The Path Not Taken


SYNOPSIS:

The marriage of Princess Jana of Boeotia and Prince Agranon of Colonus will end a long feud between their nations. When Jana is kidnapped, Agranon asks Xena and Gabrielle for help, suspecting Mezentius, an arms dealer who will profit by selling weapons to both sides. Xena agrees, although it means returning to Trachis and her former compatriots, including Marcus her former lover. She offers Mezentius her "army" in exchange for weapons and half his profit, and convinces him that Jana is worth more as a hostage. Meanwhile, Gabrielle and Agranon go to Jana's father to avert the war, but are taken hostage by angry Boeotians. Xena hides the princess in an empty weapons box, part of a shipment going to Boeotia. As she finishes nailing down the lid, Marcus confronts her. Xena pleads with him to give up his old life, but he refuses and alerts the other mercenaries. Mezentius draws on Jana, but Marcus leaps in front of her and takes the arrow meant for the princess. He dies in Xena's arms, a hero at last.


PRODUCTION:

PROD #
        76907
SEASON/EP
        1-5
WRITER
        Julie Sherman
DIRECTOR
        Stephen L. Posey
1ST US AIR
        10/2/95


CREDITS:

Starring
        LUCY LAWLESS
Also Starring
        RENEE O'CONNOR
Guest Stars
        BOBBY HOSEA
        STEPHEN TOZER

Music by
        JOSEPH LO DUCA
Developed by
        R.J. STEWART
Co-Producer
        LIZ FRIEDMAN
Produced by
        ERIC GRUENDEMANN
Supervising Producer
        STEVEN L. SEARS
Co-Executive Producer
        R.J. STEWART
Executive Producer
        SAM RAIMI
Executive Producer
        ROBERT TAPERT

Created by
        JOHN SCHULIAN
        ROBERT TAPERT
Written by
        JULIE SHERMAN
Directed by
        STEPHEN L. POSEY
Coordinating Producer
        BERNADETTE JOYCE
Line Producer
        CHLOE SMITH

Co-Starring
        Jana
                NICOLA CLIFF
        Agranon
                JIMI LIVERSIDGE
        Antonius
                JOHN O'LEARY
        Brisus
                IAIN REA
        Dictys
                CRAWFORD THOMPSON
        Soldier #1
                PETER SA'ENA-BROWN