDee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ellisdee/32/4531_2.png) [@EllisDee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EllisDee)\ **Post date:** [January 30, 2011, 8:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/spartacus-gods-of-the-arena/568192/43 "2011-01-30T20:04:47Z")
> [@AK84](#): > > When Barca’s buddy was introduced, Barca was already established as a major bad-ass. I don’t see how this has any effect on how gay a scene feels. Plus I didn’t really follow the rest of your post. I suspect your point was a separate one and my post was merely a jumping off point, so I’m not refuting you. I will clarify that I wasn’t specifically talking about Barca, but rather using him as an illustration that to me, romantic and domestic scenes between gay lovers is far, far “gayer” than gay sex scenes. > [@John\_Mace](#): > > Maybe I was expecting it to be more like _Rome_, but I was a little disappointed. Rome was a drama with genuine gravitas. Spartacus is an over the top cartoon. While it is full of win, it’s nowhere near the compelling journey that Rome was. ---
**Author:** ![Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e99b99/32.png) [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Diogenes_the_Cynic)\ **Post date:** [January 30, 2011, 8:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/spartacus-gods-of-the-arena/568192/44 "2011-01-30T20:08:08Z")
_Spartacus_ is pulp. It’s raunch and violence. It’s not serious period drama. It delivers as lowbrow entertainment, but don’t expect Shakespeare. ---
**Author:** ![Quimby](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/22d042/32.png) [@Quimby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quimby)\ **Post date:** [January 30, 2011, 10:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/spartacus-gods-of-the-arena/568192/45 "2011-01-30T22:25:30Z")
> [@John\_Mace](#): > > Watched Episode 2.1 last night. Maybe I was expecting it to be more like _Rome_, but I was a little disappointed. I like it, but many of the scenes seemed a bit comic bookish, and the gore was almost farcical-- more like _Monty Python_ than serious drama. I would say Spartacus is to Rome as The Walking Dead is to Zombieland. They are about the same thing and both are entertaining but for very different reasons. ---
**Author:** ![Eyebrows\_0f\_Doom](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eyebrows_0f_doom/32/3119_2.png) [@Eyebrows\_0f\_Doom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eyebrows_0f_Doom)\ **Post date:** [January 31, 2011, 12:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/spartacus-gods-of-the-arena/568192/46 "2011-01-31T00:53:33Z")
> [@AK84](#): > > And did anyone notice that > > The Syrian who pissed on the rival Laneista (sp?) seemed to have a prosthetic penis? It almost looked plastic…in late Republican Rome? Seriously? I doubt they had the actor \*actually \*piss on the guy’s face, of course it was a prop. And no way do I want it to be less gay! That’s part of what makes it interesting. If it was just female tits and ass it would be boring. So does anyone else think that they are leading up to Crixus killing Gannicus? He does \*something \*to end up as the Champion of Capua. ---
**Author:** ![Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e99b99/32.png) [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Diogenes_the_Cynic)\ **Post date:** [January 31, 2011, 1:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/spartacus-gods-of-the-arena/568192/47 "2011-01-31T01:00:14Z")
It’s been my assumption all along that he will. Too bad because I kind of like the Gannicus character. I like a character who is cocky but can back it up. ---
**Author:** ![DigitalC](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ebca7d/32.png) [@DigitalC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DigitalC)\ **Post date:** [January 31, 2011, 1:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/spartacus-gods-of-the-arena/568192/48 "2011-01-31T01:23:36Z")
> [@John\_Mace](#): > > Watched Episode 2.1 last night. Maybe I was expecting it to be more like _Rome_, but I was a little disappointed. I like it, but many of the scenes seemed a bit comic bookish, and the gore was almost farcical-- more like _Monty Python_ than serious drama. > > Just getting to know the characters, so I’ll probably need to watch it again to really give it a chance. The Cocky Celtic Gladiator’s character was very good. Batiatus wasn’t very well developed for me, but then I haven’t seen any of season 1. I’m not seeing the villains that he and his wife apparently are (or become). > > But here’s the thing. I don’t get STARZ, but this episode was on Encore. I’m wondering if it was just a teaser to get folks like me to sign up for STARZ because I don’t see any other episodes coming up on that network. Do yourself a huge favor and watch season 1 first. ---
**Author:** ![AK84](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/85e7bf/32.png) [@AK84](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AK84)\ **Post date:** [January 31, 2011, 5:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/spartacus-gods-of-the-arena/568192/49 "2011-01-31T05:50:05Z")
> [@Eyebrows\_0f\_Doom](#): > > Seriously? I doubt they had the actor \*actually \*piss on the guy’s face, of course it was a prop. > > And no way do I want it to be less gay! That’s part of what makes it interesting. If it was just female tits and ass it would be boring. > > So does anyone else think that they are leading up to Crixus killing Gannicus? He does \*something \*to end up as the Champion of Capua. Really no kidding? Of course its a prop. But the point was that it was quite obvious that it was. And per Crixus killing Gannicus and becoming Champion of Capua Last season it was established that Crixus became the Champion of Capua in a fight against" two half men half wolves" ---
**Author:** ![ComeToTheDarkSideWeHaveCookies](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/e9bcb4/32.png) [@ComeToTheDarkSideWeHaveCookies](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ComeToTheDarkSideWeHaveCookies)\ **Post date:** [January 31, 2011, 6:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/spartacus-gods-of-the-arena/568192/50 "2011-01-31T06:13:07Z")
I’ve got 2 bits that it will be a murder/suicide by Melitta (Oenomaus’ wife). ---
