Eternal Bonds
This transcript is dedicated to the memory of Kevin Smith.
Yah Argo! Yah!
GABRIELLE
Yah!
XENA
Yah! Whoa!
GABRIELLE
The gods are throwing everything they've got at us!
Xena what'll we do?!
XENA
Go!
Yah!
Easy girl.
Who-o-o-o-oa. Well Eve that's one for the grandchildren,
huh? Not many babies can say they've been
chased by a tornado.
GABRIELLE
Not many babies are being for the death of Zeus.
The gods aren't taking that lightly.
XENA
Gods, what do they know?
GABRIELLE
Fear. For the first time they're fighting for their lives.
XENA
Gabrielle we've managed to handle it so far.
GABRIELLE
You're right. Tornadoes? Lightning? How could
it get worse?
Xena, Gabrielle, hi, it's me. Don't throw anything.
GABRIELLE and XENA
Joxer.
JOXER
I--I was lookin' for you guys ever since I heard
about the baby being born. Is that it? Oh, oh, little
baby, oh. Oh, look at the little, o-oh, o-oh, you're a
chubby one. You've got little chubby cheeks.
Yes you do.
GABRIELLE
Don't scare her Joxer.
JOXER
I'm not gonna scare her. O-oh-o-oh-o-oh-o-oh.
XENA
Joxer her name is Eve.
JOXER
You know, looks just like ya.
XENA
Eve this is a very good friend of ours Joxer. And
who are your friends?
JOXER
Who? Oh. Oh. (clears throat)
These are the Magi. They came here to see
you too. It's okay. She won't bite. Come on. See?
Told ya they were my friends. Funny thing, they
followed a light all the way here.
GABRIELLE
Lightning?
JOXER
Yeah, light--lightning.
What's this about?
MAGI #3
A new day, a new life for us all.
MAGI #2
Your child issues in a new world. Without gods.
MAGI #1
A world where every man, is master of his own
fate and the birth should not go unremarked.
MAGI #2
Or uncelebrated though the gifts we bring are humble.
MAGI #3
Won't you let us present them? We've come so
far and every child deserves birthday gifts.
XENA
Well, since you brought 'em. (to Gabrielle) Be
rude not to.
MAGI #1
From the wide, fertile plains and fields I bring
you grain to nourish your life.
Thank you.
MAGI #2
From the orchards and groves, fruit to sweeten
her days.
From the essence of the sacred laurel, I bring
you oil to soothe your way.
XENA
Laurels are sacred to the goddess Artemis.
The child must die.
END OF TEASER
ACT ONE
Joxer!
The Magi are defeated.
(whispering) Eve.
JOXER
Oh. Oh, baby.
Is she okay?
XENA
Yeah, she's fine.
JOXER
How's the baby?
XENA
Not a scratch. Hey.
What?
XENA
Which is more than I can say for you.
JOXER
Oh, it doesn't even hurt. Ow, it does now.
XENA
A-ah, it's just a graze. Gabrielle clean it wouldja?
I'm gonna check these guys out, find out who
sent 'em.
GABRIELLE
Come on.
I smell a rat. Come out rat.
Rat? This is the thanks I get for delivering you
from the storm?
XENA
Right into the hands of assassins.
ARES
Well it sure beats playing tag with a tornado.
Besides, I knew you could take 'em.
XENA
Thanks for the vote of confidence. According to
their amulets, these warriors came from three
different temples. Artemis. Poseidon.
ARES
And Apollo. Yeah, I know. Their priests thought
by killing you and Eve it would score 'em some
big points.
XENA
Apollo. Joxer.
But enough about them. Let's talk about-
-us.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ouch! Ow! What are you mad at me or somethin'?!
GABRIELLE
I would be if it would do any good. Joxer you led
three killers straight to Eve.
JOXER
Well you know they were as much a surprise to
me as they were to you.
GABRIELLE
That's what I'm saying. Everything is a surprise.
That was fine when it was just Xena and I. But
now there's Eve to consider.
JOXER
Oh, what, did you think I would hurt Eve?
I don't think so Joxer but you just don't realize that
your actions have consequences, like--like this
wound for instance.
JOXER
I got it tryin' to help you, you know?
GABRIELLE
No I didn't need your help. If you had just stopped
to think about that you would have seen. No you
just go charging in there.
