Rick's Studio

Well, we got another barn-burner this week with "Eve!" It's nice to see the series ending the season with a big major blow out. Of course, it'll have its desired objective of making us all drool all summer, waiting for the end of the cliff hanger. There's been a lot of talk about this episode, so let's get down to it. Next week's the last new episode for awhile, so let's enjoy it while we can.

It didn't take much to pull me in this week. After all, I was still riding a rush from last week's episode. After seeing Eve as such a cute baby, thinking how Xena has a baby to be proud of, it has been quite shocking to see just how evil Eve, er, Livia, has become. I guess the fruit doesn't fall far from the Warrior Princess.

Xena seems to have given up on Livia already. In the opening, she corrects Virgil and tells him they're not looking for Eve, they are looking for Livia, Champion of Rome. A subtle, but barbed jab by Xena. She is already contemplating if she has the will to kill her off, I think. Of course, Gabrielle, ever patient and forgiving, seems to turn back the clock to before her own warrior days, and tells Xena she thinks blood will prove thick enough to bring Livia back. You don't think Xena will kill Eve, but with all the deaths of even better established characters this season, you never know.

Joxer, in his simple wisdom, says, "Sure, with a mother like you, how bad can she be?" We can see from the look on Xena's face, she knows exactly how bad Livia can be. The expression on Xena's face is so hard and unforgiving, it's quite frightening. She wants to kick Livia's butt, but can she bring herself to do it?

Livia, as she sacks the village, claims that she'll out-evil Callisto. Cheeky, that, but I haven't seen anything that makes me think the old Callisto couldn't kick Livia's butt as well as Xena. Of course, Callisto became a god, but even before that, she was quite the cold one. You could look in Callisto's eyes and see there was no warmth there. Livia, as heartless as she talks, seems to show some doubt about her path, or Way, in her eyes if nowhere else. Of course, in this episode, the whole facade cracks open, but more of that later. (By the way, why do they have to show Livia cutting off that guy's head three times in rapid succession? Does that make it somehow more ghastly?)

I just saw the movie "Gladiator" this afternoon. I actually think the carnage wrought by Livia, which Xena et al discover in the razed village and elsewhere in the show, was even worse than the gore of the gladiator fights! (Plus, Xena had more suspense, if not more computer graphics.) Not as much limbs getting whacked off and such, but way more blood, dripping from everything in sight. Every time I see these scenes, I think of baby Eve getting her face splattered with blood in that previous episode. Livia's Way seems to be the Way of Blood. We thought Xena's dark, remorseful side had nearly died after fighting for peace for so long, but when she states flatly, "My daughter did this," we know the guilt is back, and it'll hit even harder before it's all over. If she can't bring Livia around, a lot of good people will have their blood on her hands with nothing to show for it. And that grieving mother really laid on a major guilt trip!

Apparently Ares has his eye on things. When he shows up to talk to Xena about his "deal," I was surprised that Xena seems to have lost all desire for the God o' War. Usually, she's playing him like a card, but in her eyes is that lust which she barely keeps contained. Here, she's finally seen enough of Ares' handiwork (through Livia) to realize that she could never help him, regardless of his promises. She calls him a "sick bastard" and says "the thought of being with you, or having your child...that sickens me." No spark in the eyes this time. If the guy wasn't so immortal, she'd probably cleave him down the middle with her sword. I'm sure the fact that Ares lost his temper and showed his true brute feelings by threatening Livia/Eve only served to convince Xena of her decision.

I'm getting used to Adrienne Wilkinson as Livia/Eve (Live? Evia?). I think she looks the part, but she seems to have some sort of quality in her voice that isn't quite threatening enough. I keep expecting her to start popping her chewing gum and let loose with some Valley-Speak. "Isn't all this blood really RAD?" Perhaps this is why I don't picture her as equal to Callisto. When Callisto addressed her armies, her bark commanded allegiance. When Livia addresses hers, she always seems slightly timid and, except in moments of temper tantrums, almost surprised when they do her orders. But I've got to give it to her: when the time comes, she knows how to stick in the knife, or sword as may be.

Interesting to see how Livia's reaction to Ares differs from her mothers'. Xena, with her experience, knows when Ares is giving her a line of s--t. Livia falls for him hook, line and sinker, since he tells her exactly what she wants to hear (no longer in love with Xena, the world at her feet, etc.). Ares again makes the point that the only thing the gods really have to fear is their own fear and panic at The Twilight. I still feel he's right. If everyone just ignored Eve, what could happen? Trouble is, they won't ignore her, and I think we'll find out what they will do next week. But that's next week.

