PROMO TRANSCRIPTION
ON THE NEXT XENA: WARRIOR PRINCESS
A MANIACAL MASQUERADE
Xena: Like a wave of death.
Callisto: You made me.
Xena: That's a lie.
FORCES A SHOWDOWN
Xena: Stay out of my way.
TO-THE-DEATH
(Xena and Callisto sword fighting on horses)
Woman: Who are you?
Callisto: I'm Xena.
ON THE NEXT XENA: WARRIOR PRINCESS
TV GUIDE PROMO
Xena is once again reminded of the sins of her past when a
malicious female warrior, whose family was killed by Xena's
former army, exacts her revenge on the Warrior Princess
by impersonating her.
Xena's reminded of the sins of her past when the nasty Callisto impersonates her on bloody rampages.
AIRING AND RATING INFORMATION
1st RELEASE: 05-13-96
An AA average of 5.1
Competition from Syndicated Action Dramas:
(1) STAR TREK: DS9 ranked 6th with 6.0
(2) HERCULES ranked 8th with 5.4
(3) XENA ranked 10th with 5.1
2nd RELEASE: 09-09-96
An AA average of 4.3
Competition from Syndicated Action Dramas:
(1) HERCULES raked 10th with 5.2
(2) ST:DS9 ranked 11th with 5.1
(3) XENA raked 14th with 4.5
3rd RELEASE: 03-03-97
An AA average of 5.8
Highest rating on the third try!!!! Way to go!!!
Competition from Syndicated Action Dramas:
(1) HERCULES ranked 8th with 6.2
(2) XENA ranked 10th with 5.8
(3) STAR TREK: DS9 ranked 13th with 5.4
4th RELEASE: 05-28-01
An AA average of 2.5
Competition from Syndicated Action Dramas:
The X-Files 3.2
Andromeda 3.1
Stargate SG-1 2.6
Xena 2.5
Profiler 2.1
Earth: Final Conflict 1.8
Sheena 1.8
Invisible Man 1.6
Voyager 1.5
SYNOPSIS :
This synopsis is by Bluesong.
Callisto is the name of the evil woman
Xena must battle in this all-thrills episode! Be prepared to
gape in awe at the beauty (and strength!) of the vile Callisto,
made, yes, made! by Xena in her former days as warlord &
evil-doer. You will shed tears, too -- so have a hanky handy!
(I could write episode plots for TV Guide, couldn't I?)
Anyhow -- Callisto wrecks havoc on all
villages, and tells everyone she is (gasp!) XENA! Xena finds out
someone is impersonating her and goes off to stop her. Xena
learns of this from a man whose son is killed by Callisto (who is
played by the man who was the boyfriend of the leader of the
Black Wolves in THE BLACK WOLF, episode #11). Off go Xena and
Gabrielle. They meet Callisto at a village, have a little fight
-- Callisto captures Xena's chakram in full flight! and they have
a duel on horseback. Callisto flees, though she does inflict
some harm on our heroine.
During the evening hours Xena and
Gabrielle sit around the fire (joined by the aforementioned
avenging father), and Xena tells Gabrielle about the ravage of
the village Callisto says she is from. Grab the hanky here,
proud Xenite!
Then it's off to Delphi, to save the
Oracle, which Xena does, and then a quick chase after Callisto;
Xena wins. But Xena must battle her own demons! Her past has
not been erased, has it? Has she been punished for HER
revenge-fed crimes? How can she turn this young woman over to a
mob to be hung? What is the right thing here?
Callisto escapes, taking Gabrielle with
her (Gabrielle dissenters will be cheering when our lovely
red-headed chatter-box is continually referred to as "irritating"
and other like phrases). Then a fight to the death! Xena must
fight Callisto while Gabrielle hangs from a burning rope ...
great acrobatics.
COMMENTARY:
This commentary is by Beboman.
Another of the greatest episodes of the first season. This episode
introduces two new characters to the Xena world; Callisto and Joxer (the
comic relief of this episode).
Callisto becomes Xena's greatest nemesis. Callisto is a product of the bad
Xena; Callisto is Xena's creation in the same way as Xena was Cortese's
creation. As Callisto so coldly tells Xena when they first encounter each
other, "You made me!" But Xena was able to defeat her creator; something
Callisto is not able to do in this episode.
The emotional struggle for Xena in this episode is between her guilt for
her past and what that past has created. Also at stake is Xena's ability
to defend what she (Xena) has turned into and to defend those she loves.
