Ilithyia delivers dagger to Spartacus' heart this Friday

By April MacIntyre Mar 24, 2010, 14:39 GMT

Viva Bianca as Ilithyia, a cruel player courtesy of STARZ

On Starz' "Spartacus: Blood and Sand," the tale of our Thracian hero under the heel of Rome and Batiatus's sandal, you know all too well his suffering and patient wait for a chance, a moment, anything to return home a free man.  His old life he tries hard to not dream of, commanded to forget.

The inequities of life abound in this period of history; the women - even the nobility - are all still the chattel of men, fearful of their judgement and ire, their only survival skill their wiles and alliances.  The slave class merely are pieces of flesh commanded to do anything at their master's whim.  Their lives are but a bag of coin, including the venerated Gladiators.

This episode of Spartacus brings home these facts of life for the era as our favorite Gladiator tale Friday night unfolds the chapter called "party favors."

Varro, courtesy of STARZ

A young boy turns the milestone age of 15, and we find the wide-eyed Gladiator obsessed-lad being led by the nose.   On his 15th birthday, Numerius (Lliam Powell) is given a special present---control over Batiatus' gladiators as though the patrician teen was their master.

Spartacus and Crixus are set up to fight in an exhibition match for Numerius' birthday party - but Crixus is intent on blood.  The hidden evil strikes out and places another dagger in Spartacus' heart. 

courtesy of STARZ

This episode will bring you to tears.

Party Favors stars Andy Whitfield, Lucy Lawless, John Hannah and Viva Bianca and Liam Powell. Directed by Chris Martin-Jones.