Any Xena:WP fans on the boards?

JanewayRulz! · Dec 22, 2010

Episode 40, season 2 #16 "For Him the Bell Tolls"

Oh. My. God.

It happened.

It ACTUALLY happened!

A Xena lite ep with Gabrielle and Joxer that WASN'T a clip show and WAS one of the funniest damned eps of the entire 6 seasons.

Woo Hoo!!!!!

Xena has left Gabby behind, and Gabby feels like an "also ran" when she runs into Joxer.

Joxer: “Yeah-- oh, wait! Where’s Xena?”
Gabrielle: “Ah-- she’s off being a hero.”
Joxer: “Oh. How come you’re not with her?”
Gabrielle: “’Cause I’m a sidekick-- obviously expendable, when push comes to shove.”
Joxer: “Hmm. Wait, wait, wait! That‘s great! Don’t you get it? You’re a sidekick without a hero. And I’m a hero without a sidekick.”
Gabrielle: “Of course. You’re a hero. A hero of what?”
Joxer: “I am Joxer the Mighty. I’m the greatest hero that ever was. [Sings] I’m Joxer the mighty; he roams through the country--”
Gabrielle: “Joxer-- I’m not in the mood for this.”
Joxer: “What?”
Gabrielle: “You know-- one day you’ll realize what it really means to be a hero. And then you’ll change your tune.”

This entire ep is about being what you want to be. Gabrielle wants to be the hero... and she becomes one. Even though throughout most of the story no-one acknowledges what she's doing or swoons over her doing it. She discovers the hero isn't someone searching for glory and congratulations, its someone that sees a job needs doing... and DOES it.

Joxer thinks he is a hero, and he becomes the man he's always wanted to be, but in the process breaks up a loving relationship by stealing another man's bride, and nearly causes a war between two kingdoms...

Well, I guess that is a small price for fullfilling one's own fantasy. And what was his fantasy?

(warning, pertinent FHTBT section can be found at 0:58 to 1:40..... )

Joxer: “You know-- now I know what it’s like to be admired by beautiful women and brave men..."

He was suave, brave, heroic, athletic... pretty much everything Joxer wanted to be but wasn't. Poor shmuck. Even sadder... he could never remember BEING "that" version so he really couldn't even enjoy the thrill of being the hero, vicariously.

I think the thing I loved the most about this ep, where Joxer is used by Aphrodite to break up a love match that her son Cupid arranged, was how Gabrielle reacted throughout the entire show. (Well, Gabs reaction was the second thing I loved the most... right after how "bodacious" Karl Urban looked as the punked out, shirtless surfer god of love, Cupid!)

“You know one day you’ll realize what it really means to be a hero. And then you’ll change your tune.”

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C8b0JF75DPE&feature=related

The battling bard of Potadiea certainly learned, and my oh how she changed her tune.

Gabrielle kept her head throughout this ep, running in to save the day when the hooligans were harrasing the bridal party, then running after Joxer when he first turned up missing, keeping herself in the middle so the two "love birds" didn't have a chance to consummate their passion...

Gabrielle: “Now, let’s go over this again.”
Joxer: “I already told you-- I know nothing of this bumbling idiot of whom you speak. I am the one and only Joxer.”
Ileandra: “Isn’t he magnificent?”
Joxer: “Mmm.”
Gabrielle: “Ileandra... Joxer... look! Now, it has something to do with the necklace. Every time it rings, you change. How about some cold water? (Gabby leaves her place BETWEEN the two love birds and walks acros the cave to pick up the water skin.) This is ridiculous. Don’t touch her, Joxer. (She turns back and sees Ileandra draped across Joxer's lap as the two kiss passionately.)Cut it out!” (She screams as she tries to hose them down with the water skin. Instead she makes them look like a commercial for a cologne as Joxer shakes the water from his mane as Ileandra reaches up for him.)
Ileandra: “Come here.”
Gabrielle: (Gabby throws the water skin over her shoulder and dives between the two love birds, literally using herself as a wall to keep them apart as they roll back and forth.)“Guys, stop it! I’ve had enough of...oh! It’s gonna be a long night. Oh, this is so sick!”

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q5jleVtKLQw

Gabby continues to keep her head even when she and Joxer are thrown in prison on a death warrant. She discovers who placed the spell on Joxer, breaks herself out of prison, makes a pact with Cupid (he of the huge pectoral muscles) to reignite the original lovebirds passion if she can get his Mother (Aphrodite) to take off her spell and gets back to the town square in time to free Joxer by releasing his inner hero at the sound of a bell. Oh... and not just any bell, but one courtesy of a ricochet throw worthy of a Xena chakram toss.

At the end of the ep... Gabby finally gets a measure of acknowledgement, if not the awe that Xena receives...

Ileandra: “Gabrielle. Thank you for everyting.”
Sarpedon: “You’re a real hero.”
Gabrielle: “I’m just an over-achieving sidekick. Remember, that love is about trust and giving. It’s not about... anger and jealousy.”
Aphrodite: “She really doesn’t get it, does she?”
Cupid: “Maybe, she gets it better than any of us.”

Yes, Cupid, I think she does.

Like any good hero, she realized that she received as much from her intervention as did those she was trying to help.

She learned a hero doesn't let anger, or jealousy get between herself and her friends.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ew9Bc9BmvMY&feature=related

Right, Xena?

Xena: “Hi, Joxer.”
Joxer: “Hi, Xena. Come to get a laugh at my expense? I can’t blame you if you did-- that’s all I’m good for.”
Xena: “Gabrielle told me all about what happened. You did some very brave things.”
Joxer: “Yeah, but that wasn’t me.”
Xena: “That’s where you’re wrong.”
Joxer: “What do you mean?”
Xena: “The gods can’t give us anything that isn’t in our hearts. Aphrodite just used what was already there. The real Joxer may not be the best swordsman around, but he’s always had the heart of a lion.”
Joxer: “You’re just saying that to make me feel better.”
Xena: “You calling me a liar?”
Joxer: “No.”
Xena: “Well, then-- like I said.”

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QUPAiJMhkPs

Joxer: [Sings] “Joxer the Mighty;
he's very tidy.
Everyone admires him.
He's so handsome, it's a sin.
If you're in jeopardy,
don't call the cavalry.
There's a better remedy.
(Although he doesn't work for free!)
He's every man's trustee;
he's every woman's fantasy.
Plus, he's good with company.
It's Joxer--
I’m Joxer the Mighty! Hah-hah!”

