Amac Productions

So that was an episode.

Um, The Gauntlet was not what I expected, I think. I mean, I don’t think I really thought about it too much, honestly. But that scene was intense.

And it just goes to show you again exactly what Xena is made of. It’s something else, that’s for damn sure.

Like who goes through that and just gets up and walks away from it?

I totally get why her little underling wanted her killed. I would not want that woman coming after me. And you know, if Xena is alive. She’s coming for you.

I do think Xena was a bit too confident in herself and the loyalty she inspired in her troops. I don’t know.

Xena on Hercules is a whole different story, than her on her own show.

I just get an entirely different vibe from her.

Which for me, after watching the entire trilogy, I think comes down to how Lucy Lawless is playing Xena.

In her show, she seems larger than life itself.

Lawless portrays her with such presence and force that she comes off bigger than she really is. Like I’m always shocked to see Lucy Lawless in her regular outfits, because she seems tiny to me. Like Xena just has such a presence about her.

One Lawless doesn’t put forth too hard here.

She does in the crossover in episode eight of season one of Xena. Where Hercules seems almost small compared to her.

But her, Lawless is allowing Hercules to remain the largest figure in the show.

Instead of commending it all to herself.

I have to commend Lawless for her performance here. She’s playing a delicate role of being a badass herself while not overshadowing Hercules. Something she’ll later do on her own series by being awesome.

Sucks to be you, Herc.

I found that truly fascinating.

As well as how Xena operates in the world.

She wanted her army back, but ultimately it came down to her no longer having the same drive she once did when it comes to being a warlord. She almost seemed tired by the end of the episode. Like she’s been carrying around this weight and she just needed to put it down.

Overall, with the focus less on the romance aspect or seduction, Xena’s character is allowed to shine in this episode.

We learn a lot about her too.

She doesn’t kill woman and children. She gives everyone a chance to surrender, instead of fighting. She wants her men to follow her because they’re loyal.

To some extent they are. She followed The Gauntlet’s rules and won, allowing her to live despite what their new leader wanted. So clearly, she sparks something in her men. Even if they conspired against her.

She refuses to allow harm to the infant.

Even from his own father as she ascertains his motives before handing the baby back over.

I did find that moment interesting as she claims not to be maternal. Even the moment when she holds the baby illustrates that. But it doesn’t mean she’s heartless. There are somethings she protects.

Like the baby’s life.

She sacrificed everything to keep the baby alive. Could she hand him over to someone who wouldn’t do the same?

It’s interesting to see because here is Xena, this supposed awful warlord. Which she is. No doubt about it.

But the good was seeping in through all the cracks. Just looking for a way in.

Also, has that guy been on Xena before? I know the guy whose baby it was, is Xena’s ex-fiancée from her show. But the cousin of Hercules? Was that guy in Xena too?

I love that we just reuse actors here.

I cannot tell you enough how much I enjoyed Salmoneus trying to convince Xena, that she and Hercules should be on the same side. Only for the Chakram to dissuade him from speaking further.

Him hanging upside down was funny too.

And I sort of wanted to hit Hercules for making him feel bad about being hung upside down in the first place. Not nice man.

Which only solidified that I don’t care for Hercules much. Am I alone in that?

Now, there’s another episode to get to and after I had watched this episode, I couldn’t help but wonder what was going to happen next.

After all, we know from Xena’s series she never met Ares. So he must not appear. But he has an affect on the next episode, since he revived the underling.

Super annoying, by the way. Imagine getting rid of your enemy only for hm to get a second chance, thanks to some meddling god. Also, is this an error in the continuity? Because Ares, clearly has a thing for Xena.

Is he plotting her doom here?

I have a lot of thoughts.

Also, I was glad for Salmoneus this episode. I was missing the light-heartedness without Gabrielle. Speaking of Gabrielle, I’m greatly missing her during these episodes.

Anyone else?

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