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scifi_rewatchSeems a more apt time than usual to review this episode, as I am currently in the countdown for the Mockingjay films. The Mockingjay book, at least, also tackles such themes as the price of war--demonizing the enemy, forgetting your own humanity, etc. Such are the big issues that Xena and Gabrielle face this week, as they join an Athenian regiment against a barbarous "Horde." We've seen Xena's dark side before, mostly in the past, but this time it emerges in what appears to be a legitimate situation. Meanwhile, Gabrielle has her own challenges to face in the hospital--maybe that could've been handled more complexly, but over all this is a deeply thought provoking episode.
Summary is here, courtesy of whoosh.org.
Let's start with the light stuff, brief as it was. Xena and Gabrielle start their day by fishing for breakfast--though it's framed, amusingly, as a possible heat of battle moment, before the camera pulls away for the catch. :p. Gabs starts talking to her food and Xena lightly mocks her for it--it's the same sort of teasing we've seen between these two for the past several episodes. Obviously we need it today because things turn very dark very soon, but it's also great for continuity and to enjoy the genuine chemistry between these two characters and actors. Team subtext. :D. I mean dude, even if they're not sleeping together, this is real love right here.
Other minor things, by way of lack of continuity--where's Argo? Obviously, from a storytelling point of view, I get that they couldn't get the horse on the river. So at the very least Xena would have had to let her go...maybe a bit dicey since, quite unusually, Xena herself refuses to stand and fight; the only option against the Horde is to run, and maybe it's too much of a stretch for Xena to abandon her to that while she and Gabs escape on the river. I know I'm giving this too much thought. :p. Let's just say that before this episode begins, Xena sends her to her hometown or to Athens School of Performing Equestrians; I mean, it worked with Gabs a few times. :p. More legit in the world of flubs is that Xena has her whip back after trading it away a few eps back. I guess we can assume she bought a new one along the way. Sure was worth it, for that incredible axe-yanking trick.
So let's move on to the Horde. Considering this is campy, daytime tv, they did a great job of introducing this band of characters as creepy.. It's a mix of the heavy makeup and the dark, droning theme music; almost animalistic. Also they're rising slowly out of the water and peeking out of camouflage trees; it's creepy! I'm with Gab, as she's kind of freaking out. Doesn't help that they pass slowly dying, crucified men and Xena refuses to let her help them, citing their own safety; foreshadowing of what's to come. The Horde also seems relatively quick on water (so long as Xena doesn't chakram their boat to sink) and the one guy the gals were able to save died by the time they made it to the Athenian stronghold. :/. Bummer.
Once Xena assesses the situation at the camp, she quickly goes into militarization mode, which quickly proceeds to evil mode. Helps, of course, that most of the leaders are dead, the soldiers are kinda losing it and dude Mercer is quick to acquiesce to her experience (until she gives him directions on how to sneak out and find an exit route; then he does his own thing and ends up badly wounded. Silly Mercer). Brutal yet efficient, she forces the soldiers back to their posts and creates attacks with corpses (to look like their numbers are boosted) and smoke bombs and the like. As she starts to rile the troops with "kill them al!" Gabby starts to get a bit concerned, but I think it's Xena flinging an axe into a fleeing enemy that puts her over the edge. As Xena explains herself, evil is not about her being greedy or wanting to conquer the world and kill innocents; it's about tunnel vision. Consumed with the vision of demoralized soldiers, a faltering food supply, and an enemy whom she only knows to be bloodthirsty, you can at least see where she's coming from; maybe even agree with it. But Gabrielle's counterpoint to focus more on the cost of all this violence hopefully keeps us grounded, even if it takes Xena a little while to come around.
Gabrielle's point of view is easy to emphasize with, but maybe a little more complicated than the show lets on. For example, sure, in the best circumstances, it seems inhuman to decide who to treat--who lives, who dies. But what if she's in a situation where she has limited time and resources, or too many wounded? If she doesn't triage, she might not have the chance to save anyone. Maybe that's a little heavy for this ep, where the main issue is whether the walking wounded should go back to the wall or stay to help take care of the others. Also there's the issue of rations, which evil Xena wants to save for the healthiest men. Maybe all of this is understandable if the odds for anyone's survival are really low. But it comes with the price of forsaking the weak and forsaking compassion. Which is why Gabby's main objective is to find a peaceful solution--something to save both lives and humanity.
