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scifi_rewatchThe riftiness of the rift continues! As Xena’s journey continues in both the present and the past, along with other characters, there’s a lot to mull over concerning good and evil, right and wrong. Ideologically, Xena and Gabrielle remain at two different sides of the spectrum; as FemPop puts it, Gabs is “one of those irritating [pacifists] you avoid at the coffee shop” and Xena is “a Tea Bagger carrying a gun to a political rally.” :P
There’s other points of interest in this episode, too, from some amazing set design to a wide array of acting, from the questionable to the subtlety sublime. Joining Lucy and Renee in this category, once again, is Jaqueline Kim. Fandom opinion may be split on a lot of elements of “The Debt,” but Lao Ma being one of the tip top highlights of the entire show isn’t one of them. Such a fantastic character, and gives you a lot to think about.
Summary is here, courtesy of whoosh.org.
So, to start with Lao Ma—what exactly did she want from Xena? And how would she respond to what ultimately happened at the end of this episode? In general, and certainly specifically when it came to Ming Tien, Lao Ma seemed to abhor violence. One of the first things she did this episode with breaking the jar and showing off her Matrix-like powers is explain that the only way they work is through total selflessness—letting go of all anger and personal desire. As part of her training, she encourages Xena to serve someone she hates, particularly Ming Tzu. She then heals Xena’s legs (more people who know pressure points!) and reunites (ahem) her with Borias. In the present, Xena realizes this could have been the time that she give up darkness as Lao Ma wanted. Instead, she and Borias kill Ming Tzu and attempt to kill Ming Tien—even knowing who he is to Lao Ma—so they could rule all of Chin just with her. Naturally, the visit doesn’t end very well. :P Now, years later, Xena is on her way to kill Ming Tien as part of a debt she owes to her old friend. But why would Lao Ma want her warrior princess (so awesome that she’s the one who came up with that name) to kill her son?
Obviously there’s good reason to off Green Dragon Ming Tien; he’s a tyrant. But we are talking about a woman who let her own son kill her rather than use her powers against him. It seems obvious that she’d want Xena to find a way to make him play ball in a peace process. Logically, she should know that Ming Tien is too sadistic for that, but love does tend to blind us. Perhaps she hoped that the woman who turned her son into a monster, having come through the other side herself, could do the same for her boy. That’s my take, anyway. Lao Ma strikes me as a complicated woman—both wise and foolish. Fans even take different perspectives concerning her treatment of her husband, Lao Tzu. FemPop focuses on how she’s decided she can only fight the patriarchy from behind the scenes of a secretly comatose man (and they commend Xena for being a voice of “third wave feminism” in her refusal to bargain and give up active power.) But a whoosh.org commentator found it “chilling” that Lao Ma exerted her own will on her husband—dude apparently wanted to be a tyrant, but she was turning his reputation to be more goodly. I suppose it’s fair to say that’s…not what he wanted for himself. :P Not sure I can blame Lao Ma—in either case. She believed in something deeper than either her own desires or her husband’s—the power of goodness. She did her best to put the idea of goodness first, except with her jerk son, where I guess she couldn’t take her own advice and rid herself of her desires. :/ Everyone has his or her weak spot. But come on, it’s pretty cool to think of Lao Ma writing the Tao Te Ching. :P
There’s lots of Chinese architecture, music and mythology threaded through this episode; I’m counting on the fan sites for my information on the third one. Whoosh.org says that the wooden execution table/altar is the Chinese symbol for wood, but it also has meaning in Chinese astrology. The sets took some of the longest to build, apparently featuring such set pieces as the round table from “Gabrielle’s Hope” on Ming Tien’s wall. Lao Ma’s temple archways were used again in the “Hercules” episode, “Men in Pink.” My favorite set pieces were Ming Tien’s dragon archways, and the bonsai tree in the background of Lao Ma’s temple. Just beautiful. I loved the music and all of the grace that Lao Ma and Xena exuded together…though I do think that the air spinning piece, for all of its exuberance and sensuality, went on for a bit too long. Finally, according to the DVD interview, the pillory boards that prisoners had to wear around their necks were true to history…though whose history I’m not sure. :P Remember: “Chin” is not real!
