The Black Wolf

Original Air-Date January 8, 1996

When a band of freedom fighters, following a shadowy figure known as the Black Wolf, ambush and kill a group of armed bullies collecting taxes, Xerxes, the cold-blooded ruler of Argos, threatens the villagers with death unless they betray the identity of the rebel leader in their midst. A dozen courageous citizens step forward claiming to be the infamous Black Wolf, and Xerxes angrily orders his guards to arrest them all.

Xena  arrives a short while later, just in time to witness her old friend Hermia being abused by Xerxes' guards when she begs to see her imprisoned daughter, Flora. After Xena teaches the guards some manners with their own spears, Hermia tells her that Flora has fallen madly in love with one of the Black Wolves, and is now in prison for having taken up their cause to overthrow Xerxes. Xena vows to come up with a plan to rescue the young woman.

The warrior princess fights her way into Xerxes' palace and interrupts the ruthless despot while he's threatening his Minister of Security, Koulos. Xerxes tells Koulos he will be killed if he fails to capture the Black Wolf in time for a public execution during the fast-approaching Feast of Zeus. Pretending to sympathize with Xerxes' predicament, Xena offers to go undercover for a hefty price and expose the identity of the Black Wolf. Xerxes agrees and the next day, Xena stages an attack on Koulos in the village square, witnessed by a Black Wolf sympathizer. After a rousing battle, Xena is "captured" and taken to the dungeon.

When Gabrielle arrives later that day, she runs into Salmoneus, who is furtively selling Black Wolf merchandise, and learns that Xena is in Xerxes' prison. Knowing the only way to reach her friend is to be thrown into the dungeon herself, Gabrielle begins hassling Xerxes' guards to provoke them into locking her up. Her first few attempts backfire and result in Salmoneus' arrest instead. Meanwhile, Xena makes her way to rebels' corner of the dungeon and sees Flora for the first time in many years. She offers to help her escape, but quickly learns that her determined young friend won't consider leaving without the rest of the Wolf Pack.

Just then, Koulos arrives to intimidate the rebels into giving up their leader by locking Xena into a pit covered by a wooden grate, and flooding it with water. Moments before drowning, Xena is able to make a spectacular escape when she knocks out a guard by hurling a bone upward from the bottom of the pit and grabbing his sword to slash through the grating. As Koulos angrily exits the cell, Salmoneus is unceremoniously dumped at Xena's feet.

Later, Xena turns to Flora's beloved Diomedes, a courageous young rebel in the Pack, and tells him she has a plan to free all the prisoners. Believing that Xena may be setting them up, Diomedes begins to listen to her only after she admits that she allowed herself to be captured in order to rescue Flora. Under Xena's direction, Salmoneus begins collecting various materials from all the prisoners, including their belts, bits of rope and sticks of wood.

After fashioning makeshift bows, arrows and netting, the Pack puts Xena's plan into action. When the guards enter to feed them that night, they are surprised and overpowered by the rebels, who drop down from the netting they have secured to the ceiling with their arrows. The prisoners escape into the woods, only to find Xerxes and his men lying in wait to recapture them. Back in the dungeon, Xena is accused of betrayal and is challenged by Diomedes. After a no-holds-barred battle, Xena gains the upper hand but spares Diomedes, insisting that she is not the traitor in their midst. She soon reveals that the real traitor is the prisoner Parnassus.

Later, when Koulos threatens Salmoneus' life, Flora steps forward to admit what Xena has already guessed -- that she is the Black Wolf. As Flora prepares to die, Xena -- still in Xerxes' good graces -- agrees to accompany him to the public execution. At the last moment, with Gabrielle's help, Xena is able to free Flora and the rest of the Wolf Pack, who rise up in battle to defeat the evil Xerxes.



Disclaimer
None


Cast

Lucy Lawless as Xena

Renée O'Connor as Gabrielle

Robert Trebor as Salmoneus

Kevin J. Wilson as Xerxes

Nigel Harbrow as Koulos

Emma Turner as Flora

Ian Hughes as Diomedes

Maggie Tarver as Hermia

Ross Duncan as Parnassus

John Dybvig as Brigand (Ox)

Jonathan Bell-Booth as Chief Guard

John Pemberton as Arresting Guard

Tim Hosking as Blacksmith

Colin Francis as The Grump

Adam Middleton as Black Wolf Sympathizer

Jimmy Rawdon as Father


Quotes

Ox, the brigand: Looking for the man of your dreams, darling?
Xena: Yep. (Xena punches him in the gut) You're not him.


