The episode begins with Gabrielle and Varia clasping arms, smiling in regards to their previous fight. They profess, "To a strong Amazon nation," and Varia asks, "How's the eye?" with a grin. Gabrielle says, "Fine, how's the hand?" as she's grinning, continuing their arm clasp. Varia says, "Fine, why?" Gabrielle smiles, saying, "I thought maybe you sprained it on my face." They laugh and Xena does the same as she's standing aside watching the interaction. Varia approaches Xena and apologizes for borrowing Gabrielle for their Amazon party later. Xena says she understands that it's Amazon's only and that she would rather sleep rough out in the forest anyway. She chuckles, but you can tell she feels left out and grins at Gabrielle who does the same. She smiles and tells Gabrielle to have a good time and don't do anything she wouldn't do before heading off.

The Amazons begin their strange ritual of Varia officially becoming their queen. Her arm is cut with a dagger and she raises it to a dark sun. Xena hangs out in the forest alone, wishing her blonde bard were with her. I'm sure of that fact! J Xena gets a feeling that something is wrong and rushes back to the village. 

Masked riders attack the dancing Amazons, yelling, "Death to the Amazons! The Amazons begin to fight them as we hear Xena's trademark yell and she comes blazing onto the scene! After Xena fights the leader she makes her way to Gabrielle. Of course she does, would she be anywhere else? They stand back-to-back and fight off the masked attackers. As usual, they kick butt! Gabrielle has become a very good fighter and displays her skills quite nicely in this scene. The scene, although is freaky. The fight scenes are sped up and freaky to watch. Varia is kicking butt and taking names, but the leader knocks her out. He puts her on his horse and rides off. The Amazons look over the remnants of the melee saddened by their fallen sisters. I must warn you that there is a really bad wig scene here for Renee's double. You are forewarned! You would think that they could get a better wig than the ones they used! Cyane alerts them that they have taken their queen and Xena realizes where they have taken her when she picks up a mace left behind. She informs them it's from Helicon and Gabrielle adds that it's the fortress on the coast.

The Amazons insist that they go after Varia and someone who is familiar with the terrain of Greece should lead them. Gabrielle tells them it should be Xena, but the redheaded queen states that Amazon's can only go to war under an Amazon queen. Xena studies the mace and looks over her shoulder at Gabrielle informing her, "That means you, Gabrielle." The camera pans to Gabrielle who looks terrified of what she has to do. Everyone is in a huddle devising their game plan and Gabrielle explains how they will go in by water. Xena proudly looks at Gabrielle saying, "Good call." Gabrielle smiles and turns to her, "Good teacher." Xena leads Gabrielle aside, telling her she'll go ahead of them and take out the leader so they can come in from behind. Gabrielle is worried for her lover and wonders if she'll be able to take out the leader on her own. Xena says, "I can handle them. Let's hope Varia can," as the scene changes to Helicon.

The leader is checking Varia over. She demands to be released, but he won't allow that and tells her she's in no position to demand anything. He informs her that he intended to kill her, but the plans changed. Varia threateningly warns him that her sisters won't stand for it and that they will come after him. He smiles and says, "I know." It's what he wants to happen. The scene changes back to the Amazons having a funeral pyre for their fallen tribe mates. Xena turns to Gabrielle who is watching the pyre and lovingly touches her on the arm as she walks past her. She mounts Argo II and rides off. The scene changes to the darkness and shows the Amazons on a boat. I didn't see the famous eye on the boat, but I'm sure it's the same one! It seems that Cyane is superstitious and asks one of the Amazons for some coins. She explains that if she owes her money, she will survive. Another Amazon adds that she's worse than Joxer facing the dryads because she's so scared. Gabrielle walks amongst her Amazons and tries to calm their fears, as any good queen should do.

