Korean Job Discussion Forums

[wintermute]

I downloaded the first episode of Spartacus - Gods of the Arena, the six part prequel to Blood and Sand. Wow, is it intense!

It is grittier, more graphic and almost shockingly brutal - but it was very enjoyable. I'm looking forward to seeing the various backstories develop. I only warmed slowly to the first season, but I'm really liking the direction the storylines are taking.

As for the violence, I was only bothered when graphic sex and violence were shown too closely together. In one sequence it cuts back and forth between a sex scene and a really brutal beating. Likewise, the closing credits show images of sex and violence in an astonishing moving collage, where images fade in and out so cleverly it seems almost psychedelic.

Why does it bother me? Hard to put a finger on, but they seem to be making a cutting edge attempt at arousing the audience's baser nature using a violent, animalistic kind of sexuality. I would prefer to view sexuality from a more spiritual perspective, but hey - it makes for good TV viewing!

Anyone else seen it?

[Koreadays]

yeah I saw it, didn't think it was better than the first season.
the writing seems rushed and cheesy.
anyway, early days yet..
more sex! which is good...

[DorkothyParker]

I thought Blood & Sand was already incredibly graphic, gritty and brutal. I think I will take a pass on this series, though my husband may watch it. I stopped watching Blood & Sand after the incident with Spartacus's wife.

I understand your issue with the interlacing of sex and violence. I think the problem is less towards the animalistic nature of sex, but rather the sexualization of violence. Both are fine on there own, but I dislike overlapping sex and violence.

Like I said, I will take a pass.

[AsiaESLbound]

Not as good as Blood and Sand; too much focus on sexual relationships. I expected an interesting story; not a show trying to be porn. Wrong direction on what was a good TV series.