Xena: You've grown up.
Flora: You've grown legendary.


Flora: Would you believe, Xena taught me to swing a sword and embroider linen for my wedding chest.
Diomedes: You embroider?
Xena: I have many skills.


Xena: "The times change people, and people change the times."


Trivia

In the previous episode (Hooves and Harlots) Gabrielle was given a staff with a bird head on it and an Amazon outfit. In this episode she has a plain staff with no bird's head, and a new outfit (the prototype of which was seen in Death In Chains), which she presumably acquired between episodes.

The writers originally intended to have Gabrielle remain in her Amazon outfit from Hooves and Harlots, but decided that it just didn't feel right, and they didn't want Gabrielle to be known as "Gabrielle Amazon Princess," so they went ahead and gave her a new costume that would be used to show her growth and developement throughout the series. The reason for change in staff design was never explained.

This is the first appearance of Robert Trebor as Salmoneus. He was in four episodes of Xena, though only 3 as Salmoneus.

Hooves and Harlots

Original Air-Date November 20, 1995

When Xena and Gabrielle enter Amazon territory, they are quickly surrounded by four young Amazon warriors, who are impressed that Xena knows their symbol of peace. But before they guarantee the trespassers safe passage through their hunting grounds, Terreis, the sister of the Amazon Queen Melosa, and her comrade Ephiny decide to take them to the Queen.

On the way, Gabrielle and Terreis strike up a friendship, Gabrielle mentions wanting to read about read philosophy and learn about history and science. Terreis reveals that Philosophy and history are among the first things taught to Amazon children. Terreis goes on further to reveal that The Amazon world is based on truth and a woman's individual strength. Xena on the other hand doesn't appear to get along with Ephiny, as the two woman are very tense with each other.

Suddenly Xena, Gabrielle and The Amazons are ambushed, Xena covers Gabrielle, and the Amazons take to the trees. Terreis is mortally wounded and Gabrielle risks her own life to shield her new friend from further assault. Before Terreis dies, she gives Gabrielle her Right of Cast, which clearly angers Ephiny. What Gabrielle doesn't realize is that her acceptance of this Right of Cast has made her an Amazon princess, responsible for avenging Terreis' death.

Later, after witnessing the Amazons' dramatic funeral ritual for Terreis, Xena and Gabrielle are informed by Queen Melosa that her people may soon be at war. As they prepare to leave, they see Ephiny and a swarm of Amazons surrounding a Centaur named Phantes, who has been taken prisoner. Ephiny hands Melosa an arrow from Phantes' quiver which perfectly matches the one that killed her sister, and tells the Queen that she captured the Centaur as he was escaping across the river.

Despite his predicament, Phantes remains defiant, warning the crowd that the Centaurs will never allow him to die since he is the son of their leader Tyldus. When Xena questions Melosa about her problems with the Centaurs, the Queen reveals that they've been trying to encroach on the Amazons' hunting grounds.

Xena visits the imprisoned Phantes in his cell and though he expresses eagerness to start a war with the Amazons, she leaves feeling he did not murder Terreis. Meanwhile, Melosa meets with the local warlord Krykus to gain assurances that he and his men will not take sides if a war breaks out. To avert the bloody conflict, Xena offers to speak with Tyldus, whom she has faced before in battle. But Melosa still refuses to postpone Phantes' execution, which is set for noon the following day.

As Xena rides off, Gabrielle finally learns from Melosa that her Right of Cast has made her an Amazon princess, entitled to all the rights and possessions of Terreis. The Queen tells Ephiny to begin her instruction. Meanwhile, Xena is surrounded by a group of Centaurs and men as soon as she reaches the Centaurs' territory. She fights bravely until the voice of Tyldus rings out, halting the attack.

When she arrives at the Centaur camp, Xena finds everyone busy preparing for battle. Xena pleads with Tyldus to postpone his assault on the Amazons and although he confesses that he's lost his taste for war, he tells her he cannot stand by and let his son be executed. At the same time, Gabrielle, dressed in Terreis' clothes, is asked to choose a weapon and begin training. She selects her walking stick and is taught how to wield it like a fighting staff.

