With Albinius and Seppius dead and Varinius back in Rome, Glaber looks to have strengthened his hand. Meanwhile, Spartacus looks to be in a very vulnerable position and Gannicus is made an offer or two...
We begin in Neapolis. Agron, Lucius (Peter McAuley) and Spartacus raid a slave ship from Germania, freeing the slaves and brutally slaughtering the Romans. Agron is particularly pleased that they are from his homeland but Spartacus does not look happy at all. Something is obviously going to happen... Back at the temple, Crixus is training Naevia and Nasir (Pana Hema Taylor) makes a perfectly innocent comment to Mira about her being loved by Spartacus which only makes her face fall as she wonders if he does indeed love her. Spartacus then returns with the Germans who demand a celebration. Among their number are the giant Sedullus (Conan Stevens) and Saxa, a striking blonde Amazon (Ellen Hollman). Crixus voices his concern that the newcomers are all Agron's people and while Spartacus says he is not concerned, his face betrays him.
Spartacus has a talk with Agron and asks him about the raid. Agron tells him there were two other ships at the dock, one from Syria and one from Gaul but that he chose the one from Germania because Syrians can't be trusted (which is a bit of an odd thing to say as he's fucking one) and there are already enough Gauls around. Agron is definitely behaving like a dick. The next day, Spartacus enlists Oenomaus to train the new recruits and he goes out to hunt with them, only to find that they have already gone out and raided a wagon. Spartacus and Crixus are furious and Agron apologises, with Lucius pointing out that he wasn't exactly being sincere. That evening, the celebrations continue. Sedullus flirts with Naevia and when she spurns his advances, he assault her. She stabs him and the commotion draws Agron's attention who comes to her rescue. Naevia calls to Crixus and the entire camp erupts into a massive brawl. Mira and Saxa catfight and Spartacus ends matters as he does best, with his sword, slicing Sedullus' fucking face off! As his brain drops out of his face, everyone stops and listens. Spartacus tells them to either do what he says, fuck off or have their face sliced off too. Agron leads the Germans in pledging their loyalty to Spartacus and order is restored.
Gannicus is back in Capua and attempting to get his payment from Magistrate Gallienus (Timothy Raby). The Magistrate tells him that he didn't kill Spartacus and so is not due the full payment, fobbing him off with a few coins and telling him to seek the rest, along with his rudis, from Glaber. Glaber is speaking to a crowd in the market, telling them that Spartacus will be caught and punished for his latest act of savagery, killing poor Seppius. If I was in the crowd, I wouldn't believe him. Every time Spartacus does something, Glaber promises to catch him and never does. Anyway, Glaber declares that if a slave even mentions Spartacus' name, they will be punished with crucifixion. He demonstrates with one of Ilithyia's slaves, who protests her innocence. Ilithyia is about to speak in her defence but Lucretia tells her not to disagree with Glaber. She confirms that she heard her say the offending word and the poor girl is duly crucified in front of the crowd, much to young Seppia's delight.
Ashur is making the most of his hold over Lucretia, getting her to call him "dominus" and telling her to wear a wig he pinched from Seppius' house, so that he may know she is his. What a fucking player! Glaber consoles Seppia as Ilithyia gives them both her best bitch face as they prepare to have Seppius' men take an oath of loyalty to Glaber. The men are sworn in and Glaber invites Seppia to move into the villa for her own safety. She is delighted and Ilithyia's face is an absolute picture! She tells Lucretia that she fears his newfound strength and purpose, upset about how he looks at Seppia.
Gannicus is back at the whorehouse in the company of his favourite whore, to whom he muses about his lack of coin and his rudis. Ashur arrives, seeking words with him. Ashur teases him about his missing rudis and tells him that Glaber wishes to see him. Gannicus visits Glaber, who gives him back his rudis, asking him to swear an oath into his service. Gannicus is told that as a free man, he can do as he pleases, but it's obvious that he has no choice here. Lucretia and Ilithyia decide to fake an illness and she tells Glaber that the gods command that Ilithyia leaves the city of blood. She offers to escort her but Ashur is not going to give up his prize that easily and reminds Glaber of Lucretia's importance to the people of Capua. In the market, Lucretia takes time out from blessing the locals to seek out Gannicus, who is contemplating his whore's freshly crucified body. Lucretia remarks that he is being watched by one of Ashur's men and makes him an offer as well: instead of working for Glaber, she wants him to kill Glaber. The villa will be lightly defended as Ilithyia is being escorted to Rome and she will distract the rest of the guards so that he can assassinate Glaber and end Spartacus' lust for vengeance.
Ilithyia makes her leave, telling Glaber that he shall be missed and smirking at Lucretia. Try and be a bit more discreet! Seppia watches as the carriage leaves and a smile creeps across her face. Later that night, Lucretia tells the captain of the guards that something is up and they head outside as a shadow falls across Glaber's face... Don't worry, it's only Seppia, who promptly disrobes and climbs on top of Glaber. Their fucking is interrupted by the captain who tells him to come outside. He heads out to find a scene of carnage. Ilithyia's guard have been slaughtered and the man who was watching Gannicus lies dead inside the carriage with Gannicus' rudis sticking out of his neck. Of Ilithyia, there is no sign...
Vengeance gets right back on form after last week's disappointing episode. Spartacus is still treading water over at the temple, but he is at least gearing up to do something. Agron's conflicting loyalties to Spartacus and his own kin is handled very well and also satisfyingly resolved. Ilithyia is not quite back to her confident, Lady Macbeth best but she is getting there. The build-up of tension before the reveal of the contents of her carriage was expertly done and Gannicus is fast becoming one of the best characters on the show. He's a simple man, wanting only wine and whores, but when Glaber tries to play him he badly misjudges him. Young Seppia, lacking protection following the death of her brother, ingratiates herself with Glaber. Her vulnerability and naivety are often played up by having her wear little makeup or be bested by Ilithyia but it appears she has the upper hand now and she has certainly won over Glaber. A great episode!
Ilithyia boob watch: Nothing, but Seppia shows it all off as she seduces Glaber. Lucky bastard!
8 out of 10.
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