2.14 A Necessary Evil
my rating:
8/10
hearstarters rating:
6/10
genre:
drama
xena sets the trapped callisto free to help her fight the newly turned god, velasca.
my
comments:
it's no surprise that my favourite episodes are the callisto ones! she's
just so cool and with the best lines! "any husbands since the last one i
killed?" i love it!!
velasca annoyed me though, and to think she was on the short list to originally
play xena!
Written by
Paul Robert Coyle
Edited by Robert Field
Directed by Mark Beesley
Guest Stars
Hudson Leick as Callisto
Melinda Clarke as Velasca
Danielle Cormack as Ephiny
Jodie Dorday as Solari
Mark Webley as Guard #1
Disclaimer: The reputation of the Amazon Nation was not harmed despite Velasca's overly radical adherance to an otherwise valid belief system.
TRANSCRIPT
G: This belongs to you. Melosa would want you to have it.
Ephiny [E]: Ill take it on one
condition. I only hold it
while youre gone. By Amazon law, youre still the Queen.
G: Queen Gabrielle. Hmm. Does an Amazon
Queen beat a Warrior
Princess?
X: Do you really wanna find out?
G: All right. Just dont expect
me to show up at any parades
or anything.
E: Amazons dont have parades.
G: That was a joke.
E: I know.
Amazons: [Cheer]
V: [Screams]
Amazons: Velasca. Shes alive.
V: Youre all fools! That mask
was mine! By rights of the
Amazon, that mask was mine! Hello, Gabrielle. Thought I was
dead, didnt you?
X: I dont know how you survived
that fall, Velasca-- but
youre hurt. You need help.
V: I have all the help I need right
here. Ambrosia-- a gift
from the gods-- to make a god!
X: Go! Everyone! Spread out!
V: You! Gabrielle!
X: Gabrielle, down!
E: Amazons! Attack!
X: No! Come on.
E: Amazons, run!
V: I want Gabrielle! Where is she?!
X: Go on. Head for the caves. Well
follow as soon as we can.
Call a retreat-- Now, or therell be nothing left.
E: Coo-coo!
Amazon: Come on; this way.
X: Now, while shes weak.
V: Oh, no you dont, Ephiny. I
have a special place in my
heart for you, too!
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V: You cant hide from me, Gabrielle!
You cant hide from a
god! Ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha! Ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha!
Ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha.
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[ACT I]
V: Gabrielle.
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E: Most of us can still walk. But I
cant leave the wounded
here.
S: We wanna fight. Send us back. We can take Velasca.
X: No-- she cant be killed. Shes
an immortal. Send the
wounded over to Tyldus and the Centaurs. Hell take care of
them. And make sure that they tell him to stay where he is.
Velascas not after him yet.
G: No, shes after me. Its OK. Im all right with that.
S: Yeah, we cant just hide. We have to do something.
X: Yes-- I need as many Amazons as possible
to delay her.
Dont get anyone killed-- just slow her down. Gabrielle and I
need time.
E: Shouldnt be a problem-- I think
Im high on her list of
things to do. Xena-- that arms dislocated.
X: Ah, yeah. All better now. See?
E: Yeah.
X: You all right?
G: Yeah, yeah-- you know? Ephiny may
be high on the list, but
Im on top. Ive never been a target before-- I mean, Ive
never
been hunted. Xena, what are we gonna do-- against a god?
X: Well, we need some help, thats
for sure-- and to fight an
immortal, I need an immortal.
G: Do you know where you can find one?
X: Yes-- yes I do.
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Callisto [C]: Hmm-mmm-mmm; Hmm-mmm-mmm.
No, no, no-- no, no.
Relax, my furry little friend. No, youre not dinner. Thats
the boring part about immortality. Youre never hungry. No,
youre definitely not food. Youre my little Hercules. Hercules
trapped me in this little resort-- and I owe him a lot. And Im
planning on paying him back for his kindness. Soon-- soon. So--
run away like a good little Hercules. Run away. Run away. Very
soon.
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G: This is Callisto were talking
about! We cant free her!
Theres gotta be another way, Xena.
