Author's Note:
While rummaging through Renaissance Pictures trash bins,
I was able to find the original cut final scene from FRIEND IN NEED II.
THE CUT FINAL SCENE
Xena emotes. The Cut Final Scene
XENAAkemi has told me that, in order for the 40,000 soulsfor whose deaths I am responsibleto be free, I must stay dead.(her eyes filled with tears at the pain she must cause Gabrielle):
GABRIELLEShe might have mentioned that earlier.(dryly)
Akemi thought I might not sacrifice myself if I knew.XENA
Some friend. Tell me again why she deserved to be the focal point of the final episode? No, scratch that. So (beat) you believe her?GABRIELLE
Of course! She's only lied and manipulated me every single time we've been together. What's not to trust?XENA
GABRIELLEWhat sort of abysmal writing is this? Since when does the murderer control the afterlife destination of his or her victims? Not that what you did was murder - more along the lines of self-defense.(fists clenched, with frustration)
XENAThe 40,000 must be avenged to find peace.(sticking to her story)
Gabrielle emotes back.
I see. So the moral of our story is that inflicting the Death Penalty is the 'right' thing to do.GABRIELLERepentance is futile. Atonement impossible. Redemption unobtainable.(Gabrielle shakes her head morosely)
XENAMy staying dead will redeem me. I will finally have the redemption I have sought.(imploring Gabrielle to understand)
GABRIELLEHey...wait a minute... You were already redeemed in Heaven, weren't you? How many redemptions does one person need? Are you collecting them? I only ask because pretty soon we're going to run out of major world religions.(slowly, as the thought forms, then with cynicism)
What?XENA
You know, from the last time we died. Quite frankly, we've died so much it's beginning to lose some of its charm. But I'm referring to the whole Christianity arc thing. Wasn't your soul redeemed then?GABRIELLE
XENALook, truth is, if I die now I'll forever be remembered as young. Young and beautiful. And tragic. Like Marilyn Monroe.(exasperated)
I see. Isn't that a sell-out? It would have better fit our iconoclastic reputation if you could have aged. Men get to age while still being considered sexy and powerful. Why not women?GABRIELLE
XENAYes, I could have kicked b*tt for years yet. But the rights to the franchise were sold to a company that lacks the wherewithal to make movies. So my series is at a dead end. I might as well be dead.(sadly)Now, do you want me to follow you around or what?(lifts her head, with determination to be upbeat about this)
All right. I always wanted to be a warrior. I just never envisioned myself as one that talked to imaginary friends.GABRIELLE
XENA(trying to cheer her up)It's not as bad as all that. Besides, we'll be together in the future.
They emote near a goat.
Yeah, I've read the scripts, too.GABRIELLEWith writing like that, who needs enemies?(sighs)
THE END
Biography
Susanne McCaffery Susanne McCaffery taught History at Georgia Military College before leaving to pursue research in Pug History, a quest which culminated in her book, PugSpotting: A True History of How Pugs Saved Civilization. (She would mention that it is available on Amazon, but that would be a shameless plug.) A devout Xenite, she has never been the same since her first viewing of the show. Susanne has heard that there is more to life than pugs and Xena, but has yet to investigate this rumor.
Favorite episode: A DAY IN THE LIFE (39/215); THE QUILL IS MIGHTIER.(56/310); IDES OF MARCH (89/421); LYRE LYRE HEARTS ON FIRE (100/510)
Favorite line: Gabrielle: "I'll rise but I refuse to shine." - BEEN THERE, DONE THAT (48/302)
First episode seen: THE DELIVERER (50/304)
Least favorite episode: Don't have one...even though some story arcs certainly wore out their welcome.