‘The Quest’ Shooting Script
Hey guys! So the last shooting script I shared with you was ‘Destiny’ which had some pretty major changes from what we saw in the episode, so it seemed only appropriate to follow on with a closer look at the shooting script for ‘The Quest’. This script was written by Chris Manheim and Steven L. Sears so we know right off the bat that this was going to be a good episode. These writers along with R.J. Stewart are the backbone of the Xena writing team and there is a serious correlation to all the impacting, emotional episodes being headed by one of these three. I don’t know why, but to be honest, I didn’t think this one would have many surprises when comparing screen to script. It seemed like it was a clear follow up to Destiny… but how pleasantly wrong I was!
(read: this could be long- get a cup of tea…)
BUT! It is amazing. There is some great omitted dialogue and we find out the middle name of Xenan! 😮 Yes. First. Middle. Last. He has 3 names guys!
Lets get into it. Right from the start there are differences. There is a beautiful scene in the teaser of Gabrielle transporting Xena’s sarcophagus with people lining the road to pay their respects. We then see Xena conversing with M’Lila in the ‘ethereal place’ [remember, ‘Why and Where’ was the draft name of ‘Destiny’].
The dialogue between Gabrielle and Iolaus is also extended.
This next scene was greatly chopped up, and we lose a lot of dialogue. There is so much to pick apart in this! I will contain myself until after you have read it. 😶
Xenan’s middle name is Gabris! HOW is this never included in the show!? AHHH!! so excited! Xenan Gabris Phantes. 😍And he is 3 in this? So between ‘Is There a Doctor in the House?’ and now, 3 years have passed. Xena chronology! 🤯
This next one, I am kind of glad they did omit. Velasca the Poet? …nahh.
There is some extended dialogue between Autolycus and Xena while they are trying to rescue Xena’s body.
This one was great. Finally we know the truth about why Amazon dance parties were included:
This scene is really interesting to compare how it was written to how it was played out in the episode. And to be honest, it answers a question I have always wondered. Why didn’t Xena just connect with Gabrielle’s mind? Now I know… I wish they had kept this in. There are some very emotive lines here.
There is extended dialogue between Xena and Gabrielle prior to the infamous ‘kiss’ scene. 😘
It’s really interesting. Looking back on both the ‘Destiny’ script and ‘The Quest’ this whole concept of Xena’s acceptance of past and realisation of future really does seem to get left on the cutting floor. We don’t get much of it at all in the aired episodes. It adds a new spin to the whole story arc.
There is a nice little extra scene added at the start of Act IV revolving around Ephiny. I think it is sweet. 🐎
The Autolycus line ‘hey, I paid for an hour!’ was ad-libbed by Bruce Campbell so its not in the script. Fun fact. 😁
The last thing I want to point out is another funny quip from Chris and Steve is a follow-up regarding ratings:
Hey, if you can’t add a bit of humor into your work day, you need a new job. 😎
To be honest, the rest of the script plays out much like it does on screen.
I suppose I have to look at ‘A Necessary Evil’ next to wrap up this fantastic 3 episode arc so stay tuned.
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