was Ming Tien right? <>

The following contains spoilers for most of the rift episodes (Deliverer to Bitter Suite) so consider yourself warned....

It also defends the Gabrierlle "drop and drag" so read at your own risk! :)

A question occured to me while reading Missy Good's latest fanfic (what a great bard!), was Ming Tien right when he said (about Xena) "Murder is in her blood Gabrielle, in her soul, it is more natural to her than love"?

At the time I comepletely rejected that view, but when push came to shove Xena cruelly and firmly rejected love (Gabrielle at the end of Maternal Instincts), and turned to hate (with Ares counsel and support), as evidenced by the infamous "drop and drag" in Bitter Suite.

Ming Tien also told Gabrielle at the beginning of The Debt II "You betrayed her, therefore you're her enemy, she would kill you now as soon as look at you." Gabrielle refused to believe this, and I didn't really buy it either, but again Ming Tien was proved right when Xena decided to seek vengance against her enemy (Gabrielle due to her betrayal in lying about Hope) through torture and murder.

Why is it that Ming Tien had a clearer view of Xena than Gabrielle did? Is it because he saw her dark side, and that is truly closer to her real self than her good side? Or is it that he simply had no illusions as to the violence she was capable of, but Gabrielle was still blinded by love ("hey, I should write that down" - COE) and heroworship?

I would also like to point out that the conversation foreshadowed the violence Xena would force on those she believed she betayed her. So the drop and drag was in character considering the depth of anguish and despair Xena felt not only at the loss of her son (which I found the most disturbing and offensive part of the rift), but also at the perceived betrayal by Gabrielle. Was it excessive? Yes, but Xena never does anything halfway.

Anyway I digress...I'd love to hear opinions on any of these thoughts

Bumblebee