"The Way" Episode 84/416
Unrevised
[TEASER]
Man's Voice: [Chant]
G's Voice: "I _love_ rivers."
X's Voice: "They're all right, if you don't have to get to the
other side."
G's Voice: "There's a certain-- inevitability to a river.
Nothing stops it from finding its way."
X's Voice: "You ever hear of a dam? Beavers?"
G's Voice: "Why do you do that?"
X's Voice: "What?"
G's Voice: "You shoot me down while I'm doing my philosophical
stuff."
X: "Whaddya mean?"
G: "Xena-- since I met you, I've been on this spiritual quest.
I've been looking-- for the meaning to it all. Why don't _you_
ever ask those questions?"
X: "As a matter of fact, I've been thinking a lot about
reincarnation since we came to India."
G: "You see? Maybe being a warrior isn't the right karma for
you. Maybe you should look to peace."
X: "Hmm-- maybe violence isn't the answer to _anything_.
Ah-h-h-h-h-h-h! Why are you following us?"
Warrior: "We were ordered to stop you from reaching the avatar!"
X: "Who's `We'?"
G: "Xena!"
[Fight]
X: "All right-- who's tryin' to stop us from reaching the
avatar?"
Warrior: "Indrujid-- the king of demons! The prince of
darkness!"
X: "I get it-- he's a bad guy."
-----------------------------------------------------------------
-------------------------------
X's Voice: "We've gotta beat Indrujid to this avatar, whatever
that is."
G: "An avatar-- is a deity in human form. They're usually
destined to save humanity from a great evil. What's the matter?"
X: "It's this wound. That demon should never have gotten a
blade on me."
G: "Xena, you're only human. Everybody loses focus sometimes."
X: "It's not just that I lost focus. It's _why_. A few days
ago, I saw my future life. You saw it, too. I'm destined to be
reborn as some kind of a saint."
G: "But that's wonderful, isn't it?"
X: "Yes-- but if I already earned that karma-- can I still mess
it up? Maybe I was shown my future life for a reason. Maybe I'm
supposed to change the way that I'm living _this_ life, here and
now. But, either way, a warrior cannot ask these questions in
the heat of battle. When the kill is there, you have to take it.
If I can't do that-- I can't be a warrior, anymore."
-----------------------------------------------------------------
-------------------------------
[ACT I]
A Man's Voice: "Avatar!"
X: "What's the attraction?"
Man: "The avatar."
Eli: "And so, you must cast all hate and violence-- from your
heart."
G: "It's Eli."
Man: "I have heard that-- you're a healer. Is this true?"
Eli: "I-- have been given a gift."
Man: "My daughter-- is very ill. She fell into a feverish
sleep-- three days ago. I cannot awaken her. Please-- heal
her."
Eli: "Have you treated her with the proper herbs?"
Man: "I have done all that I can. Please-- she'll die if you--
don't heal her."
X: "Come on, Eli."
Man: [Gasps]
Woman's Voice: "Is she awake?"
A Man's Voice: "Oh-- avatar-- "
Man [Sighs]: "Thank you. Thank you."
-----------------------------------------------------------------
-------------------------------
X: "Eli-- Eli, wait up! What's the matter with you?!"
Eli: "Hello, old friends. You're a sight for sore eyes."
G: "Eli-- you healed that little girl."
Eli: "Yes."
X: "So, you really _are_ the avatar."
Eli: "Yes."
G: "That's wonderful."
Eli: "It's not as wonderful as you might think. People suffer
so, Gabrielle, it breaks my heart. And they look to _me_ for
salvation."
G: "That must be an awesome responsibility."
Eli: "You wanna know what the scariest part is? It's that I
know the truth."
G: "The truth?"
Eli: "No, not the _truth_-- _the_ [long e] truth. I've seen it.
It's as real to me as these trees are to you. You know, I was
jealous of you."
G: "Me?"
Eli: "When I thought you were a devi. You seemed to have the
power to _heal_ people. That thing I sought after all my life.
I envy that. Now I have this power to-- _heal_ people and cast
out demons-- give people hope. And it terrifies me."
X: "Something's out there watching us."
G: "Maybe it's one of your followers."
X: "It's not human. Eli-- have you heard of Indrujid?"
Eli: "The king of demons?"
X: "He's coming after you."
Eli: "I heard that, too. If he comes, he comes. There's
nothing I can do about that."
X: "You can let us travel with you."
Eli: "No-- I can't let you put yourselves in danger for me
again. Besides-- I have to make this trip on my own."