General consensus in what I’ve gathered from a small sliver of fandom is that Daniel Sing as Ming Tien is a bit over the top. I…kind of liked him. Maybe his campiness balanced out the subtlety of the female actors. Maybe it’s due to the simple truth that his role is relatively one dimensional. I kept comparing him to Callisto, because he also (accurately) credits Xena with turning him into a monster (and then Xena played a major part in his death, too.) But to be fair, Sing doesn’t have anywhere near the emotional range of Hudson Leick. He’s like the personification of violence, gleefully interested in hurting people at all times. Maybe we could say that he was twisted by his experiences with his father and the warrior princess to value sadism above all else; kill or be killed. Though why did he decide to kill Lao Ma now, when he’s presumably been ruling as the Green Dragon for several years? (Plot? :P) Maybe he had a regent until he came of age? Missing backstory there. Speaking of, I’ll refer to the wiki page for more backstory; we don’t see Ming Tien or Lao Ma alive again, though they retroactively get some new family members and backstory in later seasons. :P Xena and Gabrielle return to Chin in season five for “Purity.” And chronologically, Xena’s backstory here occurs shortly before her backstory in the season finale, “A Friend in Need.”
Borias doesn’t feature heavily in this episode, which is a shame cos he’s awesome. :P He’s also far more acquiescent of Xena’s desires this time around, though I think it makes sense. He’d been looking for a way to break the hegemony of Houses Lao and Ming together, and Xena gave him that opportunity by growing so close to Lao Ma. But I also love how genuine Xena’s attachment is to the other woman. She wants to be Lao Ma’s warrior princess. Maybe it would have lost its appeal in time, but in the moment, I think she was starving for the sort of unconditional love and care that this woman offered. These scenes also show Xena’s childlike lack of empathy and desire to please. She honestly didn’t stop to consider Lao Ma’s feelings towards Ming Tien when she eagerly offered to kill him in order to start their new life together. Once again Lucy’s range is mighty, as she goes from this to Xena’s arc in the present—her anger at Gabs for being betrayed, her steely refusal to back down from her promise to kill Ming Tien, and ultimately her understated forgiveness. (Renee, too, has struggle written all over her face when Gabs realizes that the man she saved is a tyrant, and how she owns up to it in the prison…GUUUUH.) I think that scene where she asks Gabs to scratch her nose is a universal favorite—and it showcased Lao Ma’s philosophy about selflessness far more than whatever the hell Xena did on that altar to gain super powers. That was kind of convenient—needed for plot, yadda yadda—I’m just glad it didn’t last beyond this episode.
Gabrielle’s most recent “betrayal” (I still have more empathy than most for her anti-murder reaction) may be water under the bridge, but both girls are still keeping major secrets from each other—Hope and Ming Tien. One of the whoosh.org commentators brought up a fascinating point that links these betrayals to their general identifiers—Gabrielle lies about someone who is alive because she venerates life and second chances; Xena lies about someone who is dead because she venerates her idea of absolutist justice. This makes the rift more complicated because it’s more than about singular acts, it’s about fundamental differences in character. Is the love that they profess to in this episode (amidst Xena pulling a con on Gabrielle, it should be said,) enough to overcome this chasm when the cards come toppling down? We are now in stage two of the Rift story arc, where these issues will be probed.
Disclaimer Xena and Gabrielle's relationship suffered another blow (although Gabrielle doesn't know it yet) during the production of this motion picture.
Favorite Quotes:
*the Xena/Gabrielle barometer isn’t doing so well…*
Guard: Hey, Xena-- I hear you were betrayed by a friend.
Xena: No, not by a friend.
*Ming Tien gives a harrowing character assessment of Xena—and of himself*
Gabrielle: If you had her promise-- then you would let her go-- right?
Ming Tien: It would take more than that.
Gabrielle: Xena would never go back on her promise.
Ming Tien: Of course, she would.
Gabrielle: I want to see her.
Ming Tien: Out of the question.
Gabrielle: You said that I could have anything in your kingdom.
Ming Tien: Except that.
Gabrielle: You don't understand-- I need to talk to her. I have to explain to her why I did what I did. I'm terrified of what she might be thinking of me.
Ming Tien: You betrayed her-- therefore, you're her enemy. She'll kill you now, as soon as look at you.
Gabrielle: You're wrong. You don't know her.
Ming Tien: I know her. Tell me-- why did you do it if you love her so?
Gabrielle: I felt that she was betraying herself-- if she went back to the way of murder.
Ming Tien: Murder is in her blood, Gabrielle-- her soul. It is more natural to her than love.
Gabrielle: Look-- I know what Xena did to you is a terrible thing.
Ming Tien: No-- you are wrong. It wasn't terrible. It changed my life—gave it a meaning--and a direction. She taught me how to rule.