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=22chPnccfvI&feature=related

Forbin · Dec 22, 2010

Rene just kept impressing me more and more as the show went on. You could just tell that she worked HARD to become a martial artist and tone herself up to physical perfection.

saturn5 · Dec 22, 2010

The scene I truly love in this ep is where dashing Joxer kisses Gabby and just for a moment she swoons for him :lol:

Watched this at a convention once and all the men cheered!

JanewayRulz! · Dec 22, 2010

saturn5 said:
The scene I truly love in this ep is where dashing Joxer kisses Gabby and just for a moment she swoons for him Watched this at a convention once and all the men cheered!

True, but in the next minute she's slapping herself as if to say.... :wtf:

(0:57 to 1:06) "That was scary!"

Being a "Princess Bride" fan, I recognized the homage/out right theft of the swordfighting gag... where he's only holding his own with his left hand, but then switches to his preferred right hand. :bolian:

What I missed, however, was Joxer telling Gabrielle "As you wish".. which is what the dread pirate Robert would say to his beloved Buttercup instead of "I love you". :sigh:

Poor Joxer. Even as the dashing rogue, he doesn't really stand a chance with Gabby.

This was really a FUN ep! :guffaw:

JanewayRulz! · Dec 22, 2010

Forbin said:
Rene just kept impressing me more and more as the show went on. You could just tell that she worked HARD to become a martial artist and tone herself up to physical perfection.

Agreed.

What really strikes me about the series... and perhaps you mentioned this weeks ago, is how much its a story about "Gabrielle: Warrior Philosopher".

Gabrielle doesn't just follow Xena blindly into her quest to right wrongs through violent action. She really goes through significant soul searching to discover what is her own truth, her own path.

Its not that she's a Xena clone, fighting for truth and justice and absolution, or an Eli clone spouting "love your neighbor" As Krishna counseled, she's found her own way.(Loved Krishna's line to Xena re: finding her "Way" in the ep of the same name... "However, missing it by the width of a hair is the same as missing it by the height of a mountain." )

She tried to convert to nonviolence... but that didn't work either time Xena's life was on the line. And like Xena, when called to action, she has something to back up her threats... and I'm not just talking about her staff, fighting Sycthes, or eventually the chakram. She's got chutzpah, AND muscle, skill AND grace, steadfast determination AND compassion.

"Xena: Warrior Princess" is about TWO very amazing women, who just happen to look good in leather.

(I can't be serious ALL the time.... )

JanewayRulz! · Dec 23, 2010

episode 41 season 2 #17 "The Execution".

My fav line?

Salesman: "...Here you go, little lady-- the perfect souvenir for the occasion!”
Xena: “I’m not a little lady.”
Salesman: “Oh, point taken, point taken.

Last year/season, Gabrielle had a crisis of faith and left Xena to go home alone and rethink this life of adventuring. While there, she met a has been Warrior named Meleager the Mighty... (no relation to Joxer) and inspired him to become "all he could be". In the process, Gabrielle also learned that her place wasn't at home, but back out there, on the highways and byways of Greece, fighting the good fight with her best bud.

Strangely enough, in this ep... when push came to shove, Gabrielle followed her heart and abandoned that same best bud to save her childhood hero, the recently salvaged Meleager.

Xena: “He’s headed north-- that makes sense. The Gauls won’t care
what his crimes are.”
Gabrielle: “Xena, you’ve got to give him a chance. Please, I’m begging you.”
Xena: “Don’t make this more difficult than it already is. I don’t wanna bring him back, but I have to!”
Gabrielle: “He is an innocent man.”
Xena: “You don’t know that! I do have some questions I wanna ask Arbus, but first things first, and that means getting Meleager back. His running won’t help his case any.”
Gabrielle: “Neither will his hanging.”
(They see their quary far ahead.)
Gabrielle: “Meleager, run! Into the woods! Hurry! (Gabby jumps in front of Xena as the two dismount from Argo) No! You’re gonna have to go through me to get to him!”

(Xena Does NOT look pleased, as she faces down her young friend. 2:39-3:20

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[ACT II]

Xena: “Don’t do this, Gabrielle.”
Gabrielle: (Pleads with her eyes, her voice, her frightened soul for the impossible) “Let’s just walk away. We never even came to this part of the country.”
Xena: “If Meleager is guilty, and I let him escape justice...”
Gabrielle: “He is not guilty!”

Xena doesn't toss her aside, she just vaults over her and runs into the forest to find her fugitive. The man Gabrielle idolizes, and the man who will lead to the young Bard's death if he's not brought back to face his punishment.

Xena is really screwed royally in this ep!

(Xena has caught up to Meleager and has just beaten the tar out of the old man.)

Meleager: “I’m not going back.”
Xena: “Well, if not, it’s Gabrielle who’ll pay. Arbus will hound
her forever for freeing you. Is that what you want?”
(Gabby has finally caught up to the two warriors, and places herself and her staff between Meleager and Xena.)
Gabrielle: “No! I won’t let you do this.”
Mel: “Gabrielle.”
Gabrielle: “She’s not taking you anywhere.”
Meleager: “Gabrielle, listen.”
Gabrielle: “If I have to go in your place, I will.”
Meleager: “Gabrielle, stop! Stop it! There is no one-eyed man. I ran because I’m guilty. I killed that man, just as they said. Everything’s a blur... I can’t remember details because I was... drunk at the time.”

They've been traveling together for nearly 2 years, they've saved each other's lives countless times, shared countless trials and tribulations... and yet Gabrielle sides with Meleager against her... on the strength of just 2 days acquaintance over a year ago.

I was frankly shocked that the writers didn't pick up on this theme more than they did. Perhaps it was simply because Xena knows Gabrielle's soul so well, that she knew Gabrielle had no other choice but to side with Meleager the lost Warrior... simply because he needed her more than Xena did at that moment.

Xena certainly didn't show any jealousy of Gabrielle's divided attention, and showed more than a modicum of understanding when she forced Gabrielle to go back and make peace with the man who disappointed her so much.

Xena: “Argo’s fed, watered, and so brushed she shines.”
Gabrielle: “I’m keeping busy.”
Xena: “Keeping away from Meleager, you mean. He needs a friend now more than ever.”
Gabrielle: “Friends don’t lie. You were right; he wasn’t being honest. I’m sorry for not believing you.”
Xena: “That’s not an issue. You and I have plenty of time to talk about it, but Meleager’s not that lucky. Besides, I can’t help wandering if you’re more angry at him or yourself. You put people on a pedestal. Sooner or later, they’re gonna fall, and your expectations fall with them.”
Gabrielle: “I put people on a pedestal?”
Xena: “Meleager’s made his mistakes-- drunk and sober. Tomorrow he might have to pay for one-- at least talk to him. If you don’t, you’ll regret it. You don’t deserve that guilt.”

