Story by Chris Manheim
Teleplay by Roberto Orci and Alex Kurtzman
Directed by Philip Sgriccia
As Hercules appears to congratulate Xena on her coming child, the Fates foretell that said baby will herald the death of the Greek gods. Now, the heroes have to find a way to stop Zeus himself.
Tropes
- Big Good: Discussed. Zeus notes that Hercules has a better standing among the Greeks than even the Olympians."He has done something that we gods have tried and failed to accomplish. He's earned humanity's love in every gesture... except fear."
- Big "NO!": Hercules during his final rush against Zeus.
- Call-Back:
- Xena and Gabrielle seek Hades's Helmet of Invisibility.
- The toy for the new baby that Hercules brought is a three-headed hydra—the monster he fought in the Amazon Women TV-Movie (which began this entire franchise).
- Continuity Nod:
- Gabrielle reminds Xena of how she delivered Ephiny's baby.
- Hercules presents Xena with a hydra toy—saying he named it Iolaus.
- Deal with the Devil: Ares agrees to help Zeus, but only if he gets the chance to kill Hercules.
- Didn't See That Coming: When Ares has Hercules on the ropes, Hera appears and zaps Ares instead.
- Enemy Mine: Hercules and Hera put their differences behind them before this episode, but them working together is still a surprise to Zeus.
- Face–Heel Turn: Zeus and Hades.
- Foreshadowing: Ares contemplates surviving the prophecy by becoming a mortal. That's what he does at the end of the season.
- Happy Ending Override: Herc's own show ended with him putting Zeus and Hera back together and settling his differences with them.
- Honor Before Reason:
- Zeus tells Hercules that the prophecy could apply to him as well since he has the blood of a god."I also have the blood of a mortal. I'll take my chances."
- Hera, of all people, feels that their survival shouldn't come at the expense of a baby and her mother.
- Zeus tells Hercules that the prophecy could apply to him as well since he has the blood of a god.
- Humans Are Special: Hera says she used to despise humans for the infidelities Zeus had with them, but since reforming her ways, she realized they're the only creation she can be proud of.
- Implacable Man: During their fight, Zeus effortlessly blocks Hercules's punches and just keeps on walking.
- Irony:
- Hercules learns that Zeus killed Cronus when the Titans were overthrown. At the end of the episode, Hercules kills Zeus.
- Hercules recalls how he's always said that humanity can survive without the gods."I guess now we'll find out."
- Xena was able to prevent Ephiny from enduring a Screaming Birth, only to go through it herself. Gabrielle tries to talk to her about this and use the same techniques, but an anguished Xena tells her to be quiet.
- Killed Off for Real: Hera and Zeus.
- Ladykiller in Love: Ares truly loves Xena and confesses that. Xena thinks it's desperation speaking. When he can't say the L-word to her face, he tries to save face by saying it was just a con.
- Like Father, Like Son: "Every son must eventually take his father's place... like I did mine."
- MacGuffin: The rib of Cronus is capable of killing a god.
- Manly Tears: Hercules, as Zeus dies.
- My God, What Have I Done?: Hercules is devastated by what happens to Zeus.
- Necessary Evil: How Zeus views killing Xena and her child. They have to die for the continued survival of the Olympian order and the lives of all Olympians.
- Outliving One's Offspring: Discussed between Hercules and Hera when he asks her why she's helping him."Because of a lesson I regret teaching you long ago, Hercules: parents should never outlive their children."
- Pragmatic Villainy: Zeus wants Ares to keep Hercules busy, while he kills Xena himself. Ares recognizes this is just so the old man won't have to harm Hercules himself and refuses to be involved in a plot to kill a woman he's fond of, but then he suggests a trade-off: Zeus lifting the protection rule that has kept Hercules safe all his life.
- Race Against the Clock: Zeus has to strike by the time Xena gives birth. Xena has her own ticking clock down in the Underworld; if she gives birth down there, the new baby dies immediately.
- Required Spinoff Crossover: Hercules makes his second and final appearance on the series.
- Retcon: On Herc's show, it was said that Cronus was trapped in the Abyss of Tartarus with the other Titans. Here, it's said he's actually dead and his body is kept in a tomb.
- Screaming Birth: Oh, yeah.
- Self-Fulfilling Prophecy: Fittingly enough, Zeus dies because he targeted Xena's baby. This will be a trend later in the season.
- Self-Made Orphan: Hercules mortally wounds Zeus during their fight.
- Shout-Out: While retrieving the rib, Hercules wonders if doing so will trigger a trap, such as a giant boulder rolling after him.
- So Proud of You: Zeus's final words to Hercules."Hercules, you have never disappointed me... especially today."
- The End of the World as We Know It: Zeus fears that Xena's baby will doom the Olympians and in turn doom humanity.
- The Unfavorite: Discussed on two counts.
- Ares is well-aware of how little Zeus regards him and hates the comparison to his half-mortal brother."WHAT IS IT ABOUT HIM YOU HAVE NEVER SEEN IN ME?!"
- Down in the Underworld, Xena and Gabrielle encounter Solan. He knows about Xena's new baby, so he believes he's being replaced and forgotten about. Xena assures him that's not true.
- Ares is well-aware of how little Zeus regards him and hates the comparison to his half-mortal brother.
- Wham Episode: Two major gods die and Xena gives birth.
- What Happened to the Mouse?: Iolaus's whereabouts are curiously never addressed.
- You Can't Fight Fate: This is one of those times where you really can't.