*Xena gets her own proof that Ming Tien has become a tyrant*
Xena: What do you want?
Prisoner: Just giving you this shirt.
Xena: I don't want your clothes. *prisoners don’t listen* What-- what are they doing?
Prisoner 2: Clothing you-- it's their way of paying you tribute.
Xena: For what?
Prisoner 2: They heard what you did-- or tried to do—your attempt at trying to kill the emperor.
Xena: They like that, huh?
Prisoner 2: There's not a man here-- that hasn't lost many of his loved ones-- at the hands of that monster.
*foreshadowing hairpin…Lao Ma explains to Xena how to obtain her power*
Xena: You could kill someone, using a hair brooch.
Lao Ma: If necessary. I don't like to kill, however.
Xena: Everyone has their preferences. I happen to like a good kill.
Lao Ma: You're so full of anger and hate.
Xena: Everyone's gotta be full of something.
Lao Ma: Put up another bottle. *Xena does, and Lao Ma breaks it with her mind*
Xena: Teach me to do that.
Lao Ma: Well-- try it. *Xena can’t* I'm sorry, Xena-- but you're trying to attack the bottle with your will.
Xena: What else is there?
Lao Ma: Exactly.
Xena: What?
Lao Ma: The entire world is driven by a will-- blind and ruthless. In order to transcend the limitations of that world, you need to stop willing—stop desiring—stop hating.
Xena: How do I do that?
Lao Ma: Heaven endures-- and the Earth lasts a long time, because they do not live for themselves. Therefore, she would live a long time-- should live for others-- serve others.
Xena: I could serve you, if that's what you mean.
Lao Ma: Of course, you can. It's easy to serve someone you love. You feel it will make them love you more. It's like a good business investment. That's not what I'm talking about.
Xena: You mean that-- I should serve someone who hates me.
Lao Ma: More than that-- you need to serve someone you hate—Ming Tzu.
Xena: Ming Tzu.
Lao Ma: Yes-- the man who had you hunted like an animal. He comes here tomorrow with his son.
Xena: Serve Ming. I'd rather die.
Lao Ma: You've been a dead woman for a long time now, Xena. I'm offering you the chance to live.
*Lao Ma’s defining philosophy*
Lao Ma: To conquer others is to have power; to conquer yourself-- is to know the way.
*Lao Ma explains what she’s doing with her hubby, and her relationship to Ming Tien*
Lao Ma: If he were actually dead, word would get out--and his imbecile cousin would become king. No, I make sure he stays alive, but in this-- half-conscious state. You understand pressure points, don't you? I make sure he's seen every once in a while, in the garden. It helps to convince doubters.
Xena: So you rule in his name.
Lao Ma: The only way a woman could rule in the kingdom of Chin. It's my gift to him. He was a vicious tyrant. I'm going to make him the most loved of rulers.
Xena: Don't you get sick of him getting the credit for everything that you do?
Lao Ma: Not at all. As long as good is done.
Xena: You write down all that wisdom stuff-- huh?
Lao Ma: Yes-- in his book.
Xena: You give him credit for that, too?
Lao Ma: This wisdom comes from Heaven. What difference does it make who gets credit for it-- Lao Ma or Lao Tzu?
Xena: Yeah, nothing seems to phase you-- except that boy I kidnapped. Every time he ignores you, that cuts deep.
Lao Ma: I know, it's foolish of me. Just because we give birth to them doesn't mean we own them.
Xena: He's your son?
*Ming Tien’s not a monster, you know :P*
Ming Tien: Don't feel like you failed. I would've executed her no matter what she said. It's amazing, really. She did all of this-- out of some fool gratitude to Lao Ma-- for saving her life. I suppose even wild beasts have a sense of loyalty, sometimes.
Gabrielle: Can I see her?
Ming Tien: Oh, yes. Now that she's condemned-- you can visit her. I'm not a monster, you know.
*the feklempt scene*
Gabrielle: Can we talk? Of course not. I betrayed you. The pathetic thing is--
I thought I was saving you. My reverence for life kept a brutal tyrant in power, and led to my best friend's execution. I know you hate me Xena—no more than I hate myself.
Xena: Scratch my nose, will you? *Gabrielle cries* Come on. I know you only did what you thought was right. I was angry with you, but I didn't hate you. I never could.
Gabrielle: I think I understand why you thought you had to kill Ming Tien. It
Was Lao Ma's last request-- and she saved your life.
Xena: Not just my life. She saved my soul-- my spirit, my entire being.
