| Livia (episode) | Appearances | Gallery | Videos |
Xena and Gabrielle awaken from their 25 year sleep and reunite with Joxer. He introduces them to his son Virgil and the four of them venture into Rome to find Eve. Upon finding her, however, Xena is horrified to learn that Eve has become everything she didn't want her child to be.
Cast[]
Main Cast[]
- Lucy Lawless as Xena and Meg
- Renee O'Connor as Gabrielle
Guest Stars[]
- Ted Raimi as Joxer
- Kevin Smith as Ares
- Adrienne Wilkinson as Livia
- William Gregory Lee as Virgil
- Colin Moy as Augustus Caesar
Co-Starring[]
- Andrea Kelland as Village Leader
- Dane Jerro as Roman Captain
- Craig Doherty as Roman Guard
- Kate Smeda as Kara
- Michael Langley as Theon
- Stuart Thorpe as Burly Soldier
Summary[]
[]
Rome's new warrior, Livia.
A fearless Roman commander, Livia rides into a burning village, she leaps dramatically from her horse with a fierce battle cry. Clad in a gleaming gold helmet, she cuts down the villagers without mercy. Removing her helmet mid-fight, she continues the slaughter with ruthless precision when Ares suddenly pops in and tells her shes doing a good job. Livia has teamed up with Ares to rid Rome of Eli's followers. Planning to name Livia his successor, the Roman Emperor Augustus visits Livia and expresses his concern over her brutal methods, which she casually dismisses.
Xena and Gabrielle escape their ice tomb, 25 years later
Meanwhile, up on an icy mountain, an avalanche causes a hole in an ice cave. The sunlight shines through on a coffin made of ice and begins to melt. Xena moves. Stiffly, painfully, her fist breaks through the ice, she sits up. Xena uses her chakram to chip away at her casket of ice and manages to free herself. She then breaks Gabrielle out of her tomb of ice. She tells Gabrielle something must have went wrong, because Octavius did not bring the child to her. Xena uses her chakram and hurls it at the hole that was made by the avalanche. when Ice falls, they make their escape to go in search of Eve.
25 years?!
Upon their arrival in a small village at the foot of Mt.Etna, A woman asks them if they are lost. She tells them they are at the foot of Mt.Etna. Xena exclaims this must be the work of Ares. The old woman then replies Ares hasn't been seen in the area since the legendary Xena died for about 25 years ago.
Act One[]
A shrine to Xena and Gabrielle?
Seeking answers, Xena decides to head for Rome, believing Octavius—an old ally—might know what happened to her daughter Eve. The villagers mention that the Roman commander known today is Livia, a ruthless warrior serving Emperor Augustus, who allows her to persecute followers of Eli. The name Eli reminds Gabrielle of their past, and the two women leave, disturbed and determined to investigate.
On their way to Rome to find Eve, Xena and Gabrielle entered an inn, covered in memorabilia celebrating Xena and Gabrielle: weapons, scrolls, and trinkets. Inside, they encounter an older Meg, one of Xena’s former lookalikes, serving food and still her comical, clumsy self. Amid Meg’s antics, and then Joxer, now aged and grizzled, bickering affectionately with her. The Inn is run by Joxer and his family. When Gabrielle recognizes him, Joxer is stunned and emotional. Realizing Xena and Gabrielle are truly alive, he joyfully embraces his old friends.
Meet Argo II
Their reunion is bittersweet—Joxer reveals he searched for them for years until Xena’s horse Argo died. He then introduces them to Argo 2, Argo’s daughter. Though he’s never let anyone ride her, Xena mounts the horse, and proves her skill has not faded. She returns smiling, calling Argo the Second beautiful, clearly moved by the connection to her old companion.
This is Virgil
They also meet Joxer’s grown Virgil, a respectful young man who admires the legendary heroines. Proudly, Joxer jokes that “the apple didn’t fall far from the tree,” while Xena expresses genuine happiness to learn that Joxer has a son. From Joxer, they learn that after Xena’s apparent death, the Roman Octaviusbelieved she and Gabrielle were still alive but disappeared with Xena’s daughter Eve after witnessing Ares take their bodies away. Learning that Octavius is now in Rome and ruling with Livia, Xena decides to go there to find Eve. Joxer insists that he and Virgil accompany them on their quest, warning that times have changed.
