The third and final season is simply dull, as if all of the producers were more interested in their next projects. Admittedly, the season was always going to be challenging since it is common knowledge that all of the slaves were either killed or crucified. However, there are no records from the slaves’ side of the revolt, so the producers could have had the slaves say whatever they want, but the opportunity for a dialogue between slaves and masters was ignored in favor of more romantic subplots. Love must have been in the air in the writing room because every single character was involved in a romantic subplot. Worse, the Romans were blander than Wonderbread. All of the characters with moral complexity have died, and the new Roman characters are merely cardboard villains, and flimsy cardboard at that. While the leaders of the rebellion were a blank slate, a great deal of information was recorded about Marcus Crassus, the main Roman antagonist, and the writers clearly tossed most of it in the rubbish bin. In fact, many viewers probably finished the season with the impression that the slave rebellion was defeated single-handedly by Crassus. Once a proud, stimulating show, Spartacus has become a flaccid imitation of its former self. A depressing end for such an amazing series. Read More…
