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scifi_rewatchThis is a strange episode, sorta, because it really works in some ways and it really drops the ball in others. It’s also an episode that reminds me how much this show is only about two people—Xena and Gabrielle—and even the most substantial recurring characters (none of whom pop up here, but Meleager is back for the second and last time,) serve more as window dressing. Witness in point that the strongest parts of the ep weren’t what was happening or who it was happening to, but how Xena and Gabrielle grew and learned from it. (Also, Xena caught arrows with her bare hands, which is always a treat to see. :P)
The weaker parts were…well, the plot. It’s a murder mystery without any real depth, and a convenient ending to wrap that all up. The villain didn’t really have to be a villain, but it was the only way that the story could service the plot. They also lost out on some broader messages about the nature of capital punishment and justice, but I’m willing to give more of a pass about not tying all of that up into a neat, little bow. At least we got to hear some arguments, and whether they had any real bearing on the conclusion of the story is more secondary. Also, there was a minor continuity issue, but eh. Can’t be perfect all the time.
Summary is here, courtesy of whoosh.org.
The murder mystery plot was real simple, because they obviously didn’t have time to concoct something with major details. Basically, last winter, a drunken Meleager pulls a sword out of a dying man, as witnessed by one creepy old lady. :P Meleager assumes his own guilt, cos he’s hazy on details himself given the circumstances, and why else would he bodily handle a sword sticking out of someone? It’s really only through a convenient twist that he’s able to prove his innocence…he describes the sword to Xena, and she remembers it as being wielded by an attacker whom she was fighting to save another man’s life. But Xena wasn’t at the trial before the guilty verdict, and neither was the sword; our heroes recovered it later from the cave where Meleager stashed it during his drunken haze. And also…it turns out that the judge was the one to send the attacker after the other dude (whoosh calls him Scared Man :P) because that’s how we have to wrap up all the pieces. Obviously this couldn’t be one of Xena’s Bad Guy kills, because it’s not an episode that deals with her redemption arc. So ergo someone would’ve needed to send the attacker, someone who could easily be tied back into the immediate story.
The problem with making Arbus into the secretly bad judge who is only worried about saving his false reputation is that it sours all of the moral issues that he’s supposed to stand for—fair trials, reasonable justice and all of that. It would have been great, in a way, just to make him a duped innocent who honestly thought, given the evidence, that he’d convicted a guilty man. Instead, we find out that he’s evil—including concerning the long-ago trial that gave him his good reputation, which at first made Xena unsure of whom to trust in this case. (It’s also why he sent the attacker after Scared Man; dude knew the truth about that earlier trial.) There’s no real reason for Arbus to be a megalomaniac except that it serves the plot. He’s just another one-dimensional goon, and it’s relatively uninteresting.
Still, I hope the ponderous issues of fairness and justice are still in play for the fandom. Arbus gives a great speech, when we think he’s being genuine, in retaliation against the bloodthirsty townspeople who are lining up early to get front-row seats to Meleager’s execution. Later, when the old woman, Rena, (who also happens to be the witness who saw Meleager take the sword out of the attacker,) dolefully knits a hanged man, Xena and Gabrielle also chastise her, lightly, to themselves. So I guess there’s still the theme there…that decent people can get swept up in cruelty as entertainment.
Another big issue that was sorta lost to the fire was that of Meleager falling off of the sober wagon. But technically speaking, as Xena explains that this whole past incident happened when Gabs was at the Athens Academy of Performing Bards, that was before our battling bard had met Meleager during “The Prodigal.” Ergo, he had not yet promised her to stay sober, but that’s how everyone treated it; that not only did he, uh, possibly kill a guy, but he also went back on his word. I prefer that story, honestly, because it’s true to life; people often fall off the 12-step program. And it gave Meleager and Gabrielle a little hiccup in their relationship. I really liked the two of them together; they had that father/daughter chemistry. (And hee, Gab’s smoke-blowing defense of the man was one of her best. :P) I sorta wish that Tim Thomerson had reprised that role a few times more. And yet…maybe there was no recurring place for him in “Xenaverse.” Most popular guest stars served as either comic relief or foils. “Meleager the Mighty” didn’t really fit either of those roles.
