It has been over 30 years since Xena: Warrior Princess first debuted in 1995, yet thanks to the rising popularity of streaming services, the legacy of the show lives on to this day. Xena: Warrior Princess began as a spin-off of Hercules: The Legendary Journeys and carved out its own place in television history. At the center of it all was series lead Lucy Lawless as the warrior Xena, a former warlord, on a quest for redemption from the events of her past.
During the time and in retrospect, the series was groundbreaking by placing a strong female lead in a genre that was usually dominated by men. The series predates Buffy the Vampire Slayer, a show with a similar claim, by two years. Xena takes storytelling risks, giving it a timeless quality that makes it relevant three decades later. The following are but a few of the most memorable and important episodes of the series.
Julius Caesar Places a Bounty on Xena’s Head in Season 4, Episode 21, “The Ides of March”
The episode begins by showing Callisto, one of the most prominent villains of Xena: Warrior Princess, being tormented in Hell. She strikes a bargain with Hell’s ruler to aid Julius Ceaser in his rise to power while corrupting Xena. She cannot harm Xena directly, but her influence leads to the events that unfold in the episode. Meanwhile, Caesar has placed a massive bounty on Xena’s head, forcing her to confront him. While Xena tries to deal with Caesar, Gabrielle is captured by Brutus.
Though Gabrielle had accidentally killed before this episode, it stands out because this marks the first time that she willingly makes a conscious choice to kill to help Xena, who has been incapacitated by a spell from Callisto. Gabrielle had often been the voice of morality and restraint, reminding Xena of the value of mercy. By crossing that line herself, Gabrielle shows just how much the world they live in has changed her.
Season 1, Episode 22, “Callisto” Introduces 1 of Xena’s Greatest Villains
Callisto in Xena: Warrior Princess.
Image via Universal Televsion
A series that focuses on a hero can only be as great as its most prominent villain, and this episode introduces Xena’s biggest rival. Callisto quickly distinguished herself from Xena’s other foes, as her issue with her was deeply personal and rooted in Xena’s history as a warlord. Years after Xena destroyed her village of Cirra, Callisto began committing acts of violence disguised as Xena to ruin her reputation as she tries to right the wrongs of her past.
The introduction of Callisto heightened the stakes of the series and showed that not everyone could forgive Xena. This forces Gabrielle to accept that the sins of Xena’s past may always haunt them. The episode stands as one of the most important in the history of Xena: Warrior Princess, as it would lay the framework for many of the prominent storylines moving forward.
Xena and Gabrielle Confront the Olympians in Season 5, Episode 22, “Motherhood”
Gabrielle in the “Motherhood” episode of Xena: Warrior Princess.
Image via Universal Televsion
The season five finale of Xena: Warrior Princess raises the stakes of the series to a new level with the return of Gabrielle and Xena’s daughter, Eve. The gods of Olympus fear Eve’s return as she is tied to the Twilight of the Gods prophecy. The Gods sent the Furies to manipulate Gabrielle to have her kill Even to save themselves. The episode highlights the maternal side of Xena, showing the lengths she will go to protect her child.
The primary mythology of the series is permanently altered by the events of the season five finale, with the death of several of the Olympian gods setting the stage for the final season. The episode also shows the god Ares sacrificing his immortality to save Xena and company. “Motherhood” is Xena: Warrior Princess at its best, showing Xena and her strongest and most vulnerable moments in a single episode.
Gabrielle Sacrifices Herself in Xena: Warrior Princess Season 3, Episode 22, Sacrifice II
Xena and Gabrielle in the Sacrifice II episode of Xena: Warrior Princess.
Image via Universal Television
In the season 3 finale of Xena: Warrior Princess, Gabrielle makes the difficult decision to sacrifice herself and her daughter, Hope, to save Xena. The episode closes the two-part storyline that introduces Hope as the primary antagonist. Hope plans to complete a ritual that will unleash the evil god Dahak. This is a pivotal moment in Gabrielle’s development as a character, forcing her to come to terms with the fact that her child represents a threat to the world.
The episode is also one of the most memorable for Callisto. Callisto allies herself with Xena and Gabrielle against Hope under the condition that Xena will kill her and grant her peace. When Xena is grieving the loss of Gabrielle, Callisto taunts her, which is likely to cause Xena to fulfill her half of their bargain.
Xena: Warrior Princess Season 3, Episode 2, “Been There, Done That” Pays Homage to Groundhog Day
Xena in the “Been There, Done That” episode of Xena: Warrior Princess.
Image via Universal Television
The second episode of season 3 of Xena: Warrior Princess highlights one of the show’s strengths: blending comedy with action and mythology. The entry is often described as Xena’s take on Groundhog Day and exemplifies the lighter side of the series. The episode was a refreshing break from the Monster-of-the-Week format and allowed the writers to further explore the differing aspects of Xena and Gabrielle’s reaction to the repetitive situation.