Gabrielle accomplishes this through an interaction with a Horde member Xena took hostage--she decodes the word "kaltaka," which means water. The dying men on the field of battle keep muttering it, much to Athenian ignorance and chagrin. When Gabs takes her water bottle out the Horde takes this as a sign of ceasefire so that everyone can collect their wounded. (And minor tangent—how brave is that when, the last time she entered a battle zone for peace at the end of season one, she was badly wounded?) Hence, evil Xena leaves the building, and good Xena follows Gabby's example and is able to figure out that if she duels the Horde leader, the conflict will end. Of course she wins, and then the Horde members knife their own leader when he tries to stab her in the back. But none of that is anywhere near as important as Xena and Gabrielle's final talk in the hospital. As the warrior princess helps the bard bathe a wounded man, she marvels at her friend's ability to never give into hate, and how much she loves--that about her. Wow, that was easily Lucy Lawless's best line of the night, where she almost lets loose with the schmaltzy truth about Xena's major feelings for Gabrielle. Gabs should be easy for any of us to love; she's a peacemaker. The episode ends with Xena admitting that any long lasting peace will take time, but it's the people like our Gabby who will make it happen. D'aaaaaaaw.
Disclaimer: To show sympathy for the Horde, "kaltaka" was only served upon request during the production of this motion picture.
Favorite Quotes:
*some light-hearted flirtation*
Gabrielle: Well fought, friend fish. Know that I don’t do this for pleasure—only to live.
Xena: Don’t talk to your breakfast.
Gabrielle: You’ll go to a far, far better place. Isn’t it beautiful?
Xena: Mm-hmm.
Gabrielle: You think we’re the first people here.
Xena: The fish certainly seem to think so. They’re practically jumping on shore.
Gabrielle: I have a theory about fish.
Xena: Oh, the one where they’re cold, wet, and slimy? Yeah, I heard that.
*freaky backstory*
Xena: The first time my army went west, my army ran into the Horde. I had a scouting party out looking for a pass through the mountains. They were below us in a ravine when they attacked. I could only watch helplessly as my men tried to hold them back, but they kept coming. I can still remember that howling of the Horde-- the screaming of my men. It took most of the day to get the rest of my army into that ravine, but, by then, the Horde was gone. My men-- they were nothing but bones-- stripped of their flesh and-- and tortured as they were skinned.
Gabrielle: What are they? They must want something.
Xena: Nobody knows. Fighting one or two would be difficult enough. But-- but, they hunt like a pack of dogs—surrounding their prey until they attack.
*tough decisions about who not to save*
Soldier: Athena, have mercy on us!
Gabrielle: We have to save them!
Xena: No! Be quiet!
Soldier: Athena.
Gabrielle: But they’re crying for Athena! They want someone to help them!
Xena: Well, it’s not going to be us!
Gabrielle: We have to try!
Xena: Those men are dead.
*the one guy Xena and Gabrielle manage to save dies upon return to the camp*
General: Mercer! Mercer! They have to be stopped! They have to be-- *dies*
Mercer: Take him away. Put his body in the pit with the others.
*Gabrielle tries to get answers from a freaked-out soldier*
Horde Soldier: Kaltaka! Kaltaka! Kaltaka!
Athenian Soldier: How can we kill them-- if we can’t see them?
Gabrielle: Who’s Kaltaka?
Athenian Soldier: Probably their god of war. Even when they-- die, they call for him-- Kaltaka. Kaltaka! It drives you crazy!
*Xena turns militant, and whips this camp into shape*
Athenian Soldier: Lady-- It just doesn’t matter anymore. We’re running out of food; we’re running out of men; and we’re running out of time. Those things out there-- have us. Today, tomorrow-- What’s the difference?
Xena: Now, take this sword, get back on that wall, and do your job. ‘Cause what they might do to you is nothing compared to what I’ll do.
Athenian Soldier: Who are you?
Xena: My name is Xena.
Athenian Soldier: Xena? Xena of Corinth? The Warrior Princess of Kalmae? The one who defeated Callisto?
Xena: You’ve heard of me.
Athenian Soldier: What do you think we should do?
Xena: Well, first, keep your weapons where you can get at them. And stand _at_ the wall, not under it or near it! Every fourth man, take a rest! The man either side of him will cover for him! And if anything moves between here and the trees—kill it!
