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scifi_rewatchIn some ways this is like the start of the true show for me, with these hard hitting, character-driven dramatic episodes. The best of the best are here, with Kevin Smith and Karl Urban joining other notable guest stars. It’s a clever hour of tv as well, with two storylines that you think are moving in specific directions, especially given the normal tandem of “Xena” episodes, but then they flip the rug out from under us.
And yet, there’s a controversial element at play that I admit I didn’t think about until FemPop and whoosh.org put it into my mind. I thank them for that; always good to consider the show from all available angles. Superseding all of this, however, is major, intended development for a main character. Warning: much like said character finds out, once you go under this cut, there’s no coming back.
Summary is here, courtesy of whoosh.org.
I’ll start on a light note—chronicling the show’s and history’s timeline bloopers, thanks in large part to FemPop. Caesar (who was not young and sexy like Karl Urban at the time) came to Brittania about 100 years before Boedicea was around. Stonehenge predates all of this by at least 2,000 years, though you gotta admit, it’s pretty cool to think of Xena as the main architect. :P Dahak was based on Iranian folklore, so he never made it to the isle at all. The Roman testudo formation, where they huddle under their shields, should have really skewered Xena when she jumped into it, but, c’mon, it’s Xena. :P The girls traverse countries the way Littlefinger traverses Westeros in “Game of Thrones”; at breakneck speed. :P This episode was supposed to predate “The Dirty Half Dozen,” which is why Ares talks to Discord (“Hercules” crossover character!) about looking for someone to yield the sword of Haephestus. But I’m really happy with the change. It means that the last time we saw Ares (just like earlier in the season, which he and Xena reference,) he was being a bit of a dick. :P So should we, or the Warrior Princess, now believe that he’s speaking on the level about the dangerous aspects of the Dahak cult? Hell no!
Ares may not have been so smooth in attempting to play Xena like a fiddle, but Krafstar fared much better. He was portrayed by the incredible Marton Csokas, who will take on an even more memorable “Xena” character in the future. But damn, here he can really pull a punch. First he gets Xena to free him by casually dropping that he’s an enemy of Caesar. Xena’s heckles go up, because she still has vengeful beef against the guy due to her backstory. We reinforce this theme with Boedicea, as played by the commanding Jennifer Ward-Lealand, whom she used and then ordered killed (guess we know which Roman leader she learned this from. :P) Boedicia calls Xena out on her anger issues, but is ultimately able to move past her own, for the sake of her people and Xena’s battling skills. She’s definitely a strong, well-rounded lady.
Xena is so Caesar-obsessed that she doesn’t pay much attention to Gabrielle until it’s too late. Gabs, like me first-time ‘round, takes all of Krastar’s peaceful god talk at face value; it seems that Dahak’s like the god of the Hebrews, or close to. In a stereotypical “Xena” episode, we’d feel inspired by the hope of a better world while Xena helps Boedicea physically defeat Caesar, and then learns to let go of her toxic anger. But nope, despite Caear’s wild megalomaniac charisma, he is not the star villain of this piece. In the final act, writer Steven L. Sears swings us back to the temple, where we slowly learn that the “goodly” cult is just an act. They manipulate Gabrielle into her first kill (Meridian, as played by the affecting Catherine Boniface,) which was self-defense, but also intentional in the moment, and certainly Gabrielle’s first kill, and the loss of her vaulted “blood innocence.” I appreciate that the show didn’t turn away from Gabby’s guilt on that subject; indeed, it was sort of the whole point.
But before I go deeper into Gabrielle’s first kill, allow me to address the elephant in the room. Warnings that since the outcome of this action isn’t revealed in this episode, spoilers will invariably follow here. But many fans certainly believe that Gabrielle was raped by Dahak. The scene involves CGI fire lifting Gabs above the sacrificial altar, and whoosh.org gives examples of people involved in the show claiming that ergo this wasn’t a sexual act. The whoosh.org writers themselves aren’t really buying it, given the deeper cadences of that scene. They write candidly about their disappointment that this series, which in large part is escapism from the normal issues that women face out in the world, then turns back to depicting an underdeveloped molestation arc. The interview I saw on the DVD, of course, brought Renee on to refute the cries of rape. She claims she played the scene as sensual, but that Gabrielle was enticed into her actions with the flames. It could, perhaps, be a metaphor for the call of the dark side; once you open that door, the monsters beckon. I’ve been struggling with the issue, but ultimately I feel like I can move past the allusions of assault here. Everything somehow ties into the killing, which has more far-reaching and compelling effects.
