After Friend in Need, this is absolutely the hardest episode for me to watch. Even though I know how fifth season begins, I still avoid watching this one as much as possible.
That is not to say it's a bad episode. In fact, I think it's excellent, both well written and angst filled. But still…so sad. It starts out with Callisto in Hell. Wasn't Callisto a god when we last saw her? Why did she end up in Hell? How could she have died? I love "dream" Xena's expression when Callisto's sword slices through her. It's a pretty good interpretation of what Hell might look like…likes of torment and personal tortures. Callisto just HAS to sit in that darn squat. So unladylike of her! And it's interesting that both Xena AND Gabrielle are her tormenters. Callisto is still alert enough to take down the man who tries to put the moves on her. More than likely, Callisto learns that Xena will wind up higher on the karmic ladder after she dies. Does hanging out in a black pot qualify? Callisto has a mean dog bark! They sure do get a lot by the censors on this show! Xena is playing jockey, riding Caesar in a very sensual motion. Then she pulls a knife, and scares Caesar out of his dream. He sits up abruptly. Given the nature of his dream, shouldn't there still be something errr…prominent down below? So Caesar dreams of Xena? Callisto: That Xena can sure mess up a dream can't she? Does that mean Callisto dreams of Xena too? Meanwhile, Amarice wants to know why they are going to see a preacher. Xena's answer is one of my all-time favorites, "Because what Gabrielle wants, Gabrielle gets." Aha! Just as I've always suspected! Gabs skirt is beginning to resemble a loin cloth. It's all right for Gabs, with her Way of Peace to knock down guys? I have been waiting to say this ever since I started this site. Are you ready? XENA IS THE SIX MILLION DOLLAR WOMAN! Hee hee, I love that!! Why such an odd amount? Gabs is a wee bit freaked that Xena's going to Rome. Can't blame her! Xena says she has to take Caesar out or die trying. "It's the Way of the Warrior". But Xena makes Gabs "Promise me you won't follow me." Gabs says almost without hesitation, "I promise." Apparently, men are bringing the nearest decapitated head to Caesar, claiming it's Xena. When one of the thugs brings a guy, claiming it's Xena, Caesar orders him killed. "And take Xena with you," he quips, referring to the severed head. Gabrielle just beams when Eli heals. Amarice starts questioning Eli immediately, true to her nature. Doesn't Gabs know that green apples will give her a stomach ache? Gabs doesn't even resist when Brutus arrests her. That's an awfully good looking guard Caesar has there! Hee hee. I cannot believe he didn't notice he had walked right by Xena. Xena smiles at the other guard, tells him "At ease," then head butts him. Caesar's trying on laurels. Gabs could give him some good advice. "Psst…hey, Julius…anytime you wear laurels, it means nothing but bad!" Xena, in reference to killing Caesar, "Let's make this short and sweet." Callisto caught the chakram! That's not the first time this has happened, but doh! That has to hurt! Once Xena gets out of that helmet, she looks great in the Roman duds. Callisto sums it up, "My, that was a shocker, wasn't it?" Xena does her best to cut Callisto up. But Callisto stops her with a single finger. I kinda like Callisto's shorter hair. It reminds me of Gabrielle's…and Najara's. Xena says, "It couldn't have happened to a nicer kill." Callisto's got the Alti quick slide down pat! Callisto to Xena, "My, my, aren't you the clever girl?" Xena's pretty tough. Even with Gabs on her way to a Roman prison, she tells Callisto to get lost. Of course, she then takes off hell-bent for leather. Brutus really doesn't have a clue what Caesar has in mind. Gabs saves Amarice's life in the jail, so now they're even. Brutus: Caesar never lied to me. Boy, is he in for a shock! Gabs sums it up nicely. "There's a first time for everything." I can understand Xena's approaching Brutus as he pees. But I'm surprised by her lowering her eyes to check him out for a significant amount of time. She doesn't seem overly impressed. Does he pee on her boots? For a minute, it looks that way. Xena's got to be getting really nervous by now. Eli says you have to empty yourself mentally and physically to love. How exactly does that work? The Romans load bodies onto wagons like the Nazis do. Callisto gets pissed off when Xena tells her that Xena HAS to fight. Xena and Callisto hide with the bodies. Yech! How can Xena just run through the Roman camp and not be spotted? Callisto does an excellent Xena war cry! It's a nice hug when Xena breaks Gabrielle out of jail! Callisto actually pouts because Xena is winning!! And now, here comes one of the most painful moments ever. Callisto throws the chakram over handed. It strikes Xena's back with a chiming sound. The chakram breaks in half. Lucy plays this scene SO perfectly. The light just goes out of her eyes. Her knees buckle inward, and she collapses. And then Gabs begins to seek revenge. Gabs keeps yelling for Xena to get up, and Xena responds with the heartbreaking words, "I can't Gabrielle…it's my spine…I can't