In most people's imaginations the words Xena: Warrior Princes and Hercules: The Legendary Journeys conjure fantastical ancient lands of adventure, myth and monsters; capricious gods and ruthless warlords; and oppressed innocents looking for help from two tragic heroes each on their own arduous quest for redemption.
But… each series also offers a bizarre handful of episodes that breaks from this quasi-Grecian world and tells its tales in a more modern time.
From reincarnation and cloning to plots involving postmodern meta fiction, these 6 episodes of the heroic action series offer an interesting departure from the standard Xena and Hercules mythology.
1
Yes, Virginia, There is a Hercules
Hercules: The Legendary Journeys
Season 4, Ep. 15
In the Hercules universe catastrophic danger is everywhere—even on the studio lot. In this episode, an earthquake in present-day Los Angeles causes panic for the writers of 'Hercules' when series star Kevin Sorbo goes missing. This episode also is notable for an impromptu performance of the Hercules theme by cast members in the men's restroom.
2
For Those of You Just Joining Us
Hercules: The Legendary Journeys
Season 5, Ep. 9
Alas, warlords continue to thrive well into the 20th century, as the staff of Hercules learn in this episode. Ordered to come up with better stories by studio head B.S. Hollingsfoffer, the writers and producers of the show travel to a corporate retreat—when they get there, someone begins trying to kill them.
3
Déjà Vu All Over Again
Xena: Warrior Princess
Season 4, Ep. 22
What show doesn't have a good reincarnation episode? Here, a present-day woman believes she's the reincarnation of Xena, while her disbelieving boyfriend thinks she's crazy. Seeking help from a past-life expert, she encounters some familiar faces as she tries to make sense of her situation.
4
You Are There
Xena: Warrior Princess
Season 6, Ep. 13
The collision of worlds is a familiar trope in television. In this episode, Xena embarks on a quest to steal the Golden Apples of Valhalla and restore love to the world. However, a present-day reporter repeatedly interferes with a quest of his own.
5
Send in the Clones
Xena: Warrior Princess
Season 6, Ep. 16
In what is probably the strangest episode of Xena, "Send in the Clones" features a group of diehard Xena fans who use 2,000-year-old hair samples and Xena episode clips to create clones of Xena and Gabrielle and restore their memories. One fan, however, isn't actually a fan at all, rather the reincarnation of evil Alti.
6
Soul Possession
Xena: Warrior Princess
Season 6, Ep. 20
At a present-day meeting of the Center for Historical Accuracy of Key Research in Ancient Mythology (C.H.A.K.R.A.M.), the reincarnations of Xena, Gabrielle and Joxer duke it out with Ares, much to the surprise of history buffs gathered to hear about a newly discovered ancient scroll. C.H.A.K.R.A.M., by the way, is an acronymic play on words referring to Xena's weapon of choice, the chakram.
Watch Xena: Warrior Princess weekdays at 7P ET | 4P PT and Saturdays at 2P ET | 11A PT and 3P ET | 12P PT. Catch Hercules: The Legendary Journeys weekdays at 6P ET | 3P PT and Saturdays 4P ET | 1P ET and 5P ET | 2P ET.