This episode often gets more criticism than it realistically deserves. It's not perfect, far from it, but the way fans sometimes push it to the bottom of the list seems excessive, especially when compared to some really weak efforts in the series. If we are talking about "straight" episodes, this one at least has some emotional basis and idea, unlike, say, King Con or especially the disaster with Antony and Cleopatra, an episode that I sincerely hate from the bottom of my soul and whose existence I would burn.

The biggest problem here is Ulysses himself. The actor simply does not have the necessary charisma, nor chemistry with Xena. His scenes that are supposed to carry romantic tension feel empty, like you're watching something that should work but never quite clicks. And that's a big minus, because the whole episode partly depends on that relationship. However, despite this, the story itself is not bad. It has adventure, it has a mythological framework with Poseidon, it has that homecoming motif that always carries a certain weight.

But what really keeps this episode above average is what happens between Xena and Gabrielle. This is the layer that many ignore when they reduce it to "Xena has another man who falls in love with her". Because what matters more here is how Xena reacts to it. She doesn't fight back in the way a classic story would expect. There is no real emotion in that direction, no sincere teaching. Everything seems more like respect and understanding, but no real connection. In fact, I always had the impression that Xena was only physically attracted to Ulysses and that he was a warrior like her, rather than having any real emotions. That's why it was easy for Xena to give him up in the end, not only because it was right for Penelope, but also because there was nothing more than erotic attraction on her part.

And then comes the pivotal moment, Xena tells Gabrielle that she is part of her heart and that she taught her how to love. It is not a small thing, nor a passing remark. That's the crux of the whole episode. While on the outside we have the story of Ulysses trying to win over Xena, the real emotional line is between Xena and Gabrielle. And there you can see how deeply rooted their relationship is. That's why I'm surprised that everyone insists on the straight elements, and ignores the existence of subtext in this episode, which is quite strong.

Gabrielle observes all this throughout the episode, but there is no classic jealousy. There is a quiet discomfort, but also an understanding. As if she knew that what existed between her and Xena could not be threatened by something so superficial. Their connection seems stable, secure, like something that doesn't have to be proven.

That's why this episode, despite the weak Ulysses, still has value. Because the point is not in that "romance", but in how Xena rejects her without having to dramatically reject her. She already has something deeper, something that gives her meaning.

In the end, it feels like the episode is trying to be something that it may not be able to pull off due to the bad choice for Ulysses, but still manages to hold its own thanks to the relationship between Xena and Gabrielle. And that's exactly why he doesn't deserve as much hate as he gets. He has flaws, but he also has heart. And that's more than can be said for some of the other episodes that are much louder, but actually emptier.