From: owner-chakram-refugees-digest@smoe.org (chakram-refugees-digest) To: chakram-refugees-digest@smoe.org Subject: chakram-refugees-digest V9 #11 Reply-To: chakram-refugees@smoe.org Sender: owner-chakram-refugees-digest@smoe.org Errors-To: owner-chakram-refugees-digest@smoe.org Precedence: bulk chakram-refugees-digest Monday, January 25 2010 Volume 09 : Number 011 Today's Subjects: ----------------- [chakram-refugees] Spartacus Review ["Cheryl Ande" ] ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Date: Sun, 24 Jan 2010 00:08:42 -0500 From: "Cheryl Ande" Subject: [chakram-refugees] Spartacus Review I saw the first episode of Spartacus and I liked it, although I can see why some people would be put off by it. It certainly is violent but in a graphic novel way. Slow motion with lots of red blood painting the screen, which, if I was a person went in for symbolism, would certainly symbolize how Rome was awash in blood from its politics to its entertainment. There is also sex and nudity but the sex in the first episode was very family orientated since it was between married couples ( except for the orgy/birthday party scene). The episode moved at a blinding pace and numerous characters were introduced - Spartacus, husband and warrior, his wife Sura loving and lethal (she sends her husband off to warrior with the Xena line "kill'em all"), Glaber an arrogant Roman commander who manages to turn Roman allies into enemies (not the best of Rome's soldiers), his high-born wife, Llithya, who might be getting the idea that hubby is not on the fast track to success and of course Batitus and his wife Lucretia who own a gladiator school. There were many other characters but they are mostly dead now so we won't bother with them. Now we will get down to the likes and dislikes. I like the pace of this episode it move fast and it got a lot of story telling in between the killing and sex. We know a lot about the relationship between Glaber and his wife by episode end. Even Batitus and Lucretia who were introduced in the last fifteen minutes of the episode are well drawn. For instance I would presume Batitus suffers from chronic dyspepsia and his wife spends lots of time making sure he has his Tums handy. Also I thought the crowds at the arena were appropriately "grotty" looking - we are really use to seeing Romans as very neatly dressed people, even the poor, but I would imagine the average poor Roman probably was rather stinky (yes I know they took baths but clean clothes were problematic). Now what do I think are problem areas. Our hero is just a bit boring - he needs a little more personality so maybe he can have chatty sidekick who will bring out his charisma. Blood splatter is going to get old soon so the plot is going to be essential and that is going to have to be handled by the Romans. Luckily Lucretia, Batitus, and Ilithyia seem capable stirring up lots of trouble and we haven't even met the other gladiators so there is hope. Now one thing did bother me - there was a military operation in the snow but no one had pants on - I really thought everyone would be really cold and since no one wore underwear in those days I was really worried about the soldiers (come to think of it that was probably why Spartacus and his comrades were so testy) Also there was a scene where Ilithyia's house servants were all topless - I really don't think that would have happened in a nice patrician household, I may be wrong but I don't think so. Anyway I will continue to watch. I like this kind of operatic epic so I will be tuning next week. CherylA ========================================================= This has been a message to the chakram-refugees list. To unsubscribe, send a message to majordomo@smoe.org with "unsubscribe chakram-refugees" in the message body. Contact meth@smoe.org with any questions or problems. ========================================================= ------------------------------ End of chakram-refugees-digest V9 #11 *************************************