Path of Vengeance Part 1
Oh yes, I liked this one! After a couple of weeks of not-so-typical Xena episodes, this
return to a more create-a-problem...problem-gets-worse,Xena-and-Gabrielle-solve-problem
type episode got my heart a-pumpin' during the commercial breaks. I must admit after the
teaser I was beginning to wonder if this episode was going to be inconsistency-riddled, but
when it was all said and done, I felt like someone had done their homework.
Okay, enough generalizations...let's get into some details. Path of Vengeance starts with an
overview of an Amazon camp and then tightens in to a cave where a bunch of Amazon (I
almost wrote Amazon women...what would be the point in that?) sitting in a circle, having a
seance. Whoops, not a seance, but the voice heard over the shot sounds so much like Marga, I
thought for a minute that they had brought her spirit back to impart a little wisdom. The
Amazons are queens of various tribes (one of them looks like the Nicole Kidman look-alike
Rhine maiden...is it?), and they are creating an alliance to make the Amazon nation stronger.
One of them questions if everything is to be decided by the council of tribal queens, but in
steps a very familiar Amazon...Varia. She declares "not everything", and another queen in the
circle, the one with the funkiest headdress and the Marga voice says the various queens uphold
the laws, but Varia leads the warrior. I guess that sort of makes her Commander-in-Chief, but
funky headdress calls her THEIR queen. That's a scary thought...a couple of weeks ago, she
was in training with Xena, and uh...having a few problems with discipline, and now she's the
supreme leader of the entire Amazon nation? Uh huh, there's a FINE idea. Varia it's said it's
time for her warriors to go to action. There are Roman troops scouting the forest. Varia
doesn't know why they're there...she just knows they're going to make sure they don't leave.
Cut to a shot of the forest again, and there's a lone figure in the distance. Hey, I know her!
That's Eve, apparently all healed from her flagellation (I still think that's a dirty word), and
now apparently out on a mission. She senses something and whirls to see the afore mentioned
Roman troops marching toward her. She wants to know what they're doing there, and the
leader tells her they've been dispatched by the emperor to be her guard. Emperor? Let's see,
Caligula was the last one I knew of, and he's dead now, so who's in charge of Rome now? Eve
says she's bringing a message of peace to the Amazons and can't show up with Roman
soldiers. The leader tells her again he has his orders. Eve wants him to go back and tell the
emperor she has to do this alone, and about this time, there is the sound of a whole lot of poor
imitations of Xena's war cry...either that or a bunch of wild turkeys are about to attack. They
are being completely surrounded by hundreds of Amazon Warriors. The Roman leader
comments he thought the Amazons were a small tribe. Eve speaks up, "I am a representative
of Eli...and of Rome...I am here for peace!" Maybe I made this up in my own head, but I
thought Eve had separated herself from representing Rome. Apparently, not anymore. The
Amazons make a weird battle sound, and all step forward one pace, and the Roman
commander quips, "I don't think they care." He orders his men to form a defense, and the
Amazons close in. The battle is on!
It's a fierce one, with lots of stabbings and stompings on both sides. Eve stands in the middle,
looking like a big magnet, ready to draw a sword or two her way. The only Roman with the
power of speech tries to get her out of there, but Eve refuses to go. (there's a shock!). Varia is
doing some serious damage to the Roman troops, and has taken out several of them, when
Eve spots her and just stares. After cutting another throat or two, Varia sees her, and
approaches, "Well, if it isn't Livia." I was waiting for her to say "Bitch of Rome", but not yet.
Eve corrects her, "I'm Eve, Messenger of Eli." Varia doesn't care which one she is...she just
barks, "Take her prisoner!" She tells Eve that no matter what her name is, she's going to pay
for her crimes against the Amazons.
Meanwhile, Roman Talking Boy tells one of his men to get out of there, go back to the last
village and tell one of the officers what is happening. Before the soldier leaves, he watches Eve
being dragged off to the taunts of the Amazons, "Not so tough now, huh, Livia?" even as the
battle rages on. Very very clever of him to be able to take that one extra piece of information!
