CoMMMenTary: This episode begins another trilogy and "epic journey of redemption" for Xena. Following the flashback to set the time we learn Xena had stolen the Rheingold ring and created a monster. This episode offers a nice evening moment with Xena and Gabrielle discussing friends keeping secrets and alas a great new guest character, Beowulf. The 2 raven headed locke is the key to Xena knowing she has to go back and put things right with the rhinemaidens. She has a past with the Valkyrie and a past with Odin, a norse god. Excellent script touch for opening with Gabrielle doing another Bard narration as she follows Xena.
Loved Xena's sealed with a kiss note saying she had something to do & couldn't ask Gabrielle to die with her again. BrunnHilda notes, "it's a suicide mission." as Gabrielle defines Xena's guilt: "my dear friends curse is to spend the rest of her life seeking a redemption she'll never allow herself." The rest of the story shakes out giving us the XenaVerse story of Grendl, a monster Xena created but with an interesting twist it wasn't Grunn'Hilda but her child who turned monster. Just as Xena sought the Ixion Stone, she went after the Rheinmaiden's gold. That would give the Evil Xena the power she sought but instead, the monster (who was Odin's failed love, GrunnHilda) took the ring loosing her vanity and then Xena locked her away in a lair. This monster is now loose and Xena is about to risk her life to help Beowulf and right a wrong she committed long ago.
Callisto @ Xena's Mirror: We have Evil Xena!
We have Xena seeking to right a wrong done in her evil past! We have Xena telling Gabrielle (in a scroll) that her love for Gab is "endless"! SEALED WITH A KISS ! We have Gabrielle writing of the adventure in a scroll...the bard is back! We have action!
HeAds UP ALerT:Ahh-the Xena woodsman music from The Abyss is back as Xena melts and makes the Rheingold ring of power. Notice which finger GrunnHilda has chopped off-a clue for the next episode. Nice mention by Gabrielle saying, "poor Xena" referring to past Xena who thought she could live without love. Xena decieved Odin, a norse God who won't take too kindly to being made a fool (or he shouldn't!)
Heads up for BrunnHilda who wants a friend like Xena for herself with a flame in her eye for Gabrielle.
The Rheinmaidens aka nymphs wanted Xena to come play, LoL !
Loved the grahic camera shots of flying horses!
Lastly -heads up for the heart stirring ending as a concerned and sad Gabrielle finds her friends bloodied breastplate. STAY TUNED !
D'FacTs Ma'aM-JuZ D'FacTs:
The fact is Xena has one awesome dramatic past. Once a valkyrie herself, Xena has a two-fold mission ahead of her (1) to rid the world again of Grendl the tree-monster (alien in wood) (2) to secure the Rheingold (ring) back to the Rheinmaidens.
SIGOURNEY WEAVERS ALIEN HAS NOTHING ON XENA'S TREE MONSTER!
Haven't mentioned disclaimers much this season but this episode : "No flying heroes were harmed in the making of this motion picture, although several villagers were bombarded with aerial manure!."
Rating: ****** 6 of 10 - for more! more!