Devi

Written by Chris Manheim

Directed by Garth Maxwell

In exotic India, Gabrielle finds she has the power to cure people, but that ability may come from a sinister source.

Tropes

Big Damn Heroes: Before Xena can impale Gabrielle's body, Eli arrives to perform the exorcism.
Deal with the Devil: According to Eli, Tataka's trade is curing the sick and deformed that so badly want treatment and then using the newly fit people to slaughter others.
Demonic Possession: Maya suffers this at first, but Gabrielle is possessed by Tataka for most of the episode.
Evil Cannot Comprehend Good: Tataka doubts Xena will risk killing Gabrielle to get rid of her. It looks like Xena actually would kill Gabrielle to prevent more innocent people from being harmed, though Eli intervenes before it comes to that.
Foreshadowing: Gabrielle and Eli suspect that the healing power indicates a stronger power out there watching over all of them
Freudian Excuse: When Eli was thirteen, his father's best friend collapsed from convulsions. While Eli's father went for help, Eli tried to calm the man and suddenly felt a surge of energy upon touching him. The man's convulsions ceased, and he never suffered from that problem for the rest of his life. Eli would spend all the years since seeking this kind of power in the hopes of easing other people's suffering.
Healing Hands: Eli's power, which can cure sickness and help cast out demons.
Hell Hound: Tataka commands some and sics them on Eli.
Eli: Nice doggy.
Kick the Dog: "The power you seek? It's a lie."
Late to the Realization: Maya got kicked by Xena into Eli and, once free of the demon, was helped up by Gabrielle. Later deducing that Eli is the Devi, Xena realizes that everyone (including herself) focused on Gabrielle and didn't consider the first part of the sequence.
Pressure Point: Xena does the Pinch on Gabrielle to buy Eli time to do the exorcism.
Properly Paranoid: Eli doesn't think it's a coincidence that the demon dogs appeared the moment the bodyguards left.
Refusal of the Call: When it's all over, Gabrielle invites Eli to travel with them. He says thanks but also that he's had his fill of adventure for the moment. He would rather just sit quietly and think about what he's learned about himself.
Spectacular Spinning: Just when possessed Gabrielle is about to plunge her sword into Eli in a sprint, Xena catches up to her by spinning her body, propelling her forward at blinding speeds. It's possibly her craziest acrobatic feat in the show.
Villain with Good Publicity: Gabrielle is declared the Devi for seemingly exorcising a demon from Eli's assistant, Maya. Actually, Gabrielle had nothing to do with it, and the demon is now possessing her.
Wham Episode: Eli makes his first appearance. The power he has and where it came from will have long-term consequences on the remainder of the series.
You Are Better Than You Think You Are: Eli sees himself as just a street magician with some moral failings. He actually has a great gift and the potential to be a force for good.
Eli: I failed.
Xena: Eli, don't believe her! Keep going! Eli, you find that power, and you save my friend.