Lyre, Lyre, Hearts on Fire
Encyclopedia
"Lyre, Lyre, Hearts on Fire" is the tenth episode of the fifth season of the syndicated television series Xena: Warrior Princess
. It was written by Adam Armus and Nora Kay Foster, directed by Mark Beesley
, and first aired on January 17, 1999.
In the episode, Xena, Gabrielle and Joxer
head to Melodia, Greece
's musical capital, to participate in a battle of the bands to retrieve the Golden Lyre
. Meanwhile, Joxer is embarrassed by his camp brother, Jace.
The episode is the second musical episode of the series following "The Bitter Suite", although unlike "The Bitter Suite" which featured original music, Lyre, Lyre mostly uses existing songs including "War", "Sisters Are Doin' It for Themselves
", "(There's) Always Something There to Remind Me
", "Kick Out the Jams
" and "People Got to Be Free
". It also includes the song "Getting Ready", with a tune and style based on the song "The Telephone Hour" from the musical Bye Bye Birdie.
and Gabrielle
break up an impending conflict between a band of Amazons
and the warlord Draco and his gang. The two groups are clashing over a lyre
, one of several secreted around Greece by the muse
Terpsichore
to encourage the development of music. Xena suggests holding a "battle of the bands" to determine ownership of the lyre and both sides agree.
Word of the contest spreads to the nearby city of Melodia and dozens of performers turn out to compete. Among them is Jace, the third identical triplet of Joxer
. Jace is a flamboyant performer who displays stereotypically gay mannerisms and affects a fake Spanish accent and Joxer is ashamed of him. Xena tries to organize the contest while dodging her mother who, upon discovering that Xena is pregnant, sends a succession of suitors her way. Xena finally convinces her mother that she has a family already to raise her child and she doesn't need a husband.
Draco, who has long been in love with Gabrielle under a spell of Cupid's arrow, kidnaps Gabrielle just before the battle of the bands begins. Xena confronts Draco, frees Gabrielle and wins the battle of the bands. She donates the lyre back to the people of Melodia. During a stirring finale, Jace and Joxer reconcile.
Xena: Warrior Princess
Xena: Warrior Princess is an American–New Zealand supernatural fantasy adventure series that aired in syndication from September 4, 1995 until June 18, 2001....
. It was written by Adam Armus and Nora Kay Foster, directed by Mark Beesley
Mark Beesley
Mark Anthony Beesley is an English footballer who is currently with Burscough.-Career:Born in Burscough, Lancashire, Beesley began his career at the youth system of Preston North End before signing a professional contract in June 1999. He subsequently spent three and a half seasons at Chester City...
, and first aired on January 17, 1999.
In the episode, Xena, Gabrielle and Joxer
Joxer
Joxer is a fictional character in the syndicated television series Xena: Warrior Princess, played by American actor Ted Raimi. He is a comical wanna-be warrior who styles himself "Joxer the Mighty", and later "Joxer the Magnificent"....
head to Melodia, Greece
Greece
Greece , officially the Hellenic Republic , and historically Hellas or the Republic of Greece in English, is a country in southeastern Europe....
's musical capital, to participate in a battle of the bands to retrieve the Golden Lyre
Lyre
The lyre is a stringed musical instrument known for its use in Greek classical antiquity and later. The word comes from the Greek "λύρα" and the earliest reference to the word is the Mycenaean Greek ru-ra-ta-e, meaning "lyrists", written in Linear B syllabic script...
. Meanwhile, Joxer is embarrassed by his camp brother, Jace.
The episode is the second musical episode of the series following "The Bitter Suite", although unlike "The Bitter Suite" which featured original music, Lyre, Lyre mostly uses existing songs including "War", "Sisters Are Doin' It for Themselves
Sisters Are Doin' It for Themselves
"Sisters Are Doin' It for Themselves" is a hit duet recorded between British pop duo Eurythmics and American soul/R&B musician Aretha Franklin, released as a single by RCA Records in October 1985...
", "(There's) Always Something There to Remind Me
(There's) Always Something There to Remind Me
" Always Something There to Remind Me" is a song written in the 1960s by songwriting team Burt Bacharach and Hal David.-First charting versions:...
", "Kick Out the Jams
Kick Out the Jams
Kick Out the Jams is the first album by Detroit protopunkers MC5, released in 1969. It was recorded live at Detroit's Grande Ballroom over two nights, Devil's Night and Halloween, 1968. In 2003, the album was ranked number 294 on Rolling Stone magazine's list of the 500 greatest albums of all time...
" and "People Got to Be Free
People Got to Be Free
"People Got to Be Free" is a song released in 1968 by The Rascals. Written by group members Felix Cavaliere and Eddie Brigati and featuring a lead vocal from Cavaliere, it is an upbeat but impassioned plea for tolerance and freedom:...
". It also includes the song "Getting Ready", with a tune and style based on the song "The Telephone Hour" from the musical Bye Bye Birdie.
Plot
XenaXena
Xena is a fictional character from Robert Tapert's Xena: Warrior Princess franchise. She first appeared in the 1995–1999 television series Hercules: The Legendary Journeys, before going on to appear in Xena: Warrior Princess TV show and subsequent comic book of the same name...
and Gabrielle
Gabrielle (Xena)
Gabrielle is a fictional character played by Renée O'Connor in Xena: Warrior Princess. She is referred to by fans as the Battling Bard of Potidaea. Her trademark weapons are the Amazon fighting staff and later, the sais...
break up an impending conflict between a band of Amazons
Amazons
The Amazons are a nation of all-female warriors in Greek mythology and Classical antiquity. Herodotus placed them in a region bordering Scythia in Sarmatia...
and the warlord Draco and his gang. The two groups are clashing over a lyre
Lyre
The lyre is a stringed musical instrument known for its use in Greek classical antiquity and later. The word comes from the Greek "λύρα" and the earliest reference to the word is the Mycenaean Greek ru-ra-ta-e, meaning "lyrists", written in Linear B syllabic script...
, one of several secreted around Greece by the muse
Muse
The Muses in Greek mythology, poetry, and literature, are the goddesses who inspire the creation of literature and the arts. They were considered the source of the knowledge, related orally for centuries in the ancient culture, that was contained in poetic lyrics and myths...
Terpsichore
Terpsichore
In Greek mythology, Terpsichore "delight of dancing" was one of the nine Muses, ruling over dance and the dramatic chorus. She lends her name to the word "terpsichorean" which means "of or relating to dance". She is usually depicted sitting down, holding a lyre, accompanying the dancers' choirs...
to encourage the development of music. Xena suggests holding a "battle of the bands" to determine ownership of the lyre and both sides agree.
Word of the contest spreads to the nearby city of Melodia and dozens of performers turn out to compete. Among them is Jace, the third identical triplet of Joxer
Joxer
Joxer is a fictional character in the syndicated television series Xena: Warrior Princess, played by American actor Ted Raimi. He is a comical wanna-be warrior who styles himself "Joxer the Mighty", and later "Joxer the Magnificent"....
. Jace is a flamboyant performer who displays stereotypically gay mannerisms and affects a fake Spanish accent and Joxer is ashamed of him. Xena tries to organize the contest while dodging her mother who, upon discovering that Xena is pregnant, sends a succession of suitors her way. Xena finally convinces her mother that she has a family already to raise her child and she doesn't need a husband.
Draco, who has long been in love with Gabrielle under a spell of Cupid's arrow, kidnaps Gabrielle just before the battle of the bands begins. Xena confronts Draco, frees Gabrielle and wins the battle of the bands. She donates the lyre back to the people of Melodia. During a stirring finale, Jace and Joxer reconcile.