JOXER
Well fine. Maybe I won't charge in next time.
GABRIELLE
That's my point. I don't want you to.
JOXER
Oh good, good. Oh, great. Well then, you, maybe
you won't mind finding your heads lopped off,
you know, next to your feet when you wake up
in the morning.
GABRIELLE
Yeah, well I can sleep better at night knowing
you're watching my back.
Gabrielle. Joxer.
JOXER and GABRIELLE
What?
XENA
Come here. Gimme a look at that wound. Do
you remember which one did this to you?
JOXER
Uh, no. It all happened so fast.
XENA
Well, think. It's important.
JOXER
Why is everybody telling me to think?! I think. I
just don't show it.
GABRIELLE
What's wrong?
XENA
Those magis, they were warriors sent by three
different priests. One of them was a priest of Apollo.
GABRIELLE
So that's why they're after Eve? What's a priest
without a god?
XENA
It's also why I'm worried about that wound. If it
was Apollo's man who cut you, then it's poisoned.
Without an antidote you'll die.
JOXER
Is...is that bad? That's bad.
GABRIELLE
Well okay, which sword cut you?
XENA
Try to see it in your mind.
JOXER
I don't remember. I feel fine. Gods! Why don't
ou guys just leave me alone already?!
Joxer.
XENA
We can't take any chances. That sword had blood
on it and if it wasn't yours or mine or Eve's...
GABRIELLE
Where do we get the antidote?
XENA
There's a mandrake tree at the north end of the
valley. Its resin is the only known cure. I can make
a poultice which should slow the poison up long
enough for you and Joxer to make it there if you
ride hard. I need you to focus on Joxer. Once that
poison gets hold-
GABRIELLE
If it kicks in.
XENA
-a red line will move from the wound to the heart.
GABRIELLE
Xena let's just say that he's not poisoned. Then
I would be leaving you and Eve alone for nothing.
XENA
Are you willing to gamble Joxer's life on that?!
No-o-o-o-o! Ah-h-h-h-h-h! Ah-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h!
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ah-h-h-h-h-h!
We failed.
ORCAS
Not possible. I sent my best fighter.
TAZOR
We all did.
TIRA
Look for yourself.
The heart is diseased, provin' our best have
been beaten.
TIRA
If we expect to save our gods, we must commit
all our forces to tracking down and killing Xena...and
her spawn.
Take care of your mom.
Of course she will.
GABRIELLE
Xena are you sure you're going to be okay?
XENA
Yes, now you don't have any time to waste. I'll
meet you two at the mandrake tree all right?
JOXER
Fine. Come on Argo.
Bye.
XENA
Bye.
It's just you and me now Eve.
Whoa.
JOXER
Whoa. Well, which way?
GABRIELLE
Xena said to the north of the valley.
JOXER
Which way's north? Oh, guess you didn't think
that out.
GABRIELLE
Joxer I am taking you to the mandrake tree and
that leaves Xena and Eve alone, okay? It's makin'
me nervous.
JOXER
Oh. Well, then, by all means, you should go. I
mean I'll make it to that tree fine by myself. I feel
good. If you feel you need to go you should, take
off, by all means.
The poison's moving. Joxer.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
(singing) Hush now my little one.
Please don't you cry.
Lay your head down
On my shoulder and sigh.
Sun's gone away
And Mama will pray.
Sun will keep
All while you sleep.
ACT TWO
You know it never fails. Every time you sit down
to eat. Don't worry. I'll keep it warm for you.
Pooper-scooper.
Uh! Okay! Get it off! Get it off!
EXTRA
Get her!
And that's how we do it.
Oh-h-h, what's that?
Baptism by blood.
How fitting.
XENA
Can't you take a hint?
ARES
I am here to help you.
XENA
That's what you said last time in Tartarus when
you tried to convince me that you love me.
ARES
I do.
XENA
Uh.
ARES
O-oh, I love it when you play hard to get but that's
why I'm here, to prove it to you.
XENA
Then you're wasting my time. I'd never swallow that.
ARES
Thanks to that kid of yours, I am dying. So why
would I lie?
XENA
Because you're Ares. You always lie.
ARES
Well not anymore. All I want is to end my life the
way it really started...fighting side by side with you.
XENA
You forget I fight against scum like you.
