01.30.2010 - Episode 102 - Sacramentum Gladiatorum of Season 1 of Spartacus Blood and Sand aired last night, and like Episode 101 - The Red Serpent, it wowed everyone. The viewers of the series got to know more about Spartacus as a slave in the gladiator school as well as of his fellow gladiators. They learned that the purchase of Spartacus was based purely on Batiatus’ hope that the fallen soldier will help save his failing ludus. Stripped of everything including his real name (Glaber stated in episode 1 “I never bother to learn it”), Spartacus believes his only hope is to win enough money to buy his wife, Erin, back from the slavers. Lucretia will prove to be an opposition in these plans as she dislikes Spartacus. 
Spartacus has dreams of Erin and there is a frightening visage of mystery and death about her. So the questions are? Is she really entering his dreams, is she dead, or is she his only emotional and humane link to his present existence? With friendships few and competition high in the ludus, Spartacus slowly learns the limitations of his existence among the gladiators such as the fierce Crixus. Crixus is Lucretia boy-toy but it will later be learned that he loves her servant, Naevia. His love for her might cost him his life or become an instrument for Spartacus or others to use for blackmail and control of him and ultimately Lucretia. As for Batiatus’ deal with Spartacus, if this new portrayal of Spartacus has any resemblance to the historical man, then this Spartacus will soon realize that Batiatus is really betraying a trust and is only looking to replenish his meager fortune and repair his image among his fellow Romans. Will there be rebellion in the air?
Still jumping ahead of the aired episodes and some might consider my review as a spoiler; however, I truly believe that Spartacus Blood and Sand is a good series in many respects. Yet there are a few elements in it that mar it from being great. These elements might make some viewers feel duped into watching certain scenes they rather not see. What are the elements I am referring to? I believe the excessive use of bad language, the barbarian fights in the “Pit”, and the homosexual sex could have been left out of what is otherwise a promising series with a possible long run.
Grant it, some people might be more open to such scenes - but not everyone. I believe that I voice the opinion of a lot of viewers. I mean, why mar an otherwise brilliant storyline with a very sensitive and controversial social issue. That’s pushing the envelope in a direction many people are neither ready nor willing to go toward at this time.
There you have it – my unblemished review. Any comments can be posted below.
Next Epidode: Spartacus: Blood and Sand Ep 103 - Legends
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Spartacus Premiere Photos From Lesley Ann Brandt's Facebook