Spartacus Vengeance Finale

Friday is the season finale of Spartacus, Vengeance on Starz. I was feeling very lukewarm about the entire season until last week's episode, Monsters, set almost everything right again.

1. Gannicus and Oenomaus finally make peace. Unfortunately it comes out of of Oenomaus losing an eye and probably most of his hand, but their feud, though legitimate, concerned me all season.

2. Monsters (ha) Glaber and Illthyia are for the moment, back in business together. This needed to happen. I love those two as an awful, scheming, couple of hate and death. Good luck raising Spartacus, Jr., though.

3. The secondary stories of Mira and Naevia are done. Thank God.

4. Someone please get rid of Ashur. I can barely help throwing up every time he comes on screen. I hope Lucretia takes care of this creep, once and for all. YUCK.

5. Gannicus. As always, DAMN. His survival pretty much is the deciding factor in whether or not I keep watching the show . . . so far, so good. May the odds continue to be in his favor (!) There would be something oddly thrilling if in the end, he could hook up with the blond German girl, too; she's kind of annoying but seems lively.

Spartacus: Blood and Sand.

I really can't tell you how much I dug this show, or how excited I am for the upcoming season, Spartacus: Gods of the Arena that starts January 22 on Starz. I highly, highly recommend it but again, just to be clear, really make sure the kids are in bed. I don't think I've ever seen so much blood. Or sex.

If you haven't had the chance to check it out yet, I'll do you a favor and help you familiarize yourself with some of the characters and goings-on in fair Capua, where our story takes place. Since social networking is most everyone's primary means of communication, I've taken the liberty of creating little faux-facebook bios for each of the characters; there are a few spoilers.

SPARTACUS.
allegiance: House of Batiatus.
position: Gladiator, Champion of Capua.
relationship status: widowed.
known to say: "Kill them All."


CRIXUS.
allegiance: House of Batiatus.
position: Gladiator, former Champion of Capua.
relationship status: complicated. Ties to Lucretia Batiatus, Naevia.
known to say: "There is no greater thing than standing victorious in the arena."



VARRO.
allegiance: House of Batiatus.
position: Gladiator, willingly enslaved for repayment of debts.
relationship status: married to Aurelia, one son.
known to say: "the odds do not favor you."

DOCTORE.
allegiance: House of Batiatus.
position: Trainer of Gladiators.
relationship status: unknown.
known to say: "What is beneath your feet?"

BATIATUS.
also known as Quintus, Dominus, Lentulus.
position: Lanista, trainer and trader of Gladiators; head of the ludus and House of Batiatus. Proclaims position often and loudly.
relationship status: married to Lucretia, relations with many slaves.
known to say: "DO NOT #*&$ing SPEAK!"




ASHUR.
allegiance: highest bidder.
position: former Gladiator, wounded. Batiatus's messenger.
relationship status: procures Naevia, Lucretia's slave and love of Crixus.
known to say: "Whatever you need, Ashur provides."





LUCRETIA.
allegiance: House of Batiatus.
position: Lady of House of Batiatus, Domina
relationship status: married to Quintus, forces relationship with Crixus.
known to say: "A fact known well to many women," about not every venture ending in climax.



ILITHYIA.
allegiance: Legatus Claudius Glaber (husband), Senator Albinius (father).
position: Friend of Lucretia, antagonist to Spartacus who is enemy of her husband.
known to say: "The Gods yet ignore us!"

These were the main characters, but there are many more of interest. The show, while being well cast and well acted is also well driven. Some of the very best scenes are the ones that show the passing of time, done by Spartacus running endlessly against a changing background into different lands or the repeated cracking of the Doctore's whip with the blazing sun at his back, happening day after day. The music, original done by Joseph LoDuca, is brilliant. Tender in parts, ethnic in others, and METAL IN THE ARENA? Nice. Fight scenes, blood, slow motion, and choreography are all really, really good.

I needed this in my winter. Best wishes and prayers to Andy Whitfield, (Spartacus); my wish is that you and every other person that battles cancer can send it to the underworld.