Amac Productions

Whoops, Xena recovering her body hinged on Lucy Lawless.

After an unfortunate incident involving a horse on Jay Leno’s show, Lucy broke, I believe her pelvis and needed to relearn to walk.

Which is why, Hudson Leick was still Xena for the duration of this episode.

But, honestly, I didn’t mind it!

I love Lucy Lawless to bits! And I love Xena as well. Hudson Leick had some huge boots to fill, and she managed to make it believable at every turn, so kudos to her!

This episode also allowed for some story beats that were most interesting to me.

Including Xena getting calmer and calmer while Gabrielle and the rest of the world slowly descended into rage fueled madness without a seated God of War.

The thing I want to talk about most is the dynamic between Gabrielle and Xena.

Imagine your best friend forced to wear the face of the woman who murdered your husband. Albeit, a very brief marriage, Gabrielle did know him her entire life. So while it is annoying that she’s mourning a love lost too soon so much for someone who didn’t mind that he wasn’t around much, it does make some sense.

Given that they have a long history.

Do I need to be reminded that he’s died and she’s mourning because she loved him so much? No. I like show, rather than tell.

Like her relationship to Xena for example.

Here, Gabrielle is faced with the face of a woman she hates. She’s struggling to get used to it. Xena startles her when she’s awakened abruptly or suddenly has to look at her best friend.

Xena also clearly holds no ill will that Gabrielle is upset with this face and form being around her so much. Xena takes so much in stride at times believing that she deserves this punishment.

To wear her greatest’s enemy’s face.

To upset her best friend every time she looks at her.

Xena firmly believes that she deserves this.

And is willing to shoulder it. Even willing to allow Gabrielle to leave if it becomes too much.

But as the episode continues we see Gabrielle has no intention of leaving her best friend. Sure, she’s struggling with how she looks and the voice not being her friend’s. But this isn’t a dealbreaker.

At the end of the episode, she chooses to be at Xena’s side no matter what.

Claims she’ll get used to it.

And once again reaffirms that Xena’s never really had anyone quite like her in her life before as the other woman seems incredibly touched that Gabrielle promises to get used to it.

Though, ultimately, she doesn’t have to.

Which is a relief because, I love Lucy Lawless.

And her chemistry with Renee is amazing. And while Hudson did an incredible job for these two episodes, getting back to the status quo is nice.

In addition to learning that Gabrielle is willing to stomach pretty much anything for her best friend, we learn something important about Xena too.

She has no interest in being a god.

In Greek Mythology this is somewhat unusual. Everyone wants to be a god. Thinks it’ll solve all their problems.

But alas, it never does.

But for the first time, a character is fully aware of this.

One of my favorite stories is of Percy Jackson, which spoiler, if you’ve read the series, you’d know he’s offered the chance to become a god. Something he turns down. In the latest installment of the series, Percy is confronted by a god of aging who begrudgingly likes Percy because he doesn’t want to cheat his life. Something rather uncommon.

But like Xena, Percy understands that being a god is all it’s cracked up to be.

They have power, but they’re terrible people.

All the time.

Like Ares keeping his word at the end was a shock considering most gods go back on their deals, something that their children usually suffer for. Not them.

They’re selfish. Cold. Callous. And are only out for themselves.

Something that doesn’t describe Xena or Percy.

If anything, they’re both incredibly selfless.

As mentioned before, Xena believes that whatever happens to her is because of her horrible past. She shoulders it because she believes she deserves it.

Becoming a god, it cheats the system.

She’ll never be punished as she believes she should.

She still has more to give to people to make up for her past. And becoming a god doesn’t actually help anything. Never mind becoming the god of war.

Also, I hate to say it, but I agree with Xena, Ares is the right man for the job.

Olympians as awful as they were or are, if you believe Percy’s story, are born for the job. They’re the best in a bad situation.

And sometimes, you have to choose the best of two evils. As screwed up as that is.

Because there’s no telling what that sort of power would do to someone not meant to wield it. Even someone like Xena.

Overall, this episode was incredibly interesting and telling. I super enjoyed it!

I also loved that Kevin plays a believable pathetic human. He did an excellent job getting me to like Ares while he was human. Although, none of that lasted once he was a god again. I returned to not trusting nor liking him.

As always, I thank you for reading! If you like gay stuff, check out my soon to arrive at a podcast player near you, queer podcast – By Your Side!

Spread the love and read on!