![[identity profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/openid.png){kind=small}
chavalah.livejournal.com posting in ![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png){kind=small}
scifi_rewatchWow. Kind of like with my “Farscape” recap last week, we could’ve used something light here, but we didn’t get it. Caesar, Ares and Boedicia may have exited the scene, but Meridian is still there, haunting Gabrielle’s dreams. Things just go downhill from there.
It’s a somewhat disjointed episode, and there happen to be two directors—Andrew Merrifield who came on board rather late—at least that’s the impression I got from the DVD interview—and Charles Siebert, who we last saw in front of the camera, in a manner of speaking, playing the voice of Poseidon in season two (he was also Sisyphus in season one. Anywho.)
Still, there’s a lot more to this episode than might meet the eye. As our girls clash in a very genuine way over a painful issue, there was apparently a similar split between some Xenites in fandom. There’s no easy answers here. I think I’m ultimately going to have to side with FemPop’s analysis; despite some kooky dialogue in the beginning, the relationship progression ultimately makes this into a very strong hour of tv.
Summary is here, courtesy of whoosh.org.
Several months—possibly years ago, now—I listened to the recap of this episode on the XenaCast, where Amy Boatman posited a theory that I had never considered before. Did Hope absolutely have to be evil? Could it be that, if Xena had given her a chance, she could have turned out the way that Gabrielle expected? Though it’s worth noting that in the episode interview, RJ Stewart et al seemed to dismiss it out of hand. They’re strictly Team Xena here, and even suggested that Gabs could’ve saved herself some heartache if she’d listened to her friend. I know I’m getting way ahead of myself here with the spoilers. These Rift episodes are so closely entwined. Anywho, I know what the showrunners think, and I know what is coming down the pike, and overall I don’t have a problem with it. Seems genuine enough; I’ll dig into the specifics when I get there. I still think there’s room to criticize Xena’s actions either way.
I mean, is it not a bit over the top for our warrior princess to want to kill the baby right in front of her mother, no questions asked? How about the dead knight, complete with his dramatic, suffocate-blue makeup? We technically have no direct proof that Hope killed him. They’d just spoken about the secret passageways, and it’s not like the group doesn’t have enemies outside. But Hope’s guilt is implied and Xena believed it, so so did I, at least the first time I watched. I suppose that I still do, but the scene works so much better when it gives us pause. How can we be so sure that Gabrielle is off her rocker? Earlier in the episode Xena was desperate for her friend to reclaim her hope in humanity, and in fact it came through this baby. Gab’s was sick with guilt over Meridian’s death (though it stands to reason it was also mourning sickness. :P) Was Hope a self-fulfilling prophecy? After her birth, Gabs went back to her old self, seeing the baby as a new opportunity to reclaim the goodness of life. And Xena went back to her old self, being a pessimist and seeing the worst in things. Is Hope more or less Gabrielle’s punishment for her loss of blood innocence? Or does Xena, who used to be evil before her redemption arc, refuse to give this half-god baby a chance? I mean, Hercules is a half-god, too. Personally, I think the question of Hope’s innocence vs guilt is less interesting than what the conundrum reveals about our two leading ladies.
Xena wasn’t in tip-top shape even before the baby was born; she seemed more content to fight everything in her path and serve Gabby platitudes, rather than deal with her friend’s more complex emotional state. Was she cold or just pragmatic? Fan opinions differ. In the final scenes, when mother and daughter were running away from her, she did try to use reverse psychology on her friend; that if Hope brings Dahak’s darkness into the world, then Gabby is failing in her desire to do good. Little does she know that the traveling bard’s skills extend further than pole vaulting out of a burning building or trading a horse for a canoe. :P She’s growing in her ability to defy Xena and stand on her own two feet. This secret/downright lie is certainly the first relationship crack in the storyline we call The Rift. But Gab’s is so earnest (and the music so wonderful this ep) when she begs for Hope to stay good. She thinks she did the only thing she could do, in response to Xena’s relentlessness and her desire to give the baby a chance. I’m repeating myself, but the characters are just so real here. Their personalities clash, and even though they obviously still care deeply for each other, this fundamental disagreement won’t be swept under the rug.
