This week on XENA: WARRIOR PODCAST, oh no, we're going to hellllllll! Vera, Katie, and Livy take flight in 5x01 "Fallen Angel," the spectacular season premiere and the most technically audacious Xena episode yet. We discuss the then-cutting edge digital effects, the religious art that influenced the look of heaven and hell, and the importance of the realistic B-plot in bringing this otherwise outrageous episode back to earth, with especially big props to Ted Raimi for his restrained and dignified performance. Plus: the ambivalence experienced when Xena and Gabrielle's relationship, more emphatically articulated than ever, is set against the greater good; Callisto's arc concludes with her becoming a creepy doll; sweet baby demon Gabs; so many lewks; compassion and forgiveness; the Good Touch and the Bad Touch. MICHAEL!

The power, the passion, the podcast!

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Vera: (@hollywoodgrrl)

Katie: (@katetocci)

Livy: (@PonderousLivy)

Music: http://freemusicarchive.org/music/A_Hawk_and_a_Hacksaw/