 Tagline: Stand as one or fall divided. On the heels of the bloody escape from the House of Batiatus that concluded. Spartacus: Blood and Sand, the gladiator rebellion continues and begins to strike fear into the heart of the Roman Republic in Spartacus: Vengeance. Gaius Claudius Glaber and his Roman troops are sent to Capua to crush the growing band of freed slaves that Spartacus leads before it can inflict further damage. Spartacus is presented the choice of satisfying his personal need for vengeance against the man who condemned his wife to slavery and eventual death or making the larger sacrifices necessary to keep his budding army from breaking apart. Containing all of the blood-soaked action, exotic sexuality, and villainy and heroism that has come to distinguish the series, the tale of Spartacus resumes in epic fashion. Storyline: The inspiration behind this series is the Thracian Gladiator Spartacus, who led a slave uprising against the Roman Republic. The Thracians had been persuaded by Claudius Glaber to serve as auxiliaries in the Roman legions in a campaign against the Getae, who had often plundered Thracian lands. However after Glaber reneges on the deal and switches his attentions from the Getae to attack Mithridates in Asia Minor, the Thracians feel betrayed and mutiny. Captured by Glaber, Spartacus is condemned to death as a Gladiator, whilst his wife Sura is condemned to slavery. Spartacus, however, proves to be a formidable gladiator, and defeats the four gladiators tasked with executing him. He becomes a favorite of the crowd, leading Senator Albinius to commute his death sentence to a life of slavery. Spartacus is purchased by Batiatus for gladiator training, who promises to help him find Sura if he proves himself in training... Written by WellardRockard 2.02 A Place in This World - Spartacus and his band of Gladiators move south, and take an isolated villa owned by a wealthly Roman, who had Naevia for a short time before sending her further south. One of the slaves, a young male named Tiberius, attempts to kill Spartacus in the night as he has lost his position due to Spartacus' actions. Spartacus choses not to have Tiberius killed, but decides to train him. Meanwhile, in Capua Lucretia is viewed as an Oracle due to her surviving Spartacus' massacre; in the marketplace Lucretia receives a note from a hooded stranger. Oenomaus relives his purchase from the Pit by Titus Lentulus Batiatus in his youth, where he eventually states his reason for living is the honor of Titus and his House. Oenomaus fights in the Pits hoping to be killed, but he is eventually taken to the villa before Glaber as Lucretia is performing a ritual to ask the Gods to aid Glaber against Spartacus. The hooded stranger is revealed to be Ashur, former nefarious right-hand man of Quintus Batiatus, who is working in secret with Lucretia. 2.03 The Greater Good - Spartacus and crew free another band of slaves being sent for the dreaded Mines. A slaver with his dying breath tells Agron and Nasir that Naevia lives but is working the Mines. Agron, who believes an attempt to free Naevia would result in the death of all the Rebels, lies and tells Crixus Naevia is dead. In Capua, Ashur tortures Oenomaus to get information on Spartacus and his men. Lucretia tells Ashur to use other means to get Oenomaus to speak. Ashur reveals to Oenomaus his wife Melitta's affair with his closest friend Gannicus (see Spartacus: Gods of the Arena). Oenomaus in his disbelief inadvertently reveals the rebels' purpose of going south in search of Naevia. Glaber, focused on holding his status, neglects his wife Illithyia. Nasir can no longer bring himself to maintain Agron's lie and tells Crixus the truth. Agron takes his own group to make camp at Mt. Vesuvius. Spartacus, Crixus, and the others that remain go to the mines. Disguising themselves as slaves and guards, they infiltrate the mines in search of Naevia. Glaber had dispatched his soldiers to the mines, along with Ashur, and they arrive shortly afterward. After Ashur recognizes two of Spartacus' men posing as guards, the soldiers enter the mines in pursuit. Crixus is briefly reunited with Naevia, but they are overcome by soldiers. Crixus battles the soldiers so Naevia and the rebels can escape; Ashur delivers a blow to Crixus' head that causes Crixus to fall unconscious. 