Ep 12. If The Shoe Fits...

Xena: Warrior Princess is a classic fantasy adventure series that aired from 1995-2001. The show followed the titular Xena, a reformed warlord, and her sidekick Gabrielle, a traveling bard, as they journeyed around ancient Greece, battling evil and righting wrongs. Season 4, episode 12 is titled "If The Shoe Fits..." and takes Xena and Gabrielle into the world of Cinderella with a fun and comedic twist.

The episode begins with Xena and Gabrielle taking a break from their usual adventures to attend a royal ball. Xena is dressed to the nines, wearing a beautiful gown and jewelry, while Gabrielle is a little more low-key in a simple dress. They are enjoying the lavish surroundings, the music, and the company of the other guests when they hear a commotion coming from downstairs. Xena notes that it sounds like someone is being mistreated and goes to investigate.

What she finds is a young woman named Cinderella (yes, that Cinderella) who is being forced to do menial tasks by her stepmother and stepsisters. The stepmother is cruel and abusive, and the stepsisters are vapid and shallow, only concerned with finding a rich husband. Xena is moved by Cinderella's plight and decides to help her.

Of course, this being Xena, she doesn't just give Cinderella a pep talk and send her on her way. Instead, she concocts a plan to help Cinderella attend the ball, where she hopes she will meet the prince and live happily ever after. The plan involves some literal shoe fitting, as Xena proposes to take on the role of the fairy godmother and create a magical pair of shoes for Cinderella to wear to the ball. Gabrielle is skeptical of the plan but goes along with it, and soon they are sneaking in and out of the house to collect the materials they need.

The rest of the episode is full of hijinks and humor as Xena and Gabrielle try to help Cinderella without getting caught by the stepmother and stepsisters. Meanwhile, Cinderella is getting herself dolled up for the ball, and Xena is putting the finishing touches on the magic shoes. The tension builds as Xena needs to get the shoes to Cinderella without being caught, and when she finally does, there is a fantastic scene where Cinderella tries them on and they fit perfectly.

The ball itself is a spectacle, full of colorful costumes, elegant dancing, and snooty aristocrats. Cinderella catches the eye of the prince, but things start to go awry when the stepmother and stepsisters show up and try to sabotage her chances. Xena and Gabrielle are once again in the thick of things, trying to keep Cinderella safe and make sure she has a chance to dance with the prince. The climax of the episode involves a tense confrontation between Xena and the stepmother, and it leaves things uncertain as to whether or not Cinderella will get her happy ending.

Throughout "If The Shoe Fits...", there is a great balance between the fairytale elements and the trademark Xena action and humor. Lucy Lawless brings her usual gravitas to the role of Xena, but also gets to show off her comedic chops in scenes where she is disguised as the fairy godmother. Renee O'Connor is also fantastic as Gabrielle, providing the voice of reason to Xena's more impulsive nature. The actress playing Cinderella (Debby Killion) is also quite good, managing to be both innocent and spunky at the same time.

Overall, "If The Shoe Fits..." is a delightful episode of Xena: Warrior Princess that blends two very different worlds together with ease. It's a great example of the show's ability to take classic stories and put its own spin on them, while still delivering a satisfying adventure for its fans.