The Bitter Suite

"The Bitter Suite"
Xena Warrior Princess episode
Xena and Gabrielle, trapped in Illusia by the manifestations of their mutual hate.
Episode no.	Season 3 Episode 12
Directed by	Oley Sassone
Written by	Chris Manheim Steven L. Sears
Production code	V0409
Original air date	February 02, 1998
Guest appearance(s)
Ted Raimi (Joxer) Hudson Leick (Callisto) Kevin Smith (Ares)
Episode chronology
← Previous "Maternal Instincts" Next → "One Against an Army"
List of Xena: Warrior Princess episodes

Ted Raimi (Joxer)
Hudson Leick (Callisto)
Kevin Smith (Ares)

“The Bitter Suite” is the twelfth episode of the third season of the American-New Zealand fantasy adventure series Xena: Warrior Princess, which premiered on February 2, 1998. The episode was written by Chris Manheim and Steven L. Sears and directed by Oley Sassone.

The series focuses on Xena (Lucy Lawless), a warrior in a quest to seek redemption for her past sins as a ruthless warlord by using her fighting skills to help people. Her best friend and traveling companion is Gabrielle (Renee O'Connor).

In the episode, Xena and Gabrielle are brought to the Land of Illusia, where they have to work together again, letting their past mutual grievances go, in order to escape alive. Throughout the episode Xena and Gabrielle deal with the problems that had recently torn them apart and learn to focus on the stronger bond that brought them together in the first place.

Noted for being a rare musical episode of the series, combining both humor and drama, "The Bitter Suite" was nominated for two Emmy Awards. Regular series composer Joseph LoDuca was nominated for Outstanding Music and Lyrics for the song "The Love of Your Love" and LoDuca and lyricist Dennis Spiegel were nominated in the same category for the song "Hearts Are Hurting." It was LoDuca's second and third nominations for the series out of a total of seven nominations, and one award, through the six-year run of the series.

After Gabrielle's daughter Hope kills Xena's son Solan in the previous episode, a rift grows between them, with Xena blaming Gabrielle for Solan's death.

At the start of the episode, Xena attacks and attempts to kill Gabrielle, only to be thwarted at the last moment when both fall into the sea and are brought to the land of Illusia. Both of them awaken completely nude, and are guided and given new clothing by Callisto and Joxer. Then Ares, Lila, and their associates try to set Xena and Gabrielle against each other.