We had Xena derring do... with catching crossbolts in mid air, climbing trees faster than a monkey, fist fights and fake outs... but what we didn't have, and what I really missed, was that talk Xena predicted "they would have" in this ep... Instead we ended with a flippant remark about warriors never growing into their old age.

Ah well... "The Price" will be coming soon... and we'll get one of those talks there.

saturn5 · Dec 23, 2010

JanewayRulz! said:
Forbin said:

"Xena: Warrior Princess" is about TWO very amazing women, who just happen to look good in leather.
QUOTE]

3 with Hudson!

The execution is an ok ep, did you know that Maleger the Mighty is actually a genuine mythical character, one of the Argonauts (than you Greg Cox!)

Click to expand...

JanewayRulz! · Dec 23, 2010

JanewayRulz! said:
=saturn5;4612890]

JanewayRulz! said:

Forbin said:

"Xena: Warrior Princess" is about TWO very amazing women, who just happen to look good in leather.
QUOTE]

3 with Hudson!

The execution is an ok ep, did you know that Maleger the Mighty is actually a genuine mythical character, one of the Argonauts (than you Greg Cox!)

Click to expand...

Click to expand...

Oy Vey! How could I forget?

Which also reminds me to point out Queen Ephiny and Queen Cyane (Sin Trades ) aren't to be forgotten either.

Thanks for the update on Meleager, here's the wiki version.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Meleager

Click to expand...

JanewayRulz! · Dec 24, 2010

Episode 42 season 2 # 18 "Blind Faith".

Now... in case you thought Xena's magic was limited to impressionable young girls from Potadiea... watch how she fights, captures, psychoanalyzes, galvanizes, leads and ultimately redeems a misguided young man from Greece.

And that was just one of the stories this "week". :techman:

The other stories hinge on Gabrielle.

(Xena is leading her prisoner up a country lane, tripping as she goes because her decreasing eyesight no longer picks out the roots traversing the roadway.)
Palamon: “So, who’s this Gabrielle, anyway?”
Xena: “A friend.”
Palamon: “Yeah, I’ve got friends who could be following up right now. What’s the matter, Xena? Battle fatigue?”
Xena: “You wish.”

The story of Gabby being shanghaied by a souless politican trying to steal a kingdom, and their attempts to groom her a'la Elza Doolittle into a respectable consort for their (dead) King were cute but not much more than cute. Everything from Gabby being taken in by the King's nude statue (Gabby, trust me, his family jewels were "airbrushed") to the finishing school male maven's tired and trite condemnations of the Battling Bard's appearence made one smile and chuckle, but no true guffaws.

(Palamon is shackled to Xena's side after they've fought off King Solus' guards. He's discovered her disability.)
Palamon: “You must be pretty scared right now.”
Xena: “Of you? You must not be paying attention.”
Palamon: “Not of me. Of the unknown. You don’t know what’s happened to your eyes.”
Xena: “Yes, I do. They’ve been saturated with sumac. It causes blindness-- temporary, if treated within a day.”
Palamon: “And if it isn’t?”
Xena: “I’ll be blind for life.”
Palamon: “What’s the treatment?”
Xena: “Cleansing your eyes with a solution of palm oil and
Egyptian senna.”
Palamon: “It sounds hard to find.”
Xena: “Any market in Athens’ll have it.”
Palamon: “Well, if I were you, I’d be headed for Athens.”
Xena: “Well, you are not me. I’ve gotta save my friend.”
Palamon: “Well, that must be some friend.”

Then again, its perhaps difficult to write a comedy when the heroine racing to save her friend has been blinded in a fight with a misguided warlord wannabe, and she can't take the time to find a cure before she finds her friend. One could have easily made the case that Xena would have been more effective in searching for Gabby if she'd taken the 2-3 days to go to Athens for the cure to sumac poisoning of the eyes, but thankfully Xena doesn't believe in THAT kind of logic. Had she waited even another hour in her flight to free Gabrielle, she would have lost her friend to the flames.

(Palamon, no longer shackled to Xena, is leading her through King Solus' castle to find Gabrielle.)
Palamon: “Everywhere we turn, there’s guards. There must be an entire regiment in here. We better wait here till they pass. How are your eyes?”
Xena: “The stinging’s getting worse. The sumac’s settling in.”
Palamon: “Then, it may be too late for you.”
Xena: “Maybe.”
Palamon: “Is your friend really worth all this?”
Xena: “I’d give my life to save her.”
Palamon: “You see, friends make you vulnerable. That’s why I don’t have any.”
Xena: “Oh, is that why?”

:devil:

So by now Gabrielle has discovered her bad luck with men continues. She had warned her captors that her boyfriends usually ended up dead, but this was the first time the boyfriend actually died before he even had a chance of meeting her.

So... ripping off yet another movie, this time "Robin Hood Prince of Thieves", Gabby is tied and gagged and standing at the altar to wed her deceased betrothed befor ethe masses. As soon as the I Do's were supposedly uttered, she was placed in a casket and brought with her intended down to that garden spot of the castle AKA the crematorium while Xena and her new sidekick continue their counseling sessions as they wait for the guards to walk by.

Palamon: “You don’t like me very much, do you?”
Xena: “I don’t like who you pretend you are.”
Pal: “What do you mean, pretend?”
Xena: “I’ve met a lot of bad men. They’ve hardened their hearts. You’re not one of them yet.”
Palamon: “What are you talking about? I’ll show no mercy.”
Xena: “I’m not buying it. It would have been pretty easy for you to leave me hanging off that ravine, but you couldn’t.”
Pal: “You know why I saved you.”
Xena: “So you can kill me in combat? I’m not buying that, either. You had your chance in the marketplace. You know what? I don’t think you’ve ever killed anyone.”
Palamon: “Are you crazy! I killed Krakus of Pyla.”
Xena: “No, you didn’t.”
Palamon: “What makes you so sure?”
Xena: “Because, I did. Be careful, Palamon. We all eventually become what we pretend we are. They’re gone. Let’s go.”

Although not as telling as Xena, Gabrielle HAS had an affect upon at least one of her captors. The finishing school maven regrets his part in her capture and intended execution, and tries to help in some unknown way. For his efforts, he's hung up by his collar on the wall to Gabrielle's chamber, and is eventually found by Xena.