The big drawing point of this episode for me was how it affected Xena and Gabrielle, as individuals and as a team. Gabrielle—as Xena rightfully pointed out to her—puts people on a pedestal. She was completely unable to see that Meleager was hiding something from her (eg, that he didn’t actually have witnesses to prove his innocence; in fact he was pretty iffy on that point himself.) She also refused to take in any information about Arbus’s solid reputation, or do the Nancy Drew detective work that Xena engaged in to figure out the kinks in the story. Nope, she risked her own life to free Meleager, and even stood in Xena’s way when she was trying to take him back to town. That’s gutsy for Gabs, though she does it more and more often. Gotta give that girl props for truly standing up for what she believes in. What makes it even better is that it’s not a case of her being all right or all wrong. She had a reason to stand up for Meleager—he saved her town, after all—but to be a true friend, you have to recognize both the good and the bad in people. Gabs/Meleager is obviously a small microcosm of the entire series with Gabs/Xena.
I read, via whoosh.org, that Robert Tapert considers this to be one of his least favorite episodes. I scoured the internet (read: did a couple google searches) to find out why, which only led to dead ends (but it led me to some of my pondering on the nature of this show as duo-centric. So yay!) Maybe I can be so conceited to say that it’s because of the reasons I outlined (though I personally wouldn’t consider this to be among the weakest of “Xena” episodes.) Or maybe it’s because of that damn executioner—easily the most one-note character of all, even more than Arbus. Talk about the Grim Reaper…his executioner’s gown is “his comfortable clothes.” :P:P Though I gotta say—I really enjoyed the fakeout when Xena stole his other robe, and we as the audience weren’t sure who was up there pulling the lever on Meleager’s life. Well played, show. Well played.
Disclaimer: By popular demand "The Executioner" will bring back his comfortable lightweight cotton-flax blend robe in a variety of spring colors.
Favorite Quotes:
*our first reminder of Gabs putting people up on pedestals*
Gabrielle: A tavern? Xena, that is the last place we would find Meleager. I did mention his-- you know-- small drinking problem.
Xena: Yes, but he conquered it just in time to save your village.
Gabrielle: Yes, he did. And think about how much strength that took.
Xena: It’s a hard habit to break. I’ve seen men ruined by liquor.
Gabrielle: Well, I don’t like to mention that part. It’s kind of personal-- even for Meleager the Mighty.
*Gabrielle’s smoke-blowing testimony in honor of her friend*
Gabrielle: A friend-- Whatever he did, I’m sure he didn’t do it.
Meleager: Mmmm.
Gabrielle: Consider this! When we doubt that heroes exist in this world, who do the optimists name? Hercules, Meleager. This is a legend in his own time. The man who slew 100 warriors at the evil Doll’s Can [whoosh.org transcription :P] -- 3 hundred and 17 at the rogue Ligurias.
Meleager: Actually, it was, uh, Ligurias that had the 100, all in the course of, uh, defending innocent lives-- naturally.
Gabrielle: The point being that this is a very good man-- and a hero. And I, for one, would swear by him.
*Meleager’s cynical take on his execution style*
Meleager: There’s only one real discussion-- Whether to hang me, behead me, or tear me limb from limb in the public square. They didn’t have a blade big enough; the square wasn’t wide enough; so hanging wins. Lucky me.
*Gabrielle and Meleager shoot the breeze*
Gabrielle: So, what have you been doing with yourself?
Meleager: Oh, this and that-- Saving villages; defending the helpless; getting convicted of murder.
*Arbus lectures the crowd on their blood-thirsty ways*
Rena: Hey, move it down!
Man: Hey!
Rena: I’m not missing this. A lovely day for an execution, don’t you think?
Man: If you wanted a front-row seat, you should’ve gotten here earlier!
Rena: Oh, yeah?
Man: Yeah!
Rena: The execution of Meleager is for everyone, not just you early-birds! I come when I want. Now hush! I got knitting to do!
Arbus: Quiet!
Man: We’ve been waiting--!
Arbus: I said, ‘Quiet!’ Now, listen to me, and listen good. This is an execution, not a public spectacle! A man is going to die here today! And I will not have that cheapened by this kind of behavior! Any more of this!-- the execution will take place behind locked doors!
*Arbus and Xena seem to understand one another*
Arbus: You know my reputation as well, then. Just as I know yours, Xena.
Xena: I guess formal introductions are out.
Arbus: I’d heard you’d changed your ways, looking to amend your past. All well and good; but I could still call you to judgment for past crimes. But not without proper evidence and witnesses-- That’s the law.
Xena: Which brings us back to Meleager-- A man with no past crimes against his name.
