Season 2, Vengeance, picks up right where Blood and Sand left off, with Spartacus taking charge of his future and leading the surviving slaves and gladiators from the Roman villa where they were being kept captive.
Given the untimely death of Andy Whitfield, Liam McIntyre now dons the mantle of the warrior hero, and does an admirable job, even though it's very hard to shake the image of Whitfield from memory.
The rest of the cast is virtually unchanged, which greatly helps to smoothly carry the story forward, with the former slaves now fugitives and wanted by the Roman authorities, which did not take kindly to Spartacus & Co.'s act of rebellion.
Will they be able to escape the tightening grip of Glaber's forces? Will Spartacus finally satiate his desire to avenge his beloved wife?
The writing is in keeping with the previous season, as are the gore and the plentiful flesh on display. My only criticism is actually reserved for the visual effects. Perhaps due to the higher definition of the blu-ray discs, or perhaps to budgetary limitations, several climactic scenes end up generating more consternation and laughter than the desired shock and awe.
Grade - Season 2: 7
Unfortunately for them, however, Rome has plentiful resources to throw at them. Will it succeed in weakening their resolve to find freedom far from the Romans' grasp?
If you're still watching then you know what to expect: sex, violence, gore, and action galore.
I have to say that I was quite pleased with the way the show ended, especially given that Spartacus was an actual historical figure, which obviously constrains the freedoms the writers can take.
Overall a good and entertaining show, not for the squeamish or the faint of heart, whose only real flaw is, once again, in the subpar visual effects.
I'm glad I picked it back up.
Grade - Season 3: 7
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