Any Xena:WP fans on the boards?
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Episode 51 season 3 #5 "Gabrielle's Hope".
Last time, on Xena: Warrior Princess....
Gabrielle: “Xena?”
Xena: “I’m here, Gabrielle.”
Gabrielle: “It hurts inside.”
Gabrielle is now dreaming.
It's a beautiful, sunny day, and she's literally communing with the wildflowers when she starts to smile, and stand up. You could be forgiven if you thought she was seeing Xena, but she's not.
A smiling, white clad Meridian is coming across the field to joyfully embrace the Bard from Potaedia. Gabrielle seems pleased, when suddenly a dagger appears and she takes it in her hand, and plunges it into Meridian again and again until...
...Xena's hand comes down and wakes the young woman from her recurring nightmare. Xena wastes no time as she enfolds Gabrielle in her arms and rocks her until she starts to throw up.
Gabrielle: (Holding onto to Xena) "I had that-- that dream again."
Xena: "Yeah, I know." (Gabrielle vomits) "Part of the same thing, Gabrielle. Your body and your dreams are just reacting to your first kill."
Gabrielle: "I'll never forgive myself."
Xena: "It was instinct."
Gabrielle: "No, you're wrong. Uh... I made the decision to kill her. I went against everything that I stand for."
Xena: "I know it's hard. I remember my first kill. But, you are going to get through this thing. You're gonna wake up one day and have hope again. You'll see, there's so much good to be done."
Gabrielle: "Maybe. I just feel like I should be punished for what I've done."
Xena: "You are being punished by your conscience. For someone like you, there couldn't be a worse torture." (Gabrielle leans into Xena once more for the comfort only a friend who's been through this herself can give)
The Warrior Psychoanalyst then turns back to healer as she quizzes Gabrielle on whether the herbs she's given her, or any of the pressure point therapy has helped with the vomiting. The friend who's not above torturing her companion, takes this oppportunity to tease her that seasickness will be "nothing" compared to what she's currently dealing with.
Then one of my fav (because its light and fun and NOT scary at all) scene begins, where the Banshees attack Xena and she keeps missing them as they fade from flesh to shade. Gabrielle quickly learns they won't attack her, and puts her nauseated, and obviously in pain body between Xena and the Banshees.
Gabrielle: "Xena! I don't know why, but they won't attack me."
Xena: "Good-- all the more for me."
Gabrielle: "Will you just stay behind me?"
Xena: "I'm gonna kick these ladies' butts."
Gabrielle: "Xena, will you please?! I don't feel good at all."
Xena: "All right. Well, this is your lucky day. My friend's not feeling well. Come on."
My second fav scene, for the same reason, is when Gabrielle went from morning sickness to food craving hell in the space of 5 minutes.
Gabrielle: "Hey-- can I have some cherries too, please?"
Innkeeper: "Yeah, yeah."
Gabrielle: "And some beef jerky."
Innkeeper: "Uh-huh."
Gabrielle: "Mmmm-- pork liver."
Innkeeper: "Right."
Gabrielle: "I mean, if you've got it. Oh, and don't overcook it, 'cause I like it really bloody."
Innkeeper: (Looking like he's dealt with a lot of women and their strange cravings) "Yeah."
Gabrielle: "You know-- if you melt some cheese over the top, that would be perfect."
Well, that was basically it for the lighthearted stuff.
I hope everyone caught their breath, because its going to be a long time before we smile again.
Xena... remember last "week" when I told you not to make promises you can't keep? Well, this week I'm going to suggest that sometimes you should listen to Gabrielle.
Gabrielle: "Xena, what do you think they (The Banshees) wanted with me?"
Xena: "Who knows? It's just another reason to get out of Brittania and back to Greece. They were very strange."
Gabrielle: "Yeah, you're telling me. And I thought the Greek immortals were freaks."
Xena: "Yeah, but they're our freaks. You all right?"
Gabrielle: "Yeah... my stomach's better. It's just... my soul. Xena, I thought that Crafstar was leading me to the salvation of the world... through peace and light. And
instead I discovered the heart of darkness. I became a part of that. I think that that's what the Banshees were talking about... that maybe that there's an evil in me... and
that they want to worship that?"
Gabrielle, you don't know how right you are.
Loved how Gabrielle polevaulted out of the burning Inn, and escaped the mob while Xena was distracted by Warriors of the pierced hearts.
Loved how Xena FINALLY heard her shouts, and turned to follow.
Xena saves her from the Mob, but the Banshees abduct Gabrielle out from under the Warrior Princess, and clothe her in a pregnancy smock as they try to reassure her of her importance. It doesn't take Xena long to find them, nor to figure out that she STILL hasn't figured out the Banshees timing as her blows still miss them.
Gabrielle: "I'm carrying a child? I don't think so." (Xena arrives) Xena, they're crazy! Now, look, we're... we're going walk out of here like we did last time, OK?"
Brown Banshee: "No! We can't let you leave the forest again until the baby is born."
Gabrielle: "Xena, let's just run for it. I... I'm feeling much better."
Xena: "Oh, we don't have to run for it. I'm gonna slap these bitches silly. (To the Banshees) We're leaving this forest. You got a problem with that?"
[Ineffective Fight as far as Xena is concerned]
X: "Gabrielle-- now we run."
The idea of Xena running from anything is just so foreign, and yet she knows that she can't protect Gabrielle in the Banshees' forest, so they better get somewhere safe before they abduct her again.
Xena: "This is the castle of the warriors of the pierced heart. They're working against the Banshees, I think. (Tugs at the pregnancy smock the Banshees gave Gabrielle) Why don't you take this off?"
Gabrielle: "No. Xena, what's going on? Ahh." (Abdominal pain hits)
Xena: "I think you're pregnant." (Touches Gabrielle's obviously expanding abdomen) "I'd say you're in your fourth month, I mean... "
Gabrielle: (who hasn't been with a man since Perdicus died a year ago, responds logically) "That's ridiculous. Xena, I'm...I'm having a hysterical reaction to killing Meridian. Tell me who these warriors are."
Xena: "They're the ones that sent the lynch-mob on you."
Gabrielle: "And they're supposed to be an improvement over the Banshees? Xena-- "
Xena: "Shh."
Gabrielle: "-- at least they seem interested in protecting me."
Xena: "Not you... it."
Gabrielle: "Stop talking like that! I am not pregnant. There has to be a logical explanation.... " (Gabrielle stops speaking abruptly, and her face becomes frightened)
Xena: "Gabrielle, what's wrong?"
Gabrielle: "It moved. What is it?"
Xena: "I don't know-- but it's growing very fast. Come on, we gotta find a place for you to lie down, this way."
After some deep temporal massage, Gabrielle goes to sleep in the stable (how's that for parallels) and Xena goes looking for answers among the warriors of the pierced hearts.
Xena: (She's just put the pinch on a warrior) "Kill me, and watch him die! It won't take long. What is growing inside my friend?"
Taswan: "Darkness!"
Iochid: "You don't know that. It could be child-- "
Xena: "One version at a time!"
Taswan: "Evil incarnate! Undo whatever you did to me! I'll tell you everything! (Xena releases the pinch, and kicks his chair upright in a very smooth move.) Have you ever heard of Dahok?"
Xena: "I've been told he's a power that can't be let into the world."
Taswan: "Dahok is the blind force behind every evil will. If he were to become the dominant power in our world goodness itself would be the casualty. When your friend was on the altar in the temple of Dahok, he planted his seed within her."
Iochid: "You can't be sure that's what it is."
Taswan: "But, why else would the Banshees protect her like that?!"
Xena: "What are you saying?"
Taswan: "The being, that Gabrielle carries within her, is the window through which ultimate evil wishes to enter the world."
I don't know which was more fantastic, the fact that the pregnancy took place over a few hours, or that the birth took place over a few minutes, that the baby went from newborn to homicidal toddler within a few hours, or that Gabrielle has been caring that carved lamb Xena gave her last Solstice all the way to Britannia!
Actually, the most fantastic thing was discovering Xena was the right and true ruler of Britannia when she pulled Excalibur from the stone.
Xena: (Pulls sword out and examines it) "Nice blade."
(Then places it back where her fellow warriors are now fighting UNsuccessfully to pull it out for themselves)
Xena, the friend who discounted Gabrielle's earlier concerns that something evil was within her, now must try and convince Gabrielle to keep an open mind about the child that has captured her heart. And in the process, is reminded that she herself is no longer the dominant person in Gabrielle's life.
Xena: "Who do you think she is?
Gabrielle: "Well, she's my daughter."
Xena: "Doesn't it bother you that she's obviously not mortal?"
Gabrielle: "She's half-mortal. She's like Hercules. Actually, that's not a bad model for her."
Xena: "Gabrielle, she is the daughter of Dahok."
Gabrielle: "I have thought about that. Xena, maybe she is. Look, if that's true, then I will help her fight against her dark side, just like I helped you fight against yours."
Xena: "But, what if it's not possible?"
Gabrielle: "Xena-- if you were truly my friend, you will stop thinking of her as some symbol of an evil god. See her for what she truly is. She's a beautiful,innocent baby."
Xena: "Well, all right. But, I'll be watching her development very carefully."
Gabrielle: "What does that mean?"
Xena: "Just that I'm not so convinced of her innocence."
Gabrielle: "Well, you get this clear, Xena. No matter what she is, she is my daughter. Don't come between us."
I don't think, at the start of this series, or even at the start of this season, I would have ever guessed we'd see the scene that frightened me the most in this story.
Xena, sword drawn, ready to execute the child of Gabrielle.
Gabrielle: "What are you doing?"
Xena: "Get away, Gabrielle."
Gabrielle: "What are you saying?"
Xena: "That thing killed Goen. It strangled him with his own medallion chain."
Gabrielle: "Have you lost your mind? Look at her. She's a... she's a baby."
Xena: "It is not a baby. It is a thing in the form of a baby... a dark, wicked thing that must be destroyed."
Gabrielle: "Listen to you. You are talking about my baby."
Xena: "No-- I am talking about evil itself. I can't let it fall into the hands of the Banshees."
Xena finally shows us that the third time is the charm, as the Banshees come in to protect Gabrielle and her child. One spirits her away, while the other two find out what its like to be hit by a REALLY pissed off Warrior Princess.
But the fact remains that this drama is not over, as Gabrielle flees on horseback. Xena, with gams of steel, is not "that" far behind, and finds where Gabrielle ditches the horse for a rowboat. Xena buys the horse and continues on as Gabrielle lands on shore for a heart to heart with her daughter, Hope.
Gabrielle: (cradling the child, and rocking her, reminescent of Xena doing the same to her not 48 hours ago.) "Shhh. You all right? Please, don't cry. I'm not gonna let her hurt you. I promise I won't. I'll die, first. Are you tired? Me, too. We can't rest. Xena won't. I know her. Who are you? Who are you?"
X's Voice: (In the distance, yet coming closer) "Yah! Yah!"
Gabrielle: "You see what I mean? She's relentless."
In "The Price", Gabrielle learned to say "No!" to Xena.
But Gabrielle is no fool.
Xena: "Gabrielle! Gabrielle! That thing you're holding is a
monster! It has to be destroyed! Gabrielle! Gabrielle-- I understand how you feel! You're looking at it as if this were a real baby!
She knows her friend. She knows there's only one way for this to end well... and that is to lie to Xena.
Xena: Gabrielle! You have to consider what we know! You were in the temple of Dahok, the evil one! You were on his altar! He planted that thing inside you!
Lie face to face.
Xena: It grew so fast and it killed within hours of being born! Gabrielle! You talked about wanting to end the cycle of pain and violence!
Lie as if her life depends upon it, because she knows Xena won't be stopped, and that Gabrielle can't live with her daughter's blood on her soul.
Xena: By protecting that thing, you're only ensuring the
victory of that cycle!"
In her life, Xena has made countless mistakes, killed hundreds if not thousands of people, pillaged and plundered hundreds of homes and villages, betrayed allies and plotted the murder of heirs to kingdoms.
In Gabrielle's life, she's made two mistakes.
She killed a woman trying to kill a man under Gabrielle's protection.
And she didn't listen to Xena, a woman who for over 2 years now HAS BEEN Gabrielle's "hope".
To quote myself once again....
I hurt for both of my heroines this week.
Last time, on Xena: Warrior Princess....
Gabrielle: “Xena?”
Xena: “I’m here, Gabrielle.”
Gabrielle: “It hurts inside.”
Gabrielle is now dreaming.
It's a beautiful, sunny day, and she's literally communing with the wildflowers when she starts to smile, and stand up. You could be forgiven if you thought she was seeing Xena, but she's not.
A smiling, white clad Meridian is coming across the field to joyfully embrace the Bard from Potaedia. Gabrielle seems pleased, when suddenly a dagger appears and she takes it in her hand, and plunges it into Meridian again and again until...
...Xena's hand comes down and wakes the young woman from her recurring nightmare. Xena wastes no time as she enfolds Gabrielle in her arms and rocks her until she starts to throw up.
Gabrielle: (Holding onto to Xena) "I had that-- that dream again."
Xena: "Yeah, I know." (Gabrielle vomits) "Part of the same thing, Gabrielle. Your body and your dreams are just reacting to your first kill."
Gabrielle: "I'll never forgive myself."
Xena: "It was instinct."
