Sins of the Past
Find the girl!
Xena! Xena! Xena! Xena! Xena! Xena! Xena! Xena!
Hello?
BOY
You got any food you could spare?
XENA
Food's scarce everywhere. No one has anything
to spare. Where are your parents?
BOY
The other side. They were killed by Xena, the
Warrior Princess. She came down out of the sky
in a chariot, throwing thunderbolts and breathing fire.
Okay, we can do this one of two ways. You can
let us have the girls and go back to those hovels
you call homes or we can hack you all into little
pieces and take the girls anyway!
Gabrielle!
GABRIELLE
Take me! Let the others go!
HECTOR
Nice try! But we'll take you and anybody else
we want!
It's never too early to start training a slave girl.
Oh! I got to admit, this village makes tough women.
Okay, okay, now we take the gloves off.
Start hacking.
You round up the girls.
EXTRA
Yes, sir! You heard him, round up the girls!
EXTRA
All right, let's go!
HECTOR
We'll take care of this one.
Come on!
She's down!
EXTRA
Yeah!
EXTRA
We got her now!
EXTRA
Yeah!
EXTRA
She's not tough, after all!
A-la-la-la-la!
Now! Come on! Now's our chance!
EXTRA
That's more like it! Now we've got 'em!
You're with Draco. Tell him Xena says, "Hello."
ACT ONE
That thing you did with the hoop, that was amazing.
Where did you get that? Did you make it yourself?
And that kick you do...you've got to teach me.
Xena, we'd like you move on.
GABRIELLE
Move on? Father, she should rest here until her
wound is healed.
HERODOTUS
Daughter, hush. We don't want any trouble with
you, Xena. We know your reputation. We just
want you to leave.
GABRIELLE
But, Father, she saved-
XENA
(interrupting) It's all right. I plan to move on, anyway.
HERODOTUS
Don't take too long.
PERDICAS
Let's go, Gabrielle.
GABRIELLE
Hey, just because we're betrothed, doesn't
mean you can boss me around. I want to stay
and talk to Xena.
You've got to take me with you, and teach me
everything you know. You can't leave me here.
XENA
Why?
GABRIELLE
Did you see the guy they want me to marry?
XENA
He looks like a gentle soul. That's rare in a man.
GABRIELLE
It's not the gentle part I have a problem with. It's
the dull, stupid part. Xena, I'm not cut out for this
village life. I was born to do so much more.
XENA
I travel alone.
GABRIELLE
So, where are you headed now?
XENA
Amphipolis.
GABRIELE
That's in Thrace, isn't it? I love to study maps and
place names. So, what route do you usually take?
XENA
Don't even think about it.
GABRIELLE
What?
XENA
Following me. You don't want to make me mad
now, do you?
All right, now all four of you.
arrows, but the green one has drawn blood on
his shoulder.
He caught three of them.
DRACO
Who has the green arrows?
EXTRA
Green, not me, thank the gods.
Ares has smiled on you. Sign him up, and get
the others out of my sight.
GAR
Yes, Draco.
DRACO
Hector, how's the throat?
HECTOR
Next time I see her, I'll kill her.
DRACO
Pray to the gods you never have to deliver on
that boast.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Night watch! All clear!
Hello, Draco.
Xena, you look good.
XENA
So do you, except for that ugly scar.
DRACO
It's nice of you to give me something to remember
you by.
XENA
You picked the wrong woman to get rough with.
DRACO
It never would have happened if you'd been
more cooperative.
What are you doing here? If you wanted to kill me-
XENA
You'd be dead. I want to ask a favour.
DRACO
What do you want?
XENA
Your men were at a village today.
DRACO
I heard they got a large dose of the Warrior Princess.
XENA
I want you to spare that village.
DRACO
You care about those peasants? I could have
mercy on that village, if...
XENA
If what?
DRACO
You join with me. We'd make an invincible team.
XENA
I can't do it, Draco.
DRACO
What does that mean?
XENA
I'm going home.
I dreamt of being with you in love, or against you
in battle. You won't give me the satisfaction of
either, will you? Will you?
I'll spare that village, for old times' sake.
XENA
Thank you.
DRACO
What do you hope to find back in Amphipolis?
Forgiveness? I tried to go home once. My father
almost beat me to death with a blacksmith's
hammer. You'll get the same treatment, I guarantee it.
XENA
Goodbye.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
What's in the bag?
GABRIELLE
Lila, I'm going to join up with Xena.
Oh, you're serious.
GABRIELLE
Absolutely. I'm going to be a warrior, like her.
LILA
A warrior. Gabrielle, I can beat you up.
GABRIELLE
Yeah, well, you're very strong for your age. Lila,
you know I'm different from everybody else in
this town.
LILA
I know you're crazy.
GABRIELLE
Well, call it whatever you like. The point is, I don't
fit in here. And the idea of marrying Perdicas-
LILA
He loves you, you know.
GABRIELLE
But I don't love him. I've got to do this, Lila.
LILA
I'm gonna miss you so much.
Cheer up. You'll finally have a room of your own.
Take care of Mother. Don't let her carry the water
from the well by herself.
LILA
All right.
Come on boy, we can make it.
That's it. Easy. There. Easy enough, hmm?
What's the problem?
ACT TWO
Smell trouble?
CYCLOPS
It's you! A-a-a-a-a-h-h-h!
You lost some weight since I saw you last.
I guess that job I did on your eye must have cut
down on the people-eating, huh?!
CYCLOPS
Ever since you blinded me, a day hasn't gone by
when I haven't dreamt of tasting your flesh.
You know, you should find a different line of work.
CYCLOPS
Like what?! I'm a blind Cyclops, for crying out loud!
You could hire yourself out to a village as a protector.
Even a blind Cyclops would scare most folks
off. And the villagers would probably toss you
a--a sheep every now and again for payment.
CYCLOPS
Sheep? How could you start eating mutton, when
you're used to human flesh?
XENA
Suit yourself.
Xena was spotted riding toward the Strymon Pass.
DRACO
Hector, take two men and cut through the pass.
Pick up her trail and send word as soon as she's
entered her home valley. We'll march right into
Amphipolis and torch everything in sight. And
spread the word that we're doing it on Xena's
orders. Then she'll know.
HECTOR
Know what?
DRACO
There's no rest for the wicked.
The bridge will hold me up. The bridge will hold
me up. The bridge will hold me up. The bridge-
Being an adventuress isn't that hard.
Gotcha!
GABRIELLE
Immortal father Zeus in Heaven, curse this brute
if he eats me! Torture him with the slain serpent's
blood and the crow's droppings-
CYCLOPS
(interrupting) Shut up! I hate chatty food.
GABRIELLE
I know Xena, the Warrior Princess.
CYCLOPS
I hate Xena, the Warrior Princess, she blinded
me. It'll give me great pleasure to rip one of her
friends apart with my teeth.
GABRIELLE
Friend? Who said anything about friend? I've
been tracking her to kill her.
CYCLOPS
How is a young thing like you gonna kill Xena?
GABRIELLE
That's the point. She'd never let a man get close
enough to do her, at least, not that kind of 'do her.'
But, a young, innocent-looking girl like me, I'll
catch her totally off guard, cut her evil throat, and
hack off her Cyclops-blinding hands.
CYCLOPS
You're really gonna mess her up, huh?
GABRIELLE
You know what I think I'll do to her?
CYCLOPS
What?
GABRIELLE
Blind her. Gouge out them eyeballs and bring
'em back to you. It'll make a nice little appetizer,
don't you think?
CYCLOPS
Ooh, you'd do that for me?
GABRIELLE
I feel we're bonded in our hate for this she-demon.
Go on. And if you bring me a leg too, I'd appreciate it.
GABRIELLE
A leg? She's got two, doesn't she? You'll get
them both.
CYCLOPS
And maybe a-a-
GABRIELLE
Hey! Let's not get greedy.
CYCLOPS
Oh, sorry.
GABRIELLE
Xena's blood or die!
Thank the gods for dumb Cyclopses.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
What do you think?
XENA
I think you got a sore throat.
I've just blocked off the flow of blood to your brain.
You'll be dead in twenty seconds, unless I release
you. Now, why are you following me?
Ten seconds.
HECTOR
Draco, he sent me.
XENA
Draco.
HECTOR
He plans to destroy your home valley.
You'll regain feeling in a few minutes.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Hmm? Ooh, by the Heavens.
(mumbles) Hey, hey!
Are you dead?
GABRIELLE
Where are you headed?
OLD MAN
Amphipolis.
GABRIELLE
Oh, it worked! I have been lying here, supplicating
myself to the great god, Hermes, the God of
ravelers, begging him to send someone who's
on the way to Amphipolis. Hah! And here you
are. It's a miracle, don't you think?
OLD MAN
Not really. This is the road to Amphipolis. Anybody
that'd come along here would've been headed there.
GABRIELLE
Yeah, but, not everybody's a kindly old man who'll
give me a ride.
OLD MAN
You're right about that. I know I'm not gonna give
you a ride.
GABRIELLE
Oh, no, no, you've got to. I'll never make it by myself.
I didn't bring enough food. I've already gotten lost
twice. I wore the wrong shoes. Look-
OLD MAN
Look, I'm sorry, but I ain't got any room.
GABRIELLE
My father will give you a handsome reward when
we reach Amphipolis. He's very rich.
OLD MAN
What's his name?
GABRIELLE
Dolan.
OLD MAN
Dolan? The horse breeder?
GABRIELLE
Best horses in Thrace. I'll make sure he gives
you a fresh steed for your troubles.
OLD MAN
(laughing) There ain't no horse dealers in Amphipolis.
It's all sheep country.
GABRIELLE
I've been told that I'm very pleasant company on
a trip. I can sing! I know several poems, which I
recite with great passion. A traveling bard once
gave me lessons. "I sing of Oedipus, King of
Thebes, the most tragic of men."
OLD MAN
Whoa, whoa.
GABRIELLE
What's the matter?
OLD MAN
You going to tell me about Oedipus? Hah! I knew
Oedipus. I grew up in Thebes when he was king.
GABRIELLE
You knew Oedipus? I'd love to hear all about him.
OLD MAN
Oh, well, I guess I could make room for you up
here somewhere.
GABRIELLE
Oh, no, no need. I'll just sit on top.
Oedipus, the most tragic of all men. (laughing)
Biggest fool of all men, more like.
GABRIELLE
You knew him personally?
OLD MAN
Well, no, not personally, but, tsk, tsk, come on.
I saw him around...
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Hello.
Xena?
EXTRA
Xena?
EXTRA
Right you are.
Mother?
ACT THREE
CYRENE
Weapons aren't welcome in my tavern.
Neither are you. What are you doing here?
XENA
Mother, listen, the warlord Draco is marching
on this valley.
CYRENE
And you need to borrow a few men for an army, right?
XENA
I can help organize a defense.
CYRENE
Give it up, Xena.
XENA
I know Draco. I know the way he thinks. I know
what his weaknesses are. If we act now, we
stand a good chance of stopping him.
CYRENE
You think we're fools. We all remember what
happened the last time you talked like that.
EXTRA
You'll not take our sons.
EXTRA
Not again.
XENA
You're all in great danger!
CYRENE
Even if that were true, we would rather die before
accepting help from you again.
EXTRA
Not this time, Xena. We remember.
CYRENE
Go away, Xena. This is not your town anymore.
We are not your people. I am not your mother!
Never again!
EXTRA
We know who you are.
EXTRA
What are you waiting for?
Hector, I sent you to follow her so we'd know
what she was doing, not to tell her what we're doing.
HECTOR
Look, I had no choice.
DRACO
Neither do I. Choose a weapon. Now.
Get the men ready for a forced march. What's
the state of the troops?
The first and second divisions are about ready
now. The third is stationed at the Strymon Pass.
DRACO
Mobilize one and two. They can take the high-road
to the sea. The third division can join us at Thrace.
GAR
They can take the Strymon road and be there
in two days.
DRACO
No, the pass doesn't offer enough cover. March
them north, across the foot of the mountains.
Then they can cut east to the northern border.
We'll flank Amphipolis on both sides, and crush
them. If they offer any resistance-
Saddle my warhorse.
Get someone to clean off my knife. Oh, and Gar,
when we find her, she's mine.
GAR
Yes, sir.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
If you won't mount a defense, then you must
leave here.
CYRENE
You came all this way just to say that?
XENA
No, it wasn't the only reason.
CYRENE
What other purpose could you have?
XENA
I wanted to come home. I thought maybe this
time I could get it right.
CYRENE
I don't think anything'll ever take away the shame
and sorrow you've brought on your kinsmen.
XENA
Probably not, but I'm gonna spend the rest of
my life trying.
CYRENE
(sighs) Xena, I wish I could believe you.
FIRST CITIZEN
Here she is! We know what you're up to, Xena,
and we won't let you get away with it.
CYRENE
What are you talking about?
FIRST CITIZEN
Her army is burning fields in the west valley.
XENA
That's a lie. It's Draco's army.
FIRST CITIZEN
Then, why are they carrying your banners
and shouting your name?
CYRENE
Do what you will with her.
You should have stayed with your army, Xena.
This is the last village you'll ever see.
XENA
Well, what are you waiting for? Take your revenge.
EXTRA
Come on.
XENA
It's true, what they say, it's sweet. What? Is one
woman too much for you? Let me even the odds.
One unarmed woman might be more to
your tastes.
Wait, wait, wait! Now, you don't know me. I'm
new in town. But, I can assure you, Xena is a
changed woman. I saw her do some heroic things
in the name of good.
FIRST CITIZEN
Unless you're suicidal, you'll get out of the way.
She's brought Draco down on the valley.
GABRIELLE
Draco? Now, he's a scary guy. And I understand
why you're upset. But let me throw some logic
at you.
FIRST CITIZEN
Look, you're wasting your breath. We'll never
put our faith in Xena again. I buried two sons
because of her! Now, get out of the way!
GABRIELLE
Now, hold on. Let's say that you're right, and she's
Draco's buddy. Let's say, she's even his girlfriend.
Well, what have you accomplished? You think
that Draco's bad news now? What do you think
he'll be like, when he hears that you knocked
off his woman? Oh, boy, it gives me the creeps
even to think about it.
FIRST CITIZEN
All right, but get Xena out of here right now.
GABRIELLE
No problem.
Hey, Xena.
XENA
What?
GABRIELLE
I could probably get up there behind you.
XENA
What are you talking about?
GABRIELLE
Wait, you're not gonna just leave me here, are
you? I came all this way to see you.
XENA
That is your problem.
GABRIELLE
Hey, I just saved your life.
Where are we going?
XENA
To see my brother.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
You always did have trouble keeping your face
clean. Since you've been gone, I kind of lost my
way. Now, I found it. I thought I could start over,
but no, they don't trust me. Not even Mother. I
can't blame her. She can't see into my heart. But
I've got to believe that you can. And I wish you
were here. It's hard to be alone.
You're not alone.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Which one of you consider yourself the leader?
Ah, your emissary said you were interested in
making a deal. I found that amusing enough to
agree to this meeting. What do you have in mind?
FIRST CITIZEN
We, uh, took the liberty of putting together a few
wagons of...loot, some very valuable things, as
well as supplies. We hoped you'd take that and
leave us in peace.
DRACO
Why would I wanna do that?
FIRST CITIZEN
Well, uh, we thought that if we pledged to supply
your troops whenever you're in the area, that
might be very valuable to you. More valuable
then a bunch of dead villagers.
DRACO
But not nearly as entertaining. However, perhaps
there is a deal to be made. You do have something
I want. Xena.
FIRST CITIZEN
Xena. But she's not here.
Where is she?
FIRST CITIZEN
I don't know.
DRACO
Let me show your fellow citizens what happens
to those who don't cooperate with Draco.
FIRST CITIZEN
Please, don't kill me.
DRACO
Oh, in a few minutes, you'll be begging me to
do just that, you lying sack of-
(interrupting) He's not lying. Hello, Draco.
END OF ACT THREE
ACT FOUR
DRACO
Xena. How was the homecoming? Did they
throw you a party?
XENA
What do you want?
DRACO
I want you, one way or the other. We could be
great together. You must know by now you can
never escape your past. Xena, celebrate your
dark side, don't run away from it. Ride with me.
XENA
You said one way or the other. It's the other.
DRACO
Choose the weapons.
XENA
You choose the weapons. I'll choose the conditions.
DRACO
Staffs.
XENA
On that scaffolding up there. The first one to touch
the ground dies.
DRACO
(to his archers) Kill the first one that touches the
ground. No one leaves until we're finished.
Show off.
Get him, Xena!
EXTRA
Yeah!
EXTRA
Xena!
EXTRA
Get him, Xena!
EXTRA
Come on!
Why are you doing it, Xena? They're sheep!
You're gonna die for them, and they despise you!
Get him, Xena!
Come on, Xena, walk on me. You can have my
shoulders. I'll help you, Xena.
Get him, Xena!
EXTRA
Yeah!
I haven't touched the ground yet, Draco, but you have.
Looks like I'll have to finish you off myself. Of
course, now, maybe you're willing to make a deal.
EXTRA
No deal, kill him.
XENA
If I let you live, you and your army clear out of the
valley by sundown. Swear it, on the head of Ares.
DRACO
I swear, on the head of Ares, God of War, to be
out of your valley by sundown.
XENA
Then go.
Xena!
A deal's a deal.
You can take the loot wagons, of course.
XENA
I don't want anything.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Mother, forgive me, please.
CYRENE
I forgive you, my little one. I forgive you. I'm so
happy to have you back again.
XENA
You know, I can't stay for long.
I was gonna follow you, until you were in some
jam. It's so cold out there, and I couldn't get a fire
started. And the mosquitoes are as big as eagles.
XENA
You know, I'm sending you home in the morning.
GABRIELLE
I won't stay home. I don't belong there, Xena.
I'm not the little girl that my parents wanted me
to be. You wouldn't understand.
XENA
It's not easy proving you're a different person.
You can sleep over there.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
You know, where I'm headed, there'll be trouble.
GABRIELLE
I know.
XENA
Then why would you want to go into that with me?
GABRIELLE
That's what friends do, they stand by each other
when there's trouble.
XENA
All right, friend.
END OF ACT FOUR
STARRING
Lucy Lawless as Xena
Renee O'Connor as Gabrielle
GUEST CAST
Jay Laga'aia as Draco
Darien Takle as Cyrene
Willa O'Neill as Lila
Stephen Hall as Hector
Linda Jones as Hecuba
Patrick Wilson as Cyclops
Geoff Snell as Herodotus
Anton Bentley as Perdicas
David Perrett as Gar
Wally Green as Old Man
Roydon Muir as Kastor
Huntly Eliott as First Citizen
Winston Harris as Boy
Teleplay by: R.J. Stewart
Story by: Robert Tapert
Directed by: Doug Lefler
