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That was an episode.

Honestly, the whole wonderful life redo thing was pretty great, but I’m so focused on something else that I’m really sorry if I missed some important details about the episode.

After all, I’m pretty sure everyone reading this is more consumed by Gabreille and Xena as a couple anyway. Right?

So I doubt you’ll mind that I’m going to focus on them in this episode, right?

Because Lyceus was totally crushing on Gabrielle.

And vice versa.

And Lyceus and Xena are pretty much the same person.

Xena’s older brother is almost nothing like them by comparison. Well, except for the thick skull and stubbornness. Although, Gabrielle has that too at times.

Anyway!

My point is that Xena and Lyceus have a lot in common with each other. They both fight for what they believe in. They believe in the same things. Like fighting for freedom. Not having slaves. They honor the people around them.

I love that Lyceus was completely chill as a brother too.

You stole a slave? Cool.

Stood up for one in the market. Yep. Sounds like my sister. I would have done it too.

So there was a moment when they were looking at each other and there was a connection. One even Xena sees.

But guess what? Lyceus is dead in the real world.

But Xena isn’t.

And somehow, she’s just like him.

Wouldn’t that mean the qualities of Lyceus is something that attracts Gabrielle? Wouldn’t that mean Xena is an ideal match?

I also loved that Xena was totally cool with Gabrielle crushing on her brother.

Unlike every other suitor who seems to leave a sour taste in her mouth, she was cool with this one. Maybe because she knows beyond a shadow of a doubt, much like herself, that he would be good to her. Good for her and vice versa. Just as Xena is to Gabrielle?

I loved the amusement that she was cool with this.

I mean, a male version of Xena. That’s something the networks could have lived with.

Something the writers and everyone else on the show could use to show that Xena is exactly Gabrielle’s type. At least, that’s what I’d do.

And because I just loved Lyceus as another version of Xena I didn’t mind this crush. I also knew it wasn’t going to lead to anything because, well, he’s dead. So he was pretty safe for them to make eyes at without annoying me. Plus, I just enjoyed his character.

His dynamic with Xena was amazing.

I can see why she misses him so much and why they faced down Cortese together.

And I also think he would be fine with the choice she made.

He died for something worth dying for. And like Xena, I think he finds that fitting end.

But I also loved that we just used him to illustrate that Xena is exactly Gabrielle’s type and I thought that was super amusing to me. Because these writers are freaking clever, and I love it. I’m here for it.

But then we have all the little moments between them throughout the episode that just make… sigh… so good.

Because Gabrielle is different without Xena in her life.

Xena thinks Gabrielle would be better off without her. Without ever having left her village and gone traveling with her.

Except would she?

Because how did they meet?

Gabrielle and the women from her village were being attacked to be taken and used as slaves.

If Xena never follows the sword, it’s safe to think that Gabrielle would still end up in that position except no one came to her rescue. Her freedom was lost and things changed for the worse for her.

Xena may think she’s a bad influence.

But could you honestly say that without her, Gabrielle is better off?

Look what became of her.

She gave up hope. She was cruel and bitter.

She relished in the killing of another person.

Which is whole other thing too.

But just look how different she is. Xena was literally just praying to the gods that she never kills or knows what it’s like to take another life. Something Xena doesn’t want for her friend. Something Gabrielle doesn’t want for herself.

But she does at the end.

And she enjoys it.

A lot.

Gabrielle is completely different without Xena protecting her.

In season one I said that Xena sees in Gabrielle everything she’s fighting for. Her innocence. Her goodness. The type of person she is. And the freedom to choose her own path without worry.

Well, this is what Gabrielle looks like without Xena’s protection.

And I wouldn’t choose that for her. Anymore than Xena would, as evident by her choice.

Because Xena does choose to return because of Xena.

Just watch that scene. She keeps refusing her brother’s request to pick up the sword and defend herself properly. She refuses to kill him.

But then Gabrielle kills the warlord. And likes it.

And Xena can’t live in a world like that. She can’t do that to Gabrielle.

The one she described so lovingly. Cares so much about that she broke the law to break her out. Who looked so heartbroken when Gabrielle was talking to her from the cage about to hate her or thank her. The one she would do anything for.

Even let her brother die.

Lyceus says, “Don’t fight destiny.”

Which could mean Xena’s or his or even Gabrielle’s if you stop to think about it.

Because Lyceus’ destiny is to die fighting for what he believed beside his sister. Xena’s is to follow the sword and a dark path so she could fight evil unlike anyone else.

But Gabrielle has one too.

She’s not meant to be a mean or hateful being.

She’s kind and wonderful and sweet and happy. Quick with a joke or a smile. She’s there for her friend through all the hard times. She tells a wonderful story and lives in a naive world where things aren’t so awful.

But she’s also meant to be at Xena’s side.

Because even in this world, they found each other.

Gabrielle happened to be in the one place Xena was as well? What are the odds of that?

They’re meant to be together. One way or another.

Don’t fight fate.

Fate always wins.

And it does.

Even at the end of the episode, the Fates appeared to have had a plan all along.

Xena wanted that boy’s life back and The Fates taught her lesson about her taking up the sword was better for the world than if she didn’t. And in the end, she’s able to change the boy’s fate, and save his life by giving him another chance.

And maybe the world will be better off with him in it too. Who knows?

As Gabrielle and Xena speculate at the end of the episode about Fates having a plan. They do.

And somehow, I think these two have their fates entwined.

Just a thought.

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