TV Review of 'Spartacus: War of the Damned' (Same Old Fun, More Intensity)

I had scurried over to Starz to start the season premiere of Spartacus: War of the Damned at the top of the hour but I had to wait for a few minutes for the advertisements for other series and movies on Starz.  But once things got going, oh how sweet it was.

"Enemies of Rome" starts on the battlefield, and Spartacus (Liam McIntyre) is coming at an entire squad of Roman soldiers.  He takes many, but the numbers start to get the advantage on this lone man.  Alas, before much could transpire, a wave of ex-gladiator slaves comes over the hill and the battle is turned and the Romans retreat.  And the warriors are male and female alike!

The gore is plentiful, like an all-you-can eat shrimp fest.  There's plenty to be had and more is coming!  It was gory good fun!  (If you're entertained by such.)  And Spartacus' latest victory in the field sparks the need of desperate measures from those in Rome as they send new men after the man, but that doesn't work out too well either....

And it goes from there.

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The season premiere set the tone, I presume, for the rest of the season.  The ex-slaves have formed a huge army/camp and there's now more at stake than ever before, as Spartacus has to keep this entire camp as part of his plans.

And all the while, Marcus Crassus (Simon Merrells) trains himself, readying to face Spartacus, as he's the new "bad" guy to our story.  And he could give Spartacus a run for his money if they meet on the field.

The season premiere of the final season of Spartacus: War of the Damned seems to have direction and I'm sure, as the showrunners have warned, will end in a surprising way.

I hope that's not just spin.