Death Mask
Posted by NiceRefrigerator4079@reddit | xena | View on Reddit | 17 comments
The otherwise excellent second half of the first season is spoiled by this terrible episode, which is a particular shame that it sits between the two best episodes of the season, like a rotten sandwich. The episode itself probably wouldn't be so awful if we pretended it was set in some parallel universe. But here we have the appearance of Xena's older brother, whose existence we didn't know about before, and that might be ok, but after this episode, Toris not only does not appear anymore, but is not mentioned at all, as if this episode never happened. And aside from that, the episode itself is pretty boring, with a meh and forgettable villain, who should still be important because he influenced Xena's evil path, but you just forget about him after a while. Not to mention the pretty bad acting from the supporting characters, especially Toris. The episode is punctuated by a couple of cute quotes from Gabrielle and that's about it.
RedwoodFox71@reddit
One thing, I didn’t like about this episode. It’s not that, Xena older brother Toris was a bad and awful character.
I think the introducing of Cortese that, attack Xena and Toris village and responsible of their younger brother Lyceus death. Was showing a bit too early in the episode, even for season 1.
I think Cortese should have shown up maybe season 3 or 4, or even be the final villain of season 6 or something.
I think the showing of the person that was responsible for raiding, Xena village and the death of her younger brother. Was shown too early and was dealt too quick of the person that, responsible for every.
I wish the writers written Cortese, little bit later in the season. I think introducing him in the first season, was just too quick and easily dealt with.
Bill_Machine_4558@reddit
It's as if they suddenly replaced Xena's already interesting story with exaggerated adventures with Julius Caesar, Lao Ma, Borias and Akemi.
I prefer the idea that Xena only trained in Ares' army because it makes the character seem younger and stronger, having learned everything in such a short time.
NiceRefrigerator4079@reddit (OP)
Yes. And that they showed him more seriously, and not as a circus parody.
RedwoodFox71@reddit
Definitely, I think Cortese was shown and introduce way too early. I think he should have been introduced later on like season 3 or 4, or shown up season 6 as the final villain or something.
Agent8699@reddit
A nonsensical episode to be sure! We’re really meant to believe neither Xena nor Toris could uncover the shocking truth of Cortese’s identity relatively quickly.
Honestly, it would have been more shocking if they’d revealed that Cortese was Joxer’s warlord daddy!
carz4us@reddit
I would watch that
gozorninplat@reddit
Agreed this isn't a great episode, but I personally feel it gets way more hate than it deserves. Cortese is a terrible villain, but I find Toris to be an interesting contrast to Xena and I appreciate the insight he gives us into their past. The actor has a few bad moments, but overall I don't think he did a bad job, I think the character is just unlikeable and people translate that to bad acting. I do think some of his lines also weren't great but that would be a problem with the writing.
In the episode Toris acts a bit, shall we say bratty, but when you find out more about his motivations it makes sense. It becomes clear that he has a lot of anger and self loathing about what happened when Cortese attacked Amphipolis, and in his mind trying to take out Cortese in the present is a way to make up for it. This seems to be his self imposed idea of redemption for himself.
I love the conversation he and Xena have that starts out about Gabrielle, with Toris saying that he initially thought that Xena had "manipulated" Gabrielle the same way she did their hometown which led to the deaths of so many people. But that he ultimately realized Gabrielle is brave because "that's the way she is". He obviously envies this trait in her, and we then find out that he considers himself a coward for wanting to flee and hide rather than stand and fight all those years ago. He says that Xena stayed because she cared for everyone, but he can't finish his sentence when he starts to say why he left. Xena is understanding and says "you were afraid" and he has such a visceral reaction yelling "I was afraid I would die!" while hitting a tree. "That was all I could think of. I mean, I cared about you, and Lyceus, and Mother but... I was a coward."
It's such a great character moment, and I think the payoff is worth it to get past the problems the episode has. And of course there are the great Gabby moments that people have mentioned. Anyways, just my two cents.
NiceRefrigerator4079@reddit (OP)
All that is true, but the main problem with this episode is within the context of the whole canon because after this episode they act as if Toris doesn't exist, and the whole plot with Cortese seems completely irrelevant compared to Caesar who seems to be much more responsible for creating the evil Xena than Cortese.
gozorninplat@reddit
I mean, agreed, it is super odd that Toris is never brought up again, and any mention of siblings after this episode is always "brother", singular. And like I said before, I fully agree that Cortese is a terrible villain and he does feel almost inconsequential. I was just pointing out why I don't think the episode is a complete wash.
TicketTop4718@reddit
She says "brothers" plural in Old Ares had a Farm
RotaVitae@reddit
This episode almost felt like it was intended to toss Xena a backstory in case the series didn't make it through the first season. Luckily it did, but Remember Nothing & Destiny do such an amazing job that they put this episode to shame.
On the other hand, I kind of like the idea that Cortese is basically a random garbage person who started Xena on her path as just another local marauder, while it took a celebrity like Caesar to unlock full warlord mode. Cortese is such a nobody that he doesn't deserve the credit of taking Xena to her most dangerous.
10Panoptica@reddit
Agreed. I love the way her backstory comes in stages. Instead of one decisive trauma flipping her evil switch, there's a sequence of struggles and reactions that feel more realistic.
The one gem of of this episodes is the scene where Xena mentally retraces her movements.
Thirdof3SSS@reddit
In looking for silver linings, I think this episode does help to highlight how close and strong the bond was between Xena and Lyceus; which then provides a bit more understanding of the depth of Xena’s pain/rage at that critical point in her life…again, silver linings 🤔
EasyEntrepreneur666@reddit
I'm not sure what they were thinking with this one. Caesar was a good character as someone who had history with Xena. A goofy warlord, less so. And Xena's one episode only other brother is just a very weird decision.
IseQween@reddit
Lucy's take on DM: "Ah, yes! That chap that plays my brother ... could take his tongue and shove it up the back of his nose through his throat and tickle his sinuses with his tongue. An extraordinary trick, and that's all I can say." (The Official Guide to the Xenaverse, by Robert Weisbrot.)
NoReach1699@reddit
A really terrible one. But I have to point the cute Gabrielle moments:
Catching the arrow with the staff
Saying "I'm sorry you had to witness, Toris" after scolding Xena
That's it, good day
TicketTop4718@reddit
Uggh Toris, bad character, bad actor, and the mullet doesn't do him any favours either.