[ACT IV]

Palamon: “Nice.”
Xena: “You’re right, this place is crawling with guards.”
Palamon: “Yeah, you better stick close to me.”
Xena: (Placing her hand on his shoulder so he can lead her through the castle, Xena smiles.) “Careful, Palamon. It’s beginning to sound as though you might care.”
(shortly there after, outside Gabby's chambers)
Palamon: “Which way?”
Vidalis: (Voice coming from high up the wall where he's hanging) “Hello. If you are Xena, the gods have answered my prayers. I’m Vidalis, friend of the bride. Leather, huh? Bold choice.”
Xena: “Where’s Gabrielle?”
Vidalis: “Uh, Apex and his men have taken her to the crematorium. She and the king are to be cremated. I could show you, but--”
Xena: “Let’s go.”

I liked that my superhuman Xena could fight nearly as well blinded as sighted... taking down 4?5?6? guards in the crematorium while Palamon and Vidalis (is he named for the shampoo or the onion?) took care of the 6 guys guarding the entrance to the crematorium.

But I also liked the fact that she wasn't perfect. it took her a few moments to grasp "where" Gabrielle was, and to extricate her from the smoking coffin. I also liked the fact that it wasn't she that brought up her blindness first. I was happy that our young bard, so close to death for so long, actually noticed her friend's problem before she was pulled from the casket.

(Xena has pulled the casket from the furnace and is busy busting the top off. Gabrielle, overcome with smoke doesn't sit up or talk immediately, causing Xena to fear she's too late.)
Xena: “Gabrielle! Gabrielle! Gabrielle. Gabrielle. Gabrielle.”
(Gabby finally sits up with Xena's help, and they two embrace gratefully. A tableau which makes Vidalis smile and Palamon cough and turn briefly away.)
Gabrielle: “Xena?”
Xena: “Are you all right?”
Gabrielle: “I’m OK. I’m OK. I’m OK. (She looks up into Xena's face, and stops.) What’s wrong with your eyes?”
Xena: “I’m blind, Gabrielle.”
Gabrielle: “There must be something that we can do, that...”
Xena: (soberly) “The cure is Egyptian senna. You can get it in Athens, but by the time we get there, it’ll be too late.”

Well, it would be too late if a certain finishing school maven didn't keep a garden full of it to make his own face creams. :techman:

Like a true Warrior, Xena can take pain delivered in battle when her hormones are running hot, but ask her to sit still while a medicine is being dripped into her eyes to restore her sight, and she can't help but jerk.

I found that little bit of realism so refreshing.

Gabrielle: “OK, you ready? Now, this might sting a little bit. Look, I’ll try to be careful, all right? Here, tilt your face up towards me. How was that? OK? Any change?”
(Can you guess what's the first thing she sees? )
Xena: “Now, that’s a sight for sore eyes.”

Now, for those who haven't actually seen the ep, you should be asking me how Xena ever got Palamon to agree to help her rescue Gabby.

Why, the answer is easy.

Palamon attacked Xena in the first place for one reason. He wanted to make his reputation on her bones. When she lost her sight, he lost interest. She released her shackles when she thought he would fall to his death with her. He pulled her up from the cliff, and agreed to find Gabby if, and only if she agreed to a deathmatch once her eyesight was restored.

Xena: “I can see.”
Palamon: “That’s good to hear.”
Xena: “All right, Palamon. I’m ready now." (Unsheaths her sword, still jerking her head as if to refocus her newly restored vision) " If you still want that fight, you’ve got it.”
Palamon: “I was right about something, Xena.”
Xena: “What was that?”
Palamon: “I said I could learn something from you, and I did.”
Xena: “Oh?”
Palamon: “That you are who you pretend to be. So you better pretend to be something you can live with. I think I’m gonna pretend to be good for a while. See how things work out.”
Xena: (Sheathing her sword and smiling at her newest convert) “I think you’ll like it.”
Palamon: “Thanks, Xena.”

saturn5 · Dec 24, 2010

Funny ep although I liked the 'My fair lady' Gabby stuff better than the blind Xena bit

JanewayRulz! · Dec 25, 2010

And that's why they have multiple story lines in each ep, because its easier to please multiple fans that way. :mallory:

Relaxing after Christmas eve dinner, waiting for that 2nd wind to finish the wrapping, so naturally I'm here wishing all Xena fans, past present and future, a Merry Christmas! :bolian:

JanewayRulz! · Dec 28, 2010

Still haven't had a chance at Ulysses, so here's a few "Merry Christmas Christmas/Happy New Year's vids".

I just love Xena's Mom in this one!

This one I've never seen, and this song I've never heard. :techman:

"Chant of Time"... for the new agers among us.

JanewayRulz! · Dec 30, 2010

From Star Trek III: The Search for Spock

SAAVIK: It's time for total truth between us

Not just between Gabby and Xena, but between me and the Trekkbbs.

From "Ulysses"

Gabrielle: “Now, hey, don’t change the subject. I need to know. Promise me one thing?”
Xena: “What?”
Gabrielle: “You’ll follow your heart-- and don’t worry about me.”
Xena: “You’re part of my heart.”
Gabrielle: “Xena, do you remember what you told me when-- when Perdicus asked me to marry him? You said that seeing me happy would make you happy. I feel the same way.”
Xena: “Gabrielle, you’ve been so good for me. I don’t think I would ever have let myself feel the way I feel now about Ulysses if it wasn’t for you teaching me how to love.”

After I ran through the 6 seasons in September & October, I wondered something.

When was the first time Gabrielle told Xena, or vice a versa, that they were loved.

I tried to check wiki, and whoosh, but couldn't come up with the answer. I went spot searching through eps, but still was uncertain. Heck, you couldn't GET through an ep in the 6th year, not to mention much of the 5th year, without ONE or BOTH expressing their undying love, but when was it first mentioned?

A whoosh commentator got all excited in "The Greater Good" (Season 1, when Xena "dies") that the "L" word (Love!) first came up. But I discount its use, since Gabrielle was telling Xena a story about her pony back home. She loved that pony... and then he died.

Doesn't count, as far as I'm concerned. Of course, YMMV.

Season 2's "The Quest" has Gabrielle telling Ioalus that she loved Xena... but Gabby admitted she never told the Warrior Princess that when she was alive.

Gabrielle: “But, I miss her. There’s so many things that I wish I
could tell her. Why didn’t I when I had the chance?”
Ioalus: “We always think we have-- plenty of time. We know people are gonna leave us, but-- we never face up to it. What would you have told her?”
Gabrielle: “I would have told her-- how empty my life was before she came; and all the lessons I learned; and that I love her.”

