diff --git a/default.py b/default.py
index bd2f4a7d..b4483c4c 100644
--- a/default.py
+++ b/default.py
@@ -29,9 +29,13 @@ class Main():
     def __init__(self):
         LOG.debug('Full sys.argv received: %s', argv)
         # Parse parameters
-        path = unicode_paths.decode(argv[0])
+        params = dict(parse_qsl(argv[2][1:]))
         arguments = unicode_paths.decode(argv[2])
-        params = dict(parse_qsl(arguments[1:]))
+        path = unicode_paths.decode(argv[0])
+        # Ensure unicode
+        for key, value in params.iteritems():
+            params[key.decode('utf-8')] = params.pop(key)
+            params[key] = value.decode('utf-8')
         mode = params.get('mode', '')
         itemid = params.get('id', '')
 
diff --git a/resources/lib/artwork.py b/resources/lib/artwork.py
index d8a394b9..47fdfd45 100644
--- a/resources/lib/artwork.py
+++ b/resources/lib/artwork.py
@@ -2,7 +2,6 @@
 # -*- coding: utf-8 -*-
 from __future__ import absolute_import, division, unicode_literals
 from logging import getLogger
-from urllib import quote_plus, unquote
 import requests
 
 from .kodi_db import KodiVideoDB, KodiMusicDB, KodiTextureDB
@@ -20,11 +19,11 @@ BATCH_SIZE = 500
 
 
 def double_urlencode(text):
-    return quote_plus(quote_plus(text))
+    return utils.quote_plus(utils.quote_plus(text))
 
 
 def double_urldecode(text):
-    return unquote(unquote(text))
+    return utils.unquote(utils.unquote(text))
 
 
 class ImageCachingThread(backgroundthread.KillableThread):
@@ -89,7 +88,7 @@ class ImageCachingThread(backgroundthread.KillableThread):
 
 
 def cache_url(url):
-    url = double_urlencode(utils.try_encode(url))
+    url = double_urlencode(url)
     sleeptime = 0
     while True:
         try:
diff --git a/resources/lib/defused_etree.py b/resources/lib/defused_etree.py
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..503324f1
--- /dev/null
+++ b/resources/lib/defused_etree.py
@@ -0,0 +1,39 @@
+#!/usr/bin/env python
+# -*- coding: utf-8 -*-
+"""
+xml.etree.ElementTree tries to encode with text.encode('ascii') - which is
+just plain BS. This etree will always return unicode, not string
+"""
+from __future__ import absolute_import, division, unicode_literals
+# Originally tried faster cElementTree, but does NOT work reliably with Kodi
+from defusedxml.ElementTree import DefusedXMLParser, _generate_etree_functions
+
+from xml.etree.ElementTree import TreeBuilder as _TreeBuilder
+from xml.etree.ElementTree import parse as _parse
+from xml.etree.ElementTree import iterparse as _iterparse
+from xml.etree.ElementTree import tostring
+
+
+class UnicodeXMLParser(DefusedXMLParser):
+    """
+    PKC Hack to ensure we're always receiving unicode, not str
+    """
+    @staticmethod
+    def _fixtext(text):
+        """
+        Do NOT try to convert every entry to str with entry.encode('ascii')!
+        """
+        return text
+
+
+# aliases
+XMLTreeBuilder = XMLParse = UnicodeXMLParser
+
+parse, iterparse, fromstring = _generate_etree_functions(UnicodeXMLParser,
+                                                         _TreeBuilder, _parse,
+                                                         _iterparse)
+XML = fromstring
+
+
+__all__ = ['XML', 'XMLParse', 'XMLTreeBuilder', 'fromstring', 'iterparse',
+           'parse', 'tostring']
diff --git a/resources/lib/library_sync/sections.py b/resources/lib/library_sync/sections.py
index 22a38f90..b37a32f4 100644
--- a/resources/lib/library_sync/sections.py
+++ b/resources/lib/library_sync/sections.py
@@ -226,7 +226,7 @@ class Section(object):
         args = copy.deepcopy(args)
         for key, value in args.iteritems():
             args[key] = value.format(self=self)
-        return 'plugin://plugin.video.plexkodiconnect?%s' % urllib.urlencode(args)
+        return utils.extend_url('plugin://%s' % v.ADDON_ID, args)
 
     def to_kodi(self):
         """
diff --git a/resources/lib/path_ops.py b/resources/lib/path_ops.py
index 9ec23687..b915fa1c 100644
--- a/resources/lib/path_ops.py
+++ b/resources/lib/path_ops.py
@@ -201,3 +201,18 @@ def copy_tree(src, dst, *args, **kwargs):
     src = encode_path(src)
     dst = encode_path(dst)
     return dir_util.copy_tree(src, dst, *args, **kwargs)
+
+
+def basename(path):
+    """
+    Returns the filename for path [unicode] or an empty string if not possible.
+    Safer than using os.path.basename, as we could be expecting \\ for / or
+    vice versa
+    """
+    try:
+        return path.rsplit('/', 1)[1]
+    except IndexError:
+        try:
+            return path.rsplit('\\', 1)[1]
+        except IndexError:
+            return ''
diff --git a/resources/lib/playback_starter.py b/resources/lib/playback_starter.py
index b8673bc6..5800f0eb 100644
--- a/resources/lib/playback_starter.py
+++ b/resources/lib/playback_starter.py
@@ -2,13 +2,8 @@
 # -*- coding: utf-8 -*-
 from __future__ import absolute_import, division, unicode_literals
 from logging import getLogger
-from urlparse import parse_qsl
 