Arbus: One is all it takes.
*Meleager’s so-called “witness” sounds kind fishy…*
Gabrielle: Xena, I know what we have to do. Now, Meleager was camping with a guy when the murder happened. He’s some hermit. He has one eye.
Xena: Meleager’s eye-witness is a Cyclops?
Gabrielle: He’s not a Cyclops; he’s just a one-eyed guy. It can’t-
Xena: Sounds like a wild goose chase.
*Gabrielle makes a pun and has a secret weapon*
Meleager: It’s bad enough that I’m gonna die, but my last meal’s disappearing before my eyes.
Gabrielle: Just hang in there-- Oh, sorry.
…
Gabrielle: A little kabob, chicken schwarma, in just the right mix. You add a little wine--
Meleager: Puts ‘em out every time.
*Xena and Gabrielle come down on different sides of an issue*
Gabrielle: Xena, you’ve got to give him a chance. Please, I’m begging you.
Xena: Don’t make this more difficult than it already is. I don’t want to bring him back, but I have to!
Gabrielle: He is an innocent man.
Xena: You don’t know that! I do have some questions I wanna ask Arbus, but first things first, and that means getting Meleager back. His running won’t help his case any.
Gabrielle: Neither will his hanging.
*Gabrielle literally stands up to Xena*
Gabrielle: Meleager, run! Into the woods! Hurry! No! You’re gonna have to go through me to get to him!
*Meleager owns up once Gabrielle is in danger*
Meleager: I’m not going back.
Xena: Well, if not, it’s Gabrielle who’ll pay. Arbus will hound her forever for freeing you. Is that what you want?
Gabrielle: No! I won’t let you do this.
Meleager: Gabrielle.
Gabrielle: She’s not taking you anywhere.
Meleager: Gabrielle, listen.
Gabrielle: If I have to go in your place, I will.
Meleager: Gabrielle, stop! Stop it! There _is_ no one-eyed man. I ran because I’m guilty. I killed that man, just as they said. Everything’s a blur-- I can’t remember details because I was-- drunk at the time.
Gabrielle: Drunk?
Meleager: He must have thought I was trying to rob him. He came at me. After I saw the lady, I ran. I held onto the sword-- I didn’t even drop it. You can take me back. I won’t give you any more trouble.
*Meleager’s still a good guy after all*
Xena: Out of curiosity, how did those simple villagers catch you anyway? Were you drunk then?
Meleager: No, I haven’t touched a drop since that night. No, to fight my way free, I would have hurt some innocent people. They were only doing what they thought was right.
*Xena gives Gabrielle some helpful advice*
Gabrielle: Friends don’t lie. You were right; he wasn’t being honest. I’m sorry for not believing you.
Xena: That’s not an issue. You and I have plenty of time to talk about it, but Meleager’s not that lucky. Besides, I can’t help wandering if you’re more angry at him or yourself. You put people on a pedestal. Sooner or later, they’re gonna fall, and your expectations fall with them.
Gabrielle: I put people on a pedestal?
Xena: Meleager’s made his mistakes-- drunk and sober. Tomorrow he might have to pay for one-- at least talk to him. If you don’t, you’ll regret it. You don’t deserve that guilt.
*Xena provides useful exposition*
Xena: It was last winter when Gabrielle was at the Athens Academy. On the road outside Quellmire [sp], I saw this Kalaman attacking an unarmed man. We fought. When it was all over, he’d taken his own sword right through his chest. His horse must have headed instinctively back to the stable, where Meleager and the witness lady crossed paths with him. I was at the stable earlier, and I noticed some dried blood on a saddle, but I didn’t think anything about it until you told your story. Nobody could have suspected that he was already dying at my hand.
Meleager: Gabrielle, I wasn’t lying; at least I didn’t know I wasn’t lying. I am innocent.
*The executioner is a bit of a killjoy*
E: I believe someone here sent for me.
Arbus: Ah, the executioner. Welcome, welcome. There’s been ay, uh, a slight delay. So, there’s no point in getting ready just yet. Why don’t you go change into some comfortable clothes? I’ll-- call for you when we’re ready.
E: These are my comfortable clothes.
*Scared Man* puts the final plot-convenient point in place*
Scared Man: I figure I’m safer here. That man must think I’m dead, still. And that’s why he didn’t send another assassin.
Xena: Who? Who thinks you’re--
Scared Man: Who?! The power-hungry hypocrite who pretends he’s a man of justice. But I know the truth.