So Xena struggles with her conscience and her need to do the right thing at
any cost, even if doing the right thing ends up hurting her. Furthermore,
for Xena, Callisto is a strong reminder of who she (Xena) had turned into
after Cortese attacked her village. Here Xena faces a role reversal. She
is the attacker and Callisto is the victim. (Super guilt trip.)
With the character of Melas, we see what pain and sorrow can lead a person
to do. We are able to understand, somewhat easier, what Xena went through
when her village was attacked and what drove Callisto to become what she
became when Xena attacked her village. (Great twist in the plot.)
In this episode, Xena has many battles to fight, and her emotional strength
is challenged just as much as her physical strength. But throughout it
all, her main constant is Gabrielle and Xena's ability to stay focused,
both of which help her at the end to achieve victory over Callisto.
In this episode, we see a more secure fighter in Gabrielle. She heads into
battle without delay and is able to handle herself and even cover Xena's
back when Xena is questioning one of Callisto's men.
Enjoyed the interaction throughout the episode between Gabrielle and Joxer,
setting the stage for later encounters.
Very interesting the way Callisto and Xena finally face off in this
episode. It was great to see Callisto catch Xena's chakram and the view of
Xena through her chakram held by Callisto. The fight that followed was
that of two titans; day and night, good and evil, with good not really
being all that good. And this was marked by the fact that good wore black
and rode a white horse while evil also wore black but rode a dark horse to
create the effect of total darkness.
Also, from the moment Callisto and Xena face off, Callisto's teasing and
emotional torturing of Xena begins. Callisto does not let down; she enjoys
pushing those buttons that make Xena's guilt flourish. Callisto really
knows how to get to Xena and she does it mercilessly, to the point where
Callisto is able to wound Xena in battle and distract her by mentioning
Cirra. This gives Callisto the opportunity to escape, leaving a very
guilty, furious and frustrated Xena.
This episode is full of action with (for me, and I stress, for me) two very
powerful dramatic moments:
The campfire scene, where we find a stoic Xena slowly crumbling down as she
relates to Gabrielle what took place in Cirra. We see Xena fighting off
the tears and, most of all, the guilt for having killed women and children.
For Xena, it was her army and she was the leader, so the bottom line was
she killed women and children. Also, this scene gives us, the audience, a
better understanding of the main characters; when Gabrielle tells Xena,
"There is only one way to end this cycle of hatred and that is through love
and forgiveness." We also see that there are three people for whom Xena
will revert to the life of a warlord if something happens to them: her
mother, Hercules, and Gabrielle. Xena goes as far as to tell Gabrielle not
to change, that she likes her just the way she is (very strong words for
the Warrior Princess.)
After Xena captures Callisto and is taking her back to jail. The
interchange between these two characters is very dramatic and strong. The
hatred Callisto has for Xena is uncontrollable and Xena's guilt reaches a
maximum so that she even contemplates the possibility of releasing Callisto
if Callisto will promise to change her ways. Callisto, however, stands her
ground of hate.
Loved all the fight scenes between Gabrielle and Joxer. Found the chase of
Callisto by Xena on horseback very interesting (and in a very morbid way
really enjoyed Callisto's ability to press the buttons that flares Xena's
guilt.) Also loved the teasing of Xena by Callisto and her emotional
torturing of the Warrior Princess. It was great chemistry between the two
actresses.
The most interesting thing about the episode was the moment of bravery
shown by Joxer when Callisto orders him to kill Gabrielle and he refuses,
knowing very well that it will cost him his life. That took courage. (New
blood innocence dilemma?)
We then come to the final battle between Xena and Callisto (it reminded me
of Thunder Dome). This fight was just outstanding. At first, Xena takes
Callisto for granted, but after the first two blows, Xena realizes is
facing someone who is just as powerful as she is. This is when Xena
becomes focused, takes advantage of her surroundings and wins. Callisto's
downfall in this fight is underestimating Xena's ability to focus and take
control. In the end, Xena not only saves Gabrielle, but also saves
Callisto, leaving the door open for a rematch.
WHIMPERS, MURMURS, AND A LOVE GONE TOO
FAR
12-26-00. Robert Tapert, in an interview with WHOOSH to be released January 1, 2001 (#52), stated about this episode: "Over the years there's been more nitpicking about certain things [Studios intervention], but originally on HERC and originally on XENA there were the broadest of strokes, regarding things you couldn't do. We said "Sure, you can! Watch!" One of the things we were told you can't do is ... kill children ... So at the beginning of CALLISTO (22/122), there was a shot of a kid "hiding" with his eyes open--or was he dead?"