Gabrielle: "No, you're wrong. Uh... I made the decision to kill her. I went against everything that I stand for."
Xena: "I know it's hard. I remember my first kill. But, you are going to get through this thing. You're gonna wake up one day and have hope again. You'll see, there's so much good to be done."
Gabrielle: "Maybe. I just feel like I should be punished for what I've done."
Xena: "You are being punished by your conscience. For someone like you, there couldn't be a worse torture." (Gabrielle leans into Xena once more for the comfort only a friend who's been through this herself can give)
The Warrior Psychoanalyst then turns back to healer as she quizzes Gabrielle on whether the herbs she's given her, or any of the pressure point therapy has helped with the vomiting. The friend who's not above torturing her companion, takes this oppportunity to tease her that seasickness will be "nothing" compared to what she's currently dealing with.
Then one of my fav (because its light and fun and NOT scary at all) scene begins, where the Banshees attack Xena and she keeps missing them as they fade from flesh to shade. Gabrielle quickly learns they won't attack her, and puts her nauseated, and obviously in pain body between Xena and the Banshees.
Gabrielle: "Xena! I don't know why, but they won't attack me."
Xena: "Good-- all the more for me."
Gabrielle: "Will you just stay behind me?"
Xena: "I'm gonna kick these ladies' butts."
Gabrielle: "Xena, will you please?! I don't feel good at all."
Xena: "All right. Well, this is your lucky day. My friend's not feeling well. Come on."
My second fav scene, for the same reason, is when Gabrielle went from morning sickness to food craving hell in the space of 5 minutes.
Gabrielle: "Hey-- can I have some cherries too, please?"
Innkeeper: "Yeah, yeah."
Gabrielle: "And some beef jerky."
Innkeeper: "Uh-huh."
Gabrielle: "Mmmm-- pork liver."
Innkeeper: "Right."
Gabrielle: "I mean, if you've got it. Oh, and don't overcook it, 'cause I like it really bloody."
Innkeeper: (Looking like he's dealt with a lot of women and their strange cravings) "Yeah."
Gabrielle: "You know-- if you melt some cheese over the top, that would be perfect."
Well, that was basically it for the lighthearted stuff.
I hope everyone caught their breath, because its going to be a long time before we smile again.
Xena... remember last "week" when I told you not to make promises you can't keep? Well, this week I'm going to suggest that sometimes you should listen to Gabrielle.
Gabrielle: "Xena, what do you think they (The Banshees) wanted with me?"
Xena: "Who knows? It's just another reason to get out of Brittania and back to Greece. They were very strange."
Gabrielle: "Yeah, you're telling me. And I thought the Greek immortals were freaks."
Xena: "Yeah, but they're our freaks. You all right?"
Gabrielle: "Yeah... my stomach's better. It's just... my soul. Xena, I thought that Crafstar was leading me to the salvation of the world... through peace and light. And
instead I discovered the heart of darkness. I became a part of that. I think that that's what the Banshees were talking about... that maybe that there's an evil in me... and
that they want to worship that?"
Gabrielle, you don't know how right you are.
Loved how Gabrielle polevaulted out of the burning Inn, and escaped the mob while Xena was distracted by Warriors of the pierced hearts.
Loved how Xena FINALLY heard her shouts, and turned to follow.
Xena saves her from the Mob, but the Banshees abduct Gabrielle out from under the Warrior Princess, and clothe her in a pregnancy smock as they try to reassure her of her importance. It doesn't take Xena long to find them, nor to figure out that she STILL hasn't figured out the Banshees timing as her blows still miss them.
Gabrielle: "I'm carrying a child? I don't think so." (Xena arrives) Xena, they're crazy! Now, look, we're... we're going walk out of here like we did last time, OK?"
Brown Banshee: "No! We can't let you leave the forest again until the baby is born."
Gabrielle: "Xena, let's just run for it. I... I'm feeling much better."
Xena: "Oh, we don't have to run for it. I'm gonna slap these bitches silly. (To the Banshees) We're leaving this forest. You got a problem with that?"
[Ineffective Fight as far as Xena is concerned]
X: "Gabrielle-- now we run."
The idea of Xena running from anything is just so foreign, and yet she knows that she can't protect Gabrielle in the Banshees' forest, so they better get somewhere safe before they abduct her again.
Xena: "This is the castle of the warriors of the pierced heart. They're working against the Banshees, I think. (Tugs at the pregnancy smock the Banshees gave Gabrielle) Why don't you take this off?"
Gabrielle: "No. Xena, what's going on? Ahh." (Abdominal pain hits)
Xena: "I think you're pregnant." (Touches Gabrielle's obviously expanding abdomen) "I'd say you're in your fourth month, I mean... "
Gabrielle: (who hasn't been with a man since Perdicus died a year ago, responds logically) "That's ridiculous. Xena, I'm...I'm having a hysterical reaction to killing Meridian. Tell me who these warriors are."
Xena: "They're the ones that sent the lynch-mob on you."
Gabrielle: "And they're supposed to be an improvement over the Banshees? Xena-- "
Xena: "Shh."
Gabrielle: "-- at least they seem interested in protecting me."
Xena: "Not you... it."
Gabrielle: "Stop talking like that! I am not pregnant. There has to be a logical explanation.... " (Gabrielle stops speaking abruptly, and her face becomes frightened)
Xena: "Gabrielle, what's wrong?"
Gabrielle: "It moved. What is it?"
Xena: "I don't know-- but it's growing very fast. Come on, we gotta find a place for you to lie down, this way."
After some deep temporal massage, Gabrielle goes to sleep in the stable (how's that for parallels) and Xena goes looking for answers among the warriors of the pierced hearts.
Xena: (She's just put the pinch on a warrior) "Kill me, and watch him die! It won't take long. What is growing inside my friend?"
Taswan: "Darkness!"
Iochid: "You don't know that. It could be child-- "
Xena: "One version at a time!"
Taswan: "Evil incarnate! Undo whatever you did to me! I'll tell you everything! (Xena releases the pinch, and kicks his chair upright in a very smooth move.) Have you ever heard of Dahok?"
Xena: "I've been told he's a power that can't be let into the world."
Taswan: "Dahok is the blind force behind every evil will. If he were to become the dominant power in our world goodness itself would be the casualty. When your friend was on the altar in the temple of Dahok, he planted his seed within her."
Iochid: "You can't be sure that's what it is."
Taswan: "But, why else would the Banshees protect her like that?!"
Xena: "What are you saying?"
Taswan: "The being, that Gabrielle carries within her, is the window through which ultimate evil wishes to enter the world."
I don't know which was more fantastic, the fact that the pregnancy took place over a few hours, or that the birth took place over a few minutes, that the baby went from newborn to homicidal toddler within a few hours, or that Gabrielle has been caring that carved lamb Xena gave her last Solstice all the way to Britannia!
Actually, the most fantastic thing was discovering Xena was the right and true ruler of Britannia when she pulled Excalibur from the stone.
Xena: (Pulls sword out and examines it) "Nice blade."
(Then places it back where her fellow warriors are now fighting UNsuccessfully to pull it out for themselves)
Xena, the friend who discounted Gabrielle's earlier concerns that something evil was within her, now must try and convince Gabrielle to keep an open mind about the child that has captured her heart. And in the process, is reminded that she herself is no longer the dominant person in Gabrielle's life.
Xena: "Who do you think she is?
Gabrielle: "Well, she's my daughter."
Xena: "Doesn't it bother you that she's obviously not mortal?"
Gabrielle: "She's half-mortal. She's like Hercules. Actually, that's not a bad model for her."
Xena: "Gabrielle, she is the daughter of Dahok."
Gabrielle: "I have thought about that. Xena, maybe she is. Look, if that's true, then I will help her fight against her dark side, just like I helped you fight against yours."
Xena: "But, what if it's not possible?"
Gabrielle: "Xena-- if you were truly my friend, you will stop thinking of her as some symbol of an evil god. See her for what she truly is. She's a beautiful,innocent baby."
Xena: "Well, all right. But, I'll be watching her development very carefully."
Gabrielle: "What does that mean?"
Xena: "Just that I'm not so convinced of her innocence."
Gabrielle: "Well, you get this clear, Xena. No matter what she is, she is my daughter. Don't come between us."
I don't think, at the start of this series, or even at the start of this season, I would have ever guessed we'd see the scene that frightened me the most in this story.
Xena, sword drawn, ready to execute the child of Gabrielle.
Gabrielle: "What are you doing?"
Xena: "Get away, Gabrielle."
Gabrielle: "What are you saying?"
Xena: "That thing killed Goen. It strangled him with his own medallion chain."
Gabrielle: "Have you lost your mind? Look at her. She's a... she's a baby."
Xena: "It is not a baby. It is a thing in the form of a baby... a dark, wicked thing that must be destroyed."
Gabrielle: "Listen to you. You are talking about my baby."
Xena: "No-- I am talking about evil itself. I can't let it fall into the hands of the Banshees."
Xena finally shows us that the third time is the charm, as the Banshees come in to protect Gabrielle and her child. One spirits her away, while the other two find out what its like to be hit by a REALLY pissed off Warrior Princess.
But the fact remains that this drama is not over, as Gabrielle flees on horseback. Xena, with gams of steel, is not "that" far behind, and finds where Gabrielle ditches the horse for a rowboat. Xena buys the horse and continues on as Gabrielle lands on shore for a heart to heart with her daughter, Hope.
Gabrielle: (cradling the child, and rocking her, reminescent of Xena doing the same to her not 48 hours ago.) "Shhh. You all right? Please, don't cry. I'm not gonna let her hurt you. I promise I won't. I'll die, first. Are you tired? Me, too. We can't rest. Xena won't. I know her. Who are you? Who are you?"
X's Voice: (In the distance, yet coming closer) "Yah! Yah!"
Gabrielle: "You see what I mean? She's relentless."
In "The Price", Gabrielle learned to say "No!" to Xena.
But Gabrielle is no fool.
Xena: "Gabrielle! Gabrielle! That thing you're holding is a
monster! It has to be destroyed! Gabrielle! Gabrielle-- I understand how you feel! You're looking at it as if this were a real baby!
She knows her friend. She knows there's only one way for this to end well... and that is to lie to Xena.
Xena: Gabrielle! You have to consider what we know! You were in the temple of Dahok, the evil one! You were on his altar! He planted that thing inside you!
Lie face to face.
Xena: It grew so fast and it killed within hours of being born! Gabrielle! You talked about wanting to end the cycle of pain and violence!
Lie as if her life depends upon it, because she knows Xena won't be stopped, and that Gabrielle can't live with her daughter's blood on her soul.
Xena: By protecting that thing, you're only ensuring the
victory of that cycle!"
In her life, Xena has made countless mistakes, killed hundreds if not thousands of people, pillaged and plundered hundreds of homes and villages, betrayed allies and plotted the murder of heirs to kingdoms.
In Gabrielle's life, she's made two mistakes.
She killed a woman trying to kill a man under Gabrielle's protection.
And she didn't listen to Xena, a woman who for over 2 years now HAS BEEN Gabrielle's "hope".
To quote myself once again....
I hurt for both of my heroines this week.
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GOT stands for Galaxy-of-Terror, fanfic/fanart fetish where beautiful women are raped and impregnated by aliens/monsters/demons etc only to fall in love with them and their spawn, think the Alien series or Cordy on Angel etc
http://galaxy-of-terror.com/
http://www.taboostudios.com/
even has it's own subgenre, superheroine GOT-fic
http://www.superheroinecentral.com/mrx/xpage/index.html
I think Gabby's made more than 2 mistakes in her life and will make plenty more later. This is a great ep even if it puts a wedge between our heroines, personally I think it's worth it for the Stonehenge explanation, for the Banshees (genuine figures from Celtic mythology) and for the priceless joke about the sword in the stone, especially the knights trying to pull it out after Xena reinserts it. Intersting that they make sure to not offend christianity, the knights stating that they believe the Messiah will be born in a similar way
http://galaxy-of-terror.com/
http://www.taboostudios.com/
even has it's own subgenre, superheroine GOT-fic
http://www.superheroinecentral.com/mrx/xpage/index.html
I think Gabby's made more than 2 mistakes in her life and will make plenty more later. This is a great ep even if it puts a wedge between our heroines, personally I think it's worth it for the Stonehenge explanation, for the Banshees (genuine figures from Celtic mythology) and for the priceless joke about the sword in the stone, especially the knights trying to pull it out after Xena reinserts it. Intersting that they make sure to not offend christianity, the knights stating that they believe the Messiah will be born in a similar way
Just watched the Deliverer and Gabrielle's Hope while compiling my Callisto/Hope saga. The temple scenes, with Gabby wrapped in flames, are a highlight of the series both in special effects and in drama. What's happening to our little girl!?
Oh, and, on a "Xena screws around with history again" note -
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boudica
Boudica's rebellion was in 60 AD. The emperor at the time was in fact Nero, not Julius Caesar, who had been dead for 96 years.
Oh, and, on a "Xena screws around with history again" note -
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boudica
Boudica's rebellion was in 60 AD. The emperor at the time was in fact Nero, not Julius Caesar, who had been dead for 96 years.
Just watched the Deliverer and Gabrielle's Hope while compiling my Callisto/Hope saga. The temple scenes, with Gabby wrapped in flames, are a highlight of the series both in special effects and in drama. What's happening to our little girl!?
