Spartacus - Vengeance [DVD]

*Minor Spoilers*

Vengeance picks up where Blood and sand left off, Spartacus continues his quest to recruit more slaves to his cause as Glaber returns to crush the building rebellion. Season 2 gets off to a bit of a shaky start picking up the ending of Blood and Sand two years later with a new lead actor and no defined antagonist.

Liam Mcintyre takes up the title role after the tragic death of actor Andy Whitfield. Comparison is inevitable with big shoes to fill, thankfully Mcintyre continues to get better and better as the season progresses, the first few episodes a trial by fire in which he seems somewhat uncomfortable but by the middle of season he seems to find his footing and by the end he is Spartacus.

I had my doubts that season 2's villain of the piece Glaber, played by Craig Parker, would be able to hold his own after John Hannah's utterly brilliant rendition of Ludus owner Batiatus, and while the first few episodes set him and his ambitions up he continually develops to be more ruthless and cunning becoming a worthy rival for Spartacus.

Indeed the first four episodes of season 2 are a little directionless with Spartacus running around getting into fights and freeing slaves however episode 5 lights the match on this season, Liam's performance has become more assured, Glaber shows his true colours, a truly explosive action sequence and the return of Gannicus. From then on the seasons steps up and becomes a relentless ride to the finish.

It's still nice to see a step back from the action at times for some quieter moments as Gannicus tries to heal his broken friendship with Oenomaus; Crixus tries to help a damaged Naevia reassert herself as well as the developing relationship between Spartacus and Mira. There is of course still the political intrigue and manoeuvring back at the Ludus as Lucretia, Ashur and Ilithya dance around one another with there various schemes.

The theme of vengeance is obviously a very prominent one this season, more importantly the price of that vengeance, as Ilithya is delivered to Spartacus he weighs the price of taking her life, an eye for an eye or becoming the man he despises? In between the bouts of violence it's good to see some solid storytelling there.

I know some fans tune in for the action and sex scenes more than anything, which are still there in spades, as graphic as you remember them, they should be more than appeased by the body count.

And the final episode, provides an action spectacle like no other, also a shocking number of character deaths as well which will leave fans taken aback at the seriously culled cast, it's certainly up there with the viscerally thrilling season 1 finale 'Kill them all' and wraps up a lot of stories that have been hanging around since day 1.

So after a little shaky start, which is to be excepted, vengeance and it's lead find their footing to deliver a solid second season that fans will enjoy and as the credits roll leave them waiting breathlessly for season 3.

After the brilliance of Blood and Sand, this series had an awful lot to aspire towards.

That was only exacerbated by Gods of the Arena, which is arguably even better than the original series. We were treated to the rise of Batiatus of Crixus, introduced to Gannicus and witnessed more blood and sex than ever before.

The sad news that Andy Whitfield was fighting a losing battle with cancer meant the role was passed on to Liam McIntyre. Big boots to fill - the role of Spartacus suited Andy to the core, and he brought a sophisticated mixture of fierceness, wit and muscle to the character.

At first I was sceptical about McIntyre. In comparison to Whitfield, who is fairly softly-spoken and kind-faced (which creates a great juxtaposition between the man and the warrior), McIntyre's facial expression is often one of seething rage; teeth gritted and brow furrowed. He is also quite noticeably less 'built' then his predecessor. The acting was a little wooden at first, as if he was completely overawed by the magnitude of the role and the calibre of actors surrounding him.

Yet he soon grew into the role. To say he has done justice to Whitfield's Spartacus would be an apt commendation, yet it would also be harsh on McIntyre. To put it bluntly; he comes good by the end of the series. You are made to feel Spartacus' pain, and eventually you find yourself emitting a sigh of relief as he finds his own peace. The moment of deliverance in the season finale is outstanding; easily the best scene from any of the three seasons. Recall season one, where Glaber noticed that the Thracian had 'learnt his place' before him, on his knees? The roles are reversed here as Spartacus enjoys the moment. A man who has for so long felt the emotional scars of his wife's abduction and then murder enacts his revenge, and you feel as if you yourself have scored a victory over those bastard Romans.

McIntyre, as I have said, comes good - but let's not overlook the contributions of others. Manu Bennett is once again brilliant as Crixus. The cold-eyed, harshly-spoken Gaul of Blood and Sand retains the same grit and aggression we would come to expect, yet with the rescue of Nevia he develops a softer side, and the audience becomes to accept him not just as a gladiator, but as a human being. Dustin Clare's inclusion was an excellent move by the producers; Gannicus became a fan favourite, and his relationship with Oenameus (played excellently by Peter Mensah) is a central part of the later episodes in regards to Gannicus' sexual relationship with Mileta, Oenameus' wife from Gods of the Arena.

This sub-plot brings an additional meaning to the concept of 'Vengeance' - yet it is forgiveness that is ultimately employed on this occasion. Again, do not think it is just Spartacus' ongoing feud with Praetor Glaber that is referred to by the show's title. Nick E. Tarabay returns as the scheming Syrian Ashur, and the wrongdoings he did upon Crixus and Naevia in the first season plays a significant role as he assumes a position as Glaber's right-hand.

Lucy Lawless also returns as Lucretia; a superb decision by the producers. Though we thought her dead alongside her husband, Batiatus, Lucretia is revealed to have survived the gladiator rebellion in the Batiatus household. Though her position as a prophetess becomes a little tedious at points, Lawless is flawless (pardon the pun) in the role, and she too has her own score to settle with Glaber and his wife Ilithiya.

Though one assumes this series is solely about Spartacus, the magnificent acting ensemble surrounding McIntyre makes for splendid viewing. We are introduced to new characters - and new gladiators! - and older characters given only a bit-part role in the original series (such as the stunningly-beautiful Katrina Law, who plays Mira, as well as Aggron, who has a romantic relationship with another new character, Nicea) are able to come to the fore. What the producers have done is keep the show fresh at the same time as focusing on the same central characters: Spartacus, Glaber, Lucretia, Crixus, Neavia and Ashur, and their roles in 'Vengeance'.

Starz had a difficult job to do in living up to Gods of the Arena and Blood and Sand, but they delivered with 'Vengeance'.

My only regret is that I have to wait another five months for the physical release.

Not as good as the first two series, but has enough sex and gore to keep fans entertained. The new Spartacus fits in OK, a few old charecters get killed off and there is a slight twist in the end laying the ground for a possible 4th series. All in all watchable and entertaining, though how to follow on inscale without lowering the standard and resorting to CGI battles is going to be a problem for the producers.