Livia! Livia!
The four arrive in Rome during Livia's victory march. From the crowd, Xena spots Octavius—now Emperor Augustus Caesar—presiding over the celebration whom she recognizes. As she confronts him, demanding to know where her daughter is, the crowd erupts in cheers for Livia, Rome’s champion. Augustus nervously gazes at Livia arriving aboard a towering float and Xena is horrified to realize that Livia is Eve!
Act Two[]
Ave, Caesar
While Augustus defends his rearing of Livia, Xena declares that she won't allow her daughter to become Augustus' tyrannical successor. Augustus admits he loves Livia and plans to marry her, and points out that to protect her from the gods, he never told Livia that Xena was her mother.
That night, Xena grieves the loss of the life she should have had with Eve. She blames herself, fearing Eve has inherited both her own darkness and Callisto’s' spirit. Equally stunned by Livia's true identity, Gabrielle comforts Xena and reassures her that Eve can still be saved, suggesting that once Livia knows the truth, she will be able to change for the better, just as Xena did.
Hail, Augustus!
While Xena, Gabrielle, Joxer, and Virgil travel through the city, Xena heads off alone to meet her daughter. Soon after, Joxer and Virgil are caught up in a confrontation with Roman guards demanding offerings for a temple to Ares. When Joxer mouths off to them, the soldiers grab him, prompting Gabrielle to intervene and defend them. She refuses to be forced into worship for a new temple of Ares, suggesting they were followers of Eli. This leads to Gabrielle to fighting back alongside Virgil. Despite their efforts, the Romans overpower them, threatening Joxer’s life. The three are ultimately captured and taken away as prisoners.
I'll give you something
Meanwhile, in the gladiatorial arena Livia trains with Ares, exchanging blows and taunts. Their fight turns flirtatious when Ares restrains her and challenges her to give up. At that moment, Xena enters and finds her daughter sharing a kiss with Ares.
Act Three[]
Ares is stunned to see Xena
Disgusted by the act, Xena flies her chakram towards Ares and pulls out her sword. Astonished by her return, Ares walks into Xena's sword and earns himself a headbutt instead. Ares tells Livia that he wanted to make sure that Xena wasn't an imposter, while Livia is displeased at his excuse to identify Xena with a kiss. Realizing Ares doesn't know that Livia is Eve, Xena proclaims that Eve is dead and leaves.
Xena
In prison, Joxer laments that his rashness caused trouble, while Virgil and Gabrielle bond over writing and heroism. Virgil admits he writes epic poetry inspired by Xena and Gabrielle’s adventures. His humility and courage impress Gabrielle, who tells him heroism runs in the family.
Livia visits the prison holding Gabrielle, Joxer, Virgil and dozens of Eli's followers and demands that they pick a champion to fight her in the arena. If she wins, all the prisoners will die, but if the champion wins, they'll go free. Gabrielle stand up against Livia and claims that she is a better person than a slaughterer.
Xena confronts Augustus again, warning that Ares has seduced Livia and turned her into a weapon. She proposes a plan: she’ll face Ares at that night’s Bacchanalia celebration while Augustus ensures Livia overhears them. Augustus, conflicted by love and ambition, agrees.
Xena and Ares at the Bacchanalia
Later, at Augustus' palace where a bacchanalia is taking place, Xena proves to Augustus that Livia is in cahoots with Ares and at the same time, shows Livia Ares' true colors. As they kiss to sell the ruse, Livia and Augustus both witness it. Augustus, enraged, renounces Livia, and she storms out betrayed—her faith in both men shattered.
Act Four[]
Sensing the presence of Ares, Xena turns and faces him: as he figures that Livia is in fact Eve. Once again, Ares establish his deal with Xena, either they are as a family of three and he brings the secret of Eve is alive to his grave, or he shall inform the Olympians.
