Spartacus: Gods of the Arena "Beneath the Mask" Review

I've always been of the opinion that you want to be known to have the best orgies on your block. Unless of course Tullius lives on your block. That guy can be a real buzz kill when it comes to a good Roman orgy.

Word has spread quick of the carnal wonders in the house of Batiatus. However, this is a two-edged sword. When high ranking citizen, Petronius comes calling for his taste of pleasure, Lucretia, Quintus and especially Gaia see this as an opportunity to gain favor for the house of Batiatus. Yet to gain this favor the house must sink to despicable depths below respectable society. Quintus and Lucretia ever the social climbers quickly hatch a plan to get Titus out of the house so a party in the honor of Petronius may be thrown.

Under the auspices of buying new gladiator candidates Quintus convinces his father to travel with him to the shore. Here they continue to hash out their issues with one another. It's obvious Titus doesn't trust his son's ability to be the head of the House bearing his name. While Quintus harbors resentment for his fathers meddling ways.

Early in the episode Malitta convinces her husband Oenomaus to embrace his new role as Doctore even if it means striking down his best friend Gannicus. The same Gannicus who was forced to have sex with Malitta and now that he's had a taste can't get her off his mind.

Gannicus is such a filthy piece of garbage. He refuses to train hard because he's been removed from the upcoming games and shows a complete lack of respect for his new Doctore. Now he is aggressively pursuing his best friend and Doctore's wife. I'm very much looking forward to this showdown. I'm pretty sure the steely, unforgiving Doctore we saw in Blood and Sand is born from what happens between he and Gannicus.

Ashur is another piece of work all together. In his first trip into the arena his partner has to save his ass. Yet he boasts as if the victory was all his. We already knew what a weasel he was from Blood and Sand. Now we get to see how he found in way to the ear of Batiatus. The move he pulls at the orgy on his friend is unforgivable in most circles.

At the orgy, things go perfectly for the Lucretia and company until and unwelcome guest in Tullius shows up. In true douche bag fashion he forces Gannicus to spar with him then celebrates his victory when the gladiator begrudgingly allows him to win. I've seen how Batiatus deals with his enemies before and I can't wait to see what happens to this particularly loathe some individual. Especially, considering what he does to close the episode.

Gaia volunteers to woo and please Tullius for the betterment of Batiatus. Things do not go as she planned. Once all the guests have gone and Tullius spy on the inside, Solonius has departed, Tullius appears to Lucretia. He tells her he's left a message for her husband with Gaia. Lucretia soon finds her friend brutally beaten to death in her bedroom. Now I don't care what other crappy thing Tullius has done up until this point but taking Jaime Murray from me is unforgivable. Dexter Morgan is the only person who I feel justifiably took her away from me. However, that was at the end of a season and she kind of had it coming. I think Lucretia is the only person as pissed off as me right now. As she told Titus while he was planning a cover up for Gaia's death "I'll have vengeance." Hell yeah you will.

So what do we have to look forward to in the last two episodes? Crixus was MIA for most of this episode so he will have to play a major part in the final episodes. The Gannicus/Malitta/Doctore showdown promises to intriguing. The last days of Tullius will not only be compelling but something to relish.

As a side note, can we talk about the beautiful mane Solonius is sporting? Fabulous doesn't come close to doing it justice. The immaculate curls in the back combined with expertly sculpted front and sides make it one of my favorite things on the show.