I feel like I’ve mentioned this before, but Xena and Gabrielle are on opposite ends of the spectrum, each heading towards the middle. The warrior princess was a horrible person in her past, as evidenced most recently by Boedicea. Can she be redeemed through good deeds, or will that past come back to bite her? Gabrielle, meanwhile, started off as the pinnacle of goodness. But can one remain innocent forever from within such an imperfect world? Gabby’s lost of “blood innocence” is literally tied to a cult promising to prey on the innocent and frail. Meridian’s death has a horrible effect on the girl, starting with her blood-stained hands, and ending in the Stonehenge ruins, as she cries about how “everything has changed.” Talk about some truly amazing acting by Renee. According to the wiki, she usually tries to steer clear of melodramatic screaming, but felt it appropriate for Gab’s first kill. Can’t say I disagree!
…stupid confession, but it took me awhile to realize that the horned monster was actually an altered Krafstar, not Dahak in the flesh. I’m kind of relieved, because that would make him a pretty ridiculous-looking god. :P Xena really gets her game up when fighting Kraf-monster to the death, both physically and psychologically. I guess Ares finally gets his wish when the warrior princess knocks the temple down. :P And I have to say, I was more amused by his appearing in the middle of her sword than I was with his strange game show sounds last eppy. All of that being said, and despite the fact that I like that the cult B-arc turned into the big story, it’s kind of disappointing to leave Boedicea and Caesar in mid-stream! Though it’s cool that we get to travel to the new land of Brittania. The Xenaverse is ever expanding.
DisclaimerGabrielle was slightly well-done during the production of this motion picture. However, the producers would like to recommend a zesty barbeque sauce to bring out the full flavor of this episode.
Favorite Quotes:
*Ares gets around :P*
Discord: Do you handle everything so-- casually?
Ares: If I didn’t know better-- I would think you were talking about us.
*Our carefree Gabrielle*
Gabrielle: Well, what is a mountan, but just-- a-- a bunch of boulders-- right? And, and-- what is a-- a rock-- but a large grain of sand? And what is a large grain of sand? Y-- you see my theory, here?
Xena: No.
Gabrielle: And that doesn’t bother you at all, does it?
Xena: What possible use is this information to us-- huh?
Gabrielle: Well, I haven’t the slightest idea, but-- well, hey, it gave us something to talk about since the last town, right?
Xena: A town-- towns, which are made up of houses-- which, after all, are just large huts-- which are made out of wood--
Gabrielle: Stop.
Xena: --which are made out of trees, and-- huh-- hang on—trees are bigger than huts, so-- there goes that theory.
*sudden change of course, as Xena and Gabs are walking away*
Krafstar: Kill us here, if you want. My people will never give in to Caesar.
Xena: Let these men go.
Soldier: Any particular reason why we should?
Xena: Yeah, a whole list of em. *while kicking ass* Reason one. Reason two. Reason three. I don’t often get to reason four, but when I do, it gets real messy!
*Ares attempts to manipulate his former protégé into temple-destroying*
Ares: You’re going up against Caesar, huh?
Xena: I am helping a friend.
Ares: Oh yeah-- sure, sure. That must be great for the masses, but we really know, don’t we? You know, Caesar and I-- talk, now and then. But don’t get jealous-- I don’t always answer him. He’s got this temple. I told him he should destroy it, but he hasn’t yet. Sure must be important to him.
Xena: Caesar doesn’t care about temples. If he has it, it’s just for strategic value.
Ares: Either way-- it’ll really humiliate him if you destroy it. Go, Xena. Lead your army to victory, and make me proud.
*all lies, Gabrielle, liiiiiiiieeeees!*
Krafstar: Some people call us a cult. I hate that. But, I understand-- I mean, the idea of one god-- it’s a little far-fetched.
Gabrielle: It’s, it’s-- it’s hard for people to believe in something that-- they can’t see or touch or-- or hear.
Krafstar: When was the last time you saw love-- or friendship? You see its effect. You’ll see the effect of our god when he brings his kingdom to Earth.