Xena sneaks up on the leader and cold cocks him one. She gloatingly approaches as he smiles, impressed by her. She greets him with a hello and he drawls her name out as he sits up. He's intrigued that's for sure. But then again, who wouldn't be? He explains that he was surprised to see her at the Amazon camp. He nods his head and introduces himself as Bellerophon. Let's give him a shorter and easier name to pronounce. Yes, Bellero will work nicely. By the way, he has a very cool outfit and looks as if Hades gave him some fashion tips. Xena replies, "Well it's not nice to meet you Bellerophon," and begins to fight him. He knocks her on her tush and she replies, "I've been hit like that before, but never by a mortal," as she stands and approaches him. He explains that he was born of Artemis. He's pissed that she watched over the Amazons and they abandoned her. Xena tells him it wasn't their fault and he agrees saying, "No, that was your fault," and they begin to fight again. He angrily tells her that she murdered his mother and now, she's going to pay. He shouts for the guards and draws a dagger as Xena fights him. He grabs Xena around the neck and holds the dagger there, explaining that she will be the first to die and then the Amazons that are bobbing out in the water. Xena's eyes widen at the thought that the Amazons will be attacked.

Gabrielle gives orders for them to disembark in silence once they hit the shores. Bellero orders they fire the catapults at the boats. Xena is pissed that he's going to hurt her beloved Gabrielle, is that any secret? You don't mess with her bard! She elbows him in the stomach and head butts him, breaking his grip on her. She runs to the window and swan dives through it, making one huge drop to the water. The boat is attacked by the fireball and takes on water. Xena is floating face down, dazed and wakes up. She looks around and sees the boat is destroyed. She softly worries, "Gabrielle," as she swims towards the boat. She could care less about everyone else and only worries about one person, Gabrielle! J The wimpy Amazons are whining and want to know what to do. Gabrielle tells them that they are taking the beach, but they are fearful of the catapults. Gabrielle reiterates her orders as they swim towards the beach. I must say that the latest round of Amazons is a disappointment to me. They are not the kickass, bold, fearless; take no prisoners like the great one's...Ephiny (of course!), Melosa, Cyane, and Solari. I don't care for any of them, although, I'm warming up to the new Cyane. You know my feelings on Varia...can't stand her!

The Amazons storm the beach. Once they hit the shore it becomes reminiscent of the beach scene from 'Saving Private Ryan', right down to the barbed wire. A catapult shoots a fireball and the black queen is killed instantly. Gabrielle stops to check on her and is horrified by her death. She turns to run and looks back, but continues on. Amazons are being killed left and right by flying fireballs and arrows. Gabrielle runs ahead and leads them to the barbed wire rolls, ducking down for cover. Gabrielle scans the beach to find a safe place and informs them there is cover if they can make the sand dunes. Did I mention how incredibly sexy Gabrielle looks with wet hair? Pardon my forgetfulness! She looks great! Found a blooper in that scene though. Gabrielle's hair is hanging down as she scans the beach, then it changes to Cyane and back to Gabby who's hair is now slicked back. The scene changes to another Amazon and back to Gabby whose hair is back down again. J She tells them they need a diversion and stares at a very butch looking Amazon, and I mean butch! You go girl! She agrees that she will do it for the Amazons. By the way, in this whole scene Gabby's hair alternates from being slicked back to being down. I couldn't resist mentioning it. J An Amazon worriedly informs Gabrielle that the woman will never make it. Gabrielle softly replies, "We have no other choice," and nods to the chosen Amazon to head off. She gallantly takes off as a catapult shoots a fireball and instantly kills her. Gabrielle shouts out for everyone to storm the sand dunes.

The Amazons rush towards them as the men ready the catapult again. Many of the Amazons are killed with arrows and Gabrielle shouts for them to move as she runs along with them. They make it to the sand dunes and Cyane looks around, noticing a figure exiting the water. There isn't a clear picture, but you know its Xena. She alerts Gabrielle that someone is coming out of the water and she stares at her lover rushing to her side. Xena runs towards them shouting out Gabrielle's name and falls beside her battling bard. Gabrielle asks what happened and a whiney Amazon yells at Xena wondering why she didn't do something to stop them and that they are all going to die. Great close up of Lucy by the way! Xena angrily admonishes her, "Yes, they have catapults and yes, we are going to die if you don't pull yourself together!" She turns to the other Amazons and adds, "You hear me? All of you keep calm!" and turns back to the Amazon who yelled at her (by the way, she looks a lot like Lila) and snarls saying, "Get back, get back."