Now, we know from previous plot exposition that "the dead hear the thoughts of the living" when they concern the dead... so one assumes Xena figured out exactly how Gabrielle felt about her.

From the dreamscape scene between Xena and Gabrielle.

Gabrielle: “Why? Why did you leave? There’s so many things I want to say to you.”
Xena: “Gabrielle-- you don’t have to say a word. We don’t have much time...”

So... you may find it strange, that in this ep where Xena has come the closest to telling Gabrielle that she is loved... the story not only revolves around Xena falling in love with another "person", but that I really liked it!

Episode 43 Season 2 #19 "Ulysses"

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The teaser made me laugh at how different these two friends really are...

Gabrielle: “It’s all right? You have to learn to smell the flowers.”
Xena: “What flowers?”
Gabrielle: “That’s an expression. You have to enjoy the peaceful moments in life. You know, everything can’t be an adventure all the time. Like right now. I want you to close your eyes, and just listen.”
Xena: “To what?”
Gabrielle: “To nature speaking to us. It’ll give you a wonderful sense of peace. Close your eyes. What do you hear?”
Xena: “Seagulls.”
Gabrielle: “OK, now, what do you-- what do you feel when you think of seagulls?”
Xena: “I feel irritated because they’re so noisy.”
Gabrielle: “What else do you hear?”
Xena: “Ahh-- the sea.”
Gabrielle: “OK, now what do you-- what do you think of when you hear the peaceful grandeur of the sea?”
Xena: “I think how glad I am to be on dry land.”
Gabrielle: “You’re so practical! Because, Xena, the sea is a beautiful expression of nature.”
Xena: “Mmm.”
Gabrielle: “Now, I want you to concentrate on the sound of the waves beating against the shore, and I want you to have a sense of peace! All right?”
Xena: “OK. I’ll try.”
Gabrielle: “What do you feel? (Xena closes her eyes to listen, then draws her sword and goes on "ALERT!)The sea makes you draw your sword?”
Xena: “No, but the sound of a battle does!”

How different are these two women.

When Xena, with sword drawn, sees a man being beset upon the beach by three brigands, instead of running in to help him, she smiles and lays down on the hillock to "smell the flowers" and watch a fellow Master Fighter "at work". Its obvious that he needs no help, and handily disarms his foes as he swings not only his sword but one he liberated from an attacker.

Gabby, on the other hand, is just itching to run down and get in on the fun. Finally, when Xena sees another 10 pirates run down the beach, she decides its time to help out the fellow warrior and runs with Gabby into the thick of it. I loved the way they just smiled at each other as they worked together to crush his enemies.

Xena: “Name’s Xena.”
Ulysses: “Ulysses-- thanks for the help.” (drives his sword into the sand)
Xena: “Ahh-- It’s my pleasure.” (she drives her sword into the sand and reaches for him)
Ulysses: “Grab on.” (And he swings her about as she kicks the heck out of the encircling foes.)

I loved how Xena had no idea who the King of Ithaca was, and that Gabby had to enlighten her. I also loved how it was Gabby that initially expressed her interest in the handsome Ithacan King, and Xena who's ethics required her admission that she and Ulysses had fought on opposite sides of the Trojan war..

Xena: “Ulysses-- there’s something you should know. At Troy--
Ulysses: “You fought with the Trojans against us.”
Xena: “My only interest there was to stop the war and help my friend, Helen.”
Ulysses: “That war was madness-- ten senseless bloody years. It’s behind me, now. The only enemies I recognize today are those who stand between me-- and Ithaca. I welcome your help.” (He walks away)
Gabrielle: “What a man.”
Xena: “Well.”

Ulysses says all the right things in this story to entrap a wavering Warrior Princess. He's battling to get home, to his responsibilites of his kingdom. Didn't she once battle to save her home of Amphipolis and her family, before she descended to the dark side?

He's a skilled fighter, proven on the beach and on his ship when they retake it from the pirates.

He's a courageous companion, purposefully stepping in the way of a crossbolt meant for our battling bard.

He's a humourous patient, joking even as Xena works to remove the crossbolt from his shoulder.

Xena: (Looking at the bolt, in Ulysses shoulder up to the midshaft) “It’s not bad.”
Ulysses: “Easy for you to say.”
Xena: “You didn’t need to do this. I would’ve gotten it with my chakram.”
Ulysses: “Now you tell me.”
Xena: “I’m gonna have to push this all the way through. It’s gonna hurt.”
Ulysses: “As if it hasn’t been hurting up to now? (Xena pushes the bolt clear through, pulling it out the back of his shoulder)That’ll wake you up in themorning!”

Ulysses: “You can sail a ship, too?”
Xena: “I have many skills.”

As he sits back and watches Xena fly effortlessly up the mast of the ship to set the sails and start them on their voyage, he can only mutter one thing which Gabrielle easily overhears.

Ulysses: “What a woman.”

Aint that the truth!

One of the things that makes me laugh, and which I absolutely LOVE about this show, is how "super" Xena and eventually Gabrielle become, and its "expected". In Trek, there are always so many factions fighting for their fav actor/character, and the perceived slights seen as episodes go on. ("All Seven, all the time" is an example of one such complaint in Voyager, or "Janeway" doesn't need anyone, its her way or the highway.) THIS show is called XENA for a reason, and if you've heard it once you've heard it a thousand times, she has MANY skills, and she's NOT shy about showing them off.

You GO girl! :techman:

But the thing I really like about this ep... is that despite the fact that Xena knows Gabrielle "loves" her, she also knows that Gabrielle loved Perdicus, and left to start a life with him not all that many months ago. That despite the fact that Xena confirms for Gabrielle that she has "learned about love" from her young friend, it doesn't mean that its the exclusive-romantic love that once bound Ulysses to Penelope and Xena's more than willing to look for such love "elsewhere". Open even to inviting that love along with her and Gabrielle on future journeys, if necessary.

(On the isle of Ithaca, after an argument between Xena & Ulysses about their future, now that they both know his wife is very much alive. He's just run up the stairs, as Gabrielle descends them towards Xena.)

Xena: .....I uh--”
Gabrielle: “I understand .”
Xena: “He needs to decide whether he wants to stay here without thinking about me. He deserves a clean homecoming, and so does she.”
Gabrielle: “What if he decides he doesn’t want to stay here?”
Xena: “Well, after what I just said to him--”
Gabrielle: “Xena, eventually he’ll understand what you were doing. He’s very smart.”
Xena: “Yeah, he is. Well, who knows? Maybe the three of us could do some good.”
Gabrielle: “Yeah, we could.”
Xena: “We got work to do.”

