I've wondered about this part of the final scene in "God Fearing Child". Was Herc just giving Xena quiet time with Eve... or was he advising Gabrielle re: her responsibilities in this new "family".
After all, early in that ep she was already worrying about the baby's safety, and promising to "be" more alert.
Which brings us to...
Episode 103 season 5 # 13 "Eternal Bonds"
Every once in a while, I try to figure out what the title means... (Still waiting on an explanation for "Adventures in the Sin Trades" guys!) and this one is complex.
Is it bonds of friendship, love, parenthood, family?
(Back to portugese)
And how does one define family?
EB opens with a GREAT shot (I fear after all these seasons I have NOT given enough praise to the beauty of the photography on X:WP) of two horses forcing their way through deep sand as a storm threatens to envelope them and their riders. Awesome riding sequence occurs next, complete with tornadoes, lightning, burning trees and a mysterious form pointing the way to (?) safety.
Although the cave provides protection from the storm and the tornado... it isn't completely "safe".
Xena: "Well, Eve, that's one for the grandchildren, huh? Not many babies can say they've been chased by a tornado."
Gabrielle: "Not many babies are being blamed for the death of Zeus. The gods aren't taking that lightly."
Xena: "Gods, what do they know?"
Gabrielle: "Fear, for the first time they're fighting for their lives."
Xena: "Gabrielle we've managed to handle it so far."
Gabrielle: "You're right, tornadoes? Lightning? How could it get worse?"
Voice in the darkness: "Xena, Gabrielle, hi, it's me." (Sees Xena with Chakram raised) "Don't throw anything."
Gabrielle and Xena: "Joxer."
EB interviews:
Bottom line, three Temples devoted to different Gods have bound themselves together to take out Xena and Eve. Joxer leads messengers from the temple to Xena and a FIGHT ensues. (SURPRISE!) Xena takes care of them with Gabby's help, while Joxer manages to get himself cut with a poisoned sword. Xena sends an unhappy Gabrielle away with Joxer to find an antidote while she lays a false trail for the temple guards to follow.
A couple things strike me about this ep.
One, is that Xena makes a great mother! Even when she sits down to breast feed, she arranges her weapons within easy reaching distance, even her unconventional ones. Also, thoughout the ep she's busy teaching Eve the ways of a warrior princess!
Loved the line to Eve as the baddies are "sneaking" up behind her... "You know, it never fails. Every time you sit down to eat. Don't worry. I'll keep it warm for you."
The other is that after a season (4) where Ares only showed up in one (1999) episode, this year we have a veritable feast of 10 out of 22 eps with his presence.VaVa Voom!
And finally... even though Xena & Gabrielle are separated most of the ep, and each undergo a type of temptation, its interesting to me how each one stays true to the other.
After season 4's ever evolving relationship between Xena and Gabrielle, in some ways season 5 put the brakes on it. Again, I understand "why" that occured. The mysterious pregnancy and the obvious questions it engendered about who Xena was with, much less when or "why" she didn't tell Gabrielle. Even after one gets beyond those questions, there's the uneven emphasis that the most important thing is no longer the friendship/relationship, but rather the new life being created and the fact that the one who "isn't" pregnant can only "do" so much. We saw that last week, when Gabrielle dreamt that both women were giving birth, and Xena "wished" she could give her half the labor pains.
This week, Xena is plagued by very vivid dreams of her former lover coming back into her life. We should have known they were dreams, when Ares said everthing "perfectly", without once sounding selfish.
Ares: "There is no going back, Eve has seen to that. I have a short span 'o time, and then [Snaps fingers] I'm gone."
Xena: "Well, you'll forgive me if I don't wear mourning."
Ares: "The question is, do you forgive me? I wanna be with you, Xena and I will do whatever it takes to make that happen prove myself to make you trust me." (A bad guy tries to kill Eve, and Xena whips around to toss her Chakram at the trigger rope that springs Eve up into the trees for safety while Ares sends a ball of lightning into the chest of the bad guy)
Xena: "You saved her."
Ares: "No, that spring you rigged saved her. I just pitched relief."
Xena: "But Eve means your death."
Ares: "You still don't get it. I would sooner die in your arms, than live without you in mine." (Very sensuous kiss ensues
)Xena: [Sits up bolt right from her dream, both hands over her mouth as she gasps, then turns to her daughter lying next to her.] "Oh, Eve. Oh, Eve. Eve." [She sighs]
Well, the next day shows Xena that these dreams are able to infect her waking hours, and still she doesn't suspect anything sinister behind them.