move." That always horrifies and sickens me. Gabs is awesome in this scene though! And all Callisto can say is ;"Interesting". Xena is pleading with Gabs to stop. Later, Gabs cuddles Xena's head in her lap. Xena says something about not wanting Gabs to cry, then starts crying herself. There is one positive part of this episode. I love it when Caesar is finally killed! Xena breaks my heart with, "I'm sorry for all the times I didn't treat you right." But Gabs is still the grateful one. "You saved me, Xena." Xena then adds, "I wish I hadda read your scrolls just once." Gabs knows Xena would have liked them. When the guards come for Xena, she looks more like her old self. I hope Callisto gets a mouthful of acid rain when she sticks her tongue out to catch snowflakes! I have never despised her more than I do at that moment! Caesar is SO cocky. Callisto tells Xena, "Don't give me that confident look." Boy, it would sure take A LOT of guts now to scream before the crucifixion. Xena: Gabrielle, you're the best thing in my life. She gives a full-fledged Lucy grin while on the cross. We now know that people weren't really crucified in that manner. The nails went through the wrists and ankles. The shots of the crucifixion and Caesar's death are awesome. Could Xena feel the hammer? She acted as if she could. There wasn't enough blood on Caesar. And not enough stab marks. I can't imagine having to wait a whole summer to find out exactly what happened to Xena and Gabrielle. Xena gave up the ghost fast. The spirit part would have given me great hope though. Xena looks different, even lovelier, as a spirit. Eli's god took them home for the summer. We'll find out what happened to 'em in Fallen Angel.
The only saving grace in this episode was the re-appearance of Callisto.
She is in hell, and wears some rags, barely covering her. She also has a
sword. We see other victims in hell being tortured. A man tries to lap her
skin, but she knocks him down. He says that someone they call "HIM" has a
proposition for Callisto. She is supposed to stop Xena from following the
way of the warrior, and must not harm Xena physically...it is to be a
spiritual battle. Also, Caesar is the main interest for "HIM".
Callisto sees visions of Xena and Gabby laughing at her in hell. Cal says that it is not fair that Xena could destroy nations and gets to be reborn while Cal, avenging her family and village, is cursed.
Caesar is in bed with Xena....Xena, during sex, has a dagger which she is about to kill Caesar with, when he awakens to see Cal. She tells him of the plans, and knows that he must kill Xena, and that Xena will come to kill him. Cal will help him fulfill his destiny.
At the docks, Xena tells Amarice "whatever Gabrielle wants, Gabrielle gets." Then they are attacked by some bounty hunters sent by Caesar. Xena and Amarice fight well, while Gabby STILL stands around, but looks as if she is about to help. She does knock one guy into the water before he can kill Amarice.
Xena puts the Pinch on one guy who tells why he is there. Xena says she must end the feud between herself and Caesar by killing him. As she leaves, Xena tells Amarice to protect Gabby...as her friend. Xena talks of the unending vision again, and says she must stay a warrior...she touches Gabby's arm and leaves.
Note: no goodbye, kiss, or saying "I love you" at all. Xena just leaves. I thought this coarse of her, since she is going to Rome and most likely die.
Rome: Caesar sees different versions of Xena's head in bags. The bounty hunters are killed for failing to bring the real one. Cal tells Caesar that Xena will come to him.
Eli and his "sheeple": Eli is found by Gabby and Amarice in a field having a picnic. Eli calls on "Abba" (not the group) to heal a kid. Amarice looks skeptical and will not shake his hand. Gabby wants to learn how to heal. Eli says she must love, then healing will happen.
Amarice, the only one I had respect for in this ep, stands guard over about fifteen people. She hears a noise, and the group is surrounded by Romans. Brutus says that Gabby is Caesar's guarantee of safety against Xena. Gabby says she is okay with that...even tho she knows Xena is on her way to kill Caesar.
Note: As in Endgame, when Amarice is captured, she still has her sword in her scabbard. Were the Romans that dumb?
Xena is a guard outside Caesar's door; she is dressed in Roman armor and helmet. Nobody seems to notice her pretty face.
Xena throws the Chakram, only to have it caught by Cal before it hits Caesar. Xena then fights barehanded against a bunch of Romans while C looks on with Cal. Xena jumps out a window, and THEN draws her sword. She sees Cal there twirling the Chakram, not giving it back. Why doesn't Xena even tell her to give it back?
Cal tells Xena of hell and Xena is glad she is there. Cal can move fast as Xena tries to walk away.
The pitch: Caesar will be emperor, and tho Gabby is captured (something Xena does not believe at first) she will be released if Xena does what she is told.
Gabby, Eli, and his "sheeple" go to the prison in the snow. There are a lot of people on crosses there, and even a wagon for the dead. Brutus says the extra crosses are for some pirates.