**Author:** ![Snickers](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/5daacb/32.png) [@Snickers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snickers)\ **Post date:** [January 31, 2011, 2:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/spartacus-gods-of-the-arena/568192/51 "2011-01-31T14:50:14Z")
Agreed, **Cookies**. Although I think Oenomaus will be involved, really - he might kill Gannicus after his wife confesses. Or something. I don’t think it’s Crixus that’s Gannicus’ end. ---
**Author:** ![Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e99b99/32.png) [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Diogenes_the_Cynic)\ **Post date:** [January 31, 2011, 4:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/spartacus-gods-of-the-arena/568192/52 "2011-01-31T16:03:00Z")
Would Oenomaus really blame Gannicus, though? It’s not like Gannicus had any choice in the matter. What else was he supposed to do? As slaves, they would all know that sexual performances could be demanded from any of them at any time, and that marital fidelity between slaves is contingent upon the whims of their masters. ---
**Author:** ![shy\_guy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a6a055/32.png) [@shy\_guy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/shy_guy)\ **Post date:** [January 31, 2011, 6:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/spartacus-gods-of-the-arena/568192/53 "2011-01-31T18:04:57Z")
Plus Oenomaus _likes_ Gannicus, and is probably the smartest, most level-headed person in the entire series. I don’t think Gannicus’ end is going to have anything to do with them. I actually think it’s going to wind up having something to do with the Roman dignitary. However, Crixus’ title at the beginning of season 1 was “The Undefeated Gaul,” so I wouldn’t bet on Gannicus if the two of them end up in the arena against one another. ---
**Author:** ![AK84](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/85e7bf/32.png) [@AK84](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AK84)\ **Post date:** [January 31, 2011, 6:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/spartacus-gods-of-the-arena/568192/54 "2011-01-31T18:23:13Z")
I do remember “Doctore” stating to Sparty (it was almost a throw away line) something about his wife’s death and looking sad. ---
**Author:** ![msmith537](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d9b06d/32.png) [@msmith537](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/msmith537)\ **Post date:** [January 31, 2011, 7:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/spartacus-gods-of-the-arena/568192/55 "2011-01-31T19:39:02Z")
Sure that sucks that Gannicus was forced to screw his best friend’s wife. But on the bright side, he didn’t have to suck anyone’s cock! ---
**Author:** ![shy\_guy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a6a055/32.png) [@shy\_guy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/shy_guy)\ **Post date:** [January 31, 2011, 11:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/spartacus-gods-of-the-arena/568192/56 "2011-01-31T23:15:16Z")
> [@AK84](#): > > I do remember “Doctore” stating to Sparty (it was almost a throw away line) something about his wife’s death and looking sad. It was a little more than that. He and Spartacus have a conversation about their wives the night before Spartacus’ wife is to be brought to the ludus (?) and Spartacus drugs Oenomeus. My guess - based on absolutely nothing - regarding Oenomeus’ wife’s fate is that Battiatus will wind up having her killed for one reason or another. ---
**Author:** ![Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e99b99/32.png) [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Diogenes_the_Cynic)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2011, 12:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/spartacus-gods-of-the-arena/568192/57 "2011-02-01T00:36:00Z")
I predict she’ll discover she’s pregnant with Gannicus’ child and will commit suicide out of shame. ---
**Author:** ![AK84](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/85e7bf/32.png) [@AK84](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AK84)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2011, 1:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/spartacus-gods-of-the-arena/568192/58 "2011-02-02T13:04:35Z")
Any idea how much before the events of Blood and Sand is Gods of the Arena? ---
**Author:** ![Quimby](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/22d042/32.png) [@Quimby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quimby)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2011, 2:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/spartacus-gods-of-the-arena/568192/59 "2011-02-02T14:50:11Z")
> [@shy\_guy](#): > > It was a little more than that. He and Spartacus have a conversation about their wives the night before Spartacus’ wife is to be brought to the ludus (?) and Spartacus drugs Oenomeus. > > My guess - based on absolutely nothing - regarding Oenomeus’ wife’s fate is that Battiatus will wind up having her killed for one reason or another. I was thinking he was going to end up having to give her as a gift to that Noble that was visiting but that didn’t happen. ---
**Author:** ![shy\_guy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a6a055/32.png) [@shy\_guy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/shy_guy)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2011, 3:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/spartacus-gods-of-the-arena/568192/60 "2011-02-02T15:12:34Z")
> [@AK84](#): > > Any idea how much before the events of Blood and Sand is Gods of the Arena? I was wondering that as well. It doesn’t seem like that much time between the two. Crixus needs to rise in prominence, but that might not take very long. It took Spartacus no time at all time become popular. Batiatus and Solonius are already well on their way to falling out. Asher needs to be injured and start to act as more of an agent for Batiatus. Batiatus’ father being alive and Barca not being with Pitros (?) seem to be the other big things that need to change before Spartacus shows up. I assume Lucretia’s friend – Dexter’s crazy British girlfriend – will go back to Rome or die soon. She’s currently practically the exact same character as Ilythia from season 1 anyway. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/spartacus-gods-of-the-arena/568192.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/spartacus-gods-of-the-arena/568192.md?page=4)