Lots of Jesus-imagery this episode—or perhaps polar opposite Jesus-imagery in a way. (Kind of plays into later-season developments, but enough of me being spoilery!) Gabby gives birth in a manger, but there’s some crazy weather, spooky music, and freaked out animals, except for the goat (scapegoat, perhaps?) The knights of the round table argue over whether the baby will bring ultimate good, or ultimate evil into the world. Speaking of the knights of the round table, well there’s some story-bending for you. :P I kind of love that Xena was able to pull the sword out of the stone, because of course. According to the wiki, apparently in a later episode of “Hercules” they forget this little detail and mess with the whole sword-in-the-stone Xenaverse timeline, which is another reason why “Hercules” is inferior. :P Can’t really take it into account at all. Also, the sword in the stone and Excalibur are technically two separate swords, but several post-Arthurian stories seem to conflate the two. There’s a little bit of Moses imagery as well, with Gabs sneaking Hope off down the river in a basket—more callbacks to season one, and an episode similarly named “Cradle of Hope.” Even “Xena” past history sees babies in an optimistic light. :P Also, Hope is playing with Gabby’s chew toy from “The Solstice Carol,” hee. Nice continuity.
The banshees are kind of hit and miss here. The makeup is obviously inspired by the furies, hee; guess every Xenaverse location needs some. :P According to FemPop, their general attributes fit in nicely with the Dahak mythos—thematically appropriate fanfic, teehee—they are Irish spirits and harbingers of death, though Dahak, as mentioned in the previous recap, is Iranian, not from Brittania. But the wiki interprets their cries as genuine caring for the deceased (they attached themselves to specific families for generations), so they’d likely be allowed inside the home, unlike the vampire-like Xenaverse creations. Either way, they’re particularly spooky when they’re fawning over Gabrielle. Some nice build-up there.
Let’s end on some more upbeat show notes. A whoosh.org commentator noted that although the last episode wasn’t received as favorably in all quarters due to the rape scene that we now understand, given Gabby’s delicate condition, she wasn’t defined by it. Her psychological trauma was still centered around her loss of blood innocence, which I, like Xena, still believe she’s being a smidge too hard on herself for, but it’s true to the ghastliness of the situation. Anywho. I’m not sure that everyone might agree with this commentator, that it was a good thing, the lack of the focus on this rape, in favor of Gabrielle’s more universal dilemmas. But either way I think it proves that she’s more than just a feminine victim trope. She’s a fierce mama bear (and sheesh, we know that Hope is half-god, but Gabrielle must have some supernatural powers as well, for how quickly she recovered from giving birth. Running, horse riding, canoeing…oy! :P) I really did love the gag with her sudden pregnancy food cravings, though eesh, none of that gooey stuff actually looked too appetizing. Poor Renee. And what’s up with that tavern, having such a wide variety? Hee. Maybe Gab’s a little bit of a stereotypical “mother trope,” especially since, after her trauma, she’s looking for a way to see the possibility of goodness in the world again, and Hope comes to personify that. Whether the daughter will actually live up to her mother’s expectations remains to be seen (though it’s probably pretty obvious, given what I’ve written above. :P) A final note—smart move from the production team, putting Gabrielle in that burlap sack. Easy way to get around applying prosthetics to her rapidly extending belly, yup yup.
DisclaimerDespite witnessing the bizarre and somewhat disturbing birth of Gabrielle's Hope, no farm animals were harmed or traumatized during the production of this motion picture.
Favorite Quotes:
*Gabrielle—and maybe fate—are tough on her first kill*
Gabrielle: I'll never forgive myself.
Xena: It was instinct.
Gabrielle: No, you're wrong. Uh-- I made the decision to kill her. I went against everything that I stand for.
Xena: I know it's hard. I remember my first kill. But, you are going to get through this thing. You're gonna wake up one day and have hope again. You'll see, there's so much good to be done.
Gabrielle: Maybe. I just feel like I should be punished for what I've done.
Xena: You _are_ being punished by your conscience. For someone like you, there couldn't be a worse torture.
*understatement of the episode*
Xena: On the bright side, seasickness'll be a romp after this.
Gabrielle: That's right-- we're getting on a ship.
Xena: Unfortunately, it is the only way to get back to Greece.
Gabrielle: Well, I guess I'll be glad to get off this island.
Xena: Hmmm.
Gabrielle: Brittania didn't turn out to be my favorite place.
