Where is this story going? How does the Twilight resolve? Who lives and who dies? Just what is going on, and what does it mean for our beloved series?
I have some ideas, but they are little more than educated guesses that verge on outright speculation. Like every fan, I have my pet ideas -- the direction I would steer the story were I writing it. But, in the end there are only a handful of people on the Renaissance Pictures staff who know where this story ends up. And, the only way we'll learn is to watch the episodes ourselves.
I have to say I am really looking forward to the last few stops on this season's journey. My own faith in the series has been restored, and that is a wonderful feeling.
I'll have some commentary on the season as a whole in a few weeks -- after it is all wrapped up. Until then, let's return to our exploration of Campbell's Hero With a Thousand Faces.
SUPERNATURAL AID
"For those who have not refused the call, the first encounter of the hero-journey is with a protective figure who provides the adventurer with amulets against the dragon forces he is about to pass." (Campbell, pg. 69)
Some manifestations of this guide are obvious in the life of our Warrior Princess. Lao Ma, for instance, acts as a guide for Xena later in her life. Lao Ma shows her there is more to life than the barbaric existence she had experienced up to that point. M'Lila had a similar effect.
Even Ares and Alti acted as Xena's guides. At that point, Xena's journey was the opposite of the life-affirming path most heroes follow (see last week's Refusal of the Call) her guides were dark reflections of the standard archetypes.
What about Gabrielle? Since her journey began in "Sins of the Past" (as we explored in The Call to Adventure) only one person jumps out as being her guide and protector. That person is, of course, Xena.
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