X: Callisto is an immortal. Shes
not a god, but shes as
close as were gonna get on short notice.
G: What about Hercules-- huh?
X: We dont have time to find him.
Velascas just learning her
powers. Every time she uses them, it weakens her. But the
lagtimes gonna get shorter. Look, Gabrielle-- I know how much
this hurts you.
G: No, you dont! Every time I
close my eyes, I hear her
voice! I hear Perdicus scream. Now, I have to live with that
till the day I die. What makes you think-- that Callisto would
help you?
X: Ill just have to talk her into it.
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S: Velasca?
V: Dont be a fool, Solare.
S: Im not.
V: Wise-- very wise. Bow your head, Ephiny.
E: Youll have to kill me, first.
S: We have no argument with you, Velasca.
Many of us believe
you should have been Queen, long ago. And now that youre a
god-- we wanna-- offer you a sacrifice.
V: Now, youre talking.
Amazons: Get her! Now!
V: [Yells]
E: Run! Now!
Amazons: Move it! Run!
V: Very good-- youre trying to delay me.
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X: Hercules said that the ceiling had collapsed.
G: There-- Im sure you know what youre doing.
X: Now, pull the rope up after me. And
dont drop it again
until I whistle twice. I dont want Callisto getting out if she
doesnt agree to my offer.
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X: Callisto.
C: Xena.
[Fight on an off throughout]
C: Oh, Xena-- so glad you could stop
by for a little visit. And
here I was-- huh-huh-- afraid Id never get to torture you again.
As you can see-- Ive been keeping busy-- scarred by fire,
entombed for eternity. Youll, ah-- youll forgive me if Im
not
exactly at my peak-- wont you?
X: Callisto, I didnt come here for this.
C: Well, then-- you shouldnt have come at all.
X: You may be immortal, but I can still
do damage. Howd you
like to spend eternity in five pieces?
C: Oh, Xena, how Ive missed you.
OK-- you wanna talk? So
talk. What little thing could you possibly say that would have
any interest to me?
X: Ambrosia-- I know someone who has
it. So you help me fight
them-- and you get a shot at it.
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[ACT II]
X: [Whistles once]
G: Xena?! Here!
C: Ah-- such a pretty day for a blood bath-- ha-ha-ha-ha-- ha.
G: Xena-- are you all right?
X: Oh yeah, Im fine.
C: Oh, me too-- thanks for asking. Oh,
but, then, youve never
really cared for me, have you?
G: Youre here. It wasnt my idea.
C: Oh, no, no, of course not. Howve
you been? Any new
husbands since the last one I killed? [Laughs] I knew there had
to be some reason you liked her. That was good-- but you know
the problem, dont you? Im immortal-- you cant kill me.
You
cant even hurt me. Oh, but you want to, dont you? Here-- let
me help. [Laughs] See? No blood. Immortals dont bleed. And
we heal fast. Oh-- but not in pieces.
X: Youre a laugh a minute. Lets go--
C: Ah-ah-ah-ah-ah! Not until we make a wee little stop.
G: The Amazons wont stop her long.
Velasca will catch up to
us.
X: We dont have time for this,
Callisto. The longer we wait,
the more powerful she becomes.
C: Dont you argue with me! You
want my help? It wont take
but a minute.
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X: My name is Xena. Some call me the
Warrior Princess. Some
call me murderer. Many years ago, there was a village
called
Cirra. It was a village just like yours-- small and-- and
prosperous-- full of life-- until a day that my army came. Until
the day that I came-- destroyed it. Under my orders, my men--
they sacked the village; burned the houses; and killed every
living thing. Everything was destroyed-- including the soul of
one young, innocent girl-- who will never be able to reclaim her
childhood-- and will never know what the Fates had planned for
her if not for me. Lets go.
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Sold1: Come on, lets go-- for the hunt.
Sold1: A dinar donation for the goddess, Artemis.
V: What do you care of Artemis? Shes
the goddess of the
Amazons.
Sold2: Hey, what are you doing?!
V: I dont need you. But you--
remember what you see here.