My season 4 Hercules showed up on Friday.
So far I've seen "Stranger in a Strange World" and "Armaggedon Now" 1&2.
I feel sorry for Callisto.
And I guess the Hercules TV show can say it disputes the theory behind Xena's season 6 "When fates Collide".
"Break her legs".
Poor Gabby.
Poor Pacific Renaissance Pictures... losing their major leads 2 years in a row. Lucy in Xena's season 2 and Kevin in Hercules' season 4.
I wonder if they thought they were "cursed" or something.
Episode 52 season 3 #6 "The Debt"
So often, when it comes to entertainment, the finished product doesn't come anywhere near the hype.
I'm happy to say, when it somes to these two eps, (Debt 1& 2) the hype delivers.
Debt 1 Commentary:
Its been how many weeks since Gabrielle gave birth in Britannia? The two women are presumably back home in Greece, and their relationship has not suffered from the events surrounding Hope's birth and "death".
The teaser lives up to its name, and I will take the nonsubtextual stance first.
We saw in the end of "The Deliverer" and in the beginning of "Gabrielle's Hope" that the broken Gabrielle needed something more than a handshake to console herself, and unlike season 1's "Death in Chains" Xena was no longer shy about being the shoulder to cry on.
During their journey home from Britannia, I'm sure Xena was called upon frequently for the same reason, and that it became "natural" for the Warrior to throw an arm over her frightened friend during the night to calm her from those recurring nightmares. And when Gabrielle wasn't at her side, it was just as natural for that to shock Xena awake and send her looking for her missing friend.
Gabrielle: "Hmm."
Xena: "Everything all right?"
Gabrielle: "Yeah-- fine. Just thinking. Hmm. Thank you."
Xena: "For what?"
Gabrielle: "You stuck by me through everything."
Xena: "Likewise, I'm sure."
Gabrielle: "I hope I never disappoint you, Xena."
Xena: "Impossible."
Gabrielle: "I've learned that anything is possible.
Which should have warned we Xena/Gabrielle fans, that "this way lie dragons".
A messenger arrives, a fight ensues with his enemies, and he dies after delivering the news. Xena wastes no time, and starts saddling Argo immediately...
Xena: "I'm going on a long journey."
Gabrielle: "You're going on a long journey-- what happened to 'we'?"
Xena: "This time's different"
And the woman who took Gabrielle into a warzone at the end of season 1, who brought her into the territory overun by "The Horde" in season 2, who left her to fend for herself in Britannia in early season 3, finally realizes that there are some times & some places that Gabrielle shouldn't follow her.
Xena: "I have to travel toward the rising sun for many, many days."
Gabrielle: "Xena, that's not a problem for me."
Xena: "The land that I'm travelling to is as different to ours as night is to day, the kingdom of Chin."
Gabrielle: "You think that's an argument against my coming? It sounds fascinating."
Xena: "If you came, you couldn't get in my way."
Gabrielle: "Are you saying I'm a nuisance?"
Xena: "No, you just wouldn't like what I'm going there to do."
That traveling game they play, "20 questions", continues until Gabrielle pins her down.
Gabrielle: "OK, let's forget the cryptic part. Are you going up against a dragon?"
Xena: "No."
Gabrielle: "Is the Green Dragon a person?"
Xena: "Yes."
Gabrielel: "Which person?"
Xena: "The one I'm gonna kill."
This was a strange ep for many reasons, but when one looks at it in context, one is able to allow for the strangeness of Xena's silence and Gabrielle's response.
In the last 1-2 months, Gabrielle has lost her "blood innocence" by being tricked into committing murder. She has been "symbolically impregnated" by an evil spirit and gave birth to a child her best friend considers a murderer. She has not only lied to her best friend about said child, but gave up that child in attempt to keep her safe from Xena's sword.
Not too long ago, this was the banter between these two...
Xena: "I've got that answer to your question. Are you who you are, or are you who I made you?"
Gabrielle: "And?"
Xena: "You're Gabrielle-- bard, Amazon Princess-- best friend. Nobody made you who you are-- it was already there. The question is, who would I be without you?"
Gabrielle: "Hmm-- I can answer that. You'd still be heroic Xena. You were on that path when we met."
Xena: "Are you crazy? Without you to keep me on the straight and narrow-- "
Gabrielle: "You'd have managed."
Xena: "Hey!"
Gabrielle: "Just not as well."
Ahh, the impertinence of youth.
Because this is how the "banter" changes...
Gabrielle: "Maybe there's something that I don't understand-- some subtlety I'm not getting? Xena-- I'll tell you what it looks like on the surface. You plan on travelling this long, grueling trip for the sole purpose of killing someone."
Xena: "That pretty much sums it up."
Gabrielle: "But, you can't do that!"
Xena: "Like I said, maybe it's better you don't come."
Gabrielle: "Try and stop me. At least, tell me why?"
Xena: "You will never understand."
Gabrielle: "After all we've been through, you can say that?"
..
..
..
Gabrielle: ...Xena, what are you doing?"
Xena: "Gabrielle, this just something I have to do."
Gabrielle: "Then, explain it to me. Who do you have to kill? Why?"
Xena: "To understand what I have to do, you need to understand what was left undone."
The season 1 & 2 eps that I loved often had something in common. They told me about Xena's back story. They filled in the blanks of those "10 years" between saving Amphipolis and meeting Hercules. "Destiny" was prime among them. Now we get a chance to see Xena AFTER Caesar breaks her legs and BEFORE she comes under the influence of Alti and gives birth to Solon.
We see her as the wild warlord wannabe that we imagined, and more. She no longer seduces her conquests in red gowns, but rather does so ahorseback until interrupted by "matters of state". She's a ruthless killer who shows no compassion for the man pleading at her feet, and shows no loyalty to the warlord she's supposedly serving. She's an opium addict that can watch her lover only so long before she tries to kill his latest interest.
When they talked about "evil" Xena, they weren't kidding!
I liked this exchange on their way to the ship that would ultimately bring Xena to her goal...
[Borias: "We held our own. But what if Ming and Lao-- were to ally against us?"
EvilXena: "Oh-- then I'd say-- " ]
Gabrielle: "Kill 'em all."
Xena: "Yeah-- that's what I said."
Gabrielle: "That was obviously your answer to everything in those days, Xena. I can't believe it's the same Borias who later helped the Centaurs."
Xena: "We were quite a pair in those days."
Gabrielle: "And to think that two people like that made a beautiful child like Solon."
Xena: "Hmm."
Gabrielle: "Huh."
Xena: "You ain't heard nothin' yet."
Gabrielle: "I don't think I want to hear any more about this tale of--war, greed, hate."
Xena: "Hate? It's not about hate. It's about love."
Gabrielle: "You wanted to kill that poor, innocent woman-- out of jealousy."
Xena: "Jealousy-- over Borias? You gotta be kidding. No, Borias and I were just using each other."
Gabrielle: "Then why?"
After Xena fails to kill Lao Ma...
Gabrielle: "Xena, when she whispered in your ear, what did she say?"
Xena: "She said, 'Fill yourself with desire and see only illusion. Empty yourself of desire and understand the great mystery of things.'"
Gabrielle: "That's good. I take it that you didn't listen to her."
Xena: "No. No, not then-- not for a long time.
As we watched, we've see Xena relate more of her story to Gabrielle than she has in the past 2 1/4 years, but despite all she shares with her... Gabrielle does something unexpected.
She stops Xena, before Xena can tell her about the "love" from Xena's past.
Gabrielle: "You kidnapped that child? And you would have killed him if you didn't get what you wanted?"
Xena: "Yes."
Gabrielle: "I can't go there with you, Xena-- and I don't mean the kingdom of Chin."
Xena: "I know what you mean."
Gabrielle: "You're going through with this, aren't you?"
Xena: "Yes!"
Gabrielle: "Well, I'm turning back! Who's the Green Dragon? It's not Borias-- he's already dead. The other guy who betrayed you-- what's his name?
Xena: "Chuang? No, I killed him a long time ago."
Gabrielle: "Me? I'm sorry, Xena-- but I can't help you commit murder."
Xena: "Gabrielle, I am catching a ship here that will carry me close to the kingdom of Chin. If there was ever a time to turn back, it's now." (Gabrielle's face says it all) "I understand."
Gabrielle: "You owe someone so much, that you would just throw away these last few years."
Xena: (Looking sadder than ever before, but just as resolute) "Yes."
2 months ago, or more... BEFORE she went to Britannia with Xena, I suspect THAT Gabrielle would have had a different answer. I suspect she would have dogged Xena all the way to the castle walls of the Green Dragon, trying to talk the Warrior Princess out of doing cold blooded murder.
But a lot has happened in 2 months.
Her body was violently seized, plundered, despoiled by an evil entity, she gave birth to a daughter, who in the space of a day became the "Hope" in her life and the wedge driven between her heart and Xena's. She gave up that "Hope", praying someone else would find her and love her in Britannia as she left the island and followed Xena not only home to Greece but part way to the land of Chin.
"You owe someone so much..." AKA "Someone who isn't me."
Gabrielle gave up her home to follow Xena. She risked her life to bring her dead body home to Amphipolis. She risked it yet again to bring her back to life with the ambrosia. She risked it on the battlefield of the Athenian Garrison, which helped save them all from the Horde. She faced down a delusional murderous Xena who couldn't differentiate friend from foe most of the time... Her husband died because of Gabrielle's association to Xena, and for all intents and purposes her daughter "died to her" for the same reason.
I suspect, something else died in Gabrielle when she heard Xena say, "Yes.", and watched her walk away.
The rest of the ep is awesome and in a way I felt "guilty" learning of that "love" Xena spoke of to Gabrielle. Knowing that had Gabrielle but known, had Gabrielle realized that Xena was simply answering the call of her mentor, her teacher, "her" Warrior Queen... then maybe the impertinence of Gabrielle's youth, the jealousy of uncertain love would have been tempered.
But then we wouldn't have gotten the wonderful episode that follows.
"Come with me, if you wish your freedom."
Much less, that surprising ending to this episode.
Xena greases herself up with camo, and infiltrates the Green Dragon's castle. She slinks down the hallways towards his bedchambers and is assaulted not by the guards, but by her memories of missed opportunities, and of Gabrielle's voice.
[Gabrielle: Are you going up against a dragon?"
Xena: "No."
Gabrielle: "Is the Green Dragon a person?"
Xena: "Yes."
Gabrielle: "Which person?"
Xena: "The one I'm gonna kill."
Gabrielle: "You owe someone so much-- that you would just throw away these last few years."
Xena: (Trying to revive a dead Gabrielle season 1) "Wake up!"
Callisto: (sinking into the quicksand) "Help me! Help me! [Screams]"
Xena: ("The Price") "You understand hatred, but you have never given into it."
Xena: (Season 1's "The Ties that bind") "Take the village!"
Gabrielle: (Season 1: Callisto) "There's only one way to end this cycle of hatred, and it's through love."
Xena: (In season 2's "The Price") "We're gonna kill 'em all!"
Gabrielle: "You owe someone so much-- that you would just throw away these last few years?]
(Xena stands next to Ming 'Tien's bed, ready to stab him through the sheets, when suddenly they are pulled down to reveal Gabrielle.)
Gabrielle: "I'm sorry Xena-- I couldn't let you do this."
Ming Tien: "Lao Ma said you'd return one day. Lock her up."
One question before I end.
The hair piece that Lao Ma put into Xena's hair after the bath, the one that eventually plays quite a role in her training and in their flying foreplay in part 2... did Lao Ma take it from a passed out Xena in the first place?
After Xena attacks Lao Ma in the yurt, Lao Ma throws her out of the yurt and Xena lands unconscious onto the ground. Lao Ma then reaches down and seems to pull something from Xena's hair. She throws it into the water bag which when pierced throws a stream of water onto Xena, waking her up. Lao Ma then seems to catch the instrument back in her hand after the water starts to squirt.
Am I seeing more than is there? Was the hair piece originally Xena's? If so, it gives another layer to Lao Ma's praise of the piece, "Its beautiful." and of the mutual passing back and forth.
Speaking of seeing more than what may or may not be there... I'll have more to say about the teaser, after season 3's "Forget me Not".
So often, when it comes to entertainment, the finished product doesn't come anywhere near the hype.
I'm happy to say, when it somes to these two eps, (Debt 1& 2) the hype delivers.
Debt 1 Commentary:
Its been how many weeks since Gabrielle gave birth in Britannia? The two women are presumably back home in Greece, and their relationship has not suffered from the events surrounding Hope's birth and "death".
The teaser lives up to its name, and I will take the nonsubtextual stance first.
We saw in the end of "The Deliverer" and in the beginning of "Gabrielle's Hope" that the broken Gabrielle needed something more than a handshake to console herself, and unlike season 1's "Death in Chains" Xena was no longer shy about being the shoulder to cry on.
During their journey home from Britannia, I'm sure Xena was called upon frequently for the same reason, and that it became "natural" for the Warrior to throw an arm over her frightened friend during the night to calm her from those recurring nightmares. And when Gabrielle wasn't at her side, it was just as natural for that to shock Xena awake and send her looking for her missing friend.
Gabrielle: "Hmm."
Xena: "Everything all right?"
Gabrielle: "Yeah-- fine. Just thinking. Hmm. Thank you."
