Each time, as my eyes lit up, publicist Sue May said:

"Body double!"

"Stunt double!"

So when the real Xena whizzed by, I almost missed her.

I had already spent more than an hour touring the West Auckland set where they were filming a 50-second scene from the Meeting Death in the Eye episode.

I had met the director, Garth Maxwell, shaken hands with the Kiwi actress Theresa Healey, who plays Celesta (Death), exchanged hellos with the Chief Horse Wrangler, the catering staff and spotted Xena's horse, Argo, grazing in a field.

I had seen the Amazon Village set, the India set, the ship, canteen and trailers.

Suddenly, a tall figure in leather ran by towards the cave where the scene was being shot.

Same outfit, same boots, same sunglasses, same cuts on the lip and arms, but no breastplates. But a little taller than her body and stunt double.

"That's Lucy," Sue said.

Before I could react, a smaller blonde figure came up from behind.

"I know you," Renee O'Connor said.

I had interviewed Renee three years ago in the US at a Xena convention.

"We've met before. Your hair's different," she smiled, touching her own.

Then it was off to work.

The actors began by doing a block - where they go through their paces and lines with the director.

The 2-hour 50-second take

IN this scene, Gabrielle and Xena emerge from a cave.

They walk towards a horse-drawn cart.

Gabrielle climbs on board, while Xena turns to Octavius, who hands Xena a smiling baby - her daughter, Eve (contrary to popular belief, Lucy's son, Julius, never played Eve).

Xena says: "Thanks, Octavius, for baby-sitting."

They shake hands, she leaps on the cart and they drive off into the... sunset?

Hint: There's more afoot in this scene than meets the eye. Subtle betrayal, furious mayhem to follow.

Between the block and take, we did the interview.

After that, it was makeup touch-up time.

Lucy got buckled into her breastplate, her sword and a cool new Chakram.

Renee took off her robe to reveal an all-new outfit and weapons, and they got to work.

Two takes later, it was a wrap.

The actors never missed their mark.

Only the little baby girl wailed a little at the end of the second take.

It had taken more than two hours to set up all the equipment for this 50-second shot.

Then Lucy practically ripped off all that armour, said goodbye, see ya later, and jumped into a car to go see her son.

Renee busied herself at the makeshift drinks stand.

It was the doubles' turn in front of the camera.

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