Now we're somewhere quiet, where the sounds of battle are absent. It's in front of a tavern (I
know it's a tavern, because there's a picture of a mug on the front of it). A man standing out
front of it is telling Gabs he's sorry, and she turns and walks back to Xena, who is
uh...standing in the middle of the road. She tells her the inn's all full, there's a legion of Roman
soldiers coming through. For some reason, it seemed weird that Gabrielle would be trying to
get a room while Xena was standing just a few feet away doing...nothing. I don't know why
that bothers me, and I do believe with extensive therapy, I'll get over it. Xena doesn't seem
upset with the news. She thinks it's a good sign that the troops are moving back toward Rome.
"I guess this new emperor is really serious about waging peace, huh?" How does she know
they're moving TOWARD Rome...they could be coming FROM Rome, couldn't they? And
who is this new emperor? I've asked it before, and I'll ask it again! Gabbers says, "Thanks to
you," in regards to the peaceful emperor, but Xena says Eve's the responsible one. Huh? Did I
miss an episode somewhere? Xena says they'll try the next place. What's up with the girls
having to sleep in a tavern anyway? It's not cold out, no one is dressed in a coat or anything.
They've already obviously tried a few inns and were turned down. Why don't they camp out
somewhere? Come to think of it, with the exception of Gabrielle in The Rhinegold, have they
slept out in the open by a campfire anytime this season? I'll have to think about that, but no
scenes are coming to mind right now. What's up with that?
Anyway, Gabrielle is glad that whichever of them did the work, she's just glad the fighting's
over, which Xena agrees with. Hmmm...sounds like a cue for an injured Roman soldier to me!
The man dispatched by the Roman leader staggers up and drops to his knees in front of
Xena...is she a Roman officer now? Oh well, I guess she's close enough! The man says
"Amazons...hundreds of them..." and Xena muses no Amazon tribe is that big. The soldier
says he saw them, and Gabs wants to know what the Romans were doing on Amazon lands.
The man tells them to protect the messenger of Eli. That got Xena's attention and she grabs
the man's collar. She has to know what happened to the messenger! The man tells her of Eve's
capture, and how the Amazons called her Livia and were set on revenge. "I dunno
(dunno...love it!) what they're going to do with her." Xena knows as the camera closes in on
her horrified big blue eyes, "They're going to kill her!"
After the commercials, we're back in the Amazon forest. Remember Eris from Kindred
Spirits? Well, she has long blonde hair now, and she approaches Varia, wanting to know what
to do with the surviving Romans. Varia tells her "Finish the battle," but Eris, well, in a minute
we figure out she is now Cyane, and is a totally diffferent character, says they've surrendered,
horrified at the thought of killing them. I was a little confused because she looks and sounds
just like Eris, who was an Amazon, of course, but has now become a totally different Amazon
with the same name as one of her sister amazons from the same tribe. I don't know if we're
supposed to believe she's the Cyane from Kindred Sprits (confused yet?), but you've just got
to go with it. So when I write Cyane, picture Eris with long hair and you've got it. Got it?
Huh?
Varia tells Cyane again to finish the battle, or the Romans will come back and finish the job.
Cyane replies, "My tribe (oh gods, now she sounds like Amarice...) doesn't kill the enemy
once they've surrendered." That's okay, Varia's tribe does, and at a hand wave, the Amazons
draw their swords and approach. Cyane tells Varia there is no honor in this. Varia doesn't care.
Eve, who was being shown led off in the teaser, has apparently been led on again, because she
is near the Roman soldiers. She tells Varia not to kill them, the men were to be guards, and
they were coming in peace. "If you massacre these men, you will be no better than I was."
Eve seems to get people fired up a lot when she talks. "You dare to compare me to you?"