Gabrielle: But wait. What if it’s a friend?
Xena: We don’t have any friends, right now. Get used to it. We’re not gonna let these bastards defeat the elite of the Athenian army, are we?!
Soldiers: No!
Athenian Soldier: Tell us what to do, Xena!
Xena: Do? “We’re gonna kill ‘em all!
*Evil Xena forces Gabrielle to make some tough decisions*
Xena: Which ones are going to die?
Gabrielle: Hopefully, none of them. Now, I have the serious cases over here. The walking wounded have all become nurses.
Xena: Ah, if they can do that, they can carry a weapon. Those of you who can walk, report to Mercer outside.
Gabrielle: Wait a minute. Xena, I need these people. Someone has to feed them. I need them to get water for the men that--
Xena: Yeah, get a waterbag for yourself, Gabrielle. But no food and water for the seriously wounded-- only for the men who can fight.
Gabrielle: But, these men will die without water.
Xena: It won’t matter if we can’t defend the compound.
Gabrielle: You expect me to decide who lives and --
Xena: I want men outside, Gabrielle. You figure it out. And let Menticles know when they die. We need them out on the wall.
*evil Xena gets warfare tunnel vision*
Gabrielle: This is insane! You are letting these men die! You axed that man in the back!
Xena: He was inside our battlements. He saw our defenses! I couldn’t risk it.
Gabrielle: I can’t believe this, Xena. You’re scaring me.
Xena: This is war! What did you expect-- glamor?! There are no good choices-- only lesser degrees of evil.
Gabrielle: There is a choice-- to stop fighting!
Xena: They aren’t like us. There is nothing about them that we can or should understand.
Gabrielle: But, have you even tried?
Xena: I know them-- there’s nothing! You make sure that those rations get to the men on the wall.
*evil Xena is paused by Gabrielle’s response to torture*
Xena: We are here. You-- where?
Menticles: Look-- the animal understands. But, he’s not gonna help us. Let me try!
Xena: Gabrielle, go outside.
Gabrielle: No. By the gods, Xena!
Menticles: What have you done?
Xena: I’ve shut off the flow of blood to his brain. He’ll be dead in moments-- and he knows it. He can feel his life draining away.
Gabrielle: Don’t do this. It’s murder!
Xena: I’ve told you, Gabrielle, this is war! Go back to the hospital!
Gabrielle: So I can pick and choose who lives and who dies?! So, I can be a murderer, too?!
Xena: Take him to the supply room-- chain him up.
Menticles: You mean, kill him.
Xena: I mean, chain him up.
Gabrielle: Thank you.
Xena: Don’t you ever question my authority or methods in front of my troops. I told you I’d do whatever it takes, and if that means killing him later-- I’ll do it.
Gabrielle: Your troops? I don’t understand.
Xena: We didn’t ask for this. If they want a fight to the death, they’re gonna get it. What part of that didn’t you understand?
Gabrielle: You! Who are you, Xena? What happened to the Xena that I know?
Xena: That Xena can’t help us now. If losing her is the price for saving us all, I’ll pay it. It’s just a part of me I didn’t think I’d need anymore.
*Gabrielle makes a choice of action*
Gabrielle: It’s not a god. The dying men just want water. It’s such a mess. It’s you, it’s them, it’s-- it’s Xena. What’s become of her? It’s just not-- it’s not human. It’s—that’s the price, isn’t it? Losing your humanity. Yeah-- Well, you were right, Xena. If I’m gonna die, I’m gonna die my way.
*at least Xena was correct about which way Mercer shoulda gone :P*
Mercer: Xena-- you were right. I-- I should’ve gone north.
*Xena’s change of heart*
Athenian Soldier: Xena told me to report to you.
Gabrielle: Aren’t you needed on the wall?
Athenian Soldier: She ordered me to help with the wounded. And she wanted this food to get in here.
*emotional revelation*
Xena: Kaltaka turned out to be the key. When you went out there, they thought it was a truce to retrieve the wounded. I let my fear and hatred blind me to everything.
Gabrielle: Sometimes the past can do that. Xena, if I had been through what you’ve been through--
Xena: No. No. You understand hatred, but you have never given into it. You don’t know how much I love-- that.
*baby steps before the warrior fight*
Gabrielle: Maybe we can talk to them.
Xena: He’s gonna understand and don’t happen overnight, Gabrielle.