What I really appreciate about this ep, however, is a further revelation of how far the Wariior Princess has come in the development of her moral compass over the last 2 years. A woman who we will eventually learn in her distant past had no trouble stealing another woman's husband/ a child's father; refuses to allow a man to abdicate his kingdon for her. Refuses to allow him to desert the woman who loved him and his kingdom for 11 lonely years while he was off playing war in a far off land and fighting cylcopses on the trip home.

Ulysses: “Hello, Xena.”
Xena: “Hello, Ulysses.”
Ulysses: “Xena, I wanna come with you.”
Xena: “Ulysses.”
Ulysses: “Now, enough with the tough talk. I now know what you were doing when you said those things. You were giving me a fair chance to get back with Penelope, and I’m-- I’m afraid it backfired. When I figured out what you were doing, I-- I loved you more than ever.”
Xena: “What about Penelope?”
Ulysses: “I don’t love her, anymore.”
Xena: “Does she love you? She does.”
Ulysses: “I don’t know if she loves me; I don’t know--”
Xena: “Ulysses, your kingdom needs you. Your wife needs you. You’re home at last. Whatever you feel toward me will pass.”
Ulysses: “No, and I don’t think you’ll forget me, either.”
Xena: “Maybe-- But I won’t take you away from your kingdom, or your wife. Goodbye, Ulysses.”
Ulysses: “Xena, please.”
Xena: “Go home. Go home.”

The two Mightly Warriors finally part.

He to stand on the cliff with his Penelope, watching her ship sail away as the couple hold hands.

She on the ship, with a best friend so very different from herself, to console her.

Gabrielle: “How are you feeling?”
Xena: “Oh-- splendid-- Well, maybe not splendid, but-- I’ll live. He’ll learn to love her again. She’s quite a woman, standing up to those pirates all those years.”
Gabrielle: “Yeah-- she is. Do you think that he knows that you helped him with the bow?”
Xena: “No-- I don’t think anyone knows, and I want it to stay that way. (Hint to the Bard wrting Xena's life story)This is Ulysses’ story. And for years the people of Ithaca will talk about how he bent that bow. It’s the way it should be.”
Gabrielle: “But really you--”
Xena: “I got a chance to make someone I care about happy. That’s the best reward you can have in life." (To the crew on her ship) Bring her about!”

"The way it should be."

Xena helped a man she carried deeply about, to be happy.

Just as Gabrielle was prepared to do anything to let Xena find happiness with Ulysses, either in Ithaca or on the road. Just as she was ready to follow Xena across the storm tossed, seasickening waters on Xena's quest to restore Ulysses to his throne.

Just as Xena was ready to do anything to help Gabrielle find happiness with Perdicus months ago.

They have a long journey ahead of them, and will both be beset upon by sirens trying to pull them from their path, and yet, somehow, they will discover the truth in the old stories told to them as children.

(Season 1: Athens Academy of Bards)

Xena: “....I only remember one story told me when I was young. It was about two orphans who decided to search the world for their families. And it’s all about their adventures and how they kept searching. But the part I remember most is the end.”
Xena and Gabrielle: “And when the first man-- ”
Gabrielle: “-- reached the end of his journey, he found himself--”
Xena and Gabrielle: “-- at the beginning.”
Gabrielle: “The family he had sought had travelled the world with him. The only family he had ever known-- ever needed-- was standing right beside him.

Episode # 43.... and Gabrielle still hasn't consciously told Xena... nor has Xena told Gabrielle, that she loves her.

Xena comes very close in the next ep... but close only counts in horseshoes and hand grenades.

saturn5 · Dec 30, 2010

I liked Ulysees although he looked way to young for the role, Sean Bean in Troy was much more convincing. The seasick Gabby stuff alone was brilliant. Thankfully we leave out all the stuff about Telemecus hanging the maids who have been raped

JanewayRulz! · Dec 31, 2010

Happy New year to the men and women who love the battling bard of Potaedia.

And to those who prefer Joxer and Gabby.

Or not. :guffaw:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UBW_St91Il8

Forbin · Dec 31, 2010

Just watched Sin Trade and Family Affair again. God, but Rene's performance at the end of Family Affair, facing her "grandson", is astounding.

saturn5 · Jan 1, 2011

Forbin said:
Just watched Sin Trade and Family Affair again. God, but Rene's performance at the end of Family Affair, facing her "grandson", is astounding.

Yeah, love any ep with Lila, Joxer/Xena as a team again and a great performance from the guy who plays The Destroyer, able to actually give some sympathy to a monster

Forbin · Jan 1, 2011

Rene playing Gabby trying to fool the monster into thinking she was hope, clearly frightened and disgusted while trying to keep her composure and pretend she's someone else. Embracing a supernatural killer that just wants its mommy so it can be executed.

You don't get acting opportunities like that on regular doctor and cops shows. :lol:

JanewayRulz! · Jan 2, 2011

^^ Renee was in her glory.

DVD interview;
One of my fav scenes is Joxer at the side of the abyss tossing in flowers for Gabrielle, and Xena coming up from the lava pit, grabbing his arm. "She's ALIVE!"
Forbin, as an unabashed Gabby fan, I suspect this next ep on my review cycle is right up your alley. :bolian:

JanewayRulz! · Jan 2, 2011

Episode 44, season 2 #20 "The Price"

After a light hearted funfilled scene of fishing and friendly banter from 2 increasingly familiar old friends, the thing that struck me the most from this ep's teaser was it showed something unknown in the 43 previous episodes of X:WP.

Xena was AFRAID!

Gabrielle: (A soldier that she fished out of the river has just died in her arms.) “Wha... what ...does what does he mean by ‘the Horde’?”
Xena: “Go, get your things-- hurry.”
Gabrielle: “What-- What--”
Xena: “Now! Don’t argue with me!” (Xena's fear is starting to show in her eyes)
Gabrielle: (As she runs to pick up her staff and bag, Gabrielle sees many more soldiers floating down river with battle axes in their chest or back) “Xena-- Can we help them?”
Xena: “No.”
Gabrielle: “What is going on?”
Xena: “We’re surrounded. That’s the way they work. Those men were Athenian infantry. They must’ve been ambushed.”
Gabrielle: “Surrounded by what? (2 canoes with darly painted warriors pull up to a nearby riverbank.) Your sword!”
Xena: “My sword can’t help us now. Run.”
Gabrielle: “What?”
Xena: “Run! This way Gabrielle! Follow me!”

This ep, is easily in my top ten favs of all 6 seasons, and its there for many reasons.

