Episode 1
Sins Of The Past
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Story by: Robert Tapert
Teleplay by: R.J. Stewart
Directed by: Doug Lefler
Edited by: Jim Prior

Regular Cast
Lucy Lawless as Xena
Renee O'Connor as Gabrielle

Guest Cast:
Jay Laga'aia as Draco
Darien Takle as Cyrene
Willa O'Neill as Lila
Anton Bentley as Perdicas
Patrick Wilson as the Cyclops
Stephen Hall as Hector
Linda Jones as Hecuba
Geoff Snell as Herodotus
David Perrett as Gar
Wally Green as Old Man
Roydon Muir as Kastor
Huntly Eliott as First Citizen
Winston Harris as Boy

Xena, a lone female warrior, arrives to find the remains of a village and a hungry boy asks if she has food. She tells him she has none to spare and asks where his parents are. He replies that they were killed by Xena. Realising she is responsible, she throws him some bread and cheese, then rides away into the woods where she starts to bury her armour and weapons. However, she hears the sound of people approaching so she hides behind some bushes. A group of warriors arrive, chasing some village girls, intending to make them slaves. Hector is their leader and when one girl (Gabrielle) stands up to him, he attacks her. However, Xena somersaults from her hiding place and threatens the warriors. She fights and defeats them, managing to retrieve her weapons in the process. Seeing Hector's scarf, she recognises him as one of Draco's men.

The villagers, although grateful, are wary of Xena and do not want any trouble. After her wound has been treated, Herodotus (Gabrielle's father) asks her to leave. However, Gabrielle, is so impressed with Xena's fighting skills that she asks if she can travel with her, away from Potidaea. She also wishes to escape from her forthcoming marriage to Perdicas whom she does not love. However, Xena refuses to take Gabrielle with her and gets ready to leave, after warning the young girl not to follow her.

In Draco's camp, Hector has returned. Draco is busy testing the ability of four archers for their suitability to join his army. Each sends an arrow flying towards Draco and he catches three of them, whilst the fourth grazes his shoulder. Impressed, he signs up the one with the green arrow that struck him and sends the others away. Draco is amused at Hector's threat of vengeance against Xena.

Draco is in his tent, studying a map. Xena sneaks into the tent but Draco whirls round to confront her. She pushes his sword to one side and greets him. He lowers his sword and they talk. Xena asks him to spare Gabrielle's village and he asks her to join him in return. She declines, telling him she intends to go home. In response, Draco warns her she cannot escape from her past but Xena is resolute. Although angry at her rejection, Draco agrees to spare the village - "for old times' sake".

That night, Gabrielle packs her things and tries to sneak past her sleeping sister. However, Lila wakens and, realising Gabrielle is serious about leaving, she tearfully says goodbye.

As Xena makes her way home, she encounters a Cyclops whom she had previously blinded. Although he tries to capture her, she manages to make her way past him without much trouble. Meanwhile, Draco has been informed that Xena is riding towards the Strymon Pass. He instructs Hector to go ahead with some men and to send word when Xena has entered her home valley. He means to set fire to Amphipolis whilst pretending this is being done on Xena's orders.

Gabrielle, who is following behind Xena walks straight into a trap set by the Cyclops. Luckily, the Cyclops is stupid and Gabrielle talks her way out of being eaten. She promises him she will bring back Xena's eyes and legs for him to eat so he lets her go!

Well aware she is being followed by Hector, Xena doubles back, knocks two of his men from their horses and puts the pinch on Hector. She asks why he is following her. He tells her that Draco plans to attack Amphipolis. She releases Hector and then hurries away.

Gabrielle is having trouble keeping up with Xena. On the road to Amphipolis, she manages to persuade an old man to give her a lift. Although reluctant at first, he agrees to Gabrielle's request when she offers to recite a poem about Oedipus. He tells her that he knew Oedipus and that he'll tell her all about it on the way.

Xena reaches Amphipolis ahead of Draco. She is relieved to see the women singing whilst working in the fields. All seems well. However, there is a deathly silence when she enters her mother's tavern. When her mother, Cyrene sees her, she tells her no weapons are allowed in her tavern and informs Xena she is not welcome either. Although Xena tries to warn the villagers and her mother about Draco's approaching army they do not trust her and tell her to leave them in peace.

When Hector reports back to Draco, the warlord is furious that Hector revealed his plans to Xena. He orders Hector to choose a weapon and they fight whilst Draco relates his strategy to Gar. During the fight, Hector is defeated and killed. Draco then calls for his warhorse to be saddled, in readiness for his attack on Amphipolis.