*astute commentary on the nature of conflict resolution*
Xena: They’ll be back. Maybe not this year, but some day.
Gabrielle: Can anyone stop them?
Xena: Yeah. It won’t be warriors. It’ll be someone like you. I just hope that wherever the Horde is from, they have a Gabrielle.
___
Summary is here, courtesy of whoosh.org.
Let's start with the light stuff, brief as it was. Xena and Gabrielle start their day by fishing for breakfast--though it's framed, amusingly, as a possible heat of battle moment, before the camera pulls away for the catch. :p. Gabs starts talking to her food and Xena lightly mocks her for it--it's the same sort of teasing we've seen between these two for the past several episodes. Obviously we need it today because things turn very dark very soon, but it's also great for continuity and to enjoy the genuine chemistry between these two characters and actors. Team subtext. :D. I mean dude, even if they're not sleeping together, this is real love right here.
Other minor things, by way of lack of continuity--where's Argo? Obviously, from a storytelling point of view, I get that they couldn't get the horse on the river. So at the very least Xena would have had to let her go...maybe a bit dicey since, quite unusually, Xena herself refuses to stand and fight; the only option against the Horde is to run, and maybe it's too much of a stretch for Xena to abandon her to that while she and Gabs escape on the river. I know I'm giving this too much thought. :p. Let's just say that before this episode begins, Xena sends her to her hometown or to Athens School of Performing Equestrians; I mean, it worked with Gabs a few times. :p. More legit in the world of flubs is that Xena has her whip back after trading it away a few eps back. I guess we can assume she bought a new one along the way. Sure was worth it, for that incredible axe-yanking trick.
So let's move on to the Horde. Considering this is campy, daytime tv, they did a great job of introducing this band of characters as creepy.. It's a mix of the heavy makeup and the dark, droning theme music; almost animalistic. Also they're rising slowly out of the water and peeking out of camouflage trees; it's creepy! I'm with Gab, as she's kind of freaking out. Doesn't help that they pass slowly dying, crucified men and Xena refuses to let her help them, citing their own safety; foreshadowing of what's to come. The Horde also seems relatively quick on water (so long as Xena doesn't chakram their boat to sink) and the one guy the gals were able to save died by the time they made it to the Athenian stronghold. :/. Bummer.
Once Xena assesses the situation at the camp, she quickly goes into militarization mode, which quickly proceeds to evil mode. Helps, of course, that most of the leaders are dead, the soldiers are kinda losing it and dude Mercer is quick to acquiesce to her experience (until she gives him directions on how to sneak out and find an exit route; then he does his own thing and ends up badly wounded. Silly Mercer). Brutal yet efficient, she forces the soldiers back to their posts and creates attacks with corpses (to look like their numbers are boosted) and smoke bombs and the like. As she starts to rile the troops with "kill them al!" Gabby starts to get a bit concerned, but I think it's Xena flinging an axe into a fleeing enemy that puts her over the edge. As Xena explains herself, evil is not about her being greedy or wanting to conquer the world and kill innocents; it's about tunnel vision. Consumed with the vision of demoralized soldiers, a faltering food supply, and an enemy whom she only knows to be bloodthirsty, you can at least see where she's coming from; maybe even agree with it. But Gabrielle's counterpoint to focus more on the cost of all this violence hopefully keeps us grounded, even if it takes Xena a little while to come around.
Gabrielle's point of view is easy to emphasize with, but maybe a little more complicated than the show lets on. For example, sure, in the best circumstances, it seems inhuman to decide who to treat--who lives, who dies. But what if she's in a situation where she has limited time and resources, or too many wounded? If she doesn't triage, she might not have the chance to save anyone. Maybe that's a little heavy for this ep, where the main issue is whether the walking wounded should go back to the wall or stay to help take care of the others. Also there's the issue of rations, which evil Xena wants to save for the healthiest men. Maybe all of this is understandable if the odds for anyone's survival are really low. But it comes with the price of forsaking the weak and forsaking compassion. Which is why Gabby's main objective is to find a peaceful solution--something to save both lives and humanity.
