Review of A Friend in Need Part II

This episode was one of my favorite endings; I loved to see Xena meet this unforgettable and tragic end and sacrifice herself for the thousands of lives that she had taken earlier in her life. But that was merely the moral aspect of the episode's greatness. What of the awesomeness of Yodoshi and his "Dragonball-esque" battle against Xena; that was quite memorable. I loved the fight scene as well as the villain Yodoshi. There was great impression placed on Xena's final battle; but the best part was the ever-so-eloquent slicing beheading of Yodoshi in one swift strike, allowing his head to roll on the ground as Xena turned away from her fallen opponent in anime-style awesomeness, not looking back at the grisly visage of her final foe. This was by far one of my favorite death scenes in the series as well, for being such an honorable battle in essence and conception. Also, I loved Xena's decision in the end to stay dead even though Gabrielle could have barely managed to revive her. All their journeys and decisions led to this fateful moment; the moment that Xena decides to perish and allow her vanquished souls to be freed from eternal torment in purgatory. And so, Gabrielle is seen on the boat all alone in the end, riding away into the sunset; but she keeps Xena's presence in her heart, which makes the episode's already great presence even more awesome. Personally, I prefer when episodes are of this tragic caliber to the light-hearted or goofy overtone. With full sincerity, if it were not for serious drama and tragedy befalling everyone, then the series would not have been as good as it was. This episode is a fine example of why the series was so great. It is because of these losses and sadness that envelops the show that makes it so special. If something were to last forever, then it wouldn't be as good. So I am one of the fans who loved this bitter and savage ending to this great story.