Xena: "For what?"
Gabrielle: "You stuck by me through everything."
Xena: "Likewise, I'm sure."
Gabrielle: "I hope I never disappoint you, Xena."
Xena: "Impossible."
Gabrielle: "I've learned that anything is possible.
Which should have warned we Xena/Gabrielle fans, that "this way lie dragons".
A messenger arrives, a fight ensues with his enemies, and he dies after delivering the news. Xena wastes no time, and starts saddling Argo immediately...
Xena: "I'm going on a long journey."
Gabrielle: "You're going on a long journey-- what happened to 'we'?"
Xena: "This time's different"
And the woman who took Gabrielle into a warzone at the end of season 1, who brought her into the territory overun by "The Horde" in season 2, who left her to fend for herself in Britannia in early season 3, finally realizes that there are some times & some places that Gabrielle shouldn't follow her.
Xena: "I have to travel toward the rising sun for many, many days."
Gabrielle: "Xena, that's not a problem for me."
Xena: "The land that I'm travelling to is as different to ours as night is to day, the kingdom of Chin."
Gabrielle: "You think that's an argument against my coming? It sounds fascinating."
Xena: "If you came, you couldn't get in my way."
Gabrielle: "Are you saying I'm a nuisance?"
Xena: "No, you just wouldn't like what I'm going there to do."
That traveling game they play, "20 questions", continues until Gabrielle pins her down.
Gabrielle: "OK, let's forget the cryptic part. Are you going up against a dragon?"
Xena: "No."
Gabrielle: "Is the Green Dragon a person?"
Xena: "Yes."
Gabrielel: "Which person?"
Xena: "The one I'm gonna kill."
This was a strange ep for many reasons, but when one looks at it in context, one is able to allow for the strangeness of Xena's silence and Gabrielle's response.
In the last 1-2 months, Gabrielle has lost her "blood innocence" by being tricked into committing murder. She has been "symbolically impregnated" by an evil spirit and gave birth to a child her best friend considers a murderer. She has not only lied to her best friend about said child, but gave up that child in attempt to keep her safe from Xena's sword.
Not too long ago, this was the banter between these two...
Xena: "I've got that answer to your question. Are you who you are, or are you who I made you?"
Gabrielle: "And?"
Xena: "You're Gabrielle-- bard, Amazon Princess-- best friend. Nobody made you who you are-- it was already there. The question is, who would I be without you?"
Gabrielle: "Hmm-- I can answer that. You'd still be heroic Xena. You were on that path when we met."
Xena: "Are you crazy? Without you to keep me on the straight and narrow-- "
Gabrielle: "You'd have managed."
Xena: "Hey!"
Gabrielle: "Just not as well."
Ahh, the impertinence of youth.
Because this is how the "banter" changes...
Gabrielle: "Maybe there's something that I don't understand-- some subtlety I'm not getting? Xena-- I'll tell you what it looks like on the surface. You plan on travelling this long, grueling trip for the sole purpose of killing someone."
Xena: "That pretty much sums it up."
Gabrielle: "But, you can't do that!"
Xena: "Like I said, maybe it's better you don't come."
Gabrielle: "Try and stop me. At least, tell me why?"
Xena: "You will never understand."
Gabrielle: "After all we've been through, you can say that?"
..
..
..
Gabrielle: ...Xena, what are you doing?"
Xena: "Gabrielle, this just something I have to do."
Gabrielle: "Then, explain it to me. Who do you have to kill? Why?"
Xena: "To understand what I have to do, you need to understand what was left undone."
The season 1 & 2 eps that I loved often had something in common. They told me about Xena's back story. They filled in the blanks of those "10 years" between saving Amphipolis and meeting Hercules. "Destiny" was prime among them. Now we get a chance to see Xena AFTER Caesar breaks her legs and BEFORE she comes under the influence of Alti and gives birth to Solon.
We see her as the wild warlord wannabe that we imagined, and more. She no longer seduces her conquests in red gowns, but rather does so ahorseback until interrupted by "matters of state". She's a ruthless killer who shows no compassion for the man pleading at her feet, and shows no loyalty to the warlord she's supposedly serving. She's an opium addict that can watch her lover only so long before she tries to kill his latest interest.
When they talked about "evil" Xena, they weren't kidding!
I liked this exchange on their way to the ship that would ultimately bring Xena to her goal...
[Borias: "We held our own. But what if Ming and Lao-- were to ally against us?"
EvilXena: "Oh-- then I'd say-- " ]
Gabrielle: "Kill 'em all."
Xena: "Yeah-- that's what I said."
Gabrielle: "That was obviously your answer to everything in those days, Xena. I can't believe it's the same Borias who later helped the Centaurs."
Xena: "We were quite a pair in those days."
Gabrielle: "And to think that two people like that made a beautiful child like Solon."
Xena: "Hmm."
Gabrielle: "Huh."
Xena: "You ain't heard nothin' yet."
Gabrielle: "I don't think I want to hear any more about this tale of--war, greed, hate."
Xena: "Hate? It's not about hate. It's about love."
Gabrielle: "You wanted to kill that poor, innocent woman-- out of jealousy."
Xena: "Jealousy-- over Borias? You gotta be kidding. No, Borias and I were just using each other."
Gabrielle: "Then why?"
After Xena fails to kill Lao Ma...
Gabrielle: "Xena, when she whispered in your ear, what did she say?"
Xena: "She said, 'Fill yourself with desire and see only illusion. Empty yourself of desire and understand the great mystery of things.'"
Gabrielle: "That's good. I take it that you didn't listen to her."
Xena: "No. No, not then-- not for a long time.
As we watched, we've see Xena relate more of her story to Gabrielle than she has in the past 2 1/4 years, but despite all she shares with her... Gabrielle does something unexpected.
She stops Xena, before Xena can tell her about the "love" from Xena's past.
Gabrielle: "You kidnapped that child? And you would have killed him if you didn't get what you wanted?"
Xena: "Yes."
Gabrielle: "I can't go there with you, Xena-- and I don't mean the kingdom of Chin."
Xena: "I know what you mean."
Gabrielle: "You're going through with this, aren't you?"
Xena: "Yes!"
Gabrielle: "Well, I'm turning back! Who's the Green Dragon? It's not Borias-- he's already dead. The other guy who betrayed you-- what's his name?
Xena: "Chuang? No, I killed him a long time ago."
Gabrielle: "Me? I'm sorry, Xena-- but I can't help you commit murder."
Xena: "Gabrielle, I am catching a ship here that will carry me close to the kingdom of Chin. If there was ever a time to turn back, it's now." (Gabrielle's face says it all) "I understand."
Gabrielle: "You owe someone so much, that you would just throw away these last few years."
Xena: (Looking sadder than ever before, but just as resolute) "Yes."
2 months ago, or more... BEFORE she went to Britannia with Xena, I suspect THAT Gabrielle would have had a different answer. I suspect she would have dogged Xena all the way to the castle walls of the Green Dragon, trying to talk the Warrior Princess out of doing cold blooded murder.
But a lot has happened in 2 months.
Her body was violently seized, plundered, despoiled by an evil entity, she gave birth to a daughter, who in the space of a day became the "Hope" in her life and the wedge driven between her heart and Xena's. She gave up that "Hope", praying someone else would find her and love her in Britannia as she left the island and followed Xena not only home to Greece but part way to the land of Chin.
"You owe someone so much..." AKA "Someone who isn't me."
Gabrielle gave up her home to follow Xena. She risked her life to bring her dead body home to Amphipolis. She risked it yet again to bring her back to life with the ambrosia. She risked it on the battlefield of the Athenian Garrison, which helped save them all from the Horde. She faced down a delusional murderous Xena who couldn't differentiate friend from foe most of the time... Her husband died because of Gabrielle's association to Xena, and for all intents and purposes her daughter "died to her" for the same reason.
I suspect, something else died in Gabrielle when she heard Xena say, "Yes.", and watched her walk away.
The rest of the ep is awesome and in a way I felt "guilty" learning of that "love" Xena spoke of to Gabrielle. Knowing that had Gabrielle but known, had Gabrielle realized that Xena was simply answering the call of her mentor, her teacher, "her" Warrior Queen... then maybe the impertinence of Gabrielle's youth, the jealousy of uncertain love would have been tempered.
But then we wouldn't have gotten the wonderful episode that follows.
"Come with me, if you wish your freedom."
Much less, that surprising ending to this episode.
Xena greases herself up with camo, and infiltrates the Green Dragon's castle. She slinks down the hallways towards his bedchambers and is assaulted not by the guards, but by her memories of missed opportunities, and of Gabrielle's voice.
[Gabrielle: Are you going up against a dragon?"
Xena: "No."
Gabrielle: "Is the Green Dragon a person?"
Xena: "Yes."
Gabrielle: "Which person?"
Xena: "The one I'm gonna kill."
Gabrielle: "You owe someone so much-- that you would just throw away these last few years."
Xena: (Trying to revive a dead Gabrielle season 1) "Wake up!"
Callisto: (sinking into the quicksand) "Help me! Help me! [Screams]"
Xena: ("The Price") "You understand hatred, but you have never given into it."
Xena: (Season 1's "The Ties that bind") "Take the village!"
Gabrielle: (Season 1: Callisto) "There's only one way to end this cycle of hatred, and it's through love."
Xena: (In season 2's "The Price") "We're gonna kill 'em all!"
Gabrielle: "You owe someone so much-- that you would just throw away these last few years?]
(Xena stands next to Ming 'Tien's bed, ready to stab him through the sheets, when suddenly they are pulled down to reveal Gabrielle.)
Gabrielle: "I'm sorry Xena-- I couldn't let you do this."
Ming Tien: "Lao Ma said you'd return one day. Lock her up."
One question before I end.
The hair piece that Lao Ma put into Xena's hair after the bath, the one that eventually plays quite a role in her training and in their flying foreplay in part 2... did Lao Ma take it from a passed out Xena in the first place?
After Xena attacks Lao Ma in the yurt, Lao Ma throws her out of the yurt and Xena lands unconscious onto the ground. Lao Ma then reaches down and seems to pull something from Xena's hair. She throws it into the water bag which when pierced throws a stream of water onto Xena, waking her up. Lao Ma then seems to catch the instrument back in her hand after the water starts to squirt.
Am I seeing more than is there? Was the hair piece originally Xena's? If so, it gives another layer to Lao Ma's praise of the piece, "Its beautiful." and of the mutual passing back and forth.
Speaking of seeing more than what may or may not be there... I'll have more to say about the teaser, after season 3's "Forget me Not".
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I found this funny vid recently. Xena & Gabrielle to Hot n Cold.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HZMfUNyq-yo
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HZMfUNyq-yo
^^ Gawd, THAT was great! Loved the PMS part. (I've always wondered who would be scarier, Gabrielle or Xena that "week". 
)
Okay... funny vids, eh?
Gabrielle/Brunhilde (season 6) "I don't like your girlfriend"
Xena & Gabrielle channeling Edward & Bella from the Twilight series (Stay away from her, Buffy!)
Good lord, there's a "new moon" version with Perdicus as the werewolf!
Oh, this is more like it... Xena Funny and insane!
Bloopers with a great song! (Alas, Video deleted)
Not funny, but I feel compelled to add this for the Gabrielle crowd out there... [Video deleted]
And in "honor' of season 3 on "Xena: Warrior Princess" may I present "Kill Bill"
egads, edited to add a blooper reel made into a Xena "intro". http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1wNefy6RtM8&feature=related
)Okay... funny vids, eh?
Gabrielle/Brunhilde (season 6) "I don't like your girlfriend"
Xena & Gabrielle channeling Edward & Bella from the Twilight series (Stay away from her, Buffy!)
Good lord, there's a "new moon" version with Perdicus as the werewolf!
Oh, this is more like it... Xena Funny and insane!
Bloopers with a great song! (Alas, Video deleted)
Not funny, but I feel compelled to add this for the Gabrielle crowd out there... [Video deleted]
And in "honor' of season 3 on "Xena: Warrior Princess" may I present "Kill Bill"
egads, edited to add a blooper reel made into a Xena "intro". http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1wNefy6RtM8&feature=related
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Episode 53 season 3 #7 "The Debt" II
Last week, on Xena: Gabrielle betrays her best friend to a brutal tyrant, thereby condemning her to death.
Gabrielle: "I want to see her."
Ming Tien: "Out of the question."
Gabrielle: "You said that I could have anything in your kingdom."
Ming Tien: "Except that."
Gabrielle: "You don't understand-- I need to talk to her. I have to explain to her why I did what I did. I'm terrified of what she might be thinking of me."
Ming Tien: "You betrayed her-- therefore, you're her enemy. She'll kill you now, as soon as look at you."
Gabrielle: "You're wrong. You don't know her."
Ming Tien: "I know her. Tell me-- why did you do it if you love her so?"
Gabrielle: "I felt that she was betraying herself-- if she went back to
the way of murder."
Ming Tien: "Murder is in her blood, Gabrielle-- her soul. It is more natural to her than love."
How wrong they both are.
I loved watching the growing relationship between Lao Ma and Xena. How quickly the warlord wanna be came under her spell. Seemingly willing to BE converted more than being converted, in the beginning.
Xena: "I could serve you, if that's what you mean."
Lao Ma: "Of course, you can. It's easy to serve someone you love. You feel it will make them love you more. It's like a good business investment. That's not what I'm talking about."