Gabrielle accomplishes this through an interaction with a Horde member Xena took hostage--she decodes the word "kaltaka," which means water. The dying men on the field of battle keep muttering it, much to Athenian ignorance and chagrin. When Gabs takes her water bottle out the Horde takes this as a sign of ceasefire so that everyone can collect their wounded. (And minor tangent—how brave is that when, the last time she entered a battle zone for peace at the end of season one, she was badly wounded?) Hence, evil Xena leaves the building, and good Xena follows Gabby's example and is able to figure out that if she duels the Horde leader, the conflict will end. Of course she wins, and then the Horde members knife their own leader when he tries to stab her in the back. But none of that is anywhere near as important as Xena and Gabrielle's final talk in the hospital. As the warrior princess helps the bard bathe a wounded man, she marvels at her friend's ability to never give into hate, and how much she loves--that about her. Wow, that was easily Lucy Lawless's best line of the night, where she almost lets loose with the schmaltzy truth about Xena's major feelings for Gabrielle. Gabs should be easy for any of us to love; she's a peacemaker. The episode ends with Xena admitting that any long lasting peace will take time, but it's the people like our Gabby who will make it happen. D'aaaaaaaw.
Disclaimer: To show sympathy for the Horde, "kaltaka" was only served upon request during the production of this motion picture.
Favorite Quotes:
*some light-hearted flirtation*
Gabrielle: Well fought, friend fish. Know that I don’t do this for pleasure—only to live.
Xena: Don’t talk to your breakfast.
Gabrielle: You’ll go to a far, far better place. Isn’t it beautiful?
Xena: Mm-hmm.
Gabrielle: You think we’re the first people here.
Xena: The fish certainly seem to think so. They’re practically jumping on shore.
Gabrielle: I have a theory about fish.
Xena: Oh, the one where they’re cold, wet, and slimy? Yeah, I heard that.
*freaky backstory*
Xena: The first time my army went west, my army ran into the Horde. I had a scouting party out looking for a pass through the mountains. They were below us in a ravine when they attacked. I could only watch helplessly as my men tried to hold them back, but they kept coming. I can still remember that howling of the Horde-- the screaming of my men. It took most of the day to get the rest of my army into that ravine, but, by then, the Horde was gone. My men-- they were nothing but bones-- stripped of their flesh and-- and tortured as they were skinned.
Gabrielle: What are they? They must want something.
Xena: Nobody knows. Fighting one or two would be difficult enough. But-- but, they hunt like a pack of dogs—surrounding their prey until they attack.
*tough decisions about who not to save*
Soldier: Athena, have mercy on us!
Gabrielle: We have to save them!
Xena: No! Be quiet!
Soldier: Athena.
Gabrielle: But they’re crying for Athena! They want someone to help them!
Xena: Well, it’s not going to be us!
Gabrielle: We have to try!
Xena: Those men are dead.
*the one guy Xena and Gabrielle manage to save dies upon return to the camp*
General: Mercer! Mercer! They have to be stopped! They have to be-- *dies*
Mercer: Take him away. Put his body in the pit with the others.
*Gabrielle tries to get answers from a freaked-out soldier*
Horde Soldier: Kaltaka! Kaltaka! Kaltaka!
Athenian Soldier: How can we kill them-- if we can’t see them?
Gabrielle: Who’s Kaltaka?
Athenian Soldier: Probably their god of war. Even when they-- die, they call for him-- Kaltaka. Kaltaka! It drives you crazy!
*Xena turns militant, and whips this camp into shape*
Athenian Soldier: Lady-- It just doesn’t matter anymore. We’re running out of food; we’re running out of men; and we’re running out of time. Those things out there-- have us. Today, tomorrow-- What’s the difference?
Xena: Now, take this sword, get back on that wall, and do your job. ‘Cause what they might do to you is nothing compared to what I’ll do.
Athenian Soldier: Who are you?
Xena: My name is Xena.
Athenian Soldier: Xena? Xena of Corinth? The Warrior Princess of Kalmae? The one who defeated Callisto?
Xena: You’ve heard of me.
Athenian Soldier: What do you think we should do?
Xena: Well, first, keep your weapons where you can get at them. And stand _at_ the wall, not under it or near it! Every fourth man, take a rest! The man either side of him will cover for him! And if anything moves between here and the trees—kill it!
Gabrielle: But wait. What if it’s a friend?
Xena: We don’t have any friends, right now. Get used to it. We’re not gonna let these bastards defeat the elite of the Athenian army, are we?!
Soldiers: No!
Athenian Soldier: Tell us what to do, Xena!
Xena: Do? “We’re gonna kill ‘em all!