ARES
Then so will I. A fight is a fight, no matter which
side you're on.
Okay.
JOXER
Ow.
GABRIELLE
I'm sorry.
JOXER
Ow!
GABRIELLE
I'm sorry! It's helping. The red line seems to be
holding. We should have plenty of time to get to
the tree.
JOXER
I thought you said you were leavin'.
GABRIELLE
I'm sorry about what I said. I did not mean that.
JOXER
Mm-m, I think you did.
GABRIELLE
Okay, maybe I did. It's just hard knowing that the
people I love are in danger and I'm not there.
JOXER
Talkin' about Xena right? I'm sure she can handle herself.
It doesn't mean I don't wanna be there so I can
jump in and help out or something.
JOXER
I know the feelin'. Hm-m-m.
GABRIELLE
I can be a real bitch sometimes, huh?
JOXER
Mm-m-m-m-m-m. Hm-m-m-m-m-m. Mm-m-m-m-m-m-m.
GABRIELLE
Can't I?
JOXER
Mm-mm-mmmm-mmm.
GABRIELLE
Let's get you to that tree.
JOXER
Mm-hmm. Hm-m-m.
GABRIELLE
Come on.
Ow, ow! Ow!
Ah-h-h-h. Sweet dreams darling.
Oh-h-h-h! Damn!
XENA
Get the hell away from my baby.
ARES
I swear. I won't harm her.
XENA
That's right. You're not gonna harm her.
O-oh. How did we ever let things get this way
between us?
XENA
Well could it have been when you used the furies
to drive me insane? Or when you turned yourself
into my father just to torment me? Or was it coming-
ARES
Yeah-
XENA
-onto my best friend?
ARES
-enough said. Perhaps I've been a tad overzealous
but all I want is to have you back.
To have things the way they were before. But all
that's changed.
XENA
That's right, it's changed.
ARES
There is no going back. Eve has seen to that.
I have a short span 'o time and then-
-I'm gone.
XENA
Well you'll forgive me if I don't wear mourning.
ARES
The question is, do you forgive me? I wanna be
with you Xena and I will do whatever it takes to
make that happen. To prove myself. To make you
trust me.
You saved her.
ARES
No the spring you rig saved her. I just pitched relief.
XENA
But Eve means your death.
ARES
You still don't get it. I would sooner die in your
arms...than live without you in mine.
Oh Eve. Oh Eve. Eve.
Come on. Wake up Joxer. Break's over. Hey. Joxer
wake up. I'll load up Argo. You'll just have to g-
Joxer? Joxer. Joxer.
JOXER
(wakes up) What?!
GABRIELLE
Are you all right?
JOXER
I'm fine. Good morning.
GABRIELLE
Good morning.
Oh okay, I'm not so fine.
No? You're so hot.
JOXER
Hm-m-m-m-m, you're not so bad yourself. Hm-m.
What? What?
GABRIELLE
The poison's on the move. Come on we have to
get you outta here.
JOXER
Okay.
GABRIELLE
(whispers) Stand.
O--kay.
How you doin' Joxer?
JOXER
Fine. I feel fine.
GABRIELLE
It can't be much longer now.
JOXER
Okay.
GABRIELLE
(gasps) Whoa.
Kill them.
ACT THREE
Hold your fire!
TIRA
These woods are consecrated to Artemis. To
trespass is to die.
GABRIELLE
We weren't trespassing. We were on our way to
her temple for worship.
TIRA
Your friend looks more in need of a hospice than
a temple.
GABRIELLE
Well, that's because-
JOXER
We were attacked. We were attacked by a--a fierce
warrior woman with a baby.
TIRA
Xena?
JOXER
Right Xena, you know.
TIRA
Where was this?
JOXER
Um well if you really wanna catch her, you
should head-
-west.
GABRIELLE
East.
JOXER
East I mean.
GABRIELLE
West.
JOXER
She was tall.
GABRIELLE
She was everywhere.
Take them back to the temple trail.
EXTRA
Okay.
TIRA
Then spread east. We'll go west.
GABRIELLE
No wait. Um, we don't need an escort. If you just
point the way I'm sure we can find the trail.
TIRA
Until Xena and her godless child have been
destroyed no one's safe. Now move out!