*Lao Ma drags Xena and Borias into her peace process*
Lao Ma: We're going to have peace in this land, and the two of you are going to help bring it about.
Xena: You've gotta be kidding!
Lao Ma: Tomorrow, Ming Tzu comes here to talk with Borias and me. We're going to include him in a three-way alliance.
Xena: If you think that I am playing servant-girl to these two, then you've got another thing--
Lao Ma: Quiet, Xena. I plan to inform Ming Tzu of your presence. He has to accept that. You're going to help me run the kingdom of Lao. You'll be my Warrior Princess. Tomorrow, you'll ask for Ming's forgiveness. Today, you're going to learn how to deal with Borias. Xena's capable of profound loyalty, Borias. She just doesn't know it yet.
*for it’s feminist value, if nothing else*
Ming Tzu: Excuse me-- but I do not have to play such a game. You belong to me, now!
Borias: I have a claim on Xena. I discovered her-- so to speak.
Lao Ma: And I was fortunate enough to save her.
Xena: And I should say, I belong to myself. It should be an interesting game.
*Xena and Borias do a coup on the peace process via gambling*
Ming Tzu: This is ridiculous! Gambling over this worthless whore. Why don't we throw something of value into the pot?
Xena: All right. Let's say the winner gets me-- and a body part from each of the losers.
Ming Tzu: What do you mean?
Xena: A body part. Minimum bet is a hand.
Borias: I'm in.
Lao Ma: I don't want anyone's body part.
Xena: Then I'm sure we all pray that you win. What about you, Ming Tzu? You got the jewels for this one?
Ming Tzu: Fine-- all in one throw. *play game*
Xena: I win. Pay up.
Lao Ma: This is ridiculous.
Xena: I want a piece of him.
Ming Tzu: You're crazy!
Borias: Then you're not gonna pay up?
Ming Tzu: Are you?
Borias: Yes-- I give you my heart.
Xena: I accept. I'll settle for that from you too, Ming Tzu--your heart.
Ming Tzu: This is nonsense! I'm getting out of here! Ming Tien! We're leaving this madhouse!
Xena: Not till I collect my winnings. *kills Ming Tzu*
Lao Ma: Xena!
Xena: Now for the kid.
Lao Ma: What are you doing?
Xena: Now, we can wipe out the entire line. Then it'll just be the house of Lao. We can rule the whole kingdom of Chin together. You can do all your noble stuff, and Borias and I'll keep the peace. We'll have some laughs along the way.
*series title explanation*
Xena: She had such dreams of peace for her land-- and for my soul. I ruined them all. It was years before I understood finally what she wanted from me. Not long before I met you, I was at the end of my rope. I-- was ready to give up. And then I thought of her and what she taught me, and-- and I was reborn. That's the debt.
*if the purpose isn’t to kill Ming Tien, he sure isn’t making it easy*
Ming Tien: Xena! I have something to tell you.
Xena: Gabrielle, make sure everyone gets clear of the building. It'll collapse at any moment.
Gabrielle: Are you-- ?
Xena: I'm fine. Don't worry, as far as I'm concerned, this is all over. *to Ming Tien, once Gabrielle is gone* Say it.
Ming Tien: You made me, Xena. You taught me to be the monster I am.
Xena: I know. It's part of the reason I'm here. I've learned to clean up after myself. Is that all?
Ming Tien: One other thing. You probably heard that I had Lao Ma executed.
Xena: Yes.
Ming Tien: But, I just wanted you to know-- it's not true.
Xena: Really?
Ming Tien: No. I did it myself.
Xena: I have something to tell you, Ming Tien.
Ming Tien: What's that?
Xena: Lao Ma was your mother.
Ming Tien: I knew that the whole time!
Xena: What?
Ming Tien: That was why I did the execution. I knew she wouldn't use her powers to hurt-- her little boy. *holds up hairpin* I think this belongs to you. Her last request was that it was returned to you. It turns out that she was just a sentimental fool. *holds up Tao Te Ching* Remember this? Mother's book of wisdom? It failed her in the end. That philosophical sense of peace fell apart! She cried like a baby. She even cried on after I had torn her heart from her body!
*an elaborate rouse as Ming Tien sits with the hairpin lodged in his neck*
Xena: You're powerless now. You've lost face in front of your people. They won't follow you, anymore. You were right. I didn't have to resolve this with murder. I finally understood Lao Ma's message-- and I made him small again.