They're inspiring
In prison, Gabrielle discovers that Virgil is secretly a poet who writes epic stories inspired by heroes like Xena and her. He admits he hides his talent because his father Joxer disapproves, wanting him to be a warrior instead. Joxer insists Virgil is already a hero for his bravery, and Gabrielle encourages him, saying courage and inspiration clearly run in their family.
Livia challenges Xena
In Livia's room, as she wrecks havoc of her room, Xena came warning her that Ares may expose her identity as Eve and her life will be in danger. In disbelief of her origins, she calls Xena insane and declaring Rome as her only parent, Livia challenges Xena to a fight to the death in the arena.
Champion of the Followers of Eli
The next day, before a roaring crowd, Xena faces Livia. The two battle fiercely, mother against daughter, each blow charged with emotion. Xena refuses to kill her, even after overpowering her. The crowd clamors for blood, but Xena declares love and mercy instead. Livia, choking under Xena’s nerve pinch, begs to die; Xena releases her instead. The spectators, moved by compassion, chant for mercy and life. Augustus signals his approval, sparing the prisoners.
She'll do something terrible
As the followers of Eli celebrate their freedom, Livia spurns Xena’s mercy, promising vengeance. Xena calls out to her as “Eve,” desperate to reach her, but Livia walks away and vows she'll make Xena wish she'd never been born, leaving Xena determined to save her daughter—from Rome, from Ares, and from herself. Xena and Gabrielle vow to pursue Eve and help her rediscover who she truly is.
Disclaimer[]
- Due to an over indulgence of Bean and Bard Burgers, Meg's gastro-intestinal problem intensified during the production of this motion picture.
Background Information[]
- This episode confirms Joxer and Meg married (it was implied in the previous episode).
- Joxer and Virgil are implied to be followers of Eli, which given everything Joxer's seen, is not surprising.
- First appearance of Livia (and of Adrienne Wilkinson playing Eve).
- First appearance of Virgil.
- Although viewers are meant to suspend their disbelief when it comes to fitting Xena: Warrior Princess into a historical chronology, this is technically the first episode set in the 1st century AD.
Goofs[]
- When Livia throws a dagger at Xena, she throws it under-hand. When we see it spinning, it is doing so as if it had been thrown over-hand.
- In the episode, The Key to the Kingdom, Meg mentions that she is sterile, however in this episode, Joxer mentions that they had 3 children. It is quite possible, however, that Meg was mistaken or that they adopted (or both).
- Even in Rome itself, now at the height of its power, the Roman names of the Olympians aren't used.
- Neither this episode nor any subsequent ones address that the Roman Empire now covers the entire Mediterranean, something Xena had previously fought against.
Other[]
- Chakram Count: 3
Memorable Quotations[]
Livia/Eve: Callisto did some good work. But I'm not Callisto.
Augustus: I see the years haven't robbed you of your... stealth.
Xena: No, just my child.
Ares: (Asks for drink) Hit me.
Xena: Don't tempt me.
Xena: Would you condemn to death a woman you claim to love?
Ares: No, but I'd condemn her daughter.
Links and References[]
References[]
People[]
Gods[]
Places[]
Other[]
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| << Season 4 | Season 5 | Season 6 >> | ||||||
| #01 | Fallen Angel | #09 | Seeds of Faith | #17 | Kindred Spirits | |||
| #02 | Chakram | #10 | Lyre, Lyre, Hearts on Fire | #18 | Antony & Cleopatra | |||
| #03 | Succession | #11 | Punchlines | #19 | Looking Death in the Eye | |||
| #04 | Animal Attraction | #12 | God Fearing Child | #20 | Livia | |||
| #05 | Them Bones, Them Bones | #13 | Eternal Bonds | #21 | Eve | |||
| #06 | Purity | #14 | Amphipolis Under Siege | #22 | Motherhood | |||
| #07 | Back in the Bottle | #15 | Married with Fishsticks | |||||
| #08 | Little Problems | #16 | Lifeblood | |||||