So I'm a bit late, I know but I just finished Blood and Sand and loved it, then moved straight on to Gods of the Arena.
I'd heard GOTA was immense and I definitely enjoyed it, I just thought BAS was better. GOTA finale though! Wow, that was epic.
Vengeance is up next!
ya, that last ep is sick, plus they fight for like 25 30 min. it was fantastic.
Cult Leader my mind's frightening, I drink blood from a human skull like a Viking
I find I enjoyed GOTA *MUCH* more on subsequent rewatches. The only thing I dislike about it is the ridiculously spoilery intro... which makes it impossible to watch out of order (and having Batty's last lines left without the flash-forward to B&S's finale would have been subtler and more ironic, IMO). Oh, and I so wish Andy had been well enough to do the intended intro/outro footage they originally planned, but the final image we have of him at the end of B&S is still an amazing tribute (as happy as I am the show continued, I'd honestly have been happy if that had been the series - not season - finale).
I'd honestly consider Blood & Sand among the most enjoyable and rewarding series of TV I've ever seen; I cannot believe how average and cheesy the first episode was compared to the awesomeness of later eps and the finale (I'd also consider 'Kill Them All' among the best season/series finales ever, too).
GOTA is great because you get more Battiatus, Solonius and co without 'cheating'. You get much more gladiator stuff (the main reason I watched the show in the first place). I hated Gannicus when I first saw GOTA, but now I love him... in fact, he's now in my fave character left on the show! You get tons more Ashur (one of the best villains on TV), some wonderful background stuff, and awesome arena fights (as epic as the finale battle royale is, I *much* prefer the 'real' small arena from earlier in the prequel).
I'm personally rather disappointed with Vengeance, not as TV but by comparison to B&S and GOTA, but your mileage may vary... I'd be very interested to hear your thoughts when you've watched it.
Firstly, I just want to address your point about the BaS opening episode. I actually watched it when it was first aired and hated it. Didn't even finish the episode and didn't watch any Spartacus again until the other week when I decided to give it another go. Obviously I'm glad I did.
OK, Vengeance. I liked it. Took a while to get used to Liam as Spartacus. Never got used to the new Naevia.
Gannicus showing up was brilliant, he's definitely one of my favourite characters too. I'm so glad Ashur got what was coming to him, he has to be one of my most hated characters of all time. I think I'll also sort of miss him though.
I really liked the flashbacks telling Oenomaus' story.
So overall, yeah, I liked it. Blood and Sand is definitely my favourite though, then Gods of the Arena, then Vengeance.
Can't wait for season 4.
I saw the pilot around when it first aired too, but I also had access to 'leaked' webrips of the first three episodes ahead of time.
The first episode, I hated. Had I not been able to watch episodes 2 and 3 right after, I likely would have done as you and not bothered. But I liked Ep 2 a LOT more, and 3 even more... and the rest (and my love of the show) is history.
I still wonder if those 'leaks' of shows aren't always unintended; again, if I had just watched the first episode on airing, I'd have dropped the show. Instead, I not only became a huge fan and champion of the series, but eagerly buy every BD release on day one (the BDs are awesome, with extra scenes added back in and some great, fun commentaries).
I did Blood and Sand and Gods of the Arena in marathon as well. It was a VERY intense few days. I love them both. I also find them very re-watchable.
It was painful waiting week to week for Vengeance. You're lucky you get to hit the entire season at once. Enjoy!
"Did you, did you need to hear their death agonies to know your... your omnipotence?"
I only started this show last month. Watching all of it now.
I absolutely loved Blood and Sand. Even the first episode. what a thrilling experience was the first season.
Gods of the Arena is great. I would say not so wonderfull as the fist season but still a great adventure. I would prefer if it had focused more on the battles and experiences of the gladiators, into my view it was spent too much on the life and intrigues outside the arena, but still a great mini-series.
Now Im going to watch Vengeance, I dont know what to expect, since its a different Spartacus, but, chances are it will be great anyway.
Jacarutu!
http://www.imdb.com/mymovies/list?l=20186983