01-29-00. In the Starlog 2000 Magazine #271 (12/99), R.J. Stewart stated that CALLISTO and RETURN OF CALLISTO "was originally conceived as a three-parter when I first pitched it, but the wisdom was, why commit to a three-parter until we see what the girl was like? We decided to do one stand-alone and see who we cast and if it worked. I think virtually everybody on the Earth agrees we cast it pretty well with Hudson Leick."
12-21-98. From R.J. Stewart's (the executive producer of XWP) RealHollywood 12-15-98 chat:
Maya Kraj-Krajewski asks "Have you ever been on the screen in a shot
of some kind rather than always in production, RJ?"
R.J.Stewart says "I did on a magnificent performance in Calisto,
however envious people cut me out of the show! They were afraid I'd
overwhelm everyone else .. I'm a scarf salesman outside the temple
when Calisto's going to kill the person at the end of the second act
and they justifiably cut it out .. it was pretty bad. But, I had fun
doing it! And, I still have the clip of me doing it. It was Calisto
on her way to kill the Oracle at Delphi."
12-07-98. On the USA Thanksgiving Day XENA/HERK marathon (Thursday, 11-26-98), Lucy Lawless did pre-recorded bits between the shows. For the CALLISTO break, she said, "In the chariot scenes, we were learning how to do things, so in these earlier episodes such as Callisto and Hooves and Harlots, we really did it the hard way...we did everything for real, so where people are being dragged there is no trickery going on. We've learned to cheat things much more effectively so you can see Xena's face being dragged without causing grievous bodily harm to our stars, so what you're seeing is pretty much the real deal in these eps."
05-29-98. Hudson Leick, the actor who played Callisto, on 05-11-98, when asked on a TVGuide chat (TvGen.com), "I'm a huge JRR Tolkien fan (Lord of the rings, the Hobbit, the Silmarillion) Are you?", answered, "In fact, I got a present the first time I ever worked on Xena from one of the production assistants. And she gave me all three of the Lord of the Ring books. and they are phenomenal. And I also have the tapes."
05-29-98. Robert Tapert, executive producer and creator of XWP, on 01-18-98, stated at the Burbank II Con that he could not take credit for Callisto. R.J. Stewart created the character and he knew they wanted to do it. Hudson Leick showed up at the right time and out of 35 or 40 actresses he knew she was the best. He said she was about 8th in the lineup and after he saw her he just wanted to leave.
01-31-98. Robert Field, aka Avicus, on 01-18-98, stated at the Burbank II Con
that althought the usual time to cut an episode is two weeks (including sometimes evenings and weekends),
CALLISTO took three weeks.
01-07-98. Robert Field, aka Avicus, on 01-05-98, stated on the Xenaverse list that
it took 9 days to do the filming for CALLISTO.
10-31-97. At the Valley Forge
convention Ted Raimi had many things to say about CALLISTO. It
turns out that Joxer's armor is indeed a pounded pasta strainer.
If you could see his costume up close you'd see the words "made
in Korea". Raimi mentioned that he thought of his Joxer costume
as being like a Fred Flintstone costume. Also, it was Raimi who
came up with the gag of having the little knife when Joxer was
trying to "abduct" Gabrielle in CALLISTO. But they didn't work
out the details with the prop people ahead of time, so it took
many more takes than normal to do (about ten). In fact, they
almost had to lose that bit because it was taking so much time.
At the Xena Detroit Convention on
08-17-97, a question to Ted Raimi about practical joking on the
set
brought out the revelation that he and Renee O'Connor throw
wadded up pages of the script at one another, while the other was
not looking. He also revealed that the scene in CALLISTO (#22)
where Gabrielle beats him up was terrifying for him, as it was
the first day he'd met Renee, and he did not know what she was
going to do!
NOTE: Callisto returns in RETURN OF
CALLISTO (#29), INTIMATE STRANGERS (#31), TEN LITTLE WARLORDS
(#32), A NECESSARY EVIL (#38), MATERNAL INSTINCTS (#??), and
BITTER SUITE (#??).
CHANGING TIMES
Changing Times is by Debbie White.
In CALLISTO (#22), Xena has to deal
with her past coming back to haunt her, while Gabrielle
finally sees what Xena was once like.
