Given recent topics, some might suspect that the title of this rambling foreshadows that I am about to go into another lengthy spiel on the virtues and drawbacks of one religion versus another. But the faithful Xenites in the audience will almost certainly already know what this one is really about. And it ain't no theological treatise. (Unless, of course, you consider the show itself a religion.)

Tonight's episode.... Where should I even begin? lol. Killer ep so far this season is what I said in reply to one content vulture. This one was just too psychopathically ludicrous not to like. "Heart of Darkness" was the title, actually. And now we know how the ruler of Hell really obtained his lofty position. lol. I take what I said earlier back. Maybe this rambling is another theological treatise.

Trying to put my finger on exactly what it was I liked about this episode. I mean, it was just so wildly... different. WAY out of the ballpark of anything that would be considered "normal" tv. It's often been the case for Xena to venture into territory where angels fear to tread, thematically speaking television-wise. This one though, was whacked out even by the standards of Xena episodes. It's by a writer I don't think I've ever even heard of before. Emily Skopov. The name doesn't ring a bell.

I mean, what's not to like? Lucy was in top form, as was the rest of the cast, but especially Lucy. (Loved that "indecent exposure" line in the teaser. rotfl.) Subtext heavy. Hehehehe. Yeah. How'd ya like that protracted musical / dance sequence in the middle? I want the soundtrack! And where to I even begin with the... ahem... subtext-ridden lines? There were a plenty. :)

I think the real kicker though is that the episode pretty much leaves the audience NO clear indication of who we're supposed to "root for" to win. Was Eve right? Had Xena and everyone else's hearts/souls been poisoned by the hell portal? Well, obviously the answer is a yes. But less clear is the answer to the question: Is that really such a bad thing given the context of the events? Do we want Eve to stop Xena and/or Gabrielle? Do they have some ingenious scheme behind all of this, or are they just prey to the forces of darkness? And what about Lucifer? What of his motivations? (Well, we pretty much know his motivation comes from a certain bodily organ somewhere beneath the waist, but still... His character is a little more complex than some might give him credit for. You know what I mean. Or if you didn't watch, you may not have any clue whatsoever.)

Well, I don't know about others, but I was flip flopping the entire episode between saying, "Go Xena! Go.", "Xena, snap out of it! You're under the influence of evil forces. Eve is right! Listen to her. You too Gab!", and "Eve, you sanctamonious idiot. Just shut up and quit preaching."

To say nothing of Archangel Michael. When he busted up the party, I couldn't decide whether to be glad because Lucifer was about to get canned (or so it seemed), or annoyed at him for acting like such a puritanical fuck! (Sorry if saying that offends anyone, but it just fits.)

Or, perhaps the best way to enjoy this episode: Just sit back, relax, and laugh through all the deliciously Machiavellian madness of it all. 5 out of 5 chakrams for sure.

I haven't hung around netforum much in a while. After this episode, I might have to show my face again. Or at least lurk a bit and see if others are thinking. Without mentioning handles, I can think of a couple people who will probably think the entire proceeding is a gross atrocity of a once great show that has fallen from paradise... (and abuse this, perversity that, was such-and-such rape, Tapert flushes a once potentially great legacy down the toilet, blah blah blah)

Doh. Now I better not post, cause if I do, and anyone follows the link in user info back to my page, then sees the above.... flamefest ahoy!

And I do have a movielog entry to make for this evening too. But I forgot one thing earlier: I still don't have the engine for the movielog submission up and running on Argo. I'll have to get it working in some form or another before I can post my stuff about the movie. The priority of getting that done just went up a notch or three.

Alrighty then. Glad I had the VHS rolling tonight. That's it for this rave.