Monday 15 April 2013

I AM SPARTACUS!


Readers,

I am Spartacus! Oh dear, has there ever been a series so unique and phenomenal? 4 seasons of authentic, period based drama, action and comedy! This show really put us watchers in the Roman world we have no become so familiar so much so that instead of responding ‘Thanks’ to an offering, a part of you is thinking of saying ‘gratitude’!


The series finale was perhaps the best I’ve ever seen on television, very few rivalling its standard (Lost, 24)... and it was the perfect end to the legend of Spartacus as well as a tribute to the cast, the show, the battles, the blood and sand, and the gladiatorial arts! Many people struggled with this show, criticizing it for its excessive use of vulgar language, the gross amounts of blood portrayed as well as the ever present sex scenes. However, with a period drama, particularly one based in that era, it helped certify and authenticate the series as an accurate showcasing of the gladiatorial era. If you can look beyond that, you find a phenomenal story of a tortured soul that leads a fight for freedom and touches the life of so many. You can’t help but be moved by his plight, determination and will to do what is ultimately right!


It’s still quite early and therefore will refrain from giving too much away in the manner of detailed spoilers. However, some performances were extremely nuanced and deserve critical acclaim. As much as I loved Andy Whitfield as Spartacus, and mourn his unfortunate and untimely loss, Liam McIntyre has been phenomenal as Spartacus particularly in this final season, which was undoubtedly the best of the bunch! He really did become ‘Spartacus’ and was convincing in every scene! His performance was terrific and he did in fact embody the true leader that the legend beholds. Dustin Claire as Gannicus never disappointed, and I was happy to see him become the leader he was destined to be. A Big shout out has to go to Caesar and Crassus; as far as villains on television go, particularly with regard to Spartacus, they were most definitely the best. Of course, we all still remember how brilliant Batiatus was, however there was a manipulative and calculative quality that these characters had that was unmatched- so much so, a spinoff series that focuses on their lives would definitely be most welcome!


The Finale did bring an incredible feeling of nostalgia, as the faces of all the lives lost throughout the seasons of Spartacus were shown, and you couldn’t help but feel overwhelmed with sadness that the show had reached its end. God Knows we’ll miss Mira, Varro, Onaemus, Ashur-The Bastard that he was, Lucretia, Ilithya, Batiatus, Gaia, The Wife of Onaemus whose name escapes me.. and ofcourse all those who survived till the final season and as expected, and like the legend told met their end!!

The Finale is definitely a 10/10, and the Series a strong 9/10! Absolutely phenomenal

Monday 8 April 2013

G.O.T: Television Doesn't get Better!

Fellow readers,

Back again to give my two sense on the finest television has to offer, and man am I glad that Game of Thrones is back on the small screen. I think the 10 months of waiting for a new season is perhaps one of  the most painful and cruel things, we as fans are subjected to. In fact, I think the only thing that was more cruel was the APRIL FOOLS JOKE that Dinklage was going to be replaced as Tyrion!! FYI George R R Martin, HBO and Dinklage-- That was NOT FUNNY, JUST PLAIN CRUEL!

Anyway, Its back and that is what matters!! 2 episodes in, both of which felt like premieres due to the abundance of characters being introduced into the series and the inability to fit all their stories in one hour of storytelling- I'm very pleased with what we have so far. A lot of watchers of this series hope that every episode will be like 'Blackwater' or 'Baelor', and despite those being simply outstanding episodes, I am very much a fan of the episodes where the story proceeds without anything extravagant happening but we are still privy to remarkable character and story evolution, as well as phenomenal dialogue and wit which this show has become famous for.

As a reader of the books, I have noticed as we go into the later seasons (where the books are significantly longer), quite a bit is being left out in the story; however HBO, Beinoff and Weiss as well as R.R. Martin have done a remarkable job of transforming what they have selected and adapting it for television. I have even come across some opinion posts who think the story is better in the television as it weeds out some irrelevant literature, however I do not share that opinion. In fact, it would be my advice to anyone who watches this series- GET THE BOOKS. They are INCREDIBLE!!

Of course I am not going to divulge any details from the episodes, or give spoilers. This is not so much a review post, but a post welcoming back the series to the small screen. I really believe that this series could benefit from lengthening the episodes to 1hr30mins and having 15 episode seasons. HBO, David Beinoff, David Weiss- I HOPE YOU'RE LISTENING!! With all the characters, and diverse storylines that are being explored, at the end of each episode, there is always a feeling like you haven't gotten enough, particularly in comparison to the first 2 seasons.

That said, I think we are in for a treat! This in my opinion is still the BEST SERIES ON TELEVISION!!