*banshees are freaky, and Xena just wants to kick butt*
Grey Banshee: Gabrielle, we honor you.
Gabrielle: Xena! I don't know why, but they won't attack me.
Xena: Good-- all the more for me.
Gabrielle: Will you just stay behind me?
Xena: I'm gonna kick these ladies' butts.
Gabrielle: Xena, will you please?! I don't feel good at all.
Xena: All right. Well, this is your lucky day. My friend's not feeling well. Come on.
Frizzy Banshee: Gabrielle, we mean you no harm.
Grey Banshee: We're your friends. We love you. We worship you.
Frizzy Banshee: Let us Banshees care for you. You are the chosen one, Gabrielle.
*some good lines, some bad lines, some foreshadowing*
Gabrielle: And I thought the Greek immortals were freaks."
Xena: Yeah, but they're our freaks. You all right?
Gabrielle: Yeah-- my stomach's better. It's just-- my soul. Xena, I thought that Crafstar was leading me to the salvation of the world-- through peace and light. And instead I discovered the heart of darkness. I became a part of that. I think that that's what the Banshees were talking about-- that maybe that there's an evil in me—and that they want to worship that?
*someone is suspiciously hungry…*
Gabrielle: Maybe I'll get something to eat.
Xena: Yeah, that'd be great if you can manage it. Ha-- have you got any chicken broth?
Innkeeper: Yeah.
Xena: There you go. That should go down pretty easy. I'll be back, soon.
Innkeeper: OK.
Gabrielle: Hey-- can I have some cherries too, please?
Innkeeper: Yeah, yeah.
Gabrielle: And some beef jerky.
Innkeeper: Uh-huh.
Gabrielle: Mmmm-- pork liver.
Innkeeper: Right.
Gabrielle: I mean, if you've got it. Oh, and don't overcook it, 'cause I like it really bloody.
Innkeeper: Yeah.
Gabrielle: You know-- if you melt some cheese over the top, that would be perfect.
Innkeeper: Sure.
*…and later…*
Gabrielle: Hmmm. You know-- can I have some more goat's cream, please?
Innkeeper: Mm-hmm.
Gabrielle: Hmm. Hey-- if you have any chicken gizzards-- you just fry 'em in some sheep lard. Send 'em my way.
*ominous foretelling…*
Xena: Why are you chasing my friend?
Bearded Villager: The warriors.
Xena: The ones with the pierced hearts?
Bearded Villager: Yes. They said that she will-- bring in the beginning of the end.
Xena: The end of what?!
Bearded Villager: Goodness.
*dun dun DUUUUUUN…*
Brown Banshee: You carry within you the child that will bring a new order to the world-- the child of darkness.
*a re-match!*
Gabrielle: I'm carrying a child? I don't think so. Xena-- they're crazy! Now, look-- we're--we're going walk out of here like we did last time, OK?
Brown Banshee: No! We can't let you leave the forest again until the baby is born.
Gabrielle: Xena, let's just run for it. I-- I'm feeling much better.
Xena: Oh, we don't have to run for it. I'm gonna slap these bitches silly. We're leaving this forest. You got a problem with that?
*situation gets weirder…*
Xena: I think you're pregnant. I'd say you're in your fourth month, I mean--
Gabrielle: That's ridiculous. Xena, I'm--I'm having a hysterical reaction to killing Meridian. Tell me who these warriors are.
Xena: They're the ones that sent the lynch-mob on you.
Gabrielle: And they're supposed to be an improvement over the Banshees?
*Gabs has grand visions for herself*
Gabrielle: I'm being punished.
Xena: What?!
Gabrielle: I'm being punished for killing Meridian.
Xena: Gabrielle, you are not the first person ever to shed blood.
Gabrielle: Xena, you don't understand. I-- I was gonna break the cycle. I mean, all-- all that pain and that violence was gonna stop with me.
*even the knights have some conflicted feelings about what’s going down*
Goen: You have violated-- the most sacred trust of the round table.
Taswan: We didn't attack the girl.
Iochid: You're hiding behind a technicality. You incited the entire village to try and kill her-- that's just as bad.
Goen: Our oath forbids us _ever_ to bring harm to the innocent-- and that young girl _beamed_ with goodness.
Taswan: Difficult times call for unique measures. She is innocent-- that's true. But what's inside her must die!
