TV Review: SPARTACUS: VENGEANCE: Season 2, Episode 1: Fugitivus

Spartacus Vengeance Season 2 Episode 1 Fugitivus Review. Spartacus: Vengeance: Season 2, Episode 1: Fugitivus on the surface is everything the first season of Spartacus: Blood and Sand was and then some. Underneath the surface, the show has rebooted in a way. Audiences have to get to know the new lead for the show all over again. What made Spartacus: Blood and Sand great is that the lead was realistic, sad, and sympathetic. How Liam McIntyre will portray Spartacus remains to be seen in later episodes but in Fugitivus he has started out on the dramatic and emotional right foot.

The same emotions that would have been in Andy Whitfield‘s eyes during this season are in Liam McIntyre’s eyes, especially when Claudius Glaber (Craig Parker) and Lucretia re-emerge in Capua. Lucretia (Lucy Lawless)’s life continuing after the stabbing in Spartacus: Blood and Sand: Kill Them All was ruined countless times in the promotional materials for this season so her first appearance lacked the dramatic punch of her others scenes in the episode. Lucretia entrance in Capua square scene is probably one of the best shot and movie-grade of the episode and the series. Director Michael Hurst should take a bow.

Another great dramatic moment in the episode was Aurelia (Brooke Williams)’s death scene: Powerful, bloody, and morose. What she said about Spartacus right before her death makes the viewer look at him in a different way.

Within the physical confrontations in the episode, the Claudius Glaber, Spartacus dual was the most surprising. The viewer could see the rage rise and burst in Spartacus as it does in a similar way during Aurelia’s death. With Spartacus’ experience level from the arena, the viewer would think Claudius Glaber would be quickly overcome by Spartacus but that was not the case. Claudius Glaber held his own, as his centurions backed away for the one-on-one confrontation. It would seem he is no  neophyte with a Gladius.

The former Doctore (Peter Mensah) during this episode showed why he was once champion of Batiatus’ ludus and seems intent on punishing himself for not doing more during the intentional uprising in Spartacus: Blood and Sand: Kill Them All.

Fugitivus was a great start to this season of Spartacus: Vengeance. You can watch this episode of Spartacus here: Watch: Spartacus: Vengeance: Season 2, Episode 1: Fugitivus. For more Spartacus: Vengeance photos, videos, and information, visit our Spartacus: Blood and Sand Page.