Spartacus: Blood and Sand - Great and Unfortunate Things, S01E07

The first thing anyone things of when they hear the name Spartacus is "I am." And I certainly would not expect those words to never be used in a television based on the character. However, to end the episode which marks Spartacus (Andy Whitfield)'s transformation from the Thracian he was before to the gladiator is is now with him yelling "I am Spartacus" to a crowd driven into a frenzy by the battle he just won is...well it sets a strange precedence.

Of course, him taking on the name, which up until now he has categorically rejected, shows his willingness to be a new man. I can't say I'm not thrilled that he is finally going to accept his fate; I was a little tired to the stupid decisions he kept making in his defiance. I wonder how much longer it will take him to learn to play the game, or if he will never succeed at it, and that is why he must start a slave revolt.

And while Spartacus' change signifies a change in the direction of the series, other plot lines carry through. Ashur (Nick Tarabay) put himself in a very difficult position over the death of Barca. Particularly in that Pietros did not die too. Those who knew Barca find it hard to believe that he abandoned his lover, and, if Doctore (Peter Mensah) continues to pry, they may discover that that was not in fact the case.

But what will be the result? Will the blame be on Ashur, or will the other gladiators rise against the dominus since their loyalty is repaid in blood and death?

Where do you think this new path that Spartacus is carving will take him?