Xena: (She's walking along, cutting a trail with her sword, chatting with Eve lying in her left arm)"I'm tellin' ya, Eve, you can't trust any of 'em not dreams not visions not even premonitions. No, none of them mean what you think."
[Ares: "I would rather die in your arms... "]
Xena: [Shudders] "They're either all symbolic or they play on words that you only half remember hearing, but sometimes they're quite literal, but the best thing to do with a dream is just ignore it." (Flashbacks continue to an even more sensual "memory")
Xena: (Daytime Xena is having trouble "ignoring" these dreams) "Ah-h! I think it was Autolycus that said, `Sometimes a dream-- it's just a dream.' It's just a dream." (Flashback getting hotter as we speak)
Xena: "Hm-m-m-m-m-m-m! You see, to be looking for hidden meanings in things, or secret messages that your gut is trying to send you, pr... it's just ludicrous." (Getting close to R rating for a "PG13 show)
Xena: "Ah-h-h-h-h-h! [Sighs] That's crazy. Crazy. Am I right?" (Looks down to oblvious baby in her arms) "What would you know, huh? Well, come on. Another mile and we can double back. Yah!"
Poor Xena. After laying the false trail for the baddies to follow she turns back and manages to get to the Mandrake tree (the source of Joxer's antidote) before Joxer and Gabrielle.
Now those two left YESTERDAY on horseback, Xena walked South for a couple miles then doubled back and she STILL beat them to the tree!
Gams of steel, I tell ya!
Remember that part I mentioned, about Xena sending an "un"happy Gabrielle away with Joxer "in case" he was poisoned? Well, it didn't take long for Gabrielle to realize Xena was right as she sees the "red line of poison" ascend his arm. They stop for her to add a new poultice to the wound.
Gabrielle: "I'm sorry about what I said. I did not mean that."
Joxer: "Mm-m, I think you did."
Gabrielle: "OK, maybe I did. It's just hard knowing that the people I love are in danger and I'm not there."
Joxer: "Talkin' about Xena, right? I'm sure she can handle herself." [Sighs]
Gabrielle: "It doesn't mean I don't wanna be there so I can jump in and help out or something."
Joxer: "I know the feelin'. Hm-m-m."
Gabrielle: "I can be a real bitch sometimes, huh?"
Joxer: "Mm-m-m-m-m-m. Hm-m-m-m-m-m. Mm-m-m-m-m-m-m." (looks away)
Gabrielle: "Can't I?"
Joxer: "Mm-mm-mmmm-mmm." (Nods)
Its the next day, and Joxer is worse. He's becoming delirious which means he's acting like season 1 Gabrielle on henbane laced nutbread.
Joxer: "You're so beautiful, Gabrielle. Did I ever tell you that."
Gabrielle: "You're very ill, Joxer."
Joxer: "Hey I kind of miss your long hair, you know? You used to wear it up like a princess, or braided like a warrior? And sometimes you'd have it down, and you'd look like an angel."
Gabrielle: "Joxer I'm not any of those things. I'm just me, all right? Joxer, stay awake!"
Unfortunately for Joxer, he falls off the horse from high fever and dehydration. Gabby runs off to refill their water skins while he hides from wandering temple guards. When she finally finds him hiding in a hollow log, they start to argue once again.
Joxer: "OK, look, I got an idea."
Gabrielle: [Whispers] "Yeah."
Joxer: "You go get the resin and come back, and I'll wait here."
Gabrielle: "I'm not leaving you."
Joxer: "Now, who's not thinking? Xena's probably already at the tree, waiting for us."
Gabrielle: "Well, then, she's on her way to find us."
Joxer: "Look, we're so far off the trail, she's not gonna know where to look. Gabrielle why don't you be smart and think about the people you love!"
Gabrielle: "I am."
Xena, by this time, has had yet another encounter with Ares at the Mandrake tree in the waking world. How can you tell? He's sounding selfish again.
Xena: (She's climbed into the top of the Mandrake tree and can see the three temple armies converging on her location.) "Ares."
Ares: "You rang?"
Xena: "I knew this had your stink all over it."
Ares: "Well, I had to do something to get your attention. You're always walking away."
Xena: "With good reason. I knew all your talk was lies."
Ares: "You're wrong. I'm more than willing to fight beside you, be a father to Eve, and to a child of our own."
Xena: "That's your game. Now that you feel you're checking out, you want a child to carry on your line."