THE CHANGING XENA
Callisto understands Xena too well: her
reputation as doing good is more valuable to Xena than her
life. The look of fear Xena used to want to see in
villagers' eyes now deeply haunts her. When first asked,
before Xena knew of Callisto, if she was Xena, "warrior
princess" she responds that "some people call me that."
Again, the reputation that earned her that title is no
longer something she cherishes. She simply puts up with the
title.
When Xena tells Gabrielle about Cirra,
she
takes personal responsibility for her army's actions. She
does not know how the fire started, but it was because of
her army being there that so many women and children died.
She admits that was the one time her army was responsible
for the deaths of women and children.
Xena also seems willing to accept
direct
guilt for what Callisto has become, even though Xena did not
make Callisto choose a life of revenge. Xena is even willing
to let Callisto go and have a second chance until Callisto
tells her she is not going to stop destroying village in her
revenge on Xena. Xena gave Callisto her chance at redemption
that Hercules gave her, and Callisto refused it.
Xena admits to Gabrielle that if
anything
happened to Hercules, her mother, or Gabrielle she might
very well go revenge-mad again. At first, Xena resists
promising not to go evil if Gabrielle died, as though she is
not sure she can. She promises in the end, though.
Xena's nights are haunted with
nightmares of
the people she has killed, yet she lives with it. Callisto
has been driven half-mad by hers.
Justice is now a very strong push for
Xena.
Before, she was more willing to be judge and executioner. Now
she takes Callisto back to have a trial, defends her against
a mob, and in the very end, saves Callisto from death and
leaves her and her army in chains. As Callisto said, whether
Xena dies or Callisto dies, Callisto wins. If Xena had died,
Callisto would have killed the woman who destroyed her
family. If Callisto had died, Xena would be wracked with
guilt about not being able to change Callisto, who she
believes she helped create.
It is interesting to note that Callisto
has
found several buttons that Xena has. Our fearless Xena can
be manipulated into doing things just as she can manipulate
others. Most people just do not understand Xena enough to be
able to find those buttons. Callisto apparently does.
THE CHANGING GABRIELLE
Gabrielle now plays back-up to Xena.
Xena
sends her off on her own to scout Callisto out when the
Oracle has come. In the inn when Melas first comes in,
Gabrielle has her staff ready to defend if need be. When
Xena is questioning Theodorus in the village, Gabrielle is
guarding her back.
Yet again, Gabrielle is left to talk
sense
into Melas (and Xena) about the cycle of hatred and killing.
Her advice is not just the goody-goody innocent talk, but an
observation on what she has seen happen and what she sees in
Callisto.
Also, Gabrielle is actually getting
very
close to Xena. Xena will now tell Gabrielle what's wrong
when asked, hug her close, and promise her something Xena's
not sure she can do.
Gabrielle is more visibly afraid of
Joxer
than Callisto when Joxer is told to kill Gabrielle. Joxer is
a man trying to prove his worth, therefore he actually might
kill Gabrielle. Especially since she has beaten him up
several times already. Callisto might very well kill
Gabrielle, but is more likely to use her against Xena, so
Gabrielle can put on a brave face.
THINGS TO LOOK OUT FOR
01-12-99. From KSZoneW. In Armageddon Now: There where many clips shown from past Xena episodes, during the little time travel scenes of Iolaus. Clips where shown from "Deliverer", "Ties that Bind", "Callisto", "Destiny", "The Price", and many others.
06-09-98. From KSZoneW.
Scenes from "Callisto" showed up in Iolaus' time travel scenes in HTLJ's "Armaggedon II"
01-31-98. From Nick Nayko: In THE DELIVERER, the show places Stonehenge
in a hilly area, when it real life, Stonehenge is located on a vast plain. In CALLISTO, the show portrays the
Oracle of Delphi in a walled town on the plains while the historical Oracle at Delphi was on a mountain and
not in a walled town. [Are we observing some Xenaverse law of the conservation of locations?]
In the chase scene, watch for how
Xena's sword disappears then reappears on Xena's back.
In many promos, the image is reversed
from the show. This happens in the CALLISTO promo when the man
tied to the tree in
the background and Xena is saying "Stay out of my way". In the
promo, the tree is on the right and Xena is on the left; in the
show, it is reversed.
When Xena and Callisto draw swords and
charge each other on horseback, Callisto's sword cuts Xena's
sword (right) arm. When Xena then wheels Argo around, the cut has
magically moved to her left arm.