That night, Xena searches the ground where the attack on the Amazons occurred and tells Ephiny what she has learned -- that Terreis was killed not by the Centaurs but by Krykus the warlord, who stands to gain power and territory by pitting both armies against each other. Together, they head for his camp where they find evidence linking him to the murder of Terreis.

Back at the Amazon village, Gabrielle is utterly miserable now that she knows it's her responsibility to execute Phantes with Terreis' sword or be killed herself for treason. Xena and Ephiny arrive seconds before the sentence is carried out to announce they have proof of Phantes' innocence. When Melosa rejects their arguments, Gabrielle -- who can now claim royal Amazon blood by virtue of her Right of Cast -- is cued by Xena to demand the Royal Challenge, whereby Xena, as Gabrielle's champion, will fight Melosa to try to stop the execution.

The two warrior women engage in a furious battle in which Queen Melosa is finally overpowered. Xena is proclaimed the new Queen of the Amazons just as Tyldus and his troops arrive.When Xena reveals that Krykus was responsible for Terreis' murder, both sides agree to attack the warlord's camp together.

As the sounds of battle fill the air, The Amazons and Centaurs ride in. Krykus' men attack the Amazons and Centaours. As Celano runs off, and Xena goes after him where the two fight and Xena kills him. Gabrielle joins in the fight and manages to fight off some of Krykus' men with her staff. A soldier grabs Ephiny from behind, but Gabrielle saves her from him. Melosa moves on Krykus, as Krykus is closing in on an Amazon. Melosa defeats Krykus, and holds her chobos at his neck, strangling him. Xena enters, and Melosa refuses to kill him until he stands trail for his crimes against the Amazons and the Centaours.

The Amazons and Centaurs hang out at the Amazon village where an uneasy peace is formed at last between the Centaurs and the Amazons. Melosa mentions that the peace wont be easy, but its a good start. Xena and Tyldus shake hands and finally put there long feud in the past. Gabrielle, Ephiny and Phantes arrive, and Phantes mentions Gabrielle has told alot of stories of her adventures with Xena. Eponin hands Ephiny her staff, Ephiny holds it out to Gabrielle, telling Gabrielle its hers. Gabrielle refuses to take it at first, but Ephiny tells her An Amazon Princess doesn't refuse a gift from another Amazon, and she accepts it.

During sunset in the hills, Xena, Gabrielle and Argo walk along. Gabrielle asks Xena if shes mad at her because she didn't tell her about the Right of Caste. Xena tells her she isn't mad, Gabrielle then tells her how great its going to be being an Amazon, and promises no more secrets between them. Xena moves a different way from Gabrielle, as she continues walking talking about her next adventures coming, she eventually notices Xena walked off in another direction and runs to catch up with her.


Cast

Lucy Lawless as Xena

Renée O'Connor as Gabrielle

Danielle Cormack as Ephiny

David Aston as Tyldus

Alison Bruce as Melosa

Mark Ferguson as Krykus

Rebekah Mercer as Terreis

Colin Moy as Phantes

Chris Bailey as Celano

Antony Starr as Mesas

John Watson as Arben

Aurora Philips as Magdelus

Tanya Dignan as Eponin

Andrew Kovacevich as Tor


Disclaimer

No Centaurs, Amazons, or males were harmed during the production of this motion picture.


Quotes

It's a man's world, Gabrielle. Not because it should be, but because we let them have it.
Terreis

Xena: Something about me you find interesting?
Ephiny: Yes.
Xena: Wanna tell me?
Ephiny: No.
Xena: Then stop staring at me, before I take your eyes out.

Xena: (looking at execution sword) What's this?
Gabrielle: I'm an Amazon Princess?
Xena: (rolling eyes) Great.

Melosa: Gabrielle, do you want to fight me to the death?
Gabrielle: Not really.

Gabrielle: (in response to Xena's silent hint) We gotta come up with hand signals or something.

