misslucyharris Reviews

Spartacus: Gods of the Arena (2011)

It All Comes Together!

[28 July 2011]

I became faithfully addicted to Spartacus and was eager to see what Starz had up its sleeve in light of Andy Whitfield (Blood and Sand's Spartacus) and his health diagnosis. And a prequel, though it didn't buy them enough time to see Andy better, was still a fantastic idea.

The ludus of the great Batiatus is much different than when we first see it in "Blood and Sand". The great father that Quintus talks about yet lives and you see the great Doctore as the former champion of Capua, Oenomaus, and the mighty Crixus is but a slave trying to win even the mark of the Brotherhood. It is interesting how Quintus and Lucretia are different in situation and attitude you get the chance to see how they become the strong house they are when they are introduced in the Season 1 of Spartacus.

Pay attention closely though! Things that were mentioned or referenced in Spartacus: Blood and Sand are brought up and dealt with here in this series. You will also find yourself loving characters that may have been despised before! The language seems less elevated (though that may be simply being used to the way they spoke from season 1) but no expense has been spared in the quality of this show! It will leave you asking yourself one question: Who do I love better? Spartacus? Or Gannicus? Gannicus clearly shines through the series as being a man who doesn't care about his elevated status or have an actual purpose. As Spartacus has eyes for revenge and to see his wife, Sura, Gannicus just slides on by as what most people call as a slacker. Not required to practice much, rewarded well with wine and women and is highly desired all over Capua. A very different type of hero. But you will find you loving his bad and defiant attitude and his story. Perhaps we shall see Dustin Clare as Gannicus yet again in the seasons of Spartacus yet to come!

Young Hercules (1998–1999)

All Myth, All Teen, All Hero!

[10/10 · 8 June 2011]

Call me biased, but I believe that Young Hercules was potentially the best flower-bud out of the Xenaverse garden that never had a chance to bloom. When I was little, this was my favorite show, as I was such a fan of Hercules and Xena. Yes, it appealed more to kids with the half-hour time slot, the modesty in attire and language and the airing on FOX-KIDS, but more and more there became a teen and adult fan-base to it as well and it was destined to go places as shown in a later Hercules episode. (S05E17- The Academy).

As far as inconsistencies go between the shows as some have pointed out, they do take certain things into account and both shows adapt. Things such as: Hercules' mentor from the beginning of the series had been a centaur named Ceridion, when later on, during the flashback episodes of Hercules and then on, Cheiron the centaur had been his mentor; Hercules' encounter with a golden hind before meeting Serena in the adult series; encounters with the sand sharks and more than several accounts of the location and pieces of the Cronos stone. Some do forget, though, that Hercules adjusted itself as well and there are inconsistencies in the show itself (Remember when Ares was just a scary moon dude? You know... BEFORE the great, late Kevin Smith?)

So yeah, Hercules is growing up. He's still an unsure kid, growing into his powers and he's running into things that normal teenagers run into as well, including tests and school, all the while trying to maintain the good heart and spirit that his mother taught him to have. There is a strong Hercules vs. Ares complex, which again, focuses on family and relationships. Ryan Gosling (arguably one of the most popular actors of our current day and age), growing into himself as an actor at the time as well, couldn't have been a better replacement for Bohen who decided to back out of the series. Reprisals of Iolaus, Jason, and Cheiron by Dean O'Gorman, Chris Conrad, and Nathaniel Lees were refreshing at the least and most welcome.

Young Hercules had its darker, more serious moments, but at the very heart, it was a light-hearted, feel-good show that was a great adventure for a child, an obsessive teen, or a general fan of the Xenaverse shows! (I still watch it when I'm looking for a pick-me-up!) Filled with modern gags, old slapstick, moral lessons and packed with all kinds of adventure, Young Hercules is the show with the most potential that never came to be.