Chariots of War

Season one, episode 2

In Chariots of War, Xena rescues a village from an evil warlord and his not so evil son. She is given the chance to settle down with a ready made family.

Whilst defending a village against an attack by evil warlord Cycnus and his son Sphaerus, Xena saves the life of a young boy and is hit by an arrow. Wounded she is unable to stop their brutal attack. Darius, the young boy’s father, nurses Xena’s wound and insists that she stay with him and his children until it is healed. Whilst Xena lays wounded the village is attacked again at night.

The next day, Gabrielle meets Sphaerus but is unaware of what has happened to Xena and the villagers. Being a chatty Cathy, Gabrielle reveals the warrior woman’s identity.

Darius and the other townspeople meet with Sphaerus to arrange a peace, not knowing that Cycnus has given his son orders to slaughter them all. Ever cautious , Xena insists on accompanying Darius to the meeting dressed in his dead wife’s blue dress. Xena manages to thwart the warlord’s plans but Cycnus is persistent although his son is rethinking his career.

Cynus beleives his son to be a coward and father and son come to blows.  Xena kills Cynus before he can kill his son and in the end Sphaerus brokers a peace deal with the townspeople.

I’m not quite sure about this one. This is where we first see signs of Gabrielle falling for the man of the week. I can’t put my finger on my reasons but, I’m not fond of this episode. It could have been the sight of Xena in that blue dress, so un-warrior princess like.

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