Well, that has to be the most boring X:WP ep I've ever sat through. Meg and Joxer aren't exactly my favorite characters to begin with, but I'd figured at least Autolycus would make it interesting. Wrong!
So Joxer and Meg have remained a thing, huh? Does this mean he's finally getting over Gabrielle? I'm assuming Meg probably doesn't give a damn that his heart is really set on another, but I still was rather surprised to see that they seem to have a relationship going. I wonder if she still has the bordello. One would assume that business was good enough so she could afford to take off for a few days.
Question of the week: WHERE IN HADES WAS GABRIELLE?!? This is the first time Gabrielle hasn't been in an episode when she wasn't presumed dead. I can't tie the approximate production dates back to a particular reason why ROC wouldn't have been available ... was she taking director classes from Bruce Campbell instead, or something? I also haven't been able to come up with a plausible rationalization for why Xena would have just up and left Gabrielle wherever they were when the summons came. Gabrielle sure wasn't in the mood to be left behind last week - why would that be different now? Unless:
X: "Gabrielle, I don't think you need to come along for this one. Argo can run faster with only one of us on her back."My ultimate hope is that while Xena was off cleaning up the mess Meg and Joxer had made, Gabrielle was having an exciting adventure of her own, which we will get to see someday. But somehow I think that one is in vain.G: "If you're still trying to protect me from your gods-be-damned vision..."
X: "You do realize that Joxer will be there?"
G: "You go on ahead. I'll keep the campfire going for you."
Best up-front line: "I've got a shamrock, and I know how to use it!"
Best background line: "The ruby's gone!" <<toss>> "The ruby's back!"
And those were the only redeeming moments of the hour. Sigh. It wasn't completely abhorrent like In Sickness ... was, but I'm not planning to watch it again, either. Can't win 'em all, I guess.
Episode Rating: 3 (I just managed to keep awake)