Amac Productions

Well, that was something else.

Oh, and my girlfriend mentioned something about this episode was meant to be something else or there was another idea. So I looked it up.

We could have had Gabrielle obsessed with sexual positions and using them on Xena.

Except, they were told if they did that advertisers would back out. Thus, Gabrielle became obsessed with herself instead. Alas, I mourn the could have been though.

Please, someone have a copy of the original script and send it to me. I beg you.

That must have been amazing.

Though, I must confess, this episode is exactly the sort of content I love from Xena. Just a random episode with a god up to some shenanigans and some random plot device to keep Xena from saving the day, except she manages to regardless. All the while, crazy events occur.

This is some grade A Xena shit here.

I love it.

It’s weird and crazy and absurd and somehow it all connects back into something deeper for both Gabrielle and Xena.

Amazing. Love it. No notes.

Gabrielle is obsessed with herself with an underlining issue that she feels no one recognizes all the things she does. Not just Xena. All the effort she puts into their adventures and how important she is to the story. Because without her, we may have lost Xena by now.

At the start of the season, Xena confesses that she might look differently if she didn’t have Gabrielle there to help guide to do the right thing. Just a handful of episodes ago, we got an episode when Xena says that when she does things she shouldn’t be able to, it’s because of Gabrielle.

Because of the strength she gives her.

Without Gabrielle, there would be no legendary Xena.

And I love that she doesn’t really care if the world acknowledges her importance in Xena’s life. As long as Xena does. Promising to make people see how important Gabrielle is. To her. To the world.

That’s enough for Gabrielle.

I love that.

Feeling support from Xena is all she really needed.

Meanwhile, Xena becomes obsessed with fishing, courtesy of a double dose from Aphrodite.

Which – sidenote – according to the wikia page for the episode where I discovered we could have had Gabrielle obsessed with something totally different, it points out that Xena did not notice Aphrodite standing next to her. However, she is able to sense when Ares is nearby.

Unlike Hercules who can sense all gods when they’re nearby.

Meaning that this skill is solely related to Ares for Xena. Which is wildly curious to me.

For so many reasons.

It also discredits the idea that she’s a demigod because clearly, if she were, she would be able to sense all the gods. Not just one. Like Hercules.

Which I enjoy honestly. I do not really want her to be a demigod, because it sort of cheats all the growth, and everything she has learned. Like she has an edge over regular humans. However, she started off just like anyone else and earned what makes her special. What sets her apart is not a gift from the gods.

I really enjoy that.

However, that means that she can sense Ares.

Because she once worshipped the God of War?

Ares mentioned Xena was a follower of his way back in season one when she first meets him face to face. It’s one of the reasons he wants her to return to her darker ways so much. I imagine with her wreaking all sorts of chaos throughout Greece, it gave him power.

However, with her on the side of good and stopping wars instead of starting and fighting them, she’s probably taking power from him.

Arguably, linking them together. His obsession with her and how close she was to the God of War prior to the show. Having his favor. Her favoring him. It must have bound them together in a way I do not understand.

Allowing her to know when he’s nearby.

Unlike with the Goddess of Love. Who is standing next to her dosing her with some sort of potion to distract her from the fact that she’s stolen the North Star.

Because sure. That’s a thing that happened this episode. That and attaching the star to a fish and launching it into the heavens for all time. Right. Yes. A true Xena plot if ever there was one. Damn.

A very curious detail. One I think I’ll be keeping an on going forward. Love it.

Now, as for Xena’s obsession with fish, she was obsessed and it was linked to a memory of fishing with her brother when she was younger. Unresolved issues and such.

Leave it to this show to link all this crazy fishing and self-obsession and monkey manning to have a deeper meaning.

Although, we never learn what Joxer’s deeper meaning is.

Xena leaves him to be dealt with in the morning which does not occur on screen.

This episode is a riot.

Xena is overly crazy about fishing and catching the one who got away. Still somewhat having enough sense to continue keeping with the plan to get the diamond back. Executing a plan regardless of the distraction.

Even using Gabrielle and Joxer’s obsessions to her advantage.

Xena’s focus has got to be unparalleled. She somehow manages this even though she’s got a double dose. While Gabrielle often forgets entirely. Going on to make up songs about herself, much to Xena’s irritation.

I did love her line about the fish being armed if Gabrielle kept singing. Her one liners and Lucy’s delivery are amazing. Every time.

Gabrielle even nearly drowns with her distraction. Joxer is completely lost as a monkey man. And every single one of them looks like they’re having the time of their life acting like fools for this episode. And TV shows today need to take note of how they made this episode.

A silly fun, goofball time, where all the actors get to just let loose, and have fun. While tying it altogether for the main characters as something much deeper.

Love it.

Loved Ted going all in on the monkey man thing. Him flinging sand. My girlfriend and I agreed that would suck though. Sand everywhere. Yeesh. Poor Ted.

Poor Lucy and Renee when they’re dragged from the water and land on the sand. That must take forever to deal with once you’re done with the scene.

However, that moment led to my favorite in the episode.

As Gabrielle tells Xena what she’s learned from nearly dying, she explains there can only be one person in her life. Watching Lucy’s face is amazing as she demonstrates the journey of feelings Xena goes through in that moment.

Because Xena is for sure expecting Gabrielle to say all she needs is Xena.

Except she doesn’t. She only needs herself.

Xena’s face falls into extreme disgust and anger. She was so happy two seconds ago, but the spell kicks in, and Xena is kicked off her throne in Gabrielle’s heart for Gabrielle herself. Go figure.

It’s an amazing moment that tells us so much about what’s happening when the cameras aren’t rolling.

So many moments indicate more happening than we see.

Xena praising Gabrielle that she’s beautiful when she’s angry like a woman who is super turned on by her significant other.

They share a bed. Again. At the end of the night.

Xena sitting beside her on the log. Pouting. Because that’s the sort of thing you do with your person. You pout playfully at them to get what you want. It’s all very domestic.

Even if Xena’s fishing stupor, she still notices that Gabrielle has gone missing.

She rescues her at one point, claiming to need her, but all she does is have Gabrielle with her while she’s fishes. And isn’t that just what we all want? Someone to hang out with us while we do stuff.

I’m doing my thing. You do yours. While we just exist in the same space because it’s wonderful this way.

Joxer cracks me up as he does flips and grunts and frees fishes. Kidnaps Gabrielle to surprise her with marriage ang zug zug. Apparently, he’s surprising in more ways than one.

Until he’s nearly shot in a very uncomfortable area.

He rescues Gabrielle.

Swings around. Is generally silly and comic relief while also still being so Joxer that it’s amazing. I loved how he saw things from his perspective as well. Like he’s getting a totally different story than the one that’s actually happening.

Also, if I were these villains and even Aphrodite, I’d be embarrassed that this trio while completely impaired still managed to stop your plan and return the diamond to it’s rightful place.

A wild episode, but so much fun to watch! This is exactly what I love about this show so much.

Everyone is having a good time. We’re entertained. Yet there’s still a deep emotion linking this episode with so many more. These writers, actors, and directors are amazing. I appreciate them all so much for this series’ existence.

Let me know what you thought about this episode!

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