Season one, episode 5
In the Path Not Taken, Xena is asked to rescue a kidnapped princess and stop a war. To do this she has to go undercover amongst murderous mercenaries that she used to mix with.
In this episode, we are given more insight into Xena’s past. The princess is kidnapped by an arms dealer in order to drum up business. When the princess’s betrothed offers to pay Xena to rescue his beloved, she agrees to the rescue but refuses payment for her help.
When she goes undercover amongst the mercenaries, we can see why the episode is entitled “The Path Not Taken” as we remember just how awful Xena was and why she feels she has so much to atone for her past behaviour. She is quickly recognised by previous allies and one, in particular, Marcus who was an old flame.
Marcus thinks Xena is there to steal the weapons so she plays along as though that is her intention. He eventually finds out the truth when he discovers Xena trying to help the princess escape. Marcus grasses her up but later regrets it. In the end, he uses his body as a shield to save the princess from being killed. Xena kills the arms dealer and goes on to mourn Marcus at his funeral pyre.
Marcus clearly met a lot to Xena. She called him a friend. Unlike the men of the week that are forced on Gabrielle, there is some genuine affection between Xena and Marcus.
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