-
-from . import playback
-from . import context_entry
-from . import transfer
-from . import backgroundthread
+from . import utils, playback, context_entry, transfer, backgroundthread
 
 ###############################################################################
 
@@ -35,7 +30,7 @@ class PlaybackTask(backgroundthread.Task):
             LOG.debug('Detected 3rd party add-on call - ignoring')
             transfer.send(True)
             return
-        params = dict(parse_qsl(params))
+        params = dict(utils.parse_qsl(params))
         mode = params.get('mode')
         resolve = False if params.get('handle') == '-1' else True
         LOG.debug('Received mode: %s, params: %s', mode, params)
diff --git a/resources/lib/playlist_func.py b/resources/lib/playlist_func.py
index 96fd6cfd..a0ba8645 100644
--- a/resources/lib/playlist_func.py
+++ b/resources/lib/playlist_func.py
@@ -5,8 +5,6 @@ Collection of functions associated with Kodi and Plex playlists and playqueues
 """
 from __future__ import absolute_import, division, unicode_literals
 from logging import getLogger
-import urllib
-from urlparse import parse_qsl, urlsplit
 
 from .plex_api import API
 from .plex_db import PlexDB
@@ -328,12 +326,16 @@ def playlist_item_from_kodi(kodi_item):
             item.plex_uuid = db_item['plex_id']  # we dont need the uuid yet :-)
     item.file = kodi_item.get('file')
     if item.plex_id is None and item.file is not None:
-        query = dict(parse_qsl(urlsplit(item.file).query))
+        try:
+            query = item.file.split('?', 1)[1]
+        except IndexError:
+            query = ''
+        query = dict(utils.parse_qsl(query))
         item.plex_id = utils.cast(int, query.get('plex_id'))
         item.plex_type = query.get('itemType')
     if item.plex_id is None and item.file is not None:
         item.uri = ('library://whatever/item/%s'
-                    % urllib.quote(utils.try_encode(item.file), safe=''))
+                    % utils.quote(item.file, safe=''))
     else:
         # TO BE VERIFIED - PLEX DOESN'T LIKE PLAYLIST ADDS IN THIS MANNER
         item.uri = ('library://%s/item/library%%2Fmetadata%%2F%s' %
diff --git a/resources/lib/playlists/pms.py b/resources/lib/playlists/pms.py
index 2d69ee75..b909b8e4 100644
--- a/resources/lib/playlists/pms.py
+++ b/resources/lib/playlists/pms.py
@@ -6,13 +6,12 @@ manipulate playlists
 """
 from __future__ import absolute_import, division, unicode_literals
 from logging import getLogger
-import urllib
 
 from .common import PlaylistError
 
 from ..plex_api import API
 from ..downloadutils import DownloadUtils as DU
-from .. import app, variables as v
+from .. import utils, app, variables as v
 ###############################################################################
 LOG = getLogger('PLEX.playlists.pms')
 
@@ -56,8 +55,8 @@ def initialize(playlist, plex_id):
         'type': v.PLEX_PLAYLIST_TYPE_FROM_KODI[playlist.kodi_type],
         'title': playlist.plex_name,
         'smart': 0,
-        'uri': ('library://None/item/%s' % (urllib.quote('/library/metadata/%s'
-                                                         % plex_id, safe='')))
+        'uri': ('library://None/item/%s' % (utils.quote('/library/metadata/%s'
+                                                        % plex_id, safe='')))
     }
     xml = DU().downloadUrl(url='{server}/playlists',
                            action_type='POST',
@@ -80,8 +79,8 @@ def add_item(playlist, plex_id):
     Raises PlaylistError if that did not work out.
     """
     params = {
-        'uri': ('library://None/item/%s' % (urllib.quote('/library/metadata/%s'
-                                                         % plex_id, safe='')))
+        'uri': ('library://None/item/%s' % (utils.quote('/library/metadata/%s'
+                                                        % plex_id, safe='')))
     }
     xml = DU().downloadUrl(url='{server}/playlists/%s/items' % playlist.plex_id,
                            action_type='PUT',
diff --git a/resources/lib/plex_api.py b/resources/lib/plex_api.py
index 485a44a9..d5fba9d2 100644
--- a/resources/lib/plex_api.py
+++ b/resources/lib/plex_api.py
@@ -33,8 +33,6 @@ http://stackoverflow.com/questions/111945/is-there-any-way-to-do-http-put-in-pyt
 from __future__ import absolute_import, division, unicode_literals
 from logging import getLogger
 from re import sub
-from urllib import urlencode, unquote, quote
-from urlparse import parse_qsl
 