Xena again talks to Gabrielle on the trail about her misgivings. I liked seeing Gabrielle helping to control the situation with her sage words of advice. She gets a few good licks in during the battle scenes, but here she basically serves as the peace maker. If Gabrielle weren't there, Xena'd probably have killed Livia before the show was half over! And Xena seems quite comfortable baring her soul to Gabrielle in these conversations. Quite a change from the tight-lipped warrior of the first couple seasons.

Kind of ironic that Gab tells Xena, "Then there's hope, because you changed." First, we know who Hope was, and what happened there! I wonder if Gabrielle isn't so hell bent on saving Livia to make up for the fact she gave up on Hope. She probably thinks if she'd fought as hard as Xena is doing now, maybe Hope would've changed for the better. She, too, can redeem herself through Livia's salvation.

I just loved Xena's entrance as the Romans were about to start crucifying the peasants. The new chakram flies, and she jumps out, looking as menacing as any single warrior can look. The music's blaring her battle theme, and we know the waddling pregnant Xena of earlier is long gone. And she's sporting the "Bring it on, boys" look on her face. This woman is in touch with the Way of the Warrior! I better stop before I start drooling with fevered passion.

Speaking of admiration, a bit well done goes out to Gabrielle for some inspired fighting this episode. Seeing our little bard holding off two fully armored Roman soldiers simultaneously was awesome, if somewhat unrealistic! I didn't know what sais were until about a year ago, but they look pretty damn dangerous to me now! What a ball of fire! (She's even dressed in red.)

I'd heard rumors to the effect Joxer would die soon, as much as I tried to ignore such spoilers this season. I really thought he'd bite it when Livia showed up in mid battle to the ominous cry of "Oh, mommy." Another sign of Xena surfaces in Livia as she fends off Xena's nail toss. Gotta be pretty quick to do that. Of course, this distracts Livia long enough for Joxer to escape...for now. Of course, if you gotta kill Joxer, you've gotta give him a better send off than getting whacked off as a helpless hostage.

Another great writing gimmick was the way Joxer always asked Virgil if he was OK after every narrow escape. The guy may be a clumsy loser, but his heart is so big and generous. His love for his family, Gabrielle and Xena is the thing of legend, and I assume Gabrielle will write of that in her scrolls.

Seeing Livia battle Xena one-on-one was again fraught with dramatic symbolism (both here and in the finial showdown in the temple). It seems almost that Xena is toying with her when she could be killing her. I think she's stalling, hoping some idea will come to her at the last second to save Eve (why else would she let Livia throw her around so badly?). She says otherwise, but I sense hesitation. Perhaps that's Gabrielle's influence, her insistence on Eve's ability to change. That might also get Xena killed, too much hesitation, but it is "Xena: Warrior Princess," not "Livia: Champion of Rome." Xena, die? That'll never happen. And having Ares show up to cheer the combatants on was quite a hoot. Just another fun day at work for him!

When Xena stops the assassin from killing her, Livia looks as if she's seen the light, but she clamps a lid on it right away, calling for a renewed attack by the archers. Seems like the archers should've all aimed for Xena and been done with it, but they burn the village instead. Seems a tactical error on Livia's part to me. Or was it a sign she was having second thoughts about doing in her own mother? She immediately mounts and rides away when she could've pressed on to victory. She certainly seemed to still have plenty of troops available to swarm our heroes.

Nice touch sending Ares down, post carnage, to ask Xena how it feels to be hated by the one you love. Xena looked at him like, sorry, but there's nothing I can do. At this point, their possible work as allies seems doomed entirely, and I think they are now committed enemies in the upcoming Twilight. And then the assassin pops up again to lay even more blood on Xena's shoulders. By now, she almost appears to psychically stoop under the weight, it's on her face.

Joxer's final scene with Virgil was wonderful. Joxer opens up and admits he wasn't as heroic as he might've let on. I think he wants to generously give Xena and Gabrielle the credit they deserve for their accomplishments, but Virgil shows his heart as well by seeing the good side. Maybe dad wasn't the hero, but he was there helping out as best he could, being a loving friend. What more could a son want his father to be? Great writing, and both actors really sold it.

