Amac Productions

I have a lot of thoughts about this episode.

I’m going to repeat what I said last week about Lucy Lawless. She is an incredible actress. The way she’s able to appear smaller and not so larger than life as she appears in her own show is just amazing.

I was surprised every step of this episode by how different she appears.

As well as, how differently this show comes off. As it forces the idea of Hercules and Xena down our throats.

Whereas with her show, it feels like a cover or an afterthought by the writers and actors. Like right, we’re pretending that Xena is completely straight so the higher ups will be happy. Here, it’s genuine in how it tells the straight romance like we’re supposed to be it.

And this is something else I’ll give to shows from the 90s. Chemistry was everything. Actors and actresses threw themselves wholeheartedly into the romance scenes to make it work. Even if it falls flat for me because well, I don’t buy any of it.

I really just don’t care for Hercules.

I do like his friend though, especially his biting line about coming back too soon. Like damn, just cut them off at the knees.

I could have done without the love scene in my life, that was a level of ick for me.

So let’s not talk about it. Shall we?

Back to the plot of the episode, Xena and company are taking down her former lieutenant who has Ares on his side and is feeding people to a giant dog thing. I’m not sure how the ending works with evil defeating evil, because I like the idea that they just didn’t agree with each other better.

Upset stomach and all that.

I even love the terrible effects combined with the use of practical effects. I’m a sucker for good practical effects because they never go out of style. To this day, Hercules was holding something while pretending to struggle against it looks good even if the monster doesn’t.

It holds up.

I think we need to remember that more as a society.

I loved Xena being unable to let go. She wanted to stop him.

He was an evil that simply could not be unleashed on the world. Simple as that.

And she’s found how good it can feel to fight for something other than oneself or for loot or power.

I love how she described it.

But also, there’s one piece of this entire episode that caught my attention and won’t let go.

Xena’s confession by the fire. And if you think I’m talking about her reveal of her feelings for Hercules, I’m not.

I’m talking about what Xena said before that.

“You fight to honor the wife and children Hera stole from you. There’s nothing in my whole life that moves me that way.”

Nothing.

She’s about to declare feelings for Hercules but is admitting he doesn’t move her that way.

Not even her newfound goodness.

Well, sheesh. Where can we find something that will move her?

Let’s talk about this combined with the moment at the end when Xena says she hasn’t cried in years.

Let’s add this to the final episode of season one of her show.

She’s moved to tears over nearly losing Gabrielle. Frantically trying to revive her and begging her not to leave her.

There’s nothing in the whole world that moves her like Hercules’ family moved him.

Well, damn, Xena, just keep wandering, you’ll find her. She’s this little loud, naive blonde bard that’ll follow you anywhere but secretly moves you like no one else.

So much so you’ll return to her hometown after she leaves you for like two days because you miss her. Or ask like a kicked puppy when she’ll come back.

Tell her that your friendship binds you closer than blood ever could.

She’s snaps you out of an anger fueled rage and stops you from making a mistake destroying a village.

Equate her to a love interest and family member in terms of what would happen should you lose her.

Be amused when she plays music while you’re walking around looking for a new adventure.

Never mind that she can’t fight or defend herself because her company is more important to you than safety.

Ensure she’s taken care of should something happen to you.

Be touched when she risked everything to ensure your last wish was carried out.

Threaten anyone who so much as looks at her funny.

Find a family and happiness for the first time in a long time.

Nothing moves you that way – right now!

I’ve watched all of season one and I keep being told by literally everyone reading this that I’m doomed if I thought season one was gay.

So, I’m just going to say it Xena, miss overly dramatic right now. You’ve got to keep looking. Keep helping people and follow whatever path leads you from this moment to the first episode of your show. Because you’ll find the thing in your life that moves you like nothing else.

And I’m sure it’ll be terrifying.

But it’ll be worth it.

You won’t be alone anymore.

You’ll have a true friend following you. Someone who cares about you.

Who gives you shit about saying the road is close by, but swears their feet fell off already. Who plays music and tells stories and gets kidnapped or trusts the wrong people. Or is just a goofball with a heart of gold you want to keep intact.

Because wasn’t that Xena’s ultimate goal throughout season one?

To keep Gabrielle as she is.

A sweet, somewhat naive girl.

It’s why she advised against picking up the sword or having any weapons other than her staff. It’s why she allows her space to explore the world, while also keeping her safe. Like the scene of her taking everyone out or scaring them off while Gabrielle is utterly oblivious.

She wants her to enjoy life without knowing the real danger or terror hiding behind the scenes.

That’s for Xena to deal with.

Instead, Gabrielle is a friend and confidant and someone to remind Xena why she’s found herself on this new path.

Ultimately, I didn’t really care for these three episodes as much as I enjoyed season one of Xena. I don’t like Hercules and by comparison, somehow the storytelling is bland. Like I did not need the romance in the first or third episode. It’s just kind of pushed on you along with their agenda for making Hercules still seem like ‘the man’ even though Xena did nearly kill him and kick his butt.

It didn’t really allow for Xena to shine like she does in her own series, which ultimately allows her to surpass him.

So, I’m glad I got to see more of her origin story, I’m utterly relieved that it’s over, and I can return to Xena and Gabrielle in their own show and watch the gayness unfold.

I can’t wait!

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