Stars: Lucy Lawless, Liam McIntyre, Manu Bennett, Peter Mensah, Viva Bianca, Craig Parker
Writer: Aaron Helbing & Todd Helbing, Created by Steven S. DeKnight
Director: Rick Jacobson 
Network: STARZ, airs Friday nights
Original Telecast: February 24, 2012

I feel that “Libertus” in the line of episodes of SPARTACUS VENGEANCE is more than likely what many fans have been waiting for. This new season has been a slow build, allowing for the audience to adjust to the new actor playing Spartacus (Liam McIntyre), and now clearly that time is over as the action in this episode stands as testament.

Crixus (Manu Bennett), Doctore (Peter Mensah), and our token red-loin-clothed escaped slave are to be executed in the arena as a show of Rome’s power and the inevitability of the capture of Spartacus himself. Of course, this plan of action can not be allowed to be carried out according to Roman plan, as Spartacus and his crew sneak into the arena not only to save the men, but also to give Rome a great big black eye.

The most exciting part of the show is the battle that takes place on the gladiatorial sands. This makes me feel like I’m watching the first two seasons of the show again, which is something that has been lacking up until this point. Yes, we viewers watch SPARTACUS because of the ongoing story, but we also watch because of the large amounts of graphic and stylized bloodshed! Without the crazy killing, this show would be so boring to watch…even the political intrigue can only carry one’s interest so far.

The arena battle both before Spartacus and his men join the fray, and after when the stands are starting to collapse and engulf citizens of Capua in flames encompasses one of the most ambitious scenes in any season of the show. The CGI is exceptionally well rendered and the stands full of people collapsing in on themselves and the flames roaring up to consume those that fall through is hands down one of the BEST effects on this series to date. I can only hope that the sheer scale of this series is heading in this larger direction, because it was really breathtaking to watch.

The other HUGE thing about this episode is the return of Gannicus (Dustin Clare) from wandering the world for five years. He comes back to do his brothers the honor of killing them in the arena, which of course gets sidetracked by Spartacus. This is an interesting addition to the standing cast, and I am curious to see where all of the different dynamics and relationships will change. Gannicus previously had only been in the prequel GODS OF THE ARENA, and this is the character’s first contact with Spartacus and his band of escaped slaves. Keep in mind that Gannicus earned his freedom from The House of Batiatus, and Spartacus and his men slaughtered the very people who gave Gannicus his freedom. I have no idea if he has any lingering traces of loyalty to that house, but it will be interesting to see if that is ever addressed.

Of course, his confrontation with Doctore is far from over, and where adultery and relationships are concerned there is still something of a blood debt to be paid. The confrontation in the arena itself was a nice taste, but I really want them to have it out without swords (since I don’t want either character to die).

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Article: TV Review – Spartacus: Vengeance – “Libertus”

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