Any Xena:WP fans on the boards?
- Thread starter JanewayRulz!
- Start date
Yes, I just got Season 3 of Xena: WP on DVD and I'm looking forward to watching or rewatching these great episodes.
An EXCELLENT season to rewatch!
I have 10 minutes before the next workshop begins, and decided to check in with Trekbbs.
I have recently rewatched some of the season 1 eps, and maybe Keith ...
... in the midst of season 3 can answer a question for me.
Is the scar on Xena's right "chest" as noticable in season 3 as it was in season 1?
I actually don't recall seeing it much in the later seasons and wonder if I just got used to it or if they were better at covering it up as the years went by.And yesssss,
this question has a DIRECT IMPACT on something that's going to happen in the finale... when I finally get around to DOING the finale! 
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Yeah, it was amazing how little blood one would see after all those battles, but I suspect it had something to do with TV censorship.
IIRC, the reason the Klingon blood in "Undiscovered Country" was pepto bismol pink was to avoid an R rating in the theaters.
As for battle scars... I suspect "that one" preceeded the TV series.
I'm 10 min late for my next lecture, so here's an oldie but a goodie for we X/G fans.
ETA: The above vid has gone "private" so here's an alternative, another "oldie but goodie".
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There is an absolutely fabulous Q&A on the Xena forum from 2008 between posters and Producer/writer RJ Stewart that IIRC I've referenced once before. I heartily recommend you to the thread as I have NOT reproduced it here in its entirety. Instead I've tried to bring out those points specifically directed at the finale of the show.
Which means I've left out GREAT points that you need to go back and read for yourself... whether its RJ's suggestion to behead nonbelievers, or his opinion on the overt sexualization of the show in season 5&6, or whether or not Xena loved subtly torturing Gabrielle. For those please hike over to this site and ENJOY!
http://xena.yuku.com/topic/17042
For the cliffs notes version primatily relating to FIN and the motivations behind the Xena & Gabrielle characters...
Q: If you had to redo the Finale,would you change it now that you know the fans were not happy about it, or would you leave it the same way? I mean would you still let Xena dying?
A: No. I love that ending. It was very Greek and tragic and totally keeping with the theme of Xena's arch - the villain turned hero who can't forget the dark deeds of her past.
All my life I've been fascinated with the Greek myths. I lived in Greece for three years when I was a teenager and for years I loved reading Robert Graves' retelling of the myths. One of the coolest things about starting work on Xena back in 1995 was to find out that Rob Tapert was also into Robert Graves. So redoing the myths and inserting Xena into them as if she was a lost mythological character was one of the main underpinnings of the whole show as far as I was concerned.
Lucy clearly was an actress capable of real dramatic depth so there was no reason to steer clear of the tragic element in the myths.
As we began to explore her dark past, I more and more embraced the idea that the series should end as it began, focusing on Xena's overwhelming desire to redeem herself. And I thought it should end in a way consistent with the Greek myths. Those stories didn't usually end real well. Whether it was Oedipus gouging his eyes out or the horrific cycle of revenge and retribution played out in the House of Atreus or the remarkable sacrifice made by Antigone for a principle, the myths are full of examples of consequences for actions and self sacrifice.
It's sometimes lost in the romance of Hercules, but his labors were a penance for murdering his wife and children. So even though some in the Xenaverse were disappointed with the decision we made in that final ep, I still very much believe in it.
Q: If you had to end the show in the sixth season, knowing what you know now about the fan base, their reactions and the actors would you have ...
1.) changed the ending,
2.) brought out the Xena and Gabrielle relationship further,
3.) kept the show truer to pagan gods and the myths of ancient Greece
A: No to all of those. I'm unrepentant.
Q: On various boards of online fandom, you have been celebrated as writing some of the best Gabrielle-centric episodes and highly criticized for writing some of the worst Gabrielle-centric episodes. How did you see Gabrielle and how did you understand the character?
A: I always felt that the relationship we established in the Sins of the Past was ripe with opportunities for heart. To make that heart resonate, Gabrielle had to work as a character. Rene was wonderful in the part. So it made sense to keep exploring her character, putting her in the most difficult situations, and hearing her express feelings that would be out of character for Xena to express. And always, from day one, I saw that Gabrielle's character could grow and evolve, change if you will, in a way our hero's character couldn't.
Xena had already had the great epiphany when she went from villain to hero. She now had to remain steady. Gabrielle could fluctuate. Of course, with Xena we went the other way, flashbacks to when she was evil. And wasn't Lucy brilliant as the evil Xena!
Q: What she just a side-kick, plot device, Xena's consciousness, the light, or something else entirely?
A: I saw Gabrielle as Everywoman. I know that was Rob's original vision of her, too. She was the one the audience could relate to. We were seeing Xena's experience through Gabrielle's eyes.
I took the Xena scrolls concept very seriously. Xena's heroic exploits had been suppressed by sexist academics for centuries. The discovery of the Xena Scrolls, written by her beloved companion, Gabrielle, the Bard of Potidea, has restored her to her proper place in ancient history and myth. We were simply dramatizing those scrolls.
Q: By the end of FIN2, Gabrielle was the 'girl with the chakram'. In your opinion, did Gabrielle become a mini-Xena, someone to replace Xena? Is that an accurate interpretation? What do you see happening to Gabrielle after FIN2?
A: After Xena's death, Gabrielle went on to become a formidable force for good. She was different from Xena though. She traveled the world looking to help people in trouble, as Xena had done, but she also brought with her that spiritual healing side that Xena loved in her. And of course she always had the spirit of her departed friend in her heart.
Q: Redemption seems to be a reoccurring theme throughout the show. How does the redemption theme in FIN play out in your opinion? Was Xena truly redeemed? Many fans (myself included) point to Ides of March or Fallen Angel as the moments when she was redeemed. Was it something thrown into FIN?
A: One of the most fascinating things about Xena is that she was a villain in another series. We infer that she was responsible for the death of innocent people.
What redeems that?
It was a question that drove the character for the entire series and an excellent theme to continue to explore in the final episode of the series.
Q: At the end of FIN, did you consider that Xena's ghost had objective reality, or was she only present to Gabrielle (but still actually Xena talking), or was Gabrielle making the ghost up?
A: Objective reality for sure.
Q: In the DVD interview for your Season 3 episode "Forgiven" you said that when Xena walks away in the last scene because she didn't want to be forgiven that she "still has to redeem herself...she has much more to do", do you think that Xena feels that she does deserve forgiveness at the end of the series with "A Friend in Need" I & II? By that time does she think she has done enough to redeem herself or was it just a single selfless act that she really didn't consider that much, she just knew she had to die to save those souls?
A: The great awakening that Xena had in "Sins of the Past" can be stated thus: "I've lived a life of a death maker. Now, I've had an epiphany, a revelation, a vision. I see what I've done, the consequences, the suffering I've caused.
Perhaps, I'll destroy myself so I can hurt no one else. Wait, people are in trouble. I'll help them. That's it! I'll give my life to protecting innocent people against people like me. And will that redeem me? Maybe, if I do it long enough, but really it's up to someone else to decide that. I must keep working to help people. I don't want to be "forgiven" in a ceremonial way so I feel better about myself. Did the people I killed for greed and revenge ever get a chance to feel better about themselves? I must continue to protect the innocent and any time I see a way to make up for the Sins of the Past, I must embrace it. How it all ends, a higher power will decide, but I know my mission and I will give my life to it."
With that in mind, I (RJ)would answer your question by saying that whether she deserves forgiveness is irrelevant to Xena. She knows her role in the universe and she's going to play that role no matter what the consequences.
{I LOVE this next Q&A}
Q: "Adventures in the Sin Trade" I & II are great examples of how lost Xena is without Gabrielle. Do you think Gabrielle is stronger than Xena in that way, that she could go on without Xena? If the roles had been reversed in "A Friend in Need" do you think that Xena would have just poured the ashes in the fountain to get Gabrielle back?
A: Fabulous question. Yes, in that way, Xena needed Gabrielle more than Gabrielle needed Xena. Xena would have poured those ashes. Her view of herself as savior of the innocent rather than a slayer was very dependent on the love and admiration she got from Gabrielle. 
Which means I've left out GREAT points that you need to go back and read for yourself... whether its RJ's suggestion to behead nonbelievers, or his opinion on the overt sexualization of the show in season 5&6, or whether or not Xena loved subtly torturing Gabrielle. For those please hike over to this site and ENJOY!
http://xena.yuku.com/topic/17042
For the cliffs notes version primatily relating to FIN and the motivations behind the Xena & Gabrielle characters...
Q: If you had to redo the Finale,would you change it now that you know the fans were not happy about it, or would you leave it the same way? I mean would you still let Xena dying?
A: No. I love that ending. It was very Greek and tragic and totally keeping with the theme of Xena's arch - the villain turned hero who can't forget the dark deeds of her past.
All my life I've been fascinated with the Greek myths. I lived in Greece for three years when I was a teenager and for years I loved reading Robert Graves' retelling of the myths. One of the coolest things about starting work on Xena back in 1995 was to find out that Rob Tapert was also into Robert Graves. So redoing the myths and inserting Xena into them as if she was a lost mythological character was one of the main underpinnings of the whole show as far as I was concerned.