G: "What trip?"
Eli: "I'm goin' to the coast to catch a ship. I'm going home."
X: "Well, that's great, `cause we were thinking of going to the
coast ourselves."
Eli: "Xena, I don't want you fighting in my defense."
X: "What are you gonna do to stop us?"
Eli: "Come on, then."
-----------------------------------------------------------------
-------------------------------
Eli: [Gasps]
-----------------------------------------------------------------
-------------------------------
[ACT II]
X: "Ah-h-h-h-h-h-h!"
Hanuman [Han]: "Please-- don't hurt me. I meant no harm."
X: "Put me down."
Han: "Of course."
X: "What do you think you're doing, prowling around our camp?"
Han: "I wanted to get a closer look at the avatar. My name is
Hanuman."
X: "You've been following us for some time."
Han: "Yes-- I thought perhaps I could be of some help to Eli.
Indrujid is coming for him."
Eli: "I don't need any help-- really."
Han: "Most young avatars say that."
G: "You've known others?"
Han: "Only one. If _I_ were you, I would take Eli to the great
temple-- and ask for Krishna's help."
X: "Krishna?"
Han: "The supreme personality of the godhood. He will know how
to handle Indrujid. And as long as Eli stays in the temple--
he'll be safe."
X: "Great temple it is, then."
-----------------------------------------------------------------
-------------------------------
Han: "Indrujid's demons."
X: "Is `His Badness' with them?"
Han: "If he is-- he won't be leaving any tracks. Quick-- take
cover. I'll keep watch!"
X: "Go-- come on."
Han: "How wonderful-- you can climb trees just like one of us.
You must have learned from monkeys."
X: "Nope-- Amazons."
Han: "Amazons?"
X: "It's a long story. What did you mean when you said that
Indrujid wouldn't leave tracks?"
Han: "Indrujid attacks from the sky."
X: "You seem to know a lot about Indrujid."
Han: "I know a lot about his entire family. I assisted Rama,
when Rama killed Indrujid's father."
X: "Rama-- I've heard people speak of Rama since I've been in
India. But didn't he live a long time ago?"
Han: "Yes, centuries."
X: "Then, you're immortal?"
Han: "Not quite. There is _one_ being that could kill me."
X: "Let me guess-- Indrujid."
-----------------------------------------------------------------
-------------------------------
G: "What _is_ the truth?"
Eli: "So, you really wanna know?"
G: "Yeah."
Eli: "It's life-- that we must revere it-- wherever we find it--
to bring peace to this world. I have to teach mankind a
reverence for life."
G: "So-- if someone were to walk up to you-- and knock you
down-- "
Eli: "-- then I'd get up."
G: "But if they knocked you down again-- "
Eli: "Then I'd get up again-- if I could. But under no
circumstances would I fight back. If I did-- I would simply be
perpetuating the cycle of violence that has ravaged the Earth for
centuries. That cycle has to be broken, Gabrielle. And the
truth-- is that that can only be done through nonviolence."
G: "So, that's the truth."
-----------------------------------------------------------------
-------------------------------
X: "Hanuman, you've been walking the Earth for centuries, now.
How do you know what is the right code, or-or lifestyle, or-- ?"
Han: "-- way."
X: "Yes-- how do you know what's the right way for you?"
Han: "_My_ way-- is the way of obedience-- and loyalty. I can
see it's not your way. You're too proud."
X: "What happens when a person gets stuck between two ways?"
Han: "That is not good. For each person-- there can only be
_one_ way."
X: "What's that?"
Han: "Indrujid. He's north of us. We may still have time to
reach the temple."
X: "Let's go."
-----------------------------------------------------------------
-------------------------------
Man's Voice: "Look! It's the avatar!"
Woman's Voice: "Oh! The avatar! Avatar!"
Men's Voice: "Heal me, avatar!" "Take away my pain!"
Han: "He's close. Indrujid is coming!"
X: "Go to your homes."
Han: "Take the trail behind the temple!"
Man: "No-- we know who he has come for. We must-- stay and
fight for the avatar!"
A Man's Voice: "Yes!"
Man: "Avatar!"
Eli: "No, no, no, no, no! Listen to me, please! Listen!
Listen! Listen to me! Thank you for your concern. It means a
great deal to me, but I _will_ not have you fighting in my
defense. The only reason I've been able to help you-- is that
because in your hearts-- you're as innocent as children. If you
were to do battle with Indrujid, it would harm not only your
bodies, but your souls as well. I'll be all right."
