I watched the final episode of Spartacus: Gods of the Arena the other night. The house was quiet…it was 2 in the morning, after all, and I had to restrain myself from squee-ing like some little girl having her first Justin Bieber sighting. This show is amazing! I’ve always been a fan of epic battles. The more hardcore the action, the more excited I am. And this is hardcore to me. Blood and guts, beheading’s, treachery, sex, scheming …*sigh* What more could a girl want?
I first caught this mid-way through the first season. One episode and I was hooked (that may have been due to the very appealing Andy Whitfield who plays Spartacus but I’ll never admit it!). I was devastated when I learned he wasn’t returning to Season 2 due to illness. I know nothing of this man other than what’s available on the Internet but my heart went out to him and his family. I also wondered what would become of my new favorite show.
Enter, Gannicus.
Season 2 started as a Prequel to Season 1 (very clever, I might add) and we get a chance to see the cast of the original season and how they became the men we knew. It was an interesting ride! Especially when we were offered a deeper look into Gannicus’ character. I won’t offer any spoilers for those who haven’t seen the show, but I will say, its hard not to be sympathetic to a guy who longs for something that can never be.
On the surface, these men, these Gladiators, are hard, tough, kick-butt and take names kind of men but deep down, they’re the stuff romance hero’s are born of. Tormented, alone, looking for a small piece of happiness that may never find them. I kept looking for the heroine to come sweeping into a scene and stealing their hearts but, this isn’t a romance. Not really. I guess the writer in me will forever search for that Happily Ever After, even while blood is spilled in the name of sport.
I don’t watch much TV or movies anymore. I can certainly find better thing to do with my time. I would rather immerse myself into an imaginary world (and characters) than sit like a lump on the sofa. When I ‘do’ hunt a movie to watch, I have to have my romance, even in those epic battles I love so much. If there’s no romance, what’s the point? If you can’t cheer on the hero and wait impatiently along with the heroine for his return, then there isn’t much point in watching. Well, there isn’t for me. The classic love story will never grow old and I’ll continue to watch them until I’m no longer able. It’s what draws me into a story and holds me spellbound. I still have hope for those Gladiators I route for and one day, I hope they find their heroine. When they do, I’ll be there waiting, watching, and cheering them on.
