Chakram

Chakram

Written by Chris Manheim
Directed by Doug Lefler

Synopsis and commentary:
Well, Xena and Gabrielle are back from the dead, but Xena has gone all defective. Apparently, that little thoughtful gesture that angel Callisto did to Xena (with arch angel Michael's permission) was not so much a gift as it was a really bad idea. See, no Xena is unhappy and defenseless and cannot remember anything and making everyone else worried. But anyway, before they discover all this, Xena and Gabrielle are recovering from being dead. "We're back...together," says Gabrielle. "Always," returns Xena. They are dressed in rags, so they go to town to buy MORE revealing clothing. ("Oh no, Xena, look at all these clothes! We must get to town and by some ab-revealing clothes!") In town they are jumped by the lackeys of the local god of war, Kal. (What religion is this?) They manage to escape, briefly. Gabrielle confesses to Eli that she has lost her connection to him: "My path is with Xena, helping her however I can. I'll do whatever I have to do to protect her." Immediately after Gabrielle says this, Xena is captured by Kal. (Good job, Gabby!) Several hours later, Gabrielle figures this out.
Xena is not a prisoner for long, however. Kal gets distracted by Ares and Xena runs away. (These are GODS, keep in mind! You can apparently just run away from them!) Reunited with her chums, they go to a monastery and Xena takes a bath. Joxer approaches her and asks her advice on how to express his love to Gabrielle. After telling him to make it unconditional, she says under her breath "Of course you could just kiss the girl" and gives herself a very self-satisfied smile. "Interesting offer," comments Ares, appearing where Joxer was. Gabrielle finds the two of them together, Xena naked, and instantly becomes furious, accusing Ares of taking advantage of Xena's condition. Xena, becoming confused, wanders out onto a balcony and prays for a sign of what to do. Gabrielle appears. (Ask and ye shall receive!)
So, our intrepid adventurers fight their way into the temple with the Chakram Of Light, the only object that can cure Xena. Xena, who is incapable of violence, cannot remember anything bad, does not understand evil, cuts down and kills Kal with the Chakram Of Light, because he was about to kill Gabrielle. Xena then joins the Chakram Of Light and her chakram, the Dark Chakram together and is reverted to her old self again. Ares decides it's time to take off. During their little sum-up talk at the end of the show, Xena and Gabrielle have the following conversation:

"Feels good to be going home."
"Going home in more ways than one. Thanks, Gabrielle."
"For what?"
"For pointing the way back to my rotten old self."
"It's a pleasure. Did I do that?"
"I didn't think about it at the time, but when I asked for a sign to show that I was doing the right thing, you showed up."

Disclaimer to be added later.