Eve

Eve

Written by George Strayton & Tom O'Neill
Directed by Mark Beesley

Episode synopsis:

Segment one:

Xena, Gabrielle, Joxer, and Virgil are searching for Eve. She is ransacking a village, not caring whether they are followers of Eli or not. Xena and the gang later find the aftermath. And the crosses.

Segment two:

Eve has left a message with one of the survivors that this is all Xena's fault. Ares takes this moment to demand a child from Xena or he will bring all of Olympus down on her and her child. Finding no success there, he goes to Eve and promises to make her Emperess of Rome as long as she kills Xena and the cult of Eli. While she is ransacking another town, Xena finally catches up to her. A fight ensues during which Xena saves Eve's life from a bloodthirsty villager. Eve escapes as archers burn down the village.

Segment three:

Xena and the gang predict that Eve's next target will be at Eli's largest temple, where the rest of his followers are converging to pray for a miracle. Xena admits to Gabrielle that she will kill Eve if she has to. Joxer comes clean with Virgil, admitting he is not the warrior he has pretended to be. Xena rides ahead to make plans at the temple and Gabrielle uses the opportunity to get captured and try to talk sense into Eve. Eve of course, decides to kill her to get back at Xena. Xena arrives to free Gabrielle, and as she is battling Romans, Joxer is killed trying to rescue Gabby. Eve rides off.

Segment four:

Virgil is hungry for Eve's blood now. Ares arives and gloats at Xena. Gabrielle admits that they are beaten. Eve is Livia, daughter of Rome, with no redemption possible. Xena prays to Eli for a way instead of violence. Eve arrives at the temple, only to find Xena there waiting for her.

Segment five:

Eve and Xena battle. Xena hesitates when she has a chance to kill Eve, and Eve turns the table, about to cut Xena's throat. But then there is a moment of divine intervention and Eve is shown all that Xena has done for her, and how much she was loved as a child. She walks out of the temple realizing she is Eve, not Livia.

Joxer's sudden and unexpected death slowed down his rapid aging process during the production of this motion picture.

Moments Of Subtext:

• Gabrielle is willing to risk her life to ease Xena's conscience: "I'm gonna try to keep Xena from doing something she'd never forgive herself for."
• Eve refers to Gabrielle as "Aunty Gabrielle."
• Gabrielle, referring to her talk with Eve, tells Xena "I tried to tell her we love her."

Commentary:

A bit of a weak episode. I felt no suspense whatsoever. Also, the ending is unsatisfying, because it IS deus ex machina. The only reason there is any ending is because there was a miracle. I'm sure fans around the world are celebrating, but I, for one, am sorry to see the death of Joxer. I loved his character and I thought he was a hoot. I hope it is not permanent, but I don't see how they could change that. Not much to say about this episode really. Sorry.