 from xbmcgui import ListItem
 
@@ -101,10 +99,8 @@ class API(object):
         """
         Returns the unique int <ratingKey><updatedAt>
         """
-        return int('%s%s' % (self.item.get('ratingKey'),
-                             self.item.get('updatedAt',
-                                           self.item.get('addedAt',
-                                                         1541572987))))
+        return int('%s%s' % (self.plex_id(),
+                             self.updated_at() or self.item.get('addedAt', 1541572987)))
 
     def plex_id(self):
         """
@@ -152,9 +148,9 @@ class API(object):
 
     def directory_path(self, section_id=None, plex_type=None, old_key=None,
                        synched=True):
-        key = cast(unicode, self.item.get('fastKey'))
+        key = self.item.get('fastKey')
         if not key:
-            key = cast(unicode, self.item.get('key'))
+            key = self.item.get('key')
             if old_key:
                 key = '%s/%s' % (old_key, key)
             elif not key.startswith('/'):
@@ -169,7 +165,7 @@ class API(object):
             params['synched'] = 'false'
         if self.item.get('prompt'):
             # User input needed, e.g. search for a movie or episode
-            params['prompt'] = cast(unicode, self.item.get('prompt'))
+            params['prompt'] = self.item.get('prompt')
         if section_id:
             params['id'] = section_id
         return utils.extend_url('plugin://%s/' % v.ADDON_ID, params)
@@ -210,7 +206,7 @@ class API(object):
     def file_path(self, force_first_media=False):
         """
         Returns the direct path to this item, e.g. '\\NAS\movies\movie.mkv'
-        or None
+        as unicode or None
 
         force_first_media=True:
             will always use 1st media stream, e.g. when several different
@@ -221,51 +217,43 @@ class API(object):
                 return
         try:
             if force_first_media is False:
-                ans = self.item[self.mediastream][self.part].attrib['file']
+                ans = cast(str, self.item[self.mediastream][self.part].attrib['file'])
             else:
-                ans = self.item[0][self.part].attrib['file']
+                ans = cast(str, self.item[0][self.part].attrib['file'])
         except (TypeError, AttributeError, IndexError, KeyError):
-            ans = None
-        if ans is not None:
-            try:
-                ans = utils.try_decode(unquote(ans))
-            except UnicodeDecodeError:
-                # Sometimes, Plex seems to have encoded in latin1
-                ans = unquote(ans).decode('latin1')
-        return ans
+            return
+        return utils.unquote(ans)
 
     def get_picture_path(self):
         """
         Returns the item's picture path (transcode, if necessary) as string.
         Will always use addon paths, never direct paths
         """
-        extension = self.item[0][0].attrib['key'][self.item[0][0].attrib['key'].rfind('.'):].lower()
+        path = self.item[0][0].get('key')
+        extension = path[path.rfind('.'):].lower()
         if app.SYNC.force_transcode_pix or extension not in v.KODI_SUPPORTED_IMAGES:
             # Let Plex transcode
             # max width/height supported by plex image transcoder is 1920x1080
             path = app.CONN.server + PF.transcode_image_path(
-                self.item[0][0].get('key'),
+                path,
                 app.ACCOUNT.pms_token,
-                "%s%s" % (app.CONN.server, self.item[0][0].get('key')),
+                "%s%s" % (app.CONN.server, path),
                 1920,
                 1080)
         else:
-            path = self.attach_plex_token_to_url(
-                '%s%s' % (app.CONN.server, self.item[0][0].attrib['key']))
+            path = self.attach_plex_token_to_url('%s%s' % (app.CONN.server, path))
         # Attach Plex id to url to let it be picked up by our playqueue agent
         # later
-        return utils.try_encode('%s&plex_id=%s' % (path, self.plex_id()))
+        return '%s&plex_id=%s' % (path, self.plex_id())
 
     def tv_show_path(self):
         """
         Returns the direct path to the TV show, e.g. '\\NAS\tv\series'
         or None
         """
-        res = None
         for child in self.item:
             if child.tag == 'Location':
-                res = child.get('path')
-        return res
+                return child.get('path')
 
     def season_number(self):
         """
@@ -295,10 +283,7 @@ class API(object):
         """
         Returns the play count for the item as an int or the int 0 if not found
         """
-        try:
-            return int(self.item.attrib['viewCount'])
-        except (KeyError, ValueError):
-            return 0
+        return cast(int, self.item.get('viewCount')) or 0
 