Xena: Kill me, and watch him die! It won't take long. What is growing inside my friend?
Taswan: Darkness!
Iochid: You don't know that. It could be child--
Xena: One version at a time!
*the plot thickens once Hope is born*
Taswan: Get out of the way.
Xena: No one's touching that baby.
Goen: Taswan-- that child is innocent-- a clean slate. We can't punish it for the sins of its father.
Taswan: You're wrong. It's very existence is a sin.
Iochid: We don't know if this is a child of the darkness or the light. Our beliefs say that both will come in a similar way.
Taswan: You're both sentimental fools. It dies-- now!
*Gabby’s change of heart*
Gabrielle: Isn't she beautiful? You were right.
Xena: About what?
Gabrielle: You said that one day I would have hope again. Here it is. That's what I'm gonna call her-- Hope.
Xena: Are you all right?
Gabrielle: I feel great.
Xena: Well, you weren't great a few minutes ago.
Gabrielle: I guess being a mother must agree with me. I feel like some power has just—poured new life into me.
*of course this happens :P*
Gabrielle: Why is that sword stuck in the stone?
Goen: Our last king, before the Romans came-- he struck that sword into the stone. Hmm. No one's been able to move it since.
Iochid: Our tradition states, that one day, a great warrior will be born to our people. He will become our king-- and lead us in our fight against the barbarians.
Goen: And we'll know who he his because, only he will be able to pull out the sword.
Xena: *easily pulls out sword* Nice blade.
*Xena’s feelings about Hope come out in opposition to Gabby’s*
Gabrielle: Xena, isn't she just the most beautiful little gem? How could anybody ever think she's evil?
Xena: Who do you think she is?
Gabrielle: Well, she's my daughter.
Xena: Doesn't it bother you that she's obviously not mortal?
Gabrielle: She's half-mortal. She's like Hercules. Actually, that's not a bad model for her.
Xena: Gabrielle, she is the daughter of Dahak.
Gabrielle: I have thought about that. Xena, maybe she is. Look, if that's true, then I will help her fight against her dark side-- just like I helped you fight against yours.
Xena: But, what if it's not possible?
Gabrielle: Xena-- if you were truly my friend, you will stop thinking of her as some symbol of an evil god. See her for what she truly is. She's a beautiful, innocent baby.
Xena: Well, all right. But, I'll be watching her development very carefully.
Gabrielle: What does that mean?
Xena: Just that I'm not so convinced of her innocence.
Gabrielle: Well, you get this clear, Xena. No matter what she is, she is my daughter. Don't come between us.
*after Gabby wakes up to the sight of Xena pointing a sword at her baby*
Xena: That thing killed Goen. It strangled him with his own medallion chain.
Gabrielle: Have you lost your mind? Look at her. She's a-- she's a baby.
Xena: It is not a baby. It is a thing in the form of a baby—a dark, wicked thing that must be destroyed.
Gabrielle: Listen to you. You are talking about my baby.
Xena: No-- I am talking about evil itself. I can't let it fall into the hands of the Banshees.
Gabrielle: I will _not_ let you do this. Xena, anybody could have come in here and killed Goen-- anybody.
Xena: No, you're wrong, Gabrielle. That thing killed him.
*the first time Gabrielle has the desire—or the cunning—to run from Xena*
Gabrielle: Shhh. You all right? Please, don't cry. I'm not gonna let her hurt you. I promise I won't. I'll die, first. Are you tired? Me, too. We can't rest. Xena won't. I know her. Who are you? Who are you?
*Xena’s reverse psychology*
Xena: Gabrielle! Gabrielle! That thing you're holding is a monster! It has to be destroyed! Gabrielle! Gabrielle-- I understand how you feel! You're looking at it as if this were a real baby! Gabrielle! You have to consider what we know! You were _in_ the temple of Dahak, the evil one! You were on his altar! He planted that thing inside you! It grew so fast and it _killed_ within hours of being born! Gabrielle! You talked about wanting to end the cycle of pain and violence! By protecting that thing, you're only ensuring the victory of that cycle!
*the big lie*
Gabrielle: She turned on me.
Xena: Wha?
Gabrielle: She tried to choke me. It's-- beautiful expression of sweetness just turned into this, this hateful snarl and-- and it was like looking into evil itself. I threw her-- down there.