Lucy clearly was an actress capable of real dramatic depth so there was no reason to steer clear of the tragic element in the myths.
As we began to explore her dark past, I more and more embraced the idea that the series should end as it began, focusing on Xena's overwhelming desire to redeem herself. And I thought it should end in a way consistent with the Greek myths. Those stories didn't usually end real well. Whether it was Oedipus gouging his eyes out or the horrific cycle of revenge and retribution played out in the House of Atreus or the remarkable sacrifice made by Antigone for a principle, the myths are full of examples of consequences for actions and self sacrifice.
It's sometimes lost in the romance of Hercules, but his labors were a penance for murdering his wife and children. So even though some in the Xenaverse were disappointed with the decision we made in that final ep, I still very much believe in it.
Q: If you had to end the show in the sixth season, knowing what you know now about the fan base, their reactions and the actors would you have ...
1.) changed the ending,
2.) brought out the Xena and Gabrielle relationship further,
3.) kept the show truer to pagan gods and the myths of ancient Greece
A: No to all of those. I'm unrepentant.
Q: On various boards of online fandom, you have been celebrated as writing some of the best Gabrielle-centric episodes and highly criticized for writing some of the worst Gabrielle-centric episodes. How did you see Gabrielle and how did you understand the character?
A: I always felt that the relationship we established in the Sins of the Past was ripe with opportunities for heart. To make that heart resonate, Gabrielle had to work as a character. Rene was wonderful in the part. So it made sense to keep exploring her character, putting her in the most difficult situations, and hearing her express feelings that would be out of character for Xena to express. And always, from day one, I saw that Gabrielle's character could grow and evolve, change if you will, in a way our hero's character couldn't.
Xena had already had the great epiphany when she went from villain to hero. She now had to remain steady. Gabrielle could fluctuate. Of course, with Xena we went the other way, flashbacks to when she was evil. And wasn't Lucy brilliant as the evil Xena!
Q: What she just a side-kick, plot device, Xena's consciousness, the light, or something else entirely?
A: I saw Gabrielle as Everywoman. I know that was Rob's original vision of her, too. She was the one the audience could relate to. We were seeing Xena's experience through Gabrielle's eyes.
I took the Xena scrolls concept very seriously. Xena's heroic exploits had been suppressed by sexist academics for centuries. The discovery of the Xena Scrolls, written by her beloved companion, Gabrielle, the Bard of Potidea, has restored her to her proper place in ancient history and myth. We were simply dramatizing those scrolls.
Q: By the end of FIN2, Gabrielle was the 'girl with the chakram'. In your opinion, did Gabrielle become a mini-Xena, someone to replace Xena? Is that an accurate interpretation? What do you see happening to Gabrielle after FIN2?
A: After Xena's death, Gabrielle went on to become a formidable force for good. She was different from Xena though. She traveled the world looking to help people in trouble, as Xena had done, but she also brought with her that spiritual healing side that Xena loved in her. And of course she always had the spirit of her departed friend in her heart.
Q: Redemption seems to be a reoccurring theme throughout the show. How does the redemption theme in FIN play out in your opinion? Was Xena truly redeemed? Many fans (myself included) point to Ides of March or Fallen Angel as the moments when she was redeemed. Was it something thrown into FIN?
A: One of the most fascinating things about Xena is that she was a villain in another series. We infer that she was responsible for the death of innocent people.
What redeems that?
It was a question that drove the character for the entire series and an excellent theme to continue to explore in the final episode of the series.
Q: At the end of FIN, did you consider that Xena's ghost had objective reality, or was she only present to Gabrielle (but still actually Xena talking), or was Gabrielle making the ghost up?
A: Objective reality for sure.
Q: In the DVD interview for your Season 3 episode "Forgiven" you said that when Xena walks away in the last scene because she didn't want to be forgiven that she "still has to redeem herself...she has much more to do", do you think that Xena feels that she does deserve forgiveness at the end of the series with "A Friend in Need" I & II? By that time does she think she has done enough to redeem herself or was it just a single selfless act that she really didn't consider that much, she just knew she had to die to save those souls?
A: The great awakening that Xena had in "Sins of the Past" can be stated thus: "I've lived a life of a death maker. Now, I've had an epiphany, a revelation, a vision. I see what I've done, the consequences, the suffering I've caused.
Perhaps, I'll destroy myself so I can hurt no one else. Wait, people are in trouble. I'll help them. That's it! I'll give my life to protecting innocent people against people like me. And will that redeem me? Maybe, if I do it long enough, but really it's up to someone else to decide that. I must keep working to help people. I don't want to be "forgiven" in a ceremonial way so I feel better about myself. Did the people I killed for greed and revenge ever get a chance to feel better about themselves? I must continue to protect the innocent and any time I see a way to make up for the Sins of the Past, I must embrace it. How it all ends, a higher power will decide, but I know my mission and I will give my life to it."
With that in mind, I (RJ)would answer your question by saying that whether she deserves forgiveness is irrelevant to Xena. She knows her role in the universe and she's going to play that role no matter what the consequences.
{I LOVE this next Q&A}
Q: "Adventures in the Sin Trade" I & II are great examples of how lost Xena is without Gabrielle. Do you think Gabrielle is stronger than Xena in that way, that she could go on without Xena? If the roles had been reversed in "A Friend in Need" do you think that Xena would have just poured the ashes in the fountain to get Gabrielle back?
A: Fabulous question. Yes, in that way, Xena needed Gabrielle more than Gabrielle needed Xena. Xena would have poured those ashes. Her view of herself as savior of the innocent rather than a slayer was very dependent on the love and admiration she got from Gabrielle.
I am well aware that many who've watched Xena:Warrior Princess during its first run were quite upset and angry over the finale, for a variety of reasons.
I sympathize with that viewpoint even though I'm late to the Xena:WP party, given the fact that I recall the hue and cry in the Star Trek Voyager universe over "Endgame", its own finale with a " truncated ending", a criminal flouting of the temporal prime directive, and its incomprehensible throwing away of the 7 year J/C ship for the unbelievable C/7 ship (Think Gabrielle throwing Xena over for Ares in the finale!).
In fact, as I started to collect FIN related vids for this final twoparter... I mistakenly placed the in a folder designated "Xena: Endgame" NOT "Xena FIN".
Now is the time for me to reveal to my nonVoyager forum followers a surprising fact about JRulz! OTHER that the ridiculous C/7 sidestory... I LOVED STV's "Endgame".
Now... can I assume you can guess what I think of "FIN"?
I emphathize with my hardcore fellow Xena fans, but I have to agree with RJ Stewart's contention that there was no way for this "Mythic Greek Tale" to end "well".
This year I picked up another set of "teaching company" lectures on "Books that have made history, books that can change your life", and was struck by the blurb that touted the lecture on Vergil's 2000 year old work, The Aeneid. Although I've yet to crack it open yet, (still working on "Utopia & Terror in the 20th century"), I'd like to share that blurb".
"... And the story continues. But in its theme, noble language, and universality, the Aeneid is the embodiment of the ideal of a great book. It is an epic about the moral value of duty. Its theme is civic virtue, the willingness of an individual to subordinate his own interest to the good of the community as a whole.
Aenas is pious because he chooses to serve his nation, and in that service, he fulfills his divine destiny. That service forces him into a war, a civil war, a war he doesn not want. But through the leadership of Aeneas, his nation is reborn, and he achieves immortality."
Now lets be clear, Xena would be the FIRST person to claim she is NOT Aeneas...
(From the season 1 finale, "Is there a Doctor in the House?" Xena: “Get up, Galen. I’m not Aesclepius-- you should know that by now.)
... and yet she is also the first one to acknowledge that her duty in life, her "mission statement" as it were, is to atone for her evil past deeds by helping the innocent.
How many times have I used this clip?
(Also from season 1 "The Greater Good" Xena: “It’s not about me. It’s about these people. That’s why we’re here. People like this used to be my victims. I keep that in mind every time we come up against a warlord...)
We all want a "happy" ending, after investing 6 or 7 "years" into a story/character. We want to know that after all the trials and tribulations, our friends ride off into the sunset... "together", but we sometimes forget what the story was about all along.
Janeway had to "get her people home", not make sure they were settled into their new lives once they got there.
Xena had to atone for the thousands she and her armies massacred.
And Gabrielle?
Gabrielle had the hardest job of all.
She had to let Xena pay the ultimate price, because in the end she knew Xena couldn't have lived with the knowledge of 40,000 souls denied that final "state of grace".
A: Yes, in that way, Xena needed Gabrielle more than Gabrielle needed Xena. Xena would have poured those ashes. (into the fountain of strength to reconstitute her lost friend) Her view of herself as savior of the innocent rather than a slayer was very dependent on the love and admiration she got from Gabrielle.
Gabrielle was the "everywoman", she was "us" fangirl and audience to the warrior that was Xena. When the broadcast finale ends with Gabrielle alone on that ship, it was like watching the audience sitting alone as the series "ends".