Inside, Amarice grabs a sword from a Roman and alone, tries to fight her way out. She is overpowered, and Brutus wants her dead. Gabby reminds him that he was spared, so he just chains Amarice up with the others. Amarice chides Eli and the others for not helping save their own lives...Eli just grins. During all of this, Xena is riding hard to get to the prison, but first she has to see Brutus.
The Roman is taking a leak when Xena sneaks up behind him saying "Ave, Brutus." He turns, with it all hanging out, and listens to Xena's story. Xena glances slowly at his crotch and smiles a bit, then says she will tell Brutus about Caesar wanting him dead. All Brutus has to do is say where Gabby is. He does this, but does not believe Caesar wants to kill Gabby. Xena says Brutus will be sent to Gaul, where he will be murdered, and that C wants to be emperor and will declare this on the Ides of March. When Xena asks if it was snowing where the prison is, Brutus says it was...this is in Xena's vision.
Again, we see the Year of the Unending Vision of the crucifixion. She makes it to the prison and waits in the rocks.
Inside, Gabby and Eli meditate, with Gabby saying "I did it." Amarice asks what she did, and Gabby says "nothing." Amarice is pissed at this and just can't believe these people are for real. Gabby says she stopped all physical and mental activity, much like RenPics did since Sin Trade.
Cal sees Xena and makes one last pitch for Xena to give up her "way." If she does this, nobody dies and they will all live in peace. Xena says no, but in the next scene, we see Cal and Xena in the wagon with the dead, going INTO the prison, which is weird, considering the dead are being brought OUT after they are crucified. Xena says she is not feeling guilty anymore (how about Friend in Need, Xena?) and will fight evil with a sword. Cal says if Xena leaves Caesar alone, Cal will stop the vision from coming true.
Rome: C tells Brutus about crucifying Eli and Gabby. He will also make an announcement and that Brutus will have to go to Gaul. Brutus now believes Xena and arranges Caesar's assassination.
Amarice wants to die in battle and not on a cross. Gabby assures her that Xena will rescue them. When Xena says no, Cal does a pretty good Xena-yell, bringing out the guards. Xena breaks in and releases Gabby and the rest. Amarice gets a sword, and she and Xena fight their way out, sending Eli and his crowd to safety outside the prison. Amarice is a great fighter and seems to love it, as Xena usually does.
Cal, seeing that Xena is winning, screams "NO!" and throws the Chakram, hitting Xena in her back, breaking her spine and breaking the Chakram in half.
Note: since The Xena Scrolls had the broken Chakram, and the "new" one is made from the light and dark Chakrams, then The Xena Scrolls cannot have happened.
Finally, after Gabby sees her friend down and about to be killed, Gabby grabs a spear and kills the first Roman. She then grabs Xena's sword, and kills six more, finally stabbing the eighth with a dagger. She has no blood on her.
Also, funny how these scantily-clad woman never seem to feel cold in the snow.
In the cell, Gabby and Xena are dressed in rags. They also appear to have been beaten up, since the Romans frowned on those who killed their buddies. Xena's head is in Gabby's lap, and she is weak. Gabby chose the "way of friendship" for herself...not the way of love, since she fought. I literally yelled "All right!" when Gabby fought...it was about time.
Amarice leads Eli and his sheeple to safety. She was more of a man than he was.
Xena says she is sorry for not having read Gabby's scrolls...Gabby says she would have liked them.
The two scenes occurring at the same time did not work for me. Caesar in Rome and the girls' crucifixion took away from the intensity of both.
Caesar is about to announce he will be emperor when Brutus and some others stab him to death. At the same time, the nails get pounded into the girls' hands and feet.
Before that, Gabby walked out of the prison while Xena was dragged. Callisto catches snowflakes on her tongue as she smiles, watching the scene. They were placed on the crosses, and Xena smiled and said Gabby was the best thing in her life, and Gabby said she loved Xena. It was over in an instant. Then the crosses were put vertical and the girls die almost at once.
Xena's spirit emerges first. She is dressed in a beautiful white outfit, and she then awakens Gabby's spirit. They smile, then disappear. End of this episode.
Problem: The whole season had Xena dreading the crucifixion, and we saw endless scenes of it, complete with dialogue, too. When it finally came, it was over in an instant.
In When Fates Collide, we saw a much more realistic crucifixion scene for each woman. Gabby is first, but is released by Xena. Xena is really nailed to the cross and shows a lot more pain and horror, esp. it being done in the rain. IDES had it stylized, with not much real emotion...it was almost a beautiful thing instead of the terrible death crucifixion is.
Note: Xena is responsible for the death of the Triumvirate, even if indirectly. She allows Crassus to be beheaded by putting Caesar in a position where he has to kill him. She kills Pompey in battle, and of course, gets Brutus to kill Caesar for her in his own self-defense.