The first, I've already mentions... Xena IS afraid of something, "The Horde". But although she doesn't come right out and say it to her, its obvious that one of the reasons Xena's afraid isn't because of herself... its because of that person who's attached herself to Xena's hip and her heart over the last 2 years.

Xena will say it best in season 4, when she's fighting Najara "over" Gabrielle, and Najara is obviously distracted.

Xena: "You see, it's a little more difficult (fighting the Warrior Princess) with a millstone (Gabrielle) like her around your neck, isn't it? You probably wouldn't care if one of your soldiers died. They'd just go up to that big, old light in the sky. But you might miss Gabrielle, huh?"

When Xena is describing to Gabrielle how her men were skinned to death in her first encounter with the Horde, how even the flesh was peeled from their bones by the time she could get to them, one can understand why Xena is scared. You can almost hear that scene in the season 1 finale, "Is there a Doctor in the House" after Gabrielle was brought in wounded.

Galen: “She should have hit him an inch lower. She could have killed the monster.”
Xena: “She knew that-- that’s why he’s still alive.”
Marmax: “Are you telling me that she’d rather die, then take the life of a man she doesn’t even know?”
Xena: “Gabrielle lives by her own code. That code doesn’t include killing.”
Marmax: “As I said before, a girl like that should not be brought into a war zone.”

Xena is no fool.

Standing on the riverbank, with no idea where the Horde are or how many stand against her, she already knows there's a sacrifice coming that Gabrielle may not be able to tolerate. A sacrifice that involves losing more than simply Xena's life.

Gabrielle: “What are they? They must want something.”
Xena: “Nobody knows. Fighting one or two would be difficult enough. But, but, they hunt like a pack of dogs-- surrounding their prey until they attack. We gotta get out of here.”
Gabrielle: “What if we follow the river? It’ll take us somewhere.”
Xena: “Yeah, somewhere, but we don’t know where they are. Gabrielle.”
Gabrielle: “What?”
Xena: “Things are gonna get worse, especially with what I have to do to get us out of here.”

Which brings me to the second reason this ep is in my top ten of all 6 seasons.

Gabrielle says "NO!" to Xena, and not just once, but frequently, vociferiously.

Xena wouldn't let Gabrielle stop for the soldiers being strung up like so much jerky on the riverbank. She wouldn't let Gabrielle feed and give water to the wounded TOO wounded to stand at the wall to defend the camp. Xena axed a fleeing enemy in the back despite her cries to stop, and put the pinch on another in an effort to extract information.

Xena: (Prisoner is kneeling before Xena, she's carrying a map and using her dulcet tones on him)“Let’s make this simple. I know you don’t understand me, but I wanna make some things clear. We are here.” (Points to spot on map)
Gabrielle: (warningly from behind Xena) “Xena.”
Xena: “We are here. You-- where?” (When the prisoner turns away, Xena backhands him across the mouth)
Menticles: “Look-- the animal understands. But, he’s not gonna help us. Let me try!”
Xena: “Gabrielle, go outside.”
Gabrielle: “No. (Xena puts the pinch on the prisoner)By the gods, Xena!”
Menticles: “What have you done?”
Xena: “I’ve shut off the flow of blood to his brain. He’ll be dead in moments, and he knows it. He can feel his life draining away.”
Gabrielle: “Don’t do this. It’s murder!”
Xena: “I’ve told you, Gabrielle, this is war! Go back to the hospital!”
Gabrielle: “So I can pick and choose who lives and who dies?! So, I can be a murderer, too?!”
Xena: (Xena takes off the pinch) “Take him to the supply room-- chain him up.”
Menticles: “You mean, kill him.”
Xena: “I mean, chain him up.”
Gabrielle: “Thank you.”
Xena: “Don’t you ever question my authority or methods in front of my troops. I told you I’d do whatever it takes, and if that means killing him later-- I’ll do it.”
Gabrielle: “Your troops? I don’t understand.”
Xena: “We didn’t ask for this. If they want a fight to the death, they’re gonna get it. What part of that didn’t you understand?”
Gabrielle: “You! Who are you, Xena? What happened to the Xena that I know?”
Xena: “That Xena can’t help us now. If losing her is the price for saving us all, I’ll pay it. It’s just a part of me I didn’t think I’d need anymore. Get back to work.”

With that cold, calculating "Get back to work"remark, Xena nearly cuts the strand that's holding these two friends together. Here we fans are used to the increasingly warm relationship and instead we get several scenes on par with this one, and one wonders how they can come together once again after so many tense exchanges.

Earlier in the show, after Xena has taken stock of the dispirited men waiting for the enemy to just come and kill them, Xena says THIS to Gabrielle.

Gabrielle: “Xena-- you were right. These men have given up.”
Xena: “Mmm.”
Gabrielle: “They don’t care whether they live or die. Is that what’s gonna happen?”
Xena: “Not without taking some of the Horde with us. If I’m gonna die, I’m gonna die as I am, a warrior with a sword in my hand.

But after Gabrielle has a little 1 : 1 time with the prisoner chained in her supply room, and once she realizes that the dying enemy are NOT calling upon their God of War when they ask for "Kaltaka"... they are just calling for water... Gabrielle realizes the truth in Xena's words for HERSELF.

Gabrielle: (To herself, as she is watching the prisoner drink the water gratefully) “It’s not a god. The dying men just want water. It’s such a mess. It’s you (the prisoner), it’s them, it’s-- it’s Xena. What’s become of her? It’s just not-- it’s not human. It’s-- Quite a surprise, isn’t it? Losing your humanity. Yeah-- Well, you were right, Xena. If I’m gonna die, I’m gonna die my way.”

That "code" by which Gabrielle has tried to live her life during these many months of following the Warrior Princess around has been visible throughout this ep. Each time she tried to help the Athenian soldiers being tortured on the riverbank, when she saved the General as he swam to their canoe, the way she defied Xena to feed and water her wounded, and defied Xena when she was torturing the prisoner, it was visible. But each time, she was simply reacting to someone else's agenda.

This time, Gabrielle decided it was time to act on her own agenda..."...If I’m gonna die, I’m gonna die my way.”

Xena: (She has the soldier by the tunic collar) “You let her out?!”
Athenian Soldier: “Well, she said it was your order. She sounded pretty convincing!”
Xena: “Get the smoke bombs. And tell all soldiers on the wall to prepare for battle. (She pounds on his chest) Go!”
----
Horde Soldier: “Kaltaka. Kal--”
(Gabrielle is seen, going from one wounded Horde soldier to another, letting the asked for water to drain over dried lips, down parchment cracked throats.)
----
Menticles: (To Xena as she's bounded up the ramp to see over the fortess wall) “They’ve got her.”