"Come. Now."
"I'm sorry you must have me mistaken for a pet."
"Would you come with me?"
"That's better."
-- Ephany and Gabrielle in "Hooves and Harlots"

"Centaurs aren't known for their stupidity."
"Amazons aren't known for asking questions."
"I'm not an Amazon."
"If it looks like a hydra and moves like a hydra, it's a hydra."
-- Xena and Phantes in "Hooves and Harlots"


Trivia

First appearance of the Amazon Nation.

Gabrielle becomes an Amazon Princess.

Gabrielle gets her first weapon, a Staff.

This is the last appearance of Gabrielle's 'Farm Girl' outfit.

This is the only episode where we see Gabrielle with the eagle headed staff given to her by Ephiny. They did, however, intend to bring it back at the beginning of the fifth season when Gabrielle went back to being a fighter. Instead they gave her a new weapon, her sais.

Alison Bruce (Melosa) and David Aston (Tyldus) went on to star together in Street Legal.

Alison Bruce (Melosa) also played Kahina in the episode Legacy and Talia in the episode Animal Attraction, both on Xena. She also played in one episode of Young Hercules.

This is the first appearance of Danielle Cormack as Ephiny. She was also in 3 episodes of Hercules (though only two as Ephiny). In addition, she played Shota in Legend of the Seeker.

Danielle Cormack (Ephiny) has said that performing in an Amazon mask was something of a nightmare, especially during fight scenes, since she could barely see through it.

In the original script, Terreis is described as a young girl about Gabrielle's age with a similar look.

Unlike the aired version, in the script it is made clear that Gabrielle didn't tell Xena about the right of cast information at Ephiny's request. After Xena leaves to meet Tyldus, Gabrielle questions Ephiny that she will have trouble keeping it a secret from Xena, especially when she doesn't know what the right of cast is.

A cut scene from the aired version had Gabrielle giving Xena's shoulders a massage before the battle with Melosa.

Xena does not use her chakram in this episode.

Death In Chains

Original Air-Date November 13, 1995

As his wife Queen Karis nervously looks on, a confident King Sisyphus greets Celesta, the embodiment of Death, who has come to escort him to the Underworld of her brother Hades. Through trickery, the King captures and chains his visitor, rendering her helpless by seizing her eternal flame.

Meanwhile, Xena and Gabrielle travel through an apple orchard in the forest. Gabrielle attempts to pick an apple from a tree, she moves to pick one when an arrow shoots through it. They are attacked by the evil thug Toxeus. In the heated battle which follows, Toxeus tries to stab her with a hidden dagger but Xena narrowly escapes, driving the knife into the chest of her attacker. As she and Gabrielle walk away, however, they do not see that the imprisonment of Celesta has already begun to have an effect - Toxeus' eyes pop open and his mortally wounded body is suddenly very much alive.

As Xena and Gabrielle continue on their way, they are intercepted by Hades, who comes rumbling up from the Underworld to ask Xena to rescue his sister. He explains that if Celesta's flame is allowed to burn out, no one will be able to die. Eternal life -- filled with suffering -- will be the fate of all mankind. Xena agrees to help.

On their way to Sisyphus' castle, Xena and Gabrielle are faced with the terrible realization that as long as Celesta is imprisoned, the ill will find no relief in death. When they stop to give comfort to a group of sick and injured people by the roadside, they meet Talus, a handsome and compassionate young man who helps Gabrielle dispense first aid.

Talus and Gabrielle are strongly drawn to each other and upon hearing about Celesta's capture, Talus insists on joining them in their mission. He reveals he can be of special help to them since his mother worked for the King when he was a small boy and he knows Sisyphus' castle quite well. At the same time, Toxeus, enjoying his newfound immortality, demonstrates to his band of thugs that they cannot be killed and convinces them to join in his campaign to hunt Xena down so they can capture Death for themselves.

Xena dispatches Gabrielle and Talus to the local hospital to help the injured as she leaves for Sisyphus' castle. Pursued by Toxeus and his men, she scales the castle wall and steals into the fortress. At the hospital, Gabrielle is warned by an old woman that Xena will die if she touches Death or allows it to touch her. Fearing for her friend's life, Gabrielle sets out for the castle with Talus.

After battling her way past several guards, Xena confronts Sisyphus in a dimly lit chamber, but falls prey to one of his tricks and falls through a trap door into a pit. After Gabrielle and Talus sneak into the castle, Talus, too, falls through a trap door into the same pit. Gabrielle successfully evades Toxeus' men as Xena and Talus escape the pit to face a succession of deadly traps.

