Written by Steven L Sears
Directed by Rick Jacobson
Ares sends Xena and Gabrielle on a competition against his latest champion with ulterior motives.
Tropes
- Cleavage Window: Mavican's combat outfit doesn't leave much to the imagination.
- Dude, Where's My Respect?: Gabrielle is upset that Xena is still protecting her.
- Knows the Ropes: All three women use vines either to trip up, choke or tie up their opponents. Understandable since none of them have their weapons.
- Literal Genie: Mavican learns the hard way why one shouldn't ask the God of War for help.Mavican: What are you doing, Ares?! You said I could ask!
Ares: Yeah, I said you could. I never said you should. - Locked in a Room: Xena intentionally caves her and Mavican in to get her opponent to ask for help.
- No-Harm Requirement: Only Gabrielle can kill Mavican. Every time Xena has a chance to kill, Mavican disappears.
- Settle It Without Weapons: None of the women have their signature weapons with them. They will have to make some on their own.
- Strike Me Down with All of Your Hatred!: Ares' true goal in the competition. He senses Gabrielle's frustrations with Xena's lack of respect as well as her progress as a fighter. He hopes that by killing Mavican, he can lead Gabrielle down a path to being his next champion.
- Swap Teleportation: Xena and Gabrielle switch between their bodies; Xena appears in the day while Gabrielle appears at night.
- Thinking Up Portals: Ares creates a portal to transport the women to a different area (against their will in Xena and Gabrielle's case). He later creates another one to get Xena out of the cave.
- Trail of Blood: Mavican injures Gabrielle and uses her blood to track her down.