     def userdata(self):
         """
@@ -781,8 +766,7 @@ class API(object):
             'container': self._data_from_part_or_media('container'),
         }
         try:
-            answ['bitDepth'] = self.item[0][self.part][self.mediastream].get(
-                'bitDepth')
+            answ['bitDepth'] = self.item[0][self.part][self.mediastream].get('bitDepth')
         except (TypeError, AttributeError, KeyError, IndexError):
             answ['bitDepth'] = None
         return answ
@@ -848,7 +832,7 @@ class API(object):
         subtitlelanguages = []
         try:
             # Sometimes, aspectratio is on the "toplevel"
-            aspect = self.item[0].get('aspectRatio')
+            aspect = cast(float, self.item[0].get('aspectRatio'))
         except IndexError:
             # There is no stream info at all, returning empty
             return {
@@ -860,39 +844,37 @@ class API(object):
         for child in self.item[0]:
             container = child.get('container')
             # Loop over Streams
-            for grandchild in child:
-                stream = grandchild.attrib
+            for stream in child:
                 media_type = int(stream.get('streamType', 999))
                 track = {}
                 if media_type == 1:  # Video streams
-                    if 'codec' in stream:
-                        track['codec'] = stream['codec'].lower()
+                    if 'codec' in stream.attrib:
+                        track['codec'] = stream.get('codec').lower()
                         if "msmpeg4" in track['codec']:
                             track['codec'] = "divx"
                         elif "mpeg4" in track['codec']:
-                            # if "simple profile" in profile or profile == "":
-                            #    track['codec'] = "xvid"
                             pass
                         elif "h264" in track['codec']:
                             if container in ("mp4", "mov", "m4v"):
                                 track['codec'] = "avc1"
-                    track['height'] = stream.get('height')
-                    track['width'] = stream.get('width')
+                    track['height'] = cast(int, stream.get('height'))
+                    track['width'] = cast(int, stream.get('width'))
                     # track['Video3DFormat'] = item.get('Video3DFormat')
-                    track['aspect'] = stream.get('aspectRatio', aspect)
-                    track['duration'] = self.resume_runtime()[1]
+                    track['aspect'] = cast(float,
+                                           stream.get('aspectRatio') or aspect)
+                    track['duration'] = self.runtime()
                     track['video3DFormat'] = None
                     videotracks.append(track)
                 elif media_type == 2:  # Audio streams
-                    if 'codec' in stream:
-                        track['codec'] = stream['codec'].lower()
+                    if 'codec' in stream.attrib:
+                        track['codec'] = stream.get('codec').lower()
                         if ("dca" in track['codec'] and
                                 "ma" in stream.get('profile', '').lower()):
                             track['codec'] = "dtshd_ma"
-                    track['channels'] = stream.get('channels')
+                    track['channels'] = cast(int, stream.get('channels'))
                     # 'unknown' if we cannot get language
-                    track['language'] = stream.get(
-                        'languageCode', utils.lang(39310)).lower()
+                    track['language'] = stream.get('languageCode',
+                                                   utils.lang(39310).lower())
                     audiotracks.append(track)
                 elif media_type == 3:  # Subtitle streams
                     # 'unknown' if we cannot get language
@@ -925,7 +907,7 @@ class API(object):
                     # e.g. Plex collections where artwork already contains
                     # width and height. Need to upscale for better resolution
                     artwork, args = artwork.split('?')
-                    args = dict(parse_qsl(args))
+                    args = dict(utils.parse_qsl(args))
                     width = int(args.get('width', 400))
                     height = int(args.get('height', 400))
                     # Adjust to 4k resolution 1920x1080
@@ -938,7 +920,7 @@ class API(object):
                 artwork = '%s?width=%s&height=%s' % (artwork, width, height)
             artwork = ('%s/photo/:/transcode?width=1920&height=1920&'
                        'minSize=1&upscale=0&url=%s'
-                       % (app.CONN.server, quote(artwork)))
+                       % (app.CONN.server, utils.quote(artwork)))
             artwork = self.attach_plex_token_to_url(artwork)
         return artwork
 
@@ -1297,9 +1279,9 @@ class API(object):
     def library_section_id(self):
         """
         Returns the id of the Plex library section (for e.g. a movies section)
-        or None
+        as an int or None
         """
-        return self.item.get('librarySectionID')
+        return cast(int, self.item.get('librarySectionID'))
 
     def collections_match(self, section_id):
         """
@@ -1345,7 +1327,7 @@ class API(object):
         Returns True if the item's 'optimizedForStreaming' is set, False other-
         wise
         """
-        return self.item[0].get('optimizedForStreaming') == '1'
+        return cast(bool, self.item[0].get('optimizedForStreaming')) or False
 
