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Xena: Warrior Princess

Prometheus

Season 1, Episode 8, Aired Nov 06, 1995

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When the gods capture Prometheus, mankind begins to lose the gifts he gave them: fire and the ability to heal themselves. It's up to Xena, Gabrielle, Hercules and Iolaus to try to free Prometheus from his chains but whoever is the one who frees him, may end up dead.moreless

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Cast & Crew

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GUEST STAR
Michael Hurst O.N.Z.M.

Iolaus
GUEST STAR
Kevin Sorbo

Hercules
GUEST STAR
John Freeman

Prometheus

Renee O'Connor

Gabrielle
Lucy Lawless

Xena

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Fan Episode Reviews (10)

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Hera is double teamed...

3.0

"Bad"

By HelianthusXX, Sep 20, 2011

Hera evil. Chain Prometheus. Enter Xena, Gabrielle, Hercules, Iolaus. It's the Solid Gold Dancers vs the Green Egg Men. Worse than "The Path Not Taken". Watch at your own risk.

Dreadful. Surprisingly since the plot actually sounded intriguing. Green men that pop out of styrofoam eggs, horrible computer graphics and plenty of bad acting. Gabby is more annoying than usual. Hercules and Iolaus make an appearance which only further dilutes the storyline. The only ray of sunshine in this stinker is Gabby's story to console Iolaus. She tells her rendition of when a person had a complete soul but was split in two and how we are always searching for the other half of our soul. Quite beautiful actually... And a bit of a wrap up to Warrior Princess/Gauntlet/Unchained Heart trilogy too. Stephen L. Posey directs this episode and amazingly also "The Path Not Taken". Hmmm...moreless
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When Hera captures Prometheus, mankind begins to lose the ability to make fire and heal themselves. As a result, Xena and Gabrielle team up with Hercules and Iolaus in an attempt to free Prometheus and restore mankind of his gifts.moreless

10

"Perfect"

By kprsfan, Apr 17, 2011

In the Xena: Warrior Princess episode, "Prometheus", the Goddess Hera captures Prometheus and binds him in chains. In a result of Hera's actions, mankind starts to lose all the gifts Prometheus gave them , fire and the ability to heal themselves. Xena figures out what is going on, and journeys to find the sword of Hephaestus. After retrieving the sword, Xena runs into Hercules, who also came to retrieve the sword. The two battle and Xena eventually rides off on Argo with the sword. Meanwhile, Gabrielle is waiting for Xena in a merchant's tent when Iolaus walk in, and the two meet for the first time. The two begin to bond when Xena walks in to retrieve Gabrielle. She sees Iolaus and warns him not to follow. Later, Xena and Gabrielle are attacked by Hera's minions. Hercules and Iolaus arrive and together, Xena, Hercules, and Iolaus defeat Hera's men. Hercules gets a hold of the sword, and explains to Gabrielle that whoever frees Prometheus with the sword will die.

The four of them set off together on the journey to free Prometheus and restore mankind of his gifts. During the journey, we a sort of love connection between Hercules and Xena as well as what could be one between Gabrielle and Iolaus. Overall, this is by far one of my favorite episodes from the series. Xena and Hercules are a great team through and through.moreless
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Hercules and Xena team up to take on Hera.

7.0

"Good"

By rhondaweasley, Dec 08, 2008

This is the first cross-over episode of Hercules into Xena and it's a very well done little adventure. Even if you're a Hercules fan and know they did this already (In the "Hercules and the Circle of Fire" TV Movie) you can't help but enjoy it a little bit. Of course, since then, Prometheus has gotten a hair cut, a shave, a tan, and possibly lost some weight (in fact he's quite fit). But still, you want to say "Hera, this didn't work the last time. Why are you doing it again?"

