Ep 19. Looking Death in the Eye

Xena: Warrior Princess season 5 episode 19, titled "Looking Death in the Eye," begins with Xena and Gabrielle traveling to a distant land, hoping to prevent a war caused by a rift between two feuding tribes. However, their journey takes a dramatic turn when Xena is bitten by a venomous spider and suffers a near-fatal reaction.

As Gabrielle tries to find an antidote, Xena is pulled into a surreal dream-like state where she encounters Death himself. Through a series of flashbacks, Xena is forced to confront her past mistakes and those she has hurt in her quest for redemption. Meanwhile, Gabrielle must navigate the hostile territory on her own and seek out the elusive cure for Xena's condition.

The episode explores themes of regret, forgiveness, and acceptance as Xena is faced with the consequences of her actions and the impact they have had on those around her. With Death as her guide, Xena must ultimately choose between her own life and the greater good as the fate of the two tribes hangs in the balance.

Featuring stunning visuals and powerful performances from Lucy Lawless as Xena and Renee O'Connor as Gabrielle, "Looking Death in the Eye" is a moving and thought-provoking episode that delves deep into the complex psyche of its titular heroine.