-> Directed by Creator/CharlesSiebert
-> Written by Creator/AdamArmus and Creator/NoraKayFoster

In an attempt to win Xena back to lead his army, Ares masterminds a plot involving Xena's estranged father Atrius.

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!!This episode contains examples of:
* AsskickingLeadsToLeadership: Xena displays a devastating beatdown of Kirilus in order to convince his army to join her in battle.
* CruelMercy: [[spoiler: When Kirilus gets defeated by Xena, Ares appears to tell him what a chump and then just leaves him there]]. Evidently, he feels that leaving the guy alive to his humiliation is more satisfying than killing him outright.
* GoThroughMe: Gabrielle draws a line in the sand between Xena and the villagers she wants to slaughter. The fact that Gabrielle hit her on the back is what gets Xena back to her senses.
* LukeIAmYourFather: Atrius appears and tells Xena that he is her father. [[spoiler: SubvertedTrope. It's actually Ares in disguise]].
* RapePillageAndBurn: Xena commands her army to capture everyone in the village where Atrius was tied up.
* SlasherSmile: Xena has one one her face when she was at the cusp of completing the FaceHeelTurn.
* ToxicFriendInfluence: [[spoiler: Atrius' actions begin to influence Xena back to her warlord ways. This is actually all part of Ares' plan]].
* YouAreWhatYouHate: Gabrielle accuses Xena of becoming a warlord again, the very thing Xena saved Gabrielle from when they first met.
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->'''Disclaimer:''' ''[[NoAnimalsWereHarmed No Fathers, Spiritual or Biological, were harmed during the production of this motion picture.]]''