Spartacus (TV Series) The Thing in the Pit (2010) User Reviews

wondered when it would become focused - episode 4

[greg-201-519789 · 8/10 · 22 June 2012]

This is so far my best episode.

As another reviewer commented episodes 1 & 2 wasn't sure whether I could take it, episode 3 started to gel, and in episode 4 I finally feel I am watching the series I expected.

Gone are the unnecessary bosom, nipple and shagging scenes apart from one which would not offend, and in comes a linear story.

The Pits - in episode 1 or 2 Batiatus mentions the slaves going to the mines, I think they changed it to 'the pits'. Anyway, the Pits are where you make a fast buck gambling on the human equivalent of cock fighting.

Loads of blood, less of the stylised 'splash screens' and it felt more of a story although the concept was smaller.

1st episode I have really enjoyed,

Immersive and disturbing story ; brutal, realistic and creative fights ; impressive make-up and intriguing parallel arcs

[igoatabase · 8/10 · 20 February 2010]

Welcome to the Hellmouth ! It could have been this episode title considering what happened to Spartacus after he failed to honor his master Batiatus in the arena. He lost the crowd, his pride and more important the only chance he had to get Sura back. It sounded like an other bloody installment but even the past episodes hadn't prepared us for the events I have just seen. It was just pure insanity. Did I lose my mind in the process ? Am I writing or still enduring the scenes from the cave ? The show is so immersive that it's really hard to focus on something else once you have seen one of its episodes.

The best part is not that all the great elements we have already enjoyed were back but that it was very different. He trained in Sacramentum Gladiatorum and learned his lesson in Legends. Humiliated by Crixus his only choice was to redeem himself and Batiatus decided to throw him into the pit. But what's The Thing ? Is it a Roman version of Hannibal Lecter ? What about the three-headed guardian Cerberus ? Snakes trapped inside the throat of a dragon ? It should remind you of films like Mad Max : Beyond Thunderdome where a character has to fight opponents one after the other. It was a neverending nightmare and like Spartacus you should just lose track of time.

A daydream came back on his black horse to haunt our hero and this time it was even more disturbing. Will the rain ever stop ? It's not what they wished for. Will it ever end ? Sura asked him in a vision while his friend Varro, well played by Jai Courtney, was talking to him. It was a dramatic and pivotal scene because like at the end of The Red Serpent he had to find a way to survive. But he wasn't fighting, not yet. The warrior within, it's who he really had to beat this time.

The fights were bloody and jaws opened to scream when they weren't already broken. The slow motion visual effects was again heavily used to show flying teeth and other dancing body parts. The close ups were astonishing and even reminded me of boxing matches with heavy fighters. It was so brutal and looked very realistic. Moreover the choreography was surprising because between two vibrant punches they even managed to show some jujitsu moves ! The random weapons were also quite original and used in very creative and twisted ways. An other impressive element was the make-up because we slowly witnessed the playboy turning into a pile of red meat with hundreds of wounds on his body. Half of the female audience should faint in despair and wonder how Brad Pitt would have taken it.

No pity, the only suffering he felt was for himself. The violence was overwhelming the place where dusty stones found a second life. A scream in the dark. Some people doing the dance of the dead while others are trying to escape the dungeon. It just didn't make sense. Hopefully the Crixus arc, Lucretia's little road trip and Batiatus financial issues linked us to the harsh reality. But what worries me the most is that I think the creative minds behind the show haven't brought their A game yet. Most of the scenes were crafted by the sweat of passion and I have finally realized that their imagination is probably endless. I know they won't disappoint us and that the upcoming episodes are going to be as awesome, and probably better. It's what happens when you gather so much talent in one place and decide to unleash your inner and beastly ideas.

To Hell and Back

[thornugc · 10/10 · 18 February 2010]

The first two episodes had me wondering if I really wanted to watch more. The third episode told me that I do want to watch more. In the third episode, what Spartacus did at the end of the arena fight told me that this Spartacus was willing to do whatever it took to get to his wife. He said he would never do it but in the moment, he realized he had to do what he had to do. This made it more real to me than anything I had seen so far in the series.