That's why we won't be doing the broadcast finale version in this recap, but rather the "director's cut". Because we "true" believers will carry these characters in our hearts for years, just as I've carried Kirk and Spock and McCoy, Picard and Sisko and Janeway, Adama and Roslin.
I sympathize with that viewpoint even though I'm late to the Xena:WP party, given the fact that I recall the hue and cry in the Star Trek Voyager universe over "Endgame", its own finale with a " truncated ending", a criminal flouting of the temporal prime directive, and its incomprehensible throwing away of the 7 year J/C ship for the unbelievable C/7 ship (Think Gabrielle throwing Xena over for Ares in the finale!).
In fact, as I started to collect FIN related vids for this final twoparter... I mistakenly placed the in a folder designated "Xena: Endgame" NOT "Xena FIN".
Now is the time for me to reveal to my nonVoyager forum followers a surprising fact about JRulz! OTHER that the ridiculous C/7 sidestory... I LOVED STV's "Endgame".
Now... can I assume you can guess what I think of "FIN"?
I emphathize with my hardcore fellow Xena fans, but I have to agree with RJ Stewart's contention that there was no way for this "Mythic Greek Tale" to end "well".
This year I picked up another set of "teaching company" lectures on "Books that have made history, books that can change your life", and was struck by the blurb that touted the lecture on Vergil's 2000 year old work, The Aeneid. Although I've yet to crack it open yet, (still working on "Utopia & Terror in the 20th century"), I'd like to share that blurb".
"... And the story continues. But in its theme, noble language, and universality, the Aeneid is the embodiment of the ideal of a great book. It is an epic about the moral value of duty. Its theme is civic virtue, the willingness of an individual to subordinate his own interest to the good of the community as a whole.
Aenas is pious because he chooses to serve his nation, and in that service, he fulfills his divine destiny. That service forces him into a war, a civil war, a war he doesn not want. But through the leadership of Aeneas, his nation is reborn, and he achieves immortality."
Now lets be clear, Xena would be the FIRST person to claim she is NOT Aeneas...
(From the season 1 finale, "Is there a Doctor in the House?" Xena: “Get up, Galen. I’m not Aesclepius-- you should know that by now.)
... and yet she is also the first one to acknowledge that her duty in life, her "mission statement" as it were, is to atone for her evil past deeds by helping the innocent.
How many times have I used this clip?
(Also from season 1 "The Greater Good" Xena: “It’s not about me. It’s about these people. That’s why we’re here. People like this used to be my victims. I keep that in mind every time we come up against a warlord...)
We all want a "happy" ending, after investing 6 or 7 "years" into a story/character. We want to know that after all the trials and tribulations, our friends ride off into the sunset... "together", but we sometimes forget what the story was about all along.
Janeway had to "get her people home", not make sure they were settled into their new lives once they got there.
Xena had to atone for the thousands she and her armies massacred.
And Gabrielle?
Gabrielle had the hardest job of all.
She had to let Xena pay the ultimate price, because in the end she knew Xena couldn't have lived with the knowledge of 40,000 souls denied that final "state of grace".
A: Yes, in that way, Xena needed Gabrielle more than Gabrielle needed Xena. Xena would have poured those ashes. (into the fountain of strength to reconstitute her lost friend) Her view of herself as savior of the innocent rather than a slayer was very dependent on the love and admiration she got from Gabrielle.
Gabrielle was the "everywoman", she was "us" fangirl and audience to the warrior that was Xena. When the broadcast finale ends with Gabrielle alone on that ship, it was like watching the audience sitting alone as the series "ends".
That's why we won't be doing the broadcast finale version in this recap, but rather the "director's cut". Because we "true" believers will carry these characters in our hearts for years, just as I've carried Kirk and Spock and McCoy, Picard and Sisko and Janeway, Adama and Roslin.
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Episode 133 season 6 # 21 “A Friend in Need I”
XENA:Warrior Princess season 6 credits begins FIRST in the director's cut:
http://mikes-images.com/eps/afin3/pages/afin3_mq_001.htm
[TEASER]
http://miroirdarc.com/xwp/s6/afin/xena_s6_afin_dArc_001.jpg
GABRIELLE: (She's laying back on her elbows, near their night campfire ) “Looking out at the cosmos makes you think...
http://miroirdarc.com/xwp/s6/afin/xena_s6_afin_dArc_003.jpg
GABRIELLE: about where we are... where we’ve been... where we’re going now.”
http://miroirdarc.com/xwp/s6/afin/xena_s6_afin_dArc_007.jpg
XENA: (sits up) “Yeah... and like the bigger now. I mean, Gabrielle, what are we gonna do? Wander around Greece our whole lives looking for trouble? Why don’t we go away? Far away? (She gets that wistful entreating tone to her voice) Whaddya say?”
GABRIELLE: (Smiles; after how many years and how many campfires?) “I can’t believe you’re awake, much less listening to me.”
http://miroirdarc.com/xwp/s6/afin/xena_s6_afin_dArc_008.jpg
XENA: “Let’s go south to the land of the Pharaohs. I hear they’re in need of a girl with a chakram.”
Noise... someone/something is moving through the brush.
http://miroirdarc.com/xwp/s6/afin/xena_s6_afin_dArc_018.jpg
GABRIELLE: (she nods her chin out towards the darkness) “You know that there’s somebody out there.”
XENA: (She's so unimpressed with this stalker) “Yeah, he’s been trying to find us the past half-hour.”
(Xena whistles as Gabrielle turns to hone in on their visitor, then hops up and goes looking for him. Nota bene: she isn’t carrying her sais. But then again, who need sais when Xena is 2 feet behind you??? )
Kenji’s Voice: “Oh!”
Gabrielle finds the stranger on his knees where he fell, and reaches to help him stand.
GABRIELLE: “Are you all right?”
http://miroirdarc.com/xwp/s6/afin/xena_s6_afin_dArc_022.jpg
Kenji: “Ah-- yes. Thank you.”
He bows, which brings his “umbrella” or personal awning perilously close to hitting the blonde and she jumps back.
GABRIELLE: “Whoa!”
Kenji: (to Gabrielle) “Are you Xena?”
XENA: “Who’s askin’?”
http://mikes-images.com/eps/afin3/pages/afin3_mq_008.htm
Kenji: “A messenger-- sent by Akemi.”
Oh THAT got her attention!
XENA: (Her smile flees) “Akemi? You saw Akemi?”
http://miroirdarc.com/xwp/s6/afin/xena_s6_afin_dArc_025.jpg
Kenji: “Several weeks ago. I was journeying with another monk through a forest-- near the town of Higuchi.”
http://miroirdarc.com/xwp/s6/afin/xena_s6_afin_dArc_026dc.jpg
* * * *
http://miroirdarc.com/xwp/s6/afin/xena_s6_afin_dArc_032.jpg
We see two monks, one with his own personal awning, one without, run across a narrow bridge to a Japanese Teahouse in the middle of a pond.
http://mikes-images.com/eps/afin3/pages/afin3_mq_011.htm
Kenjis Voice: “It started to rain. And we sought shelter at a teahouse.”
http://miroirdarc.com/xwp/s6/afin/xena_s6_afin_dArc_042.jpg
Monk 2 [Laughs as he surveys the 3 Geishas kneeling inside the teahouse]: “Kenji-- not even you could be frightened of this.”
http://miroirdarc.com/xwp/s6/afin/xena_s6_afin_dArc_053.jpg
* * * *
Monk 2 is in the hot tub with 2 of the women, sans clothes, need I say more?
Kenji (AKA Monk 1, I presume) sits in the middle of the room next to Akemi as she plays the floor harp/lyre/sitar (?). He’s looking at her delicately brushed scrolls (Get your mind out of the gutter!) then turns to notice ... GASP ... her kimono as slipped ever so slightly off the point of her shoulder, showing a little more neck than before. So naturally he quickly turns from the bare neck and back towards the much safer scroll.
http://miroirdarc.com/xwp/s6/afin/xena_s6_afin_dArc_064.jpg
Kenji: “Your shuji (Japanese Calligraphy?) has great dignity and beauty.”
http://miroirdarc.com/xwp/s6/afin/xena_s6_afin_dArc_071.jpg
Akemi seems shocked, though pleasantly so, and tugs her kimono back into place before resuming her gentle recital.
Kenji’s Voice narrates: “I am blessed with a certainty about what it means to be a monk, but my companion ...
(and we see many far and close up shots of Monk 2 in the hot tub with the two geisha’s who are showing more than just a little “neck” as they tend to his "needs".)
Kenji’s Voice narrates:...was not as steadfast in
his resolve.”
The two bare nekkid ladies eye each other as Monk 2 closes his eyes and arches into his own fantasy land.
http://mikes-images.com/eps/afin3/pages/afin3_mq_019.htm
Slowly we see a nekkid ankle gently rise out of the hot tub's water. It carries a golden bracelet with bells, and we see the ankle beat several times, softly clanging those very same bells.
Akemi looks up suddenly, and we cut to outside the teahouse. Something is growling and making its way faster and faster to this faux safety
Akemi: (To Kenji) “You must leave-- now.”
