XENA: WARRIOR PRINCESS
Spec Script
© 1999, WGAw Registered
XENA: WARRIOR PRINCESS
"The Hunt"
Written by: S. M. Mears
TEASER
FADE IN:
EXT. POTEIDAIA'S MAIN STREET - DAY (DREAM)
XENA and GABRIELLE are walking down the village street. The VILLAGERS are glad to see them. Slowly Xena begins to lag behind as a crowd forms and starts coming between her and Gabrielle.
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XENA
Gabrielle... Wait up!
GABRIELLE
(Turning to look at her)
Xena?... Xena!
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They try to reach each other, but can't.
A HAND is placed on Gabrielle's shoulder from behind. She turns to a WOMAN, who's face is hidden in shadow from the hood covering her head.
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WOMAN
It's time, Gabrielle.
GABRIELLE
Who are you?
WOMAN
(Taking her by the hand)
Come.
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She leads Gabrielle through the crowd, even farther away from:
XENA, who is still trying to get to her.
ON GABRIELLE AND THE WOMAN
Gabrielle turns from Xena, to look ahead and sees:
HER PARENTS standing at the end of the street, a good distance away. Their arms are outstretched, inviting her to come to them.
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GABRIELLE'S PARENTS
Gabrielle... Come...
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Gabrielle reaches her hand out to them.
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GABRIELLE'S PARENTS
It's time, Gabrielle... |
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Suddenly, a wall of FLAMES engulfs her parents.
CUT TO:
EXT. WOODED CAMPSITE - NIGHT (PRESENT)
Gabrielle awakens with a slight scream. Xena, who is lying next to her, is awakened too.
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XENA
What is it?
(Seeing Gabrielle's face)
Same one?
GABRIELLE (nodding)
It gets worse every time.
XENA
Come here.
(Offering her shoulder)
We'll be there tomorrow.
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Gabrielle lies down and Xena comforts her in her arms.
CUT TO:
EXT. POTEIDAIA - ESTABLISHING - DAY
A small farming community in ancient Greece.
EXT. POTEIDAIA'S MAIN STREET - DAY
Xena and Gabrielle ride down the street, on their faithful horses. Only a scattering of villagers are rushing around doing odd jobs. Xena and Gabrielle look at each other, puzzled. Gabrielle goes up to a villager, as he scurries about.
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GABRIELLE
Tobin? Where is everyone?
TOBIN
Gabrielle! I didn't see you. Why aren't you at your parents' house? They're waiting for you. |
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Before Gabrielle can say anything, the man is off to finish whatever it was he was doing. Gabrielle turns to Xena in confusion and dismay.
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XENA (at a loss)
Don't look at me.
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They continue down the street, more hurriedly.
CUT TO:
EXT. A COUNTRY ROAD - DAY
Gabrielle and Xena gallup up the road. Suddenly they both stop short, look at each other, then keep riding toward:
EXT. GABRIELLE'S PARENTS' FARM
There are groups of MEN and WOMEN busy setting up tables of FOOD, FLOWER ARRANGEMENTS, and STREAMERS. There are CHILDREN running around playing, while mothers try to keep them from getting in the way.
HECUBA, Gabrielle's mother, comes out of the house with a basket of fruit. She gives it to a woman, then sees Gabrielle approaching. Her face lights up, and she yells towards the house.
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HECUBA
LILA!... She's here!! |
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Gabrielle and Xena come into the yard and get off their horses, as Hecuba runs up to Gabrielle and hugs her mightily.
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GABRIELLE
Mother! It's so good to see you. But what's going on?
XENA
Looks like quite a party.
HECUBA
It is. A very special day.
(To Gabrielle)
Your sister's getting married.
GABRIELLE (shocked)
Married!? |
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She looks at Xena, who shares her surprise.
FADE OUT:
END OF TEASER
ACT ONE
FADE IN:
EXT. THE FARM - DAY
ON GABRIELLE, XENA, AND HECUBA
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XENA
(Hugging Hecuba)
Congratulations! |
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ON LILA
who comes running out of the house, sees Gabrielle, and runs straight into her open arms.
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GABRIELLE (teasingly)
You brat! Why didn't you tell me? Send word or something?