2.04 Empty Hands - Very few escape the rescue mission from the Mines alive. Spartacus will suffer to leave no one behind even if it means the death of them all. The Romans lead by Glaber's Tribune Marcus are in hot pursuit, assisted by Ashur. Crixus and two others are reunited with Oenomaus at the villa, where treachery abounds. Glaber must ease the insult he gave to Varinius a fellow Praetor, Ilithyia suggests a party in his honor. Young Seppia seeks advice from Lucretia on seeking her future husband and sets her sights on Varinius, much to Ilithyia's envy. Ilithyia, angered by the neglect of Glaber, forms a plan to have her marriage dissolved and take Varinius as her new husband. Crixus and Oenomaus are spared from death and another suffers torture at the hands of the party goers. Spartacus' numbers dwindle in the forest as they are killed one by one by the pursuing Romans. By the final fight only Spartacus, Mira, Naevia and wounded Nasir are left alive. Spartacus wounds Marcus and Ashur takes Marcus further into the forest and finishes him off before Marcus can alert the remaining soldiers of their position. Ilithyia outshines young Seppia and brokers a deal with Varinius for marriage if Albinius (Ilithyia's father) dissolves her marriage. Ilithya seeks out her father among the party only to find him in bed with Lucretia. Ilithyia attacks Lucretia, but Lucretia reveals she did it only to heal past wrongs she had done to Ilithyia and help her seek her future as Varinius' wife. Spartacus and Mira now stand as one as they see a horde of strangers approach in the sun's early light, only to find it is Agron and the rest of the Rebels come to aid them. 2.05 Libertus - A plan is hatched and brothers are reunited upon the sands in this episode. Spartacus meets Lucius, a Roman disillusioned with Rome because of the civil war Sulla waged years ago. Lucius gives shelter and information to the Rebels, mainly that the rumors that abound are that Spartacus and the Rebels are finished and all but slaughtered. Spartacus unwilling to forsake Crixus and wanting to send a message to the Romans, hatches a daring plan of rescue, where they will take the arena in Capua. Gannicus returns to Capua to give Oenomaus a honorable death in the arena, but unaware Oenomaus knows the truth of Gannicus' affair with Melitta. Lucretia dissuades Ilithyia from aborting her child, though Ilithyia must be rid of the pregnancy if she will marry Varinius. Lucretia through Ashur reveals the abortion attempt to Glaber. Ilithyia admits upon confrontation that their love and marriage is over. When the primus fight starts Oenomaus viciously attacks Gannicus and Mira is set to purpose of bringing down the arena by fire. When the arena collapses Spartacus and Agron attack the remaining gladiators and guards and escape with Gannicus, Crixus and Oenomaus, but not before Spartacus throws a spear directly at Glaber and nicks his cheek. Glaber the last to leave the pulvenus comes upon Albinius (Ilithyia's father) trapped beneath a fallen beam, but he does not save his father-in-law, but repeatedly crushes his skull. Glaber finds Ilithyia and tells her her father was killed by Spartacus and that they will remain married. 2.06 Chosen Path - With the injured Oenomaus and Crixus rescued, the group returns to the fallen temple. Glaber tests Ashur, and through the passing of this test Ashur's status and pride is elevated, filled with his own sense of self importance. Lucretia attempts to bring him to heel, but her efforts backfire as Ashur rapes Lucretia. Glaber, still angry and feeling the sting of betrayal, treats Ilithyia cruelly, in where she seeks comfort with Lucretia and schemes to win back Glaber's love. Glaber attempts to join forces with Seppius but is rebuffed yet again, resulting in the young Seppia being invited to the villa instead. Gannicus meanwhile scoffs at Spartacus and the rebels, feeling that they are fighting for a lost cause. Naevia, being haunted by her ordeal, is unable to show her love physically to Crixus, while he is unable to forgive Agron for lying about Naevia's death. Spartacus attempts to enlist Gannicus to the cause but Gannicus remains unconvinced. Lucius, the disillusioned Roman, seeks to aid in training the rebels who were once house slaves. Chadara would rather seek her place in the bed of another gladiator but is rebuffed. Ashur is sent to recruit the most violent of former gladiators for Glaber's new plan. Oenomaus awakens and tells Gannicus that they were once brothers and the betrayal with Melitta is not easily forgotten or forgiven. The map on which Spartacus and Agron make their plans vanishes along with the last bit of money the rebels have. Gannicus is accused and a fight ensues between the former champions of Batiatus. The fight comes to a draw as Mira draws an arrow from her bow and shoots down Chadara who was attempting to flee with map and missing coins in hand. Gannicus also takes his leave. Seppia, after some coaxing from Ilithyia, Lucretia and Glaber, agrees to speak with her brother. But to no avail, Glaber has already moved against Seppius with Ashur's new recruits, and slaughters Seppius' and every other living being in the villa. Glaber takes his time delivering the final death blow to Seppius himself by stepping on his windpipe. Ashur then picks up Seppius' gold twin snake armlet with the intent on keeping it and the camera focuses on Seppius' dead body. 2.07 Sacramentum - In the port city of Neapolis, Spartacus, Agron, and Lucius pose as rich Romans interested in buying a new shipment of slaves, all of whom hail from the Germanic tribes of the north. The quest complicated when Agron speaks to the slaves in their mother tongue and is overheard by a guard who also shares their tongue, but the operation