So we start this episode off with Hope coming out of her cocoon. To our surprise she is the identical twin of Gabrielle. I think that Renee O'Connor did marvelous job at portraying a villain, very convincing. We are surprised to find out that Callisto has tired of Hope and Ares attitudes and decides she is going to team up with Xena. In this episode their is a conversation between Hope and Gabrielle that I found quite fascinating. I can't say I was surprised by Gabrielle's choice between a friend and a child. We also see how much Xena does mean to Gabrielle and it is devastating to Xena. It is an intense episode and I have to say one of my top five. If you get the chance to watch this episode, you should.
2 Reviews
Callisto finally feels Xena up (or down, rather)...
Chalice_Of_Evil29 March 2022
Warning: Spoilers
As Ares feels up Xena's life thread with the Fates. Seraphin/Sméagol-priest bow before goopy Hope (whose head's somehow clean since our last shot of her), Callisto's opening one-liner is about being "all misty-eyed" at the mother/child reunion, Hope uses her mind-powers to disarm Xena, and once again Hudson Leick has a way with words (in this instance, it's the way she says the last two from her line "you just lost your one chance before she hatched, Xena."). Gabrielle's attempts at warning Xena what happens if she kills Hope are ignored, Xena/Callisto fight (there's flashes whenever Callisto hits Xena...illustrating her godliness, I guess), Callisto creates a fireball, Xena warns her Hope's using her/not to turn her back on her, Callisto retorts Xena's speaking from experience (referring to Gabrielle) before getting her legs kicked out from under her so the fireball hits the roof, burying her underneath rocks for the umpteenth time. Xena's comeback? "Experience THAT!".
Hope/Gabrielle's staring contest amuses me, as does Gabrielle shoving Seraphin aside when she's blathering on. Xena chakrams Hope's arm/makes her bleed, momentarily freeing Seraphin from Hope's mind-control, until Hope regains control/sends Xena's chakram back at her. Clearly Hope's a one-trick pony, preparing to fling further weapons at Xena who cuts down a shield from the roof as protection. Once free of her rockpile, Callisto's got a fireball with Xena's name on it until Hope yells her name (ROC's-voice-as-Hope is raspy/guttural) while Gabrielle stops Xena going after Hope (who Callisto whisks away). Pi$$ed-off Xena hits Gabrielle where it hurts; basically blaming her for any blood Hope spills. Speaking of 'hurt', although Xena's patching up Seraphin's apparently-not-fatal-wound, it causes her some well-deserved-pain. It's funny watching Seraphin's reaction to Xena saying she'd gladly die to be rid of Hope after Gabrielle informs her about the Fates getting all snippy-snippy on her life-thread. Xena kinda makes up for her meanness by saying Gabrielle's the one she LOVES most in the world...but ruins the moment by saying she looks exactly like the one she HATES the most.
Callisto's interrupted mid-insulting-of-Gabrielle, as Hope wants to be made to resemble her mother. Callisto obliges, replacing Hope's goopy nakedness with Gabrielle's look/outfit (complete with staff). Callisto's uninterested/dismissive "Yeah-yeah-yeah-yeah-yeah, glory hallelujah!", when Hope's talking about her worshippers/Dahak-entering-the-world, is amusing. She wants Hope to kill her already, but Hope has further use for her (Xena was right, but Callisto's too blinded/doesn't see) who's not the *only* one that's become somebody's b!tch as evidenced by Ares kneeling before the roaring-flame-of-Dahak and amending his "joining you" comment to "serving you" after the flame growls angrily. Xena greets Sméagol-priest with "Welcome THIS!" (find a new theme, Xena). As she kicks priest ar$e, Ares appears to Gabrielle, reminding her what she already knows regarding the Fates and she awesomely calls him out on his new Dahak's-b!tch status.
Callisto finds blasting heads-of-Ares-statues cathartic. Her expectant "Well, COME ON!" when he appears is funny. She's pi$$ed at being left-out-of-the-loop by Hope regarding Ares joining their team and starts losing it (more than usual). You can tell by all her stressed-out-hair-touching. After her foot-stomping "I want it NOW!" tantrum regarding the hind's-blood-dagger, she gets into godly fisticuffs with Ares. Kevin Smith does a good job with his reaction to her reminding him she killed Strife and also gets the amusing line about Hope SO not being like her mother when the two of them snog as Callisto disappears, understandably disgusted. Xena/Gabrielle spy villagers-being-led-to-the-slaughter-by-Dahak's-priests. Seraphin, refusing to be used again, attempts suicide-via-cliff-jumping, Xena jumps after her/catches her, Callisto appears above, Xena hilariously tosses Seraphin through the air to safety, which Callisto applauds before calling a truce. Her describing Ares/Hope as "rolling around like weasels" is funny. Even funnier is Gabrielle being informed her daughter's "in heat". Callisto's dialogue throughout is great, including her "I scratch your back, you stab mine." deal she wants to make with Xena.