The scene changes to Bellero whining to Varia about the Amazons deserting dear old mommy. He's still pissed that they did not worship her when she needed them the most and promises that he will kill each and every one of them for doing that to her. The scene changes to Xena and she informs Gabrielle who is leading them and why. Gabrielle looks around at the carnage and worriedly says, "He's going to destroy us." Gabrielle looks around horrified as more are being killed and grabs Xena's arm. "Xena you should take command." Xena smiles and tells her, "The Amazons aren't going to listen to me Gabrielle. You're it. You're it," assertively emphasizing her point, as Gabrielle looks around bewildered, overwhelmed by the enormity of the situation. Gabrielle stares at Xena, knowingly as the scene changes back to Varia and Bellero. He makes a secretive offer that she can't refuse. The fireballs stop and the Lila resembling Amazon is happy about it. Girlfriend has snapped and takes off running towards the peak of the dune. She yells for the rest to join her and is plummeted with a bunch of arrows, much to everyone else's horror. To make matters worse, as she's writhing on the ground dying a fireball lands on her. Xena is horrified by it as everyone's devastation shows on their faces. Xena offers an idea to Gabrielle and runs to the peak of the dune as the catapult readies itself again. They fire it and Xena throws her chakram to stop it. The chakram explodes the fireball down the catapult and the men scramble away on fire. Xena shouts and waves for everyone to get moving. Gabrielle gives the order as they run away. Xena catches her chakram as another fireball hits the beach, knocking the red-headed Amazon to the ground. Xena rushes to her side and calls out her name, Otere, as she picks her up.

They all run to a safer place on the beach and Cyane checks everything out. She sees Varia walking towards them with the fortress in the background. They take cover and watch as Varia approaches them and they are confused as to why they aren't firing at them. Xena cuts the shackles off of Varia's hands with her chakram and Varia explains that Bellero told her a queen should die with her tribe. Gabrielle tells her it's good to have her back and that the troops are waiting for their orders. Varia drinks some water and tells her that they will wait for nightfall and then retreat. Gabrielle is stunned by the revelation and says, "Retreat?" as she looks up at Xena questioningly. Xena is stunned and shocked by what Varia just said. Varia is adamant about getting her troops to safety and Gabrielle explains that Bellero will come after them and that he won't rest until the entire Amazon nation is annihilated. Xena adds, "We have to stop him Varia," and skeptically stares at her. She knows something is up, but she doesn't know what. Varia asks how and Xena explains that if they go by water they can take a flanking position on the other side of the fortress. Gabrielle tells Xena that the wounded would be better off there. Xena reminds her that they will be completely defenseless there against Bellero's men. Varia angrily tells her she's not leaving any of them behind. Gabrielle looks between Xena and Varia telling them, "The wounded will slow us down. More of us will be injured or die." Xena is shocked by what Gabrielle is saying the look she gives her shows it all. There is an awkward pause and Gabrielle realizes what she said and replies, "You're right...I'll tell the others." She walks away as Xena and Varia stare at her stunned.

They are all looking at the fortress and Varia explains that she was blindfolded, but she knows there is a track that they brought her down on. Gabrielle realizes if that's the case, then they can go up. Varia adds, "Then we won't have to go by water. We'll need a volunteer to find the path," and moves to stand but stops. Gabrielle says, "I'll go," in a low assertive tone. Oh, how I love that bard! Now there's an epitome of an Amazon! Melosa and Ephiny would be very proud! Varia stares at her and then looks up at the fortress. I don't trust that witch! Something is up with her! Did I mention in this review that I don't like her? Xena and the rest of the Amazons are creating floats for their trip in the water. Xena realizes something is amiss and heads off to find out just what that is. Gabrielle is running across the dunes towards the fortress and Varia stands posed to shoot her with an arrow. I knew that bitch couldn't be trusted! Oh, she pisses me off. She stares at Gabrielle as tears streak her face and releases the arrow just as Xena steps in front of her, catching the arrow in her hand before it even leaves the bow. Loved that scene! Love that woman! She is livid and stares at Varia before turning around. She shouts Gabrielle's name. She stops and turns back to Xena, seeing her standing before Varia still holding the arrow in her hand as Varia holds the bow. Gabrielle looks back to the fortress and sees a fireball heading right for her. She takes off running and Xena worriedly watches as one fireball after another explodes behind her. Excellent scene by the way! They slow it down somewhat and Gabrielle tucks and rolls when a fireball drops behind her, then jumps right up, continuing to run. Fabulous scene! There is a close-up of Gabrielle diving towards the camera and she disappears in the fiery fireball, making it look as if she is killed. Great scene as well.