Varia demands and she backhands Eve. She tells Eve that while Eve was fighting to turn the
Amazons into slaves, Varia was fighting to defend her land. She says Marga sentenced Eve to
banishment, with the condition if she returns to Amazon land, she is to be killed. Did I miss
that sentencing? That must have been a scene cut from Coming Home. Varia tells her Eve has
to face what she's done, and Eve replies that's what she's there for. She's uh...led off again. As
Varia marches off, she orders Cyane and her tribe to protect the pass and let no one through
their valley.
Xena and Gabrielle are on the scene, and surveying the numerous dead Roman soldiers. Xena
spots a group lying side by side, their arms tied behind their back, and arrows sticking out of
their backs. She puts a hand on Gabs arm...I don't know if it was to steady Gabrielle or
herself. An arrow is shot and lands at Xena's feet. Xena examines it and tells Gabbers it's
"Cyane's tribe. What are they doing this far south?" Gabs doesn't know. Cyane and her
warrriors move up, bow and arrows ready to fly. Gabs tells her they're friends of her tribe and
they want to talk. Cyane tells her Varia has ordered her to not let anyone through. "Well, we're
coming through," Xena says, and starts to move forward. Jiminy Gabrielle (I'm sorry, but the
last two weeks Gabrielle popped up several times as Xena's conscience...don't kill
Michael...don't eat the apple, etc.), whispers to Xena, "Xena, I know you want to save Eve,
but these are our friends, so let's keep it that way all right?" Xena gives Gabs a long look, like
"all right...for now", and Gabs turns back to Cyane. "We knew your queen, Cyane."
Sheesh...I'm getting confused again! Cyane...this Cyane...says she is queen now, and was
given Cyane's name and rank... Ri-i-i-ght....I'm straight on all this...I think. Finally, Gabrielle
gives the fist on the heart salute and tells Cyane introduces Xena, then herself. Cyane
recognizes them immediately...of course. "It is a privilege to meet a fellow queen of such
reputation. The elders of my tribes tell many stories of your deeds." (Xena gives a
none-too-friendly, non-amused smirk here...she's not worried about giving the wrong
impression) But Cyane can't go against Varia, the new leader's orders now. Xena goes for a
little guilt trip, pointing out the soldiers with the arrows in their backs. "Cyane, those men were
executed after surrender. Your namesake would not have stood for that...Now we need to talk
to Varia." I like Cyane. She considers what Xena has said, and tells them the council is about
to meet and they might have a chance to talk to Varia. They can accompany her. Before they
head out, she also tells Xena and Gabs that many of the Amazons don't like the path that Varia
is leading them on. Big surprise, there.
The council is meeting in the cave and Eve is there. Varia is delivering her side of the issue,
about Eve returning to Amazon land with Roman troops..."the imfamous Bitch of Rome (told
you she'd say it!) Livia." "Her name is Eve!" Guess who said that? Yep, Mom, with Gabs at
her side who have just stepped up to the entrance of the cave. Eve looks up at Xena,
surprised, and after a pause, Varia gives a slight nod to the guards, who let Xena and Gabrielle
enter. Varia starts in, telling them that Eve's hands have killed her sisters. "Changing her name
doesn't change her crimes." Xena tells Varia that Marga already passed sentence on Eve. Varia
reminds her that part of the sentence was that Eve was to be killed if she returned to Amazon
land. While Xena is thinking up a rebuttal, Funky Headdress speaks up, telling Xena she has no
authority there. Xena just replies, "I'm not leaving here without her." Gabrielle pipes up with
"Now wait!" and Nicole Kidman Amazon says they do recognize Gabs' right to speak.
Gabbers says Xena is there by her permission (hmmm), and has a right to speak for her
daughter's defense. Funky headdress warns that Xena must abide by Amazon tradition. Xena
doesn't answer, just gives an almost imperceptible nod...there's a look of pain in her eyes.
Funky Headdress tells Varia to continue.
