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scifi_rewatchSlowly getting back to normal, post-Rift, where Xena and Gabrielle take time to relax, and—you know, defeat the entire Persian army. :P To be fair, I don’t think that was meant to be the entire Persian army, hee. And more to the point, the real crux of the episode revolved around some soul searching amongst the women after Gabrielle got hit with a poisoned dart. Guess this was her week to brave dying from poison. ;) But the dialogue between our two leads, both light-hearted and more serious, really carries this hour.
The history is more fiction than reality, as we jump from the time of Julius Caesar back to the second or third Persian Wars in Greece. Whoosh.org points out how different events from this episode came from different wars. Either way, we’re talking a couple hundred years back, BCE. There’s also a lot of goofs this episode, as catalogued by whoosh and the wiki.
At the same time, it has a lot of heart. It featured one of the biggest action sequences on the show, so you can’t say they didn’t try to make it at least somewhat convincing. And the strength of the Xena/Gabrielle scenes, most likely, catapulted this hour into one of the seventeen that fans selected to be included in the 10th anniversary collection. After a master showing like “The Bitter Suite,” this ain’t half bad.
Summary is here, courtesy of whoosh.org.
As Gabrielle attempts to perfect Xena’s backflips, she strikes her foot on a rock and sustains a sprained ankle. Already bad news for what’s coming their way…a messenger, Phiddipides, says that the Persians are coming and killing everything in their path. If unchecked, they will destroy Athens and ergo Greece. Obviously it’s up to one warrior princess to save the day! Phiddipides exits to spread the news onward, and Xena comes up with a plan for creating a landslide to divert the Persian army. They come across Dorian, a disgraced Spartan soldier who ran from battle and wants to steal Argo. Xena gives him the chance to redeem himself, but when advance troops descend upon them, Dorian does nothing to help. Gabrielle, falling for his story about missing his wife and son, attempts to get him to safety, but she’s shot in the back with a poisoned dart. Xena ascertains that they can get a serum in the next town, Tripolis, and sends Dorian away with a bogus story. She’s ascertained that he’s not Spartan at all, but a Persian spy! Unfortunately that’s the least of their problems, as Tripolis and its medicines have been looted. Xena wants to abandon the mission and continue searching for a cure, but Gabrielle insists that she stand her ground and fight the Persians off. They go to an armory where the warrior princess had stockpiled some weapons during her evil days. She booby-traps the place, but her moral strength continues to wane as Gabs gets worse. Gabs remains the voice of reason, and ultimately, Xena fights the Persians and Dorian, who returns with them, gets his comeuppance. Xena finds the poison’s antidote in the Persian supplies, and Gabrielle is saved!
This episode was created, in part, to bridge some things between the Rift and the general series, methinks. Always struck me as a little silly that the incredibly serious and well-crafted “Debt” episodes were followed by something as kooky as “The King of Assassins.” :P Speaking of “The Debt,” Chin makes a big re-appearance here, sadly pronounced as “China” by Renee now, and foregoing the established worldbuilding from earlier. But that’s just being nitpicky in the grand scheme of things; much more importantly, Gabrielle asks forgiveness for her behavior in “The Debt” duology, which reminds us that “The Biter Suite” didn’t wipe the entire slate clean. The girls still have their histories, and are still flawed. One thing Xena most certainly does not have now is the ability that Lao Ma taught her, to use her mind to move matter. I’m glad that the show didn’t ignore that pre-stated piece of trivia, yanno considering that Xena is trying to defeat an army and all, but I’m even more relieved that she can’t do it anymore. That’s one step too far into Mary Sue superhero territory for me. This episode also included Xena getting the most beat up by other humans, according to the wiki, which again makes sense, because there were so many humans. I can’t suspend disbelief that she can defeat the entire Persian army AND not get a scratch on her. :P Those shoots were apparently very difficult, as they involved a lot of stunts and a LOT of cast and crew in a cramped and sweltering hut for eight days. Lucy was apparently jealous that Renee got to spend most of that time lying down. But Renee got her due when a stunt guy accidentally landed on her ankle—the exact same injury that Gabrielle sustained at the beginning of the episode (though on the opposite foot for Renee, lol.) Talk about prophecy!
Though Lucy and Renee mentioned Rob Tapert’s love of Chinese movies as inspiring this, and other episodes, RJ Stewart gave a more direct correlation to what led him to pen this one. He’s billed as the writer, and on the DVD commentaries he mentioned the Battle of Thermopylae, aka when 300 men, as led by King Leonidas (also known as Gerald Butler in the movie, 300, :P) defeated the entire Persian army. Stewart thought, well if a small group of men could accomplish that feat in so called “history,” why not our beloved warrior princess on her own? …except, of course, that the actual historical wars between the Greeks and the Persians were a little more complex than “Xena” might have us believe. Historically-inclined fans on whoosh.org sat down to give us a sparse version of what really happened…here, I’ll give an even more truncated version. :P The Persians actually lost the battle at Marathon, which in the show the Athenians and Spartans lost. Ten years later, Xerxes returned with a huge army and defeated his foes at the Thermopolaye pass/coast. Most of the Greeks withdrew, but 300 Spartans stayed and fought until the end. Not quite the same as a decisive victory, though powerful in its own way. Then the Athenians actually did abandon their city to the Persians, but the Greek fleet defeated the Persian fleet elsewhere and Xerxes went home. After that, the Greeks and the Spartans gained victories against the Persians in some key battles, and the invasion was over. So yes, these tiny Greek city-states did defeat a great empire’s army, which is enough to be made legendary through history, but it wasn’t as simple as Xena kicking some ass in a booby-trapped armory. :P Apparently, again according to whoosh.org, some Greek Xenites dislike the liberties that the show took with their history. Seems like foreshadowing for the India episodes, heh.