I'm tellin' ya Eve, you can't trust any of 'em. Not
dreams, not visions, not even premonitions. No,
none of them mean what you think.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
I would rather die in your arms...
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
They're either all symbolic or they play on words
that you only half remember hearing but, sometimes
they're quite literal but the best thing to do with a
dream is just ignore it.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ah-h! I think it was Autolycus that said, "Sometimes
a dream, it's just a dream." It's just a dream.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Hm-m-m-m-m-m-m! You see to be looking for
hidden meanings in things or secret messages
that your gut is trying to send you, it's just ludicrous.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ah-h-h-h-h-h!
That's crazy. Crazy. Am I right? What would you
know, huh? Well come on. Another mile and we
can double back. Yah!
You're so beautiful Gabrielle. Did I ever tell you that?
GABRIELLE
You're very ill Joxer.
JOXER
Hey, I kind of miss your long hair, you know? You
used to wear it up like a princess or braided like
a warrior? And sometimes you'd have it down
and you'd look like an angel.
GABRIELLE
Joxer, I'm not any of those things. I'm just me all
right? Joxer stay awake!
JOXER
Hm-m? Ah-h-h.
GABRIELLE
Come on. Hang in there.
JOXER
I'm fine. I'm fine.
GABRIELLE
Yeah?
Joxer!
Hey, are you all right?
JOXER
What happened?
GABRIELLE
You're burning up. Let's see. Some water for you?
JOXER
No that's empty.
GABRIELLE
Mine is too. Listen I'm gonna go down to the pond
that was a ways back? I'm gonna fill up our water
bottles okay?
JOXER
Okay I'll go with you.
GABRIELLE
No, no, you're gonna stay here.
JOXER
No I'll go with-
GABRIELLE
No! Joxer rest.
JOXER
Okay.
GABRIELLE
Stay here.
Just as I thought, Xena and her brat are headed
south. Let's go!
EXTRA
Move out.
EXTRA
Let's go!
EXTRA
Go!
And that's how you lay a false trail. It's basic but
you gotta start someplace.
Pick up the pace. No stopping. Ares says they're
almost at the trees. Keep moving.
Gabrielle? Joxer? Oh. Should be here by now.
Well, take a look-see shall we?
What's this? According to the track Xena's turned
north. Well...someone must have been cut after
all, huh? They're headed for the mandrake tree.
Move out!
Ares.
You rang?
XENA
I knew this had your stink all over it.
ARES
Well I had to do something to get your attention.
You're always walking away.
XENA
With good reason. I knew all your talk was lies.
ARES
You're wrong. I'm more than willing to fight beside
you...be a father to Eve...and to a child of our own.
XENA
That's your game. Now that you feel you're checking
out you want a child to carry on your line.
ARES
I know it's not real immortality but it's better than
nothing. Besides mortals do it all the time. Why
not me?
XENA
Because you're a conniving bastard! That's why
not you.
ARES
Only because you never believe me when I'm trying
to be sincere.
XENA
Sincere?
ARES
I'm trying okay? Every god on Mount Olympus is
targeting you. Even now three temple armies are
closing in. Now all I'm asking is your word we
will be together, have a child and I'll make all this
go away. I swear.
XENA
You're asking me to give up the future. Well I won't
do that, even if it means sacrificing my life.
ARES
Even if it means Joxer's life or Gabrielle's or Eve's?
Sh-h. She-h. It's all right Eve. Everything's gonna
be all right.
ACT FOUR
Joxer? Joxer where are you?
JOXER
Here!
Ooh! Here.
GABRIELLE
Easy.
JOXER
I heard...
GABRIELLE
Are you okay?
JOXER
I heard guards, I hid in the log.
GABRIELLE
Okay. Here you go.
It was good thinking.
JOXER
Yeah. I have lots of good ideas these days, huh?
GABRIELLE
Yeah. Yeah. Can you get up?
JOXER
Yeah.
GABRIELLE
Come on. Put your arms around me, come on.
JOXER
Oh, I can't! I can't!
GABRIELLE
Okay, okay. It's okay.
JOXER
Okay look, I got an idea.
GABRIELLE
(whispers) Yeah.
JOXER
You go get the resin and come back and I'll wait here.
GABRIELLE
I'm not leaving you.
JOXER
Now who's not thinking? Xena's probably already
at the tree, waiting for us.