*Xena has familiar backstory to go through wrt Boedicea*
Xena: Boedicea and I were allies a long time ago in Gaul.
Gabrielle: You were allies?
Xena: In a sense. She thought I was a friend, and I just needed an army. So I let her think whatever she wanted to, until I took control of her men.
Gabrielle: You used her.
Xena: I ordered her killed. But she escaped, and then she and Persuticus joined forces. They attacked me-- but I defeated them-- and they retreated north to Britannia. So you see-- I’m not the only one dealing with betrayal.
*sadly not the worst thing to happen to Gabrielle this episode…*
Roman Captain: At least it’s not a total loss. Caesar might spare my life, if-- I bring him prisoners.
Gabrielle: Let me go!
*a not quite so warm reunion*
Boedicea: It’s been a while, Xena.
Xena: You got my message?
Boedicea: Barely-- you need to polish your sword.
*Boedicea calls Xena out on her issues*
Boedicea: This is my camp, Xena. I’m in command here, not you. Let’s just get that clear, right now. This isn’t the past.
Xena: Then stop acting as if it is. I’m here to help you.
Boedicea: No, you’re not. You’re here because Caesar is here--because your hatred of him won’t allow you to be elsewhere. And that’s the only reason we haven’t crossed swords. I know I can’t defeat him without you.
Xena: I’m sorry about Persuticus.
*Caesar introduces himself to Gabs with his usual flair*
Krafstar: No time for an attitude. My god has taught me that direct confrontation is not always the right path.
Gabrielle: Yeah, well Xena taught me that if you let someone take advantage of you, they will. Besides, she’s gonna get us out of this. Caesar has no idea what he’s gotten himself into.
Caesar: Divide a woman’s emotion from her sensibilities—and you have her. Divide and conquer.
Gabrielle: Abou-- about what I said--
Caesar: It doesn’t matter. It has no bearing on your fate. That was decided the moment you entered my world. And how is--Xena?
Gabrielle: She’s fine?
Caesar: You’re a friend of Xena’s.
Gabrielle: Uh-- uh-- she hardly knows me. She probably doesn’t even know I’m gone. I mean-- she hardly knows when I’m around--ha-ha. Come to think of it, she doesn’t even know my name.
Caesar: Hmm-- well, we’ll see. You see, Xena’s fatal flaw is her emotion. She feels. She cares. Not exactly good attributes for a-- true warrior. Guard them. First daylight, we take them to the hill.
*a plan formed, a tense alliance*
Boedicea: This had better work, Xena, or I’m going to lose a lot of my best people.
Xena: It will. Caesar wants that one great battle that will make him a part of history-- and we are going to give it to him. But first, we have to get his entire army here. The key to destroying Caesar is his belief in his destiny.
Boedicea: Sounds like someone I once knew-- someone I trusted with my army-- and with my life.
Xena: Why do you trust me, now?
Boedicea: I don’t. But--I have no choice. You know Caesar, and you know how to wage war.
*more liiiiieeees…Gabs and I are suckers for it, though*
Gabrielle: Krafstar, do you have faith in your god?
Krafstar: It’s hard to explain. I had a farm once, in Gaul. I went to the temple of the gods-- made my offerings. I did everything right. Then one day, a warlord came-- and destroyed my home and almost killed me. As I lay in the brush, bleeding, I saw him walk over to the temple and make an offering to Hera and Zeus--the same man who destroyed my world was blessed by the very gods I thought would protect me.
Gabrielle: I’m sorry.
Krafstar: I was found by some travelers from the East. They cared for me-- made me well. They taught me about their one god.
Gabrielle: And that’s when you started to believe?
Krafstar: Uh, I thought they were like sheep to believe. Then I met the warlord, again. He was wounded from some battle already and-- I was filled with so much rage, and-- as I was standing over him with a sword at his throat-- something happened. A light filled me-- and I knew he existed.
Gabrielle: And this god gave you enough strength to kill the warlord?
Krafstar: Just the opposite. I couldn’t kill him. Despite all my rage and hatred, I knew it wasn’t right-- that even the warlord had a purpose. That’s what I mean by faith. I know-- it sounds strange.
Gabrielle: No, I think it sounds wonderful.
