To Helicon and Back Part 1
First thing I want to address is a real beef I had with this episode. I mean, this problem
absolutely drove me to distraction and put a big minus sign on the episode before I even get
into what happened. I read somewhere that twenty-five minutes of footage had to be edited
out of this episode before it was trimmed to its proper length. It was a new record for a Xena
episode. Either TPTB decided to edit some of that footage back in, or they should have edited
more out because someone got the bright idea of SPEEDING UP the fight sequences. And not
just a little but a lot...to the point that it looked like cartoon fighting in some spots. There were
some good action sequences, but they were disguised well with the too quick movements of
the participants. I thought slow motion fighting could be a distraction, but this was much
worse!!
Now that I have that off my chest, let me summarize the rest of the episode by saying I spent
a good bit of my time with my mouth gaping open, going "huh?" This episode had a lot of
surprises and there was a lot of plot jammed into the time allotted. There's a good story here
somewhere, just fighting to get out, but my very first impression was too much is not
necessarily better. Despite that, this is an excellent look into Gabrielle's character, and it shows
just how far the Battling Bard of Potodeia has come. It was a serious episode to be sure, and it
was quite angst-ridden and suspenseful...shocking in some places. And it definitely hearkens to
past seasons. It was a group of fighters taking on a real warlord with real decimation left in its
wake. Now let's see if I can make some sense of it all...
To Helicon and Back starts out on an extremely positive note for me...it picks up exactly
where Path of Vengeance left off. Apparently, after Eve took off East to wait until she meets
up with our heroines at the end of the season, Xena and Gabrielle have decided to hang out
with the Amazons for a while longer. The very first shot is of an upraised forearm offered by a
smiling Varia which is crossed by Gabrielle's forearm. "To a strong Amazon nation," Varia
declares, which Gabs echoes. "How's the eye?" Varia asks. The cut is still there on Gabs' left
eyebrow. "How's the hand?" Gabrielle returns. "Fine, why?" Varia asks. Gabrielle grins and
says, "I thought maybe you sprained it on my face." There's a beat, then Gabs' nose wrinkles
with her grin and Xena chuckles that great throaty chuckle and Varia breaks into a head
shaking grin of her own.
The two release forearms and Varia walks toward Xena, who gives her one of those mock
"we're not worthy" bows. Varia tells her they'd like to "borrow" Gabrielle for a while since the
ceremony is, "Amazon only...like the other ones," Xena supplies. She doesn't mind...she's
going to rough it in the forest. I was bemoaning the fate of campfire scenes last week, and we
get this one this week, only like in The Rheingold where it was only Gabrielle (and later
Brunhilda), this one looks like it will be only Xena. I miss the fireside chats! Xena gives an odd
expression when she realizes she's out on her own ...I can't really describe it. Then she holds
up a hand as a wave to Gabrielle who has been beaming at her, and says, "Well, have a good
time at the party...don't do anything I wouldn't do," before heading out.
There is an eclipse. Now, do the Amazons plan their queening ceremony because of the
eclipse, or do they cause the eclipse with the queening ceremony? I dunno, but it makes for
some very nifty lighting effects! Gabrielle and some of the other Amazons are seated on the
ground, while others do the dancing thing. There's a shot of Xena by the side of the campfire,
watching the eclipse with a look on her face that says something is bothering her. Varia is all
dressed up in her finery, and stands with her arms outstretched. An Amazon approaches and
gives her a cut across the left bicep with a wicked looking knife while Gabs winces. Varia (did
you know "varia" was a legal Scrabble word? So is "xenia".) rubs her right hand in the blood
and starts to lift it. There's a shot of Xena in near darkness, apparently her psychic powers (or
at least an excellent sense of timing) working even as she burns her finger on a piece of meat
she's cooking and whispering "to a strong Amazon nation" then Varia's hand reaches upward
to superimpose on the darkened sun. As one, all of the Amazons, including Gabs, of course,
raise their hands as a victorious shout goes up, "Hail, Varia, the new queen of the Amazons!!"
The dancing continues with EVERYONE participating as daylight begins to appear.
