'Spartacus:' The blood is back

"Spartacus" -- TV blood porn of the first rank -- returns tonight, but in an effort to put TV critics out to pasture (where I suppose we do belong after all . . . but not me . . . Oh please not me) Starz has already posted the first episode online.

This episode is a big deal because of course it introduces Liam McIntyre as Sparty; he's perfectly good in the role, but he's not Andy Whitfield, and that's a problem.

My review if you want to know a bit more about this major transition.

Meanwhile, a Starz interview with Liam; an interesting guy . . . Was actually in charge of (I believe) movie theater bookings in Melbourne, Australia, before this opportunity came knocking . . .