Written by Chris Manheim
Directed by Charles Siebert
When Cupid's child takes hold of his arrows, many people fall in love to the wrong people.
Tropes
- Bait-and-Switch: Done twice. The number of stray clothing implied that Xena and Draco as well as Gabrielle and Joxer had sex. Instead, it's revealed that the former were arm wrestling while the later were singing a tune.
- After Gabrielle is hit with an arrow, the episode builds it up that the person she's going to see and fall in love with is Xena, but Joxer steps into her line of sight at the last second.
- Batman Gambit: Xena adds an Amazon (Gabrielle) to the list of women to sell to Pinullus, knowing that Draco would object to giving up his love.
- Bittersweet Ending: The Hestians are safe and Draco's gonna try being a hero, but Joxer is depressed about his sincere love for Gabrielle unknowingly being laughed off as ridiculous.
- Continuity Nod:
- Craigan references how Xena got the better of Zagreas. Draco dismisses Zagreas as a fool.
- As things get crazy, Joxer wonders if Aphrodite is behind this because of the last time they crossed paths.
- Cupid's Arrow: Cupid's kid shoots arrows indiscriminately, creating love in all the wrong places.
- The Dragon: Craigan to Draco.
- Exact Words: After promising he wouldn't hurt the one that Gabrielle loves, Draco says he'll cut off Joxer's head so fast that he won't even feel it.
- Good Feels Good: Draco's thoughts on becoming a good guy... immediately after punching out Pinullus.
- Hidden in Plain Sight: Xena got the Hestian virgins to change out of their formal robes and dress like everyday villagers. Draco lampshades the trope and is most impressed.
- Love Hurts: The episode ends with Joxer sitting next to the campfire, saddened at the fact that Gabrielle will likely never fall in love with him.
- Love Redeems: Xena hopes that by keeping Draco under the arrow's spell that he will eventually redeem himself. It looks like it will be a long road ahead of him.
- Murder the Hypotenuse: Draco is perfectly willing to go this far to have Gabrielle.Gabrielle: Did I mention I'm a widow?
Draco: No. But I guess that's lucky, saves me having to kill your husband [laughs]
Gabrielle: Now, look, I didn't wanna tell you this 'cause, well, I didn't wanna hurt your feelings, but I can't love you because I'm in love with someone else!
Draco: Who? Who are you in love with?
Gabrielle: Like, I'm gonna tell you? - Nature Adores a Virgin: Draco strives to sell a group of Hestian virgins to Pinullus, likely due to the desirability of their virginity.
- Oblivious to Love: Despite the hi-jicks, Gabrielle doesn't find out Joxer is truly in love with her.
- Romance Ensues: First Xena falls in love with Draco, then Gabrielle with Joxer and then Draco with Gabrielle.
- Sad Clown: When Gabrielle is laughing about how ridiculous it would be for her and Joxer to be in love, Joxer can only respond with a monotone and disprited "Ha-ha". Xena places her hand on his shoulder to comfort him, but he's clearly almost in tears.
- Theme Tune: Joxer again. He even gets Gabrielle to sing the song along with him.
- This Index Is a Bitch: Xena: "Well ain't love a bitch!"
- Villain Respect: As ever, Draco commends Xena's skills and gambits.
- Wrong Genre Savvy: Joxer initially thinks Aphrodite is behind all these love shenanigans. Xena disagrees because it's too random, whereas Aphrodite typically has an objective.
