DEVI
Three things I learned after watching 'Devi'. One - Gabby does yoga. Two - Gabby has a reeeeealy long tongue (LOL) and three - Gabby actually found something smaller than the BGSB to wear (I know it's amazing. Amazing my subtext friends but true(BG)).
The ep opens with Xena and Gabby strolling through a market place in India, taking in the sights. Xena even kinda gets into it and grins - which is so unlike her in a new town. But from the look of things she didn't try to take over India so she's not a bad person there. (BG) Anyway. . .
Gabby sees this guy with his ankles behind his head. She pulls Xena over by the arm and they have this exchange:
G: "See why I do yoga everyday?" ('Oh really Gabby? Who on earth would need you in THAT position?(LOL))
X: Well you don't end up like that!
G: Xena he's a master. I can only hope to achieve that kind of power (I sure Xena does too~snicker~)
X: Yoga is just not me.
G: When you're cripple and old and I'm doing head stands I'll remind you of this (Ahhh. . . Gabby's gonna grow old with Xena, isn't that sweet? (BG)).
X: (smirking) I bet you will.
They move along and see a magician named Eli. He throws a rope up into the air where it stays. He tells the audience if there are any skeptics out there to see the rope for themselves. Gabby pushes Xena head forward on the stage. Xena thinks it's a coil on the bottom keeping it up so she slices the rope at the bottom but it stays upright - she can't figure it out. No one can figure it out and she takes her place beside Gabrielle again. Mia the assistant then climbs the rope and Eli 'sends her to the heavens' (she disappears).
Xena and Gabby still can't figure it out but they know it's an illusion. Eli calls for her return. She doesn't answer or show up. He does it again. Same thing. Suddenly body parts start to fall from the ski. The magician collects them and puts them into a trunk while he acts frantic. Gabby is actually laughing at this point but shielding her mouth, hoping the freaked out crowd doesn't notice her. Eli says he'll try to save his assistant. He does his voodoo thing and suddenly Mia pops up from the basket. Everyone is applauding when Mia shows her eyes. Suddenly she's become Callisto - well not literally (sorry if I got any Calli fans in an uproar there(G)). She's got those godly contacts in and is hissing like crazy. (VBG).
She starts to go after Eli and Eli backs away telling the crowd that this isn't part of the act. The crowd doesn't believe him but Xena (gotta love her) senses that something truly is wrong. She knocks Mia into Eli and they both topple to the ground Mia starts to spaze out. Gabby runs over and holds her down, trying to get her under control. Suddenly a spirit leaves the girls body and flies around before disappearing.
Everyone now thinks Gabby is a Devi (healing god) since she drove the demon from the girl with her touch. The mob blames Eli for Mia's possession and want to go after him. Xena takes him to hide in the village temple while Gabby talks to the crowd. The mob follows Gabby chanting 'Devi'. She touches a one eyed man and suddenly he has sight again. He offers his 'sword to protect her' (Hey! Little Hetro subtext there (G)) along with a few more men.
Back at the temple Eli tells Xena that he's searching for the power to heal like Gabby because of something that happened in childhood (always 'family' issues with TPTB huh?). He asks if Gabby is a real Devi. Xena says, "Not the last time I checked." Now how do you check for Godhood, I mean is there a physical examine that goes along with it and if so, why can't we watch (VBG)?
Later that night, Gabby is giving Xena a back rub. . .again. Xena's making those 'ohhh' sounds . . . again. (~sigh~ backrubs are getting trite around her folks(G). Give me some hot tongue action (LOL). Oh wait that comes later in this report(BG). Anyway. . .). Where was I, oh yeah, Xena's lovin her back rub and makes an off handed comment that since Gab's so good (~chuckle~) she just might be a Devi. Gabby stops and says that she might be a devi because she healed a man and it felt like a spirit entered her. Xena doesn't like the sound of this. Then Gabby goes on to say that she now has the power to control life. . .and death. Xena reeeealy doesn't like this now.
Next morning Xena is sitting up awake, deep in thought. She rouses Gabby and tells her that they'll eat, do some yoga and get going. Gabby knows that Xena is just testing her to see if she's still the same little bard she knows and loves. Gabrielle tells Xena not to worry, the people have probably forgotten about it. But as they go to the balcony the town is surrounded their inn. Xena definitely doesn't like this and runs off to find Eli. Gabby meanwhile is starting to soak it up.
The priest of the temple who at the beginning didn't like Eli very much is hanging dead. Eli said he didn't do it but Xena isn't sure what to believe but she doesn't let the magician leave either.
They see Gabby with her 'bodyguards' as the villagers pay tribute to her by giving her pearls (Did you know that the pearl is actually a slang word for a certain part of the female anatomy? A pretty important one too (VBG) Just thought I'd throw that in). Suddenly the guards disappear and Xena said she's going to find out what's going on. Eli freaks however when Gabby casts a glare his way. He runs but comes across some very nasty looking dogs. They chase him and Xena tries to help him by running around the city trying to lose them. They do lose the dogs after they run smack dead into Gabby as they round a corner. Gabby looks at the dogs and they run away. Xena picks this up and so does Eli.
To get outta the jam of having the town try to lynch him again, Eli acts like he's possessed and asks for the 'Devi's' help. Suddenly he starts to float up in the air. He goes to the crowd and convinces them that he's a good guy. Gabby walks over to Xena and says she didn't do anything. When the look back Eli has split the scene.
