Written by John Schulian
Directed by Bruce Seth Green
This episode provides examples of:
- Aesop Amnesia: Iolaus just learned a lesson in "Pride Comes Before a Brawl" about the dangers of pride and anger clouding his better judgment.
- Bait the Dog: We first see Xena, as she's meekly getting some water and being surrounded by violent thugs. Then she clobbers them before revealing she's their boss and is out to kill Hercules.
- Bittersweet Ending: Hercules and Iolaus repair their friendship, but they have a new enemy out there promising to return.
- Call-Back: "She's a monster, just like the Hydra, and the Nemean Lion, and the Stymphalian Bird. You didn't walk away from fighting them, Hercules, and you can't walk away from fighting her."
- Characterization Marches On: Xena is almost a completely different character than she will later be established in her own show. Her history as an evil warlord will be well known in her own show but here she’s trying to make a name for herself by killing Hercules whose never heard of her. Xena would also be known as a great leader with a mighty army but here she has to resort to her sexuality to recruit men who follow her at the prospect of sleeping with her. Jarringly Xena doesn’t even bother to fight Hercules, instead sending her army after him as she escapes. Thankfully her next appearance will be closer to how fans of her show will recognize her.
- Demonization: Xena claims she is readying an army to stand against a vicious warlord named Petrakis. The guy is actually a simple, old farmer, but Xena uses his name as a private joke. For an added gut punch, she previously manipulated Petrakis's only son into doing her bidding and got the guy killed.
- Didn't See That Coming: Xena gets the fight between Hercules and Iolaus that she wanted, but she's stunned that Iolaus tossed the guy a sword first to make it fair.
- Easily Condemned: It takes surprisingly little for Xena to convince Iolaus that his best friend in all the world is against him and killed one of her men in cold blood.
- Easily Forgiven: Well, what did you expect from Hercules? When it's all over, he picks up with Iolaus like nothing happened.
- Friendship Moment:
- Hercules assuring Iolaus that he'll be there for him if needed.
- How Hercules and Iolaus end their fight, though Xena ruins the mood by ordering the men to attack both heroes.
- Hercules forgiving Iolaus without a second thought.
- Hero Killer: Xena's ultimate goal is to enhance her reputation by killing Hercules. Petrakis reasons that no one will dare stand against her, if she manages such a feat.
- I Warned You: Averted. Iolaus expects a lecture for all this, but Hercules won't bother and just forgives him outright. Iolaus suggests he at least lecture him about his taste in women.
- My God, What Have I Done?: Iolaus after realizing he was duped by Xena.
- Noodle Incident: Hercules slaying the Nemean Lion was first referenced in the Underworld TV-Movie. He remarks to a villager that building the wall around Alcmene's home is a tougher challenge, as he's getting more blisters that way.
- One-Man Army: Hercules ends up pummeling much of Xena's army by himself. The sight of it convinces Xena to order a retreat.
- Outliving One's Offspring: Mentioned; when trying to convince Hercules to not give up, Petrakis takes him to the grave of his only son.
- Petrakis: The most painful thing a parent can do is bury a child.
- Overshadowed by Awesome: Xena plays on this to manipulate Iolaus.
- Plot-Mandated Friendship Failure: Reportedly, Kevin Sorbo didn't care for this episode because of how easily Xena was able to turn Iolaus against his lifelong friend.
- Rousing Speech: At his son's grave, Petrakis urges Hercules to not let Iolaus fall victim to Xena or let her run rampant.
- Running Gag: Hercules has taken to building a wall around Alcmene's house and insists on it being done right. His difficulty finding the time to actually finish it will be infrequently referenced well-into Season 4.
- Slashed Throat: Xena uses her chakram to dispose of Estragon this way for surrendering to Hercules and pleading for mercy.
- Tempting Fate: Iolaus is despondent over seeing a former lover is now married, but Hercules assures him that there are plenty of fish in the sea and that the perfect woman for him is out there. Cut to Xena and her big reveal.
- Unwitting Pawn:
- Xena schemes to work Iolaus up into attacking Hercules. She expects Hercules to easily kill him and be so distraught about killing his best friend that she'll be able to take his head.
- Once she's gotten her hooks in Iolaus and gets him to go to her camp in the Arcadian Highlands, Xena sends one of her men to attack Hercules. She knows the guy will die trying, as the real purpose is to goad Hercules into going after her.
- According to Petrakis, his son fell into a similar trap and died fighting a Spartan warrior on Xena's orders.
- Villain: Exit, Stage Left: As her army starts getting walloped, Xena orders a retreat. Hercules ends up saving Iolaus from an attack rather than stopping her from escaping.
- We Will Meet Again: As Xena and her army flee.Hercules: Aren't you even gonna say goodbye?!
Xena: Ha! You haven't heard the last of me, Hercules!. - Wham Line: "If you can't learn to fight better than that, then you're never gonna defeat Hercules. And I want him dead."
- Wrong Genre Savvy: Hercules is initially suspicious of Xena, but only out of concern that she might have a jealous husband that'll vent any frustrations on his buddy.
- You Have Failed Me: Xena got Estragon to attack Hercules, while she watched. After Hercules wins the fight, Estragon surrenders and begs to be spared, which Xena kills him for.
