Written by Chris Manheim
Directed by Doug Lefler
Xena and Gabrielle wake up 25 years after faking their deaths to a resurgent Roman Empire and a new warrior named Livia as its greatest champion.
Tropes
- Ancient Rome: By now, Rome has fully become an empire taking up a kingdom similar to its height in power as in Real Life.
- Ancient Grome: Despite the time being the height of the Roman Empire, they still worship the Greek pantheon and name them as such.
- The Bard: Joxer's son Virgil has taken up to writing, the same profession Gabrielle took up in the past.
- Blackmail: When Ares discovers that Livia is Eve, he resorts to this to Xena. He claims he will keep Livia's true identity a secret if Xena takes up his original offer of conceiving a child with him.
- Dating What Mommy Hates: Xena is pissed to see Ares smooching with her daughter as well as following his ways.
- Deadly Distant Finale: Argo was a strong healthy horse, but she was already a adult when during her time with Xena. So it's no surprise that she died in the twenty-five years since Xena's faked death since horses only live 25-30 years even in the modern era. The upside is that Joxer and Meg took her in and gave her a loving home until she died peacefully.
- Formerly Fit: Joxer was never the most fit person in the Xenaverse, but it's clear that he aged badly over the years. He can't even hold a sword without falling over.
- Gladiator Games: Xena takes on her own daughter Eve in The Coliseum.
- Gasshole: Meg really let those beans get to her.
- Hates Their Parent: Eve is unforgiving to Xena for leaving her behind for all those years, even when it wasn't her fault.
- Illegal Religion: The persecution of the followers of Eli have only gotten worse over the years. They are now being rounded up and executed, with a few being forced to fight Roman soldiers in Coliseums.
- Like Father, Unlike Son: Virgil (William Gregory Lee) is absolutely nothing like his father Joxer. He would rather be a writer than a warrior as his father tried to be. Even then, he proves to be a better fighter than Joxer ever was. And he's rather handsome to boot.
- May–December Romance: Octavius has fallen in love with Eve and is currently dating her, despite being many years her senior and raising her up as his daughter. Oddly enough, the episode doesn't consider this to be
Squick. - Near Misses: Xena uselessly but dramatically catches daggers out of midair that seem to have been aimed somewhere over her shoulders.
- On the Rebound: When Ares confronts Xena, the god of war admits that his love for Livia is nothing compared to that of Xena now that she has returned, breaking Livia's heart in the process.Ares: Well, you're right. She's not you. Because if I thought, for one moment that you being here meant we had a second chance, I'd drop her like a nasty habit.
- Parental Substitute: Octavius, now known as Augustus Caesar, has been this to Eve in Xena's absence.
- Souvenir Land: Joxer and Meg end up creating a tavern that doubles as a gift shop for merchandise on Xena and Gabrielle.
- Throw the Dog a Bone: Joxer exaggerated a lot of his involvement with Xena and Gabrielle as he felt that he could never catch up to them in skill. When he was about to tell the truth to his son Virgil, Gabrielle steps in and saves face for him.Joxer: Virgil, all the stories I told you about me being a hero are, uh...
Gabrielle: They're inspiring. - Turned Out Like Her Mother: Xena is horrified to see that her daughter Eve has taken up the path as a ruthless warrior for the Roman Empire, hunting down followers of Eli while in a secret romance with Ares. Basically, Eve has become everything Xena was before her Heel–Face Turn.
- You Are What You Hate: After swearing to to find the forbidden child Eve, Livia is shocked to discover that she is that child.