Varia wants a flashback of her own...she gets it. Her hair is in pig tails...weird...and she looks a
little strange, but this is supposed to be a younger Varia. She tells about how her tribe was
strong six years ago before Livia arrived. She's running through a field chasing another girl,
someone named Toura. It's her sister, a fresh-faced young girl. They see some Romans
approaching and there's a brief flash of Livia. Varia and Toura take off at a dead run back to
the village to warn them that the Romans are coming. Now, I like the continutity here,
particularly with Eve/Livia. I'm so used to seeing Eve from this season, that I forgot what she
looked like as Livia, all dressed up in her Roman duds, hair slicked back, battle sneer in place.
She looks EXACTLY as she did when Xena rediscovered her after the twenty-five year
separation. The Romans, with Livia in command, attack and it's another brutal battle. Varia is
knocked unconsicious, and misses most of Eve's best moves. When the battle is over, Varia
slowly wakes up and sees the surviving Amazons have been rounded up. Livia is telling her
troops to check for anyone hiding. She tells them to watch the faces of the captives...they
want to get top dollar at the auction. Varia spots Toura among the captives. She gets to her
knees, and there's a convenient long dagger at her knees. She says she had the perfect chance
to rid the world of Livia, but this was her first battle, and she had never killed before. She is
shown slowly stalking up behind Livia, who is watching the captives. Livia turns, spots a
hesitant Varia, then performs the "best move" she had demonstrated to Varia in Coming
Home. I cheered! No wonder Varia was trying to get her to show off her moves in the season
opener! Livia (I can't call her Eve here...I just can't!) draws her sword and approaches Varia
who is trying to scuttle away. Toura breaks free and runs to lie on top of Varia to protect her.
The shot closes in on Varia's left eye (this is very cool!) and we see a reflection as Livia raise
her sword and deliver a death blow to young Toura. We cut back to the present. "If I had
killed Livia, I would still have my tribe, and my sister." I hate to say it, but I feel a little less
antagonistic toward Varia now. Varia knows they can't undo the past, but they can serve
justice. Xena and Eve are staring at each other, and Eve tells Xena that it was all true. She did
those things. Xena's expression doesn't change and it's hard to read. Gabrielle just looks down.
Funky Headdress says there's no question of Eve's guilt, just what's to be done with her. The
Amazon leaders banter back and forth and decide the law is clear, Eve must die. Xena takes a
step forward, but Gabs physically restrains her. That Gabrielle can get by with anything these
days! Funky Headdress says anyone for the execution of Eve should stand and be counted. All
the queens stand. Now this is mean, but I thought of Xena and Gabrielle STANDING outside
the circle. Shouldn't they have sat down? Xena watches the queens stand, shock registering on
her face as we fade out.
Varia draws her sword and Xena tries to rush forward again, only to be held back by Gabrielle
again. Once again, Xena holds back, shouting, "You're not doing this!" Gabrielle declares Xena
has a right to Eve's defense. Varia says Eve has confessed, what can her defense be?
Uh...methinks Xena is grabbing at straws, "If you give me time, I'll present one!" She might as
well as said, "Give me time, I'll think of something!" Cyane speaks up, saying Xena and Gabs
have done enough for the Amazons to deserve this. Xena gives her a little grateful nod which
makes up for the smirk she gave Cyane earlier. One of the queens says Xena has an hour.
Xena sneers at them all as they go their separate ways out of the cave, then asks Gabs if she
noticed Varia's sword. I didn't, but Gabs says it's like Eve's, when she was Livia. Xena
confirms it. It was given to Livia by Ares! Doh! Another fly in the ointment!
Xena takes off after Varia. She tells her that Marga wanted her to train Varia to be a great
queen, and she sees she failed in that. Uh...didn't we go back and forth on this issue in
Dangerous Prey, with Xena deciding she'd been a success? Varia tells her she's grateful for the
training, but she's on her own now. Xena queries, "Is that right?" then moves to attack Varia
with one her fists of fury combos. Varia successfully blocks all the blows, and when it's over,
Xena tells her, "Anyone who has ever seen me use that move is dead...except Ares." They
release each other, and she continues, "He's training you now, isn't he? FOR WHAT?" Varia
tells her it's to rebuild the Amazon nation. She tries to leave but Xena turns on her, telling her
Ares doesn't care about her or the Amazons. Varia declares with Ares help, they will be great
again. Xena says they don't need him. "Varia, it's within you to lead the Amazons. You're the
one!" I sure wish she'd make up her mind!