Somewhere in the midst of the faces, a pale blue face appears, someone NOT invited to the
ceremony. Xena's pyschic senses are definitely in overdrive back in the forest because she
whooshes her head upward, sensing something is very wrong. More masked faces appear, and
the fight is on.
Some of the intruders are on horseback, some are on foot, and it takes the Amazons, including
Gabbers, a few seconds to realize they're under attack. There's about thirty seconds of
fighting, with both sides doing damage when the leader, whose mask is different from the
others, pauses on his horse. Xena gives her warcry, but we don't see her entrance. The first
shot we see of her is her holding her sword to one of the bad guys' throat, which she slices
open while the leader watches. A non-verbal challenge, I'd say. As the fighting continues, and
the sequence speeds up ridiculously, Xena throws her chakram which is deflected off the
leader's sword but still takes out a couple of blue faces. Xena takes a blow to the head and is
knocked down. Cyane, the Cyane we met last week is doing a great job fighting. Gabrielle
does some damage with her sais as Xena hops to her feet...from her back...and jumps back
into the fray. Nicole Kidman Amazon and one of the other Queens from last week get in their
own respective shots, and we see Gabrielle go down. Xena is at her side in an instant, and
Gabs hops back to her feet and they fight back to back. Varia takes out a few bad guys, and
then the leader approaches her. They spar for a few seconds, and then the leader clouts her on
the head with his scepter, or whatever you call it, and she's knocked out cold. He loads her on
his horse while someone yells out, "Varia, they've got Varia!" Xena and Gabrielle still have
their butts pressed together as the leader calls out, "Retreat...let them come to us!" and that's
what the men do. The Amazons begin to assess their damage and Cyane walks up to Xena and
Gabs. "They've kidnapped our queen", she tells them as we focus on Gabs', then Xena's
concerned face and fade to opening credits.
Xena picks up the scepter and identifies it as being from Helicon, which Gabs says is a fortress
on the coast. One of the Amazon queens says they have to rescue Varia. Cyane says they'll
need a commander who is familiar with Greece's terrain, and looks to Xena. So does Gabs, "It
should be Xena." That's what I was thinking! But oh no, Nicole Kidman Amazon has to rain on my
parade and tells them they can only go to war under an Amazon queen. Xena's been studying
the scepter, her back to them, but she's been listening and turning her head, whispers, "That
means you, Gabrielle." Gabrielle steels herself and gives a nod to Xena, not looking 100% sure
of herself.
But she takes command and they all crouch around an invisible map, and Gabs tells them the
fortress is on a outcrop and the best way to attack is by the mountain pass. Xena adds, "And
therefore it's the best defended." "Exactly," Gabrielle concurs, then "We attack by water."
"Good girl," Xena whispers under her breath with a hint of a smile. "Good teacher," Gabs
responds a little louder. Xena touches her arm to get her to walk with her. She tells Gabs that
she'll sneak into the fortress, take out the leader, create a diversion, and Gabs and the others
can attack from behind. Just business as usual in the day of the life of a warrior princess.
Gabrielle asks what I would consider the silliest question of the week..."Xena, are you sure
about going after the leader on your own?" Cut to a shot of the fortress, just as Gabs described
it with a Xena voiceover..."I can handle him...let's just hope Varia can."
Inside the fortress, Varia is standing behind a man who has his back to her. "The great Varia,"
he says, and turns to face her. He's pretty good looking...too good looking to be so evil. He
tells her he guesses her first day as queen wasn't what she expected. Varia tries her tough girl
approach, "in the name of all the Amazons, I demand..." she gets out, but he grabs her face
squeezing hard, telling her she's in no position to demand anything. Varia looks afraid, but
wrenches her head free. She tells him he's a madman, inviting the wrath of the Amazon nation
on himself. He responds that he had intended on just killing her, but his plan has changed.
Varia, feeling brave again, tells him that her sisters will come after him. "I know," he tells her
with a slight smile.
There's a funeral pyre for the Amazons that didn't survive the first attack, along with Ephiny's
song from Maternal Instinct. Xena watches a second, puts a hand on Gabs' forearm, then
mounts Argo II. She rides off, and then the moon is in the sky, and all the Amazons are on a
boat (where did that come from?), which is rocking precariously. The Amazons are extremely nervous, and Gabrielle, not
known for having a great pair of sea legs is walking around, reassuring everyone. Cyane asks
Nicole Amazon to lend her some coins. Nicole (she has a name...it will be used later, but for
the life of me I can't remember it now) wants to know why? They don't use the same money.
