Between the Lines
Written by Steven L Sears
Directed by Rick Jacobson
While traveling through India, Xena and Gabrielle's souls are sent into the future through the power of Mehndi to protect their good Karma from the reincarnated Alti.
Tropes
- Bittersweet Ending: Alti is defeated, but Gabrielle's hair (cut during the fight) now matches the vision of her and Xena's deaths.
- Flashback: As before, Alti uses the memories of past injuries to inflict pain on Xena.
- Flash Forward: This time, Xena and Gabrielle are taken to some time in the future to see their next reincarnations.
- Irony: Xena's reincarnated form is a spiritual leader, while Gabrielle's is a mighty warrior tasked with defending her.
- Important Haircut: Xena uses her chakram to cut Gabrielle's hair and thereby release her from Alti's grip. Significantly, its shortened length now matches the way it looks in Xena's premonitions of a Bad Future.
- Kick the Dog:Alti: [to Gabrielle] What's she told you about me, little girl? Has she told you about my powers? Has she told you about this? [shows her the crucifixion vision] That's your future. She's responsible for your death!
- Reincarnation: The overall theme. While we only see one such period, Naema says Xena and Gabrielle will be facing Alti through multiple lives.
- Slashed Throat: Xena, courtesy of her own chakram deflected by Alti. Thankfully, it wasn't fatal.
- True Companions: The episode highlights that Xena and Gabrielle's souls will always find each other regardless of what life they're living.
- You Can't Fight Fate: Gabrielle's hair now matches that of the vision, but she wonders if the vision is really real and should be trusted. It's legit.
