IR TV Review: SPARTACUS - HOUSE OF ASHUR - EPISODE 8 (“Horizons”) [Starz]

With "House Of Ashur" this season, it is about opportunities lost in terms of the characters. This is meant as a compliment especially in Episode 8: "Horizons" which seems innately about loss. Before this Achillia (Tenika Davis) seemed to be the main one suffering but in these past two episodes that hurt has increased sevenfold, both emotional and physical for other characters. Korris' actions of course permeate over the past couple episodes in what eventually happens. Ashur himself even beyond this possibility sees a opportunity lost that he didn't know he had while seeing one that he would rather happen skew away. The aspect of the episode is consequence for action. The most dynamic in this one is a father and a son but how that can both break down and find motivation within in.

The big reveal of the episode provides the necessary stakes that one would think the episode needs even if that is a misdirect because it plays just as true. The issue with the characters is that despite their supposed enlightenment they are primal and extremely flawed which is sort of the point. Ashur ultimately will not be taken down it would seem from outside but from within, both in himself and his house and yet there will still be retribution any way it plays out. Nick Tarabay as Ashur has grown with the role while balanced by Korris (Graham McTavish) but the heart really comes down to the women with Viridia (India Shaw Smith) providing the weight to the chagrin or perhaps cursed ego of Cossutia (Claudia Black) as well as two of the women scorned within the Syrian house, albeit in different ways. Older plot threads find their way to culmination with a vengeance both for and against the characters. Ambitions and goals change here and yet the heart (and revenge) want what they want even if life might not turn out the way what first seemed possible. A-

By Tim Wassberg