Amac Productions

Oh, good.

There’s a fourth one now.

Lucy Lawless – however ridiculous the storyline maybe – continues to shine, showing off her acting prowess from the very first moment she appears on scene.

Right from the first second she appears, something just doesn’t feel quite right about Xena. Just a little something you can’t put your finger on. Then the scene continues and you’re convinced after 30 seconds that this cannot possibly be Xena.

Which it isn’t.

But while you know this isn’t Xena, you don’t know who the heck it actually is.

In your head, you’re mentally running through the list of duplicates we have of Xena. There’s Diana… Right, got her. Why would a princess be pretending to be Xena?

Or letting herself get burned at the stake?

That’s a bit much for her.

Doubt she’s doing this. Even if she’s grown since the last time, we saw her, I doubt very much the princess is getting her hands dirty like this. Or willing to sort of strip down in public.

Who was the other one?

Or right! Meg!

Meg.

This can’t be Meg. She likes money and such. Why would she be pretending to be Xena? She would have been kicking and screaming if they tried to burn her at the stake.

Last, but most certainly not least, Hestia and Gabrielle. Neither of them worship Hestia as far as I know and without a doubt, they both know Gabrielle.

Seeing her would bring relief for them, I imagine if they were about to die.

However, she seems confused by Gabrielle’s attempts to rescue her and once again the odd crack in the relationship between Xena and Gabrielle appears once more.

Gabrielle is convinced this is some sort of test until she gets her alone in the alley. Then she realizes this isn’t Xena.

But where is Xena? Why aren’t they together? Why didn’t Xena tell Gabrielle where she was going? When they would meet up again? Where they would meet up?

By all accounts, Gabrielle stumbled into this mess by accident.

She appears a bit oblivious to the fact that Xena isn’t Xena while she attempts to rescue her. And her attempts are a bit pathetic until she manages to trick the big guy into leaping onto the board for her.

Before, I applied my own reasoning as to why Gabrielle appeared dumber than before. However, I think it’s actually the writers’ reasoning too. I think I forgot I’m not in a current day setting where writers for TV series set up wonderful things and then never do anything with them. This is the 90s. This is Xena.

Where more care goes into one episode than an entire season of some shows today.

My mistake. I’ll admit it. I was being bias.

Taking into account that the writers actually know what they’re doing, it all makes sense. Gabrielle is messing up trying to overcompensate for what she did. Meanwhile, Xena appears to be outright avoiding the situation.

As she has also lied. Remember?

She murdered a guy when she promised Gabrielle she wouldn’t.

From the last couple of episodes, it appears that Xena is avoiding Gabrielle. Going off on her own. Seemingly, not even telling Gabrielle where she’ll be or how long or how they’ll find each other again. Considering Gabrielle assumed Xena did this as some sort of test.

Tests – mind you – that we haven’t seen in a while Xena dropping on Gabirelle.

Nothing has been called a test since season one.

Sure, in season two Xena was still teaching her things, and is to this day. Or episode.

But it doesn’t appear to involve random quizzing anymore. Gabrielle has handled herself just fine for a while now, even in surprise situations. Xena’s teaching style has changed to change with the student.

Why would things revert?

Maybe it’s because these two aren’t talking properly anymore. Maybe because they’re both hiding something huge from the other. Maybe because the strain of those episodes is still being felt throughout the current ones. Even without it as the center focus, with the more light-hearted tone of the last couple episodes, we’re still feeling the fallout.

Or as a commenter called it, ‘the rift.’

Which is a great term.

Because there does feel like there’s a chasm between these two now.

And they’re both pretending everything is normal and fine. That nothing has changed, even though everything has. The lack of communication usually bugs the crap out of me as a plot. Because there’s simply no reason for the lack of communication. Like – you know the characters won’t freak out on each other so there’s never a real risk. They’re always mad for the lying, never the thing.

You know those storylines?

While here – that’s not the case. Not in the slightest.

If either were to tell the truth, it would not be good.

Xena would be pissed. Gabrielle would fight her.

Gabrielle would be upset and disappointed in Xena for killing a man after she promised not to.

There would be real consequences to their lies, not just the lying itself. Which makes this storyline work really well. And I cannot commend either actress enough! They make each scene, each moment feel that ‘rift’ between them.

There’s something not right in all their moments.

Like a rock in your shoe. You can keep going about your day, but something isn’t right with you.

I love it.

I love Renee and Lucy for nailing it.