"I know," Cyane replies, "but knowing my luck, if I owe you money I"ll survive." I like
Cyane! Nicole laughs, but Cyane says, "come on I'm serious," and they all sober again.
There's an Amazon that looks remarkably like Toura, Varia's sister whom we met last week.
She has dark brown eyes and dark brown hair, and looks far less battle-hardened than any of
the others. She's staring into the face of another blonde-haired Amazon, who is young in age,
but appears far more cynical, but turns to Gabs when she asks, "Are you all right?" She laughs
nervously and says, "Some warrior, huh?" I was expecting her to compare herself to a
pregnant slug, but instead she says, "I feel like Joxer facing the dryads." You know, I should
have been offended by that, and so should Gabrielle, but I wasn't and neither was she. Afterall
is said and done, I feel Joxer had some heroic qualities, and hate the thought of him being
remembered for his lack of bravery, but the Amazon is terrified, obviously. Gabrielle puts an
arm around her and tells her, "Everybody's afraid. Some people are just better at hiding it
..you'll do fine."
Xena's made it into the fortress...seemingly with no difficulty. She gets a great camera shot of
her feral expression, then delivers a kick to the suprised leader, knocking him down. He smiles
and starts to pick himself up as Xena walks out of the shadows with a smile. "Hello", she says
pleasantly. "Xena," he says knowingly. He was surprised to see her at the Amazon camp.
"LIkewise," Xena intones studying him, and then giving him a subtle headshake that says she
doesn't know who he is. He stands up and walks over with a pleasant smile which Xena
returns. He calls himself "Bellerephon." "It's NOT nice to meet you, Bellerephon (who shall
henceforth be known as "Belle"...too hard to type), " she replies and attacks. He's good
though, and after a few hits and misses from Xena, he gives her a hit that sends her flying
backwards to land on her warrior butt. She looks shocked. "I've been hit like that before," she
says standing slowly, "But never by a mortal." They begin to circle warily as the dialog
continues. Belle tells her he was born of Artemis, "the greatest of the Olympians". Huh? If she
was the greatest, why did we only see her in one episode? But Xena knows now why he hates
the Amazons so much. He confirms it... Artemis watched over the Amazons, teaching them all
they know, but they abandoned Artemis. "That was not the Amazons' fault!" Xena declares.
"No," he agrees, "It was your fault." Uh oh! Methinks he has a personal vendetta against
Xena! Xena attacks again, this time getting in a few solid kicks and blows. "You're a good
enough fighter," she tells him. "So what? Does that make you a god?" But Belle knows she no
longer has the power to kill gods...everyone knows it. Sheesh...I knew that secret wouldn't be
safe for long, but did everyone watch Nigel's documentary? Xena murdered Belle's mother,
and is going to pay. He yells for his guards, and Xena attacks yet again, getting in some more
kicks, but he has drawn a knife and grabs her, pulling her back to him with the knife at her
throat. He tells her, "First you, then every one of those bitches until there's not an Amazon left
to draw a breath." He sees the boat and calls them "fools bobbing out there on the water".
Xena's eyes reveal she knows the ship is sailing into an attack, and looks horrified. On the
boat, Gabs is telling her troops they have to disembark in silence, as the element of surprise is
their greatest weapon. Uh oh! Back in the fortress, Belle, still holding a squriming Xena orders
the catapult to be fired. Xena breaks free, slams into his face with the back of her head and
makes a running dive through an open window from the fortress, off the outcrop, and battle
cries all the way into the water below.
Meanwhile, back on the boat, one of the Amazons wants to know what the screeching noise is
(it's the catapult, not Xena, she's too far away), and Gabs spots the flaming ammo of the
catapult hurtling toward them. "Get down!" she cries, and they all do as the stern of the boat is
taken out. The boat is on fire as we fade to commercial.