"... someone you love."
A pretty cheeky comment from the real power controlling her husband kingdom, and yet she can see more in Xena than she lets on. She sees the effect her compassion and respect has already had on Xena, not to mention the fact that Xena has seen the supernatural forces Lao Ma can muster, both in Borias' camp and in the castle.
She also knows, however, that Xena has much to learn when it comes to controlling herself, as we watch the concern in her face as Xena holds the knife over Ming Tzu's head.
Xena: "Serve Ming. I'd rather die."
Lao Ma: "You've been a dead woman for a long time now, Xena. I'm offering you the chance to live."
Xena was wrong.
A new Xena wasn't born that night. Xena's heart died in that mountain healer's hut when M'Lila sacrificed herself for Xena. The limp she's carried ever since she fled the healer's hut reminds her daily of her failure to read Caesar's intentions, her failure to protect the men of her ship and the slave girl who risked it all just to save Xena's pitiful life.
And now, here was a another woman, one who ruled her kingdom behind the facade of her husband, asking Xena to come back to the land of the living.
Xena: "All right, Lao Ma. I did the whole servant bit, and it accomplished nothing."
Lao Ma: "You're wrong. For a few hours, you actually silenced your will. It's a beginning."
Xena: "A beginning to what-- huh? I should've just sliced that pig's throat."
Lao Ma: "To conquer others is to have power; to conquer yourself-- is to know the way. Come with me, Xena."
That's when Xena discovers that sweet faced Lao Ma has a backbone of steel, as she's led into the bedroom of LaoTzu, King of this land. A tyrant that Lao Ma keeps in a coma.
Xena: "So you rule in his name."
Lao Ma: "The only way a woman could rule in the kingdom of Ch'in. It's my gift to him. He was a vicious tyrant. I'm going to make him the most loved of rulers."
Xena: "Don't you get sick of him getting the credit for everything that you do?"
Lao Ma: "Not at all. As long as good is done."
Xena: "You write down all that wisdom stuff-- huh?"
Lao Ma: "Yes-- in his book."
Xena: "You give him credit for that, too?"
Lao Ma: "This wisdom comes from Heaven. What difference does it make who gets credit for it, Lao Ma or Lao Tzu?"
Two things strike me here.
The first is Xena's goal in life was to become the Tyrant, and here she sees how the tyrant was brought low by the woman.
The second, was how Xena herself isn't the cause of every significant piece of history between 1500 BC and 500 AD. Here we see Lao Tzu's fame only hides Lao Ma's influence. Eventually, when Xena "comes back to life" and works for the good Lao Ma encourages, Xena herself will take a similar attitude. (Remember who helped Ulysses bend that bow.)
O vey.
I lied.
There were three things that struck me...
The third was going from the quiet of Lao Tzu's bedroom, where Xena watched Lao ma write in her "husband's book", to the back handed SLAP across Xena's face as she kneels in Ming Tien's throne room and it's GABRIELLE of all people striking her!
Gabrielle: (Screeching) "Say it! Say it! Xena, promise them that you will never attempt to kill Ming Tien again. Promise him! Xena-- if you promise them, they will banish you. (Quietly, begging as Xena's tears fall but her mouth remains stubborningly shut.) Please, we can ride away from this."
[Followed immediately by Xena flashing back to the time Lao Ma heals Xena]
Lao Ma: (Arms outstretched, welcoming) "Come to me, Xena-- now."
[And the joy in Xena's face when she first runs from Lao Ma, to try out her new legs, and then runs back to the woman who's trying to heal her. The scene is yet again transitioned back to that annoying reality of being bound by Ming Tien's pillory, kneeling before his throne and Gabrielle's tears.]
Ming Tien: "So, you have nothing to say in your defense, Xena."
Gabrielle: "Xena-- "
Ming Tien: "So be it. Tomorrow at dawn, you'll experience this life for the last time. The sentence-- is death."
After Xena is led away in her sack-cloth, with the heavy pillory around her neck, back to her watery prison, Ming Tien twists the knife in Gabrielle's heart a little deeper. One wonders which words hit her the most... the ones where he admitted he'd never let Xena go? Or the reason WHY Xena tried to kill him in the first place. That part of Xena's story Gabrielle never stayed around long enough to hear.
Ming Tien: "Don't feel like you failed. I would've executed her no matter what she said. It's amazing, really. She did all of this-- out of some fool gratitude to Lao Ma-- for saving her life. I suppose even wild beasts have a sense of loyalty, sometimes."
Gabrielle: "Can I see her?"
Ming Tien: "Oh, yes. Now that she's condemned-- you can visit her. I'm not a monster, you know."
I once heard hell described this way. You are tied to a chair at a dining table, and in front of you is a heaping platefull of the most delectable foods, but your utensils (also tied to your hands) are all 6 feet long and you can't reach your plate. You and your tablemates are not only starving, but tortured by the proximity of the food.
Heaven, on the other hand, was pictured the same way. Only, in heaven the "guests" were using their utensils to feed each other, specifically the people sitting 6 feet away.
I thought of that the first time I saw Xena trying to force her fingers between the cracks in her pillory, so she could scratch her nose. The stoical warrior princess who knelt quietly before her friend and her executioner without batting an eye, had a scratch she just couldn't reach.
Enter the woman who betrayed the Warrior Princess.
The woman who finally stopped willing, desiring, hating the Warrior Princess... who just came to "be" with her.
Gabrielle: "Can we talk? Of course not. I betrayed you. The pathetic thing is-- I thought I was saving you. My reverence for life kept a brutal tyrant in power, and led to my best friend's execution. I know you hate me Xena-- no more than I hate myself."
Xena has been perched on one of the stone out croppings, trying to keep dry as she balances her pillory with both hands so it won't snap her neck. She hasn't looked at Gabrielle during her monologue. Finally, after Gabrielle stops talking, Xena slips off her perch and walks over to face her frightened friend.
Xena: "Scratch my nose, will you?"
Gabrielle: [Cries but doesn't move]
Xena: "Come on. [Gabrielle complies, and smiles as Xena leans into the proffered scratch] I know you only did what you thought was right. I was angry with you, but I didn't hate you. I never could."
Gabrielle: "I think I understand why you thought you had to kill Ming Tien. It was Lao Ma's last request, and she saved your life."
Xena: "Not just my life. She saved my soul-- my spirit, my entire being."
Lao Ma had such plans for Xena, and Borias and her Kingdom. She thought she had enough influence over Xena to keep her on the right path, and who knows? Perhaps had she waited another few weeks, worked on her even longer, perhaps then she would have succeeded with Xena.
But Xena the warlord wannabe was still too close to the surface, and when Lao Ma brought Borias' influence back into her life, the end was foretold.
The thing that I can't understand, except to say it only shows evil Xena's shortsightedness, was how she thought Lao Ma would stand aside and watch her son be killed.
Who knows, perhaps THAT reminder, of how seriously a mother reacts to protect her young, was one of the impetuses behind her army's rules to leave women and children alone.
Xena: "She had such dreams of peace for her land and for my soul.I ruined them all. It was years before I understood finally what she wanted from me. Not long before I met you, I was at the end of my rope. I was ready to give up. And then I thought of her and what she taught me, and, and I was reborn. That's the debt."
As startling as it was to have Gabrielle not only desert Xena on that dock so long ago, and even more shocking to have her betray Xena, I still think it was for the best. It forced Xena to sit quietly for hours in that prison, and remember Lao Ma... and more importantly her teachings. Being deprived of weapons, of clothing, of friends, of even simple dignity was needed to allow Xena to tap into her inner power. That power that she saw Lao Ma use so effortlessly.
And as Xena is strapped to the same executioner's bed that Lao Ma lost her life upon, she remembers her mentor's words.
Lao Ma: "The entire world is driven by a will, blind and ruthless. In order to transcend the limitations of that world you need to stop willing. Stop desiring. Stop hating. To conquer others is to have power; to conquer yourself is to know the way."
And Xena finally did it.
She stopped.
She stopped them all.
Gabrielle: "Be careful. Let's go."
Ming Tien: "Xena! I have something to tell you."
Xena: "Gabrielle, make sure everyone gets clear of the building. It'll collapse at any moment."
Gabrielle: (Looks suspiciously at Ming Tien crawling out from under a fallen rock)"Are you?"
Xena: "I'm fine. Don't worry, as far as I'm concerned, this is all over." (To Ming Tien) "Say it."
Ming Tien: "You made me, Xena. You taught me to be the monster I am."
Xena: "I know. It's part of the reason I'm here. I've learned to clean up after myself. Is that all?"
Ming Tien: "One other thing. You probably heard that I had Lao Ma executed."
Xena: "Yes."
Ming Tien: "But, I just wanted you to know-- it's not true."
Xena: "Really?"
Ming Tien: "No. I did it myself."
Was he goading her to kill him? Or was he, like Caesar, so sure he could break this woman emotionally that it would somehow salvage a "win" this day?
Who knows.
Xena: "I have something to tell you, Ming Tien."
Ming Tien: "What's that?"
Xena: "Lao Ma was your mother."
Ming Tien: "I knew that the whole time!"
Xena: [Mouths the word] "What?"
Ming Tien: "That was why I did the execution. I knew she wouldn't use her powers to hurt-- her little boy. I think this belongs to you. (Hands Xena the hair pin that Lao Ma used in their training. And with it, the mentor gives Xena the student permission to do what she once forbade her to do.) Her last request was that it was returned to you. It turns out that she was just a sentimental fool. Remember this? Mother's book of wisdom? It failed her in the end. That philosophical sense of peace fell apart! She cried like a baby. She even cried on after I had torn her heart from her body!"
Well... it finally happened.
Xena: (To Gabrielle) "You were right. I didn't have to resolve this with murder. I finally understood Lao Ma's message-- and I made him small again."
Gabrielle: "Xena-- your not killing him made you exactly what Lao Ma wanted you to be."
Xena: (Shows her the book) "A memento of Lao Ma."
Gabrielle: "We'll take good care of this.I love you, Xena."
Xena: "Love you too, Gabrielle."
Episode 53, a third of the way through the third season.
For the first time, Gabrielle tells a living, breathing, fully awake Xena that she loves her.
And Xena says it back.
Too bad both women weren't hiding a serious lie from the other.
Hope is alive.
Ming Tien is not.
Last week, on Xena: Gabrielle betrays her best friend to a brutal tyrant, thereby condemning her to death.
Gabrielle: "I want to see her."
Ming Tien: "Out of the question."
Gabrielle: "You said that I could have anything in your kingdom."
Ming Tien: "Except that."
Gabrielle: "You don't understand-- I need to talk to her. I have to explain to her why I did what I did. I'm terrified of what she might be thinking of me."
Ming Tien: "You betrayed her-- therefore, you're her enemy. She'll kill you now, as soon as look at you."
Gabrielle: "You're wrong. You don't know her."
Ming Tien: "I know her. Tell me-- why did you do it if you love her so?"
Gabrielle: "I felt that she was betraying herself-- if she went back to
the way of murder."
Ming Tien: "Murder is in her blood, Gabrielle-- her soul. It is more natural to her than love."
How wrong they both are.
I loved watching the growing relationship between Lao Ma and Xena. How quickly the warlord wanna be came under her spell. Seemingly willing to BE converted more than being converted, in the beginning.
Xena: "I could serve you, if that's what you mean."
Lao Ma: "Of course, you can. It's easy to serve someone you love. You feel it will make them love you more. It's like a good business investment. That's not what I'm talking about."
"... someone you love."
A pretty cheeky comment from the real power controlling her husband kingdom, and yet she can see more in Xena than she lets on. She sees the effect her compassion and respect has already had on Xena, not to mention the fact that Xena has seen the supernatural forces Lao Ma can muster, both in Borias' camp and in the castle.
She also knows, however, that Xena has much to learn when it comes to controlling herself, as we watch the concern in her face as Xena holds the knife over Ming Tzu's head.
Xena: "Serve Ming. I'd rather die."
Lao Ma: "You've been a dead woman for a long time now, Xena. I'm offering you the chance to live."
Xena was wrong.
A new Xena wasn't born that night. Xena's heart died in that mountain healer's hut when M'Lila sacrificed herself for Xena. The limp she's carried ever since she fled the healer's hut reminds her daily of her failure to read Caesar's intentions, her failure to protect the men of her ship and the slave girl who risked it all just to save Xena's pitiful life.
And now, here was a another woman, one who ruled her kingdom behind the facade of her husband, asking Xena to come back to the land of the living.
Xena: "All right, Lao Ma. I did the whole servant bit, and it accomplished nothing."
Lao Ma: "You're wrong. For a few hours, you actually silenced your will. It's a beginning."
Xena: "A beginning to what-- huh? I should've just sliced that pig's throat."
Lao Ma: "To conquer others is to have power; to conquer yourself-- is to know the way. Come with me, Xena."
That's when Xena discovers that sweet faced Lao Ma has a backbone of steel, as she's led into the bedroom of LaoTzu, King of this land. A tyrant that Lao Ma keeps in a coma.
Xena: "So you rule in his name."
Lao Ma: "The only way a woman could rule in the kingdom of Ch'in. It's my gift to him. He was a vicious tyrant. I'm going to make him the most loved of rulers."
Xena: "Don't you get sick of him getting the credit for everything that you do?"
