This episode opens with Xena and Gabrielle traveling across a hot, desert trail. Gabrielle begins to immerse Xena with her innermost thoughts from her scroll, while wishing that Xena had a way to express her innermost thoughts as well. Xena produces her chakrum in answer to Gabrielle's wish, which Gabrielle hopelessly remarks "that's perfect". Both warriors appear hot and tired as Gabrielle discovers her boots are in definite need of repair. Meanwhile in a village not far away, Tara (last seen in the "Forgiven" episode) appears dancing with several locals from the village, particularly, Andross. Estefan, the chief magistrate of the town militia, enters and the locals scatter, all except Tara, all knowing that dancing has been outlawed. Estefan holds a meeting to determine the discipline for Tara's crime, as she is tied to a pole exposing her back. The sentence for dancing -- 10 lashes with a whip. Xena and Gabrielle having just entered the village, immediately take action as Xena kicks the weapon out of the enemy's hand. Xena and Gabrielle undertake swift battle into defeating their opponents as Gabrielle rushes to release Tara. Having missed the reason the for Tara's punishment both are shocked to know the true nature of her crime. "She danced', echoes from Estefan's mouth. Xena, Tara and Gabrielle leave the village as the people of Palia agree that banishment is a fair punishment. Tara bids a solemn farewell to her two friends - Talamon and his son Andross. On their journey, Tara, protests to return to the village. Her argument -- that she wants to change the rules so dancing can be legal. Xena sensing her desire to change, agrees to help. As Xena, Tara and Gabrielle return to the village, Xena makes her intentions known. First, Tara will apologize to the whole community. Secondly, Xena will stay around for a few days to see that Tara obeys the rules. Lastly, Tara can be punished if she disobeys the rules after Xena has gone. Estefan agrees that this is fair as long as Tara changes her ways. He then appoints Talamon to see that Tara does. Xena and Gabrielle have a restless night of sleep as Xena has an upset stomach from the foreign food and Gabrielle suddenly feels the desire to dance, having told Xena "every since I heard that it's not allowed I've never wanted to do it so badly in all my life". The next day Gabrielle takes her boots to be repaired and hears that Philepon The Reformer is arriving, as she is loaned some comical leopard print boots until hers are repaired. The Reformer appears, who is none other than Autolycus, the King of Thieves. An elaborate scheme is underway by Xena in an attempt to reflect how ludicrous the militia's views are of dancing by introducing some rather overextreme measures. (Xena had previously sent word to Autolycus to appear as The Reformer to assist her in her plan). A very charismatic Philepon appears and begins to instruct the people of Palia of the ill effects of dancing. The muse "Calliope" having fueled his speech, the town militia are encouraged by his message as several others look on in dismay. Few are unaffected by Philepon's message, Talamon, being one of those few. Xena talks to Talamon, testing him to see if Philepon's views appear too overextreme. Talamon hesitantly states that "they were a little strict". Immediately Philepon appears having toured the village and continues to point out signs of decadence everywhere. Meanwhile, Tara, being fueled by her desire to express herself through dance, slowly begins a dance with the shadows as Andross appears to join her. Quickly turning away, Andross reveals his desire to leave the village and requests for Tara to join him. Meanwhile, an antsy Gabrielle (still stuck on dancing) appears with an anxiously awaiting Xena for Tara to meet them. They arrive at Talamon's hut and he informs them that Andross and Tara are gone. In an effort to leave, Tara and Andross run into Xena and discuss their reasons for leaving as Xena discusses her disappointment in running from the problem. Meanwhile Gabrielle's boots are repaired and she is enjoying the new metal taps added. (These taps she also finds contribute to her desire to dance as she begins testing them). Xena and Philepon discuss their next tactic which is relayed to Estefan -- military training (dancing channeled into martial discipline). Xena and Gabrielle lead an impressive display of the new art - "war" for the militia's enjoyment. As the militia disperse, Xena and Gabrielle put the real plan into action-- "a dance"). At Philepon's last meeting Xena discusses the continued war classes with the militia and the people of Palia. Talamon speaks up saying, "teaching them to kill to take their minds off of dance, have you ever heard anything more ridiculous?'. As the elections for chief magistrate are discussed Talamon decides to run against Estefan. His focus being, "we need to change or our children will leave us and our town will die." In an assassination attempt on Philepon, the real culprit is revealed -- Estefan. Xena takes the platform as a full dance breaks out among the village, as Xena and Gabrielle join in. As each villager brings their own unique style of dance, everyone joins in the fun, ending this episode with a very happy scene of Xena and Gabrielle.By Jennifer
