Quick Take: Spartacus, "Mark of the Brotherhood"
"And one day the game will end." – Crixus
Review: Spartacus, "Mark of the Brotherhood"
(S0108) In "Mark of the Brotherhood," we see Spartacus (Andy Whitfield) embracing the grim glories of the arena, his past and Thrace fading from his memories. Meanwhile Batiatus (John Hannah) is getting just a little bit cocky off of Spartacus' victories, no? Well, perhaps a lot cocky. You'd think that he's bound to have a comeuppance headed his way soon enough. For as he says, Fortuna turns quickly, or something to that effect.
We see a new group of slaves brought into the gladiator school, snatched up at auction with Batiatus' newfound wealth. It's fun to see the introduction of new slave/recruits to the school's "sacred ground" now that Spartacus is a veteran and even a legend amongst the men he had defied and was nearly disposed of earlier in the season. We Batiatus' speech from the perspective of those who have heard it many times, including Varro (Jai Courtney), and the terminally bored pairing of Lucretia (Lucy Lawless, waiting for her boy toy/slave Crixus to get back to full health) and Ilihyia (Viva Bianca).
Ilihyia is so bored, in fact, that she is lured into buying her very own gladiator from the new recruits, one with, um, impressive proportions. This bit I'd think will turn up later as a major plot point. As will Spartacus' "power move" on Crixus (Manu Bennett), putting him in his place as the former champion of Capua.
The power move leads to a showdown between Spartacus and Crixus that has been building all season, and the scene and action is one of the best of the series thus far. Student has become master, and is not at all shy about putting the once invincible champion of Capua in his place.
Another case of playing too cocky? It remains to be seen. In the end, an equilibrium of sorts is established after an ill fated scheme to assassinate Spartacus fails. Crixus plays a vital role in keeping Spartacus breathing (in a scene very reminiscent to the bath house scene in Eastern Promises). He respects the code of the gladiator brotherhood; that cannot be denied.
But will he respect Spartacus' role as champion? With Batiatus pushed close to selling Crixus off, and two ladies of the house in love with him, the intrigue at the gladiator school is sure to continue.
Video: Spartacus, "Mark of the Brotherhood"
Meet Crixus:
Recap: Spartacus, "Mark of the Brotherhood"
Batiatus purchases a fresh batch of slaves during an auction to be trained as gladiators and ponders the idea of selling Crixus.
From Around the Web: "Mark of the Brotherhood"