Varia is approaching the dune as Gabrielle is storming it followed by Xena. She's livid and grits her teeth saying, "You! You tried to kill me!" as she grabs Varia. Xena puts her hand on Gabby's shoulder calmly saying, "Let me handle this." She bitch slaps Varia and says, "Don't you ever do that to my woman again!" as she beats her like a drum. Okay, no that's not what happened, it's what I would have loved to see! J Xena announces to the troops that Bellero promised to spare them if Varia killed Gabrielle. Xena is disappointed and saddened. She turns to Varia and asks, "That's it isn't it? Your tribe for my suffering? He wouldn't have made good on his promise Varia." Xena tried to make her understand and Varia tearfully added, "He swore on Artemis' grave." Gabrielle is beside herself, livid by Varia and walks away. "I'm so...sorry." Varia answered in a whisper, moving towards Gabrielle, but stopped when she saw how mad Gabrielle was. Gabrielle is hurt and angry which shows on her face. She stands between Cyane and another Amazon, turning to Varia she angrily replies, "The Amazons are a sisterhood Varia. You broke those sacred bonds." The unnamed Amazon who looks a bit like Solari accusingly adds, "She's a traitor to the tribe," and begins to draw her sword as Cyane interjects, "That's treason that should be punished by death," and reaches for her sword, but is stopped by Gabrielle. Oh, come on Gabrielle. Let them enforce the laws on her. Please...for me? J Gabrielle angrily tells them, "I will not have that kind of justice, but she's not coming with us," and turns to face Varia, emphasizing her point. Varia stands with her head down feeling guilty for what she has done as Gabrielle defiantly stands before her saying, "I can't worry about the enemy and you." Varia guiltily looks up and tearfully answers, "As an Amazon queen. I give you my word that I will not harm you."

Gabrielle frowns and shakes her head side to side with her hands reached out in disbelief. She isn't buying it and doesn't want to hear jack from this treasonous loser! Xena looks at Gabrielle and softly tells her, "You can't leave her here Gabrielle." Why not? She tried to kill your darling! Leave the witch! Gabrielle looks at Xena, then to Varia who looks as if she feels like the tribe pariah. Oh, but she is! Gabrielle approaches her and angrily says, "I'll take your word Varia," and strips her necklace off of her neck, adding, "But you are no longer a queen!" and stormed off. Ooh, you go Gabby. Strip her of her queeny points! Yes, love it! It reminded me of when Vita stripped Chi Chi of her princess points in the movie 'Too Wong Foo.' J

Gabrielle trudges up the sandy dune to join her lover who is sitting there thinking. She sits next to her and softly asks, "You're thinking of giving yourself up to Bellerophon aren't you?" Xena answers, "It would settle things." Gabrielle adds, "Only for a moment. Then he would turn around and come after us again." Xena tosses a piece of sand and says, "That's the thing about vengeance, you're never really satisfied." Xena continues to toss sand in front of her and turns to Gabrielle saying, "You did the right thing about Varia. She doesn't deserve to be condemned." Why not? She continues to make the same stupid mistakes from one episode to the next, never learning what she is supposed to. Gabrielle needs to permanently strip her of her queeny points and keep it that way. Plus, she needs to gravel at the feet of Gabrielle and beg for her forgiveness. Gabrielle is uncomfortable about the whole situation and says, "She was desperate to save her tribe...I...knew that." Xena looks at Gabrielle, "It made her do some things she never thought she would do. Just like you're going to have to rally your troops to fight again. Maybe die Gabrielle." Gabrielle answers, "If that's what I have to do," and stares at Xena. She curiously asks, "Why are you looking at me like that?" She looks down at the sand she is playing with in her hand and says, "It just doesn't seem like the Gabrielle I know." Gabrielle answers, "It's not me Xena, but it is the queen of the Amazons. That's who I am, whether I like it or not."

