Episode 19
Altared States
Written by: Chris Manheim
Directed by: Michael Levine
Edited by: Robert Field

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

Guest Cast:
David de Lautour as Icus
David Ackroyd as Anteus
Karl Urban as Maell
Teresa Woodham as Zora
Sean Ashton-Peach as Zealot #1
Graham Smith as Senior Zealot
Jack Dacey as Brawny Zealot
Peter Ford as Zealot Guard

Synopsis:
A young boy, Icus is due to be sacrificed by his father, Anteus, who believes that his god is testing his faith. Unbeknownst to both of them, their deluded and fanatical son, Maell is jealous of his brother and has tricked his father into believing that it is the will of his god to kill his son. Xena (and an unco-ordinated Gabrielle) rush to save Icus from being sacrificed. Maell falls to his death whilst trying to stop Xena, who fails to stop the sacrifice. Anteus' god speaks to him instead and prevents him from carrying out the sacrifice. In relief, Anteus embraces his son whilst Xena congratulates Gabrielle for saving the day. When Gabrielle tells Xena it wasn't her who spoke, they both look up at the sky in wonder.

Episode 20
Ties That Bind
Written by: Adam Armus and Nora Kay Foster
Directed by: Charles Siebert
Edited by: Jim Prior

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

Guest Cast:
Kevin Smith as Ares
Tom Atkins as Atrius
Stephen Lovatt as Kirilus
Sonia Gray as Rhea
Lutz Halbhubner as Tarkis
Jonathon Whittaker as Andrus
Nancy Broadbent as Areliesa
Heidi Anderson as Slave Girl
John Manning as Ranch Hand #1
Mark Perry as Warrior #1
Tony Williams as Warrior #2
James Marcum as Warrior #3
Robin Kora as Village Elder

Synopsis:
Xena meets up with her estranged father, Atrius and, although at first suspicious of him, she finally accepts him. When a group of villagers torture him and leave him to die, Xena steals a warlord's army and reverts back to her old self, intending to destroy the village in revenge. Gabrielle tries to bring Xena to her senses but she is full of rage. Only when Xena realises that it is a trick and that Atrius is none other than Ares, trying to win her back to his side, does she relent.

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