The show did get some things right, at least generally. Athens and Sparta did have a bit of a contentious history, so their banding together was remarkable. As mentioned, Thermopylae, where Xena stashed her weapons in the armory, was the actual site of a Greek/Persian battle. Marathon, too, was a real battle, and the character, Pheidippades, actually ran 26 miles to warn Athens about what had happened (and inadvertently leant his town’s name to an enduring sport! :P) Unfortunately, he died of exhaustion in real life, but hey, Xena did try to warn him! ;) Darius, the Persian spy, was an invention, though in somewhat similar fashion, the Persians used a traitor to get through the Thermopylae pass. Also, focusing on faulty intel again, Xena’s directions about the placement of towns was apparently way off. The girls were trying to get near Athens to block the Persian advance, but Thermopylae was apparently 90 miles away. And Tripolis, which might be Tripoli from history, lay in a different direction. It would have probably taken them a week and a half to get there from the armory, and not the one day that they hoped for before Gabrielle’s health would fail. But that’s the power of most fantasy storytelling, I guess, messing with the geographical map. To say nothing of how they flip back and forth through time, like Xena boinging around and kicking ass on that pogo stick! :P
But the strengths in this episode weren’t in the goofy humor of the booby traps or the action sequences, which Lucy said were exhaustive for this one. The thing that makes this episode stand out is the relationship it engenders between Xena and Gabrielle. Granted, we fans are in tender times after the recent, explosively antagonistic episodes of “the rift.” We wanted to see our girls heal without song and dance, and the Xenaverse delivered. They start off light-hearted, with Gabrielle trying to mimic Xena’s backflips, complete with makeshift toothpick dolls, and end on sobering notes about the most dire price of doing what’s right. Xena tries to abandon the “save the world” mission a few times—first when they can’t find the serum in Tripolis and then as Gabrielle’s condition slowly worsens (which, kudos to the makeup team for that one!) Our warrior princess comes face to face with a standard, human flaw in that she wants to stand up for what’s right until someone she loves is caught in the crossfire. Gabrielle has to remind her that it would be a disservice to her—or her memory if it comes to that—for Xena to abandon her ideals. Then, when Gabrielle is delirious, we get a callback to “Sins from the Past” from a million years ago! Gabby starts her speech where she pleads to Xena to take her with her—carries extra gravitas when we’re face to face with one of the worst outcomes to where such a life might lead. Then we go into what might be a little bit of third season retrograde, or it might have actually been what Gabrielle had intended to say if Xena hadn’t interrupted her two years previous, hee, about being gifted with prophecy. Whoah, Nelly! Not sure if I’m forgetting anything from past episodes (one of the flaws of doing this project over such a long period of time) but it certainly fits for this hour. Gabrielle’s “dream” shows some fallibility for the warrior princess, and I think that’s only appropriate, given the stakes. Even Xena shouldn’t come out easily unscathed from a multi-person fight. There have to be some stakes. (Speaking of makeup again, kudos to the sweat on Lucy’s brow! :P Unsurprisingly, they filmed the post-fight scenes at a different point than the action sequences.) My favorite parts of the relationship moments have to be when Xena responds to Gabrielle “I want to be more like you,” and Gabrielle touches her face while she’s sleeping. Made me feklempt, Gabrielle facing death with a quiet determination and Xena using her as a muse. Even Lucy and Renee commented on the power of these scenes, foregoing when they lightly mock the show’s more campy elements, hee. Subtext is certainly at play this hour, but the real gift comes in seeing, or portraying, any women in a committed relationship. It’s still a relatively rare thing to see in the media.
And finally, to end on a light note, such an action-packed episode is sure to have its gaffs! :P Here’s some highlights, thanks to the wiki and whoosh.org. Xena uses her own sword in the fight scenes…though the sword is also it in her sheath on her back. When she releases Argo, we can see the brand on the horse’s side. The cauldron of boiling oil changes from half empty when Xena drags it to Gabrielle to completely full when Gabs drops it on the Persians. And not a gaff, but a cool piece of production—we’ve seen Tripolis before, as Hower and Minya’s town in “A Day In The Life.” Like with the stock footage of warriors on horseback and the way they film the ground shaking, the “Xena” crew does really well with making the best out of limited resources! One small budget against a majestic idea, hee. :P
Disclaimer Gabrielle's ankle was harmed during the production of this motion picture.
Favorite Quotes:
Gabby has spirit; gotta give her that :P*
Xena: Gabrielle-- before I tried the flip without the staff, I made 300 attempts with it.
Gabrielle: Slow learner, huh, Xena? I had that problem with basket-weaving.
*As always, Xena tests modern medical theories by using her chakram. Gotta wonder how she’ll get the ice cold water, though. :P*
Xena: Gabrielle, look out! Hit the dirt! *as Gabby drops to the ground, Xena uses her chakram to cut off her friend’s boot*
Gabrielle: Ahh! Why did you do that?
Xena: A new theory on testing for sprains. Elevation—and ice-cold water.
Gabrielle: Yeah, well I'm not very thirsty.
Xena: Sit down.
Gabrielle: Now you owe me a nice pair of boots.
*Pheidippides introduces the plot!*
Pheidippides: You, there! Run for your lives.
Xena: Why? What's going on?
Pheidippides: "A huge army-- landed two nights ago-- and a fleet of tall ships--
foreign—laid waste to our troups in Marathon. They're headed this way-- on a forced march for Athens.
Xena: Tall ships-- three masts?
Pheidippides: Yes.
Xena: A double row of oarsmen.
Pheidippides: That's right.
Xena: Persians.
Gabrielle: Have you fought these guys before?
Xena: Gabrielle, over that mountain is the most ruthless army ever to take up weapons. If they reach Athens, Greece is lost.
Gabrielle: What are we going to do?
Xena: Stop them.
*the Xenaverse plays a little bit with Pheidippides’s history*
Gabrielle: The Spartans were fighting at Marathon, alongside the Greeks? That's a first.
Pheidippides: Unfortunately, they were slaughtered. They fought bravely, but--they were so outnumbered, they-- never had a chance.
Xena: Persians will swarm through this land like man-eating locusts. We'd better move quickly.
Pheidippides: I've never seen such an attack. The sky was so thick with arrows, you couldn't see the sun.
Xena: Someone had better warn the Athenians. *Gabrielle groans* Pheidippides-- can you run on to Athens and tell them about Marathon?
Pheidippides: Yes.
Xena: Good. Pace yourself. In this heat, a run like that could kill you.
*also using convenient dialogue to advance the plot! :P*
Gabrielle: Go on, say it. We'd move a lot faster if I hadn't tried that.
Xena: Tried what?
Gabrielle: The flip?
Xena: *realizing something* Oh, the pass.
Gabrielle: The pass?
Xena: The pass at Thermopylae-- that's the answer.