As Celesta's flame burns still lower, Karas finally offers her help, knowing that her husband's selfish attempt to cheat Death is wrong. She and Talus convince Sisyphus to release Celesta, but as he begins to unlock her chains, Gabrielle rushes in, followed by Toxeus and his men, who take her hostage. Xena fends off the thugs and manages to save Gabrielle's life by smashing the last lock holding Celesta with a direct blow from her chakram.

As soon as Celesta is free, Toxeus and his men fall to the ground, dead. Sadly, Celesta then comes for Talus, who has been ill for some time, but not before Gabrielle bids a heartfelt farewell to her new friend. They hug and Talus moves to Celesta. She touches him and the two move through the door to the afterlife. Gabrielle hugs Xena and Xena tries to comfort her as Talus walks away.


Cast 
Lucy Lawless as Xena

Renée O'Connor as Gabrielle

Ray Henwood as Sisyphus

Kate Hodge as Celesta

Kieren Hutchison as Talus

Erik Thomson as Hades

Leslie Wing as Karas

Wayne England as Wounded Man

Chris Graham as Toxeus

Kelly Greene as Guard

Gordon Hatfield as Seerus

Paul McLaren as Streptus

Beryl Te Wiata as Old Woman

Allan Wilkins as Thug


Disclaimer
No Jumbo Sized Cocktail Rats were harmed during the production of this motion picture.


Trivia

This episode is also known by the title "Death is M.I.A.".

This episode was the third to be written, after Sins of the Past and Chariots of War, but ended up being filmed as the tenth. It explains why Gabrielle isn't carrying her staff in the episode, and it makes sense why they placed it before Hooves and Harlots. So the continuity error is simply Gabrielle wearing the wrong outfit.

This episode marks the only appearance of Karis on Xena: Warrior Princess. She will later appear in the Hercules: The Legendary Journeys episode "Highway to Hades."

This episode is the first to feature Xena without her large belt, which she used to keep her Chakram on (and her sword in earlier episodes).

This episode marks the first appearance of Gabrielle's second costume.

Gabrielle is wearing her amazon atire in this episode - an outfit she doesn't recieve until the following episode.

Toxeus and his men all suffered fatal wounds, just like the people who were involved in the landslide, even Telus. This means that they should have been in pain, like Telus and the victims of the landslide were.

Prometheus

Original Air-Date November 6, 1995

After being attacked by four sword-wielding bounty hunters, Xena saves the life of Demophon, one of the attackers who has been badly wounded in the fight, and waits out a terrible storm with her captive and Gabrielle in a local tavern.

When both Demophon and a loudly coughing customer in the bar suddenly die -- and a man's howling scream is heard over the sound of the thunder -- Xena realizes that Prometheus has been captured by the gods. Gabrielle explains to the innkeeper that according to legend, if Prometheus is ever bound, mankind will lose all the gifts he gave them, including fire and the ability to heal themselves.

Determined to free Prometheus, Xena consults the oracle Io and is put through a series of dangerous trials to prove how much she is willing to sacrifice. After passing the tests, Io tells her she must go to Vulcan Mountain and enter the cave of Hephaestus where she will find the only sword that can break the chains that bind Prometheus. Io warns her, however, that warriors loyal to the Temple of Hera will stop at nothing to keep her from her mission. Xena accepts the challenge.

While traveling to Vulcan Mountain, Xena asks Gabrielle what she would do if she died. Gabrielle tells Xena she would become a traveling bard, to which Xena responds she would be good at it. They stop by a traveling salesman shop, Xena asks him directions to Vulcan Mountain, and leaves Gabrielle behind.

Xena enters the cave and is immediately pursued by a number of Hera's fiercest soldiers armed with broadswords and battle axes. As she flees deeper into the cave, she must also evade spikes popping out of the cave floor and giant hammers swinging down from the ceiling like deadly pendulums. In a third passageway, Xena turns to fight the remaining soldiers, but a pit opens and both her and the two soldiers fall in, Xena eventually manages to get out of the pit.