Xena: Judge Arbus?
Scared Man: Judge Arbus-- Builds his career on the Volkur case. But here’s the kicker. It wasn’t Volkur. Arbus executed an innocent man-- and he knew it-- all for his reputation.
*Gabrielle and Meleager’s relationship gains new dimension*
Meleager: As long as you’re scribing, I’d like to dictate my last will and testament.
Gabrielle: Don’t be silly.
Meleager: I’m not being silly-- Do it; write it. These are my belongings. Everything in the world I own is in here—mostly just trinkets given to me by villagers for saving their lives. Small things-- hah-hah.
Gabrielle: It doesn’t matter how valuable they are, as long as it’s priceless to you. Besides, you wouldn’t have carried it all around with you.
Meleager: You’re right-- They are priceless to me. OK. I, Meleager the Mighty, bequeath all these, my worldy--
Gabrielle: Slow down.
Meleager: Priceless possessions to my family-- To you. You’re the closest thing to a daughter I’ve ever known, Gabrielle.
*bittersweet goodbyes*
Gabrielle: Xena will get here, you’ll see.
Meleager: Arbus will hang us both. It’s best she doesn’t get here. Look, Gabrielle, when the time comes, don’t look outside.
Gabrielle: I have to. I want you to look at me. I want the last face that you to see in this world to be a friend.
*justice comes for Arbus*
Arbus: Tell the archers to stay at their posts. We’ll try the girl for setting Meleager free in the morning. Go now. Cause of death: Justice.
Meleager: Is that what you said about Volkur the Vicious?
Arbus: Who’s there? Who’s there? You’re dead! You’ve crossed to the other side!
Meleager: The guilty can never escape the dead, Arbus. This will never end for you, unless you confess you killed an innocent man.
*Arbus has a weak villain’s speech*
Arbus: I gave you all what you wanted-- law and order! Without me, you are sheep! All of you! Lawlessness will rein! Anarchy!
*Gabrielle and Meleager get their happy ending*
Gabrielle: You’re too late.
Meleager: For what, what did I miss?
Gabrielle: You’re alive! You made me think you were dead!
Meleager: Well, I practically was. Xena, that was close.
*a somewhat bittersweet ending when it comes to heroes*
Gabrielle: Bye, Meleager. When I’m that age, I hope I’m knitting socks.
Xena: Ah, don’t worry about it. People in our line of work never get to be that age.
Gabrielle: That’s a comforting thought.
___
The weaker parts were…well, the plot. It’s a murder mystery without any real depth, and a convenient ending to wrap that all up. The villain didn’t really have to be a villain, but it was the only way that the story could service the plot. They also lost out on some broader messages about the nature of capital punishment and justice, but I’m willing to give more of a pass about not tying all of that up into a neat, little bow. At least we got to hear some arguments, and whether they had any real bearing on the conclusion of the story is more secondary. Also, there was a minor continuity issue, but eh. Can’t be perfect all the time.
Summary is here, courtesy of whoosh.org.
The murder mystery plot was real simple, because they obviously didn’t have time to concoct something with major details. Basically, last winter, a drunken Meleager pulls a sword out of a dying man, as witnessed by one creepy old lady. :P Meleager assumes his own guilt, cos he’s hazy on details himself given the circumstances, and why else would he bodily handle a sword sticking out of someone? It’s really only through a convenient twist that he’s able to prove his innocence…he describes the sword to Xena, and she remembers it as being wielded by an attacker whom she was fighting to save another man’s life. But Xena wasn’t at the trial before the guilty verdict, and neither was the sword; our heroes recovered it later from the cave where Meleager stashed it during his drunken haze. And also…it turns out that the judge was the one to send the attacker after the other dude (whoosh calls him Scared Man :P) because that’s how we have to wrap up all the pieces. Obviously this couldn’t be one of Xena’s Bad Guy kills, because it’s not an episode that deals with her redemption arc. So ergo someone would’ve needed to send the attacker, someone who could easily be tied back into the immediate story.
The problem with making Arbus into the secretly bad judge who is only worried about saving his false reputation is that it sours all of the moral issues that he’s supposed to stand for—fair trials, reasonable justice and all of that. It would have been great, in a way, just to make him a duped innocent who honestly thought, given the evidence, that he’d convicted a guilty man. Instead, we find out that he’s evil—including concerning the long-ago trial that gave him his good reputation, which at first made Xena unsure of whom to trust in this case. (It’s also why he sent the attacker after Scared Man; dude knew the truth about that earlier trial.) There’s no real reason for Arbus to be a megalomaniac except that it serves the plot. He’s just another one-dimensional goon, and it’s relatively uninteresting.