     def mediastream_number(self):
         """
@@ -1371,16 +1353,16 @@ class API(object):
             for entry in self.item.iterfind('./Media'):
                 # Get additional info (filename / languages)
                 if 'file' in entry[0].attrib:
-                    option = utils.try_decode(entry[0].attrib['file'])
-                    option = path_ops.path.basename(option)
+                    option = entry[0].get('file')
+                    option = path_ops.basename(option)
                 else:
                     option = self.title() or ''
                 # Languages of audio streams
                 languages = []
                 for stream in entry[0]:
-                    if (stream.attrib['streamType'] == '1' and
+                    if (cast(int, stream.get('streamType')) == 1 and
                             'language' in stream.attrib):
-                        language = utils.try_decode(stream.attrib['language'])
+                        language = stream.get('language')
                         languages.append(language)
                 languages = ', '.join(languages)
                 if languages:
@@ -1391,19 +1373,19 @@ class API(object):
                 else:
                     option = '%s ' % option
                 if 'videoResolution' in entry.attrib:
-                    res = utils.try_decode(entry.attrib['videoResolution'])
+                    res = entry.get('videoResolution')
                     option = '%s%sp ' % (option, res)
                 if 'videoCodec' in entry.attrib:
-                    codec = utils.try_decode(entry.attrib['videoCodec'])
+                    codec = entry.get('videoCodec')
                     option = '%s%s' % (option, codec)
                 option = option.strip() + ' - '
                 if 'audioProfile' in entry.attrib:
-                    profile = utils.try_decode(entry.attrib['audioProfile'])
+                    profile = entry.get('audioProfile')
                     option = '%s%s ' % (option, profile)
                 if 'audioCodec' in entry.attrib:
-                    codec = utils.try_decode(entry.attrib['audioCodec'])
+                    codec = entry.get('audioCodec')
                     option = '%s%s ' % (option, codec)
-                option = utils.try_encode(option.strip())
+                option = cast(str, option.strip())
                 dialoglist.append(option)
             media = utils.dialog('select', 'Select stream', dialoglist)
             if media == -1:
@@ -1437,20 +1419,15 @@ class API(object):
         """
         if self.mediastream is None and self.mediastream_number() is None:
             return
-        if quality is None:
-            quality = {}
+        quality = {} if quality is None else quality
         xargs = clientinfo.getXArgsDeviceInfo()
         # For DirectPlay, path/key of PART is needed
         # trailers are 'clip' with PMS xmls
         if action == "DirectStream":
-            path = self.item[self.mediastream][self.part].attrib['key']
+            path = self.item[self.mediastream][self.part].get('key')
             url = app.CONN.server + path
             # e.g. Trailers already feature an '?'!
-            if '?' in url:
-                url += '&' + urlencode(xargs)
-            else:
-                url += '?' + urlencode(xargs)
-            return url
+            return utils.extend_url(url, xargs)
 
         # For Transcoding
         headers = {
@@ -1460,7 +1437,7 @@ class API(object):
             'X-Plex-Version': '5.8.0.475'
         }
         # Path/key to VIDEO item of xml PMS response is needed, not part
-        path = self.item.attrib['key']
+        path = self.item.get('key')
         transcode_path = app.CONN.server + \
             '/video/:/transcode/universal/start.m3u8?'
         args = {
@@ -1469,7 +1446,7 @@ class API(object):
             'directPlay': 0,
             'directStream': 1,
             'protocol': 'hls',   # seen in the wild: 'dash', 'http', 'hls'
-            'session': utils.window('plex_client_Id'),
+            'session': v.PKC_MACHINE_IDENTIFIER,  # TODO: create new unique id
             'fastSeek': 1,
             'path': path,
             'mediaIndex': self.mediastream,
@@ -1478,12 +1455,11 @@ class API(object):
             'location': 'lan',
             'subtitleSize': utils.settings('subtitleSize')
         }
-        # Look like Android to let the PMS use the transcoding profile
-        xargs.update(headers)
         LOG.debug("Setting transcode quality to: %s", quality)
-        args.update(quality)
-        url = transcode_path + urlencode(xargs) + '&' + urlencode(args)
-        return url
+        xargs.update(headers)
+        xargs.update(args)
+        xargs.update(quality)
+        return utils.extend_url(transcode_path, xargs)
 
     def cache_external_subs(self):
         """
@@ -1500,7 +1476,7 @@ class API(object):
         for stream in mediastreams:
             # Since plex returns all possible tracks together, have to pull
             # only external subtitles - only for these a 'key' exists
-            if stream.get('streamType') != "3":
+            if cast(int, stream.get('streamType')) != 3:
                 # Not a subtitle
                 continue
             # Only set for additional external subtitles NOT lying beside video
@@ -1510,11 +1486,11 @@ class API(object):
             if key:
                 # We do know the language - temporarily download
                 if stream.get('languageCode') is not None:
+                    language = stream.get('languageCode')
+                    codec = stream.get('codec')
                     path = self.download_external_subtitles(
                         "{server}%s" % key,
-                        "subtitle%02d.%s.%s" % (fileindex,
-                                                stream.attrib['languageCode'],
-                                                stream.attrib['codec']))
+                        "subtitle%02d.%s.%s" % (fileindex, language, codec))
                     fileindex += 1
                 # We don't know the language - no need to download
                 else:
@@ -1788,7 +1764,7 @@ class API(object):
             except ValueError:
                 pass
             else:
-                args = quote(args)
+                args = utils.quote(args)
                 path = '%s:%s:%s' % (protocol, hostname, args)
         if (app.SYNC.path_verified and not force_check) or omit_check:
             return path
diff --git a/resources/lib/plex_companion.py b/resources/lib/plex_companion.py
index 37fd6e4d..24ec2198 100644
--- a/resources/lib/plex_companion.py
+++ b/resources/lib/plex_companion.py
@@ -8,7 +8,6 @@ from logging import getLogger
 from threading import Thread
 from Queue import Empty
 from socket import SHUT_RDWR
-from urllib import urlencode
 from xbmc import executebuiltin
 
