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Xena: Warrior Princess Season 2 Episode 22

A Comedy of Eros

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Episode Summary

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AIRED: 5/12/97

Cupid's infant son Bliss runs amok, putting love spells on unsuspecting people- Xena falls in love with the warlord, Draco. Draco falls for Gabrielle and Gabrielle gets the hots for Joxer. Stopping Draco's evil plan to sell a temple full of Hestian virgins as slaves may be child's play for Xena, but however will they overcome all those raging hormones?

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FAN RECAP

Fan Episode Reviews (4)

The cursed arrows of love...

9.0

By HelianthusXX, Sep 15, 2008

Bananas and cherries and innuendo, oh my!

Bliss, the son of Cupid, goes berserk with love arrows, pointing them willy-nilly at anyone in his view. Xena, who endeavors to protect the Hestian virgins from the likes of Draco, must deal with her newfound affections for him after being hit with a stray arrow by the mischievous Bliss. She is not alone, as Gabrielle and Draco find themselves hit by love's arrows too. Trails of discarded clothes lead at first to Xena and Draco... arm wrestling? ...then another trail leads to Joxer teaching the smitten Gabrielle that jaunty little "Joxer the Mighty" ditty.

The ever-cunning Xena uses her powers of cognitive reasoning and pins down the fault to one of the Gods. Cupid reverses the spells but it's a sad finale for Joxer who really loves Gabrielle. It's the beginning of his unrequited love for her.

There were fantastic comedies in Season 2 such as "A Day in the Life" and "The Little Warlords". "The Comedy of Eros" is another great but underrated episode, well written and very entertaining and a nice wrap-up to an amazing season.moreless
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Cute, funny, but ultimately forgettable; this episode rounds out the end of season 2 nicely, without being anything too special.

8.5

By la_survive, Jan 28, 2008

While this isn't an outstanding or even a particularly memorable episode, there are some really amusing scenes, some clever dialog and some great acting to be seen in A Comedy of Eros - the final episode of the outstanding season that was season 2.

This episode aims to be a cute, trivial episode, and it doesn't disappoint. From start to finish the laughs come easily and you don't mind that the episode is going no where. It is great to see the return of two of my most favourite Xena actors - Jay Laga'aia as Draco, and Karl Urban (in the lesser of his two roles) as Cupid. I am a huge fan of both these actors, and I think that they bring so much to any episode they are a part of. Draco is an outstanding foe, and (rightly so) gets a mention alongside the likes of Callisto and Caesar as one of Xena's greats enemies. Although Karl Urban is not brilliant in his Cupid role, just his presence in the episode is enough for me to give the episode extra marks - I just have such a huge soft spot for Karl!

The whole concept of this episode is exceptionally silly - I mean, everybody falling in love with everybody else? It's only going to end badly. But it is really well handled thanks to the outstanding acting of Lucy, Jay, Renee, and Ted, who play their roles so well and so convincingly! Seeing Xena head over heels for Draco is really funny; watching her battle with her self control (and pretty much) succeed says a lot about Xena as a person.

On the other hand we have Gabrielle who gives in to her feelings completely - watching her just about getting it on with Joxer is almost sickening at times! I mean, its JOXER!!

Which leads us to the one down note of the episode, when everyone is put back to normal when Cupid reverses the spells, except for poor Joxer, whose love for Gabrielle is real, and cannot be changed. It is easy to see that Joxer's feelings will remain unrequited, and you can't help but feel sorry for the guy, because he is a great guy, and a great friend.

Joxer's love for Gabrielle continues to be a theme for the rest of the series. One other plot line which is also revisited later in the musical episode "Lyre, Lyre Hearts on Fire", is Draco's mad infatuation with Gabrielle. This was handled quite interestingly and leaves you quite intrigued for where it may be taken in later episodes.

Overall, this is a cute, funny, silly episode which rounds off season 2 nicely.

