Xena Warrior Princess:S1

As the series evolved, speculation was rife about the true nature of their relationship. Playful and provocative teasers in several of these episodes give this first season an unexpected erotic charge, as witness "Altared States," in which the two skinnydip, and later, a drugged Gabrielle, revived by Xena, looks upon her and gushes, "By the gods! You are beautiful." Other memorable episodes include "Callisto," which introduces the vengeful female warrior who would further bedevil Xena in seasons to come; "Prometheus," in which Kevin Sorbo guest stars as Hercules; "Chariots of War," in which Xena wears a dress (!), and "Warrior...Princess," in which Xena trades places with her look-alike, a Princess named--yes--Diana, who is the target of assassins. By the gods, Xena is an absolute hoot whose pleasures--stylized action sequences, cheesy special effects, tongue-in-cheek anachronistic dialogue--are anything but guilty ones. Clumsy packaging, lack of commentary, and less than pristine picture quality are minor drawbacks to this otherwise thrilling set. --Donald Liebenson

Episodes: Sins of the Past, Chariots of War, Dreamworker, Cradle of Hope, The Path Not Taken, The Reckoning, The Titans, Prometheus, Death in Chains, Hooves and Harlots, The Black Wolf, Beware Greeks Bearing Gifts, Athens City Academy of the Performing Bards, A Fist Full of Dinars, Warrior...Princess, Mortal Beloved, The Royal Couple of Thieves, The Prodigal, Altered States, Ties That Bind, The Greater Good, Callisto, Death Mask, Is There a Doctor in the House?