Category: TV Reviews

Livia – Director: Rick Jacobson/Writer: Chris Manheim

This one starts with a bloodthirsty general named Livia leading Roman troops in slaughter and slave-taking. She’s congratulated by Ares, who’s happy that she’s been named successor to the Roman Emperor, and that they’ll soon be able to wipe out all of Eli’s followers. Continue reading “Xena Reviews: Season 5, Episode 20”

Looking Death in the Eye – Director: Garth Maxwell/Writer: Carl Ellsworth

This one starts in the future, with a somewhat elderly Joxer buying one of Gabi’s scrolls from some shady vendor in a tavern. Meg’s not too happy about it (maybe jealous because he still carries a torch for Gabi), but a couple of their kids are happy to have him read the story. Continue reading “Xena Reviews: Season 5, Episode 19”

Antony and Cleopatra – Director: Michael Hurst/Writer: Carl Ellsworth

This one starts with Cleopatra considering whether to ally with Marc Antony or Brutus, since each of them needs her navy to win their civil war. Continue reading “Xena Reviews: Season 5, Episode 18”

Kindred Spirits – Director: Josh Becker/Writers: George Strayton, Tom O’Neill

This one starts with some Amazons (the same tribe from last episode, including Cyane, Eris, and Rhea) bathing and discussing how great it is to have Xena, Gabi, and Eve around. Eris mentions that she asked Gabi to be their permanent queen, which doesn’t make Cyane happy. Continue reading “Xena Reviews: Season 5, Episode 17”

Lifeblood – Director: Paul Grinder, Michael Hurst/Story: Rob Tapert, R.J. Stewart/Teleplay: R.J. Stewart, George Strayton, Tom O’Neil

This one starts with Xena and Gabi taking Eve to the Northern Amazons to induct her into the tribe so Gabi can give Eve her Right of Caste. When they arrive, they find the Amazons have been attacked by Samite raiders and many of the tribe are dead, including the shamaness Yakut and their friend Amarice. But Yakut’s spirit is still there and shows Xena a vision of the Amazons’ distant past, when they were fighting a tribe of men called the Varanas. Continue reading “Xena Reviews: Season 5, Episode 16”

Married With Fishsticks – Director: Paul Grinder/Writer: Kevin Maynard

This one starts with Gabi having trouble settling Eve down when she’s crying. Gabi used to be good with kids, but fears she’s lost her touch. Continue reading “Xena Reviews: Season 5, Episode 15”

Amphipolis Under Siege – Director: Mark Beesley/Writer: Chris Black

On a road near Amphipolis, some border guards try to hold up a woman (Ilainus) dressed in silver armour. She turns out to be the leader of a cohort of silver-clad women, who prepare to waste all the guards. Continue reading “Xena Reviews: Season 5, Episode 14”

Eternal Bonds – Director: Mark Beesley/Writer: Chris Manheim

This one starts with Xena and Gabi fleeing the wrath of the gods, who have sent lightning and a tornado to kill Xena’s child (Eve), who they believe heralds their end. A cloaked figure directs Xena and Gabi to a cave, where they run into Joxer (and I can’t help wondering how he heard about the baby being born). Continue reading “Xena Reviews: Season 5, Episode 13”

God Fearing Child – Director: Philip Sgriccia/Story: Chris Manheim/Teleplay: Robert Gaston Orci, Alex Kurtzman

This one starts with Zeus hearing a prophecy from the Fates that the birth of a child not begotten of man (in other words, Xena’s baby) will herald the end of the gods. Xena and Gabi run into Hercules (who has a stuffed hydra named Iolaus for the unborn baby) and they’re attacked by Proxidicae, soldiers sent by Zeus. They pound the Proxidicae and learn that Zeus wants Xena’s baby dead. Continue reading “Xena Reviews: Season 5, Episode 12”

Punch Lines – Director: Andrew Merrifield/Writer: Chris Manheim

This is another clip show (this time focusing on humorous clips), with another elaborate framing device. Xena and Gabi are spending the night in one of Aphrodite’s temples and Gabi tries to get some writing done, but she has writer’s block. Continue reading “Xena Reviews: Season 5, Episode 11”