Xena: Gabrielle, I know this is terrible but-- you did the right thing.
*Gabrielle’s parting prayer for her daughter*
Gabrielle: I know you're out there-- somewhere. My-- my love; my hope. Please-- be good.
It’s a somewhat disjointed episode, and there happen to be two directors—Andrew Merrifield who came on board rather late—at least that’s the impression I got from the DVD interview—and Charles Siebert, who we last saw in front of the camera, in a manner of speaking, playing the voice of Poseidon in season two (he was also Sisyphus in season one. Anywho.)
Still, there’s a lot more to this episode than might meet the eye. As our girls clash in a very genuine way over a painful issue, there was apparently a similar split between some Xenites in fandom. There’s no easy answers here. I think I’m ultimately going to have to side with FemPop’s analysis; despite some kooky dialogue in the beginning, the relationship progression ultimately makes this into a very strong hour of tv.
Summary is here, courtesy of whoosh.org.
Several months—possibly years ago, now—I listened to the recap of this episode on the XenaCast, where Amy Boatman posited a theory that I had never considered before. Did Hope absolutely have to be evil? Could it be that, if Xena had given her a chance, she could have turned out the way that Gabrielle expected? Though it’s worth noting that in the episode interview, RJ Stewart et al seemed to dismiss it out of hand. They’re strictly Team Xena here, and even suggested that Gabs could’ve saved herself some heartache if she’d listened to her friend. I know I’m getting way ahead of myself here with the spoilers. These Rift episodes are so closely entwined. Anywho, I know what the showrunners think, and I know what is coming down the pike, and overall I don’t have a problem with it. Seems genuine enough; I’ll dig into the specifics when I get there. I still think there’s room to criticize Xena’s actions either way.
I mean, is it not a bit over the top for our warrior princess to want to kill the baby right in front of her mother, no questions asked? How about the dead knight, complete with his dramatic, suffocate-blue makeup? We technically have no direct proof that Hope killed him. They’d just spoken about the secret passageways, and it’s not like the group doesn’t have enemies outside. But Hope’s guilt is implied and Xena believed it, so so did I, at least the first time I watched. I suppose that I still do, but the scene works so much better when it gives us pause. How can we be so sure that Gabrielle is off her rocker? Earlier in the episode Xena was desperate for her friend to reclaim her hope in humanity, and in fact it came through this baby. Gab’s was sick with guilt over Meridian’s death (though it stands to reason it was also mourning sickness. :P) Was Hope a self-fulfilling prophecy? After her birth, Gabs went back to her old self, seeing the baby as a new opportunity to reclaim the goodness of life. And Xena went back to her old self, being a pessimist and seeing the worst in things. Is Hope more or less Gabrielle’s punishment for her loss of blood innocence? Or does Xena, who used to be evil before her redemption arc, refuse to give this half-god baby a chance? I mean, Hercules is a half-god, too. Personally, I think the question of Hope’s innocence vs guilt is less interesting than what the conundrum reveals about our two leading ladies.
Xena wasn’t in tip-top shape even before the baby was born; she seemed more content to fight everything in her path and serve Gabby platitudes, rather than deal with her friend’s more complex emotional state. Was she cold or just pragmatic? Fan opinions differ. In the final scenes, when mother and daughter were running away from her, she did try to use reverse psychology on her friend; that if Hope brings Dahak’s darkness into the world, then Gabby is failing in her desire to do good. Little does she know that the traveling bard’s skills extend further than pole vaulting out of a burning building or trading a horse for a canoe. :P She’s growing in her ability to defy Xena and stand on her own two feet. This secret/downright lie is certainly the first relationship crack in the storyline we call The Rift. But Gab’s is so earnest (and the music so wonderful this ep) when she begs for Hope to stay good. She thinks she did the only thing she could do, in response to Xena’s relentlessness and her desire to give the baby a chance. I’m repeating myself, but the characters are just so real here. Their personalities clash, and even though they obviously still care deeply for each other, this fundamental disagreement won’t be swept under the rug.
