Review: When Fates Collide

With this idea in mind, Alti and Xena were destined to meet. Since the "proper" meeting (as depicted in Adventures in the Sin Trade) failed to occur, Alti was drawn to Xena and became High Priestess of Rome. It seems a little bit strange, I'll admit, but since Alti's power is the key to the whole plot, I'm willing to accept it (besides, I've always enjoyed Alti's presence - she is evil and loves it).

Of course, Fate draws other characters to Xena as well; Joxer is present as a Roman guard. And (of course) the famous Greek playwright Gabrielle finds herself curiously drawn to the Empress of Rome.

I was initially unsure that Caesar knew about the changes he had made in history. When Gabrielle showed up, however, it became clear. Caesar clearly knows that Gabrielle will change Xena, and he does everything in his power to prevent that from happening; he accuses her of being an assassin and sentences her to death.

By the way, is there any doubt at the acting ability of either Lucy or Renee? There are several moments where neither speaks a word, but their communication is clear.

Only one real question remains in my mind, and it deals with the climactic moments. Gabrielle throws a torch on Fate's loom, destroying the tapestry of life. How does this restore the world to normal again? I would have thought it much more effective to simply release the fates and have them repair the damage done (based on Remember Nothing they have power along those lines). I guess they had some spare pyrotechnics lying around they wanted to use up.

Come to think of it, why didn't Xena just die when Caesar cut the thread? Isn't that what happens when a life thread is cut? And just how did Caesar capture the Fates in the first place?

In the end, these are really minor quibbles - the power and drama of this episode, as well as the performances turned in by Lucy, Renee, and the rest of the cast are among the best ever. These are the same characters we've known all along - and yet they aren't.

This is one of the finest episodes this series has ever produced (questions about the Fates notwithstanding). It is made even more enjoyable by myriad references to previous events that hard-core fans will pick up on. It earns a solid "A" in my book.

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