From: daviderl31@yahoo.com   
      
   The Path Not Taken   
   First air date – Oct. 02, 1995   
      
   -- I assume this is directed at Marcus, but it seems to me he has already   
   taken the path (of evil deeds).--   
      
       We start out seeing a young couple, Agranon and Jana, talking about   
   bringing their grandchildren to the spot they are on where the feud between   
   their families was ended.  And then Jana is kidnapped by masked men who   
   easily disarm Agranon and knock him out.   
       Next we see Xena and Gabrielle as they approach a tavern. Gabrielle is   
   saying that places like that have the best food, and when a drunk is thrown   
   about of a window, she adds the best atmosphere. Good Old Gabrielle, always   
   the upbeat one. As they walk over to the bar, Xena punches out a couple of   
   guys as they try to put the moves on her, and Gabrielle is totally clueless   
   (and wonders how they always manage to get the 'good table' Just gotta love   
   her!). At one point Xena spits fire at them and apparently the rest of them   
   get the message.   
       Agranon offers Xena a bag of gold if she'll rescue Jana. She declines   
   but will get her back if Agranon gives his gold away to the poor people of   
   the town.   
       While in the tavern, an old friend (and lover, it is hinted at)   
   appears – Marcus, who knew Xena in the old days and now is working for   
   Mezentius, the arms dealer who had the princess (Jana) kidnapped to start a   
   war between her family and Agranon's.   
       So once again, Xena runs off and leaves Gabrielle in the tavern. But at   
   least she has Agranon for company, for a change.   
       When Xena gets to Trachus, the city where Mezentius does business, she   
   whispers something to {Argo} and off he/she goes. I was expecting the horse   
   to show up again to help save the day, but maybe Xena just said to find a   
   shady spot to graze.  I admit I know next to nothing about horses, but can   
   they eat and drink with a bridle in their mouths?   
       In the meantime, Gabrielle convinces Agranon that she can talk sense   
   into Jana's father, so off they go. Of course, they are captured and thrown   
   into the dungeon, to be executed the next day.   
       Xena and Marcus have a couple of "moments" but Xena keeps putting him   
   off – quite the tease! And not only Marcus, but with Mezentius in the hot   
   tub room.   
       Xena manages to get Jana into the weapons room and hides her in a crate   
   used to store bows and arrows. Marcus discovers them and Xena has to knock   
   him out after trying to convince him to join her and he refuses. Xena then   
   hides Jana up in the loft and has to fight Mezentius' guards.  Marcus comes   
   to, finds Jana and puts a knife to her neck. Xena finally talks him into   
   doing one good thing, and he saves Jana's life by getting between Jana and   
   Mezentius when he  tries to shoot her with an arrow.   
       Xena kills Mezentius with her Chakram. Marcus dies.   
       They have a funeral for Marcus, and Xena sings a very sad funeral dirge,   
   in an unknown language.   
       The episode ends with Xena calling Marcus 'my friend.' I guess 'and my   
   past lover' wouldn't have been appropriate.   
      
       Another 'Gabrielle lite' episode. But Reneé still is billed as 'also   
   starring…' so the emphasis is still on Xena.   
       She still carries her sword on her hip. No sign of the breast knife.   
   Gabrielle still wearing the old clothes from 'Cradle of Hope.' And there   
   were several references to the events of 'Cradle….' (And no "XENA!")   
       Looks like Xena is starting to get more and more into her redeeming   
   mode – telling Agranon to give away the gold, trying to talk Marcus into   
   turning away from his dark side, saving the Princess Jana with no thought of   
   reward for herself.   
       But also, we get to see Xena in her former element – rubbing elbows with   
   the scum of the earth as she explains she really hasn't turned 'good' but is   
   only play-acting to get the advantage.   
       A pretty good episode.  Not too much to nitpick, but a couple of   
   things – there could have been a bit more action, and less talking and   
   walking. And the arrow Marcus was shot with was supposed to (according to   
   Marcus) leave a hole as big as your fist. He must have a tiny fist, is all I   
   can say.   
      
       But I still liked it okay, and give it a 6 out of ten.   
      
   {And one last thing. I know this sounds dumb, but when I go and when the   
   mourners (assuming there are some) are leaving the grave site when it's all   
   over and done, I'd like that Funeral Dirge to play. But hopefully it won't   
   be for many many many many years.}   
      
   http://daviderl.com/ReneeOConnor.html .   
   http://daviderl31.blogspot.com/   
      
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