Path of Vengeance

Written by Joel Metzger
Directed by Chris Martin-Jones

The Amazon saga continues in this episode, showing that sometimes even the best of intentions can lead to trouble. It is a solid script, with several wonderful moments that hearken back to the classic episodes of the past.

Varia has been busy since we last saw her (in Dangerous Prey). She has brought together the various Amazon tribes and united them into a single council (ostensibly led by Varia herself). Her intent, ultimately, is to wage war on Rome and get revenge for the treatment the Amazon sisterhood has suffered at Imperial hands.

Not surprisingly, Ares put this idea into her head. No sooner has he regained his divinity than he is off working for his goal of peace through force of arms. It seems that even this extended period of time as a mortal has not dulled his thirst for conquest. He may be an evil, manipulative bastard, but he loves his job -- and does well in it.

Into this military preparation arrives Eve, who has returned to Amazon lands bearing her message of peace. She is captured by Varia's troops, and is put on trial for breaking her banishment (set down in Coming Home). Xena and Gabrielle arrive on the scene, and sort out the multiple problems that present themselves.

The root of all these problems is Varia herself. Despite the lessons she learned at Xena's side (again, in Dangerous Prey), Ares has hardened her heart. As always, his true goals are hidden behind a layer of deception that Xena -- and Gabrielle -- see through almost at once. He is interested in a war big enough to restore some of the power he lost while he was mortal. The ultimate fate of Rome or the Amazon nation is of little consequence to him.

I really enjoyed this episode. Eve's righteousness wasn't grating (like it sometimes is), and she appeared willing to face the consequences of her return to Amazon territory. This quiet dedication is wonderful, and probably comes from her mother. Xena's frustration with Eve and Varia makes her job more difficult. Indeed, Xena has trouble handling the situation because she has very little influence in the political arena -- that is where Gabrielle excels.

It was nice to see Gabrielle's status as an Amazon queen emphasized. While she is not at the head of any specific tribe, all the queens that are gathered in this episode have heard of her, and recognize her wisdom. Gabrielle does what she can within the bounds of Amazon law, and despite her failure does a fine job of it.

No doubt many Gabfans were offended by the beating the bard received Varia's hands. I can understand that point of view, but it makes sense to me that Varia would beat Gabrielle. There are two main reasons that I can see for this: one of them is based in the internal back-story of the series, and the second is an external storytelling convention.

First, it was established back in Dangerous Prey that Varia was nearly on the same footing as Xena when it came to combat ability (this is, no doubt, why Ares has nudged her in the direction of war with Rome). Gabrielle has grown as a warrior over the past several years, but I don't think anybody can argue that she isn't in the same league as Xena.

The other reason is, simply, that Xena is the main character, and Gabrielle had been the primary problem solver up to that point in the episode. Gab followed all the appropriate Amazon tradition and law, and then handed the reins of the mission over to Xena. This suggests that before any vigilante action, all legal recourse should be taken.

There is also the fact that, despite her frustration, Xena trusts Gabrielle to handle the political end of things. Up until Gabrielle's defeat, and Varia's stubborn resistance to the truth, Xena is out of her element. When the time comes to kick butt, Xena steps to the front line.

The character interaction and development is well handled. Kevin Smith glows in his return as Ares the God, and it is a joy to see that at his core, he is simply looking to do his job. Gabrielle's inner strength, wisdom, and independence, keep events from spiraling out of control too quickly. Eve's restraint as the messenger of peace, and her decision to travel east at the end of the episode, demonstrate that she has moved out of her mother's shadow and no longer blindly swallows the faith she has found. Instead she uses it to temper her own judgment.

Xena herself, as I said before, is out of her element through much of this episode. Gabrielle and Eve don't need her (until it comes time for a little bit of swordplay), and the political hurly-burly is clearly not her forte. You can almost see the first thoughts of retirement appearing in Xena's head. But as Eve herself observes, Xena has not yet forgiven herself for what she's done. It is unlikely that she ever will.

Finally, Varia is the first Amazon in a long time that has truly distinguished her from the generic warriors. She deserves a place alongside Ephiny, Vikki Pratt's Cyane, Otere and Yakut as excellent examples of Amazon queendom. The character has been very well written, and Tsianina Joelson has done an excellent job of portraying the Varia's inner fire.

All around, I fell it is an excellent effort. While it contains many elements that are the hallmarks of classic Xena (a plot by Ares, Gabrielle's wisdom and brains, and a climactic fight in dangerous conditions) it includes bits and pieces that are inarguably sixth season. There were no major gaffs or faults that I could see, and the character development was solid and consistent. I give it a solid A.

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