You know, when I write up my reviews, I also open the wikia page for the episode. Just a little something to be able to scroll through quickly and jog my memory about the episode and things I wanted to talk about.
For fun, I like to read the background notes or trivia about the episode. I love learning little details about the behind-the-scenes process. What I was not expecting to read in this episode is that Lucy Lawless was embarrassed by her performance in this episode. I genuinely didn’t think there was anything that embarrassed her – considering all the things we’ve seen her do in this show. But apparently, this was just one step too far for her.
I was also not expecting to see that Rob Tapert himself was annoyed and disappointed in this episode because I am not annoyed or disappointed in this episode.
While it is definitely not the best Xena episode in the line-up, it’s far from the worst.
This episode is just a good time, honestly. Which is kind of what I love about this show. I come for the shenanigans and the affectionate love between Xena and Gabrielle.
However, I am not upset when they’re driving each other mad as well since they got competitive over a bidding war for absolutely no reason other than to irritate each other. Not to mention, they’re annoyance with playing these characters and doing things Autolycus’ way.
Apparently, it was more annoyance over the episode, but hey, you know what? It worked.
Not every episode of the show needs to be a groundbreaking event.
Sometimes, it’s nice to have a really silly and useless episode where the characters are just being utterly ridiculous for the sake of a friend. While also hitting some really good emotional beats with Autolycus.
Who nearly commits murder in this episode on the man who killed his brother. As well as, attempted to steal the title of King of Thieves from him because Autolycus took everything from him because of his brother.
Got to love a vicious circle.
Honestly, this is a fine example of why I hate the idea of getting even. No one ever really believes it’s even. Like in this process you have to convince the other person that the score is settled. And well, do you think that’s possible?
Much like here, there’s no guarantee that the other guy won’t go after Autolycus again in the future. He could escape from prison. Things happen.
How do you know when enough is enough? How do you stop? How do decide your even?
Never. Unless, as pointed out by Gabrielle in early seasons that the only way to break cycles like this is for one person to let go of the grudge. To just let it end. Let love prevail instead.
Which is sort of the vibe that Xena went with in stopping Autolycus.
Got to love when characters learn and grow. Xena insists that Autolycus would kill the good man his brother raised. Because while he may be a thief, he’s not a bad guy. Something we have learned time and time again when he appears on the show.
He’s not out to hurt anyone. Just get rich.
Which is not that bad all things considered. I mean, unless you’re some people. But we’re not talking about that.
Xena gets Autolycus to put down the weapon and carry on with the original plan to get his title back instead of committing cold blooded murder. Which again – while it’s nice and all, it still doesn’t completely stop the cycle of the two of them.
But hey, one thing at a time.
Xena has come a long way from using violence to solve all her problems and others. She even goes through an entire scheme here for a friend. Trying her best to do things his way so that he can reclaim his title.
I really love that.
Overall, this is a decent episode. While it might not the be the favorite of the creators nor the actors, it’s not a bad episode.
Personally, I love any time Autolycus shows up.
We get wonderful scenes like Xena clocking him at the start of the episode dressed as grandmother trying to hide because he knows people would suspect him.
Or the moment he’s depressed and telling them that while he would love to take credit for the theft or have pulled it off, he did not. And that pains him to admit.
Gabrielle wanting a kiss from him at the end like the kiss on the cheek he gave Xena for whatever reason. I’m not sure why she wanted this, but it was sort of amusing to watch him just awkwardly pat her, and leave. While Xena watched on in amusement.
Autolycus thrilled to have his title back but being disappointed he can never tell people how he did it.
I do love that. However, dude, you can share it with the two people who helped you pull it off.
All of the locks that Autolycus had to go through to get out of the dungeon. That was a crazy number of locks and I love Bruce Campbell during this scene. “I’m listening, but you’re not talking.”
For whatever reason, that line cracked me up so hard.
Also, I’m not sure what the guy thought it would hold him. I’d just knock him unconscious. Have a guard posted in the room to lock each lock once he picks it. I mean, come on! He’s not called the King of Thieves for nothing.
Although, I am certain he gave that title to himself, he has earned it.
So, no, I would not have left him alone.
Like I think you were actively trying to see if he could escape just for the fun of it.
On the other hand, I would like to point out that this man is a complete moron regardless. He was suspicious when Gabrielle appeared out of thin air asking about the statue he stole. Then a second person appears out of thin air also wanting to purchase the statue.
However, he’s suddenly totally chill with them when they start a bidding war from a seemingly reasonable amount of money to an absurd amount of money. Like 15,000 dinars seemed pretty chill. But once the bidding has reached 300, 000 dinars, I’d start getting suspicious again.
Because who the eff has that kind of money in this day and age? Like that seems ridiculous based on what we’ve seen Gabrielle haggling with in past episodes. Not to mention, the amount they went up. That’s absurd considering where you started.
My girlfriend put it well while we were watching the episode, he’s blinded by greed.
Yes, that and stupidity.
He can’t see the trees for the forest.
Yeesh. The entire episode this guy acts like he’s got the upper hand while three people are just running amuck in his castle. Just gathering supplies and building a wall to hide the statue. It is absolutely wild how dumb he is.
Other scenes I loved!
Autolycus in his dive suit that makes no sense to me because there were an awful lot of holes in that thing.
Xena just kicking the door down.
Gabrielle seeing Xena’s wart. Them bickering about the bidding and Autolycus trying to break up the argument. Do not get in the middle, man.
Autolycus with a hunch. The weird lady with the hunch fetish.
The guy from the village all upset because Xena would miss his speech, something she clearly wanted to miss. Something Gabrielle also wanted to miss as well.
Which also leads me to another fun element from the show. There’s always hints that Xena and Gabrielle are having more adventures than we see. Xena went off to do something else at the beginning of the episode. Gabirelle has clearly met this man before even though we’ve never seen him or the villages on screen before.
I really love that the world feels lived in even when we’re not watching. Gabrielle and Xena are still having adventures that aren’t written in the scrolls. Moments we don’t see. Pieces of their lives we’re not part of.
Because of this, it also feels real to know that they are a couple off screen. There’s a whole world we know nothing about for these two and that happens to be part of it. I really enjoy that. It gives it life and depth.
Well, onto the next episode which is part one of the finale and my girlfriend is excited, so I’m sure there’s some angst coming my way. Wish me luck!
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