The Way
Written by RJ Stewart
Directed by John Fawcett
Xena battles the evil Indrajit to save Gabrielle and Eli, calling on Lord Krishna for help.
Tropes
- An Arm and a Leg: Indrajit chops off both of Xena's arms in brutal fashion. Xena as Kali later gets her revenge by doing the same to Indrajit.
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Banned Episode: It has been banned in a number of countries due to its depiction of Hindu gods. It came close to not being aired at all, but a petition by the fans convinced the networks to air it. - Call-Back: Xena recalls experiencing her next life in the previous episode and openly wonders if continuing to be a warrior could somehow prevent that from occurring.
- I Will Fight No More Forever: Gabrielle tosses her staff in the river with a vow never to fight again.
- In a Single Bound: Hanuman is capable of jumping to the highest of branches.
- Karma Meter: Xena discusses this when talking to Gabrielle about her next life. She acknowledges how she already earned the karma that will lead to her being reborn as Arminestra, but she worries that continuing to be a warrior that kills will cause her to lose it. Krishna tells her that staying on her current course is absolutely key to achieving that next life.
- Lotus Position: Eli and Gabrielle sit in this position while waiting for Xena to save them.
- Magic Carpet: Indrajit uses one to kidnap Eli and Gabrielle.
- Master of Illusion: Indrajit uses an illusion of Xena being tortured to lure Gabrielle out of her path of non-violence.
- Multi-Armed and Dangerous: Indrajit and later Xena possessed by Kali both have four arms and can use weapons with both of them.
- Off with His Head!: How Xena defeats Indrajit.
- Pacifist: Eli has taken this path by the time Xena and Gabrielle meet up with him. It's later taken up by Gabrielle by the end of the episode.
- Prayer Is a Last Resort: Xena kneels to pray for the first time on-screen for Krishna's help. Given that Indrajit is a literal god, you can't fault her for needing all the help she can get.
- Symbolic Weapon Discarding: Eli inspires Gabrielle, who was always a fighter but not a killer, to dedicate herself to the way of peace and give up violence entirely. As a sign of her vow, she throws her staff (which for years had been her signature weapon) into a lake.