 from .plexbmchelper import listener, plexgdm, subscribers, httppersist
@@ -96,7 +95,7 @@ class PlexCompanion(backgroundthread.KillableThread):
                 transient_token=data.get('token'))
         elif data['containerKey'].startswith('/playQueues/'):
             _, container_key, _ = PF.ParseContainerKey(data['containerKey'])
-            xml = PF.DownloadChunks('{server}/playQueues/%s?' % container_key)
+            xml = PF.DownloadChunks('{server}/playQueues/%s' % container_key)
             if xml is None:
                 # "Play error"
                 utils.dialog('notification',
@@ -133,8 +132,7 @@ class PlexCompanion(backgroundthread.KillableThread):
             'key': '{server}%s' % data.get('key'),
             'offset': data.get('offset')
         }
-        executebuiltin('RunPlugin(plugin://%s?%s)'
-                       % (v.ADDON_ID, urlencode(params)))
+        executebuiltin('RunPlugin(plugin://%s)' % utils.extend_url(v.ADDON_ID, params))
 
     @staticmethod
     def _process_playlist(data):
diff --git a/resources/lib/plex_functions.py b/resources/lib/plex_functions.py
index c4dcdb45..b70efe8c 100644
--- a/resources/lib/plex_functions.py
+++ b/resources/lib/plex_functions.py
@@ -2,9 +2,7 @@
 # -*- coding: utf-8 -*-
 from __future__ import absolute_import, division, unicode_literals
 from logging import getLogger
-from urllib import urlencode, quote_plus
 from ast import literal_eval
-from urlparse import urlparse, parse_qsl
 from copy import deepcopy
 from time import time
 from threading import Thread
@@ -57,9 +55,9 @@ def ParseContainerKey(containerKey):
 
     Output hence: library, key, query       (str, int, dict)
     """
-    result = urlparse(containerKey)
-    library, key = GetPlexKeyNumber(result.path)
-    query = dict(parse_qsl(result.query))
+    result = utils.urlparse(containerKey)
+    library, key = GetPlexKeyNumber(result.path.decode('utf-8'))
+    query = dict(utils.parse_qsl(result.query))
     return library, key, query
 
 
@@ -480,9 +478,9 @@ def GetPlexMetadata(key, reraise=False):
         # 'includePopularLeaves': 1,
         # 'includeConcerts': 1
     }
-    url = url + '?' + urlencode(arguments)
     try:
-        xml = DU().downloadUrl(url, reraise=reraise)
+        xml = DU().downloadUrl(utils.extend_url(url, arguments),
+                               reraise=reraise)
     except exceptions.RequestException:
         # "PMS offline"
         utils.dialog('notification',
@@ -556,7 +554,7 @@ def GetAllPlexChildren(key):
     Input:
         key             Key to a Plex item, e.g. 12345
     """
-    return DownloadChunks("{server}/library/metadata/%s/children?" % key)
+    return DownloadChunks("{server}/library/metadata/%s/children" % key)
 
 
 def GetPlexSectionResults(viewId, args=None):
@@ -569,9 +567,9 @@ def GetPlexSectionResults(viewId, args=None):
 
     Returns None if something went wrong
     """
-    url = "{server}/library/sections/%s/all?" % viewId
+    url = "{server}/library/sections/%s/all" % viewId
     if args:
-        url += urlencode(args) + '&'
+        url = utils.extend_url(url, args)
     return DownloadChunks(url)
 