succeeds nonetheless and the rebel army swells with Agron's distant kin. This alarms Crixus and Lucius given the possibility that these new recruits may not follow Spartacus' orders in favor of Agron. Meanwhile in Capua, Glaber enlists the former mercenary band that belonged to young Seppius, and they pledge the Sacramentum to Glaber and to Rome. After having sex with her again, Ashur believes Lucretia is beginning to have feelings for him, and he presents her with a red wig like she used to wear as a symbol of her belonging to him. Ganniucus, prompted by Ashur, goes to the villa for an audience with Glaber, where he offers Gannicus the chance to be a beacon of hope, the front man to his army. Glaber also returns Gannicus' rudis. Ilithyia, growing ever more desparate that Glaber will never forgive her, wishes she were dead. Lucretia however comes up with a plan for Ilithyia to break free of Glaber's hatred and vengeful attitude and go home to Rome. The plan involves Lucretia fooling Glaber into thinking Ilithyia needs to go to Rome in order for the gods to bless their unborn child. After a failed attempt to bond with the new recruits on a hunting trip, which turns into highway robbery as the new recruits accost a wagon on the road, Spartacus, Crixus, and Lucius wonder whether Agron's loyalty lies with his kinsmen or with Spartacus. A great feast turns into a bloody battle after Seddulus, the biggest of all the new recruits tries to rape Naevia, after which Naevia stabs him and calls for help. Agron decides this has gone too far and helps Crixus and Spartacus control the German. Spartacus, asserting his authority as leader, fights Seddulus and brutally kills him. After witnessing the gruesome scene, Agron's tribesmen swear allegiance to Spartacus. Lucretia and Gannicus meet in the market, where Ganncius mourns for his friend from the brothel who is now crucified for merely whispering about Spartacus' fight for freedom for all. Lucretia tempts Gannicus with a plan to kill Glaber and end this conflict. Ilithyia is packed off to Rome, but not before Lucretia reveals the plan to her. Ilithyia kisses Glaber goodbye. No more than a few hours in her absence Glaber has sex with Seppia, when unfortunate news reaches him that Ilithyia's wagon was viciously attacked on the road to Rome. All that is in the wagon is one of Ashur's henchmen with Gannicus' rudis sticking out of his neck. Ashur states Gannicus has made his choice. 2.08 Balance - Gannicus leads Ilithyia to the rebel camp. Ilithyia, pleading for her life and the life of her unborn child, reveals to Spartacus that the child she carries is not Glaber's, but his own child, conceived the night that Lucretia tricked her into laying with Spartacus. Ilithyia tries to convince Lucius to send word to Capua of her whereabouts, however, Spartacus enlists him to deliver a message to Glaber. Mira attempts to save Spartacus the burden of killing Ilithyia, but is stopped short by Spartacus. Glaber and Ashur scour the town for clues about where Gannicus has taken Ilithyia, laying waste to every brothel, Ashur collecting goods from every corpse. Lucretia tries to bring to bare with Seppia but gets nowhere, and turning to Ashur for help she also gets nowhere. But Lucretia notices that among Ashur's horde of jewels and gold is dead Seppius' gold twin snake armlet. About to confront Seppia with the news of Glaber being responsible for her brother's death, they are interrupted by Lucius and his message from Spartacus. The message is that in exchange for a wagon filled with arms and armor, the Rebels will release Ilithyia. Glaber appears to agree to the terms. At the agreed time and place, Glaber meets Spartacus with the the wagon. After a heated exchange by hero and villian, treachery is revealed and the wagon is filled with Ashur and his mercenary band, and a full-out battle occurs. Glaber returns without Ilithyia. Lucretia finally reveals the depth of Glaber's vengeance and murderous deeds to Seppia. Spartacus releases Ilithyia in the woods after revealing to her that Glaber had no intent on saving her. 2.09 Monsters - Spartacus finds anger, resentment and mistrust in his ranks and must see old wounds healed if the Rebels are to stand against the might of Rome. Ilithyia returns home to find Seppia (although unwilling) in the arms of Glaber. From Ilithyia's information on the Rebels' location, Ashur pinpoints the site of their temple base, and as reward he is promised freedom after the defeat of Spartacus. Ilithyia and Glaber also have a heart to heart, and Ilithyia finds Glaber not moved from her miraculous survival. However, Lucretia is quite happy and tells Ilithyia of the latest happenings and of Glaber's murder of Seppius, and Ilithyia and Lucretia set young Seppia on a path of vengeance. Rounds of friendly bouts to end current grievances are set up by Spartacus, as old insults and past wrongs are put right in these friendly battles. Ashur reveals to Lucretia that as well as freedom, Glaber will give Ashur the ludus and his blessing of marriage with Lucretia if