*Xena saves Gabrielle seconds before her legs are broken on the crucifix*
Xena: Gabrielle.
Gabrielle: Timing-- we have got to work on timing.
*even after rescuing Gabrielle, Xena’s mostly obsessed with Caesar*
Gabrielle: Xena-- now, I know what you’re gonna say. Look, I’m sorry. I-- it’s not like I wanted to be captured by Caesar.
Xena: Did you talk to him?
Gabrielle: Caesar? Yeah, I did-- um. Well, he has this aura about him--
Xena: It’s the same thing that draws a moth to a flame, and with pretty much the same result.
Gabrielle: Well, he said something about-- dividing--
Xena: Dividing a woman’s sensibilities from her emotion? Yeah. Yeah, I know his philosophy.
*Ares doesn’t have much more luck the second time around*
Ares: The temple-- you can destroy the temple.
Xena: What is it about that temple that bothers you so much?
Ares: There is no place for one god in our world. This is a world that we created! Zeus, Ahena, Hades, Poseidon! It is our world!
Xena: And before that, it was the world of the Titans. Oh, that’s right. Zeus overthrew them, didn’t he? You’re just afraid that history will repeat itself.
Ares: Whatever you might think about us, Xena, you know us. You might love us; you might hate us-- but we are not evil. This god is.
Xena: Evil to you.
Ares: Trust me, Xena!
Xena: Based on what?!
*the big stories switcheroo!*
Gabrielle: Are you sure my being here is OK?
Krafstar: Our god is open to all. Besides, I want you to see this.
Meridian: If you don’t mind, I’d like to conduct the ceremony of rejoining. I know it’s your honor, but the tribunal’s made some changes to it.
Krafstar: Oh-- well if the tribunal wishes it.
Meridian: From the beginning of time, the one has been waiting to complete the circle. The world that is his, has reached a time of rejoining. The days of old are gone. And the new is before us. Tremble at his arrival.
Krafstar: Things have changed, and a lot.
Meridian: But first, the door must be opened. The path of his arrival must be sanctified in blood--pure blood—innocent blood. *Gabs and Kraftstar sized!*
Krafstar: What are you talking about?
Gabrielle: Let go of me.
Meridian: This world will end today. The hand of Dahak will sweep the Earth-- bringing with it the winter of a thousand years-- killing everyone who stands in the way of his world.
Krafstar: No. This isn’t our god. Gabrielle!
Meridian: *amidst chants* With this life-- we praise Dahak-- the dark one.
Krafstar: Look out! Gabrielle! *fights to release Krafstar, kills Meridian in the process*
Krafstar: Thank you, Gabrielle. You were going to help bring Dahak into this world. He needed a sacrifice-- and not just one of flesh and blood. He wanted your purity-- your innocence of evil-- and you just gave it to him. This world, and all who are on it, will be no more. The new kingdom of Dahak will rule. And you, Gabrielle, will bring it to us.
*Gabrielle confesses and Xena joins the real main story*
Xena: Gabrielle. Gabrielle. What happened?
Gabrielle: Mer-- Mer-- Meridian.
Xena: She’s dead. Gabrielle, who did this?
Gabrielle: I did. I killed her. I killed her, Xena.
Xena: No, Gabrielle, you couldn’t--
Gabrielle: No, I did. I just stabbed her. I stabbed--
Xena: Accidentally, you--
Gabrielle: No, I stabbed her. Xena-- I ju-- I murdered her.
*Krafstar comes clean about Dahak*
Xena: “Who’s Dahok?”
Krafstar: The one god-- the dark force that will sweep this world--the old, crippled, blind-- maimed-- your so-called gods—all will be destroyed. Dahok will bring the cleansing fire of war to the world-- a war begun over innocence.
Xena: This is not the one god of the Israelites.
Krafstar: No-- that one will be taken care of in due time-- but thank you for Gabrielle.
Xena: I don’t what you’re talking about.
Krafstar: Look inside yourself. You brought her here. And why did you come? To defeat Caesar. Your hatred brought you here. Dahak appreciates rage.
*that being said, maybe Xena has a point here*
Xena: All I’ve seen is a lame attempt at a religion and some fancy fireworks. Are you sure he’s what you think he is? Maybe he’s got you fooled, too.
*an ending that won’t just go away next episode*
Gabrielle: Xena?
