Spartacus Really Did “Kill Them All!”

Spartacus

What an episode! I was blown away, horrified, speechless! It was a jolly good time. I knew sooner or later Mira would get what she wanted. Boy can she haggle. She came through though. Everyone either got what they wanted or deserved in the end (by Roman standards, at least!). The only thing I had issue with was how Crixus dealt with Lucretia. I think a sword to the heart would have been in better taste, but, that last sword thrust was the horror and violence and depraved, decrepit, corrupt cesspool that was ancient Rome. Oh yes, this episode erupted in utter lawlessness.

I will miss Lucy Lawless and John Hannah. They were sublime in their roles.

Batiatus

Lucretia

Two people I will enjoy seeing again are Ashur (oh, and I am ashamed to say I did feel a moment’s pity for him) and Ilithyia. I knew she was going to murder Lucretia. The question was when and how.

Ilithyia

Both Ashur and Ilithyia are just so deliciously evil! They are fitting and quite formidable nemeses for Spartacus.

Ashur

They are both vicious and dangerous serpents. So very devious! Next season should be delicious.

I did chuckle a little at the spoiled whelp Numerius being bespelled to his death by Aurelia. His adolescent inexperience with women was his downfall. Wasn’t he surprised that the sweet little slave girl went ballistic on him. (Oh, this show has made me bloodthirsty! I’m wincing!) She just lost it! And where does this leave Doctore? Just when things were looking up, he’s out of a job and any promises made to him are null and void. He better watch out for Ashur who we know will land on his feet.

Doctore

Spartacus’ final words to Batiatus was whip topping on the whole thing. The tension has been building and leading to this ultimate showdown (and there were quite a few worthy ones in the finale!) all season, that when it finally arrived, it was like Zeus passing horrible judgment — fitting, terrifying and final. The death tableau of Batiatus and Lucretia being denied each other was masterful. So poetic. Batiatus definitely had no doubt Spartacus would have no mercy. He felt what Spartacus felt. The coup de grace was Batiatus never having the chance to hold his own wife in his arms as she died, or one last time before his own death. This meeting of justice was the cherry on top. But was it vengeance? Or was it revenge?

Spartacus

Spartacus’ final speech to the slaves and gladiators made it very clear that Spartacus believed firmly it was justice. Justified vengeance sure and true. Lo to any and all who who stood in that villa that represented what Spartacus hated most.  An eye for an eye. Ruthless. No mercy. And we see it again and again throughout history. Men oppressed will give everything for freedom.

Crixus

Spartacus, Crixus and their staunch and determined group of slaves put an end to decadence, oppression and death at the careless whims of the corrupt elite. In the eyes of Spartacus, his cause was just.

To me, the tantalizing part of this whole season is that Spartacus’ justice was mingled with hate and rage and twisted by grief. I’m sure at times he was a little unhinged. (But I’m sure there are many who would go crazy living within the brutality of the ludus.) Spartacus would have his vengeance no matter the cost. His vengeance and revenge was all finely coalesced  and merged, flowing together like the water and the blood in the pools of the villa, until I couldn’t see where one ended and the other began. One thing was for certain, I could well imagine the sick feeling winding low and gripping the stomachs of the Roman aristocracy unfortunate enough to be trapped in the house of Batiatus. I was trembling in fear alright.

Spartacus Blood and Sand

Spartacus really did kill them all. Bring on Season 2.

~P.S.~ We do wish Andy Whitfield a full recovery. Get well and stay strong.

*All images via Starz Entertainment and Ausxip.com.*