Gabrielle: What's the question?
Xena: That's the shortest route from Marathon. The Persians have to go through there, so it's the best place to stop them.
*sidestepping superpowers from Chin, and setting up their first plan*
Gabrielle: Xena-- what about that thing that you did in China? You know? That power that you had-- it could destroy an entire army.
Xena: I wish I could still call it up, but, that took a purity of essence that-- well, it's gone now.
Gabrielle: Has it occurred to you that-- well, maybe the landslide will only delay them? I mean, what if the Persians just go around the mountain, and continue on to Athens?
Xena: Then we'll have them exactly where we want them.
Gabrielle: "Where?"
Xena: Tripolis. I used to keep a secret armory in the area. If we're lucky the weapons will still be there. Wel'll be ready for 'em.
Gabrielle: We? As in you and me? The two of us?
Xena: As in you, me, and the Tripolis militia.
*Introduction to Dorian; Gabs is still thinking about those backflips :P*
Dorian: Give up the horse-- or the last thing you see will be your heart in my hand.
Xena: I don't give up my heart to just anyone. You've been following us for
the last half an hour. All that time for this move?
Dorian: *gesturing to Gabrielle* Help her down, or I will!
Xena: All right-- I can see you're obviously pressed for time.
Gabrielle: *as Xena flips over Dorian, Gabs is calculating* Right foot first.
*Dorian’s sob story*
Dorian: I am a Spartan! I fought at Marathon! When my commander saw we were losing, he sent me to find a fall-back position! Unfortunately, my horse came up lame, and I had to kill him!
Gabrielle: Don't get any ideas.
Dorian: "I wanted your horse to finish my mission-- and get this treated. *shows off back wound*
Gabrielle: It's pretty bad.
Xena: It's only a flesh wound. I can dress it. Did you get that running from battle?
Dorian: Spartans don't run.
Xena: Oh, I know-- they fight to the death. *tosses his sword to Gabrielle* Not a nick on it. You're a deserter, aren't you?
Dorian: No-no-no-no-- I, s-- I swear, on my father's life!
Xena: Oh, a coward and a liar-- your father must be proud.
Dorian: All right, all right! I admit it! I ran! I abandoned my people to slaughter. I'm a disgrace to my homeland!
Gabrielle: Everybody feels fear.
Xena: But we don't all run. If we did, there'd be no home left to run to. I'm offering you a chance to redeem yourself. Join us.
*a little bit of subtle foreshadowing into Dorian’s true identity, and how Xena plans to use it*
Gabrielle: Xena has a plan to stop them.
Dorian: You do?
Xena: Yeah, and you'll fit into it nicely.
*dropping mystery identity clues for later, and drawing empathetic Gabrielle into his narrative*
Gabrielle: What village in Sparta are you from, Dorian?
Dorian: Mizola-- the most beautiful village in the Peloponnese.
Xena: Oh, yeah, yeah-- that's famous for that waterfall-- 70 feet high.
Dorian: Yes-- I pray that I one day see that waterfall again-- and my wife and son, Zacheris. Wonder what he'll think of me when he discovers his father is a coward.
Gabrielle: You can change. He doesn't have to know about the one time that you failed.
Dorian: What if I fail again?
*alas, assisting the “helpless” isn’t always the best thing to do*
Gabrielle: Dorian! Dorian, snap out of it! Dorian-- fight or take refuge! Come on! Come on! *attempts to move him away, and is struck by poisonous arrow*
*the poison makes need for a slight alteration in Xena’s plan*
Dorian: *about a poultice being applied to Gabrielle* Will it get the poison out?
Xena: No-- it's already moving through her system.
Dorian: Why did you come back for me?
Gabrielle: I wanted you to see that waterfall-- and your son Zacheris.
Dorian: I'm sorry I froze. I guess I came up short again, huh? Can we still execute your plan?
Xena: Don't you worry about my plan.
Gabrielle: Dorian's right to be concerned, Xena. Why don't you leave me and go on ahead?
Xena: The advance scouts travel a day ahead of the main force, so we still have time.
Gabrielle: Be honest with me Xena. How bad is this poison.
Xena: It didn't hit a main artery. This poultice will delay the effects until we can get to Tripolis and treat it with a serum. By tomorrow, you'll be trying those flips again-- with a staff.
*Xena gets rid of Dorian, lets Gabs know his true identity, and the new plan is underway!*
Xena: Look-- I need you to come through for me, now more than ever. With Gabrielle injured, we're moving too slowly. I need you to run ahead to Tripolis.
Dorian: Anything-- anything at all.
Xena: I need you to tell the head of the militia to get his men ready to meet me. There's been a landslide at the pass at Thermopylae--
Dorian: The pass is blocked? Then there's hope! You didn't tell me that!
Xena: Well, you better get moving. It's risky-- there may be more Persian scouts ahead.
Dorian: Thanks for giving me another chance. I'll see you later—with help. This time, no amount of fear will stop me from doing my duty.
Gabrielle: Make your son proud-- be careful.
Dorian: OK.
Gabrielle: *after he’s gone* I think you might have changed him.
Xena: Hmm.
Gabrielle: I don't understand-- there's no landslide at the pass.
Xena: And there's no waterfall at Mizola.
Gabrielle: What?
Xena: Spartans, from the age of 8, carry around a wooden stake. They're constantly squeezing it between their hands to harden them. When I helped him up this morning, I noticed there were only a few calluses on his sword hand. He's no Spartan.
Gabrielle: Then where is he from?
Xena: Persia-- he's a spy.
Gabrielle: But-- he has a wound.
Xena: One of his fellow Persians gave him that to make his story more convincing. Right now, he's rushing back to tell them there's been a landslide.
Gabrielle: So that we don't have to do it. The army will be diverted anyway.
Xena: Right into us and the the militia. Now, let's get you to Tripolis and get you treated.
*slight hiccups in the new plan :/*
Gabrielle: What is this place?
Xena: Tripolis-- or what's left of it.
Gabrielle: Hmm. *coughs* Everybody's fled.
Xena: The militia razed their own town. They didn't want to leave anything behind for the Persians.
*will Xena stick to her guns? Part One :P*
Gabrielle: No serum. No militia. You know, Xena, they say that bad things come
in threes. How about that armory, huh? *coughs*
Xena: We're not staying here. We're moving on to Thessaly after all. They'll have medicine there.