 
@@ -726,9 +724,6 @@ class Leaves(DownloadGen):
 def DownloadChunks(url):
     """
     Downloads PMS url in chunks of CONTAINERSIZE.
-
-    url MUST end with '?' (if no other url encoded args are present) or '&'
-
     Returns a stitched-together xml or None.
     """
     xml = None
@@ -740,13 +735,13 @@ def DownloadChunks(url):
             'X-Plex-Container-Start': pos,
             'sort': 'id'
         }
-        xmlpart = DU().downloadUrl(url + urlencode(args))
+        xmlpart = DU().downloadUrl(utils.extend_url(url, args))
         # If something went wrong - skip in the hope that it works next time
         try:
             xmlpart.attrib
         except AttributeError:
-            LOG.error('Error while downloading chunks: %s',
-                      url + urlencode(args))
+            LOG.error('Error while downloading chunks: %s, args: %s',
+                      url, args)
             pos += CONTAINERSIZE
             error_counter += 1
             continue
@@ -799,16 +794,14 @@ def GetAllPlexLeaves(viewId, lastViewedAt=None, updatedAt=None):
     if updatedAt:
         args.append('updatedAt>=%s' % updatedAt)
     if args:
-        url += '?' + '&'.join(args) + '&'
-    else:
-        url += '?'
+        url += '?' + '&'.join(args)
     return DownloadChunks(url)
 
 
 def GetPlexOnDeck(viewId):
     """
     """
-    return DownloadChunks("{server}/library/sections/%s/onDeck?" % viewId)
+    return DownloadChunks("{server}/library/sections/%s/onDeck" % viewId)
 
 
 def get_plex_hub():
@@ -843,7 +836,7 @@ def init_plex_playqueue(plex_id, librarySectionUUID, mediatype='movie',
     }
     if trailers is True:
         args['extrasPrefixCount'] = utils.settings('trailerNumber')
-    xml = DU().downloadUrl(url + '?' + urlencode(args), action_type="POST")
+    xml = DU().downloadUrl(utils.extend_url(url, args), action_type="POST")
     try:
         xml[0].tag
     except (IndexError, TypeError, AttributeError):
@@ -976,12 +969,12 @@ def scrobble(ratingKey, state):
         'identifier': 'com.plexapp.plugins.library'
     }
     if state == "watched":
-        url = "{server}/:/scrobble?" + urlencode(args)
+        url = '{server}/:/scrobble'
     elif state == "unwatched":
-        url = "{server}/:/unscrobble?" + urlencode(args)
+        url = '{server}/:/unscrobble'
     else:
         return
-    DU().downloadUrl(url)
+    DU().downloadUrl(utils.extend_url(url, args))
     LOG.info("Toggled watched state for Plex item %s", ratingKey)
 
 
@@ -1058,12 +1051,13 @@ def transcode_image_path(key, AuthToken, path, width, height):
         path = 'http://127.0.0.1:32400' + key
     else:  # internal path, add-on
         path = 'http://127.0.0.1:32400' + path + '/' + key
-    path = utils.try_encode(path)
     # This is bogus (note the extra path component) but ATV is stupid when it
     # comes to caching images, it doesn't use querystrings. Fortunately PMS is
     # lenient...
+    path = path.encode('utf-8')
     transcode_path = ('/photo/:/transcode/%sx%s/%s'
-                      % (width, height, quote_plus(path)))
+                      % (width, height, utils.quote_plus(path)))
+    transcode_path = transcode_path.decode('utf-8')
     args = {
         'width': width,
         'height': height,
@@ -1071,4 +1065,4 @@ def transcode_image_path(key, AuthToken, path, width, height):
     }
     if AuthToken:
         args['X-Plex-Token'] = AuthToken
-    return transcode_path + '?' + urlencode(args)
+    return utils.extend_url(transcode_path, args)
diff --git a/resources/lib/plexbmchelper/listener.py b/resources/lib/plexbmchelper/listener.py
index d50c2a20..86487623 100644
--- a/resources/lib/plexbmchelper/listener.py
+++ b/resources/lib/plexbmchelper/listener.py
@@ -8,13 +8,8 @@ from logging import getLogger
 from re import sub
 from SocketServer import ThreadingMixIn
 from BaseHTTPServer import HTTPServer, BaseHTTPRequestHandler
-from urlparse import urlparse, parse_qs
-import xbmc
 
-from .. import companion
-from .. import json_rpc as js
-from .. import clientinfo
-from .. import variables as v
+from .. import utils, companion, json_rpc as js, clientinfo, variables as v
 from .. import app
 
 ###############################################################################
@@ -102,8 +97,8 @@ class MyHandler(BaseHTTPRequestHandler):
 
         request_path = self.path[1:]
         request_path = sub(r"\?.*", "", request_path)
-        url = urlparse(self.path)
-        paramarrays = parse_qs(url.query)
+        parseresult = utils.urlparse(self.path)
+        paramarrays = utils.parse_qs(parseresult.query)
         params = {}
         for key in paramarrays:
             params[key] = paramarrays[key][0]
diff --git a/resources/lib/utils.py b/resources/lib/utils.py
index 06c09229..afcafdb1 100644
--- a/resources/lib/utils.py
+++ b/resources/lib/utils.py
@@ -10,9 +10,11 @@ from datetime import datetime
 from unicodedata import normalize
 from threading import Lock
 import urllib
+import urlparse as _urlparse
 # Originally tried faster cElementTree, but does NOT work reliably with Kodi
 import xml.etree.ElementTree as etree
-import defusedxml.ElementTree as defused_etree  # etree parse unsafe
+# etree parse unsafe; make sure we're always receiving unicode
+from . import defused_etree
 from xml.etree.ElementTree import ParseError
 from functools import wraps
 import hashlib
@@ -25,8 +27,6 @@ import xbmcgui
 
 from . import path_ops, variables as v
 
-###############################################################################
-
 LOG = getLogger('PLEX.utils')
 