Gabrielle: Xena-- your not killing him made you exactly what Lao Ma wanted you to be.
Xena: *holding up book* A memento of Lao Ma.
Gabrielle: We'll take good care of this. I love you, Xena.
Xena: Love you too, Gabrielle.
There’s other points of interest in this episode, too, from some amazing set design to a wide array of acting, from the questionable to the subtlety sublime. Joining Lucy and Renee in this category, once again, is Jaqueline Kim. Fandom opinion may be split on a lot of elements of “The Debt,” but Lao Ma being one of the tip top highlights of the entire show isn’t one of them. Such a fantastic character, and gives you a lot to think about.
Summary is here, courtesy of whoosh.org.
So, to start with Lao Ma—what exactly did she want from Xena? And how would she respond to what ultimately happened at the end of this episode? In general, and certainly specifically when it came to Ming Tien, Lao Ma seemed to abhor violence. One of the first things she did this episode with breaking the jar and showing off her Matrix-like powers is explain that the only way they work is through total selflessness—letting go of all anger and personal desire. As part of her training, she encourages Xena to serve someone she hates, particularly Ming Tzu. She then heals Xena’s legs (more people who know pressure points!) and reunites (ahem) her with Borias. In the present, Xena realizes this could have been the time that she give up darkness as Lao Ma wanted. Instead, she and Borias kill Ming Tzu and attempt to kill Ming Tien—even knowing who he is to Lao Ma—so they could rule all of Chin just with her. Naturally, the visit doesn’t end very well. :P Now, years later, Xena is on her way to kill Ming Tien as part of a debt she owes to her old friend. But why would Lao Ma want her warrior princess (so awesome that she’s the one who came up with that name) to kill her son?
Obviously there’s good reason to off Green Dragon Ming Tien; he’s a tyrant. But we are talking about a woman who let her own son kill her rather than use her powers against him. It seems obvious that she’d want Xena to find a way to make him play ball in a peace process. Logically, she should know that Ming Tien is too sadistic for that, but love does tend to blind us. Perhaps she hoped that the woman who turned her son into a monster, having come through the other side herself, could do the same for her boy. That’s my take, anyway. Lao Ma strikes me as a complicated woman—both wise and foolish. Fans even take different perspectives concerning her treatment of her husband, Lao Tzu. FemPop focuses on how she’s decided she can only fight the patriarchy from behind the scenes of a secretly comatose man (and they commend Xena for being a voice of “third wave feminism” in her refusal to bargain and give up active power.) But a whoosh.org commentator found it “chilling” that Lao Ma exerted her own will on her husband—dude apparently wanted to be a tyrant, but she was turning his reputation to be more goodly. I suppose it’s fair to say that’s…not what he wanted for himself. :P Not sure I can blame Lao Ma—in either case. She believed in something deeper than either her own desires or her husband’s—the power of goodness. She did her best to put the idea of goodness first, except with her jerk son, where I guess she couldn’t take her own advice and rid herself of her desires. :/ Everyone has his or her weak spot. But come on, it’s pretty cool to think of Lao Ma writing the Tao Te Ching. :P
There’s lots of Chinese architecture, music and mythology threaded through this episode; I’m counting on the fan sites for my information on the third one. Whoosh.org says that the wooden execution table/altar is the Chinese symbol for wood, but it also has meaning in Chinese astrology. The sets took some of the longest to build, apparently featuring such set pieces as the round table from “Gabrielle’s Hope” on Ming Tien’s wall. Lao Ma’s temple archways were used again in the “Hercules” episode, “Men in Pink.” My favorite set pieces were Ming Tien’s dragon archways, and the bonsai tree in the background of Lao Ma’s temple. Just beautiful. I loved the music and all of the grace that Lao Ma and Xena exuded together…though I do think that the air spinning piece, for all of its exuberance and sensuality, went on for a bit too long. Finally, according to the DVD interview, the pillory boards that prisoners had to wear around their necks were true to history…though whose history I’m not sure. :P Remember: “Chin” is not real!
