Legacy

Written by Melissa Good
Directed by Chris Martin-Jones

I have to admit that with the first couple of episodes this season, my faith in the series was a bit shaken. But after the this episode (and the previous Who's Gurkhan?) it was wonderfully restored. If The Powers That Be could sustain the momentum they seemed to have found, it would be a wonderful season.

This is the second episode penned by fan fiction scribe Melissa Good. (The first was the season premiere, Coming Home -- an episode I found decidedly bland.) It was a very solid episode. This makes sense, considering that it was the original story idea she proposed to Tapert & Company.

It is a story that somehow manages to bring together elements from the early (so-called) "classic" episodes of the first couple of seasons, and the rich character and story development of later years. This is a script that is written by somebody who knows -- and loves -- the characters. I do have a minor quibble or two, but this is a wonderful effort overall.

I really don't have too much to say about this episode, except that it addresses the changes that Gabrielle has gone through in the past five years or so. This issue cropped up in many complaints about Gabrielle's character development during the latter half of seasons four and five.

Gabrielle has, undeniably, undergone a transition from the naive, idealistic peasant girl who impulsively followed the Warrior Princess to a capable warrior in her own right. How has this change affected her? Is it a choice that she regrets making? These questions are handled very well in this script.

In past commentaries, I point out that Xena and Gabrielle have reversed roles. This episode addresses that issue. As Xena tells Gabrielle, she once felt like Gabrielle does now -- and then Gabrielle came into her life. This statement neatly sums up the role reversal that has occurred. Just as Xena found her "moral center" in Gabrielle way back in the earliest days of the series, Gabrielle now needs to find a moral center of her own.

As I have said elsewhere, I haven't read any of Melissa's fan fiction, but she is reportedly a supporter of the lesbian subtext -- often making it "maintext" in her short stories. There is certainly subtext in this script, but nothing that forces a lesbian interpretation on the viewer. This is a good thing, because I think the importance of Xena and Gabrielle's relationship does not lie in their sexual relationship (or lack thereof). They love each other dearly, and it is clear in this episode.

I am curious, however, how much "maintext" Melissa would have included in this story if it were a more traditional piece of fan fiction. How much editing needed to be done to have this episode fit the standards set by classic subtext episodes? Without speaking to her, there is no way to be certain (and I suspect that those details may never be known). It doesn't really matter, however - it is merely idle curiosity that provokes the question.

Another wonderful moment in the episode was during Gabrielle's "vigil" over Korah's corpse. The flashback montage captured many of the pivotal moments in Gabrielle's character development. In fact, there were clips from every season present - including the climactic moment from Who's Gurkhan?. Well done. Once again, idle curiosity makes me wonder how much direct input Melissa had in the montage scenes. It shows knowledge of the show -- and the character of Gabrielle -- that many fans said was lacking in recent seasons.

Now for my minor quibbles, questions that came to mind as I was watching the episode. They don't really qualify as YAXIs, but they should spark some interesting debate regardless.

First, in the opening hot tub scene. Where did they get the firewood to heat that much water in a desert ruin?

Next question: After Korah's death, Xena and Gabrielle take shelter in another conveniently placed ruin. Gabrielle says she never thought Xena would be washing blood off her hands.

Excuse me? Gabrielle has had blood on her hands for some time now. Anybody remember Meridian's death way back in season three's The Deliverer? Gabrielle's statement reads like it is the first time she has blood on her hands. Sure, this is the first time we see Xena washing the blood, but it is hardly the first time Gabrielle has had it done, I'm sure (even if Xena never actually did it). The line just struck me as a little out of place.

The other quibble is Gabrielle's use of a staff in the final battle. I don't really have a problem with the choice, since it was wonderful to see her using the weapon again. However, I would have thought a change of weapon like that would deserve some mention in the dialogue.

Did Gabrielle use the staff because she no longer had her sais? Did she use it because she didn't want to kill anybody again? Is she going to continue using the staff, or was this a choice made by Melissa out of a sense of nostalgia? I sincerely believe this choice deserves mention in the episode - especially given the subject matter.

Despite these questions, this was a very solid, well directed episode that addresses -- from Gabrielle's new point of view -- questions that Xena was asking herself five or six years earlier. The relationship between Xena and Gabrielle is addressed and reaffirmed in a manner that supports the varying interpretations of their relationship. All in all, an excellent episode that stands even with the best moments in the series. Even my minor quibbles can't detract from this episode's excellence.

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