Livia

Livia

Written by Chris Manheim
Directed by Rick Jacobson

Episode synopsis:

Segment one:

Livia, a warrior of Rome, and her Roman army are butchering the followers of Eli. Ares appears, claiming that Livia will be named the emperor's successor, and that Rome will soon honor Ares. Meanwhile, an avalanche open a hole into the tomb where Xena and Gabrielle lie. The sunlight begins to melt Xena's coffin, and she awakens, breaking out of her coffin and rescuing Gabrielle from hers. Her immediate thought is for Eve, and they leave to find her. The first village they come to reveals that they have awaken twenty five years after their supposed death.

Segment two:

On their way to Rome, Xena and Gabrielle encounter a Xena and Gabrielle themed restaurant run by Joxer and Meg, both middle aged now. Joxer gives to them Argo's offspring, Argo the second. Joxer and Virgil, his son, accompany our heroines to Rome. Xena finds Octavius, now Augustus Caesar, accepting tribute from Livia, and she instantly relizes that Livia is her daughter.

Segment three:

Octavius reveals that Livia/Eve was raised in the provinces with the best tutors and wanted for nothing; also, he loves her. Xena is somewhat displeased with being deprived of the opportunity of raising her own child. Gabrielle encourages Xena to tell Livia the truth and try to lure her away from the darkside. Gabrielle, Joxer and Virgil are arrested by Roman soldiers for not donating to the temple for Ares. Xena finds Ares and Livia in an intimate kiss.

Segment four:

Xena confronts Ares, who is dumbfounded that Xena is alive and not a day older. Livia is instantly jealous of his relationship with Xena. Livia confronts the prisoners in the dungeon and demands a champion to fight for their lives, eventually choosing Virgil. Xena enlists Octavius' help to save Livia from Ares' influence. At the bacchanalia, Xena talks to Ares of rekindling their romance and he swears, within hearing distance of Livia, to drop Livia if he has a chance with Xena.

Segment five:

Ares reveals that he has figured out who Livia really is. Xena tells Livia that she is really her mom, and Livia freaks, challenging Xena to a fight to the death in the colosseum as the prisoners' champion. They fight and Xena, of course, wins. Everyone is freed, but Livia disappears and Xena worries what she is about to do.

Due to the overabundance of Bean and Bard Burgers, Meg's gastrointestinal problems intensified during the production of this motion picture.

Moments Of Subtext:

• Amusing is Meg's comment as she sees Gabrielle, "Gabrielle wasn't so butch."
• As Xena discusses with Gabrielle the possibility of turning Livia from her darkside, Gabrielle says "You did it."
  "I had help," responds Xena.
  "She has us."
• Gabrielle gently wipes a tear off of Xena's face as they finish the above conversation.

Commentary:

I don't know what to say about this episode; it is such a significant change from everything that has happened until now. Now everything is twenty five years in the past and we cannot expect much from our reoccuring characters except that they are all old now. I like the casting of Livia, she seems to have a lot of the energy that Callisto had. I don't like Joxer being old, because unlike everyone else, I like Joxer. I am saddened that Argo is dead. Since when did the Romans believe in the Greek gods? Didn't they have their own gods? It is absurd to think that they would be building a temple to Ares in Rome itself. Is it not also insane that Xena insists on calling Livia Eve even in public places like the coliseum in front of thousands? This is signing her death warrant!