Ep 14. A Fistful of Dinars

Xena: Warrior Princess season 1 episode 14, titled "A Fistful of Dinars," sees Xena and her companion Gabrielle encounter a group of thieves while traveling through a desert.

The episode begins with Xena and Gabrielle relaxing by a stream when they are suddenly ambushed by a group of men, led by a man named Autolycus. However, their attackers soon realize that Xena is not an ordinary traveler, but a renowned warrior princess. Despite being outnumbered, Xena and Gabrielle manage to defeat the bandits and take Autolycus prisoner.

Autolycus explains to Xena and Gabrielle that he and his men have just stolen a valuable shipment of dinars from a nearby town and are trying to escape with their loot. Xena sees an opportunity to use this situation to her advantage and offers to help Autolycus and his men safely transport the dinars in exchange for a share of the treasure.

Xena and Gabrielle accompany Autolycus' men, who are a motley crew of thieves and outcasts, on their journey through the desert. Along the way, they encounter various obstacles, including a rival group of thieves who try to steal the dinars and a sandstorm that threatens to derail their mission.

As they travel, Xena begins to notice that Autolycus is more than just a common thief. He is charming, quick-witted and quite skilled in the art of deception. Xena becomes suspicious of his true motives and begins to investigate further. She discovers that Autolycus is actually a master thief who has been stealing from the rich and powerful to give back to the poor.

Xena is torn between her loyalty to Autolycus and her own sense of justice. She knows that stealing is wrong, but she also understands that sometimes the ends justify the means. Meanwhile, Gabrielle is struggling with her own sense of morality and the realization that there is no easy solution to the problems of the world.

As they approach their destination, Xena and Autolycus face off in a tense stand-off, with Xena threatening to turn him over to the authorities unless he agrees to return the stolen dinars. In the end, however, Xena decides to let Autolycus go, realizing that he is not evil, just misguided.

The episode ends with Xena and Gabrielle riding off into the sunset, enriched by their experience and ready for their next adventure.

Overall, "A Fistful of Dinars" is an action-packed episode filled with humor, drama, and intrigue. It explores complex themes of morality, loyalty, and the nature of good and evil. It is a great episode for fans of Xena: Warrior Princess, and an excellent starting point for new viewers.