General consensus in what I’ve gathered from a small sliver of fandom is that Daniel Sing as Ming Tien is a bit over the top. I…kind of liked him. Maybe his campiness balanced out the subtlety of the female actors. Maybe it’s due to the simple truth that his role is relatively one dimensional. I kept comparing him to Callisto, because he also (accurately) credits Xena with turning him into a monster (and then Xena played a major part in his death, too.) But to be fair, Sing doesn’t have anywhere near the emotional range of Hudson Leick. He’s like the personification of violence, gleefully interested in hurting people at all times. Maybe we could say that he was twisted by his experiences with his father and the warrior princess to value sadism above all else; kill or be killed. Though why did he decide to kill Lao Ma now, when he’s presumably been ruling as the Green Dragon for several years? (Plot? :P) Maybe he had a regent until he came of age? Missing backstory there. Speaking of, I’ll refer to the wiki page for more backstory; we don’t see Ming Tien or Lao Ma alive again, though they retroactively get some new family members and backstory in later seasons. :P Xena and Gabrielle return to Chin in season five for “Purity.” And chronologically, Xena’s backstory here occurs shortly before her backstory in the season finale, “A Friend in Need.”
Borias doesn’t feature heavily in this episode, which is a shame cos he’s awesome. :P He’s also far more acquiescent of Xena’s desires this time around, though I think it makes sense. He’d been looking for a way to break the hegemony of Houses Lao and Ming together, and Xena gave him that opportunity by growing so close to Lao Ma. But I also love how genuine Xena’s attachment is to the other woman. She wants to be Lao Ma’s warrior princess. Maybe it would have lost its appeal in time, but in the moment, I think she was starving for the sort of unconditional love and care that this woman offered. These scenes also show Xena’s childlike lack of empathy and desire to please. She honestly didn’t stop to consider Lao Ma’s feelings towards Ming Tien when she eagerly offered to kill him in order to start their new life together. Once again Lucy’s range is mighty, as she goes from this to Xena’s arc in the present—her anger at Gabs for being betrayed, her steely refusal to back down from her promise to kill Ming Tien, and ultimately her understated forgiveness. (Renee, too, has struggle written all over her face when Gabs realizes that the man she saved is a tyrant, and how she owns up to it in the prison…GUUUUH.) I think that scene where she asks Gabs to scratch her nose is a universal favorite—and it showcased Lao Ma’s philosophy about selflessness far more than whatever the hell Xena did on that altar to gain super powers. That was kind of convenient—needed for plot, yadda yadda—I’m just glad it didn’t last beyond this episode.
Gabrielle’s most recent “betrayal” (I still have more empathy than most for her anti-murder reaction) may be water under the bridge, but both girls are still keeping major secrets from each other—Hope and Ming Tien. One of the whoosh.org commentators brought up a fascinating point that links these betrayals to their general identifiers—Gabrielle lies about someone who is alive because she venerates life and second chances; Xena lies about someone who is dead because she venerates her idea of absolutist justice. This makes the rift more complicated because it’s more than about singular acts, it’s about fundamental differences in character. Is the love that they profess to in this episode (amidst Xena pulling a con on Gabrielle, it should be said,) enough to overcome this chasm when the cards come toppling down? We are now in stage two of the Rift story arc, where these issues will be probed.
Disclaimer Xena and Gabrielle's relationship suffered another blow (although Gabrielle doesn't know it yet) during the production of this motion picture.
Favorite Quotes:
*the Xena/Gabrielle barometer isn’t doing so well…*
Guard: Hey, Xena-- I hear you were betrayed by a friend.
Xena: No, not by a friend.
*Ming Tien gives a harrowing character assessment of Xena—and of himself*
Gabrielle: If you had her promise-- then you would let her go-- right?
Ming Tien: It would take more than that.
Gabrielle: Xena would never go back on her promise.
Ming Tien: Of course, she would.
Gabrielle: I want to see her.
Ming Tien: Out of the question.
Gabrielle: You said that I could have anything in your kingdom.
Ming Tien: Except that.
Gabrielle: You don't understand-- I need to talk to her. I have to explain to her why I did what I did. I'm terrified of what she might be thinking of me.
Ming Tien: You betrayed her-- therefore, you're her enemy. She'll kill you now, as soon as look at you.
Gabrielle: You're wrong. You don't know her.
Ming Tien: I know her. Tell me-- why did you do it if you love her so?
Gabrielle: I felt that she was betraying herself-- if she went back to the way of murder.
Ming Tien: Murder is in her blood, Gabrielle-- her soul. It is more natural to her than love.
Gabrielle: Look-- I know what Xena did to you is a terrible thing.
Ming Tien: No-- you are wrong. It wasn't terrible. It changed my life—gave it a meaning--and a direction. She taught me how to rule.
*Xena gets her own proof that Ming Tien has become a tyrant*
Xena: What do you want?
Prisoner: Just giving you this shirt.
Xena: I don't want your clothes. *prisoners don’t listen* What-- what are they doing?