Hope telekinetically breaks the stone railing where Hercules stashed the hind's-blood-dagger...it's gone. Joxer's whacked on the helmet/knocked unconscious by Seraphin-with-a-log (who fled after Xena saved her worthless ar$e) when he's attempting to stop the villagers-being-led-to-the-slaughter-by-Dahak's-priests. Callisto's following Xena, practically *begging* her to use the hind's-blood-dagger on her, Xena wants her to live with her suffering, Callisto says it's more a 'boredom thing', Gabrielle convinces Xena to accept Callisto's offer/help, while Joxer amusingly interacts with Hope-who-he-thinks-is-Gabrielle, as she wants him to describe his feelings for her/their 'relationship'. As Xena fights priests-attacking-villagers, Callisto hinders-as-much-as-she-helps, blasting priests and villagers alike, clearly enjoying herself whilst letting loose/burning things. Joxer knocks himself out with his sword in his attempt to stop her whilst Hope-pretending-to-be-Gabrielle-so-Xena-leads-her-to-the-dagger doesn't take too kindly to Xena saying Hope deserves to suffer. Xena's no fool, pulling a dagger on her, but Ares vamooses with her (Hope's powers are SO iffy/undefined. She telekinetically moves objects/breaks stone...but requires *others* to change her look/transport her places?). Joxer's typical clumsiness this time earns him particular nastiness from Xena. Ted Raimi elicits sympathy as Xena's yelling/abusing him/socking-him-in-the-face. He leaves like a kicked puppy.
A deleted scene from the campfire chat between Xena/Callisto exists where Callisto explains she felt no pleasure/fulfillment upon hearing Xena-screaming-over-Solan's-body. It's, like, their BEST SCENE/should've NEVER been cut. Ares appears, Xena's worked out he's knocked-up Hope, Gabrielle refrains from barfing. Before storming Dahak's temple, Gabrielle meets with Hope, saying she wishes she'd finished her off and Xena/Gabrielle basically profess their love (both really good scenes/well-acted). Once inside, Xena kicks ar$e/easily puts out the Dahak-flame by dropping a BIG BALL on it. Joxer gets a hero moment, tossing Xena the hind's-blood-dagger. Callisto blasts Ares/gives him yellow-flamed-skin. Xena advances on Hope, who telekinetically turns the dagger on her, but Xena regains control/is about to stab Hope when suddenly, after pole-vaulting-using-her-staff, Gabrielle embraces Hope, turning to face Xena, before plummeting into the lava pit below. Gabrielle's self-sacrifice gives Callisto the giggles, claiming it's given her reason to live...so Xena ends her life. Callisto's touching-Xena's-face-then-sensually-dragging-her-hand-down-Xena's-body-as-way-of-saying-thank-you/goodbye is PERFECT (as is the acting from Lucy, Renée and Hudson throughout). Everything shakes, Ares skedaddles, Xena/Joxer are sad.
Hope/Gabrielle's staring contest amuses me, as does Gabrielle shoving Seraphin aside when she's blathering on. Xena chakrams Hope's arm/makes her bleed, momentarily freeing Seraphin from Hope's mind-control, until Hope regains control/sends Xena's chakram back at her. Clearly Hope's a one-trick pony, preparing to fling further weapons at Xena who cuts down a shield from the roof as protection. Once free of her rockpile, Callisto's got a fireball with Xena's name on it until Hope yells her name (ROC's-voice-as-Hope is raspy/guttural) while Gabrielle stops Xena going after Hope (who Callisto whisks away). Pi$$ed-off Xena hits Gabrielle where it hurts; basically blaming her for any blood Hope spills. Speaking of 'hurt', although Xena's patching up Seraphin's apparently-not-fatal-wound, it causes her some well-deserved-pain. It's funny watching Seraphin's reaction to Xena saying she'd gladly die to be rid of Hope after Gabrielle informs her about the Fates getting all snippy-snippy on her life-thread. Xena kinda makes up for her meanness by saying Gabrielle's the one she LOVES most in the world...but ruins the moment by saying she looks exactly like the one she HATES the most.
