Amphipolis Under Siege

Xena: Warrior Princess episode
“Amphipolis Under Siege”
Episode no.	Season 5 Episode 14
Guest star(s)	Kevin Smith (Ares); Paris Jefferson (Athena); Musetta Vander (Ilainus); Darien Takle (Cyrene); Renee Kelly (archer)
Writer(s)	Chris Black
Director	Mark Beesley
Production no.	#V0919
Original airdate	2000 Feb. 14
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List of Xena episodes

The gods have been lining up to take out Xena's baby Eve, and now Athena has laid siege to Amphipolis.

Lesbian subtext

Lots of lesbian subtext and not-so-sub text in this episode, mostly from Athena and her favorite, Ilainus, with a little Xena/Gabrielle thrown in.

A/I lesbian subtext scene 1

After Ilainus first attacks on the road to Amphipolis, and Xena defends, Ilainus has a small scratch on her cheek. When she reports back to Athena, Athena takes the report, and then notices the scratch.

Athena: "Don't tell me one of those toll collectors laid a weapon on you."

Ilainus: "Xena was there."

Athena heals the cut with her finger, and then caresses Ilainus' cheek; Ilainus smiles and looks at her lovingly (or worshipfully).

Ath: "You have my favor, Ilainus-- always. But take care-- it doesn't make you any less mortal."

A/I lesbian subtext scene 2

Shortly thereafter Ares drops by, offering advice.

Ilainus: "Athena doesn't need your help."

Ares: "Nor any man's, it would seem." (looking from Ilainus to Athena, who acknowledges his comment with a turn of her head)

A/I lesbian subtext scene 3

Later, Xena runs into Ilainus in the caves.

Xena: "I know who you are. You're Athena's new champion, Ilainus of Mycenae. You heal quickly."

Ilainus touched her cheek, as if caught with her hand in the divine cookie jar.

Xena: "Or was that divine intervention?" (smiling meaningfully)

subtext galore, scene 4

Xena and Ilainus are about to start fighting:

Xena: "Let's see you do without your goddess' back."

They fight, Ilainus is creditable. Sultry music comes on and Xena does an assessing half turn around Ilainus, with a little smirk on her face.

Xena: "Not bad." Ilainus smiles and they continue to fight. Meanwhile, Ares and Athena are also duking it out; Athena gives him a good knock and says:

Athena: "What's the matter, Bro? Worried about your girlfriend?"

Ares: "Me? No. Worried about yours?" Her face tightens and she turns to look at Xena and Ilainus fighting, just in time to see Xena stab Ilainus in the gut.

Athena: "Ilainus!" she cries in a horror-stricken voice, and runs to Ilainus' side.

Athena: "Your wound is beyond my healing."

Ilainus: "Do I still have your favor, Athena?"

Athena: "Always." Ilainus dies, and Athena adds bitterly: "Take a good look, Ares. We're next-- all of us." She gathers Ilainus' body into her arms and zaps them somewhere else.

Aftewards, Ares tries to get Xena to go with him.

Ares: "Wh-- why do you continue to deny us? We had a deal. When we were fightin' side by side, it was like we were one."

Xena gives a sideways half-embarrassed look at Gabrielle.

Ares: "Back there in the temple-- can you tell me you didn't feel anything?"

Xena: "I felt nothing." (coldly)

Gabrielle smirks triumphantly at Ares.

Ares: "This isn't finished. As long as your child lives, they'll keep coming-- and then you're gonna have to come to me for help." (he disappears)

Xena: "I felt something." (muttered ruefully, embarrassedly)

Gabrielle does a subtle double-take.