The first thing I noticed is that it really had to be frustrating for Renee O'Conner in this episode. She stands on the sidelines during the big fight scene because basically, at this point, Gabby has no combat skills to call her own. I think that's the most important part of her meeting with Iolaus. When she ask him how it feels to be in a shadow of a hero and he replies that he isn't in the shadows, but that he fights by his side. And Gabby replies "Maybe I should try that". And as I said, standing on the sidelines (for character and actress) had to be frustrating. Especially when she sees Iolaus fighting alongside both Hercules and Xena and holding his own. It was way past time for Gabrielle to get some fighting skills of her own. Luckily, the time for that very near. Still, I have to think this is where the hunger to be able to fight by Xena's side efficiently came from, espeically since "Hooves and Harlots" (the episode that changes Gabby's path for the first time) is just around the corner. I have to say, despite this being a very Hetero pairing off show (with Hercules and Xena fighting to free Prometheus together and Gabby falling for Iolaus while nursing him back to health) the good-bye scene between Herc/Iolaus and Gabby/Xena before the heroes parted ways had the sub-texter in me screaming. This just may be the way men are vs. the way women are with each other. But while Iolaus gets a distant pat on the shoulder from Hercules, Gabby looks deeply into Xena's eyes and gives her all these little touches that say "please come back to me" much stronger than any of her words. And Xena, in turn, is quite tenderly returning looks and touches that just send happy happy joy joy vibes in my little sub-texter heart. So much so that later when Gabby tells Iolaus the story about split souls seeking each other out I can almost see her envisioning Xena as she holds the injured Iolaus in her arms. It also kind of annoyed me Hercules was such a jerk to Gabrielle. So much so I found it hard to like him in this episode. I mean he wasn't directly a jerk to her, but he pretty much brushes her off and treats her like a non-entity. It's no wonder she bonds with Iolaus. At least Xena acknowledges Iolaus as someone significant, sharing a good-bye with him right after Gabrielle before the parting of ways. Gabrielle is ignored completely by Hercules. Not even an "I'll make sure she gets back to you" when he sees how important the friendship is. The whole sidekick kiss, Herc/Xena kiss 'balance' thing that ended the episode was stupid. It's like "lets pair you off with your equal". Hercules and Xena had unfinished bussiness and it was all suitable that they should have the scenes they had, but the Iolaus/Gabrielle thing was too much. Never mind that Iolaus had Xena before Hercules did so the whole thing is getting a little incestuous at this point. Never mind that at this point Iolaus and Gabrielle only have one thing in common, being friends with people who aren't quite over each other yet. I personally find it a little weird to have Gabrielle kissing Xena's ex (whatever her twisted intentions were for being with him in the past). I also think Iolaus is just too old for Gabby. She's still very much a child-like entiy at this point. Even still, I enjoyed Iolaus' presence even if I didn't like Hercules too much. Iolaus is just awesome and has always made Hercules a better show. I just don't understand why he had to be paired with Gabrielle just because Hercules and Xena had a thing going on. Couldn't they have just been, I don't know, friends? What was the point of the romantic implication? As much as I didn't like the whole Herc/Xena romantic angle (gag), I got WHY it was a good story. There was no reason for Gabby and Iolaus to have a mini-romance. Unless they were testing an idea to make the two pairs star-crossed lovers and, thank goodness, that failed smashingly. But the adventure was good. Hercules and Xena always look great fighting side-by-side. It also makes sense (since Hera tried this before) that he would entrust a way of solving the problem to a comrade like Xena. I liked the fight at the end on the mountain top and the freeing of Prometheus. I don't care that the egg men bursting from the egg looked silly. It was all good fun and eye catching from start to finish. It's just the pairing off that annoyed me.moreless
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Brilliant...

9.2

"Superb"

By harryathouse, Mar 15, 2008

Xena and Gabrielle are ambushed by a gang of bounty hunters. When one of them gets critically injured, Xena, being the nice woman that she is, tends to his wound. After discovering that her technique that she has used thousands of times fails, she discovers that Prometheus, giver of fire and the ability to heal ourselves, has been captured by the gods.
Things become progressively worse as mankind start to lose the gifts he gave us.
Upon discovering this, Xena and Gabrielle are forced to team up with Hercules and Iolus (from Hercules: The Legendary Journeys) to free the almighty Titan, Prometheus, from the clutches of Hera, the evil wife of Zeus.
Xena visits an Oracle, who tells her that to free Prometheus, she must obtain a speical sword from the cave of Hephaestus, but theres a catch. Whoever uses the sword to free Prometheus, will meet a gruesome death.
As they travel to place where Prometheus is beng held, Xena and Hercules fight over who gets to strike the blow that will free Prometheus, while Gabrielle and Iolus get to know each other a bit better.moreless
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The much-anticipated 'crossover' episode...

9.0

"Superb"

By la_survive, Nov 28, 2007

Although this episode gets mixed responses from fans, I thoroughly enjoyed all aspects of the episode. The anticipated "crossover" episode was always going to be a little controversial, but everything about the episode works, and the whole thing has a great feel to it, not forced in any way.

Right from the opening scene the episode bodes well. It follows the well-known story of Prometheus, but it doesn't feel like a recycled tale, just used as a filler episode. Hercules and Iolaus are a fabulous addition - they tie in perfectly to the story and add a wonderful dimension.

There was a really great blend of comedy and drama to this episode. For example, I loved the temple scene where Xena must prove what she is willing to sacrifice to save Prometheus, and yet this scene is followed by a really cute scene in the souvenir stall. The episode has a really excellent blend of comedy and drama, and it works very well to the advantage of the episode (as it always does in the really top Xena episodes). The action/fighting scenes are also topnotch, especially the addition of Hercules and Iolaus to the fights.

The character development that occurs throughout is also excellent. The four leads have fantastic chemistry, and there is a real feeling of mutual trust, respect, and camaraderie between them. I found Xena and Hercules relationship completely believable, and the same between Gabrielle and Iolaus. Nothing felt forced, or that it was pushed further than was necessary, and what came out of it is an important bond between kindred spirits.

The heartfelt moments are really just that - touching, emotionally charged scenes between good actors. Nothing is cheesy, they are just enjoyable moments. The most memorable is, of course, Gabrielle's story about the splitting of the souls, and the lost souls' lifelong search for their other half. In the early days I saw this as a reference to the growing bond between Gabrielle and Iolaus, but now I see this as an important reference to Xena and Gabrielle's relationship. It fits beautifully with where the series ends.