The hour went by awfully fast because an Amazon approaches, saying they're ready to hear
Xena's defense. Varia walks away after telling Xena she's wrong...she does need Ares. Xena
stands there a moment longer, her eyes searching, as...I guess she's still building her defense.
Then we're back in the cave, with Xena circling Eve, asking her why she raided Varia's tribe.
"Slaves," Eve replies. "Slaves..." Xena repeats, then goes on to ask why a commander would
lead her fiercest warriors through forest and swamps in the vain hopes of making some
Amazons slaves. "What really happened?" Eve doesn't respond. Xena leans in and tells her
that Ares is leading the Amazons in a suicidal mission against the Romans. "You can make
them see how he operates. If you don't care about yourself, at least care about them!" Poor
Eves...she has a one track mind, replying, "I committed these crimes, Mother. I must tell the
truth." Xena has her hand on Eve's arm. "Then tell the whole truth!" she tells her.
Time for Eve's flashback. As Livia, she's fighting two campaigns in the north. She was taking
two provinces for Rome. In her tent, one of her officers show her the areas they hold and
which ones they'll have before the end of the day. Livia smiles and tells them to leave her.
They do, and someone else makes his grand entrance, behind her. It's Ares, and Livia's smile
grows as he pust his hands on her waist. He kisses her neck and asks what's
wrong..."Campaign not going to plan?" No, Livia's problem is they've won so much territory,
there's little else to conquer. Ares points to the map in front of her. "You haven't been there."
Livia says it's Amazon land, with nothing to be gained there. Ares starts some ego
stroking...not all gains are shown on a map. It's the glory, the name Livia. and he suggests
conquering them for kicks...or even better...slaves. Ares knows this Persian warlord...any
guesses what the name is? Who's Gurkhan? Yep! Continuity continues! Gurkhan has a taste
for the exotic. I'll say! Livia resists...it still doesn't make sense, but Ares puts the moves on
her, slowly bending her back over the map. He tells her to trust him....if she enslaves the
Amazons, she can watch the name spread all over the world. Livia chuckles, and jabs a dagger
through the Amazon nation on the map, even as the rest of her is...otherwise engaged.
Back to the present, and Xena's LA Law gig. "So Ares was behind the raid." Eve confirms,
and that stirs up the council a bit. Varia senses the dissension and reminds them that Ares is
helping her build a strong Amazon nation. Xena says Ares is out for himself. Varia says she'll
find out from him, and leaves. Xena gets one more shot in, "I'd consider Eve's verdict
carefully, because you're also choosing a path for your people." Funky Headdress says Xena's
had her say, and it's time for the council to decide. Xena gives Eve's arm a comforting
squeeze, and starts to leave, but Gabs doesn't follow and Xena turns back. Nicole Kidman
Amazon asks Gabs if she wishes to be heard. Gabrielle wants to be part of the deciding
council. One of them tells her she has that right, and Cyane, breathing a sigh of relief, adds,
"We could use your wisdom." Xena takes Gabs arm to get her attention, and they move aside.
Notice that Renee reacts before Lucy's hand ever touches her...I think she knew it was
coming! Gabrielle needs to comb her hair...it was all in place a minute ago. Boy, I don't get
distracted easily, do I? Anyway, she tells Xena she can tell the council what Ares is really like,
"Varia already has her doubts." Xena reminds her how persuasive Ares can be, but Gabs asks
her to be patient. "Let me try this...there's wisdom in the Amazon ways." Xena's next line
made me laugh hard...and there weren't many laughs in this one! Xena gives Gabs her cynical
smirk and says, "Like the time they painted you blue and made you howl at the moon to
consecrate your queenliness?" Hee hee! It's no surprise that Gabrielle isn't amused. Xena tells
her if Gabs can't change their minds, she's getting Eve out of there the old-fashioned way. She
stalks off out of the cave, leaving Gabrielle to stare after her, then roll her eyes a bit and turn
back toward the cave.
