Okay I saw Succession yesterday and have to say that so far it would have to be my favorite of the season (I know, I know, all 3 of them). I have really been enjoying all the links\conclusions to previous seasons in these first few episodes. I loved the Necessary Evil tie-in with Gabby forgiving Calli (remember the ending to ANE - if not, check it out - that's exactly what happens in Fallen Angel). I also loved the Quest\Bitter Suite tie-ins in Chakram.... and then there's Mavican - anyone else notice she is a Ceasar destiny freak with a Paleamon need for killing Xena? A good mix, and very entertaining.

I will say though if you watch the beginning scene with Mavican she does the 'ole arched eyebrow, head tilt, slight smirk deal that Queen Cyane did to Xena when she fell through the roof of her hut in AITST (very strange I actually noticed - by very ironic).... Alas I digress.….

How great was the fighting by our Warrior Bard? Excellent! About time! And no episode is going to be a bad one when Ares gets that much screen time (only divided with X&G). Now that's the making of a great episode! I loved the fact that they had Ares point out Gabby's abilities and how she was feeling - definitely the last person Xena would have wanted to have to hear that from - and he was right on!

Loved the sending them through the portal scoop. (never tire of that - even after 400 uses now…) Ares asking Xena "Are you afraid there is someone better than you?" was excellent! The whole episode was great at letting us know he was referring to Gabby the whole time, (or was he..) while Xena really was focusing on Mavican. Certainly picked up where the look Ares get Gabrielle at the end of Chakram left off - very admiring after seeing her fight in the temple - something new had already started brewing right then! And if you ask me - at the rate X&G are going with the men in their lives - having an Immortal might just be the way to go!

And then, to have the great story plot of "Lady Hawke" built in -ahhh.... excellent fun! This episode really had some great effects (even the merging bodies) and some very cool fight scenes. I did have a few qualms with a couple of things though - so let me ask you all, the great Xena critics, what you thought......

#1 - When Gabby is telling Mavican that the Amazons invented fighting in the trees - is anyone else ready to yell at the bard.. "Well if that's true Gabby, can you tell us why you NEVER get to do cool flips into the trees, or while you're fighting, like apparently every other individual, in every other episode, that is not on the way of love can do (with the exception of Joxer)?" I mean Scheesh! I think it's about time that our Warrior Bard got to do some of those flips - make her AIRBORN will ya? (or are we to believe she's still carrying around her little Xena practice doll????)

#2 - I think Xena's yelling at Gabby to run, (after getting an arrowhead in the shoulder and watching the tree wacking Mavican), was typical Xena, but I don't know guys, I would have been with Gabby on this one. I would have been standing there saying…………….

And on top of that, ya gotta know that log trick is a good one because we the viewers have seen it a billion times in flashback episodes, etc... alone. Apparently it's not just a favorite approach with Alti and miscellaneous warlords, but with Mavican too. X&G should look into some classes on how to handle "Tree Wackings 101" . I mean any techniques that can knock you half way across Mt. Olympus might be worth looking into eh?

#3 - The hole in the cave - I have to ask it - Is there a hole like that in every cave our duo enters? Even if the world is made up??? Xena sure hit the nail on the head when she said, "What is it with you and holes anyway?" (Paradise Found). The Monty Python line "Run Away! Run Away!" was never more applicable than with these two and holes - I guess now that they're merged - they both have that attraction?

All in all an excellent episode with a Fins, Femmes,and Gems sort of ending ("I promise to see you, appreciate you" .…. yada yada ya)! The roles are definitely changing here for our Dynamic Duo and Gabby is gonna be good this season. I love the fact that they have Ares pursuing her now instead of Xena - is really bringing all the seasons full circle. Especially the protection theme - which is the main one I see outside of the soul-mates\together for all eternity theme. I think this season will see the flip of the earlier seasons - Gabby will become the protecter and Xena will innately trust her! Even Mavican's intro line suggests that - "And I hear the best way to do that is by killing you!". The whole bad guy tone has changed from kidnapping the Warrior's bard, to having to go through her to get to Xena.

Seems everyone is a few paces ahead of Xena in recognizing how grown up Gabby really is. That led to the best scene I thought - Xena's admitting the struggle of not wanting to let go of the bard she first met, and the previous scene with Ares when it actually dawns on her he is after Gabby Finally she sees Gab in an all new light - one she's not sure she really wants to see. (and not the "Flashdance" light where X&G were forced to wait while the other one had their shot at the new Xebrielle body).

Gab's reassurance of not leaving Xena by saying "No matter what I know your heart." definitely rang true for me. Guess the "unconditional love" part of the "way of love" sunk in there anyway! (Good thing - hate to think those 4 peaceful episodes were a waste!)

Alas Xena is off to a great start in my book! And Xena's "I do see you Gabrielle" closed out the jail scene of Ides for me very nicely! She's promising to do the one thing Gabrielle already told Xena she does do - but maybe didn't notice it. "You saw things in me that no one else did!"