The scene changes to swimming Amazons and a shark swims by. Of course, they all cause a raucous and Xena warns them to stay still, that sharks are drawn to movement. The shark passes by and Gabrielle looks at the wounded Amazon Otere on the wooden float. She moves close to her and softly says, "Travel safely sister," and moves her body into the water, pushing her towards the shark as an offering. They watch as the shark quickly devours her and Gabrielle turns to Xena tearfully asking, "Was that honorable? I don't think so." Xena reaches and holds Gabrielle's face in her hand. "Would you have given yourself for her?" Come on get real Xena, we all know you would have never allowed that to happen! J Gabrielle nods yes and Xena tells her, "You sent her spirit in peace Gabrielle," as she holds her face, reassuring her. Gabrielle nods her head yes and feels better about her decision. They continue to swim towards shore.

The scene changes to them on shore. Gabrielle walks amongst the troops, checking on them. She starts naming off the dead queens and emotionally says, "They...their blood is on the shores of this land. Our sisters have died." Xena looks at Gabrielle, then looks down at her hands. Gabrielle continues, "Death is not an end to their spirits. Death is a pathway to an after life and when it is my time to join them..." Xena sighs with a pensive expression as she watches Gabrielle and hears the statement she just made. She just can't stand to hear Gabrielle mention her own death. "...I want to know that I can grasp them by the hands. I can look them in the eye and tell them their blood was not shed without purpose. That we finished the job that they began." Xena looks up at Gabrielle with admiration as she tearfully continued, "More of us may die today, but the Amazon nation...it will live on, forever. That is the duty that we carry. And the everlasting honor that we will hold," as the camera pans the Amazons and stops on Xena. She smirks proudly as she stares at Gabrielle who stares off in the distance, hoping she is doing the right thing.

Gabrielle is standing in the woods with a sword in her hand and Xena approaches from behind, asking, "You okay?" Gabrielle looks terrified and says, "Yeah, I did what I had to do. I rallied the troops," as she runs her fingers up and down the blade of the sword, trying to convince herself she made the right decision. Xena softly replies, "Gabrielle I can see that you are in pain," as Gabrielle turns around facing her, tearful and says in a whisper, "Don't, don't say that. Don't try to make me feel better about this." Xena frowns and sighs as she looks at the pain in Gabrielle's eyes. She's trying to be supportive; that what Gabrielle is doing is the right thing. "Half of my tribe lies dead on the beach. I have to be as cold and ruthless as I can be. I'll do what I have to to keep these women alive." She tearfully stares at Xena who does the same and states, "Let's end this thing now then," as Gabrielle nods yes and Xena coldly replies, "You know what you have to do," before walking away. Varia guiltily stares at Gabrielle who turns away and struggles to keep her emotions in check, thinking about what she has to do.

Xena rides up to the fortress and calls Bellero out. She draws her sword and attacks him. He knocks her to the ground and asks if it's fear that he sees in her eyes. He punches her a few times snapping her head around and they move in for a close-up of her face and she grins. She's setting him up. She turns back around and growls at him. She loves this crap! He cuts her on the left arm and then the right. He knocks her to the ground. She looks up at him and sits up, adjusting her gauntlet. She sheathes her sword and maniacally stares at him as she rises from the ground. She heads over to Argo II and mounts her. Bellero proclaims, "It's so disappointing when a warrior falls so short of your expectations." Xena glares at him once she's on Argo II and he orders, "A horse!" Then shouts, "A HORSE!" When Xena rides off he chases her through the forest along with his men. Xena stops and waits for him to approach. We know what she's up too! You ain't foolin me girly girl! J Ooh, I love her! She gloatingly grins as he stops before her. She informs him, "That wasn't fear you saw in my eyes before, it was disgust," and whistles for the Amazons in the trees to attack. A huge battle ensues between his men and the Amazons. Xena and Bellero rush toward each other on their horses to fight. He tackles Xena and they fall off the horses. They fight back and forth mightily as do all the Amazons. Cyane hides in the trees and shoots the men with her arrows. Varia and Gabby kick some serious arse as Cyane flips from the trees, confronting one of the men with her sword. Gabrielle can do it all! We have our slicing and dicing warrior bard back who easily dispatches one man after another.

