Return of Callisto

Season two, episode 5

In Return of Callisto, the crazy psycho Barbie Callisto escapes and murder’s Gabrielle’s beloved in her continued attempt to punish Xena for killing her family. Consumed by hatred and a desire for vengeance Gabrielle takes on Callisto.

I love Callisto. I love the exchanges between Xena and Callisto. When these two are on screen it is very easy for me to forget about everyone else. I see all kinds of subtext and I just don’t care.

I wasn’t impressed with Gabrielle running off and marrying Perdipussy. It was so sudden and so stupid. Yes I know it was a plot device, but it was so obvious it was almost tacky. It was a Callisto episode, so I can forgive it’s few faults.

Xena’s pain at Gab’s desertion brought a tear to my eye. Gab’s pain at Perdipussy’s death also made me sad, not because of her loss mind you. It was just some great acting by ROC.

Joxer was in this episode for some comic relief and I guess under the circumstances it was needed.

Did Xena murder Callisto or did she just allow her to die? Is it the same thing? Do you wake up in the middle of the night pondering over this? Me neither.

Disclaimer: Although Xena finally conquered her dark nemesis Callisto, it took her weeks to get the sand out of her leather unmentionables.