The Deliverer

Xena: Warrior Princess episode
“The Deliverer”
What's with the 18th century paintings that Caesar has stolen?
Episode no.	Season 3 Episode 4
Guest star(s)	Kevin Smith (Ares); Jennifer Ward-Lealand (Boadicea); Martin Csokas (Khrafstar); Meighan Desmond (Discord); Karl Urban (Julius Caesar); Catherine Boniface (Meridian)
Writer(s)	Steven L. Sears; Robert Field (editor)
Director	Oley Sassone
Production no.	#V0403
Original airdate	1997 Oct. 20
Episode chronology
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"The Dirty Half Dozen"	"Gabrielle's Hope"
List of Xena episodes

Xena and Gabrielle join forces with Boadicea in a fight against Caesar, bringing up old history for Xena and terrible new futures for Gabrielle.

Notes & spoilers

Ares & Discord (a big-haired goddess) are fretting over how to destroy the one-god's temple. Again with the monotheism. Xena & Gabrielle are having a fun conversation on the road, when they run into some of Caesar's men taking some captives back to Caesar; it turns out the kilted Khrafstar, first priest of the temple of the one god, was recruiting for Boadicea (pron. Boh-deh-see-eh here), who is fighting Caesar in Britannia. Xena is happy to sign up and off they all go to Britannia.

Xena walks in on G helping Khrafstar by teaching him the acupressure anti-seasickness trick. She lamely explains that to Xena, and he leaves.

Xena tells Gabrielle her history with Boadicea: Boadicea and I were allies in a sense; she thought I was a friend, but I just needed an army; I used her, took her army, and ordered her killed.

Xena & her people sneak around Caesar's troops and rendezvous with Boadicea and her people, engaging Caesar's troops right away. Boadicea is cool & professional, telling Xena that "You need to polish your sword." Xena & Boadicea's forces triumph. But Gabrielle and Khrafstar are captured by Caesar's forces. (Weirdly, it looks like Caesar's forces have looted some 18th century paintings. That's even more Xena-esque historical fantasy than usual.)

Xena realizes the capture, and conceives of a plan with Boadicea to rescue Gabrielle. Xena and the Celts conceal themselves in the earth and spring forth just as Caesar's forces are about to break Gabrielle's legs on a cross -- a message to Xena. After routing his forces and reclaiming the temple, Xena goes on for the final battle. Ares pops in & suggests that she destroy the temple: There's no room for this one god, Xena; whatever you may think of the Greek Pantheon, you know us; this god is evil. Xena rejects his advice: Evil to you! and goes to the last battle.

Gabrielle & Khrafstar go about reclaiming his temple. Suddenly Gabrielle's B-story becomes the A-story, as she is tricked into taking life. The sacrifice of her innocence will bring the one god into the world -- and we now know the one god is Dahak.

Back on the battlefield Xena and Boadicea make peace before the big battle. Boadicea can't forgive her for her past actions but she can thank her for what she's doing now. Suddenly Xena notices a hellish sky over the temple -- where Gabrielle is. Xena races back to the temple to find Gabrielle weeping near the altar where her victim is. Xena holds Gabrielle while she tearfully confesses.

When Khrafstar comes in Gabrielle can't face him and resumes weeping. Xena draws her sword angrily. "What have you done to her, you bastard?!?" Khrafstar boasts that Dahar will now come into the world, and thanks Xena for Gabrielle. "I don't know what you're talking about." K: "Look inside yourself. You brought her here. And why did you come? To defeat Caesar. Your hatred brought you here. Dahak appreciates rage." And Xena goes berserk again, but Khrafstar is now invested with some sort of deific power. Dahak's flames drag Gabrielle back toward the altar and Xena can't reach her. Gabrielle is raised onto a pillar of evil divine fire. Suddenly Dahak is made manifest -- "I am the deliverer!"

Xena fights desperately to defeat the deliverer and save Gabrielle. Gaining the upper hand she begins taunting the deliverer. "Come and get me, then. You half-witted toady to a third-rate god, come and get me! ... Come on! (kiaiing and jumping around) ... What's the matter? A mere mortal giving you a problem? I thought your god was all-powerful, or something. (said with deep contempt)" "You can't talk of the great Dahak like that!" "Great?! Great at what? All I've seen is a lame attempt at a religion and some fancy fireworks. ... Are you sure he's what you think he is? Maybe he's got you fooled too." Xena pushes the Deliverer into the fire and flies through the air to grab Gabrielle as she falls from the pillar of divine fire -- they flee as the temple falls.

Later Gabrielle sorrows, and Xena holds her. "I'm here Gabrielle." "It hurts inside. Everything's changed. Everything." Xena holds her. "It's gonna be okay. I promise."

The wreckage of the temple looks like Stonehenge.

Disclaimer

"Gabrielle was slightly well-done during the production of this motion picture. However, the producers would like to recommend a zesty barbecue sauce to bring out the full flavor of the episode."