Lao Ma: "Not at all. As long as good is done."
Xena: "You write down all that wisdom stuff-- huh?"
Lao Ma: "Yes-- in his book."
Xena: "You give him credit for that, too?"
Lao Ma: "This wisdom comes from Heaven. What difference does it make who gets credit for it, Lao Ma or Lao Tzu?"
Two things strike me here.
The first is Xena's goal in life was to become the Tyrant, and here she sees how the tyrant was brought low by the woman.
The second, was how Xena herself isn't the cause of every significant piece of history between 1500 BC and 500 AD. Here we see Lao Tzu's fame only hides Lao Ma's influence. Eventually, when Xena "comes back to life" and works for the good Lao Ma encourages, Xena herself will take a similar attitude. (Remember who helped Ulysses bend that bow.)
O vey.
I lied.
There were three things that struck me...
The third was going from the quiet of Lao Tzu's bedroom, where Xena watched Lao ma write in her "husband's book", to the back handed SLAP across Xena's face as she kneels in Ming Tien's throne room and it's GABRIELLE of all people striking her!
Gabrielle: (Screeching) "Say it! Say it! Xena, promise them that you will never attempt to kill Ming Tien again. Promise him! Xena-- if you promise them, they will banish you. (Quietly, begging as Xena's tears fall but her mouth remains stubborningly shut.) Please, we can ride away from this."
[Followed immediately by Xena flashing back to the time Lao Ma heals Xena]
Lao Ma: (Arms outstretched, welcoming) "Come to me, Xena-- now."
[And the joy in Xena's face when she first runs from Lao Ma, to try out her new legs, and then runs back to the woman who's trying to heal her. The scene is yet again transitioned back to that annoying reality of being bound by Ming Tien's pillory, kneeling before his throne and Gabrielle's tears.]
Ming Tien: "So, you have nothing to say in your defense, Xena."
Gabrielle: "Xena-- "
Ming Tien: "So be it. Tomorrow at dawn, you'll experience this life for the last time. The sentence-- is death."
After Xena is led away in her sack-cloth, with the heavy pillory around her neck, back to her watery prison, Ming Tien twists the knife in Gabrielle's heart a little deeper. One wonders which words hit her the most... the ones where he admitted he'd never let Xena go? Or the reason WHY Xena tried to kill him in the first place. That part of Xena's story Gabrielle never stayed around long enough to hear.
Ming Tien: "Don't feel like you failed. I would've executed her no matter what she said. It's amazing, really. She did all of this-- out of some fool gratitude to Lao Ma-- for saving her life. I suppose even wild beasts have a sense of loyalty, sometimes."
Gabrielle: "Can I see her?"
Ming Tien: "Oh, yes. Now that she's condemned-- you can visit her. I'm not a monster, you know."
I once heard hell described this way. You are tied to a chair at a dining table, and in front of you is a heaping platefull of the most delectable foods, but your utensils (also tied to your hands) are all 6 feet long and you can't reach your plate. You and your tablemates are not only starving, but tortured by the proximity of the food.
Heaven, on the other hand, was pictured the same way. Only, in heaven the "guests" were using their utensils to feed each other, specifically the people sitting 6 feet away.
I thought of that the first time I saw Xena trying to force her fingers between the cracks in her pillory, so she could scratch her nose. The stoical warrior princess who knelt quietly before her friend and her executioner without batting an eye, had a scratch she just couldn't reach.
Enter the woman who betrayed the Warrior Princess.
The woman who finally stopped willing, desiring, hating the Warrior Princess... who just came to "be" with her.
Gabrielle: "Can we talk? Of course not. I betrayed you. The pathetic thing is-- I thought I was saving you. My reverence for life kept a brutal tyrant in power, and led to my best friend's execution. I know you hate me Xena-- no more than I hate myself."
Xena has been perched on one of the stone out croppings, trying to keep dry as she balances her pillory with both hands so it won't snap her neck. She hasn't looked at Gabrielle during her monologue. Finally, after Gabrielle stops talking, Xena slips off her perch and walks over to face her frightened friend.
Xena: "Scratch my nose, will you?"
Gabrielle: [Cries but doesn't move]
Xena: "Come on. [Gabrielle complies, and smiles as Xena leans into the proffered scratch] I know you only did what you thought was right. I was angry with you, but I didn't hate you. I never could."
Gabrielle: "I think I understand why you thought you had to kill Ming Tien. It was Lao Ma's last request, and she saved your life."
Xena: "Not just my life. She saved my soul-- my spirit, my entire being."
Lao Ma had such plans for Xena, and Borias and her Kingdom. She thought she had enough influence over Xena to keep her on the right path, and who knows? Perhaps had she waited another few weeks, worked on her even longer, perhaps then she would have succeeded with Xena.
But Xena the warlord wannabe was still too close to the surface, and when Lao Ma brought Borias' influence back into her life, the end was foretold.
The thing that I can't understand, except to say it only shows evil Xena's shortsightedness, was how she thought Lao Ma would stand aside and watch her son be killed.
Who knows, perhaps THAT reminder, of how seriously a mother reacts to protect her young, was one of the impetuses behind her army's rules to leave women and children alone.
Xena: "She had such dreams of peace for her land and for my soul.I ruined them all. It was years before I understood finally what she wanted from me. Not long before I met you, I was at the end of my rope. I was ready to give up. And then I thought of her and what she taught me, and, and I was reborn. That's the debt."
As startling as it was to have Gabrielle not only desert Xena on that dock so long ago, and even more shocking to have her betray Xena, I still think it was for the best. It forced Xena to sit quietly for hours in that prison, and remember Lao Ma... and more importantly her teachings. Being deprived of weapons, of clothing, of friends, of even simple dignity was needed to allow Xena to tap into her inner power. That power that she saw Lao Ma use so effortlessly.
And as Xena is strapped to the same executioner's bed that Lao Ma lost her life upon, she remembers her mentor's words.
Lao Ma: "The entire world is driven by a will, blind and ruthless. In order to transcend the limitations of that world you need to stop willing. Stop desiring. Stop hating. To conquer others is to have power; to conquer yourself is to know the way."
And Xena finally did it.
She stopped.
She stopped them all.
Gabrielle: "Be careful. Let's go."
Ming Tien: "Xena! I have something to tell you."
Xena: "Gabrielle, make sure everyone gets clear of the building. It'll collapse at any moment."
Gabrielle: (Looks suspiciously at Ming Tien crawling out from under a fallen rock)"Are you?"
Xena: "I'm fine. Don't worry, as far as I'm concerned, this is all over." (To Ming Tien) "Say it."
Ming Tien: "You made me, Xena. You taught me to be the monster I am."
Xena: "I know. It's part of the reason I'm here. I've learned to clean up after myself. Is that all?"
Ming Tien: "One other thing. You probably heard that I had Lao Ma executed."
Xena: "Yes."
Ming Tien: "But, I just wanted you to know-- it's not true."
Xena: "Really?"
Ming Tien: "No. I did it myself."
Was he goading her to kill him? Or was he, like Caesar, so sure he could break this woman emotionally that it would somehow salvage a "win" this day?
Who knows.
Xena: "I have something to tell you, Ming Tien."
Ming Tien: "What's that?"
Xena: "Lao Ma was your mother."
Ming Tien: "I knew that the whole time!"
Xena: [Mouths the word] "What?"
Ming Tien: "That was why I did the execution. I knew she wouldn't use her powers to hurt-- her little boy. I think this belongs to you. (Hands Xena the hair pin that Lao Ma used in their training. And with it, the mentor gives Xena the student permission to do what she once forbade her to do.) Her last request was that it was returned to you. It turns out that she was just a sentimental fool. Remember this? Mother's book of wisdom? It failed her in the end. That philosophical sense of peace fell apart! She cried like a baby. She even cried on after I had torn her heart from her body!"
Well... it finally happened.
Xena: (To Gabrielle) "You were right. I didn't have to resolve this with murder. I finally understood Lao Ma's message-- and I made him small again."
Gabrielle: "Xena-- your not killing him made you exactly what Lao Ma wanted you to be."
Xena: (Shows her the book) "A memento of Lao Ma."
Gabrielle: "We'll take good care of this.I love you, Xena."
Xena: "Love you too, Gabrielle."
Episode 53, a third of the way through the third season.
For the first time, Gabrielle tells a living, breathing, fully awake Xena that she loves her.
And Xena says it back.
Too bad both women weren't hiding a serious lie from the other.
Hope is alive.
Ming Tien is not.
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Beauty and the beast, I suppose, think of all those women who go around Star Wars conventions dressed as Jabba's slavegirl Princess Leia?
Hercules is only really worth watching when there are Xena crossover eps/clip shows, Armageddon and Stranger in a Strange Land are some the best.
The barn scene is particularly wrenching, you actually feel sorry for Callisto the monster, preferring to have never have existed than to continue as she is. But Iolaus cannot leave this poor little girl to die, no matter what.
As for The Debt, subtext ahoy! Once again we see that Gabby not the first woman Xena's had an intense relationship with. What I want to know however is how did Gabby beat Xena to China?
Beauty and the beast, I suppose, think of all those women who go around Star Wars conventions dressed as Jabba's slavegirl Princess Leia?
Hercules is only really worth watching when there are Xena crossover eps/clip shows, Armageddon and Stranger in a Strange Land are some the best.
The barn scene is particularly wrenching, you actually feel sorry for Callisto the monster, preferring to have never have existed than to continue as she is. But Iolaus cannot leave this poor little girl to die, no matter what.
As for The Debt, subtext ahoy! Once again we see that Gabby not the first woman Xena's had an intense relationship with. What I want to know however is how did Gabby beat Xena to China?
I think those women dress as Princess Leia because what Leia ended up doing TO Jabba in the end. And that aint "love", honey!
The barn scene was a killer, but do you think Ioalus KNEW who that girl was, when he ran into the barn?
Glad I've already seen the three "best" of Herc's season 4. I will eventually plow through the rest, but feel I'm ready after Xena' season 3's "Maternal Instincts" to follow the story across TV shows.
As for how Gabby beat her to the land of Ch'in, We'll discuss that after "Forget me not".
And as for "subtext ahoy"... we'll discuss the teaser for Debt I again after "Forget me Not".
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After all the trama and angst of the last FOUR eps... its nice to see TPTB give us a string of lighthearted comedies so we can take a breather before they CREAM us again in MI, TBS, and OAAA.
And, in that vein... From "The King of the Assassins"....
This next Joxer is great and despite the title they do NOT play THAT song! (Thank God) Any black suited clips, or Joxer in a prison pillory (clip 41 sec) is also from "The King of the Assassins."
Here's yet another version of "Hot & Cold, but with that "third wheel" (AKA Meg's husband) that hangs around X&G included.
Joxer... when he's not "mighty" he's an "Allstar".
Lots of clips in these vids from the next three eps... and lets do a quickie tonight.
Episode 54 Season 3 #8 "The King of the Assassins"
There is a interview on thats pretty good.
Well, we have two guest stars... Joxer and Autolycus, so that means its a "Xena Lite" ep.
But given how much our Princess went through filming the last 2 eps, I say we give her a pass and move on.
Especially since this is pretty funny.
LOVED seeing Autolycus AFRAID of that liberator of prize chickens... Joxer!
Also loved seeing the evil version of Joxer this week, and how Jet was jealous of his relationship with Gabrielle.
Jet: "...Hey! Hang onto that little blonde, she's pretty smart."
And even though she's basically in only one act, Xena STILL manages to arrive in time to free Gabby and Autolycus from jail, save Cleopatra from Jet, fight a room full of Egyptian assassins, gets a very suggestive invitation from Ceopatra to join her in Egypt (loved the look from Xena to Gabrielle) and STILL puts Joxer in his place.
Joxer: I guess you guys are gonna be looking at me a little bit differently from now on. (He tries to lean nonchalantly against a chest high Vase, that tips over and sends him crashing to the floor.)
Gabrielle: Nope.
Autolycus: I think not.
Xena: Same old, same old.
In terms of the last 4 eps, I really liked NOT having Gabrielle and Xena together all that much this "week". I'm not ready for any introspection yet, and I don't think they are either.
And, in that vein... From "The King of the Assassins"....
This next Joxer is great and despite the title they do NOT play THAT song! (Thank God) Any black suited clips, or Joxer in a prison pillory (clip 41 sec) is also from "The King of the Assassins."
Here's yet another version of "Hot & Cold, but with that "third wheel" (AKA Meg's husband) that hangs around X&G included.
Joxer... when he's not "mighty" he's an "Allstar".
Lots of clips in these vids from the next three eps... and lets do a quickie tonight.
Episode 54 Season 3 #8 "The King of the Assassins"
There is a interview on thats pretty good.
Well, we have two guest stars... Joxer and Autolycus, so that means its a "Xena Lite" ep.
But given how much our Princess went through filming the last 2 eps, I say we give her a pass and move on.
Especially since this is pretty funny.
LOVED seeing Autolycus AFRAID of that liberator of prize chickens... Joxer!
Also loved seeing the evil version of Joxer this week, and how Jet was jealous of his relationship with Gabrielle.
Jet: "...Hey! Hang onto that little blonde, she's pretty smart."