Remember that you met Velasca, the god of Chaos. Remember what
she did and said-- in the temple of the Amazon goddess. Artemis,
you fake! Where were you when our nation died?! Where were you
when the many Amazon tribes were scattered and destroyed?! Where
were you when the word Amazon became a joke told by old men
in
taverns?! I was once your subject. Now, Im your equal-- and
your enemy! He wouldnt have told it right, anyway.
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X: This is it.
C: Ah, its not bad. Velascas
lightning bolts wont do much
damage here.
G: Xena-- those rocks look like theyre about to fall.
X: Im counting on it.
C: And just how long am I supposed to
be fighting this woman
for?
X: Get her beneath the rockledge. Ill do the rest.
C: Ah-hah-- and then its you and
me and the ambrosia. I just
had a marvelous idea. Why dont you and I both eat it? That
way, we could be fighting each other for eternity.
X: Lets just deal with Velasca, shall we?
C: First things first.
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C: Now?
X: Not yet.
V: Three hearbeats. Xena and Gabrielle
have a friend. I know
where you are, Gabrielle. Your heart just started beating
faster. Ill quiet it down, soon enough
X: Its now or never.
C: It just might be both-- for you.
G: What is she doing?
X: She just switched sides.
C: Hello, Velasca. My, youre looking
well. Im Callisto.
You want Gabrielle. I want Xena. I think we have something in
common.
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[ACT III]
V: And who are you?
C: Im insulted. Xena, your little
playmate doesnt know who I
am! She doesnt like to talk about me. Ah-ah! Now, before you
start going crazy and blowing things up-- I think you should hear
what I have to say. In fact, Im your only friend right now.
V: I dont need or want friends.
C: Another thing we have in common.
V: You must have a death wish.
C: You know, its funny-- I think I do.
X: Well only get one shot at it.
G: What are you going to do?
X: Im gonna break up their little
party. Take her Callisto,
nows your chance!
C: Stop it! Theyre trying to drain you! Its just a trick!
G: Velasca!
C: I told you! Theyre trying to trick you!
X: Gabrielle!
V: You cant keep this up forever, Xena. I can.
X: Its not gonna take forever.
V: Too late. Goodbye, Xena.
C: You dont just kill me and walk away.
X: Gabrielle! Now!
G: Is that it? Is it over?
X: No, that sidetrip to the village
cost us. Shes grown too
strong. That wont hold her. Weve got some time before she
works her way out. Lets go. Youre not gonna get the ambrosia
this time, Callisto.
C: Patience is a virtue.
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G: Can I ask you something?
C: All right-- we both know how much I love chit-chat.
G: When we were at the village-- and
Xena was talking about
Cirra-- did you feel anything?
C: My goodness-- are you trying to figure
me out? Im
flattered.
G: Answer me-- or are you afraid?
C: Lets play a game, shall we?
Ill answer your question-- if
you answer mine.
G: All right.
C: What did I feel-- when Xena confessed
her crimes? Well the
problem is, Gabrielle-- I never feel anything. I mean, bits and
pieces, here and there, but nothing solid. Think back to when
you were a little girl-- and all you knew-- was your mother-- and
your sister. And all of your faith revolved them. Now, kill
them. My turn.
G: What?
C: When I sliced open your husband,
how long did it take him to
die? [Laughs]
X: Theres a path out of the mountains--.
Whats wrong with
her?
C: We played a game of truth or dare,
and shes not very good
at it.
X: I know where to make a stand. We
have to draw Velasca
there.
C: You gonna trust me? You havent
even mentioned my little
betrayal.
X: I can trust you because youre
after the ambrosia. And as
for your betrayal, it was hardly unexpected.
C: So, you knew I would turn. And you knew what to do.
X: And now I know that you and Velasca are enemies.
C: All right-- so how do we take care of her, then?
X: Just beyond the mountains theres
a canyon-- there are some
ruins in it. And just beyond that, a lava pit. Thats our best
bet.
C: Well, the ruins will confine her
powers. And the goal is to
get her into the lava pit. Its brilliant.
X: Without falling in ourselves.