Gabrielle: No, just wait.
Xena: We can take the back roads.
Gabrielle: But your plan? Dorian would have told the Persians about Thermopylae
*coughs*. That means that they'll be heading here, and you've promised the people that-- you will slow them down-- right? So, let's, let's take care of that first."
Xena: No-- first, the serum. We can get back in time to--
Gabrielle: Xena, we can't make it back in time to slow down the Persians. And if we can't stop them while the Athenians are moving up, then Athens is going to fall. How long do I have? *Xena gives grave expression* Well, we'll just have to stand and fight now, won't we? Tomorrow, we'll go to Thessaly. It's a chance that we have to take.
*talk starts to get real in the armory*
Xena: Not too shabby for three years. I hid these here in case I ever had another army. Didn't think I'd need them again.
Gabrielle: I didn't know that I qualified as an army.
Xena: *whispers* OK.
Gabrielle: Xena-- in case this poison starts spreading faster-- I do have a last request.
Xena: You can tell me about it later-- years from now, when we're old and gray.
Gabrielle: Oh-- that's funny. Really, uh-- after you've slowed down the
Persians, if I can't make it, I want you to save yourself. I don't want to be a burden to you.
Xena: I can't promise that.
Gabrielle: We're all gonna die, eventually.
Xena: Not today. Look, Gabrielle-- I know it's bad, but we've survived worse, right?
*at least Gabby still has her sense of humor :P*
Gabrielle: The Persians are out there, aren't they?
Xena: Yes.
Gabrielle: How many campfires?
Xena: 30 or 40.
Gabrielle: 10 men or so per fire. That's good. For a minute there, I thought we were in trouble.
*…but let’s up the stakes, shall we? :/*
[Coughs]
Gabrielle: *coughs* My chest feels so he-- heavy. *Xena brushes Gabby’s lips with her finger* What?
Xena: Blood. The arrow must've grazed your lung. The poison--
Gabrielle: I just ran out of time didn't I?
*Will Xena stick to her guns? Part Two :P*
Gabrielle: *coughs* That doesn't look like a weapon.
Xena: It's not. It's a litter. I'm putting you on it and getting you outta here.
Gabrielle: Why? Did the Persians pull back? Xena-- you can't do this. You can't leave-- not if they're still out there. You're the only one.
Xena: Gabrielle, quiet!
Gabrielle: Look, I know what you're doing. You can't. If you don't hold them up--
Xena: I am not going to let you die. I can still get you to Thessaly and the antidote.
Gabrielle: And then what? What happens to Athens? What's my life worth then?
Xena: First things first.
Gabrielle: The first thing is the greater good-- you taught me that. You taught me that there are things in life worth dying for-- things that hold a higher meaning than our own existence.
Xena: Not your existence.
Gabrielle: Why? 'Cause I'm your friend?
Xena: Yes!
Gabrielle: Well then, honor my memory. We both know that I'm right. This is right. Xena, promise me-- promise me that you will not leave this battle because of me.
*Gabrielle’s new, delirious speech from the series premiere*
Gabrielle: You've got to take me with you-- teach me everything you now. You can't leave me here in Poteidaia. I wanna go with you. I've studied the stars—spoken with philosophers-- and I have the gift of prophecy. I can be very valuable to you. Take me with you. I want so much to be like you.
Xena: *tearing up* And I want to be like you.
*will Xena stick to her guns? Part Three :P Last part is kinda thematic about their enduring relationship*
Gabrielle: Xena?
Xena: We're leaving.
Gabrielle: I thought that we agreed.
Xena: I changed my mind.
Gabrielle: There's no other way.
Xena: There has got to be another way! I'm going to get us out of this.
Gabrielle: It's too late for me.
Xena: I don't accept defeat. There are always choices. I'm done paying for my past mistakes. My responsibility now is you.
Gabrielle: Don't.
Xena: Don't argue with me now.
Gabrielle: Don't you argue with me! I know that I'm going to die—I accept that.
Why can't you? A long time ago, I accepted the consequences of our life together--that it might one day come to this. It has. I'm not afraid.
Xena: You always said that I was the brave one. Look at you now. If this is to be our destiny, let's see it out together. Even in death, Gabrielle—I will never leave you.
*I’m with Xena on this one. There’s more ways to live a useful, worthy life than just being a warrior*
Xena: Here-- I have a poultice ready for you.
Gabrielle: No, please, don't-- don't bother with that. I can't fight. I can't be of any help to you, so please-- I'm just distracting you.
Xena: But you're my source, Gabrielle. When I reach down inside myself and do things that I'm not capable of, it's because of you. Don't you know that by now?
*concerning prophetic dreams—and making amends for some final holdover from “the rift.” Though personally, I’ve always been sympathetic towards Gabrielle’s intentions in Chin. :P*
Gabrielle: Watch out for a man with a double-edged sword.
Xena: What?
Gabrielle: I had a dream-- and he came through the roof. Just be careful.
Xena: Always looking out for me, huh?
Gabrielle: Always. Xena? About China-- I hope you know I never meant to hurt you. I only did what I thought was right.
Xena: Gabrielle, that's all in the past. All I want is to be with you right now. You're my best friend-- my family. I love you, Gabrielle.
Gabrielle: I love you, Xena.
Xena: Till the other side, then-- we'll be together.
*Dorian thinks he’s clever. X( Xena isn’t feeling too generous towards him or his army*
Dorian: *standing over prone Gabrielle with a knife* Told you I'd be back-- with help.
Xena: *after fighting and stabbing him with an arrow* Poison-- just like Gabrielle. I'm going to let you die quicker—but with much more pain. *more fighting, while Dorian crawls towards a specific wineskin…* That's right, crawl. Crawl for your stinking life! Yah! Down! Down! You feeling better, now that you found your medicine? *continues fighting Persians, and makes sure to keep her hand on the antidote* Go home-- there are thousands more like me!
*somewhat of a quintessential “Xena” ending—bad is vanquished, and we return to mentioning the happier times at the beginning of the ep. D’aww, good ol’ pre-rift show. <3*
Gabrielle: *coughs* I thought that you said those guys were tough.
Xena: Must have caught them on an off day.
Gabrielle: You're hurt.