Overall, this was a highly successful crossover episode, easily one of the standouts of Season 1. Everything about it works, and it is very enjoyable with some nice themes. A definite winner!moreless
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Trivia, Notes, Quotes and Allusions

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TRIVIA (6)
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- Xena has a new appearance from now on. She has her sword on her back and her Chakram on a small hook which is sewn onto her outfit. She still wears the belt, but only uses it when she has a second sword, the Sword of Hephaestus in her possession, and after this episode it's gone entirely.
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- The special effect used to create the size difference between Prometheus and Xena/Hercules is called a forced perspective shot.
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- When Xena hits the mountain while dangling from the giant bird, the mountain visibly shakes.
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- Xena could have easily taken the sword when Hercules was holding the rock.
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- Isn't it very risky for Xena to hit Hercules on the head when people are dying from scratches? Or, is Hercules immune to this because he is half god?
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- Falling from such a height should have killed Xena regardless of the fact that Hercules caught her. The tremendous force she exerted on his hands should have killed her.
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QUOTES (7)
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- Gabrielle: So, do you think Iolaus is still in love with you? Xena: His love turned to hate for awhile. I'm not sure how he feels about me now. Gabrielle: And what about Hercules? Xena: (gruffly) What about him? Gabrielle: You're not much for girl talk, are you? (Xena draws her sword as she senses an enemy approaching) Then, of course, you're not like most girls!
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- Io: (when Xena goes to the Oracle to learn how to free Prometheus) What will you give? Xena: What? Io: What will you give? A lock of hair, a fingernail, a finger? Xena: I don't understand. Io: You want to free Prometheus, don't you? Xena: Yes. Io: Then what will you give? Xena: My life, if I have to!
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- Gabrielle: Once, a long, long time ago, all people had four legs and two heads. And then, the Gods threw down thunderbolts, and split everyone into two. Each half then had two legs, and one head. But the separation left both sides with a desperate yearning to be reunited, because they shared the same soul. And ever since then, all people spend their lives searching for the other half of their soul.
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- Xena: Hercules. Hercules: Yeah? Xena: There's something I've been wanting to say to you for a long time. You changed my life. You taught me how to live. I'll never forget you for that. Thanks.
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- Hercules: You've been helping people. Xena: Someone taught me it's the only reason to be on this earth. Hercules: Now, who would that be? Xena: Some legendary hero, I forgot his name.
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- Gabrielle: What's it like being friends with someone like Hercules? Do you find it to be a little intimidating? Do you know what I mean? Iolaus: Well, I'm not sure. Gabrielle: Isn't it hard to just stand around while he's doing all these heroic labors? Iolaus: I don't just stand around. I'm right there with him, fighting by his side. Gabrielle: Maybe I'll try that. You see, I have a friend who's a little on the intimidating side. Iolaus: Who might that be? Gabrielle: Her. Xena, guess who he knows? Xena: Hercules. Gabrielle: You're so good. Iolaus: Hello, Xena. Xena: Iolaus. Gabrielle: You know him? Xena: We have a history.
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- Xena: (as Gabrielle sleeps through an attack) Gabrielle. Gabrielle: Alright... Xena: Gabrielle! Gabrielle: I was in the middle of the best... I missed something.
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NOTES (7)
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- Shooting Dates: September 4 through September 13 1995, 8 day shoot.
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- Xena did not use the chakram in this episode.
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- This is the first time Hercules and Iolaus appear on a Xena episode.
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- Paul Norell, who plays the salesman in this episode, frequently appears on Xena playing various small roles. He also plays the recurring role of Falafel on Hercules: The Legendary Journeys.
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- Michael Hurst broke his arm during the filming of this episode (making the disclaimer 'Iolaus was harmed during the making of this motion picture' have dual meaning, as Iolaus is injured in the plot, and Hurst was injured filming). As a result, he is seen wearing a cast in the second season Hercules story "Cast A Giant Shadow" and several following episodes.
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- This episode's script number is 107.
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- DISCLAIMER: Iolaus was harmed during the production of this motion picture. However, the Green Egg Men went to live long and prosperous lives.
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ALLUSIONS (2)
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- The story Gabrielle tells Iolaus is from Plato's "Symposium", a dialogue on love. The story is told by the famous Greek comedian Aristophanes as a joke, but like most of his jokes there is a serious undercurrent.
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- In Greek mythology Prometheus was the benefactor of mankind, stealing fire from the Gods and giving it to men. Hercules rescued Prometheus, driving off the vulture which fed on Prometheus' liver, which regenerated daily so the torment could go on forever. "Prometheus" means foresight, and he had a brother named "Epimetheus", which is hindsight. Epimetheus was the husband of Pandora, the nymph who opened the box and let out all the scourges of mankind. Prometheus tried to warn his brother, but as they say, hindsight is 20/20.
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