Finally, she reaches the Sword of Hephaestus which is embedded in a large stone, and with a mighty heave, she pulls it free. Emerging from the cave, Xena is surprised when Hercules suddenly appears and asks her to hand over the sword. She charges him with a fallen branch and after a flurry of skillfully parried kicks and blows, she flees on horseback.

Later, as Hercules and his friend Iolaus help her fend off another ferocious attack by Hera's soldiers, it becomes clear why Xena avoided Hercules: whoever wields the sword to strike the blow that frees Prometheus will be destroyed. Each will not allow the other to complete the suicide mission but for the moment, they agree to work together.

On the way to the mountain where the chained Prometheus is dangerously close to being devoured by a giant eagle, Hercules and Xena rekindle their deep friendship. Gabrielle and Iolaus are also very drawn to each other. When Gabrielle discovers that he has been hiding a wound he received during the battle with Hera's soldiers, Iolaus bravely asks her not to mention it to Hercules and Xena since there's nothing they can do for him until Prometheus is freed.

As the foursome make their way upwards through the cavern inside Prometheus' mountain, Hercules reveals that he had been here long ago with his father, Zeus. Xena and Hercules realize Iolaus has been wounded when he is further weakened in a sudden cave-in. Knowing Iolaus will not survive the climb, Gabrielle remains behind with him as Hercules and Xena continue on together. In the end, the two join forces to free Prometheus by battling a horde of lizard men who have hatched from huge eggs encircling the god's chained body, as well as the gargantuan eagle which captures Xena in its claws.

In the process, they manage to avoid direct contact with the hurled Sword of Hephaestus which severs Prometheus' chains, so both are able to survive the ordeal. With Prometheus free and his gifts to mankind restored, the four friends bid each other a sad farewell, while Gabrielle tends to Iolaus under a tree, she asks him if he heard the story she told him, Iolaus reveals he was out of it, before sharing a kiss. Hercules and Xena's goodbye isn't easy. Xena tells Hercules, that he taught her what to look for in life, and the pair kiss before parting ways, though its seems certain they will meet again.


Cast

Lucy Lawless as Xena

Renée O'Connor as Gabrielle

Michael Hurst as Iolaus

Kevin Sorbo as Hercules

John Freeman as Prometheus

Jodie Dorday as Io

Paul Norell as Statius

Russell Gowers as Demophon

Sara Wiseman as Young Woman

David Mitchell as Innkeeper


Disclaimer
Iolaus was harmed during the production of this motion picture. However, the Green Egg Men went on to live prosperous lives.


Quotes

Once, a long, long time ago, all people had four legs and two heads. And then, the Gods threw down thunderbolts, and split everyone into two. Each half then had two legs, and one head. But the separation left both sides with a desperate yearning to be reunited, because they shared the same soul. And ever since then, all people spend their lives searching for the other half of their soul.


-- Gabrielle

"You're not much for girl talk, are you? Then of course you're not like most girls."
-- Gabrielle

"You've been helping people."
"Someone taught me it's the only reason to be on this earth."
"Now who would that be?"
"Some legendary hero, I forget his name."
-- Hercules and Xena


Trivia

Paul Norell, who plays the salesman in this episode, frequently appears playing various small roles. He also plays the recurring role of Falafel on HTLJ.

Michael Hurst broke his arm during the filming of this episode (making the disclaimer 'Iolaus was harmed during the making of this motion picture' have dual meaning, as Iolaus is injured in the plot, and Hurst was injured filming).

This is the first time the four stars of the Xenaverse (Sorbo, Lawless, Hurst and O'Connor) appear on-screen together. The others, all episodes of HTLJ, are Judgment Day, Stranger in a Strange World, and Armageddon Now: Part 2, though in the latter two, at least two of them were playing alternate versions of themselves.

In the original Greek myth, Prometheus was chained and tormented by Zeus, not Hera, as punishment for bringing fire to humanity.

Xena did not use the chakram in this episode. Ironically, Xena later discovers that it can break the Metal of Hephaestus (XWP: Dirty Half Dozen) and thus she never needed the Sword of Hephaestus in this episode.

The Titans

                                        The Titans - Original Air Date October 30, 1995

The episode begins with Xena leaving Gabrielle to take care of Argo while she battles a band of thugs on the road. The leader of the thugs, Hesiot, is clearly well known to Xena. After defeating his cronies, Xena makes to go after Hesiot on horseback, whistling for Argo. Unfortunately, thinking she was being helpful, Gabrielle has removed Argo's bridle, and the time it takes Xena to put it back on gives Hesiot a big lead. Xena is clearly not happy with Gabrielle, and takes off after Hesiot in a bad mood.