Xena battles Bellero and tosses him to the ground. She threateningly holds her sword at his face and informs him, "I killed your mother to save my daughter and you killed the Amazons to avenge your mother. So, the Amazons killed your soldiers. Why add one more name to the ranks of the dead? End it here Bellerophon. Make the decision to walk away from the cycle of killing." He sarcastically smiles and looks up at her, "Or?" She warningly answers, "Or I'll make the decision for you," and turns to walk away. He replies, "Oh, you forget Xena. You can't kill me because I'm a half god," and attacks her with his boot dagger, but she swings around, slicing his stomach. He falls to his knees and Xena replies, "You forget, you're half mortal too." He looks at his wound and Xena regretfully tells him, "It didn't have to end this way." He stares at her and says, "Oh, yes it did," as he falls to the ground dead. Xena stares at him momentarily and stands up to see Gabrielle ordering a soldier to his feet. She chases him as he runs off and knocks another soldier to the ground with her sword as she passes him. She is in a serious warrior haze! Xena watches horrified as Gabrielle chases him into the woods. She definitely doesn't like what she is seeing from Gabrielle. The guy falls to the ground and Gabby runs up with her sword above her head, posed to kill him. Xena shouts, "GABRIELLE!" to stop her and she looks around, dazed. She looks at Xena who tells her, "It's over." Xena looks devastated by Gabrielle's actions and turns back to the soldier. She inhales and exhales deeply trying to calm her raging emotions and walks towards Xena. Xena tearfully watches as Gabrielle approaches her with sword and sais in hand.

Gabrielle is in a daze with blood on the side of her face and neck as she approaches her warrior. The look on Xena's face as she watches her approach is touching and upsetting. She's worried and concerned for Gabrielle. Gabrielle stops before Xena and she tearfully whispers, "You won." Gabrielle shakes her head no and says, "I don't think I did," as she looks at Bellero's dead body and continues, "With each battle I lose more of myself." Xena answers, "War is tough on the soul Gabrielle," and looks like she's going to break down and cry. Gabrielle smirks and nods yes agreeing, "Yeah." Xena adoringly stares at her and flashes a small smile as Cyane approaches. "Queen Gabrielle." Xena gives her a sideways glance and looks at Gabrielle with a small proud smile. Xena pauses and looks into Gabrielle's confused green eyes and says, "Your people need you," struggling to keep her pride and emotions in check. Gabrielle is bewildered and is trying to absorb everything. She looks at Cyane , then to Xena before walking past her. Xena and Cyane follow Gabrielle as she stops before Varia.

She stares at Varia and clasps arms with her as they did in the beginning without a word being said between them, only a knowing look. Gabrielle turns to the rest of the group professing, "To a strong Amazon nation," as the group reiterated her comment. Xena adds, "To a strong Amazon nation," as Varia repeats the sentiment. They all stand around as the shot pulls back and the episode ends.

I thought this was a pretty good episode as it was filled with Gabby and she finally got to be the head honcho. The credit she so deserves and our chance to see her take charge! Xena took a backseat to her and allowed her to make her own decisions. She gave her advisement, but ultimately left the decisions up to Gabrielle. I loved the direction in this episode and the scene with Gabrielle running on the beach is great! Michael Hurst did a wonderful job directing it. The looks shared between the two women are wonderful, caring and loving as usual. The way Xena looks at Gabrielle is very heartwarming and touching. You can see how much she loves, adores and admires the woman. The best line of the episode is when Xena asks Varia, "Your tribe for my suffering?" It sums everything up about Xena's feelings for Gabrielle. The one person she worried about as the boat was under siege and when they were being attacked on the beach was Gabrielle. She's the most important person in the world to her. How wonderful! J

Enjoy!