OK, what the heck is Gabrielle doing going to the enemy to talk? That never goes well--they just capture Gabrielle and use her as hostage. But our bard is brave, and takes on Livia face to face. And what happens?... I smelled trouble brewing though when every one started going off on their own during the night, first Xena, then Gabrielle, and finally Virgil and Joxer. They stop working together, and each has his own agenda. I'm surprised they didn't all get killed before the hour was up!

The scene where Joxer sneaks up on the Roman camp and Livia leads Gabrielle out to sacrifice was an interesting blend. A little humor to start (Joxer: "Twenty to one. Good odds!"), then some sadistic violence (Livia gives Gabrielle a fist to the face that should've left a big bruise if nothing else), and we don't know what to expect. Gabrielle just looks at her with pity. Joxer then shows some atypical moves and obtains a Roman soldier's uniform. Good for Joxer! He doesn't actually save Gabrielle, but he does hold up the proceedings long enough for Xena to arrive. "Oh, good, mom's here," Livia says. And what a look on Livia now. She's getting confident now.

But again I question her dedication to actually killing mom. She kills Joxer, and again, just when victory is in hand, she rides off with a large number of soldiers. And Joxer's death, though heroic, was so tragic for being unnecessary. Xena could've handled it with her chakram. But having Livia do the deed was yet another big guilt trip for Xena. Major style points for drama here. How will this show go on without him? He was practically the third lead, and certainly the biggest male guest star (Ares is major, but I think Joxer was probably on a lot more actual shows). The poor guy. You could see it coming, but I was still in shock at seeing it happen, the blood spurting and all. But I guess with his warrior-wanna-be nature, he probably would rather die saving Gabrielle than just going peacefully in his sleep. I hope they find some way to bring him back next season, or at least find another role for Ted to play. I'll miss the guy. Who's next, Gabrielle? Shh! Let's not give them ideas! I almost cried when Gabrielle told the dying Joxer he could never disappoint her. The look of love in his eyes was so tender. And the look on Gabrielle's face after he actually died, like she just couldn't believe it, was so moving too. This was one of the saddest things I've ever seen on TV. The writers better have a big payoff for doing this to Joxer. I'm tossed between cheering TPTB on for showing such daring and wanting to rip their heads off!

I notice they invoke Eli a lot during this show, especially near the end. Funny how they fight anyway! More power to 'em, I say. Eli was a bit too passive for my tastes. And Gabrielle nearly gets killed by Livia earlier for being the Champion of the Eli Followers. I thought she gave that up for the way of friendship. I guess you're known by the company you keep!

Well, even Gabrielle finally gets the picture: Livia is unsavable. She goes to Xena, calls her daughter "Livia," and then says, "Eve is dead. She's not your daughter any more. She's Rome's." When Gabrielle gives up on you, you know you're lost! This leads to Xena's impassioned monologue as she speaks to Eli's spirit. I was reminded of the same way she dealt with Krishna in "The Way." She prays, in a way, to them, then they provide a little extra gumption during battle. Lucy really shines here, as her pleas fall on the mute but beautiful scenery.

I had my doubts about Xena being able to kill Livia, but when they get to the final battle, Livia surprises me by catching the double chakram. I think only Callisto has managed something like that, and I begin to wonder if perhaps Xena isn't stalling, but perhaps is matched in skill by her daughter. Trouble is, Xena's got more experience, so that should give her the upper hand here. The fight was quite dramatic as Xena's soldiers drop their cloaks and engage Livia's men. Loved seeing Xena and Livia duke it out on the ledge and hanging from the curtains. Livia certainly manages to give Xena a good thrashing about before Xena finally brings her down.

Xena, of course, hesitates, and then it's Livia's turn with the upper hand. The part where Eli contacts Livia through a beam of light was a bit overdramatic, but it was shot so beautifully you had to like it. The scenes of Livia's childhood revealed to her were certainly moving, and apparently Livia thought so as well. It must have been quite upsetting for Livia to realize all the hurt she's caused this woman who obviously loves her so much. When the beam shuts off, all she can mutter is, "What have I done?" and run off, unable to even face Xena. Suddenly, I felt sorry for her.

I'd give this a five chakram rating. Can't say I could find anything wrong with this episode. I wish Joxer hadn't been killed, but it fed into the story line so well. No real comedy here, but this wasn't the place. This was story telling of the first order, and it's episodes like this that keep me hooked. Now the big question is, what can they do to leave us with a cliffhanger?