 WINDOW = xbmcgui.Window(10000)
@@ -49,9 +49,6 @@ REGEX_MUSICPATH = re.compile(r'''^\^(.+)\$$''')
 # Grab Plex id from an URL-encoded string
 REGEX_PLEX_ID_FROM_URL = re.compile(r'''metadata%2F(\d+)''')
 
-###############################################################################
-# Main methods
-
 
 def garbageCollect():
     gc.collect(2)
@@ -325,6 +322,73 @@ def encode_dict(dictionary):
     return dictionary
 
 
+def parse_qs(qs, keep_blank_values=0, strict_parsing=0):
+    """
+    unicode-safe way to use urlparse.parse_qs(). Pass in the query string qs
+    either as str or unicode
+    Returns a dict with lists as values; all entires unicode
+    """
+    if isinstance(qs, unicode):
+        qs = qs.encode('utf-8')
+    qs = _urlparse.parse_qs(qs, keep_blank_values, strict_parsing)
+    return {k.decode('utf-8'): [e.decode('utf-8') for e in v]
+            for k, v in qs.iteritems()}
+
+
+def parse_qsl(qs, keep_blank_values=0, strict_parsing=0):
+    """
+    unicode-safe way to use urlparse.parse_qsl(). Pass in either str or unicode
+    Returns a list of unicode tuples
+    """
+    if isinstance(qs, unicode):
+        qs = qs.encode('utf-8')
+    qs = _urlparse.parse_qsl(qs, keep_blank_values, strict_parsing)
+    return [(x.decode('utf-8'), y.decode('utf-8')) for (x, y) in qs]
+
+
+def urlparse(url, scheme='', allow_fragments=True):
+    """
+    unicode-safe way to use urlparse.urlparse(). Pass in either str or unicode
+    CAREFUL: returns an encoded urlparse.ParseResult()!
+    """
+    if isinstance(url, unicode):
+        url = url.encode('utf-8')
+    return _urlparse.urlparse(url, scheme, allow_fragments)
+
+
+def quote(s, safe='/'):
+    """
+    unicode-safe way to use urllib.quote(). Pass in either str or unicode
+    Returns unicode
+    """
+    if isinstance(s, unicode):
+        s = s.encode('utf-8')
+    s = urllib.quote(s, safe)
+    return s.decode('utf-8')
+
+
+def quote_plus(s, safe=''):
+    """
+    unicode-safe way to use urllib.quote(). Pass in either str or unicode
+    Returns unicode
+    """
+    if isinstance(s, unicode):
+        s = s.encode('utf-8')
+    s = urllib.quote_plus(s, safe)
+    return s.decode('utf-8')
+
+
+def unquote(s):
+    """
+    unicode-safe way to use urllib.unquote(). Pass in either str or unicode
+    Returns unicode
+    """
+    if isinstance(s, unicode):
+        s = s.encode('utf-8')
+    s = urllib.unquote(s)
+    return s.decode('utf-8')
+
+
 def try_encode(input_str, encoding='utf-8'):
     """
     Will try to encode input_str (in unicode) to encoding. This possibly
diff --git a/resources/lib/widgets.py b/resources/lib/widgets.py
index 9c2018d2..757b66fa 100644
--- a/resources/lib/widgets.py
+++ b/resources/lib/widgets.py
@@ -8,7 +8,6 @@ e.g. plugin://... calls. Hence be careful to only rely on window variables.
 """
 from __future__ import absolute_import, division, unicode_literals
 from logging import getLogger
-import urllib
 try:
     from multiprocessing.pool import ThreadPool
     SUPPORTS_POOL = True
@@ -75,10 +74,12 @@ def get_clean_image(image):
         image = thumbcache
     if image and b"image://" in image:
         image = image.replace(b"image://", b"")
-        image = urllib.unquote(image)
-        if image.endswith(b"/"):
+        image = utils.unquote(image)
+        if image.endswith("/"):
             image = image[:-1]
-    return image.decode('utf-8')
+        return image
+    else:
+        return image.decode('utf-8')
 
 
 def generate_item(xml_element):
@@ -227,7 +228,7 @@ def _generate_content(xml_element):
             'key': key,
             'offset': xml_element.attrib.get('viewOffset', '0'),
         }
-        url = "plugin://%s?%s" % (v.ADDON_ID, urllib.urlencode(params))
+        url = utils.extend_url('plugin://%s' % v.ADDON_ID, params)
     elif plex_type == v.PLEX_TYPE_PHOTO:
         url = api.get_picture_path()
     else: