Amac Productions

Meleager wasn’t harmed during this episode.

I suppose that’s a good thing.

I love those silly disclaimers. If you don’t know what I’m talking about, at the end of the episode during the credits, there’s a disclaimer about something from the episode. I love this little silly tidbit.

Now, I know that I’ve been yelling about more screen time for Gabrielle and Xena.

But I really love this episode!

I know they spend most of their time apart, it doesn’t matter here. Because Xena’s tinges everything Gabrielle does from the moment she leaves her side at the beginning.

The opening is as ridiculous as ever, which is awesome.

As always.

Gabrielle playing on some little instrument, while Xena watches on in amusement.

I think I replayed that moment more than I want to admit, because Xena’s face was amazing right there in that moment.

Even after the fight, we’re seeing such a difference from the start of the series.

In the beginning, Xena did look gleeful during fights, but this hit differently right at this moment. She was enjoying herself outside of the fight. She was enjoying listening to Gabrielle being a goof.

She enjoyed her suggestion to try and move the mountain with music, even softening her voice when she told her not to try. It was utterly ridiculous, but Xena was charmed by all of it. The wonder and enjoyment.

Even the joking between Gabrielle and Argo.

Then they’re attacked by some moron, who apparently hasn’t seen the show or gotten the memo not to mess with Xena.

Although, Xena wasn’t complaining. She was all too excited to have some fun first thing in the morning.

But then a bomb is dropped on her.

Gabrielle froze.

And she wants to leave now.

I love everything about Xena in this moment as she desperately (for her) tries to find some reason for Gabrielle to stay.

That she doesn’t mind the extra danger, if it means having Gabrielle around.

That it happens. It’s no big deal.

Why can’t Gabrielle talk to her?

Xena looked like a kicked puppy when Gabrielle wanted to talk to her sister over her. Like damn, you have it bad.

Then the soft little uncertain voice asking when or if Gabrielle will come back.

Well, excuse me.

I know I was asking for more time spent together, but if the time spent apart is preceded by some angst, and sad puppy faces from Xena. Well, I think I can live with it. How about you guys?

Xena’s realization that there was nothing she could do, that this was something Gabrielle would have to figure out was heartbreaking. She looked so hurt that she wasn’t enough in that moment.

She couldn’t help her friend.

She might have made things worse.

She might not come back.

What would she do?

So many emotions racing across Xena’s face.

I’d offer to give her a hug, but I think that’s a good and quick way to die. Just a thought.

Then Gabrielle collects her things and makes her way home to Poteidaia only to discover that it’s under attack. What a surprise.

I’m not surprised. This type of convenient plot happens in every show. But I love that this show, is like that’s not the point. The point is for Gabrielle to learn something.

And she does, damn it.

And like always, I care little if the plot is 100% bullet proof if the characters make it worthwhile.

Here, we discover that while sometimes Gabrielle feels like the naive girl nipping at Xena’s heels, we see how far she’s come.

She knows how to get herself home. She understands how the other warlords will think. Understands the values of traps. When to talk. When to fight. When to play tricks.

She’s mashed up her ability to talk her way out of things with Xena’s knowledge of people and fighting.

Like the moment when she claims her foot has fallen asleep but she’s just trying to hit the rack. It’s a clever combo of her surroundings, her stall tactics, and understanding that sometimes violence is the answer.

In the first episode, we’re treated to a Gabrielle that cannot physically defend herself.

Sure, she can talk her way out of most things. But if push came to shove, she’s not able to defend herself.

Here, she’s clearly worried for her town.

But she’s not worried for herself.

Did anyone else notice that?

At no point, does she fear for her safety. She’s self-assured in the idea that she can handle the warlord and his army without worry. It’s keeping Poteidaia and her sister safe that she struggles with.

I love that change.

The Gabrielle we first meet is brave, but is doing all the things while terrified. Here, she’s grown and is confident in her ability to defend herself and escape successfully.

However, here she’s dealing with her hometown being on the line. Along with her sister.

It complicates things.

Especially, with Meleager having lost all confidence in himself.

What’s interesting in this episode too, is that Gabrielle is elevated to a warrior status by her sister and Meleager, but she never accepts it. Not really. She understands it’s what’s needed in the moment, but it’s not what she wants.

She’s already chosen her path. She’s not a warrior like Xena, because she has no interest in killing.

However, she can understand Meleager.

Everything he’s done and witnessed. His life has a messed-up story to it, no doubt. He’s lost faith in himself.

And I think that’s what connects him and Gabrielle so well.

She’s lost faith in herself somewhere along the way. Or at least in that one moment earlier in the episode. And she’s faced with a horrible realization then.

If she freezes, she could get Xena killed.

Her best friend. Someone so important to her.

Even if I think, she totally has a little crush at the most, and doesn’t know what it is.

She’s knows Xena is important to her, her best friend. She can’t be the reason she dies.

Nope.

So she leaves.

But she realizes something in her journey home. She’s stronger than she thinks. Clever. And she made one mistake because she doubted herself, but now she has proof in hand that even without Xena, she can stand on her own two feet.

I love this episode.

I love the sisterly moments.

I also, approve so much of the distinction between Gabrielle’s relationship to her sister and to Xena.

Because Xena’s not her sister.

She does not look at her like a sister.

At all.

She is something else. Understand?

I just love how we had to hammer that point home. Easy enough for straight people to swallow without a second thought, but something the LGBTQ could read into otherwise.

Love it.

Then at the end, we’re treated to Gabrielle getting her nerve back, and jumping the cart.

I really think these idiots should stop trying.

Because if Xena wasn’t there or Gabrielle hadn’t been able to defend herself, I wouldn’t want Xena to find out what you did to her best friend. Somehow, I don’t think it will end well for you.

At all.

But Gabrielle does defend herself.

Only for Xena to step in at the last moment and truly scare those idiots away, with a happy giggle.

I love her dropping in and smiling so widely the entire time, just overjoyed to see her friend.

Gabrielle overjoyed to share that she didn’t freeze.

Oh, and Xena to reveal she was already on her way to see Gabrielle because she couldn’t make it what, two days without her?

Damn girl, you have it bad! You can’t deny it!

Nope. That’s some true love shit right there.

Damn!

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