I'm watching 'Deadliest Warrior' on Spike TV right now (an American Channel). This week it's Samurai vs. Viking Warrior. Looks like its a weekly series (Tuesday evening) with the goal, ahem, of determining who the ultimate winner would be.

Some pretty fun tests of weapons and techniques, e.g., they just cut through a couple of (dead) pigs with a viking sword, and then the Katana failed to cut the Viking chain mail, and so on.

Anyone else see this?

I saw the Apache vs. Gladiator episode. I suppose it was somewhat entertaining, but overall, I really disliked the show. I found the comparisons between items to be pretty absurd and not deeply considered. I don't expect to watch any more episodes.

i think its a dumbed down history show to get MMA people interested in some sort of history. i watched a few previews and just kinda shrugged it off. I'm waiting for the pirate vs the ninja episode (hehe not saying there is one but its always the classic who vs who)

I'm hanging out for the "Welsh Longbowman vs 155 Howitzer crew" should be cool
*sarcasm mode disengaged*

I've seen two episodes so far and I'm not particularly impressed. The two I've seen were littered with incorrect terminology and the reenforcement of stereotypes. A show like this can only present the high points, but that should be done correctly and isn't very hard to do, no harder than what's presented in these shows. Typical History Channel unfortunately.

I have seen one on tube... Not particulary impressed, too. I much prefer programs with minus pathos and adrenalina searching texts, and more information: I don't think that a tv show can be (and nether should) a college's lesson, but in some passage is like watching "American Gladiator" or "Robot Wars"...

I saw the show for the first time this weekend. I wasn't expecting much of it, so I can't really say I'm disappointed. The bottom line is the whole samurai vs Viking or any other of these random warrior match ups simply CANNOT be answered. There are too many variables and the result is going to be different every time. And like Nathan stated, the show is meant to entertain; not educate. Personally, I found the show at least somewhat entertaining. I liked how they added bones and organs to the ballistics gel models and the high speed cameras added more to it visually. And I at least wasn't disgusted to the point where I was yelling and swearing at the TV like I find myself doing with the History Channel lately.

I heard some friends talking about the show, and one thing bothered me. I don't know that I'd call a Roman gladiator a warrior as such. An entertainer? Yes. An athlete? Yes. A warrior trained (or versed) in fieldcraft in addition to fighting? Probably not.

It would've been neat if they'd done something about the different types of gladiator (myrmillo, retiarius, secutor, etc.), but I suppose that'd have been a different show.

Sadly, the first thing that went through my mind hearing about the matchup of an Apache and a gladiator had more to do with aircraft than anything else. An AH-64 would probably go to town on a Gloster Gladiator though, and wouldn't be terribly entertaining. (I'm pretty sure the Gladiator only had rifle-calibre MGs.)

Nathan, I should have been more clear that I was supporting your position and only adding to it. I reread my post and realize that some things may have come across wrong.

I found the Apache vs Gladiator episode on You Tube and watched it in six parts today. It was interesting and entertaining. I learned a few things I did not know. I did not know the Gladiators used the scissor, cestus and sica in the arena. I would have thought these just fantasy weapons. The testing of weapons on simulated flesh and real animal flesh too was very objective and will prove a valuable reference source. The only part a thought was of no value was the computer generated combat results at the end but that part was only the last six minutes.

After seeing this first episode I am interested in seeing all future ones. It is certain that some valuable insight will be gained.

Edit: I saw episode 2, Viking vs Samurai on You Tube. Parts 1 though 5 are very interesting. Part 6 is the stuff video games are made of. I would have liked to have seen more extensive testing and more accurate measurement for the transfer force to the body through armor with various weapons.

I wish they had done Knight vs Samurai and settled the debate once and for all! :P

Just watched the samurai vs. Viking episode. Not gonna lie, I feel less intelligent now. The constant banter between "teams" was just annoying.

My favorite part was when they show that the katanta can't cut through mail in the first part, then at the end in their "video" the samurai is slicing the buhjeezus out of the viking. They can't even keep their facts straight between tests to video!

All in all, I was disappointed in the "historical accuracy", was not entertained, and I will be sure to miss future installments.

The next one will be a Spartan vs. a Ninja. How stupid and pointless can they get? It's like a bad car crash-I know I shouldn't look but I can't help myself. I don't know which is worse-SPIKE or "The History Channel." THC's latest farce is "Battles B.C." It is done in a "300" style that makes it even more irritating and absurd.