Written by Chris Manheim
Directed by Doug Lefler
As Livia continues her reign of terror on the followers of Eli, Xena wonders if she would have to put down her own daughter to save them.
Tropes
-
Alas, Poor Scrappy: Say what you want about Joxer, but most people were moved by his death. - Crucial Cross: Xena comes across a village where many people have been crucified.
- Dies Wide Open: Joxer
- Divine Intervention: Just as Livia is about to kill Xena, a bright light shines upon her, causing her to remember her journey from Callisto completing her reincarnation in the womb to all the times Xena took care of her as a baby.
- Dressing as the Enemy: Joxer disguises himself as a Roman soldier and stalls long enough for Xena and Virgil to arrive and save Gabrielle.
- Feel No Pain:Joxer: What? What's the matter with you guys? I'm gonna be fine. Come on. I'm a little cold, but it doesn't hurt anymore.
- Genre Savvy: Livia seems to know just what Gabrielle was going to say after the later got her captured.Livia: You thought if you could just talk to me heart to heart? You could convince me that Xena wants only to help me and if I could find it within myself, to give her a chance, Mommy would make it all better.
- Heel–Faith Turn: Livia realizes what she's been doing is wrong and abandons her quest against the followers of Eli.
- I Have No Daughter: After Joxer dies, Xena is willing to kill Livia to save the remaining followers of Eli.
- In the Blood: Both Xena and Ares believe that Livia's fighting spirit came from being the mother of the Destroyer of Nations. Gabrielle later points out that this also means that she's capable of redemption.
- Irony: Livia has taken in the worst aspects of Callisto , even though the later reincarnated when she became an angel and had hoped that she would share her best aspects to Eve after her Heel–Face Turn.
- It's All My Fault: Xena blames herself for Livia's warpath when she didn't take the opportunity to kill her.
- Moral Event Horizon: Once Joxer is killed, everyone agrees that Livia must be killed.
- Near Misses: Xena uselessly but dramatically catches daggers out of midair that seem to have been aimed somewhere over her shoulders.
- Prayer Is a Last Resort: Distraught with the thought of having to kill Livia, Xena prays to Eli for the first time. It's rare to see the warrior princess resort to prayer as it is.Xena: Eli, wherever you are, I know you can hear me. I'm having a little trouble understanding your message, Eli. I'm a warrior. I have a warrior's heart and yet, you told me to fight my enemies with compassion instead of the sword. Well, now I find I have to kill my own daughter. My own flesh and blood. Is this what you meant when you said I must love my enemy? Show me another way. Where's your infinite love?
- Revenge Before Reason: Even when it seemed that Xena has gotten through to Eve, Virgil uses the opportunity to take a slash at her. This in turn causes her to flee the scene.
- Senseless Sacrifice: Xena was ready to free Gabrielle with her chakram, but Joxer barged ahead with sword raised... right into the blade of Livia.
- Spiteful Spit: A villager spits on Xena's face when she tries to help her, blaming her for Livia's attack on the village.
- Turn the Other Cheek: Livia mocks the statement as her soldiers continue to kill the followers of Eli. Notable as this is a similar phrase used by Christians.