Prisoner 2: Clothing you-- it's their way of paying you tribute.
Xena: For what?
Prisoner 2: They heard what you did-- or tried to do—your attempt at trying to kill the emperor.
Xena: They like that, huh?
Prisoner 2: There's not a man here-- that hasn't lost many of his loved ones-- at the hands of that monster.
*foreshadowing hairpin…Lao Ma explains to Xena how to obtain her power*
Xena: You could kill someone, using a hair brooch.
Lao Ma: If necessary. I don't like to kill, however.
Xena: Everyone has their preferences. I happen to like a good kill.
Lao Ma: You're so full of anger and hate.
Xena: Everyone's gotta be full of something.
Lao Ma: Put up another bottle. *Xena does, and Lao Ma breaks it with her mind*
Xena: Teach me to do that.
Lao Ma: Well-- try it. *Xena can’t* I'm sorry, Xena-- but you're trying to attack the bottle with your will.
Xena: What else is there?
Lao Ma: Exactly.
Xena: What?
Lao Ma: The entire world is driven by a will-- blind and ruthless. In order to transcend the limitations of that world, you need to stop willing—stop desiring—stop hating.
Xena: How do I do that?
Lao Ma: Heaven endures-- and the Earth lasts a long time, because they do not live for themselves. Therefore, she would live a long time-- should live for others-- serve others.
Xena: I could serve you, if that's what you mean.
Lao Ma: Of course, you can. It's easy to serve someone you love. You feel it will make them love you more. It's like a good business investment. That's not what I'm talking about.
Xena: You mean that-- I should serve someone who hates me.
Lao Ma: More than that-- you need to serve someone you hate—Ming Tzu.
Xena: Ming Tzu.
Lao Ma: Yes-- the man who had you hunted like an animal. He comes here tomorrow with his son.
Xena: Serve Ming. I'd rather die.
Lao Ma: You've been a dead woman for a long time now, Xena. I'm offering you the chance to live.
*Lao Ma’s defining philosophy*
Lao Ma: To conquer others is to have power; to conquer yourself-- is to know the way.
*Lao Ma explains what she’s doing with her hubby, and her relationship to Ming Tien*
Lao Ma: If he were actually dead, word would get out--and his imbecile cousin would become king. No, I make sure he stays alive, but in this-- half-conscious state. You understand pressure points, don't you? I make sure he's seen every once in a while, in the garden. It helps to convince doubters.
Xena: So you rule in his name.
Lao Ma: The only way a woman could rule in the kingdom of Chin. It's my gift to him. He was a vicious tyrant. I'm going to make him the most loved of rulers.
Xena: Don't you get sick of him getting the credit for everything that you do?
Lao Ma: Not at all. As long as good is done.
Xena: You write down all that wisdom stuff-- huh?
Lao Ma: Yes-- in his book.
Xena: You give him credit for that, too?
Lao Ma: This wisdom comes from Heaven. What difference does it make who gets credit for it-- Lao Ma or Lao Tzu?
Xena: Yeah, nothing seems to phase you-- except that boy I kidnapped. Every time he ignores you, that cuts deep.
Lao Ma: I know, it's foolish of me. Just because we give birth to them doesn't mean we own them.
Xena: He's your son?
*Ming Tien’s not a monster, you know :P*
Ming Tien: Don't feel like you failed. I would've executed her no matter what she said. It's amazing, really. She did all of this-- out of some fool gratitude to Lao Ma-- for saving her life. I suppose even wild beasts have a sense of loyalty, sometimes.
Gabrielle: Can I see her?
Ming Tien: Oh, yes. Now that she's condemned-- you can visit her. I'm not a monster, you know.
*the feklempt scene*
Gabrielle: Can we talk? Of course not. I betrayed you. The pathetic thing is--
I thought I was saving you. My reverence for life kept a brutal tyrant in power, and led to my best friend's execution. I know you hate me Xena—no more than I hate myself.
Xena: Scratch my nose, will you? *Gabrielle cries* Come on. I know you only did what you thought was right. I was angry with you, but I didn't hate you. I never could.
Gabrielle: I think I understand why you thought you had to kill Ming Tien. It
Was Lao Ma's last request-- and she saved your life.
Xena: Not just my life. She saved my soul-- my spirit, my entire being.
*Lao Ma drags Xena and Borias into her peace process*
Lao Ma: We're going to have peace in this land, and the two of you are going to help bring it about.
Xena: You've gotta be kidding!