Xena: I’m here, Gabrielle.
Gabrielle: It hurts inside.
Xena: What?
Gabrielle: Everything’s changed-- everything.
And yet, there’s a controversial element at play that I admit I didn’t think about until FemPop and whoosh.org put it into my mind. I thank them for that; always good to consider the show from all available angles. Superseding all of this, however, is major, intended development for a main character. Warning: much like said character finds out, once you go under this cut, there’s no coming back.
Summary is here, courtesy of whoosh.org.
I’ll start on a light note—chronicling the show’s and history’s timeline bloopers, thanks in large part to FemPop. Caesar (who was not young and sexy like Karl Urban at the time) came to Brittania about 100 years before Boedicea was around. Stonehenge predates all of this by at least 2,000 years, though you gotta admit, it’s pretty cool to think of Xena as the main architect. :P Dahak was based on Iranian folklore, so he never made it to the isle at all. The Roman testudo formation, where they huddle under their shields, should have really skewered Xena when she jumped into it, but, c’mon, it’s Xena. :P The girls traverse countries the way Littlefinger traverses Westeros in “Game of Thrones”; at breakneck speed. :P This episode was supposed to predate “The Dirty Half Dozen,” which is why Ares talks to Discord (“Hercules” crossover character!) about looking for someone to yield the sword of Haephestus. But I’m really happy with the change. It means that the last time we saw Ares (just like earlier in the season, which he and Xena reference,) he was being a bit of a dick. :P So should we, or the Warrior Princess, now believe that he’s speaking on the level about the dangerous aspects of the Dahak cult? Hell no!
Ares may not have been so smooth in attempting to play Xena like a fiddle, but Krafstar fared much better. He was portrayed by the incredible Marton Csokas, who will take on an even more memorable “Xena” character in the future. But damn, here he can really pull a punch. First he gets Xena to free him by casually dropping that he’s an enemy of Caesar. Xena’s heckles go up, because she still has vengeful beef against the guy due to her backstory. We reinforce this theme with Boedicea, as played by the commanding Jennifer Ward-Lealand, whom she used and then ordered killed (guess we know which Roman leader she learned this from. :P) Boedicia calls Xena out on her anger issues, but is ultimately able to move past her own, for the sake of her people and Xena’s battling skills. She’s definitely a strong, well-rounded lady.
Xena is so Caesar-obsessed that she doesn’t pay much attention to Gabrielle until it’s too late. Gabs, like me first-time ‘round, takes all of Krastar’s peaceful god talk at face value; it seems that Dahak’s like the god of the Hebrews, or close to. In a stereotypical “Xena” episode, we’d feel inspired by the hope of a better world while Xena helps Boedicea physically defeat Caesar, and then learns to let go of her toxic anger. But nope, despite Caear’s wild megalomaniac charisma, he is not the star villain of this piece. In the final act, writer Steven L. Sears swings us back to the temple, where we slowly learn that the “goodly” cult is just an act. They manipulate Gabrielle into her first kill (Meridian, as played by the affecting Catherine Boniface,) which was self-defense, but also intentional in the moment, and certainly Gabrielle’s first kill, and the loss of her vaulted “blood innocence.” I appreciate that the show didn’t turn away from Gabby’s guilt on that subject; indeed, it was sort of the whole point.
But before I go deeper into Gabrielle’s first kill, allow me to address the elephant in the room. Warnings that since the outcome of this action isn’t revealed in this episode, spoilers will invariably follow here. But many fans certainly believe that Gabrielle was raped by Dahak. The scene involves CGI fire lifting Gabs above the sacrificial altar, and whoosh.org gives examples of people involved in the show claiming that ergo this wasn’t a sexual act. The whoosh.org writers themselves aren’t really buying it, given the deeper cadences of that scene. They write candidly about their disappointment that this series, which in large part is escapism from the normal issues that women face out in the world, then turns back to depicting an underdeveloped molestation arc. The interview I saw on the DVD, of course, brought Renee on to refute the cries of rape. She claims she played the scene as sensual, but that Gabrielle was enticed into her actions with the flames. It could, perhaps, be a metaphor for the call of the dark side; once you open that door, the monsters beckon. I’ve been struggling with the issue, but ultimately I feel like I can move past the allusions of assault here. Everything somehow ties into the killing, which has more far-reaching and compelling effects.