Lots of Jesus-imagery this episode—or perhaps polar opposite Jesus-imagery in a way. (Kind of plays into later-season developments, but enough of me being spoilery!) Gabby gives birth in a manger, but there’s some crazy weather, spooky music, and freaked out animals, except for the goat (scapegoat, perhaps?) The knights of the round table argue over whether the baby will bring ultimate good, or ultimate evil into the world. Speaking of the knights of the round table, well there’s some story-bending for you. :P I kind of love that Xena was able to pull the sword out of the stone, because of course. According to the wiki, apparently in a later episode of “Hercules” they forget this little detail and mess with the whole sword-in-the-stone Xenaverse timeline, which is another reason why “Hercules” is inferior. :P Can’t really take it into account at all. Also, the sword in the stone and Excalibur are technically two separate swords, but several post-Arthurian stories seem to conflate the two. There’s a little bit of Moses imagery as well, with Gabs sneaking Hope off down the river in a basket—more callbacks to season one, and an episode similarly named “Cradle of Hope.” Even “Xena” past history sees babies in an optimistic light. :P Also, Hope is playing with Gabby’s chew toy from “The Solstice Carol,” hee. Nice continuity.
The banshees are kind of hit and miss here. The makeup is obviously inspired by the furies, hee; guess every Xenaverse location needs some. :P According to FemPop, their general attributes fit in nicely with the Dahak mythos—thematically appropriate fanfic, teehee—they are Irish spirits and harbingers of death, though Dahak, as mentioned in the previous recap, is Iranian, not from Brittania. But the wiki interprets their cries as genuine caring for the deceased (they attached themselves to specific families for generations), so they’d likely be allowed inside the home, unlike the vampire-like Xenaverse creations. Either way, they’re particularly spooky when they’re fawning over Gabrielle. Some nice build-up there.
Let’s end on some more upbeat show notes. A whoosh.org commentator noted that although the last episode wasn’t received as favorably in all quarters due to the rape scene that we now understand, given Gabby’s delicate condition, she wasn’t defined by it. Her psychological trauma was still centered around her loss of blood innocence, which I, like Xena, still believe she’s being a smidge too hard on herself for, but it’s true to the ghastliness of the situation. Anywho. I’m not sure that everyone might agree with this commentator, that it was a good thing, the lack of the focus on this rape, in favor of Gabrielle’s more universal dilemmas. But either way I think it proves that she’s more than just a feminine victim trope. She’s a fierce mama bear (and sheesh, we know that Hope is half-god, but Gabrielle must have some supernatural powers as well, for how quickly she recovered from giving birth. Running, horse riding, canoeing…oy! :P) I really did love the gag with her sudden pregnancy food cravings, though eesh, none of that gooey stuff actually looked too appetizing. Poor Renee. And what’s up with that tavern, having such a wide variety? Hee. Maybe Gab’s a little bit of a stereotypical “mother trope,” especially since, after her trauma, she’s looking for a way to see the possibility of goodness in the world again, and Hope comes to personify that. Whether the daughter will actually live up to her mother’s expectations remains to be seen (though it’s probably pretty obvious, given what I’ve written above. :P) A final note—smart move from the production team, putting Gabrielle in that burlap sack. Easy way to get around applying prosthetics to her rapidly extending belly, yup yup.
DisclaimerDespite witnessing the bizarre and somewhat disturbing birth of Gabrielle's Hope, no farm animals were harmed or traumatized during the production of this motion picture.
Favorite Quotes:
*Gabrielle—and maybe fate—are tough on her first kill*
Gabrielle: I'll never forgive myself.
Xena: It was instinct.
Gabrielle: No, you're wrong. Uh-- I made the decision to kill her. I went against everything that I stand for.
Xena: I know it's hard. I remember my first kill. But, you are going to get through this thing. You're gonna wake up one day and have hope again. You'll see, there's so much good to be done.
Gabrielle: Maybe. I just feel like I should be punished for what I've done.
Xena: You _are_ being punished by your conscience. For someone like you, there couldn't be a worse torture.
*understatement of the episode*
Xena: On the bright side, seasickness'll be a romp after this.
Gabrielle: That's right-- we're getting on a ship.
Xena: Unfortunately, it is the only way to get back to Greece.
Gabrielle: Well, I guess I'll be glad to get off this island.
Xena: Hmmm.
Gabrielle: Brittania didn't turn out to be my favorite place.
*banshees are freaky, and Xena just wants to kick butt*
Grey Banshee: Gabrielle, we honor you.
Gabrielle: Xena! I don't know why, but they won't attack me.
Xena: Good-- all the more for me.
