'Spartacus: Vengeance; - "Fugitivus" Recap
Spartacus is back! Following the sad news of the passing of Andy Whitfield, the star of the first season, Starz went ahead and made a six episode prequel season titled Gods of the Arena. That featured many of the gladiators from the first season, including Crixus, Barka, Asher, Oneomaus (Doctore) and the members of the house of Batiatus. Once the studio found a replacement for Andy, the Spartacus storyline was ready to move forward, and Spartacus: Vengeance is finally here.
The season opens with a few title cards recapping the bloody finale of the first season. Spartacus and the other gladiators are still in and around Capua, but living underground. They come out only to get supplies for them and the other slaves, and when they do, it's a bloody spectacle.
Much like in episodes past, the 300-style slow motion, incredibly bloody violence is the driving force behind the show, and what keeps people coming back for more. The first actual scene showcases this perfectly. Spartacus and his men dispatch eight or so Roman soldiers with little problems and with lots of blood.
In the attempt of developing the story arc for this season, we switch to Rome, where we see Glaber, now in a political position far removed fro the army, arguing with his wife's father about being sent back to Capua to bring Spartacus to justice. In the first season, Glaber was the man who condemned Spartacus' wife to slavery and Spartacus to death.
In Capua, there are still gladiatorial games being held to distract the people of what's really going on. We're introduced to the new Magistrate, Seppius (who's men Spartacus killed in the opening scene) and his sister Sepia. As the camera zooms in the crowd, Oneomaus watches the poor showing by the gladiators in distaste. Afterwards, men confront him about his past, and are all quickly killed by the former gladiator.
Spartacus and Crixus prepare to track down the whereabouts of Naevia, the former slave of the house of Batiatus and lover of Crixus. Upon entering the whorehouse where Crixus' informant told him they could find her whereabouts, much blood is spilled in getting to Tribius, who then gives up where Naevia is before he is killed. Much like the first season was about Spartacus trying to be reunited with his wife, the Crixus/Naevia storyline seems like it will be a major pilot in this season.
Upon their arrival to Capua, Glaber and his wife Ilithyia (who did all sorts of wrong in season one) set up camp at the house of Batiatus. Glaber demands his wife get the house in order, as there is still blood staining just about every wall. To Ilithyia's shock, and mine had I not seen the previews, enter Lucretia, wife of Batiatus, who when we last saw her, was laying in a pool of blood after being stabbed by Crixus. Lucretia seems to not remember being, presumably, killed and still thinks all of her house is in order.
Spartacus attempts to rally the troops when Oneomaus enters with news of Glaber and his message to the people in the market in the morning. He advises Spartacus to use the distraction and to leave the city. Crixus agrees, but Spartacus is blinded by the fact that with Glaber so close, he can't let this opportunity slip away.
The next morning, Glaber enters the market to make is announcement. He brings out Lucretia as a sign of hope for the people, and Spartacus is as shocked as Ilithyia was. Lucretia spots her husband's former gladiator, and that triggers something in her and she starts freaking out. Glaber brings out a bloodied prisoner, Aurelia, Varro's wife who Spartacus had sent away to be with her son.
As Glaber, Ilithyia and Lucretia leave the market, the women's eyes meet with Spartacus and he reveals himself. When it seems like all is lost for Spartacus, surrounded by Glaber and a lot of Romans, Crixus and the other gladiators come to his aid. They fight off enough Romans to escape, and bring what remains of Aurelia's life with them.
Back at their camp, Crixus and Spartacus have words with Crixus telling Spartacus that an army would come down on them if Glaber were killed. Aurelia, on her deathbed, tells Spartacus to never go near her son, that all that follows Spartacus is death.
As the episode ends, Spartacus tells the men they move south to find Naevia, and they must all move as one or fall divided. Spartacus tells the men that Rome will pay for what they've done, promising a lot more blood in episodes to come.