Written by Jedd Vlaming
Directed by Mark Beesley
Xena an Gabrielle return to Qin with Joxer in order to prevent a warlord from using the secrets of Lao Ma's book.
Tropes
- Ash Face: Poor Joxer can't seem to keep his face clean throughout the episode.
- Deflector Shields: Xen and K'ao Hsin use shields to protect themselves from the ensuing explosions.
- Evil Twin: Pao Ssu, though it appeared that K'ao Hsin was the evil twin.
- Fakin' MacGuffin: Pao Ssu thought she made off with Lo Ma's book, but it turns out to be a fake.
- Imperial Stormtrooper Marksmanship Academy: Pao Ssu are unable to land a shot at Xena and K'ao Hsin in the final battle. In fact, the only thing they did hit then was their own leader and their gunpowder supply.
- Powder Trail: Pao Ssu sets a fire to two trails leading to a captured Gabrielle and Joxer on opposite sides.
- Projectile Spell: Pao Ssu gained the ability to shoot energy beams from her hands.
- Retcon: Joxer is usually known to be a notoriously bad cook in a couple episodes. Here, he's seen as the best cook of the trio.
- Sadistic Choice: Xena is forced to choose between saving Gabrielle and Joxer. Good thing she is able to save both.
- Slap-on-the-Wrist Nuke: Joxer somehow survives an explosion powerful enough to create a funnel cloud by moving just a few feet away from it.
