Embarking on our recap and review of "Those About to Die" episode 3, we find Scorpus and Andria, a Spanish sibling, amassing yellow ash atop the majestic Mount Vesuvius. Andria, boasting of his horseback exploits, mentions having ridden two-horse gigs and even ventured on six-horse teams, aspirations to one day ride side by side with Scorpus filling his heart.
Meanwhile, back at the stables, the somber scene unfolds as the first Andalusian horse passes away. Viggo, imparting knowledge of Roman ways to Kwame, learns that Colon will face Flamma in the upcoming games. Seizing an opportunity, Viggo and Kwame devise a plan to recover Colon's body and profit handsomely from its sale.
Unexpectedly, Cala encounters Kwame and vows to liberate him from his bondage. As the horses lay lifeless at the stables, Scorpus feeds them yellow ash in a last-ditch effort. However, Elia realizes the hopelessness of the situation and prepares to depart with his brothers. Miraculously, the horses stir back to life, igniting jubilation among the spectators.
Cala barters for work and wages for herself and Aura at Tenax's bustling betting tavern. It is decided that Andria will join Scorpus as his co-rider for the imminent race. Claudia, Tenax's diligent worker, escorts Cala to Jula at the House of Marsus. On her way, she purchases red berries and presents them to Jula, who cunningly uses them to simulate menstruation, thus evading Lord Marsus' bedchamber, which Antonia had procured for her. This encounter also reveals to Jula Antonia's sinister plot to eliminate Scorpus.
Jula swiftly relays this information to Tenax, who orchestrates a ruse to stage Scorpus' death in front of the crowd, a measure to safeguard him until the games commence. Meanwhile, Domitian surreptitiously embezzles gold from the Imperial treasury for gambling purposes, news that finds its way to Titus through Berenice. Titus confronts Domitian and promptly orders a thorough audit of the treasury.
Marsus and Antonia made a lucrative offer to Xenox, enticing him to become their new driver with a salary triple his current one and a guarantee of safety from Leto, the white faction's formidable leader. In the midst of this turmoil, Vespasian's health hung precariously, deteriorating with each passing day.
At the games, the scene was marred by Colon's brutal demise under Flamma's merciless attack. This grim spectacle was also the moment when Caltonia discovered that Marsus and Antonia had risen to prominence, emerging as the leading shareholders of the blue faction, much to her displeasure.
Just then, Tenax stormed the scene as the head of the fifth faction, sending shockwaves through the crowd. The anticipation for the next games escalated as Scorpus, Tenax's steed, prepared to race. Cala, caught in the frenzy, joined the horde scrambling to place bets on the favored horse.
The race was a thrilling affair, with Scorpus and Andria narrowly emerging victorious. Scorpus's cunning strategy of manipulating his former horse to slow down while Xenon rode the chariot proved pivotal. Tenax, Domitian, and Cala rejoiced in their massive winnings, with Cala's successful negotiation securing Aura's freedom.
However, this jubilance was soon overshadowed by the tumultuous unrest that followed. The existence of the fifth faction sparked outrage, and riots erupted, spreading like wildfire through the streets of Rome. Domitian, with a cunning stroke, managed to slip the smuggled money back into the treasury, leaving Titus bewildered and wondering if Berenice had betrayed him. Amidst this chaos, Vespasian's death added another layer of gloom, as the city descended into turmoil.