*Evil Xena forces Gabrielle to make some tough decisions*
Xena: Which ones are going to die?
Gabrielle: Hopefully, none of them. Now, I have the serious cases over here. The walking wounded have all become nurses.
Xena: Ah, if they can do that, they can carry a weapon. Those of you who can walk, report to Mercer outside.
Gabrielle: Wait a minute. Xena, I need these people. Someone has to feed them. I need them to get water for the men that--
Xena: Yeah, get a waterbag for yourself, Gabrielle. But no food and water for the seriously wounded-- only for the men who can fight.
Gabrielle: But, these men will die without water.
Xena: It won’t matter if we can’t defend the compound.
Gabrielle: You expect me to decide who lives and --
Xena: I want men outside, Gabrielle. You figure it out. And let Menticles know when they die. We need them out on the wall.
*evil Xena gets warfare tunnel vision*
Gabrielle: This is insane! You are letting these men die! You axed that man in the back!
Xena: He was inside our battlements. He saw our defenses! I couldn’t risk it.
Gabrielle: I can’t believe this, Xena. You’re scaring me.
Xena: This is war! What did you expect-- glamor?! There are no good choices-- only lesser degrees of evil.
Gabrielle: There is a choice-- to stop fighting!
Xena: They aren’t like us. There is nothing about them that we can or should understand.
Gabrielle: But, have you even tried?
Xena: I know them-- there’s nothing! You make sure that those rations get to the men on the wall.
*evil Xena is paused by Gabrielle’s response to torture*
Xena: We are here. You-- where?
Menticles: Look-- the animal understands. But, he’s not gonna help us. Let me try!
Xena: Gabrielle, go outside.
Gabrielle: No. By the gods, Xena!
Menticles: What have you done?
Xena: I’ve shut off the flow of blood to his brain. He’ll be dead in moments-- and he knows it. He can feel his life draining away.
Gabrielle: Don’t do this. It’s murder!
Xena: I’ve told you, Gabrielle, this is war! Go back to the hospital!
Gabrielle: So I can pick and choose who lives and who dies?! So, I can be a murderer, too?!
Xena: Take him to the supply room-- chain him up.
Menticles: You mean, kill him.
Xena: I mean, chain him up.
Gabrielle: Thank you.
Xena: Don’t you ever question my authority or methods in front of my troops. I told you I’d do whatever it takes, and if that means killing him later-- I’ll do it.
Gabrielle: Your troops? I don’t understand.
Xena: We didn’t ask for this. If they want a fight to the death, they’re gonna get it. What part of that didn’t you understand?
Gabrielle: You! Who are you, Xena? What happened to the Xena that I know?
Xena: That Xena can’t help us now. If losing her is the price for saving us all, I’ll pay it. It’s just a part of me I didn’t think I’d need anymore.
*Gabrielle makes a choice of action*
Gabrielle: It’s not a god. The dying men just want water. It’s such a mess. It’s you, it’s them, it’s-- it’s Xena. What’s become of her? It’s just not-- it’s not human. It’s—that’s the price, isn’t it? Losing your humanity. Yeah-- Well, you were right, Xena. If I’m gonna die, I’m gonna die my way.
*at least Xena was correct about which way Mercer shoulda gone :P*
Mercer: Xena-- you were right. I-- I should’ve gone north.
*Xena’s change of heart*
Athenian Soldier: Xena told me to report to you.
Gabrielle: Aren’t you needed on the wall?
Athenian Soldier: She ordered me to help with the wounded. And she wanted this food to get in here.
*emotional revelation*
Xena: Kaltaka turned out to be the key. When you went out there, they thought it was a truce to retrieve the wounded. I let my fear and hatred blind me to everything.
Gabrielle: Sometimes the past can do that. Xena, if I had been through what you’ve been through--
Xena: No. No. You understand hatred, but you have never given into it. You don’t know how much I love-- that.
*baby steps before the warrior fight*
Gabrielle: Maybe we can talk to them.
Xena: He’s gonna understand and don’t happen overnight, Gabrielle.
*astute commentary on the nature of conflict resolution*
Xena: They’ll be back. Maybe not this year, but some day.
Gabrielle: Can anyone stop them?
Xena: Yeah. It won’t be warriors. It’ll be someone like you. I just hope that wherever the Horde is from, they have a Gabrielle.
___
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