Return of the Valkyrie

Return Of The Valkyrie

Written by Emily Skopov
Directed by John Fawcett

Episode synopsis:

Segment one:

One year has passed since the events of the previous episode. Lord Erik leads his vikings to rescue Gabrielle, but is warned by Beowolf that doing so is suicide. Grinhilda arrives and kills several vikings. Lord Erik attempts to pass through the flame, but is disintegrated. Beowolf leads the retreat and decides it is time to return to Denmark and enlist the aid of his friend, King Rothgar. They arrive to find a celebration underway; King Rothgar is about to wed Welthea. Welthea arrives and Beowolf realizes it is Xena.

Segment two:

During the wedding ceremony, Xena experiences flashbacks to her previous life. Rothgar later turns out to be a creep, capable of rape. After confiding the truth to Rothgar's sister, Beowolf visits Xena in her bedchamber. They are immediatly interrupted by an angry and jealous Rothgar.

Segment three:

Beowolf and Xena escape from Rothgar's castle and travel towards the ring. When their ship lands, they are attacked by the Valkyrie.

Segment four:

Xena orders the vikings to drop their weapons and defends herself from the Valkyrie attack. Odin arrives and realizes that Xena is not a threat, and that it will be easy to take the ring from her after she has retrieved it. The Valkyrie, acting on their own, attack Xena again when she reaches Gabrielle. She defeats them again, but Grinhilda arrives.

Segment five:

Xena leaps through the flame and awakens Gabrielle. She then uses the power of the ring to restore Grinhilda. She travels to Valhalla and insists Odin receive Grinhilda as chief of the Valkyrie once more. Lastly, she returns the Rheingold to the Rheinmaidens.

Disclaimer: Any similarity between our story and the classic children's fairy tale is purely coincidental.

Moments Of Subtext:

• The Valkyrie discuss Gabrielle: "Our sister, Brunhilda, turned herself to flame to protect Gabrielle. Perhaps she's not so ordinary. And Xena, Xena seems to care a great deal for her, too."
• Xena makes and odd confession to her husband: "Our union has given me a new purpose. You've always known that my priorities are different than other women's."
• Xena sees a vision of Gabrielle, holding out her hand. "I'm lost without you, Xena," she says.
• Beowolf chastizes Xena: "...the Xena I remember could never forget what happened in that swamp, the face of Gabrielle, the most loyal friend in the world."
• As Xena removes her wedding ring, she has a vision of Gabrielle. "I am the truth of who you are. Our souls are united, Xena" says Gabrielle, reaching out to touch Xena's face.
• "This Gabrielle truely loved Xena, didn't she?" asks Xena.
  "And will until the end of time," responds Beowolf.
• "Brunhilda's flame will recognize you as Gabrielle's soulmate," instructs Beowolf when they reach the flame.
• Xena's face as she beholds Gabrielle 'for the first time' is full of love.
• "The love in your heart burns stronger than any flame. You belong together, Xena" says Brunhilda.
• "I have no quarrel with you, I'm here only for Gabrielle" says Xena.
  "You sound like one of those pathetic love sick boys who burn themselves to a crisp" retorts a Valkyrie.
• Xena awakens Gabrielle with a kiss. As she awakens, a montage of 'togetherness' scenes scrolls by. She and Xena embrace. "I dreamed you'd come back for me."
• "Even though I didn't remember you, I felt your presence. I knew that I would never be complete unless those shadows were brought into the light" confesses Xena.
• "You have a good heart, Beowolf. If it weren't for you, I'd still be in Brunhilda's flame" says Gabrielle.
  "I think we both know Xena would have found you eventually" confesses Beowolf.
• Gabrielle finds much time to snuggle Xena as she rides behind her on a Valkyrie's horse.
• "Momories are powerful, Xena. I'm so thankful that yours brought you back to me" says Gabrielle.
• "What magic has made Xena into such a noble creature that she would give up the power of the Rheingold?" asks a Rhainmaiden.
  "It wasn't magic" responds Xena, exchanging a significant look with Gabrielle.

Commentary:

Here concludes the Norse trilogy, and just to show how good it was, especially considering Season Five (Scott! Will you just get over Season Five and let it die a much deserved death! -ed.) I have absolutely no complaints. How's that for an early x-mas present? In fact, now that the trilogy has come and gone, I find it difficult to believethat there may be anybody out there who has any doubts of the true nature of Xena and Gabrielle's relationship. But then again, some folks will just not believe until they see some x-rated material.