From: daviderl31@yahoo.com   
      
   1-10    Hooves and Harlots   
   First air date –  Nov 20, 1995   
      
      Recap--   
       Well, it's obvious that this is another episode that was shown out of   
   order since Gabrielle is back to wearing her old peasant rags. And, as we   
   are to see later on, the blue necklace thingy she was wearing last time, was   
   part of her Amazon ensemble from this ep.   
       This one starts out with Gabrielle admiring her new walking stick, and   
   all its functions, including, ". . . And you can kill nasty little critters   
   if you wanna lie down."   
   including, ". . . And you can kill nasty little critters if you wanna lie   
   down."   
       Xena and Gabrielle are walking through Amazon hunting territory, and are   
   confronted by a band of them. Xena knows the Amazon sign for peace, so it is   
   decided they should be taken to Queen Melosa. Along the way Gabrielle is   
   talking to Terreis, one of the Amazons, and Queen Melosa's sister.   
        They are attacked by a hail of arrows. The Amazons take to the trees   
   using some kind of hoisting system. But Terreis is shot and falls from the   
   tree, and Gabrielle falls over her to protect her. In the meantime, Xena is   
   deflecting the arrows with her sword.   
       Just before she dies, Terreis begs Gabrielle to take her Rite of Caste.   
   Gabrielle agrees even though she doesn't know what it is.   
   Melosa says they are about to go to war with the centaurs, and one of them,   
   Phantes, is captured and accused of killing Terreis. He is to die at noon   
   the next day.   
       Xena talks to him, and doesn't believe he is the murderer. She goes to   
   see her old enemy, Tyldus, the centaur leader and Phantes' father.   
       And while she does that, Gabrielle is dressed in Amazon clothes for her   
   RGabrielle chooses her Amazon weapon, the fighting staff. And we see   
   Gabrielle trying to learn to use it, including hitting herself in the head   
   twice. But when she tells Ephiny it's fun when it's working [right], Ephiny   
   shows her how deadly the staff can be, which sobers Gabrielle right up. ite   
   of Cast ceremony.   
   The next day we join Gabrielle and her induction celebration. The Amazons   
   dance and after some protests, Gabrielle joins them and really gets into   
   it – very cute, very energetic.   
       But then it gets serious when Melosa informs Gabrielle that she much   
   execute Phantes with Terreis' sword. Gabrielle tries but hesitates so long   
   that Xena and Ephiny are able to get there in time to explain that it was   
   one of Krykus' men who  killed Terreis. Also, Xena is surprised, and maybe   
   not so pleased, to find out that Gabrielle is now an Amazon princess   
   But Melosa isn't convinced, so at Ephiny's urging, Gabrielle challenges   
   Melosa to a fight to the death, with Xena as her champion. Xena chooses the   
   Cho-boes – twin batons about three feet long. Xena wins, but doesn't kill   
   Melosa, telling her she needs her help.   
       The centaurs arrive to fight, but Xena surrenders, telling Tyldus,   
   "You've got no enemies here," and the Amazons throw down their weapons.   
   Phantes is freed, and after Xena proves it was Arben who killed Terreis, the   
   Amazons, in chariots pulled by centaurs, attack Krykus' army. And Gabrielle   
   acquits herself  quite handily with the Amazon fighting staff. She even   
   helped out Ephiny who was in some serious trouble.   
       The centaurs and Amazons win, and Melosa doesn't kill Krykus, but tells   
   him he must stand trial for his crimes against the Amazons and centaurs.   
      
   I realize that this is mostly a recap, but that's because I really can't   
   find much to complain about.  There were a few small things – like the   
   cheesy centaur effects.   
       Once again, I really liked Gabrielle in this episode. More and more   
   she's proving herself that even though she is still the comic relief   
   sometimes, her stories and her actions and reactions are entertaining and   
   something to look forward to.   
       But I can't help but wonder why this was aired after 'Death in Chains."   
   Surely TPTB didn't think that the viewers wouldn't notice.   
      
       This was a good episode, not great, but good, and I rate it an 8 out of   
   10.   
      
      Sins of the Past  -- 7   
       Chariots of War – 7   
       Dreamworker ---   8   
      Cradle of Hope --   6   
      Path Not Taken --  6   
      The Reckoning --  8   
      The Titans -------  6   
      Prometheus---     6   
      Death in Chains - 7   
      Hooves/Harlots - 8   
   Average...............    7   
      
      
      
      
      
      
      
      
      
      
      
      
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