All Forms of Art

Going into Those About to Die on Prime Video, it’s hard not to think of Spartacus . With familiar faces like Anthony Hopkins and Iwan Rheon ( Game of Thrones ), expectations lean toward something equally brutal, emotional, and character-driven. But this isn’t that show. At first, the series feels less impactful—less bloody, less raw, and less focused on personal journeys. Instead, it leans heavily into politics. This is not just about the arena; it’s about the machinery behind it. The power plays. The manipulation. The “games behind the games.” That shift can be jarring, especially if you’re expecting something more visceral. It took me a few episodes to adjust—but once I did, the show started to reveal its strengths. A Slow Burn That Starts to Pay Off While the beginning feels uneven, the series gradually finds its footing. As characters develop and storylines intertwine, it becomes more engaging. This is very much a slow-burn narrative. It doesn’t grab you immediately—it grows o...