Ties That Bind

S1 E20: In an attempt to win Xena back to lead his army, Ares masterminds a plot involving Xena's estranged father Atrius. Xena and Gabrielle sneak up on the army encampment of General Kirilus to witness several frightened young women being corralled and locked up by guards. Xena is about to move in when a mysterious warrior, edging towards the camp, is spotted by Kirilus' men. Shouting for the release of the captives, the warrior is attacked and nearly overpowered when Xena jumps into the fray to rescue him. When Gabrielle arrives and calls out Xena's name, the mysterious stranger stuns them both by announcing that he's Xena's father Atrius, a claim the warrior princess rejects immediately.