This episode takes us past the halfway point of Vengeance. Aside from the methodical first episode it has been just as good as both Blood and Sand and Gods of the Arena. Up until now. This was a pretty disappointing episode. Well, disappointing by Spartacus' high standards.
Following their triumphant victory/act of terrorism (delete as necessary) in destroying the arena in Capua and rescuing both Oenomaus and Crixus, the rebels return to the abandoned temple. Gannicus has accompanied them, though only to seek words with Oenomaus once he has recovered from his grievous wounds. He regards the rebellion as nothing more than a shortcut to an early death. Crixus and Naevia attempt to reconnect but her time in the mines has clearly traumatised her and she can't even sleep with him without getting flashbacks. Meanwhile, Spartacus, Lucius (Peter McAuley), Agron (Daniel Feuerriegel) and Mira plan their next step.They will fortify and repair the temple, set a watch on the top of Mount Vesuvius and swell their rapidly thinning ranks with fresh fighting men from the docks at Neapolis. Spartacus tells the rest of the rebels his plans but is interrupted by Crixus and Agron, who decide to pick that moment to settle their differences with each other's faces with their fists.
Frustrated, Spartacus starts setting tasks. He and Gannicus go into the forest to search for food. He tries again to tempt the former champion to join their cause but Gannicus is not interested, caring more about the rudis he lost in the destruction of the arena. Spartacus tells him that freedom is not a stick of wood but a thing all men deserve. Gannicus disagrees. Gladiators deserve death, he says, for taking lives themselves. Spartacus tells him how Batiatus and Glaber were responsible for Sura's death and that he seeks revenge against Glaber, driven by his love for his dead wife. Love has driven many men to ruin, Gannicus observes. Some of the rebels extend the tunnels under the temple, some are honing their swordsmanship and Crixus is chopping wood, which is clearly the best use of his talents. Lucius leads Mira, Chadara (Bonnie Sveen) and some of the other house slaves in an archery lesson. Mira is a natural but Chadara, having grieved earlier over Rhaskos' death casts her eyes elsewhere, seeking a new gladiator to attach herself to. Having been rebuffed by Gannicus, she tries the passing Donar (Heath Jones) who has no interest in her. Mira tells her to try something other than spreading her legs for a living. Ouch.
When Oenomaus awakes, Gannicus pays him a visit. He tells him that he loved him as a brother but Oenomaus smacks him down, telling him he never cared for anyone but himself. Crixus and Naevia share a tender moment. Still traumatised by her time in the mines, she has set her mind upon learning to fight so that no-one can touch her without her consent ever again. Crixus finally understands and swears vengeance on the Romans. Their romantic interlude is interrupted by a commotion from outside: someone has stolen the last of their money and their maps. Gannicus chooses that very moment to announce his departure. Uh oh... He demands to be allowed to leave but Spartacus refuses. The two draw swords and at the end of it, someone lies dead, the missing coins and maps hidden on their person.
In Capua, Glaber's only concern after killing Albinius is how much the man's cows are worth so that the bounty on Spartacus' head can be increased. Ilithyia says his death is a message to her from the gods but Glaber isn't convinced. Lucretia is equally annoyed with Ashur. When Glaber's men come back from the arena in dribs and drabs, some of them having deserted, Ashur once again tells Glaber that he should not underestimate gladiators, each one being worth three of his men. Glaber gleefully sets three of his men on Ashur, who promptly kicks their asses like the fucking badass that he is. Lucretia attempts to threaten the now clean shaven Syrian, who replies that all he has to do is tell his new best bud Glaber that she knew Ilithyia was planning an abortion and she'll come to a sticky end. Oh, and he promptly rapes her for good measure. What a guy!
Ashur's next step is to start recruiting some of the most vicious killers he can find, from whorehouses and Roman prisons alike. He and Glaber are planning something and it can't be good. Lucretia and Ilithyia share a bath. Ilithyia is worried that the gods have abandoned her and Lucretia comforts her, telling her that she must play the dutiful wife until Glaber makes a mistake that they can take advantage of. Glaber's next step is to invite Seppius (Tom Hobbs) to the villa again in the hopes of combining their forces. Seppius seems amenable but at the last moment humiliates Glaber and tells him he needs a day to think it over. Ilithyia and Lucretia suggest a new tactic: they appeal to his sexy sister, Seppia (Hanna Mangan-Lawrence). Glaber agrees and they have Seppia over for girly chats instead. Talk about their grief and loss seems to be working on young Seppia but she's not falling for it. Lucretia comes clean. "You have unveiled the schemes of two old women", she says, drawing a suitably aghast look from Ilithyia. Glaber enters and flirts with her saying he regrets how things have gone. She immediately changes tack and agrees to take it up with her brother. In the final scene, Ashur's posse is busy slaughtering every man woman and child inside a Roman villa. Glaber shows his face and proceeds to kill the last survivor himself in probably the best "oh shit!" ending to an episode in quite a while.
Ashur is a legend. He single-handedly saves this episode with his awesomeness. For the most part it's quite dull. Lots of pointless exposition about "freedom" and "vengeance" and pretty much nothing happens to move the plot forward. The final ten minutes is easily the best of the episode: a great but all-too-short fight between Spartacus and Gannicus and Glaber taking his vengeance on someone else who stands in his way! Here's hoping for a return to form next week.
Ilithyia boob watch: Briefly seen twice during her topless bath with Lucretia.
6 out of 10.
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