Varia moves back to the place she and Xena had their previous conversation, and thrusts her
Ares custom-made sword into the ground, calling out the god of war's name. Ares appears
instantly, wanting to know if that's any way to call her patron guard. Varia ain't in the mood
for platitudes...did Ares help Livia attack the Amazons? Ares yadda yaddas about Artemis
separating the Amazons, making their tribes dwindle, and how he knew an attack would bring
them back together. Ares is so good! Varia says that's no excuse for selling her sisters as
slaves, but Ares says he knew the Amazons would be worthless to Gurkhan. They were too
spirited to fetch a dinar. (Uh, excuse me, but wasn't Gabrielle introduced by Virgil as an
Amazon in Who's Gurkhan?) Anyway, Ares moves in for the kicker that would ensure Varia's
hatred for Eve continued. He tells her Livia threw the Amazons overboard. "I mean, she
tossed them over like spoiled cargo. They still had their shackles on." Varia wants to bring
them back home, but Ares tells her she can't do that. But she can prevent it from happening
again. She can unite her sisters against Eve and Rome and show them they mean business.
Gabrielle has some new jewelry! All the Amazon queens are wearing these huge silver
coin...uhhh....I'll call them pendants for a lack of a better word, and now Gabs has one too.
She's sitting with the council wanting to know why they condemn Eve when it was Ares
behind the attack. They feel it was Eve's hand on the sword, so she's still guilty. Funky
Headdress lays a guilt trip on Gabs telling her if her heart is truly Amazon, she knows they
must speak the truth. Varia moves back in, saying the council must speak with one voice, and
they're growing impatient. "What is your vote, Sister?" she asks as the camera moves in on a
Gabrielle whom is looking very sad and uneasy.
Outside, Eve is tied to a post of some kind, while Xena sits a few feet behind her like one of
Odin's ravens. She's dropping the point of her sword to the ground with a nice resounding
clanging noise. That's probably not too good for the sword. An Amazon approaches and says
it's verdict time. "What have you decided?" one of the queens asks Gabrielle as Xena walks
back into the cave. She gives a small confident smile and nod to Gabrielle...nothing cocky, just
an "I know I can count on you" gesture. When Gabrielle delivers the single word, "Guilty",
she gets a head whoosh from Xena along with a look of absolute disbelief.
What's this...yet another Amazon episode next week? All of a sudden the Amazons are getting
a lot of attention!
Oh well, I digress...back to the show. Funky Headdress intones "The verdict is guilty" as Xena
and Gabrielle stare at each other. Xena's eyes are glistening with tears, but she whirrs around
to leave, saying "Eve." Gabrielle chases after her. "Xena...Xena...I had no choice!" Xena
raises her arms with a spluttering sound, shaking her head with a "I can't believe this" sound.
Gabrielle grabs her and tries to stop her moving, but Xena keeps going. Gabrielle just hangs on
for the ride and tries to tell Xena she had to vote with the council. If they had kicked her off,
they would have found Eve guilty anyway, "It was the only thing I could do to save her."
Xena pulls her arm away and stops for a second, "By condemning her to death?" "No!"
Gabrielle responds and grabs on again as Xena starts walking once more. Gabrielle tells her she
can plead Eve's case to the Amazons when it comes to the sentencing and can show them Ares
motives are not to help them. Xena is listening to all this, her face growing darker and darker,
and this time she wrenches her arm from Gabrielle, none-too-gently. She whirls on Gabrielle
and snarls, "I just can't talk to you right now!" and takes off. It may sound cold, but I like the
way Xena handled it. Rather than stay there and say hurtful things to Gabrielle, which she was
obviously thinking of doing, she wants to get away from her, until she has calmed down. A
season or two ago, this scene would have probably been handled differently. Gabs watches her
go, only calling out "Xena" once, but continues to watch, her eyes looking sad.
Continued...
Path of Vengeance Part 2
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