Written by Chris Manheim
Directed by Janet Greek
When Joxer is badly beaten up, Xena sets out with two conmen and Gabrielle to scam the man behind it.
Tropes
- Batman Gambit: Xena has Eldon betray them and Rafe fake his own death so that Titus would be convinced to play against her.
- Cruel Mercy: Xena figures that taking away everything Titus owns would be a far worse punishment than simply killing him.
- Disproportionate Retribution:
- Joxer made a hundred dinars at Titus's gambling place. Thinking Joxer made him and his operation look like losers, Titus wants him dead and the money stolen back.
- According to Xena, cons like the one Rafe and Eldon pulled are punished in this region by having the tongue cut out, the arm branded, and sent to prison for life.
- Five-Finger Fillet: Xena does this to Eldon, performing the deed at inhuman speed.
- Heterosexual Life-Partners: Rafe and Eldon.
- I Can Still Fight!: Despite being beaten to within an inch of his life, Joxer continues to try and get back at the casino guards who mugged him.
- It's Personal: For Xena and Gabrielle. It gets deconstructed for Xena, as Rafe points out she's taking the situation too personally, and she responds by saying it keeps her focused.
- Morality Chain: Xena admits it'd be so easy to just kill Titus in his office, but Gabrielle is there to remind her that's not what they're there for.
- Never My Fault: Rafe and Eldon insist they had nothing to do with Joxer's beating. Gabrielle points out that they stole his sword, which left him defenseless against Leo and the gang of thugs.
- Surprisingly Realistic Outcome: On this show (not to mention the other two), fights and other incidents don't often lead to serious injuries for the main characters. Joxer in particular has suffered a great deal of slapstick, but he shakes it off just fine. This time, he's beaten into a coma.
- The Bet: Eldon bets that Rafe couldn't get a kiss from Xena. He later succeeds, but decides not to take credit for it in the end.
- True Companions: Gabrielle tells a comatose Joxer that they don't always show it, but that she and Xena consider him part of the family.
- Whole-Plot Reference: The Sting
-
You Look Familiar: Cameron Rhodes as Eldon also played Deiphobus in Greeks Bearing Gifts.
