Ep 21. The Ides of March

As the fourth season of Xena: Warrior Princess reaches its penultimate episode, things are getting tense. In "The Ides of March," a prophecy predicts that a great force of evil will soon rise up, though no one knows what form it will take. Xena is convinced that it is Caesar, the man who she has been chasing for years and whose death she has sworn to bring about. Meanwhile, Gabrielle is still struggling with the loss of her child and with the guilt she feels over the things she has done.

Despite all of this, the two women have a mission to complete. They are heading to the Roman Senate, where Caesar is set to give a speech. Xena plans to assassinate him, hoping that it will prevent the prophecy from coming true. Gabrielle, however, is hesitant. She sees the danger in what they are attempting and she worries that killing Caesar will only lead to more violence.

As they travel through the countryside, Xena and Gabrielle have an encounter with a stranger who tells them a story that shakes both of them to their core. The stranger tells them of a man who had everything, but who lost it all when he made a terrible choice. Xena and Gabrielle realize that they are on a similar trajectory and that they must make a decision about the future they want to build for themselves.

When they arrive in Rome, Xena gets close to Caesar. Gabrielle, meanwhile, is convinced that the prophecy will come true no matter what they do. She believes that the only way to stop it is for someone to sacrifice themselves, taking the force of evil down with them. As they approach the Senate, tensions are high and it's clear that something big is about to happen.

What follows is a shocking and intense episode that will leave fans on the edge of their seats. As Xena and Gabrielle grapple with their choices and with the prophecy that looms over them, they must also face some hard truths about themselves and their relationship. "The Ides of March" is a rollercoaster of emotions, filled with action, drama, and some unforgettable moments between the two protagonists. It's a fitting end to the fourth season and sets the stage for the explosive finale that is to come.