This episode has a rather humorous theme involving several contagious diseases that seem to plague Xena and Gabrielle throughout their journey in search of Argo. It seems Argo vanished after Xena left her behind during her search for Gabrielle in Sin Trade I & II. The first scene opens to see Xena awakened by Gabrielle shoving her foot infested with a terrible rash that Gabrielle calls "foot rot". Meanwhile discovering that Xena has been infested with lice of which Xena emphatically denies. Both continue their journey in spite of their irritability and obvious discomfort as Joxer emerges into their path. Joxer, having been hired by a village for protection by marauders, enlists Xena and Gabrielle to assist him, they agree thus temporarily putting off the search for Argo. In the distance Xena sees Argo but is unable to persuade her any closer, this behavior is questioned by Xena but she is glad to have at least caught a glimpse of her golden horse knowing that she is safe. As they continue their journey to the village Gabrielle's rash begins spreading all over her body and Xena continues to refuse that she has lice in spite of her emphatic obsession of itching and scratching her head. Joxer produces a Scythian dagger which Xena recognizes as such as Gabrielle scouts a rabbit for breakfast. To Gabrielle's dismay she has cornered no ordinary rabbit as it attacks her ferociously and she is left to beat it off of her alone. Meanwhile Xena's lice continues to spread, as Joxer takes notice of her scalp infestation, she continues to deny anything other than a minor scalp irritation. Gabrielle returns empty handed from her scouting encounter and Joxer prepares radish stew, all the while ridiculing Gabrielle for not trapping a rabbit. Xena decides that Argo is jealous of her for leaving her behind and taking another horse to search for Gabrielle, when in fact Xena used the other horse's blood to cross to the other side and could not take Argo's life. Joxer decides to scout for Argo while Xena and Gabrielle eat breakfast and make plans for the attack, thinking this will take a load off Xena's mind. (ha ha). Meanwhile Gabrielle uses Xena's chakrum to relieve her itching skin and both warriors come to a stand off as Xena tries to retrieve her chakrum. As Joxer returns from his search, empty handed, it becomes evident who won the standoff as Gabrielle's hands are tied and there is no sign of Xena. Gabrielle pleads with Joxer to untie her hands and begins to insult him. Joxer acknowledges what she is about to say and she quickly tries to cover with a compliment. As her stomach begins churning she is forced to vomit on Joxer's boots. As Joxer and Gabrielle reunite with Xena, who has created a landslide to block the marauders to the village, it is apparent that both Xena and Gabrielle are becoming more ill and irritable. Now both their stomachs are churning as they continue to have the "runs" in the forest. It is decided that the radish stew that Joxer made for breakfast was tainted. Fortunately Joxer has no ill effects at this point and leads Xena and Gabrielle towards the village. Meanwhile Argo is kidnapped by the Scythian leader for his personal warhorse, threatening that the horse will be trained or die. Upon arriving to the village, the towns people are unimpressed by Xena and Gabrielle's appearance as well as behavior brought on by their diseases. Xena discusses her plan with the towns people and requests a few supplies that are essential for their stay -- a bed, linseed root and willow bark. (the latter two being the medicine to help combat Gabrielle's skin rash). They are invited to use the town's natural mineral bath as they both use various kinds of medicine to continue fighting off their afflictions. In a humorous moment Gabrielle is informed the mud caked substance on her body is actually "goat poo", of which Gabrielle notes it to smell like it. However, as both discover they have acquired each other's disease they produce shriek in unison. The next scene shows Xena covered in "goat poo" as well. As Xena and Gabrielle are discussing their next moves in their room that evening Xena discovers that Gabrielle is drinking the medicine (linseed root) meant to be applied on her rash and informs her that the side effect for drinking it is a numb mouth for several days. During the night Xena puts the pinch on a scythian marauder invading their room and is abruptly overtaken by the "stomach bug", in her efforts to maintain her capture she awakes Gabrielle to interrogate the marauder. Of course, at this time Gabrielle's mouth is completely numb and all she can do is drool on the intruder and mumble for him to "talk" of which he has no understanding of her actions or words. Xena returns and locks up the marauder and retrieves the information she needs to finish the battle. During a commotion outside Xena discovers Argo covered in war armor with the Scythian leader on her back. The captured Scythian is released by his comrades and a battle ensues. Xena unable to retrieve Argo during the battle is quite visibly shaken without Argo's loyalty as she seeks comfort from Gabrielle and vows to get Argo back. Xena develops a plan using Joxer to single handedly defeat the Scythian army -- with his "radish stew" epidemic. Xena and Gabrielle stake out the Scythian campsite while Joxer is led to the camp and feeds the hungry army. Meanwhile Xena locates Argo's whereabouts and struggles with her to escape, Argo refuses to budge as Xena is thrown from the tent. Xena manages to battle the oncoming marauders and escapes as her plan to win Argo fails temporarily. Meanwhile Joxer's radish stew begins influencing the army and disables them, except for their leader and a chosen few. Xena and the Scythian leader (mounted on Argo) prepare a standoff as Xena allows Argo to charge towards her, all the while hoping that Argo's allegiance to her will not fail. As Argo nears her, she stops full force as the Scythian leader is catapulted from the saddle, once again reaffirming her allegiance to Xena. The enraged Scythian mounts a nearby horse and charges towards Argo to kill her. Xena mounts Argo and both battle with swords in hand. Xena defeats the Scythian as Argo gives a victorious snort to her attacker. Xena and Argo share a quiet moment to discuss Argo's behavior. Argo nibbles on an apple tree branch to let Xena know how she was won over. (Xena realizes that Gabrielle's original idea was true, that Argo was won over by apples). Joxer is rewarded by the towns people with 500 dinars, all of which he returns promptly to the people to restore their village. And all ends well as a smug Joxer suddenly develops the "radish stew stomach bug" and retreats as a tired Xena and Gabrielle look on.By Jennifer