And even though she's basically in only one act, Xena STILL manages to arrive in time to free Gabby and Autolycus from jail, save Cleopatra from Jet, fight a room full of Egyptian assassins, gets a very suggestive invitation from Ceopatra to join her in Egypt (loved the look from Xena to Gabrielle) and STILL puts Joxer in his place.
Joxer: I guess you guys are gonna be looking at me a little bit differently from now on. (He tries to lean nonchalantly against a chest high Vase, that tips over and sends him crashing to the floor.)
Gabrielle: Nope.
Autolycus: I think not.
Xena: Same old, same old.
In terms of the last 4 eps, I really liked NOT having Gabrielle and Xena together all that much this "week". I'm not ready for any introspection yet, and I don't think they are either.
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Episode 55 Season 3 # 9 "Warrior... Priestess... Tramp."
How appropriate. in episode 9, which is a multiple of 3 which is the season we are in, we get THREE versions of Lucy Lawless "tonight".
The DVD interviews:
Well, really, its only fair.
She did kind of stiff us "last" week, appearing only in the teaser and the final act.
Oh, right. I suggested we cut her some slack, didn't I? 
I think I've seen this ep too many times, since I no longer find Leah's lisp as grating.
We've chatted about this ep earlier, and I have nothing to say but I LOVE Lucy AND Renee's expressions in this ep.
Bawdy doesn't quite cover, what they did this week on syndicated TV.
I can't even begin to list all my fav lines... much less pick a fav.
But when did that ever stop me? This scene just slays me...
Leah: "Well, of course. It's not my place to question the wisdom of the goddess. We must all place our faith in Hestia. Do I sense a nonbeliever among us?"
Xena: "I just think that you'd do better if you put more faith in yourself."
Leah: "Well-- looks like someone's caught a speeding chariot straight for Tartarus. What about you, Gabrielle? Hmm? Surely, you place more faith in the all-knowing,
ever-powerful gods than you do in yourself."
Xena: (Teases Gabby as she awaits the answer) Yeah."
Gabrielle: [Laughs as she elbows her friend to "stop".] "Actually, I'm with Xena on this one."
Leah: "Ahh... heathens to the left of me; infidels to the right. Huh. Tremendous. Next thing, you'll be telling me you're not virgins. (The girls turn silent as they try to avoid Leah's gaze) Huuuuuh!"
(X&G step aside to chat amongst themselves)
Leah: "Oh, yes, I think I'm in need of a little quiet reflection. Oh, Hestia. If denying the flesh is the path to true wighteousness, then what lessons can I learn from
these wanton strumpets?"
Gabrielle: "You don't have to be a virgin to be virtuous."
Leah: "Oh, yes. You keep telling yourself that, Dear."
(As the X&G conference continues...)
Leah: "And how can I pass your wisdom on to these women of questionable virtue-- who so obviously disregard the purity of their own bodies."
Gabrielle: (Shouts across cave to Leah) "I was married at the time."
Leah: "Yes, well, we all have our little excuses, don't we?"
Gabrielle: (Turns back to a laughing Xena) "Were you?"
Gabby is soooo easy!
Loved how the guard at the Hestian Temple wasn't going to let Gabby pass...
"Virgins only!" he opined, and her response...
"What? Is it written on my forehead?"
I also loved the fact that Meg didn't recognize Xena until her fist caught Meg's in a death grip, and her gauntlet slipped from under her cloak.
(Meg thinks she's threatening Leah, High Priestess)
Xena: "You don't wanna be doing that, Meg."
Meg: (Puts up her hands to punch Xena's shoulder) "Oh-- so, the little virgin wants to play rough, huh? Eh? (Makes a fist) How'd you like a trip to Mt. Olympus, courtesy of my fist?! (Xena grabs fist and squeezes till Meg starts to go to her knees) Hello, Xena."
X: "Hello, Meg."
We even had two choirs this "week" one lead by Joxer, doing a rendition of "The Mighty" song, and one lead by Leah singing "Onward Virgin soldiers. Funny thing was, both choirs were made up of Meg's bordello "staff".
Geat fun. Great scenes.
The 2 confessional scenes were great, both between Xena and the Virgin, and between Joxer and the Hestian Priestess.
Love the way they mixed up the three versions in the end. I remember being blindsided the first time through re: who was who.
And it was nice to get back into the "usual" Xena storytelling... find a cause, right a wrong, bust a few heads and split a few guts laughing along the way.
Still no "introspection" this week, which is STILL okay by me, thank-you VERY much!
But... another interesting comment from the "widow" this week, reminscent of what she told Xena in "A Comedy of Eros"
Leah: (Trying desperately to ignore Gabby as she is stripping the arms off Leah's dress, slitting the sides of her skirt up to her panty line, and tearing the collar off the blouse) "You really are a very nice, albeit misguided-- young person, Gabrielle. It's a great pity I didn't get 'hold of you sooner. You would've made an excellent Hestian."
Gabrielle: "Thanks. I don't think so."
Leah: "Well, the chaste life's not so bad. Once you get used to it. You simply have to follow the Hestian rules. Rule 1-- know thyself. Rule 2-- whatever... "
Gabrielle: (Interrupts) "Believe me. If I have to go the rest of my life without companionship, knowing myself won't be a problem. (Leah looks confused as Gabby finally finishes her dress remodeling) There you go-- you're done!
Oh well... as they say, "A fun time was had by all.... But I think MOSTLY by JOXER!"
TROLLOPS:
Joxer the Mighty,
Master of virility,
Every woman wants him
He's so sexy it's a sin
If you want a special tryst
He's the man you can't resist
By every measure he's a prize
JOXER:
Just check out my shoe size!
Ha-ha!
TROLLOPS:
Joxer the Mighty,
Captain of debauchery,
Never seems to get enough
Of our tantalizing stuff
If you need some company,
With Joxer there's a guarantee
JOXER:
Of the highest potency!
TROLLOP:
Heck, I'd even work for free!
Priestess LEAH:
Take your filthy hands off me!
ALL:
He's Joxer—
Joxer the Mighty!
How appropriate. in episode 9, which is a multiple of 3 which is the season we are in, we get THREE versions of Lucy Lawless "tonight".
The DVD interviews:
Well, really, its only fair.
She did kind of stiff us "last" week, appearing only in the teaser and the final act.
Oh, right. I suggested we cut her some slack, didn't I? I think I've seen this ep too many times, since I no longer find Leah's lisp as grating.
We've chatted about this ep earlier, and I have nothing to say but I LOVE Lucy AND Renee's expressions in this ep.
Bawdy doesn't quite cover, what they did this week on syndicated TV.
I can't even begin to list all my fav lines... much less pick a fav.
But when did that ever stop me? This scene just slays me...
Leah: "Well, of course. It's not my place to question the wisdom of the goddess. We must all place our faith in Hestia. Do I sense a nonbeliever among us?"
Xena: "I just think that you'd do better if you put more faith in yourself."
Leah: "Well-- looks like someone's caught a speeding chariot straight for Tartarus. What about you, Gabrielle? Hmm? Surely, you place more faith in the all-knowing,
ever-powerful gods than you do in yourself."
Xena: (Teases Gabby as she awaits the answer) Yeah."
Gabrielle: [Laughs as she elbows her friend to "stop".] "Actually, I'm with Xena on this one."
Leah: "Ahh... heathens to the left of me; infidels to the right. Huh. Tremendous. Next thing, you'll be telling me you're not virgins. (The girls turn silent as they try to avoid Leah's gaze) Huuuuuh!"
(X&G step aside to chat amongst themselves)
Leah: "Oh, yes, I think I'm in need of a little quiet reflection. Oh, Hestia. If denying the flesh is the path to true wighteousness, then what lessons can I learn from
these wanton strumpets?"
Gabrielle: "You don't have to be a virgin to be virtuous."
Leah: "Oh, yes. You keep telling yourself that, Dear."
(As the X&G conference continues...)
Leah: "And how can I pass your wisdom on to these women of questionable virtue-- who so obviously disregard the purity of their own bodies."
Gabrielle: (Shouts across cave to Leah) "I was married at the time."
Leah: "Yes, well, we all have our little excuses, don't we?"
Gabrielle: (Turns back to a laughing Xena) "Were you?"
Gabby is soooo easy!
Loved how the guard at the Hestian Temple wasn't going to let Gabby pass...
"Virgins only!" he opined, and her response...
"What? Is it written on my forehead?"
I also loved the fact that Meg didn't recognize Xena until her fist caught Meg's in a death grip, and her gauntlet slipped from under her cloak.
(Meg thinks she's threatening Leah, High Priestess)
Xena: "You don't wanna be doing that, Meg."
Meg: (Puts up her hands to punch Xena's shoulder) "Oh-- so, the little virgin wants to play rough, huh? Eh? (Makes a fist) How'd you like a trip to Mt. Olympus, courtesy of my fist?! (Xena grabs fist and squeezes till Meg starts to go to her knees) Hello, Xena."
X: "Hello, Meg."
We even had two choirs this "week" one lead by Joxer, doing a rendition of "The Mighty" song, and one lead by Leah singing "Onward Virgin soldiers. Funny thing was, both choirs were made up of Meg's bordello "staff".
Geat fun. Great scenes.
The 2 confessional scenes were great, both between Xena and the Virgin, and between Joxer and the Hestian Priestess.
Love the way they mixed up the three versions in the end. I remember being blindsided the first time through re: who was who.
And it was nice to get back into the "usual" Xena storytelling... find a cause, right a wrong, bust a few heads and split a few guts laughing along the way.
Still no "introspection" this week, which is STILL okay by me, thank-you VERY much!
But... another interesting comment from the "widow" this week, reminscent of what she told Xena in "A Comedy of Eros"
Leah: (Trying desperately to ignore Gabby as she is stripping the arms off Leah's dress, slitting the sides of her skirt up to her panty line, and tearing the collar off the blouse) "You really are a very nice, albeit misguided-- young person, Gabrielle. It's a great pity I didn't get 'hold of you sooner. You would've made an excellent Hestian."
Gabrielle: "Thanks. I don't think so."
Leah: "Well, the chaste life's not so bad. Once you get used to it. You simply have to follow the Hestian rules. Rule 1-- know thyself. Rule 2-- whatever... "
Gabrielle: (Interrupts) "Believe me. If I have to go the rest of my life without companionship, knowing myself won't be a problem. (Leah looks confused as Gabby finally finishes her dress remodeling) There you go-- you're done!
Oh well... as they say, "A fun time was had by all.... But I think MOSTLY by JOXER!"
TROLLOPS:
Joxer the Mighty,
Master of virility,
Every woman wants him
He's so sexy it's a sin
If you want a special tryst
He's the man you can't resist
By every measure he's a prize
JOXER:
Just check out my shoe size!
Ha-ha!
TROLLOPS:
Joxer the Mighty,
Captain of debauchery,
Never seems to get enough
Of our tantalizing stuff
If you need some company,
With Joxer there's a guarantee
JOXER:
Of the highest potency!
TROLLOP:
Heck, I'd even work for free!
Priestess LEAH:
Take your filthy hands off me!
ALL:
He's Joxer—
Joxer the Mighty!
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Oh.
I preferred it when I thought it was "Gabrielle O. T."
Beauty and the beast, I suppose, think of all those women who go around Star Wars conventions dressed as Jabba's slavegirl Princess Leia?
Hercules is only really worth watching when there are Xena crossover eps/clip shows, Armageddon and Stranger in a Strange Land are some the best.
The barn scene is particularly wrenching, you actually feel sorry for Callisto the monster, preferring to have never have existed than to continue as she is. But Iolaus cannot leave this poor little girl to die, no matter what.
As for The Debt, subtext ahoy! Once again we see that Gabby not the first woman Xena's had an intense relationship with. What I want to know however is how did Gabby beat Xena to China?
I think those women dress as Princess Leia because what Leia ended up doing TO Jabba in the end. And that aint "love", honey!
The barn scene was a killer, but do you think Ioalus KNEW who that girl was, when he ran into the barn?
Well draw your own conclusions;
http://www.leiasmetalbikini.com/members/whatsnew.html
They say the appeal of it is that they can experience inhuman amounts of sexual pleasure/the joy of pregnancy/submission without any guilt, no one can accuse them of being attracted to the monsters. But that's more of an issue for my next pscyhology paper
Yes, I think Iolaus knew who it was but he just couldn't leave her to die even when you could already see the damage in her eyes 'No, I shall never cry'
Callisto isn't born of evil, she's born of tragedyNow for the eps and it's doubles all round. Great performance from Ted and a very different version of the Joxer song. Plus the first mention of Jace
and Joxer meets Autolycus. Gina Torres also great as Cleopatra. Shame we never see Jet again. Warrior, Priestess, Tramp is one of my favourites, Leah my favourite Xena double. It's a great performance from Lucy, Leah reminding me of St Trinians star Joyce Grenfall. Also big on the saucy humour, petting zoos, naughty blacksmiths, the summer squash, taking things into your own hands, 'knowing thyself' and 'diaphragm'. We see that Joxer and Meg are an item (Xexer again) although to judge by the happy hookers rapturous reception of him maybe he really is Joxer 'The Mighty'?
My favourite scene is where Gabby introduces Leah to Xena who guesses 'Meg?....Princess Diana?' Also love Leah's horror at having fallen amongst 'these harlots', merry widow Gabby and good-time-had-by-all Xena.
Gabby; "Hey I was married at the time!"