Lao Ma: Tomorrow, Ming Tzu comes here to talk with Borias and me. We're going to include him in a three-way alliance.
Xena: If you think that I am playing servant-girl to these two, then you've got another thing--
Lao Ma: Quiet, Xena. I plan to inform Ming Tzu of your presence. He has to accept that. You're going to help me run the kingdom of Lao. You'll be my Warrior Princess. Tomorrow, you'll ask for Ming's forgiveness. Today, you're going to learn how to deal with Borias. Xena's capable of profound loyalty, Borias. She just doesn't know it yet.
*for it’s feminist value, if nothing else*
Ming Tzu: Excuse me-- but I do not have to play such a game. You belong to me, now!
Borias: I have a claim on Xena. I discovered her-- so to speak.
Lao Ma: And I was fortunate enough to save her.
Xena: And I should say, I belong to myself. It should be an interesting game.
*Xena and Borias do a coup on the peace process via gambling*
Ming Tzu: This is ridiculous! Gambling over this worthless whore. Why don't we throw something of value into the pot?
Xena: All right. Let's say the winner gets me-- and a body part from each of the losers.
Ming Tzu: What do you mean?
Xena: A body part. Minimum bet is a hand.
Borias: I'm in.
Lao Ma: I don't want anyone's body part.
Xena: Then I'm sure we all pray that you win. What about you, Ming Tzu? You got the jewels for this one?
Ming Tzu: Fine-- all in one throw. *play game*
Xena: I win. Pay up.
Lao Ma: This is ridiculous.
Xena: I want a piece of him.
Ming Tzu: You're crazy!
Borias: Then you're not gonna pay up?
Ming Tzu: Are you?
Borias: Yes-- I give you my heart.
Xena: I accept. I'll settle for that from you too, Ming Tzu--your heart.
Ming Tzu: This is nonsense! I'm getting out of here! Ming Tien! We're leaving this madhouse!
Xena: Not till I collect my winnings. *kills Ming Tzu*
Lao Ma: Xena!
Xena: Now for the kid.
Lao Ma: What are you doing?
Xena: Now, we can wipe out the entire line. Then it'll just be the house of Lao. We can rule the whole kingdom of Chin together. You can do all your noble stuff, and Borias and I'll keep the peace. We'll have some laughs along the way.
*series title explanation*
Xena: She had such dreams of peace for her land-- and for my soul. I ruined them all. It was years before I understood finally what she wanted from me. Not long before I met you, I was at the end of my rope. I-- was ready to give up. And then I thought of her and what she taught me, and-- and I was reborn. That's the debt.
*if the purpose isn’t to kill Ming Tien, he sure isn’t making it easy*
Ming Tien: Xena! I have something to tell you.
Xena: Gabrielle, make sure everyone gets clear of the building. It'll collapse at any moment.
Gabrielle: Are you-- ?
Xena: I'm fine. Don't worry, as far as I'm concerned, this is all over. *to Ming Tien, once Gabrielle is gone* Say it.
Ming Tien: You made me, Xena. You taught me to be the monster I am.
Xena: I know. It's part of the reason I'm here. I've learned to clean up after myself. Is that all?
Ming Tien: One other thing. You probably heard that I had Lao Ma executed.
Xena: Yes.
Ming Tien: But, I just wanted you to know-- it's not true.
Xena: Really?
Ming Tien: No. I did it myself.
Xena: I have something to tell you, Ming Tien.
Ming Tien: What's that?
Xena: Lao Ma was your mother.
Ming Tien: I knew that the whole time!
Xena: What?
Ming Tien: That was why I did the execution. I knew she wouldn't use her powers to hurt-- her little boy. *holds up hairpin* I think this belongs to you. Her last request was that it was returned to you. It turns out that she was just a sentimental fool. *holds up Tao Te Ching* Remember this? Mother's book of wisdom? It failed her in the end. That philosophical sense of peace fell apart! She cried like a baby. She even cried on after I had torn her heart from her body!
*an elaborate rouse as Ming Tien sits with the hairpin lodged in his neck*
Xena: You're powerless now. You've lost face in front of your people. They won't follow you, anymore. You were right. I didn't have to resolve this with murder. I finally understood Lao Ma's message-- and I made him small again.
Gabrielle: Xena-- your not killing him made you exactly what Lao Ma wanted you to be.
Xena: *holding up book* A memento of Lao Ma.
Gabrielle: We'll take good care of this. I love you, Xena.
Xena: Love you too, Gabrielle.
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