The Amazons have abandoned ship. Someone asks Gabrielle what to do and she tells them to
"Stay calm, We're taking the beach." The blonde Amazon says they've got catapults but
Gabrielle repeats her order, "We're taking the beach." This scene will long be remembered as
the A-Day invasion, at least in my twisted mind.
It is not pretty...Belle's catapults do serious damage to the scrambling Amazons. Poor Gabrielle
(who is looking mighty buff in her new Amazon queen duds...very nice!) can't even stop to
help her injured and dying sisters who are falling everywhere. Belle has archers on the fortress
walls, and their aim is deadly. Explosions abound as the Amazons try to get to safety,
following Gabrielle's lead. She is running like an Olympic athlete. There are shots of Amazons
trying to help their fallen sisters, only to be hit by arrows themselves. It is very, very sad. The
brown haired Amazon crouches behind a rock with Gabs. "This is going to be our graveyard,"
she says. "We are not dying here," Gabrielle tells her. But it is obvious they are.
About this time I started asking a question I'd ask a lot during this episode. Uh...where's Xena?
Shouldn't she be here now? Gabrielle is doing a great job as leader, she truly is. She's keeping
her wits about her, and spots cover behind the sand dunes which lay ahead. She tells them
they need a diversion. She looks at the Amazons who have made it to this point, and spots one
tough looking Amazon staring straight ahead. "Trudis, can you do it?" "I'll go," Trudis replies
in her Kiwi accent, wth no hesitation.
The brown eyed Amazon says she'll never make it, but Gabrielle tells her they don't have any
choice. Trudis mentally prepares herself and makes a dash for it. The first catapult shot hits
her, but Gabs gives the order to move. The Amazons make a mad run for the dunes, but great
numbers are stopped by arrows and the catapults. It was about this time I was drawn to the
parallel of this episode to A Good Day, in which Xena wants Gabrielle to take command in her
absence and Gabrielle can't do it. She CAN do it now, and is doing her best, another sign of
how much she has changed. She doesn't look behind her as she continues to give the order to
go until they make it to the relative safety of the bottom of the rocks that the fortress is
mounted upon. There is a heartbreaking shot of one of the injured Amazons calling out, "don't
leave us", but there really is no choice in the matter.
At the bottom of the cliff, Cyane turns and spots the silhouette of Xena, finally emerging from
the water. "Someone's coming out of the water," she cries, and all heads turn to see. Shouldn't
Cyane have recognized Xena, even from that distance? Anyway, Xena is dodging catapult
shots, calling out "Gabrielle" every two seconds as she makes her way to them. She drops to
the ground by Gabrielle who puts a hand on her shoulder and asks a simple "What happened?"
But the blonde cynical Amazon moves in and starts in on Xena, demanding over and over to
know why Xena didn't do something. "We're going to die," she tells Xena..."We're all going to
die." Xena takes a lot more of this than I ever thought she would, but snarls back,"Now you
listen to me...yes, they've got catapults and yes, we are going to die...(huh?)...if you don't pull
yourself together! (oh!)...you hear me...all of you keep calm!" She gives the blonde one more
look and orders, "Get back!" The blonde moves back slowly, put in her place for now.
Varia is being forced to listen to Belle's monologue about his plans for destroying the Amazon
nation. Her face has tears drying on it. He tells her its his revenge for the Amazons turning
their back on Artemis.
Down on the beach, Xena tells Gabrielle they are up against the son of Artemis. "Do you
understand?" Gabrielle knows what that means. "He's going to destroy us." She surveys the
carnage on the beach. She puts an arm on Xena's shoulder, and tells her that she should take
command. She means it. But Xena tells her the Amazons won't listen to her. "You're it," she
tells Gabrielle, and for a minute there, I pictured a game of Tag...but it was a fleeting
thought...this scene is too intense. "You're it."
"But maybe," Belle says (we're back in the fortress), "we can come to some kind of
understanding."