I am so glad that the third episode made me want to watch more because "The Thing in the Pit" was the best episode so far. Spartacus went through hell with the willingness to do what he thought he had to do to end the journey for his wife. It was a choice that he took with faith when he said it was honor that he trusted. Then the fight began and something happened that changed the circumstances. John Hannah as Bataitus was superb in his acting and Andy Whitfield proved that he could go to dark places to drive his character into hell.

It was a well written and well acted episode that makes me want to see more. Bravo!

"Our hero re-born in the Pits"

[ScottJarreau · 10/10 · 5 September 2013]

This is by far the best episode in this first season. The story goes even deeper, new light is shed upon the characters, the fighting dynamic goes mongrel and in the midst of all of this, our hero sheds old skins for something tougher. This episode displays quite possibly the best performances from each actor. Spartacus being introduced into the Pits, is unlike the arena where he fought to honor the house of Battiatus and unlike his failed execution where he fought for his life. He was tossed into a cesspool of bloodlust and carnage; fighting in a place where the rules are "Val Tudo" and most of his opponents were savage, masochists. All solely for money. He was forced to tap into a primal nature which he did not know existed. (Perhaps noticed most, during and after his first victory on his second night at the pits.) The realization of his "transformation" was made known to him through the hallucinogenic manifestations of Sura, whom he spoke with and shared intimate moments with all in his head. The settings for their conversations were done very tastefully and almost heart-wrenching. One of the most memorable scenes, is Spartacus' first night in the Pits. After returning to the Ludus, he bathes alone and contemplates the events of that night. Andy does a masterful job at portraying Spartacus' dismay, shame, joy, surprise and wonder at what he allowed himself to do in order to survive each fight. (It is very apparent that Spartacus' mind is beginning to slip sideways and ultimately Sura keeps it from doing so.) The dueling dynamic between Ashur and Barca is also established but its eventually made apparent that the two make a good team. John Hannah remained on fire, particularly in his monologue with Remus. The prior episode introduced us to a cocky side of our hero that led to his downfall. Here, we continually see him humiliated in front of Battiatus' Gladiators and amass sympathy for where we once shook our heads at his pig-headedness. Spartacus' encounters with Sura become more frequent as the battle for his mind is waged with each life he takes in the Pits (all the while holding on for his own) The dream sequence where Spartacus believes the gods tell him to sacrifice his life, holds beautiful cinematics and a soft moment seeing Spartacus on his knees before his wife. The best shot of the entire show is at the beginning of the scene with Spartacus' final night in the pits. Each fighter in the Pits, take on an image that expresses their ferocity as fighters. (Spartacus' final opponent Ixion, wears the faces of his previously defeated opponents) Spartacus' image was simple; dirt and soot spread across his face and body. (Not unlike tribal war paint.) On this night, Spartacus is released from his cell just before the fight begins and there is a shot of Andy walking towards the pit where the right side if his face is nearly completely covered in black spot and you can only see his right eye through the blackness. This combined with his stride and imposing figure makes this short moment a visual masterpiece. He appears to be a much darker Spartacus than the optimist we knew. (This shot also manages to capture Spartacus' final resolve, the pain he's gone through to reach this point and the hope that all of this will indeed save Sura.) Although initially his fight with Ixion seemed a bit "easy" considering Ixion's skill, it can be overlooked simply because he faced a different Spartacus than the one he made eye contact with at the beginning of the episode. A part of Spartacus' lack of growth in Gladiatorial arts were most likely due to his own hubris. Having been stripped down to a base creature after losing to Crixus, he had no pride to fall back on and approached each fight with an unshakeable will to survive. The outcome of the fight paved the way for him to earn his way back into the Ludus as a Gladiator. When Battiatus summons him to inform him, the excellent make up and of course Andy's acting show a completely battered warrior who is at this point just "rolling with the punches." (A classic moment: when Battiatus tells Spartacus that Lucretia thinks he's cursed by the gods. The look in Andy's face says EVERYTHING and the very subtle, " she'd get no argument from me" just sealed it!!) Great stuff!!!! Best episode. So much to describe, too much for one review.