Akmei pulls Kenji to his feet and forces him to the back of the teahouse as we see more cuts of the unknown terror fast approaching the teahouse.
http://mikes-images.com/eps/afin3/pages/afin3_mq_020.htm
Akemi then picks up a Japanese sword AKA the sacred Katana, from its place of honor, and runs to the back of the teahouse.
http://mikes-images.com/eps/afin3/pages/afin3_mq_021.htm
Poor monk 2. He finishes his fantasy and opens his eyes to find not only have Akemi & Kenji disappeared, so have the 2 Geishas wrapped around him in the hot tub.
http://miroirdarc.com/xwp/s6/afin/xena_s6_afin_dArc_079.jpg
The terror fast approaching the teahouse has arrived, and breaks its way through the paper and wooden walls.
http://miroirdarc.com/xwp/s6/afin/xena_s6_afin_dArc_088.jpg
At first all we see is its head, which itself is 6 foot tall, and it's bellowing.
http://miroirdarc.com/xwp/s6/afin/xena_s6_afin_dArc_096.jpg
Yodoshi: [Roars and suddenly the head shrinks and we see a man with a macabre face appear.]
Yodoshi: [Inhales, Blows out, then inhales]
http://miroirdarc.com/xwp/s6/afin/xena_s6_afin_dArc_106.jpg
Monk 2: [Screams as the cold breath freeze dries him like a tanker full of liquid nitrogen in Terminator 2]
http://miroirdarc.com/xwp/s6/afin/xena_s6_afin_dArc_109.jpg
Strangely enough, we see Kenji just outside the door, taking in this horrific scene...
http://miroirdarc.com/xwp/s6/afin/xena_s6_afin_dArc_128.jpg
...until he sees the demon inhale his freeze dried associate.
http://miroirdarc.com/xwp/s6/afin/xena_s6_afin_dArc_118.jpg
THAT’s when Kenji decides running away is a good thing!
* * * *
Kenji runs around the teahouse porch, comes to the front walkway and then JUMPS into the water to run around the rest of the walkway, only to climb OUT of the water back onto the dock where the blessed walkway ends!
Kenji: [Coughs as he looks back at the teahouse, from his prone position on the dock, for any signs of pursuit. Of course, that means he’s NOT looking over his shoulder where someone is about to appear and touch him.]
Akemi: (She kneels next to the prostrate Monk, leaning on the Katana as if it were a simple walking stick.) “I know you’re a good man. In the teahouse, I felt the compassion in your heart. Don’t fear me.”
Kenji: “W-who-- who was that demon?!”
Akemi: “The lord of the dark land. He’s preparing an army to wage war in Higuchi and slaughter the populace. Honorable monk, I beg you to do what must be done, to stop him enslaving the souls of that city.” (she offers him the sacred Katana)
http://miroirdarc.com/xwp/s6/afin/xena_s6_afin_dArc_145.jpg
Kenji: (He won't take it) “But I’m no swordsman!”
Akemi: “There’s one in the west, far beyond the setting sun.”
Kenji: “A samurai?! A priest?! A God?!”
Akemi: “No-- a Warrior Princess.”
http://miroirdarc.com/xwp/s6/afin/xena_s6_afin_dArc_154.jpg
* * * *
http://miroirdarc.com/xwp/s6/afin/xena_s6_afin_dArc_156.jpg
Back to Greece and our two friends listening to this incredible tale.
Kenji holds out the katana to Xena.
Kenji: "Xena, you must save Higuchi from destruction.
Xena takes the Katana in both hands, but she doesn't look happy about it.
GABRIELLE: "The Land of the Rising Sun...that's beyond Chin. I didn't know you were there Xena."
XENA: (looks sad and regretful) "Yes, I was there, I was there. (Turns quickly to her friend) Gabrielle, this is not going to be the trip that I promised you, but if Akemi calls, I must go."
http://mikes-images.com/eps/afin3/pages/afin3_mq_033.htm
GABRIELLE: (This ISN'T season 3 when they were first called to the land of Ch'in. No jealousy, no fear, no doubt can be seen on this singular face) “Where you go... I’m at your side.”
XENA: I knew you’d say that.
(Hell, after 6 seasons... I think we ALL knew she'd say that! )
TEASER ENDS:
XENA:Warrior Princess season 6 credits begins FIRST in the director's cut:
http://mikes-images.com/eps/afin3/pages/afin3_mq_001.htm
[TEASER]
http://miroirdarc.com/xwp/s6/afin/xena_s6_afin_dArc_001.jpg
GABRIELLE: (She's laying back on her elbows, near their night campfire ) “Looking out at the cosmos makes you think...
http://miroirdarc.com/xwp/s6/afin/xena_s6_afin_dArc_003.jpg
GABRIELLE: about where we are... where we’ve been... where we’re going now.”
http://miroirdarc.com/xwp/s6/afin/xena_s6_afin_dArc_007.jpg
XENA: (sits up) “Yeah... and like the bigger now. I mean, Gabrielle, what are we gonna do? Wander around Greece our whole lives looking for trouble? Why don’t we go away? Far away? (She gets that wistful entreating tone to her voice) Whaddya say?”
GABRIELLE: (Smiles; after how many years and how many campfires?) “I can’t believe you’re awake, much less listening to me.”
http://miroirdarc.com/xwp/s6/afin/xena_s6_afin_dArc_008.jpg
XENA: “Let’s go south to the land of the Pharaohs. I hear they’re in need of a girl with a chakram.”
Noise... someone/something is moving through the brush.
http://miroirdarc.com/xwp/s6/afin/xena_s6_afin_dArc_018.jpg
GABRIELLE: (she nods her chin out towards the darkness) “You know that there’s somebody out there.”
XENA: (She's so unimpressed with this stalker) “Yeah, he’s been trying to find us the past half-hour.”
(Xena whistles as Gabrielle turns to hone in on their visitor, then hops up and goes looking for him. Nota bene: she isn’t carrying her sais. But then again, who need sais when Xena is 2 feet behind you???
)Kenji’s Voice: “Oh!”
Gabrielle finds the stranger on his knees where he fell, and reaches to help him stand.
GABRIELLE: “Are you all right?”
http://miroirdarc.com/xwp/s6/afin/xena_s6_afin_dArc_022.jpg
Kenji: “Ah-- yes. Thank you.”
He bows, which brings his “umbrella” or personal awning perilously close to hitting the blonde and she jumps back.
GABRIELLE: “Whoa!”
Kenji: (to Gabrielle) “Are you Xena?”
XENA: “Who’s askin’?”
http://mikes-images.com/eps/afin3/pages/afin3_mq_008.htm
Kenji: “A messenger-- sent by Akemi.”
Oh THAT got her attention!
XENA: (Her smile flees) “Akemi? You saw Akemi?”
http://miroirdarc.com/xwp/s6/afin/xena_s6_afin_dArc_025.jpg
Kenji: “Several weeks ago. I was journeying with another monk through a forest-- near the town of Higuchi.”
http://miroirdarc.com/xwp/s6/afin/xena_s6_afin_dArc_026dc.jpg
* * * *
http://miroirdarc.com/xwp/s6/afin/xena_s6_afin_dArc_032.jpg
We see two monks, one with his own personal awning, one without, run across a narrow bridge to a Japanese Teahouse in the middle of a pond.
http://mikes-images.com/eps/afin3/pages/afin3_mq_011.htm
Kenjis Voice: “It started to rain. And we sought shelter at a teahouse.”
http://miroirdarc.com/xwp/s6/afin/xena_s6_afin_dArc_042.jpg
Monk 2 [Laughs as he surveys the 3 Geishas kneeling inside the teahouse]: “Kenji-- not even you could be frightened of this.”
http://miroirdarc.com/xwp/s6/afin/xena_s6_afin_dArc_053.jpg
* * * *
Monk 2 is in the hot tub with 2 of the women, sans clothes, need I say more?
Kenji (AKA Monk 1, I presume) sits in the middle of the room next to Akemi as she plays the floor harp/lyre/sitar (?). He’s looking at her delicately brushed scrolls (Get your mind out of the gutter!) then turns to notice ... GASP ... her kimono as slipped ever so slightly off the point of her shoulder, showing a little more neck than before. So naturally he quickly turns from the bare neck and back towards the much safer scroll.
http://miroirdarc.com/xwp/s6/afin/xena_s6_afin_dArc_064.jpg
Kenji: “Your shuji (Japanese Calligraphy?) has great dignity and beauty.”
http://miroirdarc.com/xwp/s6/afin/xena_s6_afin_dArc_071.jpg
Akemi seems shocked, though pleasantly so, and tugs her kimono back into place before resuming her gentle recital.
Kenji’s Voice narrates: “I am blessed with a certainty about what it means to be a monk, but my companion ...
(and we see many far and close up shots of Monk 2 in the hot tub with the two geisha’s who are showing more than just a little “neck” as they tend to his "needs".)
Kenji’s Voice narrates:...was not as steadfast in
his resolve.”
The two bare nekkid ladies eye each other as Monk 2 closes his eyes and arches into his own fantasy land.
http://mikes-images.com/eps/afin3/pages/afin3_mq_019.htm
Slowly we see a nekkid ankle gently rise out of the hot tub's water. It carries a golden bracelet with bells, and we see the ankle beat several times, softly clanging those very same bells.
