Maybe I've become complacent as medicine has progressed and diseases that used to be terrifying -- cancer, AIDS -- have become survivable. Even though actor Andy Whitfield had, for a second time, bowed out of his lead role in 'Spartacus: Blood and Sand' to fight non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, it never crossed my mind that he would die at 39. Too young, too fit, too strong. I think of a lot of TV fans were shocked.

The first time Whitfield left the show, the series went to a short-run prequel focused on different characters. When it became clear Whitfield couldn't take up the mantle of Spartacus again, the role was recast and the series was set to return for a second season in January 2012.

Starz has finally released the 'Spartacus: Vengeance' trailer that the network showed at Comic-Con, and I've posted it below for your viewing pleasure.

I also interviewed 'Spartacus' executive producer and creator, Steven DeKnight, on Friday, and though I'll post the majority of the interview closer to the show's January premiere, but share some of his responses regarding the epic scope of the new season. First question: Did the show have the resources to properly depict Spartacus' post-ludus life on the run with his fellow escaped slaves?

"We definitely have quite a bit more money than we did in the past seasons and it shows," DeKnight said of the 10-episode season. "I mean, just look at the trailer. That one shot of a mine with a thousand people working in it gives you an idea the scope that we're going for."