I love the writers for leaning into it at every turn. Making things feel just off enough to remind you there’s something still coming. There’s more angst on the horizon for my girlfriend to be sooooo excited for.

Now where was I with this episode?

Oh right!

Lucy is amazing! She tells us something is off within the first few minutes. Gabrielle figures it out as well and we’re informed by the new doppelganger that this is Leah, a Hestia Virgin.

Which everyone is super hung up on this episode.

Even Gabrielle who wonders if the fact that she is not, is written across her forehead.

Leah is wildly judgmental about Gabrielle and Xena but is foolish enough to just strap on some random armor she mysteriously found in her room and trust some dice to tell her to get killed. So maybe don’t take life advice from her.

You can believe whatever you like for religion, I don’t care. Just don’t judge others for living differently than your religion. Everyone has the right to choose.

Odd life lesson crammed in here today.

Anyway, with that wonderful scene of her consulting her goddess while Gabrielle tries to needlessly justify herself.

Also, all the metaphors for masturbation were extremely amusing. Especially the one from Gabrielle who promised that if she were like Leah, she would have no problem ‘knowing’ herself. Which sort of indicates that she’s not like Leah, even currently.

Which leads me to – Gabrielle who’s scratching the itch for you?

Anyone else wish they could see what happens sometimes when the cameras aren’t rolling?

Although, I do enjoy the subtext – not subtext of it all.

Oh, and we do get an explanation for why Xena didn’t meet Gabrielle, she beat up a warlord from season two. Which really changes my mind about nothing. Any time before Xena has changed the plan, she sends someone to tell Gabrielle. But she didn’t this episode.

There’s still something afoot between them.

I loved Xena trying to guess who Leah was and failing. That was amusing.

Overall, this episode is amusing as hell. We have multiple moments where Lucy shines, showing off her skills to play multiple characters in one episode. Each scene if you pay attention, you’re able to tell which is which.

At least, until Lucy wants it to be harder for you as she plays one character playing another. Then you have hints and moments where you’re pretty sure who it is underneath, but you’re not entirely sure.

The amount of praise and awards Lucy should be given for this episode alone is amazing.

She’s so talented.

Cannot say it enough.

What do you guys think?

The scene where Gabrielle correctly picks which is which is cute. As Xena smirks, because Gabrielle should know. Better than anyone else.

And even with the chasm between them, she does.

As pointed out by my wonderful girlfriend, this is the fastest Gabrielle has ever picked up on the doppelganger shenanigans. Which adds another layer to this ‘rift’ between them. They’re still close to each other, closer than anyone else is to them. So, while the gap may appear small to anyone who doesn’t know them, it feels wide, and huge to them.

Because no one knows each other like they do.

It’s so good.

I want to hug these people.

Everyone who works on this show.

I also would like to smack them for making me live through that weird Joxer into in the ‘bar.’ What the heck was that? I liked him last episode, don’t ruin it for me.

Joxer apparently visits here often. Which ew.

And while he’s comfortable doing that, he’s not comfortable with the idea that Gabrielle could be working. Gee, double standard much dude.

That’s all I have on that.

I loved Leah learning where she was brought. So funny.

This episode was a delight to watch as a reprieve from the angst – which I enjoy. While also reminding us that there is still more to come on their relationship woes. Lovingly done – I might add.

The utter ridiculous plot happening is a staple of the show and I wouldn’t want anything else.

The more ridiculous the plot, the more emotion, character development, and sheer acting skill is displayed. I love that about this show, even the wildest episodes are giving us something to chew on.

The running gag of when they discover the doppelganger is Xena and the calm hello or the way they say her name, cracked me up every time.

Oh, it’s you. Hi. Should’ve known. My bad.

Also, no need to put on a show for Xena. She knows all your faults. Won’t hold it against you either.

Her face when she’s teasing Gabrielle after Leah says they all have their excuses for having sex.

Another wonderful layer – I might add.

They’re still teasing and joking and trying to remain normal. As I said before, they’re both pretending that nothing has changed. That they’re not – for the first time – hiding something huge from the other. They want to pretend nothing has changed for as long as they can before the truth comes out.

So when they get to have normal moments to bicker and tease each other. They take them and enjoy them.

For fear that one day, they might not have them anymore.

F*ck, it’s good. Don’t you think it’s good?

I think it’s good.

I loved this episode.

It was fun from start to finish while reminding me angst is never far this season apparently because they want to crush my heart and soul – I guess.

I can and can’t wait for the rest of the season! Share your thoughts on this episode of Xena and let’s have a discussion about this ‘rift’ they’ve got going on!

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