Written by Chris Manheim
Directed by Andrew Merrifield
Joxer kills for the first time, losing his blood innocence, Meanwhile, a bedraggled Najara returns with claims of reform.
Tropes
- Accidental Murder: Joxer was just holding a sword and turned around when Kryton was kicked into his direction by Xena.
- Asshole Victim: Kryton was a vicious warlord described by his victims as a monster and "a son of a Bacchae" by locals that hated him so much that they cheer Joxer upon hearing the news.
- Badass in Distress: Najara, one of the few women to have beaten Xena in a fight, is a weakened mess for most of the episode.
- Badass Pacifist: Although Gabrielle no longer fights, that doesn't mean she isn't above helping Xena in a fight. Namely, she used powder to blind her opponents.
- Be Careful What You Wish For: Joxer finally gets his first kill and has never been more miserable.
- Big "SHUT UP!": Hallucinating Kryton giving him a "Not So Different" Remark, Joxer screams this.
- Dead Person Conversation: Kryton appears in Joxer's mind a couple times to torment him.
- Forgiveness: Ultimately, Arman towards Joxer.Arman: No. You didn't kill my father. You killed a man I didn't even know, an evil stranger who died like he deserved. My father's not dead, Joxer. He lives where he's always lived: right here. [taps his chest] And that man... that man would call you a hero.
- The Fundamentalist: Najara, as she was in her previous appearance. Her turn is even more drastic in this episode.
- Hearing Voices: Najara. In this episode, it is less clear whether she is truly hearing the Djinn or is simply imagining things.
- Honor Before Reason: Joxer intends to personally deliver the news to Arman. He gets cold feet, though, when he learns Arman was told his father was a great and noble hero.
- Impaled with Extreme Prejudice: While fighting Xena, Kryton was kicked away and stumbled into a sword that Joxer was holding.
- Jumping Off the Slippery Slope: Najara seemed to have forgiven Gabrielle for choosing Xena over her in the previous episode. In this one, she is willing to let Xena die and take Gabrielle with her by force. Many felt that that the attitude from the former Well-Intentioned Extremist felt abrupt.
- My God, What Have I Done?: Joxer's reaction to killing Kryton. He battles those demons throughout the episode.
- Pet the Dog: Xena when helping Joxer deal with his guilt.
- Properly Paranoid: Xena openly doubts Najara's conversion, calling her a fanatic who will lash out when she doesn't get her way.
- Put on a Bus: Najara is never seen again after returning to prison.
- Roaring Rampage of Revenge: Arman almost immediately tries to kill Joxer after he finds out he killed his dad. Xena quickly put a stop to that.
- Undying Loyalty: Kryton's men so much that they try to avenge their boss.Man: You let a man brand you, it figures you're not going to take his death lying down.
- Vine Swing: Both Xena and Najara do this in their fight.