Xena finds Eli at the temple getting holy water. He hints that Gabby is evil and another priest can bless the water so he'll be protected to take on any demons. Xena sees a painting and Eli tells her the story of a goddess who acted like a healer but sent hundreds to their death in the fight against the god Rama. She's deceptive and Xena's gotta feeling things are worse than she thought.
She knows things are worse after she gets back to the square to see Gabby covered in pearls (Did I mention that pearl is the slang for. . .oh yeah. . .I did (BG)). Later that night, Gabby is watching herself in a mirror when Xena come behind her. Gabby said she knows she looks 'a bit much' but she's still the same underneath. Xena drops a bottle of holy water (butterfingers Xena (BG)).
Gabby asks what it is and Xena says a little insurance. Gabby becomes a tad pissed. She opens the bottle and says 'Let's see if sacred water eats through my skin. Gab pours it over her and asks, 'Am I sizzling now? Am I burning?" (Well yeah Gabby. . .You're always hot in my book darlin'. (BG)). Gabby asks Xena if she still thinks she's evil. Xena now gets a tad pissed too - she tells Gabby it wasn't a test. She took the water from Eli to keep him in town until they understand what's going on. Gabby apologizes but tries to lay a guilt trip on Xena.
Xena reasons, trying to discuss the story Eli told her, but Gabby cuts her off. Gabby lays on another guilt trip and some potiental tears. Kitty-whipped Xena now pulls her close and strokes her hair. She tells Gabby not to cry now and keeps repeating she's sorry (You know . . . this is the first 'I'm sorry'. I've ever heard Xena say to Gabby. If anyone knows another,I'd like the know what ep. Anyway. . .)
Eli is still at the temple hiding. He thinks he hears Xena but it's one of Gabby's goons. They fight - Xena has a new move that's pretty neat. Eli tries to help Xena by shooting the water bottle in the thugs face as a diversion. Suddenly the guys flesh starts to melt. Eli doesn't understand. But Xena does (BG). She realized that Gabby knows too. When the evil spirit left the young woman it went into Gabby. Eli touched the girl first and HE 'cast out' the demon because HE'S the true Devi. Gabby is now an evil goddess.
Xena goes back to Gabby and tells her a story about how Eli is hurt and he needs her help. Gabby's concerned and yells for one of her guards. She asked if Mr. Goon has come back yet and he says no. Xena lets on that she knows who Gabby really is now. Gabby smiled evilly and says it's a good thing she sent back up. Xena takes off to save Eli. She finds him racing in the woods and she tells him he has to perform the exorcism on Gabby like the girl Mia. He says no. He doesn't think he has the power. Xena decides she'll do it and asks him what she needs. He tells her - an icon from Gabby.
The guards are patroling the hotel but Xena sneaks in and goes through Gabby's bag. She picks a quill. Gabby starts a riot in the city knowing it will drive peacekeeper Xena into the open. This evil god is crafty. She knows Xena's weaknesses (BG). Gabby says all this will end as soon as they have Xena to insure the safety of everyone. Xena jumps down and announces herself.
Gabby sees the quill and water and she knows what's up. Not only is she crafty - she knows how to bat those lashes at Xena, knocking her total off center. She struts over to Xena and knocks the holy water outta her hand.
"You're gonna have to kill this sweet little body to do it (exorcism). . .and I don't think you can," Gabby tells her.
"Watch me," Xena answers, knocking Gabby onto some hot coals. She stands there trying to seduce Xena with her come hither looks. Xena sends her chakram into a table knocking a bunch of water on the coals - creating a cover of steam. Once the mist leaves Xena is in Gabby's face and they have this exchange:
X: I'm warning you Tataka (evil god). Get out while you still can.
G: "And give up this face" (she says starting to twirl around) "and this firm . . . strong . . .body?" (her hands travel up her abs, across her breasts and to her neck. They cut a way to Xena for a brief moment and she looks unsure of what to do. But the part that got me was the 'hubba,hubba!' look Xena has at the end of her shot. It's half a second before they cut away. If you have slowmo on your VCR check it out. Damn
director!! ARGHH! Anyway, Gabby then snakes her hands up around the sides of Xena's head like she's going to pull her in for a kiss). "Not a chance!" (she licks the side of Xena's face from her cheek to her forehead! Be still my beating heart!!(LOL) I've read. . .hell, I've wrote fan fiction like that! (VBG)).
Xena stumbles away screaming and come back up with a big burn mark on her face. They start to fight again (and this is where Xena gets the really bad butt kicking but still nothing like the Gab Drag for those into vengeance) and Xena finally gets the upper hand. She knows that she can't save Gabby - she has to destroy her. Even Gabby seems to know this as she comes back for a brief moment before Xena's about to delivery the death blow with her sword. She raises to strike after the real Gabby gives her 'approval' (IMHO).
Suddenly Eli shouts for Xena to stop. Xena looks over and Evil Gabby throws dirt in Xena's face. She gets Xena's sword and races to kill Eli since he's the only one who can realease the demon. But Xena does a new torpedo move and mows them all down. She puts the pinch on Gabby and tells Eli to do his stuff. He does and the spirit leaves Gabby going back into the heavens again. Xena collects Gabby in her lap and kisses and hugs her.
Next Eli, Gabby and Xena are walking through the village. Eli said he's going his own way. Gabby and Eli shake hands. Eli and Xena shake hand and hug as she thanks him for saving the bard. They watch him leave before they travel on their way. Fade to black.
Next weeks looks pretty funky. It's the return of Alti, reincarnation, Xena's spiritual quest and perhaps the ep where Gabby gets a big time hair trim. Guess well have to wait and see.
CN Winters
Queen of Maintext