Akemi looks up suddenly, and we cut to outside the teahouse. Something is growling and making its way faster and faster to this faux safety
Akemi: (To Kenji) “You must leave-- now.”
Akmei pulls Kenji to his feet and forces him to the back of the teahouse as we see more cuts of the unknown terror fast approaching the teahouse.
http://mikes-images.com/eps/afin3/pages/afin3_mq_020.htm
Akemi then picks up a Japanese sword AKA the sacred Katana, from its place of honor, and runs to the back of the teahouse.
http://mikes-images.com/eps/afin3/pages/afin3_mq_021.htm
Poor monk 2. He finishes his fantasy and opens his eyes to find not only have Akemi & Kenji disappeared, so have the 2 Geishas wrapped around him in the hot tub.
http://miroirdarc.com/xwp/s6/afin/xena_s6_afin_dArc_079.jpg
The terror fast approaching the teahouse has arrived, and breaks its way through the paper and wooden walls.
http://miroirdarc.com/xwp/s6/afin/xena_s6_afin_dArc_088.jpg
At first all we see is its head, which itself is 6 foot tall, and it's bellowing.
http://miroirdarc.com/xwp/s6/afin/xena_s6_afin_dArc_096.jpg
Yodoshi: [Roars and suddenly the head shrinks and we see a man with a macabre face appear.]
Yodoshi: [Inhales, Blows out, then inhales]
http://miroirdarc.com/xwp/s6/afin/xena_s6_afin_dArc_106.jpg
Monk 2: [Screams as the cold breath freeze dries him like a tanker full of liquid nitrogen in Terminator 2]
http://miroirdarc.com/xwp/s6/afin/xena_s6_afin_dArc_109.jpg
Strangely enough, we see Kenji just outside the door, taking in this horrific scene...
http://miroirdarc.com/xwp/s6/afin/xena_s6_afin_dArc_128.jpg
...until he sees the demon inhale his freeze dried associate.
http://miroirdarc.com/xwp/s6/afin/xena_s6_afin_dArc_118.jpg
THAT’s when Kenji decides running away is a good thing!
* * * *
Kenji runs around the teahouse porch, comes to the front walkway and then JUMPS into the water to run around the rest of the walkway, only to climb OUT of the water back onto the dock where the blessed walkway ends!
Kenji: [Coughs as he looks back at the teahouse, from his prone position on the dock, for any signs of pursuit. Of course, that means he’s NOT looking over his shoulder where someone is about to appear and touch him.]
Akemi: (She kneels next to the prostrate Monk, leaning on the Katana as if it were a simple walking stick.) “I know you’re a good man. In the teahouse, I felt the compassion in your heart. Don’t fear me.”
Kenji: “W-who-- who was that demon?!”
Akemi: “The lord of the dark land. He’s preparing an army to wage war in Higuchi and slaughter the populace. Honorable monk, I beg you to do what must be done, to stop him enslaving the souls of that city.” (she offers him the sacred Katana)
http://miroirdarc.com/xwp/s6/afin/xena_s6_afin_dArc_145.jpg
Kenji: (He won't take it) “But I’m no swordsman!”
Akemi: “There’s one in the west, far beyond the setting sun.”
Kenji: “A samurai?! A priest?! A God?!”
Akemi: “No-- a Warrior Princess.”
http://miroirdarc.com/xwp/s6/afin/xena_s6_afin_dArc_154.jpg
* * * *
http://miroirdarc.com/xwp/s6/afin/xena_s6_afin_dArc_156.jpg
Back to Greece and our two friends listening to this incredible tale.
Kenji holds out the katana to Xena.
Kenji: "Xena, you must save Higuchi from destruction.
Xena takes the Katana in both hands, but she doesn't look happy about it.
GABRIELLE: "The Land of the Rising Sun...that's beyond Chin. I didn't know you were there Xena."
XENA: (looks sad and regretful) "Yes, I was there, I was there. (Turns quickly to her friend) Gabrielle, this is not going to be the trip that I promised you, but if Akemi calls, I must go."
http://mikes-images.com/eps/afin3/pages/afin3_mq_033.htm
GABRIELLE: (This ISN'T season 3 when they were first called to the land of Ch'in. No jealousy, no fear, no doubt can be seen on this singular face) “Where you go... I’m at your side.”
XENA: I knew you’d say that.
(Hell, after 6 seasons... I think we ALL knew she'd say that!
)TEASER ENDS:
Last edited:
Rob Tapert took full responsibility for that delay on one of the commentaries. He resisted changing the credits for years, then when he saw how good the season 6 ones looked, he admitted he'd been wrong.
Talk about wishfullfillment, here's someone's idea of the (nonexistent) season SEVEN's intro.
(removed)
ETA: Yet another video no longer available... but here's a worthy season 7 substitute.
YOWZA!
Here's another version of Xena's credits.Okay, definately less subtexty Xena: Greece
Oh GOSH! I LOVE Callisto in this! And of course, XENA!!!! "Then you're going to "love" me!"
Last edited:
Episode 133 season 6 # 21 “A Friend in Need I”
XENA:Warrior Princess the director's cut:
http://miroirdarc.com/xwp/s6/afin/xena_s6_afin_dArc_163.jpg
ACT I scene 1:
http://miroirdarc.com/xwp/s6/afin/xena_s6_afin_dArc_164.jpg
5900 miles from Athens to Tokyo.. and I suspect that's as the crow flies, not as the ancients walk/sail.
http://maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&r...tlif131842935583610&um=1&ie=UTF-8&sa=N&tab=wl
Which means one thing... Xena has waited a LONG time before she finally came clean with Gabrielle about Akemi.
Actually, it means TWO things. After all these years with Xena, Gabrielle has finally learned patience!
http://mikes-images.com/eps/afin3/pages/afin3_mq_036.htm
The camera zeros in on a boat on the horizon, hovering over it as we watch a stripped down Gabrielle get put through her samurai paces by the Japanese monk.
http://miroirdarc.com/xwp/s6/afin/xena_s6_afin_dArc_169.jpg
(An aside: it's funny to watch the above scene since the ladies in the background seem to start fanning themselves as they watch Gabrielle!
Looks like Xena has some competition! )
http://miroirdarc.com/xwp/s6/afin/xena_s6_afin_dArc_177.jpg
Kenji’s Voice: “The way of the sword-- is the most ancient of the warrior’s art.
http://miroirdarc.com/xwp/s6/afin/xena_s6_afin_dArc_180.jpg
Kenji’s Voice: With practice-- the samurai develops the sacred virtues of bravery--
http://mikes-images.com/eps/afin3/pages/afin3_mq_040.htm
Kenji’s Voice: ...self-discipline-- and honor.
http://mikes-images.com/eps/afin3/pages/afin3_mq_041.htm
Kenji’s Voice: A samurai would rather die as warrior, than live as a coward."
http://mikes-images.com/eps/afin3/pages/afin3_mq_042.htm
(I like how they intercut to Xena while he's describing the Samurai)
http://mikes-images.com/eps/afin3/pages/afin3_mq_038.htm
GABRIELLE: “This Akemi who sent for Xena-- what do you know about her?”
(The footwork here isn't gratuitous. This is a very rigid stylized form of ritual swordplay she's learning, and considering how long she's been on this boat, she's becoming quite proficient at it!)
http://mikes-images.com/eps/afin3/pages/afin3_mq_043.htm
Kenji: “She was forced by Yodoshi--
http://miroirdarc.com/xwp/s6/afin/xena_s6_afin_dArc_201.jpg
Kenji: the lord of the dark land--
http://mikes-images.com/eps/afin3/pages/afin3_mq_044.htm
Kenji: to seduce souls-- into his grasp.
(Does Gabrielle wonder if Akemi seduced Xena into his grasp, and if so how did she escape?)
Kenji: She’s very beautiful--
http://mikes-images.com/eps/afin3/pages/afin3_mq_045.htm
Kenji: and she’s a ghost.”
http://mikes-images.com/eps/afin3/pages/afin3_mq_047.htm
GABRIELLE: “She’s a-- ?”
http://miroirdarc.com/xwp/s6/afin/xena_s6_afin_dArc_221.jpg
Gabrielle loses her concentration at this stunning revelation and Kenji’s play sword takes the advantage.
http://mikes-images.com/eps/afin3/pages/afin3_mq_048.htm
Gabrielle can only look over at Xena with a thousand questions in her eyes.
http://mikes-images.com/eps/afin3/pages/afin3_mq_049.htm
XENA: “Gabrielle, before we reach Jappa-- I should tell you
everything that happened there last time.”
http://miroirdarc.com/xwp/s6/afin/xena_s6_afin_dArc_222.jpg
Ya think? Oh well. We have to remember, Xena IS only Human!
