The Way

This episode brings Gabrielle's spiritual quest to something resembling a satisfying conclusion. While there are one or two things I had problems with in this episode, I feel that it succeeds more than it fails.

"The Vision" is apparently behind us. Xena has something new to obsess over -- her next life (as seen in Between the Lines). She may be a saint in her next life, but is there still a chance that she could screw it up with the path she's on?

The opening exchange between Xena and Gabrielle highlights the different philosophical approaches the two women have. Gabrielle thinks out loud, hoping to stimulate discussion that may bring new perspectives or answers to light. Xena, on the other hand, prefers to keep the deep questions inside -- as she says, there's little room for introspection on the battlefield.

The demons were disappointing. They seemed more like goons in oversized wooden masks than supernatural opposition. This is especially bothersome in light of the other make-up and special effects in the episode. Even the lizard warriors (from Prometheus way back in season one -- who I affectionately refer to as the "egg men" -- goo goo ga joob) had a quasi-non-human aura about them. The demons were just ridiculous.

Anway, it turns out that the King of Demons wants to keep Xena and Gabby from reaching the Avatar in time to protect him. Xena, always one to go where bad guys don't want her, rushes to the Avatar's aid.

The Avatar turns out to be Eli (from Devi). He is continuing the reluctant savior gig, but now he has a nice little flock of followers. He is aware of the approach of the Demon King, but doesn't want anybody fighting for him.

Apparently he's found "The Truth" (you can hear him capitalize it when he speaks with Gabrielle) -- the Way of Love (which also sounds capitalized). It is a philosophy of reverence for life, peace, and turning the other cheek.

Well, the Demon King shows up and abducts both Eli and Gabrielle. Gabrielle's costume here is as much responsible for the abduction as anything, since she can't run in it. She moves like the victim in a slasher film. It may look great but it isn't that practical for the sidekick of a woman of action like Xena.

We now uncover the focal conflict of the episode -- not the fight against the Demon King, but rather Xena's struggle with her own doubt. Is the path she's on the right one? If "The Way" (you can hear her capitalize it as well) is one of peace, how can she, as a warrior who struggles daily with her dark side, hope to follow it?

It turns out that "The Way" is just "The Way". It is the way of being true to yourself and what you are. Xena is a warrior. That is her karma in this life. As long as she fights for justice and right, defending the weak and protecting the greater good, she is on the right path. The world needs people like Gabrielle and Eli, but it also needs people like Xena, who will take up the sword when it is necessary.

This is shown in the previous episode. True, Xena's soul enters the Mother of Peace, but Gabrielle enters the warrior, standing there with sword in hand, ready to fight if necessary.

The message here is that there isn't just one "Way". Everybody follows the path they are on, and if they remain true to that path, then all is right with the Universe. it puts me in mind of a saying (the original dealt with love, but the saying applies here just as effectively) --

The Way is.
It is when you say The Way is...
That problems start to arise.

I didn't like Gabrielle tossing her staff into the river at the end. It shows that she is following Eli's Way and not her own. True, she isn't (and will not be) the warrior that Xena is. She is, however, traveling with the Warrior Princess, and she will be put into situations where that staff will come in awful handy. But perhaps, like her costume in If the Shoe Fits it will return next time, none the worse for wear.

It seemed to me that last week Gabrielle had accepted her karma -- her role in the cosmic dance. That path parallels Eli's, but it does not coincide with it. To cast aside what she has become (represented in large part by the staff) is to deny what she is.

Is Eli supposed to be Jesus? I don't think it really matters. He is an analogue, certainly, but Jesus' philosophy was hardly original with him. Because of this parallel, there was some irony in Eli's statement, "I think my people will be most receptive to my message."

Overall, the India Arc succeeds at its task. It resolves (in some respects) Xena and Gabrielle's spiritual condition. More issues naturally arise as a result, but Gabrielle's blind acceptance of any new spiritual guru that comes along has come to an end. Not only that, but Xena seems to have temporarily come to terms with what she is.

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