Back at the tavern, Xena returns to pick up her sword. She tries to talk to her mother again, asking her to at least make her way to safety. During this conversation, Xena admits that she wanted to come home and make up for the wrongs she has committed. Just then, a messenger arrives, warning of the arrival of Draco's army. He tells everyone that the men are carrying Xena's banner and shouting her name. In disgust, Cyrene tells the villagers to do what they will with Xena and then she leaves.

Gabrielle arrives in Amphipolis to find Xena being stoned by the villagers. She steps in front of Xena whilst telling the villagers of Xena's good deeds. They won't listen so she tries another tactic, stating that Draco will be furious with them if they kill Xena. The villagers look nervous and hurriedly they tell Gabrielle to take Xena and leave. Once outside, Xena prepares to leave on Argo, intending to leave Gabrielle behind. However, when Gabrielle reminds her that she saved her life, Xena relents and lets her climb up behind her.

Xena visits the tomb of her dead brother, Lyceus. She tells him it is hard to be alone. Standing in the doorway, Gabrielle tells Xena she is not alone.

Draco arrives to find the villagers of Amphipolis huddled together in a large barn. The head villager promises food and supplies for his army if he leaves them alone. He says he wants Xena. The villager looks confused, saying he doesn't know where she is. Believing he is lying, Draco moves to kill him. Just then, Xena arrives and the villager is saved. Draco asks Xena once again to join him or die. She refuses him again and he challenges her to a fight to the death. Whilst he chooses the weapons (staves) Xena chooses the conditions (some scaffolding set out in the barn). The first one to fall and touch the ground must die. Xena manages to defeat Draco but agrees to let him live if he swears on the head of Ares to be out of the valley by sundown. He agrees to do so and repays her mercy by killing Gar, who is about to stab Xena in the back. He tells her that "a deal's a deal".

Xena makes peace with her mother and then prepares to leave.

Later that night, Xena is sat at her campfire. A shivering Gabrielle emerges from the bushes and approaches the fire. Although Xena tells Gabrielle she is sending her home in the morning, Gabrielle stubbornly tells her she won't stay there - she doesn't belong. Xena relents and agrees to let Gabrielle travel with her.

Review:
This episode is an excellent introduction to the series, nicely setting the scene, particularly when Xena arrives in the burnt-out village and we see a flashback of her past life. The character of Xena is further introduced (following on from "The Xena Trilogy" from "Hercules: TLJ") giving us a taste of things to come. As suggested by the title, Xena is trying to atone for her past misdeeds and this episode vividly illustrates the reactions of others around her who are suspicious of her motives (her mother, Draco and the villagers of Amphipolis).

After all this time, this episode is still one of my all-time favourites. That scene with Xena burying her weapons and then scrabbling in the dirt for them is fantastic and I just love the ensuing fight! I still remember my reaction the first time I saw it. I just sat there gobsmacked as I watched this fierce warrior woman knock two tons of crap out of Draco's men. Priceless! Then, to top it all off, there is the absolutely brilliant scaffold fight at the end, as Xena and Draco square off against one another. Notice how Xena couldn't bring herself to kill Draco but actually spared his life? Was that her new-found compassion or was it her remembered passion for him, I wonder?

Whew! What about Draco? After Ares and Callisto, he's got to be the best villain ever in the series. He's handsome, he's dangerous - just the way Xena likes her men! He's also a worthy adversary; he's at least as good a fighter as she is. He's also charming and charismatic. There is so much sexual tension brewing in that first scene between them as Xena tenderly traces Draco's scar before he grabs her hand and kisses it. What a guy!

Gabrielle is also introduced in this episode. Right from the start she has faith in Xena and does not hesitate in offering her friendship to her. Here we see the young, innocent and wonderfully naive Gabrielle, full of life and stories and using wits rather than weapons to defeat her opponents.

Isn't it a shame they never used the Cyclops again after this episode?

Episode 2
Chariots Of War
Story by: Josh Becker and Jack Perez
Teleplay by: Adam Armus and Nora Kay Foster
Directed by: Harley Cokeliss
Edited by: Robert Field

Regular Cast
Lucy Lawless as Xena
Renee O'Connor as Gabrielle

Guest Cast:
Nick Kokotakis as Darius
Jeff Thomas as Cycnus
Stuart Turner as Sphaerus
Morgan Palmer Hubbard as Argolis
Patrick Morrison as Lykus
Ruth Morrison as Sarita
Robert Harte as Ugly Ruffian
Nigel Godfrey as Tynus
Dane Jerro as Homesteader

The scene is a rowdy tavern. Gabrielle is reciting a tale of love to Xena who only seems mildly interested. Xena tells her she is going to ride ahead to find a suitable place to ford the river. They arrange to meet up later and then Xena leaves.