Still, I hope the ponderous issues of fairness and justice are still in play for the fandom. Arbus gives a great speech, when we think he’s being genuine, in retaliation against the bloodthirsty townspeople who are lining up early to get front-row seats to Meleager’s execution. Later, when the old woman, Rena, (who also happens to be the witness who saw Meleager take the sword out of the attacker,) dolefully knits a hanged man, Xena and Gabrielle also chastise her, lightly, to themselves. So I guess there’s still the theme there…that decent people can get swept up in cruelty as entertainment.
Another big issue that was sorta lost to the fire was that of Meleager falling off of the sober wagon. But technically speaking, as Xena explains that this whole past incident happened when Gabs was at the Athens Academy of Performing Bards, that was before our battling bard had met Meleager during “The Prodigal.” Ergo, he had not yet promised her to stay sober, but that’s how everyone treated it; that not only did he, uh, possibly kill a guy, but he also went back on his word. I prefer that story, honestly, because it’s true to life; people often fall off the 12-step program. And it gave Meleager and Gabrielle a little hiccup in their relationship. I really liked the two of them together; they had that father/daughter chemistry. (And hee, Gab’s smoke-blowing defense of the man was one of her best. :P) I sorta wish that Tim Thomerson had reprised that role a few times more. And yet…maybe there was no recurring place for him in “Xenaverse.” Most popular guest stars served as either comic relief or foils. “Meleager the Mighty” didn’t really fit either of those roles.
The big drawing point of this episode for me was how it affected Xena and Gabrielle, as individuals and as a team. Gabrielle—as Xena rightfully pointed out to her—puts people on a pedestal. She was completely unable to see that Meleager was hiding something from her (eg, that he didn’t actually have witnesses to prove his innocence; in fact he was pretty iffy on that point himself.) She also refused to take in any information about Arbus’s solid reputation, or do the Nancy Drew detective work that Xena engaged in to figure out the kinks in the story. Nope, she risked her own life to free Meleager, and even stood in Xena’s way when she was trying to take him back to town. That’s gutsy for Gabs, though she does it more and more often. Gotta give that girl props for truly standing up for what she believes in. What makes it even better is that it’s not a case of her being all right or all wrong. She had a reason to stand up for Meleager—he saved her town, after all—but to be a true friend, you have to recognize both the good and the bad in people. Gabs/Meleager is obviously a small microcosm of the entire series with Gabs/Xena.
I read, via whoosh.org, that Robert Tapert considers this to be one of his least favorite episodes. I scoured the internet (read: did a couple google searches) to find out why, which only led to dead ends (but it led me to some of my pondering on the nature of this show as duo-centric. So yay!) Maybe I can be so conceited to say that it’s because of the reasons I outlined (though I personally wouldn’t consider this to be among the weakest of “Xena” episodes.) Or maybe it’s because of that damn executioner—easily the most one-note character of all, even more than Arbus. Talk about the Grim Reaper…his executioner’s gown is “his comfortable clothes.” :P:P Though I gotta say—I really enjoyed the fakeout when Xena stole his other robe, and we as the audience weren’t sure who was up there pulling the lever on Meleager’s life. Well played, show. Well played.
Disclaimer: By popular demand "The Executioner" will bring back his comfortable lightweight cotton-flax blend robe in a variety of spring colors.
Favorite Quotes:
*our first reminder of Gabs putting people up on pedestals*
Gabrielle: A tavern? Xena, that is the last place we would find Meleager. I did mention his-- you know-- small drinking problem.
Xena: Yes, but he conquered it just in time to save your village.
Gabrielle: Yes, he did. And think about how much strength that took.
Xena: It’s a hard habit to break. I’ve seen men ruined by liquor.
Gabrielle: Well, I don’t like to mention that part. It’s kind of personal-- even for Meleager the Mighty.
*Gabrielle’s smoke-blowing testimony in honor of her friend*
Gabrielle: A friend-- Whatever he did, I’m sure he didn’t do it.
Meleager: Mmmm.
Gabrielle: Consider this! When we doubt that heroes exist in this world, who do the optimists name? Hercules, Meleager. This is a legend in his own time. The man who slew 100 warriors at the evil Doll’s Can [whoosh.org transcription :P] -- 3 hundred and 17 at the rogue Ligurias.