Realizing that I've watched everything on DVDs without the benefit of commercials, I must say the "act out" scene of 2 hulking Horde warriors surrounding Gabrielle as she sat on the ground next to her enemy, was impressive. Allowing the red blood to drip down the battle axe held in front of Gabrielle's face was downright chilling. From the LOOK on Gabrielle's face, I think she would agree.

Xena: “Wait, they’re retrieving their wounded.”
Menticles: “That’s impossible. They must be trying to kill our wounded.”
Xena: “No, no, they saw Gabrielle, and they must’ve thought it was a truce. I want some unarmed volunteers to come out with me and get them.”

When I'm playing a particularing vexing video game, one where no matter what I do, I just get creamed... I'll often just try the exact opposite of what I think I should do. And OCCASIONALLY, it works.

But Xena wasn't quite ready to admit that to Gabrielle as she ran out of the fortress to collect her defiant friend.

Xena: “Gabrielle! Get down! What do you think you’re playing with?! Come on!”
Gabrielle: (Gabrielle will NOT look at her, much less "obey" her as she looks on the field of battle and sees an unexpected sight. The man sent out for reinforcements is crawling from the tree line.) “No! Mercer! Mercer!”
Mercer: (He collapses in Gabrielle's arms, and is rewarded with "kaltaka"... water.)“Gabrielle! Xena-- you were right. I-- I should’ve gone north.”
Xena: “We’ve gotta get him inside. There’s no telling how long the truce will hold.”
Gabrielle: “Looks like you’ve got your battle to the death.”

There are two times, during this ep, that Gabrielle's displeasure have an OBVIOUS impact on Xena's psyche. One was after Xena axed a fleeing warrior in the back, to the cries of adulation of her troops but with an obvious face of disgust from Gabrielle, and the other was standing next to Mercer, hearing Gabrielle's condemnation of this Battle to the Death.

Unlike the "first time"... this time it worked.

Xena stopped hating long enough to consider trying the exact opposite of what her years of command experience and previous encounters with the Horde told her she should do.

If the Horde could recognize a truce? Would they recognize a challenge?

Xena: Warrior Princess, Temporary Commander of the Athenian Garrison is sitting on the side of the table in the command hut. The Prisoner has been led into her presence and stands before her, wrists tied together.

Xena: “Menticles, cut him loose.”
Menticles: “Are you out of your mind?”
Xena: “Do it! Give me his weapon. Stand back.” (She throws the battleaxe at the prisoner's feet)
Menticles: (Her men jump back further, as the prisoner turns on them and menaces them with the axe.) “What are you trying to prove?”
Xena: “That we have something in common." (She jumps up from the table and WITHOUT drawing her sword she puts herself between the prisoner and her men.) He doesn’t want to fight me. He wants to fight you, or anyone else.”
Ath.enian Soldier: “Is it any wonder? I’ve seen you fight.”
Xena: “No, he’s not afraid to die. It’s because he thinks that I’m in charge, and he’s not worthy of my sword. Watch.” (She pulls her sword and immediately the prisoner kneels before her, head bowed)
Menticles: “Amazing.”
X:ena (Xena does a series of hand gestures which the prisoner deciphers, and nods acceptance.) “Yes, I understand. Take him to the gates, and then release him. (The prisoner is led away) It might not make sense to us, Menticles-- but he has a code. And understanding that, we might just have a chance.”

The third reason I love this ep.

:sigh:

Even though I don't think anything is "going on" between these two at this point, other than an intense friendship... I love it when they bring these two friends "back" together.

For most of this ep, Gabrielle has fulfilled a female's traditional role in a "war" movie, to succor the sick and the dying, to try to save the humanity of the "warriors" who are trying their best to do their job and defend their comrades.

And Xena has been the military "male" role, recharging the troops with faith that they will survive, leading them not just from behind but from out front into battle. Making the "hard" choices to send out Mercer for help, to kill, to torture, to do anything she thinks has to be done to save not just Gabrielle but the men that have come to rely upon her. (Something she does in the next ep too, but I digress)

But finally, after being dressed down by Gabrielle in the field as they recovered their injured, Xena finally allows "her" female side to escape the confines of the last few days.

She "telegraphed" her change of heart with a peace offering sent to Gabrielle's hospital. A walking wounded, formerly Gabrielle's "nurse" was sent back to her with instructions to help Gabrielle in any way. He was accompanied by rations and water Xena had previously denied Gabrielle to give to the injured men too ill to help defend the compound.

(Start at 1:38, for "The Price")

... I must say, I much prefer the version they kept on screen... but this gives the flavor of the rapprochement that finally brings these two friends back together.

Xena: “Kaltaka turned out to be the key. When you went out there, they thought it was a truce to retrieve the wounded. I let my fear and hatred blind me to everything.”
Gabrielle: “Sometimes the past can do that. Xena, if I had been through what you’ve been through--”
Xena: “No. No. You understand hatred, but you have never given into it. You don’t know how much I love... that. (She takes the rag from Gabrielle and starts to clean the soldier)Here. Here.”

One of the DVD commentaries had the (?) director of photography talking about how he always tried to shoot these two actresses as if they were in a movie, not a tv show. The lighting, the colors the "quiet "just make this scene as these two "soldiers" kneel at the side of an injured comrade and sponge the blood away from him... and from their own souls.

At 2:57 of this last vid, they capture another reminder that Xena isn't just a voracious killer. She is a healer, and a teacher. Everything Gabrielle knows about healing, she learned at the feet of her best friend, whether it was in the Temple of Aesclepius or whether it was practicing on Xena herself after one of their many battles. This look at 2:57, (similar to the televised version) of student looking up to her teacher, thankfully DID make it into the final cut.

:sigh:

So our two friends have "made up", and Gabrielle has gained further insight into her Warrior Princess. She is teacher, healer, friend... but when she has to be she will always be "warrior".

Menticles: “Xena! Here he comes!”
Gabrielle: “Maybe we can talk to them.”
Xena: “Peace and understanding don’t happen overnight, Gabrielle. This is the only communication we both understand, a warrior’s code of honor. If I defeat their leader, I defeat their army. Gabrielle, If this doesn’t work, I want you to go to the river...”
Gabrielle: “No. You do what you have to do, but, we’ll walk down that road together.”

A freaking awesome ep, and worthy of JR!'s top Ten Xena shows.

Any Xena:WP fans on the boards?

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