XENA:Warrior Princess the director's cut:
http://miroirdarc.com/xwp/s6/afin/xena_s6_afin_dArc_163.jpg
ACT I scene 1:
http://miroirdarc.com/xwp/s6/afin/xena_s6_afin_dArc_164.jpg
5900 miles from Athens to Tokyo.. and I suspect that's as the crow flies, not as the ancients walk/sail.
http://maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&r...tlif131842935583610&um=1&ie=UTF-8&sa=N&tab=wl
Which means one thing... Xena has waited a LONG time before she finally came clean with Gabrielle about Akemi.
Actually, it means TWO things. After all these years with Xena, Gabrielle has finally learned patience!
http://mikes-images.com/eps/afin3/pages/afin3_mq_036.htm
The camera zeros in on a boat on the horizon, hovering over it as we watch a stripped down Gabrielle get put through her samurai paces by the Japanese monk.
http://miroirdarc.com/xwp/s6/afin/xena_s6_afin_dArc_169.jpg
(An aside: it's funny to watch the above scene since the ladies in the background seem to start fanning themselves as they watch Gabrielle!
Looks like Xena has some competition! )http://miroirdarc.com/xwp/s6/afin/xena_s6_afin_dArc_177.jpg
Kenji’s Voice: “The way of the sword-- is the most ancient of the warrior’s art.
http://miroirdarc.com/xwp/s6/afin/xena_s6_afin_dArc_180.jpg
Kenji’s Voice: With practice-- the samurai develops the sacred virtues of bravery--
http://mikes-images.com/eps/afin3/pages/afin3_mq_040.htm
Kenji’s Voice: ...self-discipline-- and honor.
http://mikes-images.com/eps/afin3/pages/afin3_mq_041.htm
Kenji’s Voice: A samurai would rather die as warrior, than live as a coward."
http://mikes-images.com/eps/afin3/pages/afin3_mq_042.htm
(I like how they intercut to Xena while he's describing the Samurai)
http://mikes-images.com/eps/afin3/pages/afin3_mq_038.htm
GABRIELLE: “This Akemi who sent for Xena-- what do you know about her?”
(The footwork here isn't gratuitous. This is a very rigid stylized form of ritual swordplay she's learning, and considering how long she's been on this boat, she's becoming quite proficient at it!)
http://mikes-images.com/eps/afin3/pages/afin3_mq_043.htm
Kenji: “She was forced by Yodoshi--
http://miroirdarc.com/xwp/s6/afin/xena_s6_afin_dArc_201.jpg
Kenji: the lord of the dark land--
http://mikes-images.com/eps/afin3/pages/afin3_mq_044.htm
Kenji: to seduce souls-- into his grasp.
(Does Gabrielle wonder if Akemi seduced Xena into his grasp, and if so how did she escape?)
Kenji: She’s very beautiful--
http://mikes-images.com/eps/afin3/pages/afin3_mq_045.htm
Kenji: and she’s a ghost.”
http://mikes-images.com/eps/afin3/pages/afin3_mq_047.htm
GABRIELLE: “She’s a-- ?”
http://miroirdarc.com/xwp/s6/afin/xena_s6_afin_dArc_221.jpg
Gabrielle loses her concentration at this stunning revelation and Kenji’s play sword takes the advantage.
http://mikes-images.com/eps/afin3/pages/afin3_mq_048.htm
Gabrielle can only look over at Xena with a thousand questions in her eyes.
http://mikes-images.com/eps/afin3/pages/afin3_mq_049.htm
XENA: “Gabrielle, before we reach Jappa-- I should tell you
everything that happened there last time.”
http://miroirdarc.com/xwp/s6/afin/xena_s6_afin_dArc_222.jpg
Ya think?
Oh well. We have to remember, Xena IS only Human!
Last edited:
A Lucy Lawless/Spartacus aside:
There's a great series of soundbites from an interview with LL about Spartacus at these links.
I think I loved this one the best.
There's a great series of soundbites from an interview with LL about Spartacus at these links.
I think I loved this one the best.
Last edited:
^^ Are you sure Tim? I just peeked at the 2011 guest list and didn't see her on it. (Did see Kevin Sorbo of Herc & Andromeda fame).
Found some interview clips of her and her costars at the San Diego comic con this year. http://geek-news.mtv.com/2011/07/28/sdcc-2011-lucy-lawless-and-more-bring-vengeance-to-spartacus/
Found some interview clips of her and her costars at the San Diego comic con this year. http://geek-news.mtv.com/2011/07/28/sdcc-2011-lucy-lawless-and-more-bring-vengeance-to-spartacus/
Speaking of Xena and Lucretia... here's a great interview from Lucy before it was settled Lucretia would be back for season 2.
http://venicemag.com/news-article/lucy-lawless-beauty-blood-and-sand/158
I love the comments on Lucretia...
and the comments on Xena...
^^I especially love that quote, in light of her earlier one on "role models".
and of course the one on Gabrielle...
and finally, her outlook on life...
"Good on ya, Lucy!"
http://venicemag.com/news-article/lucy-lawless-beauty-blood-and-sand/158
I love the comments on Lucretia...
and the comments on Xena...
^^I especially love that quote, in light of her earlier one on "role models".
and of course the one on Gabrielle...
and finally, her outlook on life...
"Good on ya, Lucy!"
Episode 133 season 6 # 21 “A Friend in Need I”
XENA:Warrior Princess the director's cut:
ACT 1: scene 2
http://mikes-images.com/eps/afin3/pages/afin3_mq_050.htm
Gabrielle has stopped her swordfighting lesson and come to sit with Xena for another lesson.
http://mikes-images.com/eps/afin3/pages/afin3_mq_051.htm
Luckily the fairhaired woman knows the danger of too much sun, and prepares her parasol.
http://mikes-images.com/eps/afin3/pages/afin3_mq_052.htm
She doesn't really need to look THIS nervous.. after all by now she knows Gabrielle will ALWAYS love her, no matter what skeleton is rattling around in that closet of her's.
And so, Xena begins...
http://mikes-images.com/eps/afin3/pages/afin3_mq_053.htm
XENA: “Many years ago-- Borias told me about a young girl who was kidnapped by a Chinese warlord.
http://mikes-images.com/eps/afin3/pages/afin3_mq_054.htm
XENA: She’d been taken hostage from a mighty island-- even further east than Ch’in.”
http://mikes-images.com/eps/afin3/pages/afin3_mq_055.htm
****
ACT 1: scene 3
[The Past = 10 years before Gabrielle + 7 years of the series {6 + 1 in viking sleepland} + 25 years in icecave = 42 years ago]
Present XENA’s Voice: (narrates) “Being the kind of person I was then--
http://miroirdarc.com/xwp/s6/afin/xena_s6_afin_dArc_237.jpg
Present XENA’s Voice: (narrates) "...the challenge of finding a new land to plunder was just too much for me.
http://miroirdarc.com/xwp/s6/afin/xena_s6_afin_dArc_239.jpg
Present XENA’s Voice: (narrates) "I had to meet her.”
XENA: “So, her daddy’s rich, you say?”
http://mikes-images.com/eps/afin3/pages/afin3_mq_062.htm
Borias: “And powerful. He should pay well for the return of his sweet daughter.”
http://miroirdarc.com/xwp/s6/afin/xena_s6_afin_dArc_242.jpg
Kao: (To Boris & Natasha.. errr Borias & Xena! ) “Come…" (He brings them to his trophy hostage) "Akemi-- meet-- ”
http://mikes-images.com/eps/afin3/pages/afin3_mq_064.htm
Akemi: (Bowing, face to the floor) “Xena--
http://mikes-images.com/eps/afin3/pages/afin3_mq_063.htm
Akemi:the warrior princess.”
http://miroirdarc.com/xwp/s6/afin/xena_s6_afin_dArc_247.jpg
(Xena walks forward but doesn't bend down)
http://mikes-images.com/eps/afin3/pages/afin3_mq_066.htm
(Xena simply picks up the girl’s chin with her toe so she can look at her)
http://mikes-images.com/eps/afin3/pages/afin3_mq_069.htm
XENA: “You know me?”
http://mikes-images.com/eps/afin3/pages/afin3_mq_067.htm
Akemi: (The ultimate fangirl!) “Oh, yes. I’ve heard that you’re afraid of nothing."
http://mikes-images.com/eps/afin3/pages/afin3_mq_070.htm
Akemi: "Kao here-- he’s afraid of many things.”
http://miroirdarc.com/xwp/s6/afin/xena_s6_afin_dArc_256.jpg
Borias: (He smiles at the insolence from the little mouse before him) “This girl has spirit.”
http://miroirdarc.com/xwp/s6/afin/xena_s6_afin_dArc_258.jpg
Kao: (On the other hand, this guy is NOT amused!) “This girl deserves to die-- speaking like that in front of my guests.”
http://mikes-images.com/eps/afin3/pages/afin3_mq_072.htm
http://mikes-images.com/eps/afin3/pages/afin3_mq_076.htm
Akemi: (You can call it spirit.. or just cojonnes! ) “You won’t kill me. Xena won’t let you. "
http://miroirdarc.com/xwp/s6/afin/xena_s6_afin_dArc_250.jpg
Akemi: "Because in her heart-- she knows that she will soon love me.”
http://miroirdarc.com/xwp/s6/afin/xena_s6_afin_dArc_261.jpg
Borias: (He laughs at the suggestion!)“Xena loves no one.”
http://mikes-images.com/eps/afin3/pages/afin3_mq_080.htm
(Which makes Xena give him the evil eye ...
http://mikes-images.com/eps/afin3/pages/afin3_mq_079.htm
...as she continues to listen to the little mouse on the floor)
http://mikes-images.com/eps/afin3/pages/afin3_mq_077.htm
Akemi: “I’ll be your student, Xena. You’ll take me with you.