Meleager: Actually, it was, uh, Ligurias that had the 100, all in the course of, uh, defending innocent lives-- naturally.
Gabrielle: The point being that this is a very good man-- and a hero. And I, for one, would swear by him.
*Meleager’s cynical take on his execution style*
Meleager: There’s only one real discussion-- Whether to hang me, behead me, or tear me limb from limb in the public square. They didn’t have a blade big enough; the square wasn’t wide enough; so hanging wins. Lucky me.
*Gabrielle and Meleager shoot the breeze*
Gabrielle: So, what have you been doing with yourself?
Meleager: Oh, this and that-- Saving villages; defending the helpless; getting convicted of murder.
*Arbus lectures the crowd on their blood-thirsty ways*
Rena: Hey, move it down!
Man: Hey!
Rena: I’m not missing this. A lovely day for an execution, don’t you think?
Man: If you wanted a front-row seat, you should’ve gotten here earlier!
Rena: Oh, yeah?
Man: Yeah!
Rena: The execution of Meleager is for everyone, not just you early-birds! I come when I want. Now hush! I got knitting to do!
Arbus: Quiet!
Man: We’ve been waiting--!
Arbus: I said, ‘Quiet!’ Now, listen to me, and listen good. This is an execution, not a public spectacle! A man is going to die here today! And I will not have that cheapened by this kind of behavior! Any more of this!-- the execution will take place behind locked doors!
*Arbus and Xena seem to understand one another*
Arbus: You know my reputation as well, then. Just as I know yours, Xena.
Xena: I guess formal introductions are out.
Arbus: I’d heard you’d changed your ways, looking to amend your past. All well and good; but I could still call you to judgment for past crimes. But not without proper evidence and witnesses-- That’s the law.
Xena: Which brings us back to Meleager-- A man with no past crimes against his name.
Arbus: One is all it takes.
*Meleager’s so-called “witness” sounds kind fishy…*
Gabrielle: Xena, I know what we have to do. Now, Meleager was camping with a guy when the murder happened. He’s some hermit. He has one eye.
Xena: Meleager’s eye-witness is a Cyclops?
Gabrielle: He’s not a Cyclops; he’s just a one-eyed guy. It can’t-
Xena: Sounds like a wild goose chase.
*Gabrielle makes a pun and has a secret weapon*
Meleager: It’s bad enough that I’m gonna die, but my last meal’s disappearing before my eyes.
Gabrielle: Just hang in there-- Oh, sorry.
…
Gabrielle: A little kabob, chicken schwarma, in just the right mix. You add a little wine--
Meleager: Puts ‘em out every time.
*Xena and Gabrielle come down on different sides of an issue*
Gabrielle: Xena, you’ve got to give him a chance. Please, I’m begging you.
Xena: Don’t make this more difficult than it already is. I don’t want to bring him back, but I have to!
Gabrielle: He is an innocent man.
Xena: You don’t know that! I do have some questions I wanna ask Arbus, but first things first, and that means getting Meleager back. His running won’t help his case any.
Gabrielle: Neither will his hanging.
*Gabrielle literally stands up to Xena*
Gabrielle: Meleager, run! Into the woods! Hurry! No! You’re gonna have to go through me to get to him!
*Meleager owns up once Gabrielle is in danger*
Meleager: I’m not going back.
Xena: Well, if not, it’s Gabrielle who’ll pay. Arbus will hound her forever for freeing you. Is that what you want?
Gabrielle: No! I won’t let you do this.
Meleager: Gabrielle.
Gabrielle: She’s not taking you anywhere.
Meleager: Gabrielle, listen.
Gabrielle: If I have to go in your place, I will.
Meleager: Gabrielle, stop! Stop it! There _is_ no one-eyed man. I ran because I’m guilty. I killed that man, just as they said. Everything’s a blur-- I can’t remember details because I was-- drunk at the time.
Gabrielle: Drunk?
Meleager: He must have thought I was trying to rob him. He came at me. After I saw the lady, I ran. I held onto the sword-- I didn’t even drop it. You can take me back. I won’t give you any more trouble.
*Meleager’s still a good guy after all*
Xena: Out of curiosity, how did those simple villagers catch you anyway? Were you drunk then?
Meleager: No, I haven’t touched a drop since that night. No, to fight my way free, I would have hurt some innocent people. They were only doing what they thought was right.