I feel like I’ve mentioned this before, but Xena and Gabrielle are on opposite ends of the spectrum, each heading towards the middle. The warrior princess was a horrible person in her past, as evidenced most recently by Boedicea. Can she be redeemed through good deeds, or will that past come back to bite her? Gabrielle, meanwhile, started off as the pinnacle of goodness. But can one remain innocent forever from within such an imperfect world? Gabby’s lost of “blood innocence” is literally tied to a cult promising to prey on the innocent and frail. Meridian’s death has a horrible effect on the girl, starting with her blood-stained hands, and ending in the Stonehenge ruins, as she cries about how “everything has changed.” Talk about some truly amazing acting by Renee. According to the wiki, she usually tries to steer clear of melodramatic screaming, but felt it appropriate for Gab’s first kill. Can’t say I disagree!
…stupid confession, but it took me awhile to realize that the horned monster was actually an altered Krafstar, not Dahak in the flesh. I’m kind of relieved, because that would make him a pretty ridiculous-looking god. :P Xena really gets her game up when fighting Kraf-monster to the death, both physically and psychologically. I guess Ares finally gets his wish when the warrior princess knocks the temple down. :P And I have to say, I was more amused by his appearing in the middle of her sword than I was with his strange game show sounds last eppy. All of that being said, and despite the fact that I like that the cult B-arc turned into the big story, it’s kind of disappointing to leave Boedicea and Caesar in mid-stream! Though it’s cool that we get to travel to the new land of Brittania. The Xenaverse is ever expanding.
DisclaimerGabrielle was slightly well-done during the production of this motion picture. However, the producers would like to recommend a zesty barbeque sauce to bring out the full flavor of this episode.
Favorite Quotes:
*Ares gets around :P*
Discord: Do you handle everything so-- casually?
Ares: If I didn’t know better-- I would think you were talking about us.
*Our carefree Gabrielle*
Gabrielle: Well, what is a mountan, but just-- a-- a bunch of boulders-- right? And, and-- what is a-- a rock-- but a large grain of sand? And what is a large grain of sand? Y-- you see my theory, here?
Xena: No.
Gabrielle: And that doesn’t bother you at all, does it?
Xena: What possible use is this information to us-- huh?
Gabrielle: Well, I haven’t the slightest idea, but-- well, hey, it gave us something to talk about since the last town, right?
Xena: A town-- towns, which are made up of houses-- which, after all, are just large huts-- which are made out of wood--
Gabrielle: Stop.
Xena: --which are made out of trees, and-- huh-- hang on—trees are bigger than huts, so-- there goes that theory.
*sudden change of course, as Xena and Gabs are walking away*
Krafstar: Kill us here, if you want. My people will never give in to Caesar.
Xena: Let these men go.
Soldier: Any particular reason why we should?
Xena: Yeah, a whole list of em. *while kicking ass* Reason one. Reason two. Reason three. I don’t often get to reason four, but when I do, it gets real messy!
*Ares attempts to manipulate his former protégé into temple-destroying*
Ares: You’re going up against Caesar, huh?
Xena: I am helping a friend.
Ares: Oh yeah-- sure, sure. That must be great for the masses, but we really know, don’t we? You know, Caesar and I-- talk, now and then. But don’t get jealous-- I don’t always answer him. He’s got this temple. I told him he should destroy it, but he hasn’t yet. Sure must be important to him.
Xena: Caesar doesn’t care about temples. If he has it, it’s just for strategic value.
Ares: Either way-- it’ll really humiliate him if you destroy it. Go, Xena. Lead your army to victory, and make me proud.
*all lies, Gabrielle, liiiiiiiieeeees!*
Krafstar: Some people call us a cult. I hate that. But, I understand-- I mean, the idea of one god-- it’s a little far-fetched.
Gabrielle: It’s, it’s-- it’s hard for people to believe in something that-- they can’t see or touch or-- or hear.
Krafstar: When was the last time you saw love-- or friendship? You see its effect. You’ll see the effect of our god when he brings his kingdom to Earth.
*Xena has familiar backstory to go through wrt Boedicea*
Xena: Boedicea and I were allies a long time ago in Gaul.
