I know everyone was excited for Friday’s premiere of Spartacus: Gods of the Arena on Starz; after watching it, damn did they have reason to be. Any doubt I had about this series not being good like Spartacus: Blood and Sand was gone within the first 45 seconds. Gods of the Arena is the prequel to last season’s original series starring Andy Whitfield as the title character. I originally watched this series when it aired last year and I was hooked from the start. Starz has been playing Blood and Sand this past week preparing us for Gods of the Arena. I indulged so I was fresh and ready for Friday’s premiere. Spartacus brings us back to an age long forgotten, to a world so different from our own that its hard to believe this is based on true events. Granted it’s television, so of course the word “true” only goes so far.

We’ve all seen movies or have heard stories about ancient Rome and their infamous gladiators, but in Spartacus: Blood and Sand we are taken into the world of the gladiator. We see what it means to be a gladiator seeking honor and glory, but also the processes they go through to become part of this brotherhood. Spartacus is similar to Russell Crowe’s character Maximus in the movie Gladiator, both betrayed by Roman forces, taken away from their families, and forced to fight in the arena; but when I watch Spartacus, Maximus never enters my mind. Spartacus dives the audience deeper into the world of the Gladiatorial games.

The premise goes something like this: a Thracian warrior has agreed to help the Roman armies in their campaign against the Getae. Unfortunately for our Thracian friend, this does not go as smoothly as planned. Soon he and his wife Sura are savagely ripped from their homeland by the Roman forces. She heads to a life of slavery while he is sent to face his death in the arena.

I won’t give away too many details, but if you know the tale of the historical Spartacus then you’ll understand the concept of the show.  As any history buff knows, this Thracian would go on to become Spartacus the hero of slaves and gladiators alike — wait for it — I…AM…SPAAARRTACUUSS!! (sorry had to do it) Spartacus would eventually lead a group of gladiators and slaves to fight for their freedom against their Roman oppressors. Pretty epic stuff right there, and the show only makes it better.

Spartacus: Blood and Sand comes complete with a great cast including John Hannah (The Mummy trilogy), Lucy Lawless (of Xena fame), and Peter Mensah (300). Spartacus is not for the weak of heart. The show is full of incredibly bloody battles in the arena, gratuitous nudity (yes even Xena herself!), and a large amount of swearing; but we must remember this is the Roman empire we’re talking about, where sex was key and death in the arena was an honorable end.

Unfortunately for the show, in March 2010 Spartacus himself, Andy Whitfield, was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin Lymphoma and was unable to reprise his role for the second season. During his treatment it was decided they would hold off on season 2 and make a prequel. This allowed Whitfield to continue treatment without interfering with the shooting schedule. Sadly, after being given a clean bill of health in June 2010, Whitfield’s cancer had returned. It was  then announced he would not be coming back for Blood and Sand season 2. It was announced the other day Australian actor Liam McIntyre (HBO’s The Pacific) would take up the mantel of Spartacus for future seasons.

Okay I promise this time I really will start talking about Spartacus: Gods of the Arena. The show is a six-part mini series depicting the events of the gladiator ludus before the arrival of Spartacus.  The story follows Gannicus (Dustin Clare), the first Champion of Capua, as well as the rise of Crixus (Spartacus’ nemesis in Blood and Sand). This mini series brings back a lot of last seasons cast members including Hannah and Lawless who reprise their roles as Quintus Lentulus Batiatus and Lucretia.

We will see how Batiatus becomes the Lanista of this prominent gladiatorial ludus as well as many other events from Blood and Sand we were only told about.  I will be saddened knowing that Andy Whitfield will not be in the seasons to come because he makes such an awesome Spartacus; but rumblings have reached my ears that he may make an appearance in Gods of the Arena. To what capacity, I do not know.

Make sure to check out Spartacus: Gods of the Arena every Friday at 9 P.M. Central on Starz.

What Do You Think? Discuss.