LILA
I did. Isn't that why you're here?
GABRIELLE
No. I... We didn't know a thing.
LILA
But I sent a message weeks ago.
HECUBA
Well, no matter. You're here now. That's what counts. Right?
LILA
Right. Wait 'til you meet him, Gabby. I know you'll love him. |
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As Lila takes Gabrielle off towards the house, Gabrielle looks back at Xena in joyous wonderment.
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GABRIELLE
I'm sure I will. |
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The two loving sisters enter the house. Xena and Hecuba watch them go. Then:
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XENA
Is there anything I can do to help?
HECUBA (pleasantly)
No thank you, Xena. You've brought the matron of honor back home safely. That's more than enough. Thank you. Make yourself at home. I have to finish getting ready. |
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She rushes off to her work. Xena walks around the yard observing the preparations. As she's about to take a nibble of food, HERODOTUS, Gabrielle's father, comes up behind her.
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HERODOTUS
So... you two decided to show up after all. I didn't think you'd make it, with the whole world to save, and all. I'm surprised you could pull yourself away. |
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Xena turns to him with a smile.
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XENA
We wouldn't miss it for the world.
HERODOTUS
That's big of you.
XENA
Look, this is Lila's day. Let's focus on that. Ok?
HERODOTUS
You know, you're not the saint Gabby thinks you are. You haven't pulled the wool over my eyes.
XENA
I never meant to. And Gabrielle knows I'm no saint. I thought we were past all this.
HERODOTUS
You got my daughter killed!
XENA
She's alive now.
HERODOTUS
No thanks to you, I'm sure.
XENA
(beat)
You're an intelligent man, Herodotus. Do you honestly think I want anything other than Gabrielle's happiness? She comes first. She always will.
HERODOTUS
Pretty words. But your past speaks for itself. How many more times must you hurt her before--
XENA
Gabrielle is her own person. She goes where she likes, and with whom.
(turns to walk away)
HERODOTUS
That makes it easier for you, doesn't it. Blaming it on her blind faith in you-- |
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As soon as he speaks, she stops, then turns around and comes up to him.
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XENA
I don't blame Gabrielle for anything. I only know that we're meant to be together. I don't know why, or how it happened, but it's not going to change. We complete each other. That may be hard for you to understand, but by now I would hope that you'd be thinking more about what Gabrielle wants, than your own wishes... I know I do. |
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Xena walks away, leaving Herodotus with something to think about.
ON XENA
As she approaches a table to complete her nibbling, she has a feeling she's being watched. She looks up towards the woods.
P.O.V. SHOT FROM THE WOODS
Who or whatever is careful to pull back farther into the woods when they see Xena looking their way.
RESUME ON THE YARD
Xena is now distracted by a voice crying out from the wilderness: "Xena!... Xeeeenaaaaa!..." She looks and sees:
JOXER
trampling a path through the unharvested field. Xena greets her out-of-breath friend with a patient smile.
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JOXER
Xena. There you are. I've been looking everywhere for you. I've got a very--important message for you.
XENA
What is it?
JOXER
I've been tracking you for weeks... I remembered that you said you were going to visit your mother. So I went to Amphipolus, but--Cyrene said you had just left for Athens. So I went there but--
XENA
JOXER! What's the message.
JOXER
Right. It's that...
(big breath)
Lila's getting married.
(a blank look from Xena)
You know, Gabby's sister?
XENA
I know who Lila is.
(beat)
Joxer?
JOXER
Yeah?
XENA
We're here. The wedding's today.
JOXER
Right. I knew that. |
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Joxer looks around and sees that everything's almost done.
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JOXER
Oh no! I promised Lila I'd make my marshmallow surprise. I hope the pineapple is still fresh.
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Joxer runs off.
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XENA (frightened)
I don't want to know. |
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CUT TO:
INT. LILA'S BEDROOM - LATER
Lila is being attended to by three friends. They are finalizing her dress and hair with flowers. But Lila has had enough fussing, and sends them away. Gabrielle stands by the window, in a new dress, staring at her sister.
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GABRIELLE
I can't believe this is happening.
LILA
Me neither.
(rushing over to Gabrielle)
He's so wonderful!
GABRIELLE
So you keep saying.
