'Spartacus: Vengeance' Series Premiere: Will Spartacus Kill Glaber? (VIDEO)

"Spartacus" fans got a real treat Friday night when DirecTV aired the premiere episode of "Spartacus: Vengeance" (Fri., 10 p.m. EST on Starz) ahead of its scheduled debut on Starz on Friday, January 27.

"Fugitivus" saw Aussie actor Liam McIntyre step up to the plate in the title role. He was cast after star Andy Whitfield was forced to step aside following a recurrence of his cancer. Whitfield's untimely death in September 2011 must have been on the minds of many fans watching the action pick up where "Blood and Sand" left off.

Following the bloodbath at the House of Batiatus, Spartacus and his band of rebellious slaves took on Gaius Claudius Glaber (Craig Parker) and his troops in Capua. Temporarily blinded to everything but taking revenge on the man who enslaved his wife, Spartacus battled to reach the heavily protected Glaber.

However, as Crixus (Manu Bennett) warned "You cannot win this," the former gladiator realized that he had to choose between his own personal vengeance and protecting his men. In the end, Spartacus chose his men, and he retreated.

"Spartacus: Vengeance" premieres Friday, January 27 at 10 p.m. EST on Starz. Check out Maureen Ryan's take on the trailer for the new series.

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