Spartacus: War of the Damned: Season 3

This series was amazing! The graphic sex and violence is there, but then you get the feeling they were really trying to convey what life was like in that circle of violence and uprising. The ultimate battle in the final episode, helps you to see how land battles were fought. My favorite story-line, though having no real episode dedicated to them, was the same-gender couple of Agron and Nasir. their moments together were incredibly beautiful and to see Nasir grow from a 'body-slave' for a dominus into a warrior proves that you don't mess with those small in stature. The dialogue was written in almost Shakespearean poetics, so listen carefully. It's one of the many fascinating aspects of this series. "Gratitude" instead of 'thank you', "Apologies" instead of "I'm sorry". And "absent" instead of 'without'. There were many, many imagery uses and how the writers managed to convey so much of it throughout 4 seasons (I'm including the prequel between 1 & 2 when the main actor of "Blood And Sand" took terminally ill) proves they were dedicated to staying in the zone when it came to the characters and how they communicated. I enjoyed the unveiling of the plot, though not so much the graphic blood and violence. I started getting used to it, but there were times what they did shocked me, so be aware of that going in. I jumped a few times, but if that thing intrigues you, you shouldn't have any trouble. And the fact that Michael Hurst became one of the directors as well as a producer of this show, it was fun to see signs of his directing hand at work. All in all I'm going to miss this series. It was gritty, it held nothing back, and it showed in a positive light two warriors who could love each other amongst other warriors and not be looked at twice, and be completely accepted. In one instance when Agron is injured, he's leaning on Spartacus' shoulder, as he's brought back to the base, but when Nasir approaches, there's a small moment (blink and you'll miss it) where you see Spartacus lay Agron's arm on Nasir's shoulder, as though saying 'I place him in your care, now, Nasir.' Spartacus understood their affection for each other and never said anything about it. It was accepted in those times. A beautiful scene. You never see Spartacus' face during that moment, just his hands gently resting Agron's arm on Nasir's shoulder. But you don't have to see Spartacus to get the meaning there. It's a subtle gesture, but really touched my heart. The respect and understanding, the acceptance of it all. There are quirks, quarrels, disagreements, it's all there amongst the 'brotherhood', but it binds them stronger. It's not just about the politics, or the battles, or the sex, it's about the forging of former slaves into a united front. Highly recommended if you can stomach the graphic violence and nudity. As I said, they hold nothing back on those two counts, but the story lines more than make up the balance.

Along with the Walking Dead, this was my favorite series. As much as I loved Andy Whitfield (God bless him and his family), I must say Liam McIntyre was equally outstanding and perhaps even more. It is a bit like comparing your favorite James Bond -- Sean Connery or Roger Moore. All are outstanding and render their own interpretations. I am a PhD in European Military History and approve of this series in the way that they rendered history. We all could have small quibbles about this and that, that the Romans always threw pila (special spears) before closing, that Onamaeus was really a Gaul, not a black man...but what a character he was anyway. The cause of liberty should embrace all human kind and the scriptwriters were courageous and inclusive in making this point. Crixus and Gannicus did exist, the former as a Gaul and the latter as a Celt. Since nothing more is known about them, the scriptwriters were open to their interpretations. Of the three primary accounts about Spartacus, two say he died on the battlefield, and one says the body was never found. This series took the latter interpretation and thereby provided a beautiful ending. The final season seemed a bit compressed compared to the season right before it, but the producers had decided to wind the series down. Another two seasons clearly could have been done. I personally found the acting, the characters (without exception) and the scriptwriters to be outstanding. Some reviewers have commented about the gay characters and scenes. I am a definitely "straight" Independent Conservative and did not like the first series scenes between Barca and Pietro mostly because I did not like them as men. Agron and Nasir were different because I liked them as men. As an ex-military officer, I would have been proud to stand beside them in battle and share their table. Agron's farewell to Spartacus was particularly moving and apt. The final episode was sensationally moving. I am proud to say that it moved me to tears several times and caused me to scream into the picture and pray to God to be able to help them. Who among us does not understand that there is good and evil and that the cause of brotherhood and liberty are worth dying for?

I read the "most helpful critical review" simply to see what the person saw that rated the series 1 star. I could not believe anyone was unaware of the historical outcome. I did not even have the energy to explain the story to the reviewer who wrote the 1 star comments. Thank goodness, D. Meyer made an eloquent post at the end of her comments that you MUST read!!!!!!!!! I myself, replied to that post because it said everything I wanted to say. The series, including the final season and the finale, all rate 5 STARS in my book!!!!!! Obviously, this epic series is so great that now it has spawned a deluge of other historical type miniseries. Notice now, we have Vikings, DaVinci's Demons, etc... Spartacus made all of us realize that history can be made to not only inform us but to entertain as well. Every single thing presented in the series was not necessarily "historically correct", nor did it need to be. The basics were all there and the acting, writing, directing, special effects, etc... were SUPERB!!!!!! I had never seen a miniseries that I thought matched the scope of ROME which was shown on HBO a few years ago until Spartacus blew in back in 2009!!!!! This landmark series will stand on its own merit for years to come. Anyone who had anything to do with its production should be proud of such a magnanimous achievement. I said the show rated 5 stars in my book---I revise that---it should be a resounding 10!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!