Leah; "Oh we all have our little excuses!"
Interestingly Gabby speaks of being unwilling to give up 'campanionship' rather than 'men'. Also love "Son of a Baachae!"
2 classics and no mistake!
saturn5 wrote:
Now for the eps and it's doubles all round. Great performance from Ted and a very different version of the Joxer song. Plus the first mention of Jace
Warrior, Priestess, Tramp is one of my favourites, Leah my favourite Xena double. It's a great performance from Lucy, Leah reminding me of St Trinians star Joyce Grenfall. Also big on the saucy humour, petting zoos, naughty blacksmiths, the summer squash, taking things into your own hands, 'knowing thyself' and 'diaphragm'. We see that Joxer and Meg are an item (Xexer again) although to judge by the happy hookers rapturous reception of him maybe he really is Joxer 'The Mighty'?
My favourite scene is where Gabby introduces Leah to Xena who guesses 'Meg?....Princess Diana?' Also love Leah's horror at having fallen amongst 'these harlots', merry widow Gabby and good-time-had-by-all Xena.
Gabby; "Hey I was married at the time!"
Leah; "Oh we all have our little excuses!"
Interestingly Gabby speaks of being unwilling to give up 'campanionship' rather than 'men'. Also love "Son of a Baachae!"
2 classics and no mistake!
I'm not so sure about whether he's "mighty", or whether he just likes to sing alot.
Mighty or not, Xena is always going to put him in his place.
(In the prison with Joxer, after she rescues herself.)
Joxer: ....Yeah. Then I'll grab the keys from him, stick 'em in the door, turn it, and let us out. I tell you, it's so easy, Priestess, any idiot could do it."
Xena (dressed as Leah): "Come on, idiot."
Joxer: "Hi, Xena."
Loved the way Xena changed when she first thought it was the Princess... she was actually respectful, and then when she thought it was Meg... she was relaxing into chum groove... and then just flipping confused when the Priestess started praising God.
Meg: "No, you gotta give me a chance to make it up to ya. Bali's guards are outside, so you stay here, and I'll go out there and pretend to be you pretending to be me. You see? Curses! Too late! Step back! It's me you want. I am the holy woman!"
[Xena defeats bad guys]
Meg: "Hello, Xena. I'm sorry I messed up."
Xena: "It's all right, Meg."
Meg really does have her heart in the right place. I'm glad she and Joxer made such a pretty son.
(I suspect Gabrielle agrees.
)
Episode 56, season 10 "The Quill is Mightier..."
Four... count them FOUR guest stars this week which means .... Xenalite ep in our future! You have to admit, at least its NOT a clip show!
Fav parts?
The brother/sister bickering between Aphrodite and Ares ...
and the start of the Aphrodite/Gabrielle relationship.
Gabrielle: "Wait a minute. You wanted Xena out of the way, so you enchanted my scroll?"
Aphrodite: "Ares was being his ususal manipulative self. He's got some army somewhere, ready to pounce on the valley. He wanted Xena out of the way, so he wanted to get me mad at you."
Ares: "You figured that all out by yourself, did you?"
Aphrodite: "Hey, don't believe everything you hear about blondes. Look, Sweetpea, just give me back my powers-- then I'll unzap the scroll."
Ares: "No, no-- write mine back in first. That army's waiting for me to give them a signal that Xena's gone."
Aphrodite: "Mmm-- not helping your cause any, Slick."
And, naturally, I enjoy a good Joxer bashing once in a while....
Joxer: "Look, just write, 'Everything is as it was before.'"
Aphrodite: "Then we'll all go back to our baby cribs, and you'll go back under your rock. Did you write him here?"
Gabrielle: "Not exactly, I-- "
Ares: (Grabs the scroll) "Ah-- 'Gabrielle awoke with a jerk.'"
Aphrodite: [Laughs]
Joxer: "I don't get it. What's so funny about waking up?"
And the award for the most unexpected and refreshing guest star role in a Xena ep goes to....
Leather clad Minya, still carrying Xena's whip!
Loved the end of the ep after Ares gets his powers back and leaves...
Minya: "You know? I expected more from the god of war. I mean, without his powers, he's just another man-- just another-- big old-- leather-clad-- well-muscled-- gorgeous, hunk 'a-- bad-boy-- man."
Gabrielle: "How are those hormones, Minya?"
Minya: "Raging. I, uh-- I might go see-- Hower."
Speaking of Ares, I even liked the way he and Gabrielle were "bonding" like 2 fanboys....
Gabrielle: "Well, how about what she (Xena) pulled off with the Furies?"
Ares: "Oh-- it was brilliant. Yeah. And she does it all with that-- that steely gaze, you know?"
Gabrielle: "Oh, yeah, I've seen that one a few times. Ah, it looks like he's heading for the caves."
Ares: "Yeah. We were starting to-- warm up to each other there, weren't we?"
Gabrielle: "Yeah, we were."
Ares: "I didn't like it."
Gabrielle: "Right back at'cha."
I'm also glad that the director or producers were not above letting the actors put their two cents in on an ep. At the end of the show, Ares and Gabrielle were supposed to kiss, and they both said "no".
I much prefer the "nose flip" Ares played on Gabby.
She is sooooo NOT like her daughter!
Cute ep, really silly in many ways, except for the ongoing unrequited love between Joxer and Gabrielle... Actually, that was silly too, at least in regards to his limerick writing prowess.
I did love the way Xena "tortured" Joxer when she finally came back. How many times did she nail him with that fish as she was talking?
And why did she abuse him so?
Don't forget who wrote that limerick about the three naked Gabrielles.
Hmmm.
What was Xena trying to say about "whom" Minya was chasing?
Gabrielle: "Xena?" (Xena appears, pulling a large cartload of fish)
Xena: (Holds up the scrolls) "Are you looking for this, huh? I, uh I took it off a peddlar, who was being chased by barbarians, who was being chased by, uh three naked Gabrielle's-- and Minya. She's still chasing them, by the way. Oh, yeah-- I read the scroll."
[Laughs]
Gabrielle: "Kind of messed it up, didn't I?"
Xena: "Pretty much. Did you write that limerick?"
Joxer: "I did."
Xena: "Figures.
Gabrielle: "You know, I tried to get you back. I tried, 'Xena goes to her number one friend.'"
Xena: "You sent me to visit a girl I hadn't seen since I was five-- my first friend."
Ares: "What about, 'Xena rejoins the woman who brought her to a new life.'?"
Xena: "Mom says thanks for the fish. I did start back once, but then I was-- overtaken by this irresistible urge to return to fishing. I figure that's where you wrote, 'Xena returns
from her journey.' And then I knew that something was up. I had visited just about everyone who ever meant anything to me-- well, except you. That's when I headed back."
Aphrodite: "Look, I really hate to be the one to break up, like, a major love-fest, but look at me! I'm not built to be mortal! We have to-- put things back the way they were!"
Loved the final Minya/Joxer liplock.
Loved the way Xena ended the ep "early" by making Gabby write "The End..."
Whew.
Now that's the sweet, innocent, fun-loving, crack a few heads, "split a few guts laughing" kind of network TV we're used to.
(Stop at 2:15 to prevent confusion)
Which only means one thing, in the Xenaverse.
"This way... there be Dragons!"
Four... count them FOUR guest stars this week which means .... Xenalite ep in our future! You have to admit, at least its NOT a clip show!
Fav parts?
The brother/sister bickering between Aphrodite and Ares ...
and the start of the Aphrodite/Gabrielle relationship.
Gabrielle: "Wait a minute. You wanted Xena out of the way, so you enchanted my scroll?"
Aphrodite: "Ares was being his ususal manipulative self. He's got some army somewhere, ready to pounce on the valley. He wanted Xena out of the way, so he wanted to get me mad at you."
Ares: "You figured that all out by yourself, did you?"
Aphrodite: "Hey, don't believe everything you hear about blondes. Look, Sweetpea, just give me back my powers-- then I'll unzap the scroll."
Ares: "No, no-- write mine back in first. That army's waiting for me to give them a signal that Xena's gone."
Aphrodite: "Mmm-- not helping your cause any, Slick."
And, naturally, I enjoy a good Joxer bashing once in a while....
Joxer: "Look, just write, 'Everything is as it was before.'"
Aphrodite: "Then we'll all go back to our baby cribs, and you'll go back under your rock. Did you write him here?"
Gabrielle: "Not exactly, I-- "
Ares: (Grabs the scroll) "Ah-- 'Gabrielle awoke with a jerk.'"
Aphrodite: [Laughs]
Joxer: "I don't get it. What's so funny about waking up?"
And the award for the most unexpected and refreshing guest star role in a Xena ep goes to....
Leather clad Minya, still carrying Xena's whip!
Loved the end of the ep after Ares gets his powers back and leaves...
Minya: "You know? I expected more from the god of war. I mean, without his powers, he's just another man-- just another-- big old-- leather-clad-- well-muscled-- gorgeous, hunk 'a-- bad-boy-- man."
Gabrielle: "How are those hormones, Minya?"
Minya: "Raging. I, uh-- I might go see-- Hower."
Speaking of Ares, I even liked the way he and Gabrielle were "bonding" like 2 fanboys....
Gabrielle: "Well, how about what she (Xena) pulled off with the Furies?"
Ares: "Oh-- it was brilliant. Yeah. And she does it all with that-- that steely gaze, you know?"
Gabrielle: "Oh, yeah, I've seen that one a few times. Ah, it looks like he's heading for the caves."
Ares: "Yeah. We were starting to-- warm up to each other there, weren't we?"
Gabrielle: "Yeah, we were."
Ares: "I didn't like it."
Gabrielle: "Right back at'cha."
I'm also glad that the director or producers were not above letting the actors put their two cents in on an ep. At the end of the show, Ares and Gabrielle were supposed to kiss, and they both said "no".
I much prefer the "nose flip" Ares played on Gabby.
She is sooooo NOT like her daughter!
Cute ep, really silly in many ways, except for the ongoing unrequited love between Joxer and Gabrielle... Actually, that was silly too, at least in regards to his limerick writing prowess.
I did love the way Xena "tortured" Joxer when she finally came back. How many times did she nail him with that fish as she was talking?
And why did she abuse him so?
Don't forget who wrote that limerick about the three naked Gabrielles.
Hmmm.
What was Xena trying to say about "whom" Minya was chasing?
Gabrielle: "Xena?" (Xena appears, pulling a large cartload of fish)
Xena: (Holds up the scrolls) "Are you looking for this, huh? I, uh I took it off a peddlar, who was being chased by barbarians, who was being chased by, uh three naked Gabrielle's-- and Minya. She's still chasing them, by the way. Oh, yeah-- I read the scroll."
[Laughs]
Gabrielle: "Kind of messed it up, didn't I?"
Xena: "Pretty much. Did you write that limerick?"
Joxer: "I did."
Xena: "Figures.
Gabrielle: "You know, I tried to get you back. I tried, 'Xena goes to her number one friend.'"
Xena: "You sent me to visit a girl I hadn't seen since I was five-- my first friend."
Ares: "What about, 'Xena rejoins the woman who brought her to a new life.'?"
Xena: "Mom says thanks for the fish. I did start back once, but then I was-- overtaken by this irresistible urge to return to fishing. I figure that's where you wrote, 'Xena returns
from her journey.' And then I knew that something was up. I had visited just about everyone who ever meant anything to me-- well, except you. That's when I headed back."
Aphrodite: "Look, I really hate to be the one to break up, like, a major love-fest, but look at me! I'm not built to be mortal! We have to-- put things back the way they were!"
Loved the final Minya/Joxer liplock.
Loved the way Xena ended the ep "early" by making Gabby write "The End..."
Whew.
Now that's the sweet, innocent, fun-loving, crack a few heads, "split a few guts laughing" kind of network TV we're used to.
(Stop at 2:15 to prevent confusion
)
Which only means one thing, in the Xenaverse.
"This way... there be Dragons!"
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A truly great ep, Xena very much hitting it's stride at this stage with a wonderful run of eps balancing out the dramatic with the pure comedy. It speaks much for the strength of the show that we can have a Xena light ep but that the supporting cast is strong enough to carry the ep by themsevles.
Lovely to see the beginnings of the Gabby/Aphrodite relationship and the Gabby/Ares. Once again with one of the principles missing the other inevitably teams up with Joxer (note his look of delight as Gabby takes his arm). Like the way that actually here it's not Joxer that screws up it's Gabby, him wondering if she has armour under outfit after fending off a spear is actually a sensible suggestion . And what's not to love about naked dancing Gabrielles (now Gabby has her own doubles, whatever happened to them?)
Love the 'Gabrielle awoke with a jerk' line and Gabby fighting off the bandits, all told a comedy classic.
Lovely to see the beginnings of the Gabby/Aphrodite relationship and the Gabby/Ares. Once again with one of the principles missing the other inevitably teams up with Joxer (note his look of delight as Gabby takes his arm). Like the way that actually here it's not Joxer that screws up it's Gabby, him wondering if she has armour under outfit after fending off a spear is actually a sensible suggestion . And what's not to love about naked dancing Gabrielles (now Gabby has her own doubles, whatever happened to them?)
Love the 'Gabrielle awoke with a jerk' line and Gabby fighting off the bandits, all told a comedy classic.
The only problem I have with the Kiwi accent is when they call our heroine XeneR
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