Gabrielle: You were allies?
Xena: In a sense. She thought I was a friend, and I just needed an army. So I let her think whatever she wanted to, until I took control of her men.
Gabrielle: You used her.
Xena: I ordered her killed. But she escaped, and then she and Persuticus joined forces. They attacked me-- but I defeated them-- and they retreated north to Britannia. So you see-- I’m not the only one dealing with betrayal.
*sadly not the worst thing to happen to Gabrielle this episode…*
Roman Captain: At least it’s not a total loss. Caesar might spare my life, if-- I bring him prisoners.
Gabrielle: Let me go!
*a not quite so warm reunion*
Boedicea: It’s been a while, Xena.
Xena: You got my message?
Boedicea: Barely-- you need to polish your sword.
*Boedicea calls Xena out on her issues*
Boedicea: This is my camp, Xena. I’m in command here, not you. Let’s just get that clear, right now. This isn’t the past.
Xena: Then stop acting as if it is. I’m here to help you.
Boedicea: No, you’re not. You’re here because Caesar is here--because your hatred of him won’t allow you to be elsewhere. And that’s the only reason we haven’t crossed swords. I know I can’t defeat him without you.
Xena: I’m sorry about Persuticus.
*Caesar introduces himself to Gabs with his usual flair*
Krafstar: No time for an attitude. My god has taught me that direct confrontation is not always the right path.
Gabrielle: Yeah, well Xena taught me that if you let someone take advantage of you, they will. Besides, she’s gonna get us out of this. Caesar has no idea what he’s gotten himself into.
Caesar: Divide a woman’s emotion from her sensibilities—and you have her. Divide and conquer.
Gabrielle: Abou-- about what I said--
Caesar: It doesn’t matter. It has no bearing on your fate. That was decided the moment you entered my world. And how is--Xena?
Gabrielle: She’s fine?
Caesar: You’re a friend of Xena’s.
Gabrielle: Uh-- uh-- she hardly knows me. She probably doesn’t even know I’m gone. I mean-- she hardly knows when I’m around--ha-ha. Come to think of it, she doesn’t even know my name.
Caesar: Hmm-- well, we’ll see. You see, Xena’s fatal flaw is her emotion. She feels. She cares. Not exactly good attributes for a-- true warrior. Guard them. First daylight, we take them to the hill.
*a plan formed, a tense alliance*
Boedicea: This had better work, Xena, or I’m going to lose a lot of my best people.
Xena: It will. Caesar wants that one great battle that will make him a part of history-- and we are going to give it to him. But first, we have to get his entire army here. The key to destroying Caesar is his belief in his destiny.
Boedicea: Sounds like someone I once knew-- someone I trusted with my army-- and with my life.
Xena: Why do you trust me, now?
Boedicea: I don’t. But--I have no choice. You know Caesar, and you know how to wage war.
*more liiiiieeees…Gabs and I are suckers for it, though*
Gabrielle: Krafstar, do you have faith in your god?
Krafstar: It’s hard to explain. I had a farm once, in Gaul. I went to the temple of the gods-- made my offerings. I did everything right. Then one day, a warlord came-- and destroyed my home and almost killed me. As I lay in the brush, bleeding, I saw him walk over to the temple and make an offering to Hera and Zeus--the same man who destroyed my world was blessed by the very gods I thought would protect me.
Gabrielle: I’m sorry.
Krafstar: I was found by some travelers from the East. They cared for me-- made me well. They taught me about their one god.
Gabrielle: And that’s when you started to believe?
Krafstar: Uh, I thought they were like sheep to believe. Then I met the warlord, again. He was wounded from some battle already and-- I was filled with so much rage, and-- as I was standing over him with a sword at his throat-- something happened. A light filled me-- and I knew he existed.
Gabrielle: And this god gave you enough strength to kill the warlord?
Krafstar: Just the opposite. I couldn’t kill him. Despite all my rage and hatred, I knew it wasn’t right-- that even the warlord had a purpose. That’s what I mean by faith. I know-- it sounds strange.
Gabrielle: No, I think it sounds wonderful.
*Xena saves Gabrielle seconds before her legs are broken on the crucifix*
Xena: Gabrielle.
Gabrielle: Timing-- we have got to work on timing.
