With Spartacus (S1 and the prologue season), everyone knows it's a trashy cheesy show - even the writers and creators. But that self consciousness works for the show, and notice every time someone recommends it they say "it's trashy but trust me, it's AWESOME."
This show is not supposed to be trashy or cheesy, in fact it's billed as a serious low fantasy adult show. Yet the main thing a new viewer would probably get from the show is that it's ridiculous soft porn with lots of talking and planning. I like the show, and definitely think these two eps are better than the early ones from S1; I also think the final eps of S1 finally reached "great television" heights, and obviously the potential is there for more of that this season. But I really don't like the writers apparent decision that they can't trust their audience, therefore must distract them with WILDE HETERO.
You can tell with the second season of Spartacus that they payed close attention to GoT, and decided to increase the random sex ten fold.