C: Ah-- but youre forgetting one
very important element-- my
ambrosia.
X: Oh, I havent forgotten that.
C: Good-- so I suppose Im supposed to wear her down again.
X: No, no. No, shes grown too
strong. We have to lure her
there.
C: Well, we have perfect bait for that.
Its your precious
little Gabrielle she wants.
X: I know.
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V: You have a huge start on me, Gabrielle.
Then again, I am a
god.
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C: Oh, its a lovely spot. Looks
a little like home,
remember?
X: Either way, it ends here. Lets get to high ground.
C: Now-- do we stake Gabrielle out like
the sacrificial lamb
she is-- or are we to trust that she wont be running?
G: Im not going anywhere, Callisto.
Like Xena said, it ends
here.
C: [Laughs] Oh, no it doesnt.
Because once Velascas gone,
you still have me to deal with. And by then, Ill have my
Ambrosia. Oh-- but I know you too well. You probably have
something figured out for that too now, dont you-- dear?
X: Right now the plan is just to deal
with Velasca and stay
alive in the process.
C: Oh, speak for yourself. Staying alive
isnt something that
concerns me anymore.
V: Ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha!
X: Gabrielle!
V: Ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha!
X: Just hold on! Gabrielle! Gabrielle!
V: Ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha!
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[ACT IV]
G: Xena!
X: Gabrielle!
V: Ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha.
X: Gabrielle! Dont let go! Im coming!
V: Ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha.
Ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha.
X: Hold on to me!
V: Ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha. Gabrielle--
you may have
made a run of it as Queen, but this is the end.
Ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha.
G: Xena!
X: Dive for cover! Callisto, stay down.
C: Wheres that lava pit you want
me to dump her in? Im
looking forward to this.
X: Its on the other side of the
ruins. Theres a rope bridge
over it. We need to get her there.
C: Well, that should be easy enough.
Shes after the brat.
Where she goes, Velasca goes. And that leaves me free to get
behind her. Wish me luck-- not that you would. Oh, and Xena--
the next time we meet-- Ill be a god.
G: Shes right, you know.
V: Ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha.
G: Im the bait. If it means getting on that rope bridge--
X: Sacrificing you is not part of the
plan-- not even close.
And its not just Velasca we need to get on that bridge, its
Callisto as well. If Im right, theyll be so busy fighting one
another, that they wont notice me cutting the ropes.
G: Lets do it.
X: The other side-- hurry!
V: There you are, Gabrielle. Uh-- go
away. Now-- here we are
at last, face-to-face. Do you fear me, Gabrielle?
G: Yes-- I dont wanna die.
V: Hmm-- well, at least you admit it.
Strange, but I dont
really wanna kill you.
G: Go with it.
V: Oh, ho-ho-ho-ho. Im going to
kill you all right. Theres
just this part of me that respects you, because you did me a huge
favor. The Amazon nation is dead. Ive been trying to revive a
corpse. But now, as a god-- I can make the world into whatever I
choose. And now its time for you to die. Oh, its too easy to
kill you as a god-- and not half as satisfying as doing it the
old-fashioned way. Tell Hades, Ill be dropping by soon.
C: Give me my Ambrosia! Give it to me!
G: Oh!
C: Give me that!
V: Ah-- shes gotta go.
C: Gabrielle, Gabrielle-- give it to me!
X: Gabrielle.
G: Mmm!
X: Give it to her.
C: Here comes trouble.
G: Xena!
X: Hold on, Gabrielle!
G: I cant hold on! Hurry! Just do it! Cut the rope!
X: Hold on!
G: Do it! Xena, I cant hold on!
X: Gabrielle-- dont take your eyes off me!
G: Hurry!
X: I gotcha! I gotcha!
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X: With the bridge out, well have
to take the long way out of
here. But its all right-- we have time, now.
G: How long will it hold them?
X: For eternity, I hope.
G: Xena-- do you think that, deep down,
Callisto feels sorry
for the things that shes done?
X: No!
G: I do. I have to or I cant forgive
her. And if I cant
forgive her, I cant move on. Goodbye, Callisto.
X: Lets go.