|
This is classic Xena all the way. This episode starts off simple enough with Xena and Gabrielle fighting off an attacking army of the warlord Talmadeus on a small village. The drama starts when Xena gets hit with a poison dart from an unseen attacker (who in a later episode will turn out to be Callisto) and becomes paralyzed facing near death. So to carry on the charade that Xena is alive and kicking so Talmadeus won't attack, Gabrielle masquerades as the Warrior Princess and the con man Salmoneus helps the duo plan a defense of the village using Salmoneus carbonated
water to deadly effect. But later on when Xena fights two assassins, she collapses and appears to die. Gabrielle is grief stricken but decides to carry on with Xena's plan of defense for the village. As Xena had told her earlier, "for the greater good". But to avoid risking casualties Salmoneus makes a bargain with Talmadeus to spare the people of the village if Salmoneus hands over Xena's body. Gabrielle does not give up her friend easily as she takes on half Talmadeus army with her trusty staff and nearly wins before being outwittedby Talmadeus. Then on the
warlord's orders, Xena body is to be pulled apart by two horses. But at the last possible moment, Xena rises (in a particularly cool scene)like a phoenix from the ashes, revived and ready for battle. Led by Xena, the villagers quickly overpower the army and capture Talmadeus. Later on
Xena tells Gabrielle that she went into a coma to fight the effects of the poison, that was the only way to defeat it. But the identity of the attacker would remain a mystery until the following episode. The Greater Good is a strong entry in the series with Gabrielle showing a strong devotion for her wounded friend. And good comic relief from Salmoneus. Easily one of the best Xena shows.
|