On the beach, the attack has stopped. The cynical blonde wants to make a run for it, but Xena
tells her "Stay put." For someone not in command, she's awfully...commanding. The brown
haired Amazon wants to know why they don't want make a run for it, but Gabs says that's
what Belle expects. The blonde dashes anyway, and the brunette tries to follow but is tackled
by Xena. The blonde runs to the top of a ridge, and immediately becomes a pincushion with
half a dozen arrows sticking out of her. She falls backwards and lays there twitching. The
others watch mournfully as the catapult finds its mark and decimates her completely. Xena
tells Gabrielle she has an idea. It will only buy them a few seconds but it's the only chance
they've got. Gabs puts a hand to her shoulder, but she gets up to move and sprints out of the
picture. She tops the same crest the blonde had just been knocked from, and why the archers
didn't shoot, I don't know. But she gives a mighty chakram throw, and as the catapult moves
to fire it's flaming payload, the chakram hits the top of it, severing it, and the flames explode
on the men below it. It was a minor victory, but it had me cheering! "Now!" Xena screams,
and Gabrielle echoes it, and the Amazons quickly advance again. Xena watches from the crest,
waiting on her chakram to return, and cries out when Nicole Amazon (okay, her name is
Gwyn-Teir) is hit by another catapult shot. Xena runs to her and carries her to the next
advanced position as Gabrielle helps another injured Amazon to the same place. Gabrielle tells
Xena that at least they're out of the line of fire. They are at the bottom of the really steep sand
dunes, and across the beach, they can see a blindfolded Varia struggling to make her way to
them. Cyane, who seems to have the eagle eyes of the bunch, spots her, and Xena and
Gabrielle go to see her approach. The brown haired Amazon wants to know why they aren't
being fired at, and no one responds. Check out Xena's expression though...she seems to have
her guesses as to what's up.
Xena cuts through Varia's manacles with her chakram. Gabrielle crouches by Varia, and puts a
hand on her shoulder. Varia says that Belle says "A queen should die with her tribe." There is
something very odd in her voice. But Gabs tells her it's good that she's back. Varia tells them
they'll wait for nightfall, then retreat. "Retreat?" Gabs repeats, looking up at Xena...they are
both puzzled. Varia takes a long drink, then stands, telling Gabs and Xena that she has to get
her sisters to safety. Gabrielle tells her it won't end until Belle is defeated and Xena agrees,
"We have to stop them, Varia." Varia considers this, and turns back to them. "How?" Xena
tells them they should go by water and set up a flanking position and move to the other side of
the fortress. Gabs doesn't want to leave the wounded behind though. Xena tells them they'll be
completely defenseless on the beach. Varia doesn't want to leave her sisters behind. Gabrielle
tells Xena that carrying the wounded would slow them down, and more will die. Xena looks
slightly offended that Gabbers is questioning her plan, but stays silent as she waits on Varia to
make a decision. But it looks like Varia isn't feeling like taking her command back. She doesn't
say anything. Gabrielle thinks deeply and then tells Xena that's she's right. Gabs will tell the
others.
Now here's the next time I asked, "Where's Xena?" Varia and Gabrielle are huddled together,
and Varia tells Gabs that she was blindfolded, but she came down the mountain on a trail. Gabs
says that means there's another way up to the fortress. Varia tells her they need a volunteer to
find it, and Gabs says she'll go. I see a problem here, especially with the way Varia is eying
Gabs. Why would Gabrielle change the plans, and not let Xena know? Xena is down on the
beach, working on some kind of raft, but looks up as her psychic ability kicks in yet again.
"Gabrielle?" she calls as she stands and looks for the bard. She spots Gabs a long way off,
running along the beach, presumably toward the fortress. What makes matters worse, is some
distance away, Varia has her bow and arrow raised, and she's aiming it at Gabrielle.
Y'know, I really thought Varia was straightened out...I really did. What is up with this
character? This show is really making her a character that's difficult to like! Varia lets the
arrow fly, but Xena is right there, and stops the arrow before it's completely left the bow.
Xena turns and calls out Gabs' name, and Gabs wheels immediately to see Xena and Varia, the
arrow still clutched in Xena's hand, the bow still lifted. The sounds of the catapults fill the air
as Gabs realizes she's been ambushed, and she makes a mad run back toward Xena. What an
awesome scene!! Gabrielle looks very strong as she pumps her way away from the catapult
shots hitting behind her, their explosions filling the background. Very, very well-done on both
the directing (thank you, Michael Hurst) and Renee's part!
To Helicon and Back Part 2
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