Gabrielle: Will you just stay behind me?
Xena: I'm gonna kick these ladies' butts.
Gabrielle: Xena, will you please?! I don't feel good at all.
Xena: All right. Well, this is your lucky day. My friend's not feeling well. Come on.
Frizzy Banshee: Gabrielle, we mean you no harm.
Grey Banshee: We're your friends. We love you. We worship you.
Frizzy Banshee: Let us Banshees care for you. You are the chosen one, Gabrielle.
*some good lines, some bad lines, some foreshadowing*
Gabrielle: And I thought the Greek immortals were freaks."
Xena: Yeah, but they're our freaks. You all right?
Gabrielle: Yeah-- my stomach's better. It's just-- my soul. Xena, I thought that Crafstar was leading me to the salvation of the world-- through peace and light. And instead I discovered the heart of darkness. I became a part of that. I think that that's what the Banshees were talking about-- that maybe that there's an evil in me—and that they want to worship that?
*someone is suspiciously hungry…*
Gabrielle: Maybe I'll get something to eat.
Xena: Yeah, that'd be great if you can manage it. Ha-- have you got any chicken broth?
Innkeeper: Yeah.
Xena: There you go. That should go down pretty easy. I'll be back, soon.
Innkeeper: OK.
Gabrielle: Hey-- can I have some cherries too, please?
Innkeeper: Yeah, yeah.
Gabrielle: And some beef jerky.
Innkeeper: Uh-huh.
Gabrielle: Mmmm-- pork liver.
Innkeeper: Right.
Gabrielle: I mean, if you've got it. Oh, and don't overcook it, 'cause I like it really bloody.
Innkeeper: Yeah.
Gabrielle: You know-- if you melt some cheese over the top, that would be perfect.
Innkeeper: Sure.
*…and later…*
Gabrielle: Hmmm. You know-- can I have some more goat's cream, please?
Innkeeper: Mm-hmm.
Gabrielle: Hmm. Hey-- if you have any chicken gizzards-- you just fry 'em in some sheep lard. Send 'em my way.
*ominous foretelling…*
Xena: Why are you chasing my friend?
Bearded Villager: The warriors.
Xena: The ones with the pierced hearts?
Bearded Villager: Yes. They said that she will-- bring in the beginning of the end.
Xena: The end of what?!
Bearded Villager: Goodness.
*dun dun DUUUUUUN…*
Brown Banshee: You carry within you the child that will bring a new order to the world-- the child of darkness.
*a re-match!*
Gabrielle: I'm carrying a child? I don't think so. Xena-- they're crazy! Now, look-- we're--we're going walk out of here like we did last time, OK?
Brown Banshee: No! We can't let you leave the forest again until the baby is born.
Gabrielle: Xena, let's just run for it. I-- I'm feeling much better.
Xena: Oh, we don't have to run for it. I'm gonna slap these bitches silly. We're leaving this forest. You got a problem with that?
*situation gets weirder…*
Xena: I think you're pregnant. I'd say you're in your fourth month, I mean--
Gabrielle: That's ridiculous. Xena, I'm--I'm having a hysterical reaction to killing Meridian. Tell me who these warriors are.
Xena: They're the ones that sent the lynch-mob on you.
Gabrielle: And they're supposed to be an improvement over the Banshees?
*Gabs has grand visions for herself*
Gabrielle: I'm being punished.
Xena: What?!
Gabrielle: I'm being punished for killing Meridian.
Xena: Gabrielle, you are not the first person ever to shed blood.
Gabrielle: Xena, you don't understand. I-- I was gonna break the cycle. I mean, all-- all that pain and that violence was gonna stop with me.
*even the knights have some conflicted feelings about what’s going down*
Goen: You have violated-- the most sacred trust of the round table.
Taswan: We didn't attack the girl.
Iochid: You're hiding behind a technicality. You incited the entire village to try and kill her-- that's just as bad.
Goen: Our oath forbids us _ever_ to bring harm to the innocent-- and that young girl _beamed_ with goodness.
Taswan: Difficult times call for unique measures. She is innocent-- that's true. But what's inside her must die!
Xena: Kill me, and watch him die! It won't take long. What is growing inside my friend?
Taswan: Darkness!
Iochid: You don't know that. It could be child--
Xena: One version at a time!
*the plot thickens once Hope is born*
Taswan: Get out of the way.
