Written by Terry Winter
Directed by Andrew Merrifield
Xena, Gabrielle and Autolycus pull off a spectacular heist to retrieve the golden statue of Pax.
Tropes
- As You Know: Xena and Gabrielle briefly discuss why Autolycus originally became a thief. It's stuff they both already know, but it's exposition that hadn't really been talked about in the years since Auto's first appearance on Hercules: The Legendary Journeys.
- Brilliant, but Lazy: In a darker sense. Xena muses that were Autolycus to go down a darker path, his disguise and escape skills would make him a master assassin. She, of course, wants to avoid that completely.
- Continuity Nod: When asking for help, Autolycus reminds Xena of the time she possessed his body.
- Escape Artist: Tarses has Autolycus tied up with 200 locks. Slowly but surely, he picks them all anyway. Xena opts to leave him to it on the grounds that he'd be mad if she did try to help.
- Hidden in Plain Sight: Autolycus, inspired by the false tunnel painted over the wall he saw in the castle, paints the golden statue of Pax to blend in with the background.
- Honor Before Reason: Autolycus is insistent on doing this adventure his way, as that's how he'll regain his reputation as the King of Thieves.
- Hope Spot: Xena and Gabrielle learn that Autolycus didn't tell them about his history with Tarses. Xena hoped that meant it just didn't matter now, but she realizes later Autolycus is planning to kill Tarses.
- Impossible Theft: Involved with the Pax statute twice. The first time is when the statute is first stolen from town from out of nowhere. Everyone assumed Autolycus was involved, but it was actually his rival Tarses who's both trying to tarnish his name and prove to be the better thief. Autolycus manages to one-up him in the climax by seemingly disappearing... along with the statute itself minutes before the winning bidder could claim it for himself. All while forcing Tarses to admit Autolycus is the better thief. Autolycus later revealed he painted the statute in the color of the wall to give it the appearance of having been stolen. And for reference, the statute is made of pure stone and over 10 feet tall.
- It's Personal: Twice over for Autolycus. The successful theft of the statue threatens to take away his title as King of Thieves. He then learns that the ringleader is Tarses, the man who responsible for his brother's death.
- Mirror Character: Xena and Autolycus both have dead brothers that serve as reminders for the paths they've chosen.
- O.O.C. Is Serious Business: The normally comical and light-hearted Autolycus is out for blood in the fourth act.
- Thou Shalt Not Kill: The episode stresses the importance of this for Autolycus. He comes close to breaking this rule in order to avenge his brother, but Xena talks him down.
- Tranquil Fury: When captured, Autolycus remains completely calm and relaxed. Tarses says he knows that deep down, Autolycus is full of hatred for him. He was right.
- What the Hell Is That Accent?: Xena disguises herself as a rival buyer for the statute. Her accent is clearly that of a person from Brooklyn, but given such an accent wouldn't appear and over a millennium it's hard to tell where it could have possibly come from. Even Lucy Lawless herself couldn't help but cringe at her performance.