You’ll teach me everything you know.”
Kao: (Someone's pissed!) “I have a few lessons for you!”
XENA: “Here--" (She shoves a bag into the Chinese warlord's chest as she starts to bargain) "50 pieces of gold. It’s the best offer you’ll get for her.” (She keeps her eyes on Akemi, and no she's not drooling.)
Kao: “I do what I want with my property. I say this isn’t a
good day to trade.”
http://miroirdarc.com/xwp/s6/afin/xena_s6_afin_dArc_268.jpg
(Uh-oh... now she only has eyes for Kao!)
XENA: “Is it a good day to die?”
http://mikes-images.com/eps/afin3/pages/afin3_mq_082.htm
Borias: (He whispers a word of warning to his fellow warlord) “It’s unhealthy to negotiate with this one. I’d take the gold.”
http://miroirdarc.com/xwp/s6/afin/xena_s6_afin_dArc_272.jpg
(Tsk, tsk. Hubris raises its ugly head once again.)
Kao: “Guards!”
[Fight begins with a pinch on Kao, then Xena vaults backwards over the guards to deal with them...
http://mikes-images.com/eps/afin3/pages/afin3_mq_086.htm
... as Borias stands to the side drinking rice wine and enjoying the show.
http://miroirdarc.com/xwp/s6/afin/xena_s6_afin_dArc_293.jpg
After dealing with the minions,
http://mikes-images.com/eps/afin3/pages/afin3_mq_085.htm
she returns to Kao to give him fair warning before turing to Akemi, still kneeling on the floor.]
http://mikes-images.com/eps/afin3/pages/afin3_mq_087.htm
XENA: “I’ve shut off the flow of blood to your brain. You got 10--9-- 8-- ah, forget it.”
http://miroirdarc.com/xwp/s6/afin/xena_s6_afin_dArc_324.jpg
Akemi looks worried, is she going from the frying pan into the fire? She gathers her courage and silently lifts her hand towards Xena...
http://mikes-images.com/eps/afin3/pages/afin3_mq_088.htm
...who stares for a moment...
http://mikes-images.com/eps/afin3/pages/afin3_mq_089.htm
...and then grabs it and pulls her upright and away from the dying “warlord” on the floor.
Borias stops and drinks another cup of his host’s rice wine before bending down towards his fellow warlord...
Borias: “I would have taken the gold.”
...and he breaks the cup on the floor next to the dying man. Borias then grabs up the bag of gold Xena had thrust at the shortsighted warlord less than 1 minute before and leaves as the Chinese Warlord breathes his last.
http://miroirdarc.com/xwp/s6/afin/xena_s6_afin_dArc_339.jpg
****
ACT 1: scene 4
http://mikes-images.com/eps/afin3/pages/afin3_mq_090.htm
We zero in on Akemi who is practicing her Japanese calligraphy on the moving boat.
http://mikes-images.com/eps/afin3/pages/afin3_mq_092.htm
She feels someone's eyes are upon her and looks over her shoulder at an unhappy Borias.
http://mikes-images.com/eps/afin3/pages/afin3_mq_091.htm
We don't know what he's thinking...
http://mikes-images.com/eps/afin3/pages/afin3_mq_094.htm
...but we know it isn't a happy thought.
http://mikes-images.com/eps/afin3/pages/afin3_mq_093.htm
He turns from Xena's newest toy and looks up...
http://mikes-images.com/eps/afin3/pages/afin3_mq_095.htm
.... at the woman standing on the bow of her "ship" looking to her future.
http://miroirdarc.com/xwp/s6/afin/xena_s6_afin_dArc_355.jpg
XENA: “You know, Borias? I have a dream-- a dream of conquering every land between here and Britania.”
http://mikes-images.com/eps/afin3/pages/afin3_mq_096.htm
Borias: “Xena-- you’re always looking for green pastures to rape and pillage.”
http://mikes-images.com/eps/afin3/pages/afin3_mq_098.htm
XENA: “Yep-- and maybe there’s more in this than just the ransom, huh?
She turns from the bow to look at the Japanese girl at her "painting".
http://mikes-images.com/eps/afin3/pages/afin3_mq_099.htm
XENA: I mean, with her father as an ally, I could get a nice toehold on that island.”
http://mikes-images.com/eps/afin3/pages/afin3_mq_101.htm
Borias: “What makes you so sure she’ll lead you to Daddy?”
http://mikes-images.com/eps/afin3/pages/afin3_mq_102.htm
XENA: “Ah, she wouldn’t lie to me. Hm-m-- she worships her teacher.”
http://mikes-images.com/eps/afin3/pages/afin3_mq_100.htm
She steps off the bow and back down to the deck.
Borias: [Laughs]
XENA: “What’s so funny?”
http://mikes-images.com/eps/afin3/pages/afin3_mq_103.htm
Borias: “Xena, you couldn’t teach a dog to bark.”
[He Laughs again as Xena swats his left hand away then whistles for her student. Unfortunately, she hasn’t told her student which whistle she should respond to!]
http://mikes-images.com/eps/afin3/pages/afin3_mq_104.htm
XENA: “Akemi! Come here." (Akemi comes forward quickly once identified) "I wanna show you something.”
http://mikes-images.com/eps/afin3/pages/afin3_mq_105.htm
Akemi: (The mouse roars art Borias) “You’re wrong. Xena will be a great teacher.”
XENA: [Snickers]
Akemi: “I’m ready.”
She squares off in front of Xena, awaiting her instruction.
XENA: “All right. If someone’s comin’ atcha with a right/left
combination-- this is what I wantcha to do. You feint back,
twist in the direction of the blow, and then deliver a vicious
jumping, spinning back-kick. All right?”
Akemi: (Her countenance clouds as she tries to repeat the foreign instructions) “Right, so-- that’s right, a left-- a feint-- uh, a jumping, swinging-- ”
XENA: (she twirls her hand impatiently) “-- jumping, spinning back-kick. All right. Now, I’ll be a bad guy.”
(We call that type casting!
Xena starts the sparring lesson, and Akemi is keeping up with the first two blows with her dodges, but can't avoid the vicious kick to her chest which put her onto her backside. 
)
Borias: [Laughs at the little mouse as Xena stares at him]
http://mikes-images.com/eps/afin3/pages/afin3_mq_106.htm
XENA: (Is she growling?) “Lesson one-- trust no one.”
http://mikes-images.com/eps/afin3/pages/afin3_mq_107.htm
Trust the wind:
ETA: Darn, I loved that song in the above "no longer avail" vid.
Here's a great replacement showing the girl of the hour... Akemi.
XENA:Warrior Princess the director's cut:
ACT 1: scene 2
http://mikes-images.com/eps/afin3/pages/afin3_mq_050.htm
Gabrielle has stopped her swordfighting lesson and come to sit with Xena for another lesson.
http://mikes-images.com/eps/afin3/pages/afin3_mq_051.htm
Luckily the fairhaired woman knows the danger of too much sun, and prepares her parasol.
http://mikes-images.com/eps/afin3/pages/afin3_mq_052.htm
She doesn't really need to look THIS nervous.. after all by now she knows Gabrielle will ALWAYS love her, no matter what skeleton is rattling around in that closet of her's.
And so, Xena begins...
http://mikes-images.com/eps/afin3/pages/afin3_mq_053.htm
XENA: “Many years ago-- Borias told me about a young girl who was kidnapped by a Chinese warlord.
http://mikes-images.com/eps/afin3/pages/afin3_mq_054.htm
XENA: She’d been taken hostage from a mighty island-- even further east than Ch’in.”
http://mikes-images.com/eps/afin3/pages/afin3_mq_055.htm
****
ACT 1: scene 3
[The Past = 10 years before Gabrielle + 7 years of the series {6 + 1 in viking sleepland} + 25 years in icecave = 42 years ago]
Present XENA’s Voice: (narrates) “Being the kind of person I was then--
http://miroirdarc.com/xwp/s6/afin/xena_s6_afin_dArc_237.jpg
Present XENA’s Voice: (narrates) "...the challenge of finding a new land to plunder was just too much for me.
http://miroirdarc.com/xwp/s6/afin/xena_s6_afin_dArc_239.jpg
Present XENA’s Voice: (narrates) "I had to meet her.”
XENA: “So, her daddy’s rich, you say?”
http://mikes-images.com/eps/afin3/pages/afin3_mq_062.htm
Borias: “And powerful. He should pay well for the return of his sweet daughter.”
http://miroirdarc.com/xwp/s6/afin/xena_s6_afin_dArc_242.jpg
Kao: (To Boris & Natasha.. errr Borias & Xena!
