Delicate Things

With each new episode I fall further into an addiction for this show. Wow what an ending to episode 6! So many questions to answer in the next 7 episodes.

As I started to watch "Delicate Things" Episode 1.6, I actually said to myself, could they possibly do better then the last three episodes, especially the end of episode 5. The answer is a resounding ... YES!

At the beginning we see that Spartacus (I have forgotten his "real" name) has a plan as it is visually shown to us, the audience. As time passed and the plan was altered here and there and we watch as Spartacus makes the necessary arrangements, I began to worry how the plan would actually be executed. I wondered if Spartacus would get injured and be punished which would be bad for him and Sura. To my surprise, the episode ended in a way I had not imagined and it was far better than I had imagined.

What will Spartacus do now? I guess we will have to wait and see.

Waiting a week to find out is killing me and that is something that most shows have not been able to do.

BRAVO!

In my The Thing in the Pit episode review I wrote about how talented the Dream Team behind the show is. Now that I've seen Delicate Things I consider its members are superheroes. Stephen S. DeKnight can be proud of his bloody creature. Tracy Bellomo and Andrew Chambliss wrote the episode story following his head and they did a tremendous job. After The Thing in the Pit and Shadow Games I was hoping for something more mentally challenging. The least I can say is that they really delivered and even surpassed my highest expectations. The twisted events kept surprising me and the tension gradually increased until the finale climax. In fact the story was so unpredictable and excessive that it even made me chill. One minute my heart was beating fast like if it was about to enter the arena, the next it was cooling off in a fresh pool of water. But in your mind it should rain the whole time. But are the almighty drops red or blue ?

Indeed Spartacus monumental victory in the arena was both a blessing and curse. What else could you expect in a tainted world ? He dreams of reuniting with his enslaved wife when others worship the Seven Deadly Sins. So when Batiatus, Lucretia and the usual suspects celebrated their fresh wealth in lusty and exuberant ways, the new Legend of Capua had high hopes to finally hold Sura in his strong arms. But does succeeding in the arena can grant you such a wish ? How can you please the Gods when you don't even believe in them ? And can you avoid a dream to turn into a nightmare ? These are complex questions our hero had to answer but it's definitely harder when you're not as literate and smart as a boy born under a lucky star. Such an issue leaded to the most unanticipated emotion, fun. The gladiator's daydreams used to picture his dialogs with Varro, whom calm profile perfectly balances his best friend one, were just so naive that you could only laugh at them. They were of the same calibre as the others but between two bloody squirts I understood that the writers were mocking the valiant within, madly in love and probably just too exhausted and damaged to think clearly. They just lack discipline, it's probably what the wise Doctore would say.

But around these irresistible moments revolved numerous elements that made Delicate Things a home run. First sexual intercourses were mixed with the story. They even brought some depth to the scenes and some of them even reminded me of plays. Sure the very first one mostly served to nourish the audience fantasy but at least it succeeded in distracting me enough to not pay attention to what the characters involved were saying. And it's exactly the excuse I needed to watch it all over again to make sure I didn't miss a major line. It didn't happen but at least it allowed me to catch a sneaking tit who was apparently trying to escape his mistress and gain its freedom. Was it a tiny gladiator or was I just hallucinating ? It leads us to Barca, "the Beast of Carthage", who also benefited from Spartacus victory as he bet on the right horse, contrary to the crippled and manipulative Ashur. As a fanatic of puzzles and brain teasers I found their arc mind blowing. It was brilliantly written and full of hammering rebounds. They sort of played with the metaphoric boomerangs I mentioned in my Shadow Games review but now I realize that I forgot to warn them that they were actually sharp-edged steel weapons. Only Sura's underwear ribbon could have protected them so don't think for a second that the writers spared their miserable existence. They're just slaves after all and it only made their story even more captivating and emotional.

Last but not least the episode wouldn't have been so excellent without a man, Rick Jacobson. His direction was very skillful, as much as in The Red Serpent and Sacramentum Gladiatorum. Of course we could still complain about the lack of creativity in the editing, specially compared to the pilot and Legends, but such a minor issue can't overshadow the fact that Delicate Things was just overwhelming.

"Spartacus: Blood and Sand" S1 E6 delivers a powerful and emotionally charged episode that marks a turning point in Spartacus's journey. While the action takes a backseat, the episode delves deeper into the characters' emotional complexities and sets the stage for a dramatic shift in the narrative.

The episode focuses on the arrival of Sura, Spartacus's beloved wife, at the ludus. Their reunion is bittersweet, filled with both joy and the harsh reality of their captivity. The episode beautifully portrays their love and devotion, offering a glimpse of the life they once shared and the hope they cling to for a future together.

However, tragedy strikes, and the episode takes a devastating turn that will leave viewers heartbroken. This pivotal moment fuels Spartacus's rage and sets him on a path of vengeance against those who have wronged him.

The performances in this episode are exceptional, with Andy Whitfield and Erin Cummings delivering powerful portrayals of Spartacus and Sura. The supporting cast also shines, with John Hannah and Lucy Lawless continuing to captivate as Batiatus and Lucretia.

While "Delicate Things" is a more emotionally driven episode than previous installments, it maintains the series' signature intensity and visual flair. The episode's ending leaves you reeling, with a cliffhanger that sets the stage for a dramatic shift in the narrative and Spartacus's ultimate quest for freedom.