*Xena gives Gabrielle some helpful advice*
Gabrielle: Friends don’t lie. You were right; he wasn’t being honest. I’m sorry for not believing you.
Xena: That’s not an issue. You and I have plenty of time to talk about it, but Meleager’s not that lucky. Besides, I can’t help wandering if you’re more angry at him or yourself. You put people on a pedestal. Sooner or later, they’re gonna fall, and your expectations fall with them.
Gabrielle: I put people on a pedestal?
Xena: Meleager’s made his mistakes-- drunk and sober. Tomorrow he might have to pay for one-- at least talk to him. If you don’t, you’ll regret it. You don’t deserve that guilt.
*Xena provides useful exposition*
Xena: It was last winter when Gabrielle was at the Athens Academy. On the road outside Quellmire [sp], I saw this Kalaman attacking an unarmed man. We fought. When it was all over, he’d taken his own sword right through his chest. His horse must have headed instinctively back to the stable, where Meleager and the witness lady crossed paths with him. I was at the stable earlier, and I noticed some dried blood on a saddle, but I didn’t think anything about it until you told your story. Nobody could have suspected that he was already dying at my hand.
Meleager: Gabrielle, I wasn’t lying; at least I didn’t know I wasn’t lying. I am innocent.
*The executioner is a bit of a killjoy*
E: I believe someone here sent for me.
Arbus: Ah, the executioner. Welcome, welcome. There’s been ay, uh, a slight delay. So, there’s no point in getting ready just yet. Why don’t you go change into some comfortable clothes? I’ll-- call for you when we’re ready.
E: These are my comfortable clothes.
*Scared Man* puts the final plot-convenient point in place*
Scared Man: I figure I’m safer here. That man must think I’m dead, still. And that’s why he didn’t send another assassin.
Xena: Who? Who thinks you’re--
Scared Man: Who?! The power-hungry hypocrite who pretends he’s a man of justice. But I know the truth.
Xena: Judge Arbus?
Scared Man: Judge Arbus-- Builds his career on the Volkur case. But here’s the kicker. It wasn’t Volkur. Arbus executed an innocent man-- and he knew it-- all for his reputation.
*Gabrielle and Meleager’s relationship gains new dimension*
Meleager: As long as you’re scribing, I’d like to dictate my last will and testament.
Gabrielle: Don’t be silly.
Meleager: I’m not being silly-- Do it; write it. These are my belongings. Everything in the world I own is in here—mostly just trinkets given to me by villagers for saving their lives. Small things-- hah-hah.
Gabrielle: It doesn’t matter how valuable they are, as long as it’s priceless to you. Besides, you wouldn’t have carried it all around with you.
Meleager: You’re right-- They are priceless to me. OK. I, Meleager the Mighty, bequeath all these, my worldy--
Gabrielle: Slow down.
Meleager: Priceless possessions to my family-- To you. You’re the closest thing to a daughter I’ve ever known, Gabrielle.
*bittersweet goodbyes*
Gabrielle: Xena will get here, you’ll see.
Meleager: Arbus will hang us both. It’s best she doesn’t get here. Look, Gabrielle, when the time comes, don’t look outside.
Gabrielle: I have to. I want you to look at me. I want the last face that you to see in this world to be a friend.
*justice comes for Arbus*
Arbus: Tell the archers to stay at their posts. We’ll try the girl for setting Meleager free in the morning. Go now. Cause of death: Justice.
Meleager: Is that what you said about Volkur the Vicious?
Arbus: Who’s there? Who’s there? You’re dead! You’ve crossed to the other side!
Meleager: The guilty can never escape the dead, Arbus. This will never end for you, unless you confess you killed an innocent man.
*Arbus has a weak villain’s speech*
Arbus: I gave you all what you wanted-- law and order! Without me, you are sheep! All of you! Lawlessness will rein! Anarchy!
*Gabrielle and Meleager get their happy ending*
Gabrielle: You’re too late.
Meleager: For what, what did I miss?
Gabrielle: You’re alive! You made me think you were dead!
Meleager: Well, I practically was. Xena, that was close.
*a somewhat bittersweet ending when it comes to heroes*
Gabrielle: Bye, Meleager. When I’m that age, I hope I’m knitting socks.
Xena: Ah, don’t worry about it. People in our line of work never get to be that age.
Gabrielle: That’s a comforting thought.
___
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