Ep 1. Orphan of War

In "Orphan of War," the first episode of the second season of Xena: Warrior Princess, we find Xena and her faithful sidekick, Gabrielle, on a mission to help a village that has been besieged by a group of marauders. Along the way, they encounter a young boy named Solan, who has been left parentless by the war and is struggling to survive on his own.

Xena takes Solan under her wing and decides to raise him as her own son, much to the consternation of Gabrielle. As they continue their journey, Xena's past comes back to haunt her when she discovers that Solan's father is none other than Borias, a former lover and ally who has turned against her.

As Xena and Gabrielle try to protect Solan from Borias and his henchmen, they must also deal with the constant threat of the marauders who are terrorizing the village. Along the way, they encounter a group of Amazon warriors who join forces with them to take down the marauders and protect the innocent.

Throughout the episode, we see Xena struggle with her conflicting emotions towards Solan and Borias, as she grapples with the guilt and trauma of her past actions. Meanwhile, Gabrielle finds herself frustrated by Xena's single-minded determination to raise Solan as her own son, and the two women must come to a difficult understanding about their different priorities and responsibilities.

Overall, "Orphan of War" is a thrilling and emotionally charged episode that sets the tone for the rest of the season. It introduces several new characters and storylines, while also exploring the complex relationships between Xena, Gabrielle, and the people they encounter on their journey. Fans of the show will undoubtedly be hooked from the very beginning.