After Xena departs, Gabrielle is drawn into a nearby cave by the sound of chanting. When she enters the cave, she finds a group of cult members dressed in robes, attempting to recite a sacred chant that will wake "The Titans" – those whom the cult worships. They need the Titans to help them solve the problems in their village. Unfortunately, despite having read the chant 5 different ways, it has not worked. Gabrielle, after listening, realizes that they are reading the chant wrong – it is a Dorian chant, but they are reading it with an Ionian rhythm. She asks if she may try, and they agree.

Gabrielle recites the chant the correct way, and suddenly the walls shake and release the Titans. The cult members bow to them, but the Titans ask to know who it was that released them. When Gabrielle comes forward they kneel to her, honoring her as the "Liberator of the Titans", and promising to do her will.

We move to Xena, who has chased Hesiot into a tavern. Xena quickly takes control of the situation, tying up Hesiot. At that moment, another band of thugs arrives to rescue him. Realizing that she is outnumbered, Xena weighs up her options when Gabrielle arrives, with the Titans in tow. The thugs attempt to flee, but Gabrielle gives the order for the Titans to 'disperse the ruffians' and they oblige. She then introduces them to Xena, who is less than impressed with the whole situation.

Oblivious, Gabrielle gives the three Titans orders for clearing the road, fortifying the dam and cleaning out the well – the jobs the villagers needed completed. While Crius and Thea seem happy to oblige, Hyperion is clearly unhappy taking orders from Gabrielle, whom he doesn't believe to be a goddess. While the villagers celebrate Gabrielle, Xena and Hesiot are also less than convinced that all is as it seems. Xena questions how long Gabrielle is going to be able to convince the Titans that she is a goddess. Gabrielle is adamant that she trusts them, however, and has complete control of the situation.

Later, the Titans return from their 'chores', hungry and looking to be fed. When Gabrielle offers for them to share with the villagers, Hyperion loses his temper, and demands that Gabrielle use her 'godly powers' to create a feast for them. Backed into a corner, Gabrielle tries to keep the act up and threatens the Titans with her wrath. Clearly unconvinced, Hyperion blows Gabrielle over, proving to them all that she is not a goddess after all. Xena comes out to act as Gabrielle's protector, as the Titans are now angry and want to punish her. Xena slices Hyperion's foot with her sword, and as the villagers flee to safety, Hyperion begins to destroy the village in a violent rage. They all flee to a temple, which is holy ground for both the Titans and the villagers, and thus they are safe there.

Back at the Titan's cave, Hyperion remarks that Crius is still in love with Thea, who is clearly with Hyperion now. Hyperion then gets up to leave, intending to go after Xena, who is standing in the way of them getting at Gabrielle. Hyperion declares that they still need Gabrielle for the second chant, and the other two both agree.

Back at the temple, more homeless villagers are arriving. Hyperion stands outside and declares that he will continue to destroy their village and all in it until Xena and Gabrielle give themselves up. The villagers are already becoming hostile towards the pair for the damage that has been caused.

Meanwhile, Gabrielle discusses the situation with the young priest, Phillius. He feels responsible for the events because it was his idea to try and release the Titans. To make him feel better, Gabrielle accepts half the blame. Overhearing their conversation, Hesiot remarks that they are both idiots, and that the 'old' Xena would have known what to do in this situation. He argues that the Titans will be looking for an ally, and therefore the smart thing to do would be to switch sides and join forces with the Titans. He offers to be Xena's lieutenant.

When a village woman comes hysterical into the temple and says that the village children have not returned from a holy walk, Xena decides to go looking for them, leaving Hesiot to be guarded by a villager. Outside Hyperion hears the children approaching the Titan's cave, and chases them inside where he plans to kill them all. Crius stands up to him, arguing that killing children is wrong, and the pair begin to fight, causing the cave to start crashing down around them. Xena arrives in time to save the children, but in a rage Hyperion murders Crius, much to Thea's horror.