Ares: "I know it's not real immortality, but it's better than nothing. Besides, mortals do it all the time. Why not me?"
Xena: "Because you're a conniving bastard! That's why not you."
Ares: "Only because you never believe me when I'm trying to be sincere."
Xena: "Sincere?"
Ares: "I'm trying, OK? Every god on Mount Olympus is targeting you. Even now, three temple armies are closing in. Now, all I'm asking is your word we will be together and have a child and I'll make all this go away. I swear."
Xena: "You're asking me to give up the future. Well, I won't do that, even if it means sacrificing my life."
Ares: "Even if it means Joxer's life or Gabrielle's or Eve's?"
Xena needs to find her two friends, and as she does she continues to school Eve in the ways of a budding warrior.
Xena: (To Eve) "See, what we gotta do is keep our eyes peeled for a sign. Gabrielle's smart. She'll try to get our attention if she can. Trouble is, the guards would smell a signal fire." (Eve starts to cry) "Hey. Hey. Guards have ears, too, you know? Otherwise, Gabrielle would be raising a ruckus, so unless you see something that I don't..." (She turns to look up in the direction Eve is looking, and sees a scroll kite flying high) "Well, why didn't you say something? Told you Gabrielle was smart."
Since she's been away from Xena, Gabrielle has been reminded how much Joxer means to her life with each step he takes closer to death. Joxer wakes from another delirious dream and calls for her.
Joxer & Gabrielle:
Joxer: Sits up and cries out) "Gabrielle!"
Gabrielle: "Hey-- it's OK. It's OK." (She gets behind him to support him as he lies back against her as she cradles him)
Joxer: "Was I dreaming?"
Gabrielle: "Yeah."
Joxer: "I dreamt we were in trouble, you know?"
Gabrielle: "Us? No way."
Joxer: "Us. How come there was never an `us,' Gabrielle?"
Gabrielle: "Why, why do people love the people that they do? I don't, I don't know."
Joxer: "I know why. Because you made me feel special."
Gabrielle: "You are special."
Joxer: "Not special enough."
Gabrielle: "You're special enough to see me through the worst times of my life enough that I've come to rely on you as a very good friend."
Joxer: "Why didn't you love me, Gabrielle?"
Gabrielle: "I do love you. It's just not the way that you want it, I guess. I wish I did." (She hears someone approaching from the trees) "Joxer, lie still, OK?" (She gets up from behind Joxer and pulls her sais, ready to fight whoever is running towards them) Xena! Thank the gods. Did you get to the tree?"
Before she can answer, the three armies attack. Xena and Gabrielle go to it serious time... until Ares freeze frames everyone except Xena, and gives her one last chance to accept his offer.
Ares: "Had enough? One word from you and all this is over. You know how it could be, Xena. Give me a child. I swear, I would never harm it. Dreams can come true, Xena. Give me a child."
Xena: "You're not a dream. You're my worst nightmare."
Did I mention last "week" how Xena called him on trying to seduce Gabrielle, "her best friend"?
Gabrielle & Ares: Wake up call
I know I forgot to mention she brought THAT up again "yesterday"...
Ares: "Ooh. How did we ever let things get this way between us?"
Xena: "Well, could it have been when you used the Furies to drive me insane? Or, when you turned yourself into my father, just to torment me? Or, was it coming onto my best friend?
So, I'm guessing you know what HER answer was... right?
Oh, and three armies against Xena and Gabrielle, can I assume you know WHO came out victorious?
Naturally, Xena did get the resin from the Mandrake tree before she came looking for Joxer and Gabrielle, and she was able to heal him in "no" time.
As the trio walked off into the sunset... (actually "mid day sun" but you get the idea)... Gabby has one last talk with Joxer, before leaving his side to walk with Xena.
Gabrielle: "Joxer, when you were ill, I said, um... "
Joxer: "I know what you said. You said that you love me, but only as a friend, right?"
Gabrielle: "I do mean that I... I... "
Joxer: "I know you do. I know you do. But, Gabrielle, I will always love you more than that. And that's just something I'll have to live with. You know? But that's all right."
The Answer, Xena & Gabrielle:
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(Does anyone really die on those shows? 
)
)
Meg always seems to be cast as a successful professional lady be it a starship captain, lawyer, tv exec, madam of a high-class bordello or whatever, she just has that quality to her. 
at the liberties TPTB in the Xenaverse take with history before I just gave it up and "went with it".
I hope his family is doing okay.
)
