The narrative centers on Spartacus's struggle to survive in the brutal world of the arena. To earn his freedom and exact revenge on those who wronged him, he must transform from a disobedient slave into a champion gladiator. The season is structured as a slow-burn tragedy, ending with the famous slave revolt that kicks off the subsequent seasons.

The following is an analytical essay on Spartacus: Blood and Sand

Spartacus is defined by:

The first season of begins with Spartacus as a prized gladiator in the Ludus of Capua, owned by the wealthy and influential Roman, Lucius Varinius. Spartacus forms close bonds with his fellow gladiators, including Varro and Crixus (played by Liam McIntyre), and becomes a favorite of the school's trainer, Batiatus (played by Keith David).

This desire for spectacle was matched by a desire for depth. Producer Steven S. DeKnight stated that the show's visual design evolved rapidly from the first few episodes, as they "went straight to 13 episodes with no pilot" and quickly established a style that became the show's signature. The entire series was a "monolithic exercise in slick CGI and slow motion," a style that would differentiate it from all other interpretations of Rome on television.

Production on Season 2 was delayed to allow for his treatment, during which the network produced the excellent prequel mini-series, Spartacus: Gods of the Arena . Tragically, Whitfield passed away in 2011 at the age of 39.