SEASON 2 OVERVIEW

So, wrapping up season 2 leads us to an overview of the season. Before going back and re-watching season 2 with the sole purpose of reviewing and recapping episodes, I had completely failed to see the outstanding episodes, wonderful storylines, brilliant acting and general uniqueness that makes up season 2. So often this season is overshadowed by the highly (and at times, overly) dramatic season 3, and by the time you reach season 4, 5 and 6, season 2 has been forgotten. No longer will this be the case for me. Season 2 opened strongly with some really excellent episodes. We are introduced to Solan, which is a very important moment in the Xenaverse. We got to see a very interesting perspective in "Remember Nothing" which introduced the theme that Xena and Gabrielle were destined to be together, in effect - they are soul mates. Any subtexter can recognize that this is an important moment.

Then we are thrown into the absolutely amazing and unforgettable "The Return of Callisto", an episode which changed the series forever. The unique body-switch (to cover Lucy's accident) followed, and added a very interesting perspective to the series. "The Xena Scrolls" also deserves a mention given how important this plot tool becomes in later seasons.

And then we come to the Destiny trilogy - an outstanding collection of episodes which is headed by Destiny - one of the greatest episodes of all time. I have said much more in my reviews of this episode so nothing else needs to be said here, except that, after watching Destiny, as a Xena-fan, you will never be the same again.

"A Day in the Life" came after, and this too, has received many great reviews and is genuinely an impressive episode.

We round off the season with a variety of strong, clever, well-plotted and well-acted episodes which leave the season with a great feel.

So, first prize for the top episode is a tie again, between "The Return of Callisto" and "Destiny (1)". Unfortunately, I also feel the need to nominate a couple of episodes for being among the worst episodes of all time, and the prizes go to "The Giant Killer", "A Solstice Carol" and "The Execution". These episodes really stand out as being particularly lousy, especially against the other great episodes surrounding them.

So, don't take my word for it - go back (if you haven't already) and re-watch season 2. No matter what anybody says about it, it is not a season to be overlooked, or forgotten.moreless
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The season rounds of with a so-so comedy, as baby Bliss makes off with father Cupid's arrows, causing Xena to fall in love with Draco, Gabrielle to fall in love with Joxer, and Draco to fall in love with Gabrielle. Not one of the season's best...moreless

7.2

By Jay-Spacedust, Jan 13, 2008

After a great run of late second season episodes (highlights being 'Blind Faith', 'The Price' and 'Lost Mariner'), the season rounds off with this comedy episode, which I have to confess, is not one of my favourites.

The story, of Cupid's arrows causing everyone to fall in love with everyone else, feels to me like it would be more at home on 'Hercules' for some reason, but that's just my personal opinion.

It's good to see the return of Draco, last seen in the very first episode, 'Sins of the Past'. Jay Laga'aia has a good chemistry with Lucy Lawless.

There is a good moment as Gabrielle gets hit by and arrow, and things drop into slow motion – will she fall in love with Xena? ...No, she'll fall in love with Joxer!

I do find the story gets a bit repetitive – someone gets hit by arrow, falls in love with someone else, lots of chasing around, etc.

And I admit that most episodes where the lead(s) act out of character for long periods of time generally don't rank as my favourites anyway.

The episode, and the season, finishes on a sad note, as Joxer is forced to try and laugh off Gabrielle having been in love with him. A scene well acted by Ted Raimi, and a downbeat note to finish the season on.

I know some people will love it, but it's not one of my favourites of the season. Although I generally enjoy 'Xena' episodes more than 'Hercules' ones (although I love both shows), I enjoyed 'Hercules'' season finale 'Atlantis' much more than this episode.

That said, 'Xena's second season overall has been an excellent one, and leaves you wanting more!

---Second season overview---

The show has come a long way since its beginning. Probably the one to have developed the most is Gabrielle, who has grown from a silly and naive peasant girl, into a more mature woman, and a reasonable fighter in her own right.

The stories too have come a long way – the first season offered up some great tales, but some of them had a slightly generic feel to them, many with standard 'warlords-of-the-week'. The second season has improved on that to offer up a number of top-notch episodes, and some enjoyable story arcs.

After the second season, I couldn't wait for the third one!moreless
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That Baby deserves a woppin'!!!