Xena: No, I'm all right. Hmm, you just get some sleep. We'll be heading out in a few hours.
Gabrielle: Xena?
Xena: Hmm?
Gabrielle: When we get to Thessaly-- you still owe me a new pair of boots.
The history is more fiction than reality, as we jump from the time of Julius Caesar back to the second or third Persian Wars in Greece. Whoosh.org points out how different events from this episode came from different wars. Either way, we’re talking a couple hundred years back, BCE. There’s also a lot of goofs this episode, as catalogued by whoosh and the wiki.
At the same time, it has a lot of heart. It featured one of the biggest action sequences on the show, so you can’t say they didn’t try to make it at least somewhat convincing. And the strength of the Xena/Gabrielle scenes, most likely, catapulted this hour into one of the seventeen that fans selected to be included in the 10th anniversary collection. After a master showing like “The Bitter Suite,” this ain’t half bad.
Summary is here, courtesy of whoosh.org.
As Gabrielle attempts to perfect Xena’s backflips, she strikes her foot on a rock and sustains a sprained ankle. Already bad news for what’s coming their way…a messenger, Phiddipides, says that the Persians are coming and killing everything in their path. If unchecked, they will destroy Athens and ergo Greece. Obviously it’s up to one warrior princess to save the day! Phiddipides exits to spread the news onward, and Xena comes up with a plan for creating a landslide to divert the Persian army. They come across Dorian, a disgraced Spartan soldier who ran from battle and wants to steal Argo. Xena gives him the chance to redeem himself, but when advance troops descend upon them, Dorian does nothing to help. Gabrielle, falling for his story about missing his wife and son, attempts to get him to safety, but she’s shot in the back with a poisoned dart. Xena ascertains that they can get a serum in the next town, Tripolis, and sends Dorian away with a bogus story. She’s ascertained that he’s not Spartan at all, but a Persian spy! Unfortunately that’s the least of their problems, as Tripolis and its medicines have been looted. Xena wants to abandon the mission and continue searching for a cure, but Gabrielle insists that she stand her ground and fight the Persians off. They go to an armory where the warrior princess had stockpiled some weapons during her evil days. She booby-traps the place, but her moral strength continues to wane as Gabs gets worse. Gabs remains the voice of reason, and ultimately, Xena fights the Persians and Dorian, who returns with them, gets his comeuppance. Xena finds the poison’s antidote in the Persian supplies, and Gabrielle is saved!
This episode was created, in part, to bridge some things between the Rift and the general series, methinks. Always struck me as a little silly that the incredibly serious and well-crafted “Debt” episodes were followed by something as kooky as “The King of Assassins.” :P Speaking of “The Debt,” Chin makes a big re-appearance here, sadly pronounced as “China” by Renee now, and foregoing the established worldbuilding from earlier. But that’s just being nitpicky in the grand scheme of things; much more importantly, Gabrielle asks forgiveness for her behavior in “The Debt” duology, which reminds us that “The Biter Suite” didn’t wipe the entire slate clean. The girls still have their histories, and are still flawed. One thing Xena most certainly does not have now is the ability that Lao Ma taught her, to use her mind to move matter. I’m glad that the show didn’t ignore that pre-stated piece of trivia, yanno considering that Xena is trying to defeat an army and all, but I’m even more relieved that she can’t do it anymore. That’s one step too far into Mary Sue superhero territory for me. This episode also included Xena getting the most beat up by other humans, according to the wiki, which again makes sense, because there were so many humans. I can’t suspend disbelief that she can defeat the entire Persian army AND not get a scratch on her. :P Those shoots were apparently very difficult, as they involved a lot of stunts and a LOT of cast and crew in a cramped and sweltering hut for eight days. Lucy was apparently jealous that Renee got to spend most of that time lying down. But Renee got her due when a stunt guy accidentally landed on her ankle—the exact same injury that Gabrielle sustained at the beginning of the episode (though on the opposite foot for Renee, lol.) Talk about prophecy!
Though Lucy and Renee mentioned Rob Tapert’s love of Chinese movies as inspiring this, and other episodes, RJ Stewart gave a more direct correlation to what led him to pen this one. He’s billed as the writer, and on the DVD commentaries he mentioned the Battle of Thermopylae, aka when 300 men, as led by King Leonidas (also known as Gerald Butler in the movie, 300, :P) defeated the entire Persian army. Stewart thought, well if a small group of men could accomplish that feat in so called “history,” why not our beloved warrior princess on her own? …except, of course, that the actual historical wars between the Greeks and the Persians were a little more complex than “Xena” might have us believe. Historically-inclined fans on whoosh.org sat down to give us a sparse version of what really happened…here, I’ll give an even more truncated version. :P The Persians actually lost the battle at Marathon, which in the show the Athenians and Spartans lost. Ten years later, Xerxes returned with a huge army and defeated his foes at the Thermopolaye pass/coast. Most of the Greeks withdrew, but 300 Spartans stayed and fought until the end. Not quite the same as a decisive victory, though powerful in its own way. Then the Athenians actually did abandon their city to the Persians, but the Greek fleet defeated the Persian fleet elsewhere and Xerxes went home. After that, the Greeks and the Spartans gained victories against the Persians in some key battles, and the invasion was over. So yes, these tiny Greek city-states did defeat a great empire’s army, which is enough to be made legendary through history, but it wasn’t as simple as Xena kicking some ass in a booby-trapped armory. :P Apparently, again according to whoosh.org, some Greek Xenites dislike the liberties that the show took with their history. Seems like foreshadowing for the India episodes, heh.
