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When in Rome, f*ck with Caeser.

While Xena still isn’t totally in her right mind when it comes to dealing with this jerk-face, she’s definitely not losing sight of everything else in order to take him down like she did in episode five of this season.

Which is nice.

However, Gabrielle still suffers somewhat because of Xena’s vendetta against him.

My goodness, this episode is a lot.

I was not looking forward to seeing Caeser again.

Not in the slightest.

However, I do love how she screwed him over and twisted everything, so it appeared that he had managed to win. Even managing to reveal that Pompey wanted Caesar dead.

Not that I think that was at all a surprise to Caesar.

Aside from the Romans who don’t really know him, I imagine most people who meet him would like him dead. In fact, most of Tumblr enjoys celebrating The Ides of March, relishing in his death.

Caeser is incredibly smart. I’m not going to say he isn’t. In fact, that’s kind of what makes him super annoying, that he is intelligent. However, he’s lost something.

His power over Xena.

In this episode, she carefully twists things, using what she knows about Caesar, and what she’s learned about everyone else while she’s there to push the narrative she wants. Allowing Caeser to feel comfortable in the idea that he’s got the upper hand. That he understands her better than anyone.

Except he doesn’t.

Maybe he did once.

Maybe he could even outthink her when she was wrapped up in hating him so much.

Except she opted for a more calculated approach here.

While she clearly still hates him and wishes him the worst – it’s not clouding her judgement as it once had.

Allowing her to see the path forward – because well – Caeser is smart but Xena is smarter.

I did love the chess battle between them in this episode because it’s a good game. However, for the first time, it truly felt like Xena was playing on another level when it came to Caeser. Kicking it up a notch and leaving some of the personal issues behind.

Realizing that without her hatred, she can make him suffer even more.

Also, it connects with what she’s learned this season with Gabrielle.

Turning from hate is important. It’s a poison that seeps into everything. In fact, Caeser was a representation of Xena’s hate during the musical episode.

While I’m certain she does hate him and want him dead, it’s no longer the blind hatred. It’s a cool, calm, hate. She doesn’t like him and hasn’t forgiven him. Instead, she allowed herself to find some peace. As well as finding peace in annoying him and disrupting his life as much as possible.

Which I love.

However, due to this, there is still a ripple effect happening.

Xena chooses to once again take on Caeser. While she’s calmer and calculating, she’s also requesting something from Gabrielle she knows is not easy for her.

Sending a man to his death.

Possibly.

Clever as Gabrielle is and how much she’s learned from Xena over the years, she finds an easy solution to her problem.

Give back the ring that indicates he’s a leader of Rome and not to be murdered. Except, it’s revealed he lied to Gabrielle about his horrific deeds commanding an army. Thus, she keeps the ring and lets him die.

For the first time, truly sending someone to their death.

I love the conversation at the end where Xena feels responsible for what happened. Her plan had not initially included him dying, but it couldn’t be helped. And they couldn’t leave Vercinix to die now. People needed him.

Xena wonders how many more times she’ll put Gabrielle through this. Because she means everything to her.

Gabrielle returns the sentiment and soothes Xena by informing her that she’s made her choice as well. Including the one not to return the ring and allow him to be recognized. She would be hurt if Xena hadn’t asked her to join her.

Just as she was episodes earlier when Xena went to Chin without her.

Their bond is on full display in the final moments. Truly driving home how important they are to each other and the audience that their relationship is the core and heart of the show. Without it, there is no show. No Xena Warrior Princess.

They say they love each other.

You know, like best friends. Which is true, I love my best friend. Totally get that. But I do not hold their hand and look meaningfully into their eyes while I do it. That would be weird.

While I love the quiet moment between them, I love Gabrielle recognizing her own choices as well.

For so long, Xena tried to protect Gabrielle from all the bad things in the world. To keep her innocent and pure. To be the representation of innocence that Xena had long since lost and was now trying to protect in the world. And any time something terrible happened to Gabrielle, she took the blame.

It was her fault. Because Gabrielle joined her. Because of the enemies she made.

Except as time has gone on, things have happened. Gabrielle has made her own enemies that have hunted her down. She’s killed people. Had a baby. Betrayed Xena. Fought her. Become a queen. So many events have passed that Gabrielle is no longer the same girl she met in the woods who wanted to tag along with her.

