To Helicon and Back

Written by Liz Friedman and Vanessa Place
Directed by Michael Hurst

This is an incredibly powerful episode for many reasons. First and foremost, just as the Amazon nation is united under Varia, their very existence is threatened. Secondly, the action sequences are intense and realistic -- recalling in many respects the opening battle scene in Saving Private Ryan -- in fact, the film style used is very similar to the Normandy invasion sequence.

But this episode is truly remarkable not for its emotionally charged story and explosive action sequences -- though as I said both of those elements are incredible. Instead, it should be looked at for the changes in Gabrielle since the earliest days of the series -- as well as the changes in the relationship between Xena and Gabrielle.

Gone is the naive and idealistic girl of the first two seasons. Also gone is the confused young woman from the second stage of the series. The capable warrior and queen that leads the surviving Amazons into a battle for their very existence is obviously descended from these earlier incarnations, but has learned -- from Xena and her own painful experiences -- to put doubt aside when the time comes to step forward and be the leader and hero these women need.

A comparison to other Gabcentric episodes will demonstrate some of the character development I'm speaking of. In the first season we have the episode The Greater Good, where Gabrielle must fill in for a virtually comatose warrior princess. Gabrielle does the best she can to raise a defense, but finds the situation a little bit out of her league -- requiring the last minute intervention of Xena to save the day.

Compare that early episode to season three's When In Rome where Gabrielle really begins to demonstrate an independence from her mentor. The moral quandary she faces with the disposition of Crassus -- a decision left almost entirely in her hands -- demonstrates her character growth. In the same "era" of Gabrielle episodes we have the epic A Good Day where Gabrielle leads the charge against the armies of Rome. This episode marks the beginning of her spiritual quest, and her attempts to ignore the warrior path she has been following up until that point.

In most of these earlier episodes, Gabrielle ultimately turns to Xena for comfort and reassurance. She relies on her friend's greater wisdom and experience. In this episode, however, she refuses the comfort that Xena offers, and does what she knows is necessary to see that her people survive. At first she wants to let Xena lead the charge against Bellerophon, but when Amazon law prohibits Xena from doing so, she steps into the role and displays tremendous strength and skill.

This is a fantastic episode, and continues the development of Gabrielle as a character. It is wonderful to see Liz Friedman return (even if she was only a writer). She injects this episode with a tremendous amount of girl power, and shows a remarkable understanding of the story and characters -- especially since she hasn't been directly involved with the show for some time.

One of the most interesting contrasts in this episode is the difference between Varia and Gabrielle. At first glance, it seems that they are both very different, and yet both women display the strength of will to make sacrifices and do what they feel is necessary to save their subjects. Varia's mistake was believing Bellerophon -- an error that the more experienced Gabrielle would not make. She has faced vengeance-driven warriors like Bellerophon before.

Indeed, the weakest part of this episode is the reason for Bellerophon's rage. I can certainly understand his hatred of Xena -- after all, she was responsible for his mother's death. But his feelings towards the Amazons don't really make a lot of sense. If memory serves, Velasca destroyed Artemis's temple in A Necessary Evil, claiming that Artemis had turned away from the Amazon nation. But even before that, the worship of Artemis never seemed to be an aspect of the Amazon culture. So just what event is Bellerophon referring to? The impression that I get is the battles during the Twilight. But the Amazons played no part in that, so just what is the deal?

There are few minor items I would like to point out before bringing this commentary to a close.

First are the mytho-historical connections. Not surprisingly, myth and legend are put through the wringer in this episode.

There is a Bellerophon in Greek myth, but he bears little resemblance to the character portrayed here. According to Britannica.com, Bellerophon first appears in the Iliad, and there is no reference to any relation to Athena. He is most famous for taming the Pegasus and using it to slay the chimera (this mythological reference also appears in Mission Impossible 2).

Also according to Britannica.com, Helicon was the sacred mountain of the muses. A temple to them was located there (eventually dismantled by Constantine the great). There is no reference to a fortress, but an interesting connection to the Bellerophon myth is found in the fountain of Hippocrene which is located near the former temple site. According to legend, the imprint of Pegasus's hooves created the fountain.

Second, there is an amusing comment made by one of the Amazon warriors when she admits to being afraid -- she refers to feeling like "Joxer facing the Dryads." I certainly received a chuckle at this, and detected an amused expression on Gabrielle's face at her old friend's name.

Also, I really liked the matching scenes at the beginning and end of the episode where Gabrielle and Varia cross arms and pledge to a strong Amazon nation. The first is filled with joy at the new unity the Amazons have found, and the second is tainted with the sorrow of the great loss suffered. It is a wonderful moment that bookends the episode nicely.

Finally, I pointed out in my commentary on Path of Vengeance that Xena seemed to be out of her element when it came to the Amazons. I also noticed that Xena seemed to be thinking of retirement for the first time -- a thought that I'm sure she doesn't allow herself to take seriously.

But Gabrielle's self reliance in this episode seemed to hit Xena especially hard this week. Xena seemed to see her friend in a new light, and realized that Gabrielle doesn't need her the same way anymore. In Path, Eve set out on her own for Chin and Indus; the child left home and has begun charting her own path. In this episode, it seems that Gabrielle is doing much the same thing. It appears these recent events have gotten Xena thinking.

In the end, the motivation for Bellerophon's anger drops this episode down a notch. The return of Liz Friedman, however, and the powerful action and emotion that drips from this episode, help make up for the loss in plot power. I give this episode an A-minus.

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