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Ooooooo boy here we go again. "There's a sentence in there just DYING to get out" Ugh she's such a bitch hahaha.

I'm starting to be able to tell which writer is writing these episodes. This was absolutely a Steven one. He likes his story heavy episodes and just the way he has the characters battling between what is right and what is wrong is always just so brilliant. And because of this it makes the audience really think about things. While Xena definitely gets tunnel vision around Ceasar, was there another way? Will Gabrielle have to realize she can't save everyone nor can she change everyone? These episodes give me the biggest headache simply because I always want a right or wrong answer, and most of these there just... isn't.

What exactly is the greater good here? Killing a man who has done basically what your wife has done but you know she's changed, or killing an innocent man? And do you want to do bad shit and be included or not do bad shit but be excluded? THERE IS A GIVE AND TAKE HERE GABRIELLE.

Files

XENA: WARRIOR PRINCESS | S03E16 - When In Rome

Watch "XENA: WARRIOR PRINCESS | S03E16 - When In Rome" on Streamable.

Comments

Girl4Music

The way Xena orders Gabrielle around in ‘When In Rome…” like she’s just a common foot soldier. I never liked that but I understood why she does it. It goes along with her losing her head once Caesar is involved. Her emotions become skewed along with her thoughts and she treats people like shit on her shoe. Even people she loves. Even her most trusted partner. Caesar - specifically her hatred for Caesar - leaves her impaired. She’s not her usual formidable self and it takes Gabrielle pointing it out and going through the mess she does for her to realize that. Gabrielle is always the one to suffer anytime Caesar is a flash in Xena’s eye. I guess it just goes to show you the stark dichotomy between what love does and what hate does to Xena.

Girl4Music

Steven L. Sears was very serious about getting those details right but when the construction of a TV show is camp and low budget, you’re going to get these non-intentionally hilarious moments when it’s the editing. Watch out for the huge WHOOSH effect when Xena is in the fighting stadium and she whips her head around to Caesar. That little moment always has me in hysterics.

Girl4Music

This is another episode where no one really cares about the Xena/Caesar fued. This episode belongs to Gabrielle and her struggle to betray her ideals by personally sending Crassus to the executioner. Commissioned and expected to by Xena, no less. She's the heart of the whole story here. It all wraps tightly around her. Just like 'The Deliverer', without what's going on with Gabrielle, it's just another cat-and-mouse Xena VS Caesar game and even though I love the Rome episodes, they're not as interesting as you think they are without Gabrielle’s stuff. And as great as all the other writers are with Gabrielle’s representation and development, only Steven truly gets what Gabrielle’s about. Him and Renee really make this show resonate far beyond a villain-turned-hero seeking redemption story. Without Gabrielle - this show is half its watch value. Well and truly.

André

Love this episode. Cool new sets. Great action sequences. Interesting new character in Pompey. Xena was pragmatic and she did the right thing here. Gabrielle's overthinking would get everybody killed. Love Renee's work and I adore Gabrielle but I watch this show for Xena and she was spot on in this episode.

André

Actually, I love this episode because of the Xena/Caesar feud. Gabrielle's part in this episode is good because it adds drama to the principal narative of this episode and it evolves through out the show, but form me it is the B plot. Even in "The Deliverer", when Steven used Caesar as a diversion to cover Dahak's plan for Gabrielle, for me is always about the Xena perspective of things. Most of the episode was about Xena outsmarting Caesar and that was what I loved about that episode. The Dahak part was the cherry on top of the cake. I guess I am a Xena person.

André

Xena was not blinded by her hatred for Caesar in this episode. As she said, she overcame that, after The Deliverer. Xena learns her lessons. Here, she had to convince everybody, Pompey, Crassus, Brutus and Caesar, that she wants, secretly, assassinate Caesar, for her plan to work. She still hates Caesar but she doesn't let it blind her anymore. That's the point of this episode. Xena evolves too guys. It is not just Gabrielle who grows.

Girl4Music (edited)

Comment edits

2026-11-14 01:00 Or you see through Xena’s eye. I know I do when some things.
2026-11-13 06:02 Or you see through Xena’s eyes. I know I with some things.

Or you see through Xena’s eyes. I know I with some things.

Rhys Lawler

I dont feel that Xena had a blind spot in this episode for Caesar. Like Tash said, I think it is more not trusting Gabrielle in a war situation / still some feelings relating to the rift. I think she just wanted to help someone and if it affects Caesar as well, even better. And giving the ring wouldn't have made a difference. It could have made a controversy, but Caesar could easily say it was stolen etc.

André

The problem is that Vercinix was presented to the noble people at the party in Caesar's palace and all of them were watching the execution. So, they all saw that the man executed was not Vercinix. I assume whispers started to flow about this and Caesar's repution was hurt amongst the most influencial people in Rome. That is why, I think Xena's plan was so good. She knew Caesar had the people of Rome on his side and that he would do anything to please them but the noble romans started to realize that he was just an arrogant liar and they would slowly starting to oppose him.

HiCo

I like a lot in this ep, particularly how big a moment it is for Gabrielle. She may have killed a person before in the heat if the moment but here it's a deliberate choice. I do also like the way that Ceasar gets under Xena's skin more than the average villain because of their history and she really has to be at the very top of her game when going up against her... Yet her judgement is clouded so badly by her desire to even the score with him. Not 100% certain how far you are up to with Spartacus but would be interested to hear your thoughts on this ep again after you've seen the entireity of that show. Bonus fact: this is the 2nd time Crassus has appeared in Xena. The first time was in the form of Homer's story in Athens City of the Performing Bards with the clips borrowed from the Kubrick film. I do like when Xena steps into the pages of real history and Ceasar, Pompey and Crassus really did rule Rome for a time as uneasy rivals. Ceasar did conquer Gaul and drag their leader back to Rome to be publicly executed in celebration. The Gaul's name was Vercingetorix though, which they likely simplified for the show since it gets said a lot. For some extraordinary reason I hate the way the word "the" gets stuck in the middle of Pompey Magnus. It sounds clumsy and flows badly. Just call him Pompey Magnus or Pompey the Great and be done with it! 😅