And one day the game will end. – Crixus
Spartacus Season 1 Rankings: where did “Mark of the Brotherhood” rank?
Spartacus’ “Mark of the Brotherhood” came in as the #7 ranked episode of Spartacus’ 13 Season 1 episodes! Find more Spartacus rankings here.
Here’s why “Mark of the Brotherhood” was ranked as the #7 episode of 13 Spartacus Season 1 episodes.
CATEGORY – TV
SHOW – Spartacus
NETWORK/STREAMING SERVICE – Starz
GENRE – Drama, Period Show, Historical Epic, Swords & Sandals
EPISODE – “Mark of the Brotherhood”
BEING RANKED FOR – Spartacus Season 1
RANK – #7 of Spartacus’ 13 Season 1 episodes
Spartacus, “Kill Them All” (S0108) review
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.
This review originally appeared on TV Geek Army.
Spartacus, “Mark of the Brotherhood”: episode and cast info
Air date – March 12, 2010
Spartacus creator – Steven S. DeKnight
Directed by – Rowan Woods
Writing credits – Steven S. DeKnight, Miranda Kwok, Todd Helbing, Aaron Helbing
Cast
Andy Whitfield – Spartacus
John Hannah – Batiatus
Peter Mensah – Doctore
Manu Bennett – Crixus
Erin Cummings – Sura
Nick E. Tarabay – Ashur
Lucy Lawless – Lucretia
Jai Courtney – Varro
Antonio Te Maioha – Barca
Lesley-Ann Brandt – Naevia
Eka Darville – Pietros
John Bach – Magistrate Calavius
Lliam Powell – Numerius
Mark Mitchinson – Aulus
Matt Gillanders – Marcellus