WARNING: Spoilers ahead
Spartacus: War of the Damned premiered on Starz on Friday, and the producers wasted no time in drawing us back into the world of the slave turned gladiator turned freedom fighter.
The episode begins by showing us piles of dead bodies. Spartacus (Liam McIntyre) rides atop his horse in slow motion towards some very scared Roman soldiers, and we can guess that his reputation has preceded him.
His horse rears back, his sword is raised, and . . . . really? They stab the horse? That’s sad. The rest of Spartacus’ army appears over the hill, and a battle set against choral music begins, blood squirting everywhere, covering warriors and camera lens in red.
And there’s a moment with Spartacus’ sword and a guy’s face . . .wait. . . nope. Former face.
And in case there was any concern that the nudity quota of the episode may not be met, we see Roman soldiers Cossinius and Furius receiving a sponge bath by naked slaves as they confer with Senator Metellus. The group decides they must ask Marcus Crassus for help against the army of Spartacus, and the two soldiers dispatch Metellus while they temporarily retire to a villa.
When we meet Marcus Crassus, he is learning how to swordfight from his slave, who shows deference to his master, but he also benefits from having Crassus’ respect. All the slaves appear to respect him, including pitcher-bearing Kore, and we do not see any of the mistreatment so common at the House of Batiatus. Crassus’ son, however, is the stereotypical bratty rich kid who thinks that everyone is beneath him. He can’t understand that his father even has respect for Spartacus.
I look forward to seeing more of Crassus. He’s been set up in such a way that we know he will be a calculating and cunning enemy for Spartacus, and he’s not afraid to let others do his dirty work for him.
This season is off to a great start. McIntyre has truly embraced the character of Spartacus, finally making it his own rather than trying to follow in the footsteps of the talented, late Andy Whitfield. However, we’ve yet to see any strong female characters emerge other than Naevia, who fights alongside the men and shows considerable strength. The season is early, though, and we know that several new actresses were cast, so hopefully some great new characters will step in to replace the void left by Ilythia and Lucretia’s deaths.
I also worry about some of the characters and the quieter, more intimate moments they shared. (No, I’m not talking about Gannicus’ orgy with three other women). Naevia and Crixus were reunited last season, but will they both live to see the series finale? And Agron and Nasir looked too happy together. This is surely a sign that one of them will die. Couples simply don’t last on this show, and is it any wonder? Jed Whedon, brother of the famed character killer Joss Whedon, is a writer for Spartacus.
Overall, an exciting episode, and one scene kept me on the edge of my seat, despite knowing how the fight would have to end. It was a beautiful death with a final, touching exchange between two unlikely participants.
Spartacus airs on Starz on Fridays.