Callisto is my all time favourite Xena: Warrior Princess villain. True, she is a sociopath but she’s cute with it and I can’t help feeling sorry for her on occasion.
Callisto is an evil warlord, just as Xena once was. Her raison d’être is to kill Xena who she blames for the death of her family.
She is so fanatical in her quest for revenge that she has trained herself to be as good a warrior as Xena. In a fight, she is almost Xena’s equal. We first see Callisto fully in the simply named episode, Callisto. Through the Xena and Hercules series, the character grows to become first immortal and then a god before being sent to Hell.
Follow the adventures of Callisto by watching the following episodes (listed in order of appearance). You’ll end up either loving her or hating her or in my case both. There may be spoilers ahead.
The Greater Good – Xena Season One
We briefly see Callisto perched up a tree as she shoots Xena with a poisonous arrow which disables her for the best part of the episode. To be honest, all we see are a pair of legs, we learn in the following episode that it is Callisto.
Callisto – Xena Season One
We come face to face with Callisto who is determined to exact revenge on Xena for killing her family.
Return of Callisto – Xena Season Two
Callisto escapes and murder’s Gabrielle’s beloved in her continued attempt to punish Xena.
Intimate Stranger – Xena Season Two
Xena’s life takes a nightmarish turn when Callisto escapes from the Underworld by infiltrating her dreams.
Ten Little Warlords – Xena Season Two
While still trapped in the body of her mortal enemy, Callisto, Xena is forced to enter a competition where warlords vie to become the new god of war.
Surprise – Hercules Season Three
Callisto returns from the afterlife when she makes a deal with Hera to kill Hercules in exchange for immortality.
A Necessary Evil – Xena Season Two
In order to stop the evil, and now immortal, Velasca from hunting down Gabrielle, Xena must unleash an even more depraved immortal to vanquish her…Callisto.
Maternal Instincts – Xena Season Three
Xena and Gabrielle meet with their respective offspring, Solan and Hope. But the reunions are hardly happy, thanks to Callisto.
The Bitter Suite – Xena Season Three
Xena and Gabrielle’s bitter conflict reaches its climax when both are transported to the dream world of Illusia to settle their mutual differences. Callisto acts as Xena’s guide.
Armageddon Now Part I – Hercules Season Four
Evil Hope frees Callisto and sends her back in time to keep Hercules from being born. (Part 1 of 2)
Armageddon Now Part II – Hercules Season Four
As Hercules tries to escape from the Netherworld, Iolaus travels back in time to prevent Callisto from killing Hercules’ mother. (Part 2 of 2)
Sacrifice Part I – Xena Season Three
Callisto returns to resurrect Gabrielle’s evil daughter Hope and build an army to conquer the world.
Sacrifice Part II – Xena Season Three
Gabrielle’s evil daughter Hope takes the form of her mother and joins forces with Ares to create a race of super-beings; Xena is forced to team up with Callisto to destroy Hope
Ides of March – Xena Season Four
Callisto returns from hell with a double mission: corrupt Xena and make Julius Caesar emperor.
Fallen Angel – Xena Season Five
Xena and Gabrielle’s crucified bodies are retrieved by their friends, meanwhile, in the afterlife, their souls team up with the archangel Michael to battle evil Callisto and the forces of hell.
Seeds of Faith – Xena Season Five
Eli takes on Ares in an effort to overthrow the gods and Xena finally learns the true identity of her baby’s father.
