The Play's the Thing
| Xena: Warrior Princess episode | |
|---|---|
| “The Play's the Thing” | |
| Episode no. | Season 4 Episode 17 |
| Guest star(s) | Ted Raimi (Joxer); Jennifer Ward-Lealand (Zehra); Alison Wall (Minya); Mark Hadlow (Milo); Peter Muller (Dustinus Hoofmanus); William Davis (Kaelus); John McKee (Rivus); Stephen Hall (Therax); Mark Nua (Cleon); Eduardo de Campos (Sophocles)
George Port (First Critic); Polly Baigent (Paulina [who played Xena]); Mary Henderson (Woman #2); Tammy Barker (speaking Gabrielle auditioner); Denis Hoskins (Second Critic) |
| Writer(s) | Ashley Gable & Thomas A. Swyden |
| Director | Christopher Graves |
| Production no. | #V0620 |
| Original airdate | 1999 March 15 |
| Episode chronology | |
| ← Previous | Next → |
| "The Way" | "The Convert" |
A con artist persuades Gabrielle to put on one of her scrolls as a play as a scam. Will it be a success or a failure? Will it convey Gabrielle's message of peace, or simply sell out for lots of dinars? Will the con artists get their come-uppance?
Lesbian humor
At the end of the episode, Minya runs up hand in hand with Paulina:
- M: Gabrielle, I wanted to thank you! I never would have met Paulina if it wasn't for you! In fact, the two of you made me realize something deep down about myself that, I guess I always knew, but just didn't dare admit. Yes— I'm a ... thespian.
Minya and Paulina look at each other lovingly & run off arm in arm.
- X: Oh. Hah. Congratulations. You managed to touch someone.
- G: That's not exactly what I had in mind. I wanted to change violent people into people of peace, not actors. ... That is what she said, right? Deep down she's a thespian?
- X: Yeah, um— that's what she—said. Yeah. Why? What'd you think?
- G: Thespian—
The two keep talking and dialog trails off as they walk off through the village.
Intertextuality
Critics watching the play talking to each other:
- Critic 1: The play's not bad. I just don't buy that Xena.
- Critic 2: There's the opening of "Buffus, the Bacchae Slayer" across the street.
Disclaimer
"Although no great literary works of art were harmed or plagiarized, a few thespians stole some scenes during the production of this motion picture."