Back in the temple, Hesiot had been working on convincing the villagers to turn against Xena and join forces with the Titans. When Xena arrives back with the rescued children, the men strike, capturing Xena so that they can give her to the Titans. On the way to the cave, Hesiot talks up how the Titans are going to make them kings. Inside the wagon in which they've got Xena imprisoned, however, Xena is hurriedly making her escape.

When Hesiot approaches the Titans and presents the wagon where Xena was imprisoned, they find her gone. Furious, Hyperion kills Hesiot and the villager. The Titans return to the cave where Hyperion tries to convince Thea that all can still go to plan. He intends to use Gabrielle to awaken the rest of the Titans in order to declare war on the Olympian gods. Xena, having escaped Hesiot, hides in the cave, overhearing the conversation.

Xena returns to the temple and explains the Titan's plan to the villagers. Realizing that they need Xena's help, the villagers follow her lead and begin to put together a plan to defeat the Titans. While they are working, Gabrielle and Phillius come up with another plan. It turns out that there is a chant which puts the Titans back to sleep, hidden under the altar in the cave. Gabrielle is very enthusiastic about it, but when they explain it to Xena she brushes it off as being too dangerous.

Later that evening, Xena begins waking the villagers up to put the plan into action. She finds Gabrielle and Phillius sleeping in a close embrace in a private chamber. Xena is clearly worried that Gabrielle may have done something foolish during the night. When Xena isn't looking, Gabrielle disobeys her instructions and takes off for the cave alone. In the cave Gabrielle sneaks past the sleeping Titans and retrieves the correct chant from under the altar. Just as she is opening the scroll to read it, however, she is captured by Thea, who has awoken.

Caught by the Titans, Hyperion tries to force Gabrielle to read the chant to awaken the other Titans. Gabrielle, using her extensive stalling techniques, tries to hold off on reading the chant until Xena and the reinforcements arrive. Just as Gabrielle runs out of ideas, and in desperation declares that the chants aren't working because she is no longer a virgin, Xena arrives with the villagers. Using herself as bait, Xena and the villagers trap Hyperion's arm, and prepare to kill him. Just as Xena goes in for the kill, Thea interrupts; begging Xena not to kill him and handing her the chant that will put them back to sleep. Gabrielle calls for the chant because it turns out she is still a virgin and was deliberately misreading the other chant.

Just as Xena is passing the chant to Gabrielle, Hyperion frees himself from the shackle, and tears the chant in half with a piece flying onto a rock. He battles with Xena, and then realizing that Gabrielle is the key, changes direction and goes after her instead. Working quickly, Xena retrieves the missing piece and using her whip as a rope, swings down, knocking Hyperion into a hole in the cavern and giving Gabrielle the chant to read. Gabrielle reads it and as they wait, the Titans become stone again.

Back in the temple, Gabrielle says goodbye to Phillius. As she and Xena leave, they apologize to each other for the last few days, and reaffirm their friendship. As they set off, Xena jokingly warns Gabrielle to never touch her horse again.


Cast

Lucy Lawless as Xena

Renée O'Connor as Gabrielle

Mark Raffety as Hyperion

Amanda Tollemache as Thea

Edward Campbell as Crius

Andy Anderson as Hesiot

Paolo Rotondo as Philius

Syd Mannion as Calchas

David Mackie as Rhodos

Jack Dacey as Creon

Sian Hughes as Young Woman

Peter Morgan as Barkeep

Maggie Tarver as Villager #1

Simon Cameron as Villager #2

Tania Anderson as First Woman

Julianne Evans as Second Woman


Disclaimer 
There was no humorous disclaimer for this episode.


Quotes

"Don't be sorry, just improve."
-- Xena in "The Titans"

"May I speak to you, oh sacred one?"
-- Xena in "The Titans"

"You just think I'm a kid."
"No I don't, I just don't have time to convince you right now."
-- Gabrielle and Xena in "The Titans"

"Well, that's your problem! I'm not a virgin anymore!"
-- Gabrielle in "The Titans"


Trivia

The chant used to free and imprison the Titans is spoken in Greek. However, the English translation makes little sense: "Thank you very much! So and so! Hello, Good morning! Hello Goodnight! Hello..." and then the words "Kali noches" - good night again, but as mixture of Greek and panish.

Xena does not use her chakram in this episode.