*even after rescuing Gabrielle, Xena’s mostly obsessed with Caesar*
Gabrielle: Xena-- now, I know what you’re gonna say. Look, I’m sorry. I-- it’s not like I wanted to be captured by Caesar.
Xena: Did you talk to him?
Gabrielle: Caesar? Yeah, I did-- um. Well, he has this aura about him--
Xena: It’s the same thing that draws a moth to a flame, and with pretty much the same result.
Gabrielle: Well, he said something about-- dividing--
Xena: Dividing a woman’s sensibilities from her emotion? Yeah. Yeah, I know his philosophy.
*Ares doesn’t have much more luck the second time around*
Ares: The temple-- you can destroy the temple.
Xena: What is it about that temple that bothers you so much?
Ares: There is no place for one god in our world. This is a world that we created! Zeus, Ahena, Hades, Poseidon! It is our world!
Xena: And before that, it was the world of the Titans. Oh, that’s right. Zeus overthrew them, didn’t he? You’re just afraid that history will repeat itself.
Ares: Whatever you might think about us, Xena, you know us. You might love us; you might hate us-- but we are not evil. This god is.
Xena: Evil to you.
Ares: Trust me, Xena!
Xena: Based on what?!
*the big stories switcheroo!*
Gabrielle: Are you sure my being here is OK?
Krafstar: Our god is open to all. Besides, I want you to see this.
Meridian: If you don’t mind, I’d like to conduct the ceremony of rejoining. I know it’s your honor, but the tribunal’s made some changes to it.
Krafstar: Oh-- well if the tribunal wishes it.
Meridian: From the beginning of time, the one has been waiting to complete the circle. The world that is his, has reached a time of rejoining. The days of old are gone. And the new is before us. Tremble at his arrival.
Krafstar: Things have changed, and a lot.
Meridian: But first, the door must be opened. The path of his arrival must be sanctified in blood--pure blood—innocent blood. *Gabs and Kraftstar sized!*
Krafstar: What are you talking about?
Gabrielle: Let go of me.
Meridian: This world will end today. The hand of Dahak will sweep the Earth-- bringing with it the winter of a thousand years-- killing everyone who stands in the way of his world.
Krafstar: No. This isn’t our god. Gabrielle!
Meridian: *amidst chants* With this life-- we praise Dahak-- the dark one.
Krafstar: Look out! Gabrielle! *fights to release Krafstar, kills Meridian in the process*
Krafstar: Thank you, Gabrielle. You were going to help bring Dahak into this world. He needed a sacrifice-- and not just one of flesh and blood. He wanted your purity-- your innocence of evil-- and you just gave it to him. This world, and all who are on it, will be no more. The new kingdom of Dahak will rule. And you, Gabrielle, will bring it to us.
*Gabrielle confesses and Xena joins the real main story*
Xena: Gabrielle. Gabrielle. What happened?
Gabrielle: Mer-- Mer-- Meridian.
Xena: She’s dead. Gabrielle, who did this?
Gabrielle: I did. I killed her. I killed her, Xena.
Xena: No, Gabrielle, you couldn’t--
Gabrielle: No, I did. I just stabbed her. I stabbed--
Xena: Accidentally, you--
Gabrielle: No, I stabbed her. Xena-- I ju-- I murdered her.
*Krafstar comes clean about Dahak*
Xena: “Who’s Dahok?”
Krafstar: The one god-- the dark force that will sweep this world--the old, crippled, blind-- maimed-- your so-called gods—all will be destroyed. Dahok will bring the cleansing fire of war to the world-- a war begun over innocence.
Xena: This is not the one god of the Israelites.
Krafstar: No-- that one will be taken care of in due time-- but thank you for Gabrielle.
Xena: I don’t what you’re talking about.
Krafstar: Look inside yourself. You brought her here. And why did you come? To defeat Caesar. Your hatred brought you here. Dahak appreciates rage.
*that being said, maybe Xena has a point here*
Xena: All I’ve seen is a lame attempt at a religion and some fancy fireworks. Are you sure he’s what you think he is? Maybe he’s got you fooled, too.
*an ending that won’t just go away next episode*
Gabrielle: Xena?
Xena: I’m here, Gabrielle.
Gabrielle: It hurts inside.
Xena: What?
Gabrielle: Everything’s changed-- everything.
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