Recap / Xena S 05 E 01 Fallen Angel

Written by RJ Stewart and Robert Tapert

Directed by RJ Stewart

After their deaths, the souls of Xena and Gabrielle are thrown into a battle between heaven and hell. Meanwhile, Joxer, Amarice and Eli try to retrieve their bodies while dealing with the ramifications.

Tropes

• Archangel Michael: Makes his first appearance in the show.
• Badass Boast: From Joxer of all people, determined to take down Xena's and Gabrielle's bodies from their crosses
  Joxer: ...I'm gonna bring their bodies back to Greece. You can help me or not.
• Back from the Dead: Eli successfully brings back Xena and Gabrielle from the dead with an assist from Callisto.
• Beyond Redemption: Gabrielle doesn't believe Callisto deserves any redemption after all the things she has done to her.
• Celestial Paragons and Archangels: Xena and later Gabrielle become archangels to help the others battle the demons.
• Crisis of Faith: Eli is distraught with the thought that Gabrielle's path may have led to her death.
  Eli: "My friends are dead because of my teachings! The way of love, it wasn't the way for Gabrielle. I was too proud to see that. What good is this gift if I can't at least protect the ones I love?! Why did you even give this to me?! What am I supposed to do?
• Equivalent Exchange: Xena sacrifices her life in heaven so that Callisto can have a chance to become an angel herself.
• Forbidden Fruit: Callisto offers food to Gabrielle while in Hell. Gabrielle correctly suspects that eating it will turn her into a demon. Callisto later force feeds her with it with the help of Mooks.
• High-Altitude Battle: The archangel Gabrielle and the archdemon Xena do battle high in the sky.
• Our Demons Are Different: Callisto has fully transformed into a demon for her services in taking down Xena and Caesar.
• Shut Up, Hannibal!: When Callisto claims she will always be Xena's nemesis, Xena had other plans:
  Callisto: I will never stop hating you, Xena, do you hear me?! Never! You killed my family! My soul! My reason to live and love! And I will spend eternity seeking revenge!
  Xena: No. [proceeds to give her light to Callisto]
• Suicidal Pacifism: Amarice accuses Eli of taking Gabrielle's pacifism to her grave. It's later shown that her words have afflicted him.
  Amarice: You got them killed. You infected Gabrielle with your peace and love talk. You made her helpless! She never would have gotten captured if she hadn't lost her warrior spirit.
  Eli: I'm sorry you feel this way.
  Amarice: It's not a feeling. It's a fact. You slowed them down just enough to kill them. You might as well have driven in the nails yourself.
• Wham Episode: Xena and Gabrielle have been resurrected and long time foe Callisto is now an angel.

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Disclaimer: Hell Hath No Fury Like A Woman Scorned.