Callisto's interrupted mid-insulting-of-Gabrielle, as Hope wants to be made to resemble her mother. Callisto obliges, replacing Hope's goopy nakedness with Gabrielle's look/outfit (complete with staff). Callisto's uninterested/dismissive "Yeah-yeah-yeah-yeah-yeah, glory hallelujah!", when Hope's talking about her worshippers/Dahak-entering-the-world, is amusing. She wants Hope to kill her already, but Hope has further use for her (Xena was right, but Callisto's too blinded/doesn't see) who's not the *only* one that's become somebody's b!tch as evidenced by Ares kneeling before the roaring-flame-of-Dahak and amending his "joining you" comment to "serving you" after the flame growls angrily. Xena greets Sméagol-priest with "Welcome THIS!" (find a new theme, Xena). As she kicks priest ar$e, Ares appears to Gabrielle, reminding her what she already knows regarding the Fates and she awesomely calls him out on his new Dahak's-b!tch status.
Callisto finds blasting heads-of-Ares-statues cathartic. Her expectant "Well, COME ON!" when he appears is funny. She's pi$$ed at being left-out-of-the-loop by Hope regarding Ares joining their team and starts losing it (more than usual). You can tell by all her stressed-out-hair-touching. After her foot-stomping "I want it NOW!" tantrum regarding the hind's-blood-dagger, she gets into godly fisticuffs with Ares. Kevin Smith does a good job with his reaction to her reminding him she killed Strife and also gets the amusing line about Hope SO not being like her mother when the two of them snog as Callisto disappears, understandably disgusted. Xena/Gabrielle spy villagers-being-led-to-the-slaughter-by-Dahak's-priests. Seraphin, refusing to be used again, attempts suicide-via-cliff-jumping, Xena jumps after her/catches her, Callisto appears above, Xena hilariously tosses Seraphin through the air to safety, which Callisto applauds before calling a truce. Her describing Ares/Hope as "rolling around like weasels" is funny. Even funnier is Gabrielle being informed her daughter's "in heat". Callisto's dialogue throughout is great, including her "I scratch your back, you stab mine." deal she wants to make with Xena.
Hope telekinetically breaks the stone railing where Hercules stashed the hind's-blood-dagger...it's gone. Joxer's whacked on the helmet/knocked unconscious by Seraphin-with-a-log (who fled after Xena saved her worthless ar$e) when he's attempting to stop the villagers-being-led-to-the-slaughter-by-Dahak's-priests. Callisto's following Xena, practically *begging* her to use the hind's-blood-dagger on her, Xena wants her to live with her suffering, Callisto says it's more a 'boredom thing', Gabrielle convinces Xena to accept Callisto's offer/help, while Joxer amusingly interacts with Hope-who-he-thinks-is-Gabrielle, as she wants him to describe his feelings for her/their 'relationship'. As Xena fights priests-attacking-villagers, Callisto hinders-as-much-as-she-helps, blasting priests and villagers alike, clearly enjoying herself whilst letting loose/burning things. Joxer knocks himself out with his sword in his attempt to stop her whilst Hope-pretending-to-be-Gabrielle-so-Xena-leads-her-to-the-dagger doesn't take too kindly to Xena saying Hope deserves to suffer. Xena's no fool, pulling a dagger on her, but Ares vamooses with her (Hope's powers are SO iffy/undefined. She telekinetically moves objects/breaks stone...but requires *others* to change her look/transport her places?). Joxer's typical clumsiness this time earns him particular nastiness from Xena. Ted Raimi elicits sympathy as Xena's yelling/abusing him/socking-him-in-the-face. He leaves like a kicked puppy.
A deleted scene from the campfire chat between Xena/Callisto exists where Callisto explains she felt no pleasure/fulfillment upon hearing Xena-screaming-over-Solan's-body. It's, like, their BEST SCENE/should've NEVER been cut. Ares appears, Xena's worked out he's knocked-up Hope, Gabrielle refrains from barfing. Before storming Dahak's temple, Gabrielle meets with Hope, saying she wishes she'd finished her off and Xena/Gabrielle basically profess their love (both really good scenes/well-acted). Once inside, Xena kicks ar$e/easily puts out the Dahak-flame by dropping a BIG BALL on it. Joxer gets a hero moment, tossing Xena the hind's-blood-dagger. Callisto blasts Ares/gives him yellow-flamed-skin. Xena advances on Hope, who telekinetically turns the dagger on her, but Xena regains control/is about to stab Hope when suddenly, after pole-vaulting-using-her-staff, Gabrielle embraces Hope, turning to face Xena, before plummeting into the lava pit below. Gabrielle's self-sacrifice gives Callisto the giggles, claiming it's given her reason to live...so Xena ends her life. Callisto's touching-Xena's-face-then-sensually-dragging-her-hand-down-Xena's-body-as-way-of-saying-thank-you/goodbye is PERFECT (as is the acting from Lucy, Renée and Hudson throughout). Everything shakes, Ares skedaddles, Xena/Joxer are sad.
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