8.0

By lenzinoH20, Jul 15, 2006

A Comedy of Eros-When Cupid's infant son, Bliss, runs amok putting love spells on unsuspecting people. Xena falls in love with the warlord, Draco. Draco falls for Gabrielle and Gabrielle gets the hots for Joxer.

The great second season of Xena ends on a light-hearted note with this hilarious episode. Cupid's baby son, Bliss, steals some love arrows and recks havoc!! The whole cast in this episode were so funny, watching one person fall in love with the next was great to watch. First Xena falls for Draco, than Gabrielle for Joxer, and finally, Draco and Gabrielle!! I love it how everyone becomes so love sick they all some crazy things, like Gabrielle biting Joxer's ear, Xena trying to resist her feelings while acting silly, Draco literally stalking Gabrielle, not to mention Joxer's usual comic relief. The episode ends with everyone being free from the spell, except Draco. But too bad Joxer's really in love with Gabrielle, poor guy!!! All in All, not a great finale, but a very funny episode none the less!moreless
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Cast & Crew: STARS

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Renee O'Connor	Gabrielle
Lucy Lawless, MNZM	Xena

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Cast & Crew: RECURRING AND GUESTS

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Karl Urban	Cupid	Guest Star
Anthony Ray Parker	Pinullus	Guest Star
Cameron Russell	Bliss	Guest Star
Ted Raimi	Joxer	Recurring Role

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Trivia, Notes, Quotes and Allusions

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TRIVIA (4)
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- Goof: When Gabrielle fends off Draco with her staff, hitting him twice, Renee also hits Lucy (standing behind her) twice.
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- Goof: When Cupid's son first flies up, you can see the wire that's holding him up.
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- In the "use and re-use" department, one of the temple props (that looks like a giant enlargement of plant sex organs) prominently seen in the temple was also seen in a later episode, "The Quill Is Mightier...".
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- When the doors to the temple get riddled with arrows and Xena emerges and pulls a few of them free, watch for a piece of the wood paneling to break off.
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QUOTES (6)
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- Cupid: (talking to Bliss) I know, I know. When I was your age, I hated going to bed too. When you get to my age, going to bed takes on a whole new meaning!
  Psyche: (from Cupid's bedroom) Cupid, I'm waiting...!
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- Joxer: Xena! Xena! I knew you'd be here! As soon as I heard that rumor about Draco I said to myself: 'Self, I'll bet Xena'll be here' and, well, here you are! (as an afterthought) Hi Gabby.
  Gabrielle: Joxer, huh. As if this mission wasn't hard enough.
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- Xena: Sweetie? Did I say sweetie? I've never used that word in my life before. But he's so cute!
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- Xena: No, Gabrielle, this is crazy. You can't be in love with Joxer. He's-- well, he's Joxer!
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- Gabrielle: Look, cherries! I love cherries.
  Draco: Me too.
  Gabrielle: Did I mention I'm a widow?
  Draco: No, but I guess that's lucky. Saves me having to kill your husband.
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- Xena: Well ain't love a bitch!
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NOTES (5)
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- The Gabrielle and Joxer Romantics Society, an on-line group, was formed as a direct consequence of this episode, and became a haven for Joxer fans and writers of Joxer-friendly fan fiction. Its members sometimes refer to Chris Manheim, who wrote the episode, as "St. Chris."
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- This is the last appearance of Cupid on either Xena or Hercules. However, Karl Urban appeared in many more episodes as Julius Caesar on both shows.
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- This episode was not originally set to air as the season final, the first two episodes of season 3 were originally shot during season 2, to have a 24-episode season.
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- Xena's line "Well ain't love a bitch" was censored out of some syndication broadcasts.
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- DISCLAIMER: No cherries were harmed in the making of this motion picture.
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ALLUSIONS (2)
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- Gabrielle: You touch me, and you will be grist for the Gorgons!
  
  She refers to the three mythical sisters who had snakes instead of hair on their heads, and were reputed to turn anyone who looked directly at their faces into stone.
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- The episode's title is a play on Shakespeare's A Comedy of Errors. However, there are no "doubles" of the characters or mistaken identities in the episode.
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