This episode is the follow-up to the Hell arc, which was previously featured in the Haunting of Amphipolis. As a sub-string connective plot point episode, this one also rocked hard. It portrayed the deadly and dark emotions lurking inside mortals when they are engrossed by the darkness in their hearts. First off, after Xena has slain Mephistopheles (my favorite villain in the entire series), she ends up being forced into taking his throne by the Archangels who were sent to enforce this agenda. To this end, they are unsuccessful to do so because Xena is smart enough to trick them in her own game. She lures the archangel Lucifer with her own evil intentions, forcing him to commit the seven deadly sins and pretty much making him the new Devil. Of course, Xena has that wonderful statement in the end to boot: "That's what makes us human, Lucifer. But in you, an Archangel, to succumb to such temptation, that's what makes you a monster." And then, we see the wonderful effects of Lucifer's transformation into the red-skinned horned devil. Of course, he is then kicked down to hell, where he is now Mephistopheles' replacement as the king of hell. The whole concept of Xena killing the devil Mephistopheles and then tricking Lucifer into committing the biblical seven deadly sins and having him succumb to the bowels of hell make this episode a very awesome one as well. When it comes to the overall moral value as well as the initial creative writing for characters like Mephistopheles and Lucifer, these episodes shine all the way through with their proper usage of brilliantly designed villains.
Review of Heart of Darkness
Excellent Interpretation of the Devil's Displaying of the Seven Deadly Sins
13 March 2013
Warning: Spoilers