Spartacus falls in the upcoming battle. Lucretia is quite dismayed at the loss of her husband's legacy. Varinius returns to Capua (at the secret bidding of Seppia) with directions from the Senate that Glaber is to leave Capua and return to Rome. Varinius is rebuffed by Glaber, and warns of further ruin if Glaber does not obey. Varinius is angered at Seppia's lack of strong evidence of Glaber's wrongdoings and murderous deeds. Lucretia gives a final pep talk to convince Seppia to make attempt on Glaber's life. At the final moment before Seppia's dagger is thrust into Glaber, Ilithyia, from behind, grabs Seppia's dagger, stabs Seppia in her heart and proceeds to violently slit her throat. Glaber and Ilithyia come to a mutual understanding about their marriage, as Ilithyia fuels passion with ambitious talk of power that they both must seek to acquire. The attack on the temple goes forward, Varinius' and Glaber's forces in attendance. Spartacus and Gannicus capture Varinius in the first assault, catching him unaware in the forest. In the temple forecourt, whoever mostly remained of Varinius' frontal assault lay dead, but then huge fire projectiles are hurled into the temple. Varinius is hit by a projectile and is presumably killed. Glaber, his men and Ashur storm the temple. Overrun, Spartacus and the rebels use their escape tunnels to leave, but not before Oenomaus loses his left eye while fighting the Egyptian mercenary and losses of at least half of the Rebels. Cutting Glaber off from pursuit, the Rebels exit the tunnels only to have their retreat cut off by the rest of Glaber's forces. With no other path that does not lead to certain death, the Rebels take to the steep mountain paths of Mt. Vesuvius. Glaber halts further pursuit and decides to besiege the mountain, hoping to force the rebels to come out in the open, driven by hunger and thirst. Glaber states that Spartacus and his followers will die. 2.10 Wrath of the Gods - Spartacus and most of his followers stand on the mountain paths of Mt. Vesuvius pondering their next move. Some of his followers attempt to ambush several Roman soldiers guarding the mountain, including Ashur and the the Egyptian mercenary. The ambush fails but some of the rebels, led by Spartacus, arrive to save their companions and a battle breaks out. Mira is killed by an ax meant for Spartacus. Meanwhile, Lucretia and a pregnant Ilithyia travel to Mt. Vesuvius. Ilithyia has a conversation with Glaber that convinces Glaber Ashur was working with Sepia to kill him, and Glaber asks Ilithyia to murder Lucretia. Glaber bribes Ashur's soldiers to betray Ashur and then forces him to go on a suicide mission to prove himself, confronting Spartacus and his followers alone and bargaining for their surrender. Ashur's offer is declined when he reveals that Spartacus will be killed upon surrender and his followers would once again become slaves. Ashur begins to depart when Crixus suggests that they execute him. Spartacus agrees with this and Naevia convinces Crixus to allow her to fight him. After a protracted duel, Naevia decapitates Ashur. Spartacus comes up with a plan to ambush the Roman encampment. They weave rappelling vines and Spartacus, Agron, Crixus, and Gannicus descend down the mountain behind the Roman guards. At the bottom of their descent they take control of the siege weapons to set fire to to the camp and leave the legion in disarray. The rest of the rebels join in the battle, attacking from the side. Meanwhile, as Ilithyia is about to push Lucretia from the ludus' balcony when her waters break. Lucretia takes Illithyia's new born son after killing her slaves. Lucretia commits suicide by jumping off the ludus' cliff with the baby in her hands. Ilithyia, witnessing all this, collapses and dies. The battle between Glaber's forces and the rebels rages on and Oenomaus and Gannicus battle the Egyptian gladiator. Oenomaus is fatally wounded and dies in Gannicus arms and Gannicus kills the Egyptian mercenary. Spartacus has a sword fight with Glaber and eventually kills him, but not before Glaber boasts that his death will bring legions of Roman soldiers. The surviving rebels celebrate their victory. ------------------------------Cast Notes: Manu Bennett (Crixus [23 episodes, 2010-2012]), Lucy Lawless (Lucretia [23 episodes, 2010-2012]), Peter Mensah (Doctore [22 episodes, 2010-2012]), Nick Tarabay (Ashur [21 episodes, 2010-2012]), Viva Bianca (Ilithyia [21 episodes, 2010-2012]), Daniel Feuerriegel (Agron [16 episodes, 2010-2012]), Katrina Law (Mira [15 episodes, 2010-2012]), Barry Duffield (Lugo [14 episodes, 2012-2013]), Andy Whitfield (Spartacus [13 episodes, 2010]), John Hannah (Batiatus [13 episodes, 2010]), Craig Parker (Glaber [13 episodes, 2010-2012]), Lesley-Ann Brandt (Naevia [11 episodes, 2010]), Liam McIntyre (Spartacus [10 episodes, 2012]), Jai Courtney (Varro [10 episodes, 2010]), Heath Jones (Donar [10 episodes, 2012]), Ioane King (Rhaskos [10 episodes, 2010-2012]).IMDb Rating (09/17/12): 8.7/10 from 71,905 users
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