) “Come…" (He brings them to his trophy hostage) "Akemi-- meet-- ”http://mikes-images.com/eps/afin3/pages/afin3_mq_064.htm
Akemi: (Bowing, face to the floor) “Xena--
http://mikes-images.com/eps/afin3/pages/afin3_mq_063.htm
Akemi:the warrior princess.”
http://miroirdarc.com/xwp/s6/afin/xena_s6_afin_dArc_247.jpg
(Xena walks forward but doesn't bend down)
http://mikes-images.com/eps/afin3/pages/afin3_mq_066.htm
(Xena simply picks up the girl’s chin with her toe so she can look at her)
http://mikes-images.com/eps/afin3/pages/afin3_mq_069.htm
XENA: “You know me?”
http://mikes-images.com/eps/afin3/pages/afin3_mq_067.htm
Akemi: (The ultimate fangirl!) “Oh, yes. I’ve heard that you’re afraid of nothing."
http://mikes-images.com/eps/afin3/pages/afin3_mq_070.htm
Akemi: "Kao here-- he’s afraid of many things.”
http://miroirdarc.com/xwp/s6/afin/xena_s6_afin_dArc_256.jpg
Borias: (He smiles at the insolence from the little mouse before him) “This girl has spirit.”
http://miroirdarc.com/xwp/s6/afin/xena_s6_afin_dArc_258.jpg
Kao: (On the other hand, this guy is NOT amused!) “This girl deserves to die-- speaking like that in front of my guests.”
http://mikes-images.com/eps/afin3/pages/afin3_mq_072.htm
http://mikes-images.com/eps/afin3/pages/afin3_mq_076.htm
Akemi: (You can call it spirit.. or just cojonnes!
) “You won’t kill me. Xena won’t let you. "http://miroirdarc.com/xwp/s6/afin/xena_s6_afin_dArc_250.jpg
Akemi: "Because in her heart-- she knows that she will soon love me.”
http://miroirdarc.com/xwp/s6/afin/xena_s6_afin_dArc_261.jpg
Borias: (He laughs at the suggestion!)“Xena loves no one.”
http://mikes-images.com/eps/afin3/pages/afin3_mq_080.htm
(Which makes Xena give him the evil eye ...
http://mikes-images.com/eps/afin3/pages/afin3_mq_079.htm
...as she continues to listen to the little mouse on the floor)
http://mikes-images.com/eps/afin3/pages/afin3_mq_077.htm
Akemi: “I’ll be your student, Xena. You’ll take me with you.
You’ll teach me everything you know.”
Kao: (Someone's pissed!) “I have a few lessons for you!”
XENA: “Here--" (She shoves a bag into the Chinese warlord's chest as she starts to bargain) "50 pieces of gold. It’s the best offer you’ll get for her.” (She keeps her eyes on Akemi, and no she's not drooling.)
Kao: “I do what I want with my property. I say this isn’t a
good day to trade.”
http://miroirdarc.com/xwp/s6/afin/xena_s6_afin_dArc_268.jpg
(Uh-oh... now she only has eyes for Kao!)
XENA: “Is it a good day to die?”
http://mikes-images.com/eps/afin3/pages/afin3_mq_082.htm
Borias: (He whispers a word of warning to his fellow warlord) “It’s unhealthy to negotiate with this one. I’d take the gold.”
http://miroirdarc.com/xwp/s6/afin/xena_s6_afin_dArc_272.jpg
(Tsk, tsk. Hubris raises its ugly head once again.)
Kao: “Guards!”
[Fight begins with a pinch on Kao, then Xena vaults backwards over the guards to deal with them...
http://mikes-images.com/eps/afin3/pages/afin3_mq_086.htm
... as Borias stands to the side drinking rice wine and enjoying the show.
http://miroirdarc.com/xwp/s6/afin/xena_s6_afin_dArc_293.jpg
After dealing with the minions,
http://mikes-images.com/eps/afin3/pages/afin3_mq_085.htm
she returns to Kao to give him fair warning before turing to Akemi, still kneeling on the floor.]
http://mikes-images.com/eps/afin3/pages/afin3_mq_087.htm
XENA: “I’ve shut off the flow of blood to your brain. You got 10--9-- 8-- ah, forget it.”
http://miroirdarc.com/xwp/s6/afin/xena_s6_afin_dArc_324.jpg
Akemi looks worried, is she going from the frying pan into the fire? She gathers her courage and silently lifts her hand towards Xena...
http://mikes-images.com/eps/afin3/pages/afin3_mq_088.htm
...who stares for a moment...
http://mikes-images.com/eps/afin3/pages/afin3_mq_089.htm
...and then grabs it and pulls her upright and away from the dying “warlord” on the floor.
Borias stops and drinks another cup of his host’s rice wine before bending down towards his fellow warlord...
Borias: “I would have taken the gold.”
...and he breaks the cup on the floor next to the dying man. Borias then grabs up the bag of gold Xena had thrust at the shortsighted warlord less than 1 minute before and leaves as the Chinese Warlord breathes his last.
http://miroirdarc.com/xwp/s6/afin/xena_s6_afin_dArc_339.jpg
****
ACT 1: scene 4
http://mikes-images.com/eps/afin3/pages/afin3_mq_090.htm
We zero in on Akemi who is practicing her Japanese calligraphy on the moving boat.
http://mikes-images.com/eps/afin3/pages/afin3_mq_092.htm
She feels someone's eyes are upon her and looks over her shoulder at an unhappy Borias.
http://mikes-images.com/eps/afin3/pages/afin3_mq_091.htm
We don't know what he's thinking...
http://mikes-images.com/eps/afin3/pages/afin3_mq_094.htm
...but we know it isn't a happy thought.
http://mikes-images.com/eps/afin3/pages/afin3_mq_093.htm
He turns from Xena's newest toy and looks up...
http://mikes-images.com/eps/afin3/pages/afin3_mq_095.htm
.... at the woman standing on the bow of her "ship" looking to her future.
http://miroirdarc.com/xwp/s6/afin/xena_s6_afin_dArc_355.jpg
XENA: “You know, Borias? I have a dream-- a dream of conquering every land between here and Britania.”
http://mikes-images.com/eps/afin3/pages/afin3_mq_096.htm
Borias: “Xena-- you’re always looking for green pastures to rape and pillage.”
http://mikes-images.com/eps/afin3/pages/afin3_mq_098.htm
XENA: “Yep-- and maybe there’s more in this than just the ransom, huh?
She turns from the bow to look at the Japanese girl at her "painting".
http://mikes-images.com/eps/afin3/pages/afin3_mq_099.htm
XENA: I mean, with her father as an ally, I could get a nice toehold on that island.”
http://mikes-images.com/eps/afin3/pages/afin3_mq_101.htm
Borias: “What makes you so sure she’ll lead you to Daddy?”
http://mikes-images.com/eps/afin3/pages/afin3_mq_102.htm
XENA: “Ah, she wouldn’t lie to me. Hm-m-- she worships her teacher.”
http://mikes-images.com/eps/afin3/pages/afin3_mq_100.htm
She steps off the bow and back down to the deck.
Borias: [Laughs]
XENA: “What’s so funny?”
http://mikes-images.com/eps/afin3/pages/afin3_mq_103.htm
Borias: “Xena, you couldn’t teach a dog to bark.”
[He Laughs again as Xena swats his left hand away then whistles for her student. Unfortunately, she hasn’t told her student which whistle she should respond to!]
http://mikes-images.com/eps/afin3/pages/afin3_mq_104.htm
XENA: “Akemi! Come here." (Akemi comes forward quickly once identified) "I wanna show you something.”
http://mikes-images.com/eps/afin3/pages/afin3_mq_105.htm
Akemi: (The mouse roars art Borias) “You’re wrong. Xena will be a great teacher.”
XENA: [Snickers]
Akemi: “I’m ready.”
She squares off in front of Xena, awaiting her instruction.
XENA: “All right. If someone’s comin’ atcha with a right/left
combination-- this is what I wantcha to do. You feint back,
twist in the direction of the blow, and then deliver a vicious
jumping, spinning back-kick. All right?”
Akemi: (Her countenance clouds as she tries to repeat the foreign instructions) “Right, so-- that’s right, a left-- a feint-- uh, a jumping, swinging-- ”
XENA: (she twirls her hand impatiently) “-- jumping, spinning back-kick. All right. Now, I’ll be a bad guy.”
(We call that type casting!
Xena starts the sparring lesson, and Akemi is keeping up with the first two blows with her dodges, but can't avoid the vicious kick to her chest which put her onto her backside. )Borias: [Laughs at the little mouse as Xena stares at him]
http://mikes-images.com/eps/afin3/pages/afin3_mq_106.htm
XENA: (Is she growling?) “Lesson one-- trust no one.”
http://mikes-images.com/eps/afin3/pages/afin3_mq_107.htm
Trust the wind:
ETA: Darn, I loved that song in the above "no longer avail" vid.
Here's a great replacement showing the girl of the hour... Akemi.
Last edited:
well I got to talk to kevin today about this site and you're he said he'll check it out. and I asked about lucy he said she may come by tomarrow as an unoffical guest. He is still impressive for his age and he's bigger than I am. I got him to sighn a kull movie poster.
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