The growing rift between Spartacus and Crixus has been a focus throughout War of the Damned and the pair finally part ways in this instalment. The rebel leader decides to flee with those that cannot fight and the undefeated Gaul opts to lead those that will follow him as he battles his way to Rome.
Some viewers may have expected the inevitable final split of Spartacus and Crixus to come with the same sort of physicality exhibited in their fist fight in last week’s episode. However, their realisation that being at odds with one another is what has brought them more victory than they could have imagined is so much more fitting. It all builds to the pivotal moment when Crixus, a man who truly believes in the idea of a glorious death, is robbed of one by the spear of Tiberius.
Foreshadowed earlier in the episode when Spartacus saves his comrade from a spear to the back, the demise of one of this show’s strongest and most memorable characters hits hard. ‘Separate Paths’ is full of instances reminding us of Manu Bennett’s hugely impressive talent, as the actor excels in intimate scenes with Naevia, his heartfelt farewell to Spartacus and his rousing speech to his army before they face Rome’s legions.
Watching beloved characters die is something Spartacus fans have become familiar with ever since the painful death of Varro back in Blood and Sand. Many of Spartacus’s most able warriors fall alongside Crixus and while their deaths may not be immediate or shown onscreen, it’s almost guaranteed that Agron and Naevia are also destined for the afterlife. As with Crixus, the man responsible for besting Agron in combat is Tiberius, the conniving son of Crassus has quickly become incredibly dangerous (and, probably, the most despised villain on the show).
It’s difficult to discuss this episode without talking about how Tiberius rapes Caesar in what is easily one of the most surprising events to ever occur on Spartacus. As soon as it happens it makes complete sense, though, because Caesar has constantly been attempting to overpower the boy despite not having the authority to do so.
Tiberius has already tried his hand at rape in earlier scenes with Kore and when he sees an opportunity to physically display his power over Caesar, he takes it. It’s also not difficult to see how an experience like this will shape the man that Julius Caesar will grow to be – it effectively sets up a comeuppance for the arrogant Tiberius that is bound to happen in the final two episodes.
The early scenes in ‘Separate Paths’ may be the last occasion on which viewers get to see things taken at a relatively leisurely pace. Time is taken to really give us a chance to appreciate characters and relationships before everything changes.
Numerous emotionally powerful interactions take place in the first half of the episode, whether it’s Agron telling Nasir that he’s leaving, Naevia and Crixus considering what their future holds or Crixus and Spartacus saying goodbye for the last time. From that point that Crixus leaves, there’s no going back. The pace speeds up very suddenly, showing the Gaul’s victories in a blood-soaked montage before arriving at a climatic confrontation with Crassus’s army.
The concluding image of Crixus being beheaded reflected in Naevia’s eye before it closes really is a thing of beauty. The camerawork on this series isn’t often recognised, but by so deeply committing to its uniquely stylised approach it is able to build to deeply resonant, stunning images like this one.
His death clearly proves that there really is no such thing as an honourable, glorious end but it is worth noting that Capua’s former champion remains undefeated in one-on-one combat right to his final breath.
Aired at 10pm on Monday 1 April on Sky1.
> Buy Spartacus: Vengeance on DVD on Amazon.
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