Starz smash hit Spartacus returns for a new season of swords, sex and sandals. Spartacus:
Vengeance picks up mere weeks after the slave revolt that brought down the house of Batiatus. Spartacus (Liam McIntyre) and the others have been terrorizing the city of Capua; evading capture and seeking information on the whereabouts of Naevia (Lesley-Ann Brandt).
CAUTION: SPOILERS INCLUDED:
The actions of the escaped slaves force Claudius Glaber (Craig Parker) and Ilithyia (Viva Bianca) to return to Capua. There they must quell the unrest and capture Spartacus before the seeds of rebellion spread. Glaber plans to take over the villa that once belonged to Batiatus only to find that Lucretia (Lucy Lawless) has survived the massacre in body, though not in mind. She believes that she is still surrounded by slaves she can command even though the only thing that surrounds her is the blood-stained walls and memories of past glory.
Meanwhile Spartacus gives Varo’s widow, Aurelia (Brooke Williams) some money and tells her to go back to her son. She takes the money and tells Spartacus that someday she wishes to see him again and have him share tales of her husband with her son. Unfortunately Aurelia is grabbed by Glaber’s men and is mortally wounded before Spartacus can rescue her. With her dying breath she tells Spartacus to stay away from her son since he has only brought death to her family.
Spartacus: Vengeance is filled with action but I found it slow to start. I can only hope that as the story builds it will be as interesting and entertaining as its predecessors. Liam McIntyre, who has taken over the role of Spartacus from the late Andy Whitfield, isn’t as imposing as the original. Whitfield played Spartacus as a very tortured man with an underlying grief; I do not get that from McIntyre’s performance. It may just take some time to get used to this new Spartacus. I am looking forward to seeing where this season is headed and if it can remain fresh and entertaining. I will be tuning in and so should you.
Spartacus: Vengeance airs Friday nights at 10pm only on Starz.
