I am Spartacus!
Jan. 20th, 2011 09:36 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
plutherusThe actor who played Spartacus in the show is being treated for cancer. Because of the initial treatment, they delayed production on the second season, and when it turned out it was going to be a long delay, they decided to make a special prequel from before he joined the ludus called Spartacus: Gods of the Arena, which airs tomorrow night.
Then it turned out he won't be coming back for the second season at all, telling them to go on without him. So, they recast the role, and are bringing in a new actor to play Spartacus.
Which is not what I would have done.
Not that my opinion means anything here of course, and really this is idle speculation not criticism as everyone involved has already proven they know what they're doing, and do it damn well.
However, considering that historically nobody knew who Spartacus really was, and there may have been more than one person claiming to be him (especially in the Kirk Douglas version), I'd have taken a cue from that, and done things a little differently.
Imagine the gladiators, having escaped the house of Batiatus, have gotten scattered. Quickly, they regroup as planned, but nobody can find Spartacus or figure out where he went. Is he captured? Killed? Did he abandon them after using them for his own escape?
Now that they're free, they're trying to figure out what to do next. Fleeing, hunted, on the run and lacking a leader, they briefly try to find out what happened to Spartacus. During this time, they keep hearing rumours about themselves. And again, Spartacus' name keeps coming up. Spartacus is leading a band of escaped slaves. Spartacus killed Batiatus. Spartacus. Spartacus. Spartacus.
Which is kind of annoying Crixus, of course.
Anyway, they eventually decide to start the Third Servile War (OK, so that's not quite how they put it). They're living as bandits and try to recruit more slaves to their group.
The first batch they free doesn't want to come with them. They keep hearing about Spartacus and will only follow him.
Hearing this, Crixus steps up and utters the famous words, "I AM SPARTACUS!". Thus completing his journey from seeking nothing but fame and glory for himself, to being a follower to Spartacus, to giving up even his own identity in service to his fellow man.
A decision that he's going to have a hell of a hard time living with for the rest of the season.
And then things can get even more complicated in the third season where, with Crassus closing in and Andy Whitfield returns to the show as the "original" Spartacus...
Then it turned out he won't be coming back for the second season at all, telling them to go on without him. So, they recast the role, and are bringing in a new actor to play Spartacus.
Which is not what I would have done.
Not that my opinion means anything here of course, and really this is idle speculation not criticism as everyone involved has already proven they know what they're doing, and do it damn well.
However, considering that historically nobody knew who Spartacus really was, and there may have been more than one person claiming to be him (especially in the Kirk Douglas version), I'd have taken a cue from that, and done things a little differently.
Imagine the gladiators, having escaped the house of Batiatus, have gotten scattered. Quickly, they regroup as planned, but nobody can find Spartacus or figure out where he went. Is he captured? Killed? Did he abandon them after using them for his own escape?
Now that they're free, they're trying to figure out what to do next. Fleeing, hunted, on the run and lacking a leader, they briefly try to find out what happened to Spartacus. During this time, they keep hearing rumours about themselves. And again, Spartacus' name keeps coming up. Spartacus is leading a band of escaped slaves. Spartacus killed Batiatus. Spartacus. Spartacus. Spartacus.
Which is kind of annoying Crixus, of course.
Anyway, they eventually decide to start the Third Servile War (OK, so that's not quite how they put it). They're living as bandits and try to recruit more slaves to their group.
The first batch they free doesn't want to come with them. They keep hearing about Spartacus and will only follow him.
Hearing this, Crixus steps up and utters the famous words, "I AM SPARTACUS!". Thus completing his journey from seeking nothing but fame and glory for himself, to being a follower to Spartacus, to giving up even his own identity in service to his fellow man.
A decision that he's going to have a hell of a hard time living with for the rest of the season.
And then things can get even more complicated in the third season where, with Crassus closing in and Andy Whitfield returns to the show as the "original" Spartacus...
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no subject
Date: 2011-01-21 08:00 am (UTC)The good thing about the prequel is that we get Batiatus and his luscious harlot of a wife back from the grave!
BTW, the favor I did you by turning you on to Spartacus is more than repaid by your recommendation of the Big Bang Theory! I've turned into a raging fanboy of that show.
no subject
Date: 2011-01-21 05:52 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2011-01-28 08:53 am (UTC)Anyway, short version: I still owe you one, as I'm not the one who recommended Big Bang Theory. I keep hearing good things about it, but so far I've yet to see a single episode myself.
no subject
Date: 2011-01-29 03:49 am (UTC)