(a twinkle in her eye)
LILA
He makes me very happy.
GABRIELLE
He better. Or he has me to deal with! |
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Lila laughs, but then gets serious.
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LILA
I love you, Gabrielle. |
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They hug, with tears in their eyes.
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GABRIELLE
I love you, too.
(beat)
Are you ready? |
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Lila nods with joy and anxiety all in one.
Joxer peeks into the room.
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JOXER
I don't mean to interrupt this sisterly moment, but...
GABRIELLE
(taking Lila's hand)
Come on. |
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They head towards the door. Joxer stops them.
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JOXER
I just want to say, before... well... I think you chose a good man. I mean, I can understand how difficult it must have been to find someone as dashing and handsome as myself... |
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The girls look at each other with amusement.
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JOXER
(continuing; seriously)
But I think you found him. I wish you all the best.
LILA
Thank you Joxer.
(hugs him)
GABRIELLE
All right people.
(putting a wreath of flowers on her head)
Let's get this show on the road. |
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They rush off.
CUT TO:
EXT. THE YARD - MINUTES LATER
Lila and Syrus stand in front of the priest. Gabrielle is at Lila's left, Joxer and Xena at Syrus' right. Hecuba and Herodotus stand behind the couple, while the well-wishers surround the wedding party.
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PRIEST
We come together on this beautiful day to celebrate the joining of these two people in marriage. |
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During the priest's speech, Gabrielle eyes:
A SUSPICIOUSLY HOODED STRANGER
at the back of the crowd.
THE PRIEST
binds the couples hands together with a rope of flowers.
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PRIEST
Are you both ready to dedicate your lives to loving, supporting, and caring for one another, for as long as the wheel of the Fates spins?
LILA/SYRUS
(smiling at each other)
We are. |
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GABRIELLE
catches Xena's eye and nods for her to look. But when she does, there is no one there.
A LIGHTNING BOLT
pierces the air and a strong BREEZE begins to blow.
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PRIEST
Then with the blessing of the gods, I happily announce that you are husband and wife. Let us all rejoice in this happy union, and praise the gods for bringing them together. |
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The crowd cheers as the happy couple kiss.
GABRIELLE
eyes the stranger again. But just then, Lila hugs her and she looses her focus. Xena shakes hands with Syrus, as she too searches the crowd.
GABRIELLE
spies the stranger again, and starts walking in her direction, ignoring the out-stretched hands of Syrus and several guests. Xena notices, but Joxer reaches her first.
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JOXER
Hey... Where ya goin'?
GABRIELLE
(eyes glued to the stranger)
Joxer, do you see that woman... in the hood?
JOXER
Sure. Who wouldn't. She kind of stands out. You know what I mean?
GABRIELLE
Have you ever seen her before?
JOXER
Yeah, sure. A few minutes ago, when you kept staring at her. That wasn't very considerate of you. Right in the middle of your sister's wedding--
XENA
(coming up to them)
Gabrielle?
GABRIELLE
That woman. She was in my dream.
JOXER
What dream?
XENA
Are you sure?
GABRIELLE
Positive. Look, she's leaving! |
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The woman is slowly heading towards the woods. Xena heads off, with Gabrielle following.
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XENA
(stopping)
No, you stay here. I'll be back.
(smiling, she leaves)
JOXER
Maybe I should go with her. She might require my legendary tracking abilities-- |
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Gabrielle grabs Joxer's ear and pulls him down to her.
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GABRIELLE
Joxer... do me a favor.
JOXER
Anything.
GABRIELLE
Stay out of this.
JOXER
Yeah, but--
GABRIELLE
Joxer--
JOXER
Yeah...
GABRIELLE
I'm serious.
JOXER
Ok. All right.
GABRIELLE
Thank you. |
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She lets go and walks away. Joxer rubs his ear, looks off toward the direction Xena left, turns back to make sure Gabrielle isn't looking, and heads off after Xena.
ON GABRIELLE
Lila comes up to her.
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LILA
What's going on?
GABRIELLE
(forcing a smile)
Nothing. I'm just so happy for you. |
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She hugs her sister to hide her worried expression as she looks off towards the woods.
FADE OUT:
END OF ACT I
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