A group of settlers are building a barn. One man, Darius, is being assisted by his children and tries to explain to them that this is their new home now. Darius' daughter, Sarita cannot speak and tries to get her father's attention. She sees men in chariots riding over the hill. When Darius spots them, he orders his children to take cover. The men attack and Lykus, one of Darius' sons hides beneath the timbers of the new barn. The charioteers pull down the timbers whilst Darius frantically searches for his lost son. Xena appears and saves Lykus from being crushed. Seeing this, one of the charioteers orders his archers to fire at Xena. Although she catches two of the arrows, she is hit by a third and she drops heavily to the ground.

Xena is lying in bed in Darius' house. Darius removes Xena's weapons, despite her protests and then sets about tending to her wound. Xena asks about the men who attacked the settlers and Darius tells her they are the men of Cycnus, a ruthless warlord who has claimed the lands for his own. Xena then instructs Darius on how to remove the arrow piercing her side. After he has broken the arrowhead and removed the shaft, she takes the poker he has given her and seals the wound. As she does so, she passes out.

At Cycnus' camp, Sphaerus, his son, is honing his warrior skills. He tells his father he is ready to take his place as Ares' chosen. Cycnus laughs and tells him he must have the desire to kill first. They both fight each other. Sphaerus boasts about killing a great warrior but Cycnus sneers when he learns that the warrior was a woman. He tells Sphaerus that, in order to prove himself, he must take the valley from the villagers. Sphaerus almost defeats his father but not quite.

Darius' children, Argolis and Lykus, argue about who will get Xena's horse if she dies. Xena wakes up and they run to tell Darius that she's awake.

Back at the tavern, Gabrielle waits anxiously for Xena. She chats to a disgruntled innkeeper who asks if she wants a drink or not. She decides on water.

Xena relates a tale of her exploits to Darius' children who listen wide-eyed. Xena asks Sarita's name but Darius explains she has not spoken since her mother died. The conversation is interrupted by a knock at the door. It is Tynus, the villager whose barn was being built. He is troubled at Xena's presence and believes she will bring them trouble. He tries to pressurise Darius into forcing Xena to leave but Darius insists she must stay until she is healed. Tynus then tells him Xena is a murderer. Darius assures him that Xena will leave when she is ready to ride.

When Darius returns to the bedroom, Xena is not there. She has made her way to the barn and is getting ready to leave. She insists it is because her friend is waiting for her but Darius tells her that what Tynus said does not matter. As Xena reaches for something, she doubles up in pain. When Darius tries to help her, she draws back saying she is alright. Suddenly, Darius hears a noise and realises that his silo is on fire.

In the tavern, Gabrielle is being pestered by an ugly ruffian. To discourage him, she tells him she is waiting for her boyfriend. When he calls her bluff, she goes over to where Sphaerus is sitting, sits on his lap and asks him to pretend he knows her as she kisses him. He tells her "no problem"!

Xena searches for her weapons but Darius tells her he does not want her to fight on their behalf. He tells her Cycnus has made a peace offering and that, despite the fact she is suspicious, he wants a chance to make peace with the warlord.

Sphaerus compliments Gabrielle on her kissing technique and they talk. She asks him if he's seen Xena and he begins to grow visibly uncomfortable as she describes her friend. Unaware of this, Gabrielle asks what he does and she tells him that she had to make a choice based on who she was rather than what her parents wanted her to be. Sphaerus makes a hasty exit.

Back at Darius' house, Xena is getting ready for the meeting. When she enters dressed in her armour, Darius objects and offers her his wife's dress. At first, Xena refuses but she relents and agrees to wear it for his sake.

Sphaerus has been summoned to his father's tent. He enters and Cycnus tells him about the council of peace. Sphaerus is delighted to hear that peace will be made at last, until Cycnus declares that once the settlers have been rounded up in one place, he must kill them all.

Lykus and Argolis argue whilst Darius is getting them ready. Xena appears in the dress, looking a little shy and Darius smiles.

At the meeting house, Sphaerus is stood on a platform at the front. Darius and Xena arrive, much to Tynus' annoyance. Xena offers to stay at the back and does so. However, whilst Sphaerus is talking, she sees men with swords at the doorway and she attacks them, whilst getting the villagers to flee. One of the soldiers is about to go after them but Sphaerus stops them and lets them go.