X: "He's right. You must go to safety. Hurry! Now! Get Eli
inside the temple. I'm gonna make sure everyone gets gone before
Indrujid comes."
G: "Be careful. Come on, Eli."
-----------------------------------------------------------------
-------------------------------
G: "The statue with the flute-- is that Krishna?"
Han: "Yes-- though he can appear in whatever shape he chooses.
He's the ultimate manifestation of the supreme deity."
G: "Hanuman-- no offense. You see, Xena and I aren't used to
waiting around for the gods to bail us out."
Han: "Eli's words have troubled you-- haven't they, Gabrielle?"
G: "How did you know what he said to me?"
Han: "I have been following him for weeks. I know his words
touch anyone-- with an open heart."
G: "So, what do _you_ think of his message."
Han: "His way-- is the ultimate way. Few can follow it. Those
that do-- truly walk with the spirit."
-----------------------------------------------------------------
-------------------------------
X: "Come on, move it!"
Man: [Mumbles something]
X: "Get out!"
Man: "It is not safe to be here. Danger is approaching. We
must leave."
[Fight]
[Cut to-- ] Eli: "Xena's in trouble."
G: "Eli, come back! Eli! Wait!"
Eli [?]: "Stop!"
Han: "Come, child. Here-- take her to safety."
G: "Eli-- !"
Eli: "Please, stop!"
G: "No!"
Han: "Indrujid!"
Indrujid [Ind]: [Laughs]
X: [Yells]
Eli: "Let go!"
Ind: "Y-y-yah!"
Eli: "Gabrie-e-e-e-e-elle! [Yells] Oh-h-h-h!"
X: "Go back! Run, Gabrielle! He's coming! Go! Go!"
X: [Yells]
G: "No-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o!"
X: "Gabrielle! Gabrie-e-e-e-elle!"
G: "Xena-a-a-a-a-a-a-a-a!"
-----------------------------------------------------------------
-------------------------------
[ACT III]
X: "Where did he take them?"
Han: "He went to the demon land of Lanka."
X: "Then, that's where we're headed next."
Han: "Xena-- you saw how powerful he is. In Lanka, he has
hundreds of demons to help him. We can't beat him."
X: "Well, your friend Krishna didn't show."
Han: "We need to get his attention."
X: "And how do we do that?"
Han: "With these gods-- sometimes you've got to try something
unusual."
X: "Like what?!"
Han: "I pray to him all the time. What Krishna needs is for
someone to call upon him-- who doesn't respect gods-- doesn't
trust them-- doesn't like them-- someone who thinks-- she doesn't
need them."
X: "You want me to pray."
-----------------------------------------------------------------
-------------------------------
G: "Wait! Uh! Eli-- I think if we put both our weights against
this door, we can pro-- probably just-- uh! You're not gonna do
anything to try to get outta here, are you?"
Eli: "No."
G: "Open the door!"
Eli: "Be patient. We'll be all right."
G: "I don't think that's very realistic. This is an evil--
man!"
Eli: "He's not a man at all, Gabrielle. He's the incarnation of
evil itself."
G: "Is that supposed to make me feel better?"
Eli: "He and I-- may be here in mortal bodies, but our war is a
spiritual one. I'm sure that if I can stay faithful to my way, I
can defeat him. His is the way of evil. Mine is the way of-- "
G: "-- love! I know that. I _know_ that."
-----------------------------------------------------------------
-------------------------------
X: "All right, what's he into? Chanting? Sacrifices?"
Han: "You understand who Krishna is. He's not like other gods.
He is in everyone-- every living being. So, to find him-- you
need only to look within."
-----------------------------------------------------------------
-------------------------------
Ind: "Hello, Eli. Don't be afraid. I come in love."
Eli: "Love?"
Ind: "Can't you-- have compassion for me-- Eli? I've suffered,
too. Didn't I love my father-- who was-- killed-- by another
avatar-- the one they call-- Rama."
Eli: "What do you want, Indrujid?"
Ind: "I want to be your friend-- and ally."
Eli: "We both know that's impossible."
Ind: "You, uh-- you're not afraid of me, are you, Eli?"
Eli: "I know you can't hurt me."
Ind: "You, uh-- like her-- don't you? Well-- congratulations,
Eli. You have your first-- real disciple. How passive-- and
serene will you remain-- while she's-- being tortured?"
[Chuckles]
-----------------------------------------------------------------
-------------------------------
X: "How am I doing, Hanuman? [Whispers] Krishna. [Normal
Voice] Krishna. Thank you for coming. Where's Hanuman?"
Krishna [Kri]: "I asked him to step outside. I thought it best
we be alone for this."
X: "For what? We are going after Gabrielle and Eli, right?"
Kri: "How do you expect to defeat Indrujid?"
X: "I can't without your help."
Kri: "But I can't help you-- unless you let me."
X: "I'm not one for cryptic talk. Get to the point."
Kri: "You must open up your heart to me-- if you're going to tap
into the strength that will allow you to defeat Indrujid."
X: "I thought that's what the prayers were for."
Kri: "_That_ got my attention. Now-- you have to go one step
further. You have to embrace the way."
X: "The way? I've heard about the way in Greece, Ch'in,
Anatoli, and now India. I don't get it. The way is not for
people like me."
Kri: "You're wrong. You're very close to the way now. However,
missing it by the width of a hair-- is the same as missing it by
the height of a mountain."
X: "I'm close? I don't think so. I don't have the patience of
Gabrielle, the love of Eli, or the serenity of my mentor, Lao Ma.
I'm just an angry, ass-kicking-- "
Kri: "-- warrior."
X: "Yes, a warrior."
Kri: "You say that with disgust."
X: "Well, it doesn't rank up there with the saints, does it?"
Kri: "Xena-- you have seen what you're destined to be. In
_your_ next life, you _will_ walk the way of the saint.
However-- you will never achieve that life if you don't follow
the way you're on now."
X: "The way of the warrior?"
Kri: "Yes-- you _must_ not be hesitant to fight in a just cause.
It is better to die following your own way, than to live
following someone else's. When you ride into combat-- act
without attachment-- and carry with you the confidence that you
are fulfilling your calling in this life. Then you will know the
way."
X: "I understand."
Kri: "Then go. Rise up like fire-- and burn all that oppose
you. And if you're following the path of the way-- call my
name-- and the strength to defeat Indrujid-- will be given to
you. Are you ready?"
X: "I'm ready."
Han: "I'm ready, too."
-----------------------------------------------------------------
-------------------------------
X's Voice [Whispers]: "Gabrielle. [Normal Voice] Gabrielle.
Help me."
Eli['s Voice]: "Gabrielle, be careful."
-----------------------------------------------------------------
-------------------------------
[ACT IV]
"X" [Softly]: "Won't you help me?"
Eli[`s Voice]: "Gabrielle-- "
Eli: "No, no! Don't!"
G: "No-o-o-o-o-o-o!"
"X": "There, now. That wasn't so hard, was it? You're in my
world now, little girl."
Ind: "I got her to caave with a simple illusion. Your disciple
gave into the first temptation. Let's see how you do, Eli. You
feel her pain, don't you? That's your curse. You feel
_everyone's_ pain. Eli-- I could arrange it so you may never
have to look on human suffering. I could-- surround you-- with
joyous-- happy people. Save yourself-- and this girl. Join me."
Eli: "No."
Ind: "Then-- she dies. Ah-h-h-h-h! Ah-h-h-h-h! Ah-h-h-h-h!
[Moans]"
[Fight]
X: [Yells]
G: "Xena!"
X [Weakly]: "Gabrielle-- Krish-na."
G: "Yah-h-h-h!"
X-as-Horde: [Laughs]
G [Whispers]: "Xena."
Han: "Thank you, Krishna."
-----------------------------------------------------------------
-------------------------------
G: "Eli? I failed my first test."
Eli: "It's hard, the way of love. It may not be right for you.
But if you choose to follow it-- you must do so with all your
heart. You'll fail more than once. But don't give up hope. In
the end-- you'll redeem the world."
G: "Where are you going?"
Eli: "Home. I need to take the message to my own people. I
believe they'll be the most receptive. Thank you, Gabrielle.
You were the first one to understand me. I won't forget you."
X: "So, it's the way of love for you, huh?"
G: "Yeah. Yours is the way of the warrior. I think I've always
known that."
X: "And I've always known that it was wrong for you. I'm sorry
I took you so far from your truth."
G: "Don't be sorry. Xena-- do you think I could have understood
the power of selfless love-- if it weren't for our friendship?"
X: "Still, I think maybe you should travel with Eli for a
while."
G: "No. You and I stay together."
X: "Gabrielle, we're headed in opposite directions in life."
G: "All rivers run to the sea. We'll end up in the same place;
I'm sure of it. Thank you."
X: "For what?"
G: "For not mentioning dams."
X: "You're welcome."
-----------------------------------------------------------------
-------------------------------