I stayed away from this show initially, after viewing Episode 1. It was weak, over the top and overall bad. Episodes 2-3 were not much better and I thought this show was as good as canceled.
However starting around Episode 4-5 the show gained immense momentum. It became a much more accurate (well not as accurate as HBO's Rome) portrayal of a society extremely different from our own, where what we now considered morals were non-existent. Remember this happens before Christianity and widespread Judaism, so morality is of a different nature.
The show is violent, bloody, almost pornographic and extremely incorrect from a 21st century political point of view, but at the same time it feels fresh, bold and unchained by the conventions most shows shove down our throats. It's as much a step forward in TV shows and BG was a few years ago. The characters are maybe not as humanized as we are used to, but considering the period they have the level of depth required (with a few exceptions - Crixus and Doctore which I find a bit bland).
Combat is bloody, over the top and uncensored, this is not a show you should let your 10 year old watch. Sex is treated as just another commodity, human flesh is bought and sold by the pound.
The writing starts off weak but as you gain accustomed to the style (which matches the writings of the period to a degree) it begins to grow on you. The different speech patterns and expressions help with immersion, help transport you to the society that, along with Greece, gave birth to our modern Western civilization.
My only complaint, besides the slow start, is actually about the main character. He seems too flat, even when rebellious. I feel it's not the writing but the actor.
However starting around Episode 4-5 the show gained immense momentum. It became a much more accurate (well not as accurate as HBO's Rome) portrayal of a society extremely different from our own, where what we now considered morals were non-existent. Remember this happens before Christianity and widespread Judaism, so morality is of a different nature.
The show is violent, bloody, almost pornographic and extremely incorrect from a 21st century political point of view, but at the same time it feels fresh, bold and unchained by the conventions most shows shove down our throats. It's as much a step forward in TV shows and BG was a few years ago. The characters are maybe not as humanized as we are used to, but considering the period they have the level of depth required (with a few exceptions - Crixus and Doctore which I find a bit bland).
Combat is bloody, over the top and uncensored, this is not a show you should let your 10 year old watch. Sex is treated as just another commodity, human flesh is bought and sold by the pound.
The writing starts off weak but as you gain accustomed to the style (which matches the writings of the period to a degree) it begins to grow on you. The different speech patterns and expressions help with immersion, help transport you to the society that, along with Greece, gave birth to our modern Western civilization.
My only complaint, besides the slow start, is actually about the main character. He seems too flat, even when rebellious. I feel it's not the writing but the actor.