I am writing this on cloud nine, I have literally not slept, filled with exhilaration from the Season three finale of Spartacus.

For three years I have followed the struggle of Spartacus with bated breath as he continues to defy the odds and beat the super power of Rome, freeing slaves and fighting against oppression. I have lived with characters such as Crixus (Mannu Bennet) and pondered (in-between episodes) what the “Syrian rat” Ashur (Nick Tarabay) will conspire next.

Sadly after the first dramatic series where Spartacus became champion of the arena and lead the rebellion against his ludus we learned that the man behind the character Andy Whitfield was diagnosed with Cancer, so the second series became a prequel giving him time to recover. This introduced characters such as Gannicus (Dustin Clare), a part expertly weaved into season three (the sequel).

Sadly Andy did not recover and passed away in 2011.

This the third series of the epic saw Spartacus (Now played by Liam McIntyre) continued from where he left off (in series one) on the run from Rome after massacring key members of the senate in their Ludus. Liam had big boots to fill and I initially took him as wooden, too much of a He-Man character! But as the plot thickened with old friends such as Doctore (Peter Mensah) returning to the scene you could see the soul of the brute that was so brilliantly portrayed by Andy Whitfield. Liam took Spartacus in a new direction and did a fantastic job, a believable leader that fought for honour, truth and freedom in a cruel tyrannical world.

Some would argue that a story line that continuously proves the might of Spartacus and his allies as they continue to defy all the odds in every episode would become tedious, but this is simply not the case, the ingenuity of the writers leave you with a cliff hanger every time, and then you spend the next week debating the possible outcomes. The point remains that Spartacus triumphs, the genius is in the how!

However, in this last episode of season three (aired April 2nd 2012) we find Spartacus evicted from his hide out by the force of Rome and trapped up a mountain, dramatically outnumbered, destined to starve to death or be killed by a legion lead by long-term rival Glaber (Craig Parker) who Spartacus blames for his wife’s death. This is the finale, the characters you loved and hated over the last three years will live or die tonight! Prepared emotionally and physically for the ordeal I turned on Sky One.

Would Spartacus defeat the might of Rome? – impossible! Will he die in glory with proud revenge of his wives death? Will they get close enough to Glaber to strike that final blow before the inevitable capture?
If you do not want to see the results watch the trailer below and then stop reading!

Needless to say Spartacus triumphed! Giving away the high ground with an elite force of four of his closest able men he took over the trebuchet’s used in the attack of his hide-out and turned them back on their makers, before attacking the army head on. Meanwhile his clan of former slaves and Gladiators come up from the rear and gain control. Vengeance is complete as Spartacus drills his sword through Glaber’s mouth! With the closing line “Now we build an Army”! The twist is…. the Saga continues! He lives!

The question now is will the series be as good with key people dead including Lucretia (Lucy Lawless) who committed suicide with Glabers new born baby in arm (suffering same fate) as a result of yet another twisted sub-plot that she was so vital to many of throughout the three series.

Great work to the entire cast and team, you did Andy Whitfield’s memory proud!

9/10

Can’t wait for season four!