This Gabrielle understands why Xena didn’t want her to be like her.

Why Xena wants so badly to be more like Gabrielle.

I really enjoyed that Gabrielle took responsibility for her actions. Not naively. Not to soothe Xena.

Just because she made them and she needs to live with them. Not Xena.

She reminds Xena that she chose this. Chose not to give him the ring. To stand at Xena’s side and accept all that comes with it. Even crazy schemes against a man who wants to rule the world. Reminds Xena that she wants to be at her side.

Even through the worst moments.

Through the hard choices.

Xena cannot pick and choose. They’re in this together. For everything.

I really loved this moment. I loved Gabrielle’s growth. I loved her setbacks too. Because she decided whether or not someone deserved to live in this episode and she didn’t like it. Did not like finding out what she is capable of. Regardless of whether or not the world is better off.

I loved that she did not allow Xena to accept this choice for her. Part of growing up is understanding that people cannot make you do things. You make choices. Every day. All the time. This was one of Gabrielle’s. And possibly not her finest.

Though I am 100% cool with all those Roman leaders dying. None of them are good people.

I mean, clearly. For entertainment, they make people fight in an arena.

Yet they call people merely defending themselves barbarians. How nice.

Also, just so everyone else knows this as well – I watched this episode with my girlfriend like we always do. And I cannot tell you what I was more entertained by, the episode itself or her screaming at the show for the outfits not being period accurate. Because the Romans should not be wearing pants and that’s not what the Coliseum should look like. She was very upset and passionate about it as well.

I – for one – just fell more in love with her. Hi baby.

Other things I enjoyed about this episode!

Calling Caeser a complete moron for allowing Xena a moment to fight back instead of just loping her head off when he had the chance. Like he did with the leader of Rome.

I’m telling you man, do not give her the chance to fight back or escape. I thought you were smart man.

That was probably his dumbest moment since we met him.

I loved that Pompey saw an opportunity to get rid of Caeser and tried to take it. Then I loved Caeser just throwing the knife back at him – like dude – you lost this. Be careful, it could have ended up in my back.

Loved that.

Loved Gabrielle left in charge of the prisoner and being completely uninterested in him. Like he was clearly trying to follow Caeser’s advice and while Gabrielle did believe him and not want him to die, she was not interested in him otherwise. Not as a friend or romantically.

She was just like, alright dude. We’re doing this. Doesn’t matter what you say dude.

I was very amused by that.

Also his escape attempt and Xena just chucking him back down the stairs. Doesn’t even get mad or upset he escaped. Just like WTF dude. Get back to your pole.

And lastly, I loved that Caeser spent a good chunk of time looking for Gabrielle and had no idea where to f*cking look. He’s like she’s out there somewhere. I’ll find her. Meanwhile, she’s tiptoeing behind him and he has no clue. I mean, that’s essentially how it felt.

Because she was under his nose the entire episode.

However, I loved the reason he wanted Gabrielle.

As I think Pompey put it, he wants power over Xena, and to do that – he needs Gabrielle.

I love that it’s just common knowledge that if you can possess Gabrielle, you will have some power over Xena. She’s the key.

However, there are two problems with that.

One, Xena turns a special level of feral when someone takes or hurts Gabrielle. And after all they’ve been through together this season, their bond is even stronger. I would not get between them. No. I don’t want to meet that side of Xena. Because that hold will only last as long as you have Gabrielle. Once she’s free, because Xena will get her back, you’ll have to deal with the fallout. Nope. Not going there.

Two! Gabrielle herself is getting stronger and stronger as time goes on, making it harder and harder to capture her. She was literally dragging a bloodthirsty warrior around on a leash this episode. Successfully keeping him under control. Her prowess as a fighter is growing in her own right, that she doesn’t often need Xena to protect her anymore. And the other problem is that, if you do manage to capture her. She will be actively trying to escape and injury you if needed to get back to Xena. While also informing you that Xena is not going to be happy.

This is not a route I would take Caeser. If you think Xena was mad at you for what you did to her before, just imagine that multiplied by a thousand. Maybe a million.

Whew, that was a long one I feel.

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