GABRIELLE
Well then she's on her way to find us.
JOXER
Look we're so far off the trail she's not gonna
know where to look. Gabrielle why don't you be
smart and think about the people you love?
GABRIELLE
I am.
See, what we gotta do is keep our eyes peeled
for a sign. Gabrielle's smart. She'll try to get our
attention if she can. Trouble is, the guards would
smell a signal fire.
Hey. Hey. Guards have ears too, you know?
Otherwise Gabrielle would be raising a ruckus,
so unless you see something that I don't.
Well why didn't you say something? Told you
Gabrielle was smart.
(wakes up) Gabrielle!
Hey, it's okay. It's okay.
Was I dreaming?
GABRIELLE
Yeah.
JOXER
I dreamt we were in trouble, you know?
GABRIELLE
Us? No way.
JOXER
Us. How come there was never an "Us" Gabrielle?
Why--why do people love the people that they do?
I don't...I don't know.
JOXER
I know why. Because you made me feel special.
GABRIELLE
You are special.
JOXER
Not special enough.
GABRIELLE
You're special enough to see me through the
worst times of my life. Enough that I've come to
rely on you as a very good friend.
JOXER
Why didn't you love me Gabrielle?
GABRIELLE
I do love you. It's just not the way that you wanted
I guess. I wish I did. Joxer lie still, okay?
Xena thank the gods. Did you get to the tree?
Char-r-r-r-r-r-r-r-r-r-r-r-r-r-r-rge!
ORCAS
Char-r-r-r-r-r-r-r-r-r-r-r-r-r-r-r-rge!
TAZOR
Char-r-r-r-r-r-r-r-r-r-r-r-r-rge!
For Artemis!
EXTRA
Kill the child!
Kill the godless spawn!
Xena!
EXTRA
Die Xena!
It's all right sweetheart. This'll be over soon, I promise.
Gabrielle.
Had enough? One word from you and all this
is over. You know how it could be Xena.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Give me a child.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
I swear I would never harm it.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dreams can come true Xena.
XENA
You.
ARES
Give me a child.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
You're not a dream. You're my worst nightmare.
ARES
Enjoy.
Kill the godless spawn!
EXTRA
Kill them both!
Kill him!
Yah! Yah!
Poseidon!
XENA
Hang on sweetheart!
Sweet dreams.
Retreat!
EXTRA
Back to the temple.
EXTRA
Help me! Come on!
EXTRA
Come on! Let's go! Let's go!
Oh Eve! (sighs) Good girl.
Yeah.
EXTRA
Let's go! Let's go!
Hold that please.
Okay. Is he, um...
XENA
He's gonna be fine. Look. The poison's already receding.
GABRIELLE
Joxer.
Hi Xena. So what did I miss?
Not a thing Joxer. Not a thing.
Hey.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Joxer when you were ill I said, um-
JOXER
I know what you said. You said that, you love me
but only as a friend, right?
GABRIELLE
I do mean that I--I-
JOXER
I know you do. I know you do. But Gabrielle, I will
always love you more than that. And that's just
something I'll have to live with. You know? But
that's all right.
GABRIELLE
But-
XENA
Gabrielle.
Is Joxer all right?
GABRIELLE
Yeah, he's--he's fine. What's wrong?
XENA
I've been asking myself the same thing. You know
we live our lives the way we do because someone
has to help those who can't help themselves. But
is it wrong to expose a child to that kind of violence?
That blood?
GABRIELLE
I think so. But Xena, sometimes it's our only resort,
until we find a more effective way of doing it all.
XENA
Perhaps the greater wrong is never to fight at all,
huh? You know what? I think...it doesn't matter
where we take a stand, as long as we make one.
STARRING
Lucy Lawless as Xena
Renee O'Connor as Gabrielle
GUEST CAST
Ted Raimi as Joxer
Kevin Smith as Ares
Natalie Duggan as Tira
Peter Sa'ena-Brown as Tazor
Matthew Dwyer as Orcas
Patrick Iwobi as Magi #1
Grant Boucher as Magi #2
Barbara Cartwright as Magi #3
Alan Poppleton as Guard
???????????????? as Eve
Written by: Chris Manheim
Directed by: Mark Beesley
Disclaimer: Ares virility was harmed during the production of this motion picture.