The show did get some things right, at least generally. Athens and Sparta did have a bit of a contentious history, so their banding together was remarkable. As mentioned, Thermopylae, where Xena stashed her weapons in the armory, was the actual site of a Greek/Persian battle. Marathon, too, was a real battle, and the character, Pheidippades, actually ran 26 miles to warn Athens about what had happened (and inadvertently leant his town’s name to an enduring sport! :P) Unfortunately, he died of exhaustion in real life, but hey, Xena did try to warn him! ;) Darius, the Persian spy, was an invention, though in somewhat similar fashion, the Persians used a traitor to get through the Thermopylae pass. Also, focusing on faulty intel again, Xena’s directions about the placement of towns was apparently way off. The girls were trying to get near Athens to block the Persian advance, but Thermopylae was apparently 90 miles away. And Tripolis, which might be Tripoli from history, lay in a different direction. It would have probably taken them a week and a half to get there from the armory, and not the one day that they hoped for before Gabrielle’s health would fail. But that’s the power of most fantasy storytelling, I guess, messing with the geographical map. To say nothing of how they flip back and forth through time, like Xena boinging around and kicking ass on that pogo stick! :P
But the strengths in this episode weren’t in the goofy humor of the booby traps or the action sequences, which Lucy said were exhaustive for this one. The thing that makes this episode stand out is the relationship it engenders between Xena and Gabrielle. Granted, we fans are in tender times after the recent, explosively antagonistic episodes of “the rift.” We wanted to see our girls heal without song and dance, and the Xenaverse delivered. They start off light-hearted, with Gabrielle trying to mimic Xena’s backflips, complete with makeshift toothpick dolls, and end on sobering notes about the most dire price of doing what’s right. Xena tries to abandon the “save the world” mission a few times—first when they can’t find the serum in Tripolis and then as Gabrielle’s condition slowly worsens (which, kudos to the makeup team for that one!) Our warrior princess comes face to face with a standard, human flaw in that she wants to stand up for what’s right until someone she loves is caught in the crossfire. Gabrielle has to remind her that it would be a disservice to her—or her memory if it comes to that—for Xena to abandon her ideals. Then, when Gabrielle is delirious, we get a callback to “Sins from the Past” from a million years ago! Gabby starts her speech where she pleads to Xena to take her with her—carries extra gravitas when we’re face to face with one of the worst outcomes to where such a life might lead. Then we go into what might be a little bit of third season retrograde, or it might have actually been what Gabrielle had intended to say if Xena hadn’t interrupted her two years previous, hee, about being gifted with prophecy. Whoah, Nelly! Not sure if I’m forgetting anything from past episodes (one of the flaws of doing this project over such a long period of time) but it certainly fits for this hour. Gabrielle’s “dream” shows some fallibility for the warrior princess, and I think that’s only appropriate, given the stakes. Even Xena shouldn’t come out easily unscathed from a multi-person fight. There have to be some stakes. (Speaking of makeup again, kudos to the sweat on Lucy’s brow! :P Unsurprisingly, they filmed the post-fight scenes at a different point than the action sequences.) My favorite parts of the relationship moments have to be when Xena responds to Gabrielle “I want to be more like you,” and Gabrielle touches her face while she’s sleeping. Made me feklempt, Gabrielle facing death with a quiet determination and Xena using her as a muse. Even Lucy and Renee commented on the power of these scenes, foregoing when they lightly mock the show’s more campy elements, hee. Subtext is certainly at play this hour, but the real gift comes in seeing, or portraying, any women in a committed relationship. It’s still a relatively rare thing to see in the media.
And finally, to end on a light note, such an action-packed episode is sure to have its gaffs! :P Here’s some highlights, thanks to the wiki and whoosh.org. Xena uses her own sword in the fight scenes…though the sword is also it in her sheath on her back. When she releases Argo, we can see the brand on the horse’s side. The cauldron of boiling oil changes from half empty when Xena drags it to Gabrielle to completely full when Gabs drops it on the Persians. And not a gaff, but a cool piece of production—we’ve seen Tripolis before, as Hower and Minya’s town in “A Day In The Life.” Like with the stock footage of warriors on horseback and the way they film the ground shaking, the “Xena” crew does really well with making the best out of limited resources! One small budget against a majestic idea, hee. :P
Disclaimer Gabrielle's ankle was harmed during the production of this motion picture.
Favorite Quotes:
Gabby has spirit; gotta give her that :P*
Xena: Gabrielle-- before I tried the flip without the staff, I made 300 attempts with it.
Gabrielle: Slow learner, huh, Xena? I had that problem with basket-weaving.
*As always, Xena tests modern medical theories by using her chakram. Gotta wonder how she’ll get the ice cold water, though. :P*
Xena: Gabrielle, look out! Hit the dirt! *as Gabby drops to the ground, Xena uses her chakram to cut off her friend’s boot*
Gabrielle: Ahh! Why did you do that?
Xena: A new theory on testing for sprains. Elevation—and ice-cold water.
Gabrielle: Yeah, well I'm not very thirsty.
Xena: Sit down.
Gabrielle: Now you owe me a nice pair of boots.
*Pheidippides introduces the plot!*
Pheidippides: You, there! Run for your lives.
Xena: Why? What's going on?
Pheidippides: "A huge army-- landed two nights ago-- and a fleet of tall ships--
foreign—laid waste to our troups in Marathon. They're headed this way-- on a forced march for Athens.
Xena: Tall ships-- three masts?
Pheidippides: Yes.
Xena: A double row of oarsmen.
Pheidippides: That's right.
Xena: Persians.
Gabrielle: Have you fought these guys before?
Xena: Gabrielle, over that mountain is the most ruthless army ever to take up weapons. If they reach Athens, Greece is lost.
Gabrielle: What are we going to do?
Xena: Stop them.
*the Xenaverse plays a little bit with Pheidippides’s history*
Gabrielle: The Spartans were fighting at Marathon, alongside the Greeks? That's a first.
Pheidippides: Unfortunately, they were slaughtered. They fought bravely, but--they were so outnumbered, they-- never had a chance.
Xena: Persians will swarm through this land like man-eating locusts. We'd better move quickly.
Pheidippides: I've never seen such an attack. The sky was so thick with arrows, you couldn't see the sun.
Xena: Someone had better warn the Athenians. *Gabrielle groans* Pheidippides-- can you run on to Athens and tell them about Marathon?
Pheidippides: Yes.
Xena: Good. Pace yourself. In this heat, a run like that could kill you.
*also using convenient dialogue to advance the plot! :P*
Gabrielle: Go on, say it. We'd move a lot faster if I hadn't tried that.
Xena: Tried what?
Gabrielle: The flip?
Xena: *realizing something* Oh, the pass.
Gabrielle: The pass?
Xena: The pass at Thermopylae-- that's the answer.
Gabrielle: What's the question?
Xena: That's the shortest route from Marathon. The Persians have to go through there, so it's the best place to stop them.
