Death in Chains

An episode that sets up an interesting premise, but not so good execution. It shows the human fear of death and the desire to outwit it, but also how death is a necessary part of the life cycle and without it, the world would just be an endless circle of pain and suffering. The problem with this episode is mostly in the main villain. It's kind of unclear if they want Sisyphus to be bad or good. Especially in the context of the later episodes of Xenaversum where he appears and is definitely bad, which contrasts with the end of this episode. The whole episode leaves a kind of lukewarm impression and the romance between Gabrielle and Talus is meh, although their farewell at the end is very nice. Celesta leaves the strongest impression of the episode. It has an almost mythical beauty.

Hades, Lord of the Dead visits Xena and requests her help.

Hades sister, Celesta the embodiment of Death has been captured by King Sisyphus who in order to hold back his own death has seized her eternal candle by trickery.

While she is captured death has been suspended and when the candle flame expires, a darkness will descend on the world as people will suffer without ever dying.

Xena agrees to help out but Hades neglects to mention what happens if you touch Celesta you will die. Gabrielle befriends a young man called Telus who set off to tell Xena of this important information but Telus has secret of his own why he wants Celesta freed. Both have to overcome some giant rats.

Death is a theme in this episode, a world without death will prolong suffering. An enjoyable enough episode with some touching scenes between Gabrielle and Telus.