This is one of the best examples of the acting range of Lucy Lawless in the series, as her frustration mounts throughout the episode. “Been There, Done That” is not only one of the best episodes of Xena: Warrior Princess, but it is also one of the more unique and well-done episodes of 90s television, proving why the show had such a wide appeal to viewers.
Xena and Gabrielle’s Relationship is Tested in Season 3, Episode 11, “Maternal Instincts”
The Season 3 episode of Xena: Warrior Princess, “Maternal Instincts,” is one of the more emotionally impactful entries of the series. In the episode, the villain Callisto is freed from her prison by a woman named Fayla. In the land of Centaurs, Fayla comes to Gabrielle, claiming to have a message for Xena from Callisto. When Gabrielle is alone with Fayla, she discovers a toy that she gifted to her daughter Hope, and Fayla admits she is a magically-aged Hope.
In an attempt to shield her daughter, Gabrielle takes her to a hut where Xena’s son, Xenan, is hidden. In a moment of betrayal, Hope murders Xena’s son. By the end of the episode, both Gabrielle’s and Xena’s children are killed, driving a rift between the two friends. The grief, anger, and betrayal that follow Solan’s death ripple through the series, changing both characters forever.
Xena: Warrior Princess Season 3, Episode 13, “One Against an Army” Highlights Xena and Gabrielle’s Bond
Gabrielle in the One Against an Army episode Xena.
Image via Universal Television
In this episode of Xena: Warrior Princess, the relationship between Xena and Gabrielle takes center stage and puts the pair against impossible odds. When Gabrielle is gravely injured by a poisoned arrow, Xena must hold off an entire Persian army alone while also fighting to save her best friend’s life. The episode features some of the best battle sequences in the series’s history. “One Against an Army” shows the strength of the series’ ability to balance action while staying true to the emotional core of the episode.
In that way, the episode combines all the traits that fans love about Xena: Warrior Princess. The character-driven stakes and the high-paced action make “One Against an Army” one of the most memorable entries of the series. The episode follows several others that saw Xena and Gabrielle at odds, so it reminded viewers that their bond would endure despite their differences.
Xena Receives a Message From Her Old Mention in Season 3, Episode 6, “The Debt”
Lucy Lawless as Xena in The Debt episode of Xena: Warrior Princess.
Image via Universal Television
The sixth entry of the third season is perhaps the most cinematic episode of Xena: Warrior Princess and is told across two episodes. Xena and Gabrielle receive a message from a dying messenger. The summons is from her former master, Lao Ma. It is revealed that Lao Ma has been assassinated by her son, and Xena must journey to her old stomping grounds to put an end to his terror. Through flashbacks, viewers experience Xena’s time in China and how she came to know Lao Ma.
The introduction of Lao Ma highlights that Xena’s current path of redemption was not forged alone. The episode tests Xena’s journey by having her confront her past, which clashes with her current ideals. “The Debt” is widely considered one of the best episodes of the series because the flashbacks reveal the grander scope of Xena’s history as a warlord.
The Comedic Aspects of Xena: Warrior Princess Shine in Season 2, Episode 15, “A Day in the Life”
Xena and Gabrielle in the A Day in the Life episode of Xena Warrior Princess.
Image via Universal Television
Xena: Warrior Princess was perhaps best known for its epic battles, but sometimes the series was at its best during the more light-hearted and comedic episodes. The episode follows Xena and Gabrielle through a typical day as they argue over breakfast and deal with the mundane issues of a local village. As they capture the leader of a gang of robbers, they learn another village is to be attacked. On their way to stop the second attack, they were approached by a man named Hover from another village that was being besieged by a giant.
To determine which problem to deal with first, Xena flips a coin. As the episode unfolds and both problems are dealt with, the episode ends just as it began, with Xena and Gabrielle playfully bickering and staring at the stars. The episode humanized the two heroes for fans and gave viewers a deeper look at the day-to-day dynamic between Xena and Gabrielle.
Xena: Warrior Princess Goes Full Musical in Season 3, Episode 12, “The Bitter Suite”
Before Buffy the Vampire Slayer tackled the musical, Xena: Warrior Princess did it first in the episode “The Bitter Suite.” Following the fallout from Solan’s death, Xena and Gabrielle’s friendship is shattered, leading them into a surreal, musical, dream-like reality where they must confront their pain through song. The episode was a major experiment and risk for network television during the time, and ended up being a roaring success.
“The Bitter Suite” proved to fans that the series was willing to take risks and proved that they could pay off. Xena: Warrior Princess leaned into the musical format to explore some of the show’s darker feelings between its two leads. The episode established the series as a storytelling powerhouse and remains one of the most memorable episodes three decades after its initial release.
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Release Date
1995 – 2001-00-00
Showrunner
Sam Raimi
Directors
Sam Raimi
Writers
Sam Raimi