Xena: No one's touching that baby.
Goen: Taswan-- that child is innocent-- a clean slate. We can't punish it for the sins of its father.
Taswan: You're wrong. It's very existence is a sin.
Iochid: We don't know if this is a child of the darkness or the light. Our beliefs say that both will come in a similar way.
Taswan: You're both sentimental fools. It dies-- now!
*Gabby’s change of heart*
Gabrielle: Isn't she beautiful? You were right.
Xena: About what?
Gabrielle: You said that one day I would have hope again. Here it is. That's what I'm gonna call her-- Hope.
Xena: Are you all right?
Gabrielle: I feel great.
Xena: Well, you weren't great a few minutes ago.
Gabrielle: I guess being a mother must agree with me. I feel like some power has just—poured new life into me.
*of course this happens :P*
Gabrielle: Why is that sword stuck in the stone?
Goen: Our last king, before the Romans came-- he struck that sword into the stone. Hmm. No one's been able to move it since.
Iochid: Our tradition states, that one day, a great warrior will be born to our people. He will become our king-- and lead us in our fight against the barbarians.
Goen: And we'll know who he his because, only he will be able to pull out the sword.
Xena: *easily pulls out sword* Nice blade.
*Xena’s feelings about Hope come out in opposition to Gabby’s*
Gabrielle: Xena, isn't she just the most beautiful little gem? How could anybody ever think she's evil?
Xena: Who do you think she is?
Gabrielle: Well, she's my daughter.
Xena: Doesn't it bother you that she's obviously not mortal?
Gabrielle: She's half-mortal. She's like Hercules. Actually, that's not a bad model for her.
Xena: Gabrielle, she is the daughter of Dahak.
Gabrielle: I have thought about that. Xena, maybe she is. Look, if that's true, then I will help her fight against her dark side-- just like I helped you fight against yours.
Xena: But, what if it's not possible?
Gabrielle: Xena-- if you were truly my friend, you will stop thinking of her as some symbol of an evil god. See her for what she truly is. She's a beautiful, innocent baby.
Xena: Well, all right. But, I'll be watching her development very carefully.
Gabrielle: What does that mean?
Xena: Just that I'm not so convinced of her innocence.
Gabrielle: Well, you get this clear, Xena. No matter what she is, she is my daughter. Don't come between us.
*after Gabby wakes up to the sight of Xena pointing a sword at her baby*
Xena: That thing killed Goen. It strangled him with his own medallion chain.
Gabrielle: Have you lost your mind? Look at her. She's a-- she's a baby.
Xena: It is not a baby. It is a thing in the form of a baby—a dark, wicked thing that must be destroyed.
Gabrielle: Listen to you. You are talking about my baby.
Xena: No-- I am talking about evil itself. I can't let it fall into the hands of the Banshees.
Gabrielle: I will _not_ let you do this. Xena, anybody could have come in here and killed Goen-- anybody.
Xena: No, you're wrong, Gabrielle. That thing killed him.
*the first time Gabrielle has the desire—or the cunning—to run from Xena*
Gabrielle: Shhh. You all right? Please, don't cry. I'm not gonna let her hurt you. I promise I won't. I'll die, first. Are you tired? Me, too. We can't rest. Xena won't. I know her. Who are you? Who are you?
*Xena’s reverse psychology*
Xena: Gabrielle! Gabrielle! That thing you're holding is a monster! It has to be destroyed! Gabrielle! Gabrielle-- I understand how you feel! You're looking at it as if this were a real baby! Gabrielle! You have to consider what we know! You were _in_ the temple of Dahak, the evil one! You were on his altar! He planted that thing inside you! It grew so fast and it _killed_ within hours of being born! Gabrielle! You talked about wanting to end the cycle of pain and violence! By protecting that thing, you're only ensuring the victory of that cycle!
*the big lie*
Gabrielle: She turned on me.
Xena: Wha?
Gabrielle: She tried to choke me. It's-- beautiful expression of sweetness just turned into this, this hateful snarl and-- and it was like looking into evil itself. I threw her-- down there.
Xena: Gabrielle, I know this is terrible but-- you did the right thing.
*Gabrielle’s parting prayer for her daughter*
Gabrielle: I know you're out there-- somewhere. My-- my love; my hope. Please-- be good.
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}