*sidestepping superpowers from Chin, and setting up their first plan*
Gabrielle: Xena-- what about that thing that you did in China? You know? That power that you had-- it could destroy an entire army.
Xena: I wish I could still call it up, but, that took a purity of essence that-- well, it's gone now.
Gabrielle: Has it occurred to you that-- well, maybe the landslide will only delay them? I mean, what if the Persians just go around the mountain, and continue on to Athens?
Xena: Then we'll have them exactly where we want them.
Gabrielle: "Where?"
Xena: Tripolis. I used to keep a secret armory in the area. If we're lucky the weapons will still be there. Wel'll be ready for 'em.
Gabrielle: We? As in you and me? The two of us?
Xena: As in you, me, and the Tripolis militia.
*Introduction to Dorian; Gabs is still thinking about those backflips :P*
Dorian: Give up the horse-- or the last thing you see will be your heart in my hand.
Xena: I don't give up my heart to just anyone. You've been following us for
the last half an hour. All that time for this move?
Dorian: *gesturing to Gabrielle* Help her down, or I will!
Xena: All right-- I can see you're obviously pressed for time.
Gabrielle: *as Xena flips over Dorian, Gabs is calculating* Right foot first.
*Dorian’s sob story*
Dorian: I am a Spartan! I fought at Marathon! When my commander saw we were losing, he sent me to find a fall-back position! Unfortunately, my horse came up lame, and I had to kill him!
Gabrielle: Don't get any ideas.
Dorian: "I wanted your horse to finish my mission-- and get this treated. *shows off back wound*
Gabrielle: It's pretty bad.
Xena: It's only a flesh wound. I can dress it. Did you get that running from battle?
Dorian: Spartans don't run.
Xena: Oh, I know-- they fight to the death. *tosses his sword to Gabrielle* Not a nick on it. You're a deserter, aren't you?
Dorian: No-no-no-no-- I, s-- I swear, on my father's life!
Xena: Oh, a coward and a liar-- your father must be proud.
Dorian: All right, all right! I admit it! I ran! I abandoned my people to slaughter. I'm a disgrace to my homeland!
Gabrielle: Everybody feels fear.
Xena: But we don't all run. If we did, there'd be no home left to run to. I'm offering you a chance to redeem yourself. Join us.
*a little bit of subtle foreshadowing into Dorian’s true identity, and how Xena plans to use it*
Gabrielle: Xena has a plan to stop them.
Dorian: You do?
Xena: Yeah, and you'll fit into it nicely.
*dropping mystery identity clues for later, and drawing empathetic Gabrielle into his narrative*
Gabrielle: What village in Sparta are you from, Dorian?
Dorian: Mizola-- the most beautiful village in the Peloponnese.
Xena: Oh, yeah, yeah-- that's famous for that waterfall-- 70 feet high.
Dorian: Yes-- I pray that I one day see that waterfall again-- and my wife and son, Zacheris. Wonder what he'll think of me when he discovers his father is a coward.
Gabrielle: You can change. He doesn't have to know about the one time that you failed.
Dorian: What if I fail again?
*alas, assisting the “helpless” isn’t always the best thing to do*
Gabrielle: Dorian! Dorian, snap out of it! Dorian-- fight or take refuge! Come on! Come on! *attempts to move him away, and is struck by poisonous arrow*
*the poison makes need for a slight alteration in Xena’s plan*
Dorian: *about a poultice being applied to Gabrielle* Will it get the poison out?
Xena: No-- it's already moving through her system.
Dorian: Why did you come back for me?
Gabrielle: I wanted you to see that waterfall-- and your son Zacheris.
Dorian: I'm sorry I froze. I guess I came up short again, huh? Can we still execute your plan?
Xena: Don't you worry about my plan.
Gabrielle: Dorian's right to be concerned, Xena. Why don't you leave me and go on ahead?
Xena: The advance scouts travel a day ahead of the main force, so we still have time.
Gabrielle: Be honest with me Xena. How bad is this poison.
Xena: It didn't hit a main artery. This poultice will delay the effects until we can get to Tripolis and treat it with a serum. By tomorrow, you'll be trying those flips again-- with a staff.
*Xena gets rid of Dorian, lets Gabs know his true identity, and the new plan is underway!*
Xena: Look-- I need you to come through for me, now more than ever. With Gabrielle injured, we're moving too slowly. I need you to run ahead to Tripolis.
Dorian: Anything-- anything at all.
Xena: I need you to tell the head of the militia to get his men ready to meet me. There's been a landslide at the pass at Thermopylae--
Dorian: The pass is blocked? Then there's hope! You didn't tell me that!
Xena: Well, you better get moving. It's risky-- there may be more Persian scouts ahead.
Dorian: Thanks for giving me another chance. I'll see you later—with help. This time, no amount of fear will stop me from doing my duty.
Gabrielle: Make your son proud-- be careful.
Dorian: OK.
Gabrielle: *after he’s gone* I think you might have changed him.
Xena: Hmm.
Gabrielle: I don't understand-- there's no landslide at the pass.
Xena: And there's no waterfall at Mizola.
Gabrielle: What?
Xena: Spartans, from the age of 8, carry around a wooden stake. They're constantly squeezing it between their hands to harden them. When I helped him up this morning, I noticed there were only a few calluses on his sword hand. He's no Spartan.
Gabrielle: Then where is he from?
Xena: Persia-- he's a spy.
Gabrielle: But-- he has a wound.
Xena: One of his fellow Persians gave him that to make his story more convincing. Right now, he's rushing back to tell them there's been a landslide.
Gabrielle: So that we don't have to do it. The army will be diverted anyway.
Xena: Right into us and the the militia. Now, let's get you to Tripolis and get you treated.
*slight hiccups in the new plan :/*
Gabrielle: What is this place?
Xena: Tripolis-- or what's left of it.
Gabrielle: Hmm. *coughs* Everybody's fled.
Xena: The militia razed their own town. They didn't want to leave anything behind for the Persians.
*will Xena stick to her guns? Part One :P*
Gabrielle: No serum. No militia. You know, Xena, they say that bad things come
in threes. How about that armory, huh? *coughs*
Xena: We're not staying here. We're moving on to Thessaly after all. They'll have medicine there.
Gabrielle: No, just wait.
Xena: We can take the back roads.