Darius is angry with Xena for spoiling the peace talks, despite her protests that the villagers were about to be slaughtered. He tells her that he cannot fight back, for the sake of his children. Xena tells Darius she must do what she has to.

Cycnus is furious at Sphaerus' failure and threatens to kill his friend, believing he was responsible. Sphaerus admits it was his fault and that he was unable to slaughter helpless people. Cycnus calls him a coward.

The children are afraid for Xena and do not want her to leave. Darius arrives and gives Xena some food for her journey. She leaves, intending to face Cycnus herself and settle the issue once and for all.

Tynus arrives at Cycnus' tent to explain to him what happened at the meeting. He tells him it was Xena who disrupted the meeting and that she is not part of their community. He is horrified when Cycnus tells him to return to his people ready to be slaughtered. Then, Cycnus orders his chariot to be readied and prepares himself to go after Xena. When Sphaerus argues against this, his father tells him Xena was responsible for his brother's death. On hearing this, Sphaerus tells him he will ride with him and avenge the murder of his brother.

Xena meets up with Gabrielle and asks her to wait for her at Darius' house nearby. Gabrielle refuses, insisting she is not going to miss the fun. Whilst they walk together, Gabrielle tells Xena about Sphaerus and frets that she may have met her future mate and may never see him again. Xena is distracted by the oncoming chariots and orders Gabrielle to get on Argo and head downriver. Whilst Gabrielle rides away, Xena manages to take control of one of the chariots. A race ensues, with Xena chasing after Gabrielle and Cycnus and Sphaerus chasing after both of them. Eventually, Xena catches up with Gabrielle and tells her to jump from Argo into the chariot. Gabrielle does so but when Xena reaches for her chakram, intending to throw it, she realises she must have lost it somewhere. They carry on riding until they hit a large rock. Both are thrown from the chariot and tumble to the ground.

Gabrielle comes face to face with Sphaerus who tells her to get out of the way. Xena makes a quip about Gabrielle's taste in men and then she and Cycnus face one another. When Cycnus accuses her of murdering his son, Xena denies it, telling him Stentor died trying to make peace and was betrayed by his own men. Cycnus does not believe her and encourages Sphaerus to attack her. Gabrielle tells Sphaerus that this is the moment he must make his choice. Sphaerus decides not to fight. Enraged, Cycnus attacks his son, intending to kill him. As he does so, Darius arrives with Xena's chakram and she retrieves it from him. She prevents Cycnus from killing Sphaerus then she and Cycnus fight. As Cycnus dies, Sphaerus tells Darius there will be another council of peace, this time with no tricks.

In the tavern, Sphaerus is sat quietly by the fire. Gabrielle goes over to him and they talk. He is sad about the death of his father but does not regret his choice. He thanks Gabrielle and she leaves.

Meanwhile, Tynus apologises to Xena for misjudging her. Xena tells him it is okay and that she is leaving. On hearing this, Darius' children beg Xena to stay, even Sarita who has recovered and is now able to speak again. Darius shoos his children away and talks to Xena alone. He tells Xena she is welcome to stay and become part of his family but she tells him that, maybe one day she will have these things but not now. He wishes her well.

Gabrielle asks Xena if she is okay. Xena asks if Gabrielle misses her family. Gabrielle says she does but not as much when she's with Xena. Gabrielle then offers to 'drive' but Xena refuses. Gabrielle says she has learnt an important thing. When Xena asks if it is that there is good in unlikely places, Gabrielle replies 'yes' but that she also learnt that she really hates chariots!

Review:
Another excellent episode, although perhaps less exciting than the first. There are a few cringe-worthy moments: the first being the removal of the arrow from Xena's side. A pain-filled moment perfectly portrayed by Lucy Lawless. The other cringe-worthies, however, are Darius and his sickly-sweet children. Here we get a taste of Xena meets the "Little House on the Prairie". Considering Xena's past and her reputation, can you imagine her settling down with this lot? No, neither can I. Whatever possessed her to fall for this 'goody-two-shoes' is beyond me but there it is. Meanwhile, Gabs manages to get herself acquainted with a cute warlord's son. Hah - and Xena wants to talk to her about her taste in men! Oh well.

Overall, an enjoyable episode with a dastardly performance from Jeff Thomas as Cycnus (whom you may have seen as Jason in "Hercules: TLJ").

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