SHOOTING SCRIPT DIFFERENCES
Prepared by
SheWho.
Shooting Script: February 7, 1996
I seem to recall some discussion at the
time as to whether the little boy at the beginning was dead. The
script indicates that the attackers' horses trample him: "This is
the last thing this little boy will see of this world."
Some inconsequential lines (but not too
inconsequential for the Minutiae Queen) are omitted from the
first exchange between Melas and Xena in the tavern. Melas
accuses Xena of killing his two (six in the televised version)
year old son, and she says it's a lie. Melas then asks why every
traveller between there and Corinth has a story about her, and
adds:
Melas: "They say she's slaughtering the
people and laying waste to the land."
Xena: "What village do you come from?"
Melas: "Kineta."
Xena: "I know it. It's east of
Corinth."
Melas: "Not any more."
An omitted scene, following her
departure from the tavern with Gabrielle, that adds to Xena's
heartache:
"A group of peasants move along. They're refugees, pulling behind
them carts containing their worldly possessions. One of the
peasants, a tall man, approaches Xena and Gabrielle. He looks
parched. Xena leans over and hands him her canteen. He takes a
big swallow. Gabrielle takes her canteen to share with the
others. She's out of earshot of this conversation."
Tall man: "Is there any water ahead?"
Xena: "Yeah. There's a fresh lake in
the next valley."
Tall man: "Good. We've been travelling
for days with very little to drink. She's poisoned most of the
wells, you know."
Xena: "Who has?"
Tall man: "Haven't you heard? Xena, the
Warrior Princess is back. She's worse now than she ever was."
"He takes another swig of water."
Gabrielle (calling out): "These people
are in a bad way, Xena."
"The tall man spits out the water when he hears that name (he
fears the water may be poisoned)."
Tall man (glancing at the carts behind
him): "Xena, this stuff is just worthless junk. If you'd like it
though, please be our guest. Take anything you want. Just spare
our lives."
"Xena is very troubled by all this."
Xena: "I don't want your things."
"She walks through the villagers. Word spreads through their
ranks that Xena is there among them. Xena examines the frightened
faces of the villagers as she passes." ...
Joxer, is described as "short and looks
a little like a weasel, no offense meant to weasels." His comment
about Xena feeling threatened by his masculine prowess isn't in
the script.
Another interesting scene omitted from
the televised version:
Ext. deserted village - day.
"Xena and Gabrielle are entering this village. Amidst the
buildings warriors crouch in ambush, waiting for Xena's approach.
This is a desperate-looking bunch of scoundrels. ON Xena and
Gabrielle as they enter the village. Xena is eyeing the buildings
suspiciously. ON five warriors. They step out into Xena's path.
A large warrior steps out from the rest. He's an amiable, giant
of a man. His name is Akteon. He covers a cruel heart with his
joviality."
Akteon: "Hello, Xena."
"Different angle - as all the warriors, including the ones amidst
the buildings, stand up and cheer, waving their spears in
celebration of her arrival."
Xena: "Hello, Akteon."
Akteon: "As soon as I got your message
I did as you suggested. There's nothing left standing in the
Mani."
Xena (playing along): "Good. You'll
make a very useful ally."
Akteon: "Why me, Xena? We were never
close."
Xena: "You aren't still angry about
that thing in Macedonia? That was years ago."
Akteon: "You lied to me, Xena. There
was no gold in Askos. No food, even. My army almost died of
starvation."
Xena (with a shrug): "Hey, I had to
make sure you were out of the way so I could loot Salonika by
myself." (beat) "You know what they say about love and war,
Akteon. But I'm going to make it up to you now. I have a plan."
Akteon: "I know. Your messenger said
our armies should rendezvous outside Thebes. The plundering
should be rich around there."
Xena: "There's been a change of plans.
There's a big shipment of gems coming into Piraeus."
Akteon: "Piraeus? Athens' entire army
and fleet are there."
Xena: "You haven't heard about the
expedition?"
Akteon: "No."
Xena: "Most of Athens' army is headed
toward Anatolia on board the fleet. I figure if you close from
the west and I from the east, we'll crush the garrison in Piraeus
in hours."
Akteon: "Brilliant." (suspicious)
"How do I know you'll really be there?"
Xena: "Wait for me north of Athens.
If I don't show up, then don't go ahead." (off his look) "You
can trust me, Akteon. I trust you. Look, I've come to see you
without my army." (then closer) "This is a rich haul, but if
you're not interested I could go to Draco."
Akteon: "No. You got a deal."
Ext. country road #2 - day
"Xena and Gabrielle leave the village behind."
Gabrielle: "I take it the Athenian
army isn't really on an expedition."
Xena: "No. They usually camp where I
told him to wait for me. They'll chop his army into little
pieces. The most important thing is I kept him from joining
forces with 'Xena.' And now I know she's headed toward Thebes."
"Suddenly, Xena jerks her head back to neatly avoid being
decapitated by a battle axe wielded by Melas. He's on a suicide
mission to kill Xena. He powers ahead, swinging the axe with
wild abandon. He drives Xena back a few feet before she lays a
drop kick to his knee cap, which sends him to the ground. She
grabs the battle axe and tosses it aside."
Xena ties him to the tree, and Melas says he will continue to
hunt her, even if it costs him his life. Then, an omitted
exchange that foreshadows the fireside chat:
Gabrielle: "This hate is twisting you
into another kind of monster."
Melas: "Well, maybe I have to become
one to destroy one."
"Gabrielle studies his pain-wracked face for a moment. She tucks
a folded up blanket behind his head so he'll be comfortable
against the tree."
Xena: "Those knots I tied you with
aren't very strong. You should be
able to work your way out of them in a few hours."
She then says she's going after whoever is doing this...
Xena is kept from pursuing Callisto by
the sound of Gabrielle and Theodorus fighing. The script says
that Theodorus knocks Gabrielle's staff from her hands. "He's
about to kill off our sidekick when Xena appears behind him and
does the 'pinch.'"
After putting the pinch on Theodorus in
the televised version, Xena says not to bother struggling, and
tells him to spit it out. In the script, she says, "Don't
bother. It's hopeless. Now sing like the nightingale you are."
[Huh?]
In the script, after Xena tells Melas
that she supposes she could keep him from getting killed, she
adds, "Alright. Just remember this. When we catch up with her,
don't try anything on your own. She'll eat you alive."
After telling the air, "Xena, I can
call your every move," Callisto says, "I've made quite a study of
you."
Callisto's description of Gabrielle as
"the brat" is written as plain ol' "the girl" in the script.
We would have gotten a shoulder massage
if they'd stuck to the script for the fireside scene:
"[Gabrielle] stands up and walks over to Xena who sits moving her
arm around, working her shoulder. Gabrielle gives her a
sympathetic look."
Gabrielle: "Did you hurt your shoulder
when she knocked you off Argo?"
Xena: "A little."
"Gabrielle starts massaging her shoulder. As she does, Xena
looks off into the night with a troubled stare. Gabrielle
notices."... And the chat begins. There are a few differences in
the discussion. Xena tells Gabrielle that "you could smell
burning flesh for miles," and then says it was "the only time"
her army was responsible for the death of women and children. In
the televised version, she says it was "one time".
Gabrielle demands a promise, and "Xena
stares into Gabrielle's passionate face." The tear wipe and
Gabrielle leaning against Xena's shoulder are not in the script.
In the script, Joxer actually shoots a
crossbow arrow at Gabrielle in the Delphi alleyway. She ducks,
then disarms him.
An omitted scene while Gabrielle and
Melas wait for Xena to return with Callisto:
"Melas paces impatiently. Gabrielle sits watching him."
Gabrielle: "Xena will get her."
Melas: "And if she does, what then?"
Gabrielle: "She'll bring her back here
to stand trial for trying to
kill the Oracle. She'll be punished."
Melas: "With what? Imprisonment. No.
That's not enough. I hope
Xena kills her and if she doesn't, maybe there are enough men in
this
town with the mettle to do what has to be done."
Gabrielle: "I don't like the sound of
that."
Melas: "You don't have to." (to the
crowd in the tavern) "Callisto
tried to kill your Oracle. She has no respect for anything
decent. If
Xena brings her back, I say we hack her into little pieces."
"Several of the townspeople respond with hurrahs. Gabrielle
pulls
Melas aside."
Gabrielle: "Melas, the hate you're
spreading can't be turned on and
off."
Melas: "I want revenge and I'll do
whatever I must to get it."
Gabrielle: "Callisto couldn't have
said it better."
"This brings Melas up short."
Gabrielle: "Can't you see? You're
becoming what you hate."
"Melas stares into Gabrielle's beautiful eyes for a moment. The
gentle
fire he sees there seems to soften him a bit."
Melas: "You have a gentle soul,
Gabrielle." (softening even more) "So
did my son."
"He's close to tears. So is Gabrielle. Suddenly, Melas takes a
deep breath and steels himself again."
Melas: "This is no time for tears.
Callisto is a mad animal who must
be destroyed." (turning to the crowd) "Who's with me? Who
wants quick
justice for the beast who tried to kill what's most holy to you?"
"Still more people join in celebrating Melas' cry for revenge."
In the jail, Callisto taunts Xena as a
sentimental fool, then says,
"But watching you kill foolish villagers to protect me will be
very
satisfying."
An extended Gabrielle/Joxer
scene that was omitted from the televised version. It occurs
while the two are tied up in Callisto's camp.
"Gabrielle and Joxer sit tied together on the floor. Joxer looks
devastated."
Gabrielle (eyeing Joxer): "If anybody
can save us it's Xena."
Joxer: "I don't want to be saved."
Gabrielle: "Why not?"
Joxer: "I couldn't kill you. My
father would have hacked off your
entire head and eaten your brains. Now *he* was a man.
Callisto's
right. I'm a jellyfish."
Gabrielle: "Joxer, from where I sit,
you not being able to kill me is
a big plus. Why couldn't you do it?"
Joxer: "Stupid thoughts kept popping
into my head."
Gabrielle: "Like what?"
Joxer: "Like you were a nice kid, you
gave me your scarf when you
broke my nose, you didn't deserve to die -- that kind of
sentimental
stuff." (shaking his head in despair) "I'm a disgrace."
Gabrielle (with a little smile): "I
don't agree. I think you have the
makings of a hero."
Joxer: "Oh, come on. You beat me up
twice. What kind of hero gets
beat up by a young girl?"
Gabrielle: "I'm not talking about that
kind of hero. I mean the kind
that does the right thing when doing the wrong thing is easier."
"Joxer darts a look at Gabrielle."
Gabrielle: "It took a lot of courage
not to kill me. You were
listening to your good self. It's always easier to listen to
your bad
self but you didn't. I think you're a good man and you don't
even know
it."
"Joxer eyes her carefully."
Joxer: "You really think I'm a good
man?"
Gabrielle: "Definitely."
Joxer: "If we get out of this, will
you put a good word in for me with
Xena?"
Gabrielle: "Sure."
Joxer: "I've got a business
proposition for her. I'd like to follow
her around and collect the gold teeth off warriors she kills.
I'll
split the profits with her fifty-fifty."
"Pause."
Gabrielle: "Of course, there's still
plenty of room for growth."
The ladder fight is described as
"modeled after the Hong Kong-style
ladder fight that is on the 'Asian Stunts I' tape." The stunts,
such as
the see-sawing with Callisto and rescue of Gabrielle, are written
differently. When Xena keeps Callisto from plummeting to her
death,
Callisto says, "You saved me. I hate you now more than ever."
The closing scene begins:
"Melas is there with a posse of citizens from Delphi. They're in
the
process of putting foot chains on Theodorus and the other
prisoners.
Xena, Joxer and Gabrielle look on. Sitting next to Xena is a
bound
Callisto. She seems to be muttering to herself. Melas walks up
to
Gabrielle."
Melas: "Thank the gods you're
alright."
Gabrielle: "Thank Xena while you're at
it."
Melas: "You were so right. I was
becoming the force that killed my
son." (to Xena) "If you want to put Callisto with the other
prisoners
I'll make sure she gets a fair trial."
"Xena nods, takes Callisto over to the others and puts leg irons
on
her. Gabrielle turns to Joxer."
Gabrielle: "Good-bye, Joxer. Thanks
for not cutting my throat."
Joxer: "It was nothing really."
"Xena returns to Gabrielle," who tells her that saving Callisto
was the
right thing to do...
TRANSCRIPT
Click here to read a transcript of CALLISTO .
DISCLAIMER:
Joxers nose was not harmed during the
production of this motion picture. However, his crossbow was
severely damaged.
WHOOSH! ARTICLES:
Brette4635, Callisto: Was
Justice Served? , Issue 1 (SEPTEMBER 1996)
Carper, Virginia, How Effective
was Xena as a Commander? , Issue 6 (March 1997),
paragraph 20
Carper, Virginia, Joxer from a
Disability Perspective , Issue 9 (June 1997), paragraphs 3,
4, 26
Carter, Carmen, Visual Metaphor
in XENA: WARRIOR PRINCESS , Issue 3 (November 1996),
paragraphs 6-8
Clogston, Christi, Chainmail
and Its Uses on XENA: WARRIOR PRINCESS, Issue 7 (April 1997),
paragraph 7
Cooper, Cynthia Ward, Ted at the
Con: The Complete Story , Issue 5 (February 1997)
Draganis, Mary, Dark Warrior
Pasts: Kira and Xena , Issue 7 (April 1997), paragraph 16
Erb, Maria, Why Gab is So
Fab, Issue 7 (April 1997)
Erb, Maria, XENA: WARRIOR PRINCESS
Scenes We'd Like To See, Issue 6 (March 1997)
Gaar, Gillian G., An Interview
with Hudson Leick , Issue 11 (August 1997), paragraphs 31-34
Gilmore, Merry, A Fan's First
Introduction to Fan Fiction , Issue 6 (March 1997), paragraph
6
Knighton, Linda, XENA: WARRIOR
PRINCESS: A Native Amercian Perspective , Issue 3 (November
1996), paragraph 18
LaFleur, Richard, Is Xena a
Warrior Born or a Warrior Made? , Issue 9 (June 1997),
paragraphs 66, 68, 81, 83, 84
Letters to the Editor,
Letters to the Editor , Issue 10 (July 1997)
McGhee, Deb E, R.J. Stewart:
The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly, Issue 9 (June 1997),
paragraphs 4, 20, 27, 29
Nayko, Nicholas, Callisto: Die
Furie? , Issue 11 (August 1997), paragraphs 1, 17, 22
Propps, Jacquie, et al.,
HERCULES/XENA Convention: Sacramento. May 31, 1997, Issue 10
(July 1997), paragraph 81
Rentoul, Ian, Xena and the
Challenge of Destiny , Issue 8 (May 1997), paragraph 13
Robillard, Stacey, Why Doesn't
Renee O'Connor Get More Credit? Or What Have *They* Got Against
Gabrielle? , Issue 9 (June 1997), paragraph 3
Rudnick, Bret, Callisto:
Arch-Villain Extraordinaire , Issue 4 (December 1996)
Rudnick, Bret, An Interview with
R. J. Stewart, Issue 9 (June 1997), paragraphs 7, 64
Rudnick, Bret, An Interview
with Robert Field, Part 1 of 2, Issue 10 (July 1997),
paragraphs 11, 47, 54, 87-91
Rudnick, Bret, An Interview
with Robert Field, Part 2 of 2, Issue 11 (August 1997),
paragraphs 173-176, 188
Schnepp, Rita, Four Great
Characters in XENA: WARRIOR PRINCESS and CHINA BEACH , Issue
6 (March 1997), paragraph 11
Sears, Steven L., Tyldus
Interviews Himself: A Response to Last Month's Editorial and Then
Some , Issue 11 (August 1997)
Silver, Diane, The Shock of
Recognition: A Lesbian Appreciation of XENA: WARRIOR
PRINCESS, Issue 11 (August 1997), paragraphs 13, 17
Silver, Diane, The Steve Sears
and Liz Friedman Show, or Why Gabrielle Doesn't Ride , Issue
5 (February 1997)
Swenson, Gregory R., Alexander
the Great: Blueprint for Xena , Issue 4 (December 1996),
paragraphs 5, 6
Swenson, Gregory R., Puritanism,
Capitalism, and Transcendentalism in XENA: WARRIOR PRINCESS ,
Issue 8 (May 1997), paragraph 28
Taborn, Kym Masera, The
Annotated WARRIOR PRINCESS , Issue 2 (October 1996),
paragraphs 38, 114, 134
White, Debbie, Changing Times:
ALTARED STATES, TIES THAT BIND, THE GREATER GOOD, and CALLISTO
, Issue 13 (October 1997), paragraphs 49-60.
Wiatt, C., Xena and Callisto: Why
are They the Way They Are? , Issue 1 (SEPTEMBER 1996)
Williams, Brad, The Declining
Body Count on XENA: WARRIOR PRINCESS , Issue 11 (August
1997), paragraph 4
Wong, Stephanie, Convention
Madness for One Obsessed Xenite , Issue 5 (February 1997)
LINKS:
Callisto Transcript
Callisto script