Gabrielle: But your plan? Dorian would have told the Persians about Thermopylae
*coughs*. That means that they'll be heading here, and you've promised the people that-- you will slow them down-- right? So, let's, let's take care of that first."
Xena: No-- first, the serum. We can get back in time to--
Gabrielle: Xena, we can't make it back in time to slow down the Persians. And if we can't stop them while the Athenians are moving up, then Athens is going to fall. How long do I have? *Xena gives grave expression* Well, we'll just have to stand and fight now, won't we? Tomorrow, we'll go to Thessaly. It's a chance that we have to take.
*talk starts to get real in the armory*
Xena: Not too shabby for three years. I hid these here in case I ever had another army. Didn't think I'd need them again.
Gabrielle: I didn't know that I qualified as an army.
Xena: *whispers* OK.
Gabrielle: Xena-- in case this poison starts spreading faster-- I do have a last request.
Xena: You can tell me about it later-- years from now, when we're old and gray.
Gabrielle: Oh-- that's funny. Really, uh-- after you've slowed down the
Persians, if I can't make it, I want you to save yourself. I don't want to be a burden to you.
Xena: I can't promise that.
Gabrielle: We're all gonna die, eventually.
Xena: Not today. Look, Gabrielle-- I know it's bad, but we've survived worse, right?
*at least Gabby still has her sense of humor :P*
Gabrielle: The Persians are out there, aren't they?
Xena: Yes.
Gabrielle: How many campfires?
Xena: 30 or 40.
Gabrielle: 10 men or so per fire. That's good. For a minute there, I thought we were in trouble.
*…but let’s up the stakes, shall we? :/*
[Coughs]
Gabrielle: *coughs* My chest feels so he-- heavy. *Xena brushes Gabby’s lips with her finger* What?
Xena: Blood. The arrow must've grazed your lung. The poison--
Gabrielle: I just ran out of time didn't I?
*Will Xena stick to her guns? Part Two :P*
Gabrielle: *coughs* That doesn't look like a weapon.
Xena: It's not. It's a litter. I'm putting you on it and getting you outta here.
Gabrielle: Why? Did the Persians pull back? Xena-- you can't do this. You can't leave-- not if they're still out there. You're the only one.
Xena: Gabrielle, quiet!
Gabrielle: Look, I know what you're doing. You can't. If you don't hold them up--
Xena: I am not going to let you die. I can still get you to Thessaly and the antidote.
Gabrielle: And then what? What happens to Athens? What's my life worth then?
Xena: First things first.
Gabrielle: The first thing is the greater good-- you taught me that. You taught me that there are things in life worth dying for-- things that hold a higher meaning than our own existence.
Xena: Not your existence.
Gabrielle: Why? 'Cause I'm your friend?
Xena: Yes!
Gabrielle: Well then, honor my memory. We both know that I'm right. This is right. Xena, promise me-- promise me that you will not leave this battle because of me.
*Gabrielle’s new, delirious speech from the series premiere*
Gabrielle: You've got to take me with you-- teach me everything you now. You can't leave me here in Poteidaia. I wanna go with you. I've studied the stars—spoken with philosophers-- and I have the gift of prophecy. I can be very valuable to you. Take me with you. I want so much to be like you.
Xena: *tearing up* And I want to be like you.
*will Xena stick to her guns? Part Three :P Last part is kinda thematic about their enduring relationship*
Gabrielle: Xena?
Xena: We're leaving.
Gabrielle: I thought that we agreed.
Xena: I changed my mind.
Gabrielle: There's no other way.
Xena: There has got to be another way! I'm going to get us out of this.
Gabrielle: It's too late for me.
Xena: I don't accept defeat. There are always choices. I'm done paying for my past mistakes. My responsibility now is you.
Gabrielle: Don't.
Xena: Don't argue with me now.
Gabrielle: Don't you argue with me! I know that I'm going to die—I accept that.
Why can't you? A long time ago, I accepted the consequences of our life together--that it might one day come to this. It has. I'm not afraid.
Xena: You always said that I was the brave one. Look at you now. If this is to be our destiny, let's see it out together. Even in death, Gabrielle—I will never leave you.
*I’m with Xena on this one. There’s more ways to live a useful, worthy life than just being a warrior*
Xena: Here-- I have a poultice ready for you.
Gabrielle: No, please, don't-- don't bother with that. I can't fight. I can't be of any help to you, so please-- I'm just distracting you.
Xena: But you're my source, Gabrielle. When I reach down inside myself and do things that I'm not capable of, it's because of you. Don't you know that by now?
*concerning prophetic dreams—and making amends for some final holdover from “the rift.” Though personally, I’ve always been sympathetic towards Gabrielle’s intentions in Chin. :P*
Gabrielle: Watch out for a man with a double-edged sword.
Xena: What?
Gabrielle: I had a dream-- and he came through the roof. Just be careful.
Xena: Always looking out for me, huh?
Gabrielle: Always. Xena? About China-- I hope you know I never meant to hurt you. I only did what I thought was right.
Xena: Gabrielle, that's all in the past. All I want is to be with you right now. You're my best friend-- my family. I love you, Gabrielle.
Gabrielle: I love you, Xena.
Xena: Till the other side, then-- we'll be together.
*Dorian thinks he’s clever. X( Xena isn’t feeling too generous towards him or his army*
Dorian: *standing over prone Gabrielle with a knife* Told you I'd be back-- with help.
Xena: *after fighting and stabbing him with an arrow* Poison-- just like Gabrielle. I'm going to let you die quicker—but with much more pain. *more fighting, while Dorian crawls towards a specific wineskin…* That's right, crawl. Crawl for your stinking life! Yah! Down! Down! You feeling better, now that you found your medicine? *continues fighting Persians, and makes sure to keep her hand on the antidote* Go home-- there are thousands more like me!
*somewhat of a quintessential “Xena” ending—bad is vanquished, and we return to mentioning the happier times at the beginning of the ep. D’aww, good ol’ pre-rift show. <3*
Gabrielle: *coughs* I thought that you said those guys were tough.
Xena: Must have caught them on an off day.
Gabrielle: You're hurt.
Xena: No, I'm all right. Hmm, you just get some sleep. We'll be heading out in a few hours.
Gabrielle: Xena?
Xena: Hmm?
Gabrielle: When we get to Thessaly-- you still owe me a new pair of boots.
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