Path of Vengeance

Path Of Vengeance

Written by Joel Metzger
Directed by Chris Martin-Jones

Episode synopsis:

Segment one:

Eve decides to visit the Amazons to offer them peace as a representative of the new roman emperor. However all the various tribes have united under Varia and they respond to Eve and her unwanted guard of roman troops with force. Eve is captured and all the troops but one massacred. Xena and Gabrielle meet up with the one survivor who tells them of Eve's capture.

Segment two:

Xena and Gabrielle find the remains of the battle and are allowed to visit the council as they try Eve for her crimes as Livia. Varia tells the story of Livia visiting her tribe with roman soldiers, capturing all of the amazons to be sold as slaves and killing her sister. Eve admits that she did these crimes. The council votes to execute her.

Segment three:

Xena recognizes Varia's sword as a gift from Ares and is told that Ares is trying to build a strong Amazon nation. She offers as Eve's defense that she was operating under Ares' direction at the time and the Amazons must understand that they too are being manipulated for his own agenda. The council votes again, this time with Gabrielle but once again returns a guilty verdict.

Segment four:

Ares reveals to Xena that he is brewing the biggest war in history: the amazons versus the romans. Meanwhile, in council, Gabrielle challenges Varia's right to rule the amazons. Unfortunately for Gabrielle, Varia easily defeats her in combat.

Segment five:

Xena has an long battle with Varia at Eve's execution. She eventually makes Varia realize that she has become what she hates most: a copy of Livia, a puppet of Ares. Eve, now free, says goodbye to her mother and Gabrielle as she heads to Indus and Chin.

Disclaimer: The disclaimers for this episode were harmed during the making of this motion picture.

Moments Of Subtext:

• Xena cradles Gabrielle in her arms after her beating from Varia.
• After given her freedom, Eve pats Xena on the arm but embraces Gabrielle.
• While saying goodbye to her mother, Eve tells Gabrielle "Thank you for saving my mother and bringing her such happiness." They then embrace.

Commentary:

One of the things I hadn't realized I missed was the old Ares. I think it's a testament to Kevin Smith's good job as an actor that there is such a noticeable difference between mortal Ares and god Ares. Other than that, there is not much to say about this episode. It's fairly standard Xena fare. I find it difficult to believe that Gabrielle was so easily beaten by Varia. I find it odd, too, that the amazons have their own acid pools with which to execute prisoners.