Episode Stills for Season 4 Episode 1 Adventures in the Sin Trade Part 1. Season 4 started with a very Gabrielle lite episode (and Renee wasn't even listed in the opening credits)
Distraught with grief over the loss of Gabrielle, Xena travels to Siberia and the Amazon Land of the Dead to find her friend.
SCRIBES & SCROLLS: Story by Robert Tapert & R.J. Stewart; teleplay By R.J. Stewart; edited by Robert Field; directed by T.J. Scott
PASSING PARADE: Marton Csokas (Borias); Claire Stansfield (Alti); Sheeri Rappaport (Otere, teenager); Vicky Pratt (Cyane); Erik Thomson (Hades); Kate Elliott (Yakut); Charlotte Saunders (Anokin); Jay Saussey (young dead woman); Samelle Vosloo (Young Otere); Barry Duffield (Koryak); Ben Baker (Chalcis); Barret Irwin (Warrior)
STORY SO FAR: Xena tries to find Gabrielle in land of the dead. In the process, she discovers her deeds from her bad old days have kept a tribe of Amazons from entering the Gates of Eternity and decides to right this wrong by going after an evil black shamaness.
DISCLAIMER: No Dead Amazons lost their lives in the production of this motion picture.
REWIND FOR: Nutso "hiiiieeeeeya!" Xena scene just before the opening credits. OK so it meant nothing but Xena needing to vent, but it sure looked good.
The Xena grief-stricken funeral pyre scene, complete with Gabrielle montage - note what scene flashes up as each word is spoken by Xena: "Best thing that ever happened to me": Gabrielle kisses Xena; "Gave my life meaning": they’re handholding; "Joy": a hot tub waterfight; "Part of me forever": a silhouette of them walking together. Very sweet.
The establishing shot of the Amazon Queen Cyane in a beautiful classic pose of the proud huntress. Note she always stands higher than Xena in every shot - she has the high moral ground, after all!
Have another look at the Beserker and horse... and tell me if that isn’t nearly identical to Robin Williams’s waking hallucinations from The Fisher King.
When fighting the Beserker, to keep the pain from stopping her, Xena gives herself a thigh thwap. Is it my imagination or did she use the same type of thigh thwap on Gabrielle during Gabrielle’s Hope to take away the pain of childbirth. That’s one mighty far ranging nerve pinch.
QUOTABLE: "Even in death Gabrielle, I will never leave you. You are the best thing that ever happened to me. You give my life meaning and joy; you will be a part of me forever." Xena about to keep the mother of all promises. Well, almost...
"I can’t Gabrielle, I can’t. You know nothing would make me happier than seeing you again. You are my light. I just realised what it was you gave me. A light of my own. There’s something I’ve gotta do, something you’d want me to do. I love you."
Xena getting awfully verbose all of a sudden for a stiff-lipped Warrior Princess. Not that I’m complaining, mind... Perish the thought.
BEST COMEBACKS
Borias: What would do if I told you I was in love?
Xena: I’d cut out your sweetheart’s throat... you think I wouldn’t?
Land of the Dead girl: Will you be able to get back from there?
Xena: I don’t know
Land of the Dead girl: She must be a very good friend.
Xena: She’s the only friend.