Xena (Lucy Lawless) and Gabrielle (Renee O'Connor) arrive in a village and find a teenager is about to be publicly whipped. As they leap to her rescue, Xena and Gabrielle discover that the teenager is Tara (Shiri Appleby), a girl they had encountered in earlier travels. They are shocked to learn that she was being punished for dancing. Xena discovers that many years ago the town once suffered a horrible fire following a dance and now dancing is banned. Through the years, the true reason for the ban was lost and people now believe that the ban is based on religious decree. Upholding the law is the magistrate, Istafan (John Givins), a cold and self-righteous man.
Xena decides to help Tara bring dancing to this town and develops a plan. Meanwhile, Gabrielle realizes that being told she cannot dance has given her a barely controllable urge to dance. Rumors soon spread through town that Philipon the Reformer, an extremely conservative preacher, is coming to town to help save them from impure urges. When the man arrives, Gabrielle is amazed to see that it is Autolycus (Bruce Campbell) in disguise. Xena has sent for him and, though there is no reward, he quickly agrees to help her when Istafan disputes the legend of the remarkable King of Thieves.
Autolycus, as Philipon, begins preaching even stricter reforms than Istafan. He wants to eliminate singing and painting and believes that the children of the town should start military training to keep them away from sin. Some of the parents become uneasy at this, particularly Telamon (Hemi Rudolph), who is Tara's employer and the father of her boyfriend, Andros (Michael Kupenga). Tara and Andros become frustrated by the oppressive atmosphere of the town and run away. Xena confronts Tara and convinces her to return to town and finish the reforms she started.
Back in town, Xena leads the teenagers through a series of drills that she announces will make them better warriors. Istafan and Autolycus look on approvingly, not realizing that the drill is actually a series of dance steps. When Telamon sees the kids practicing military drills and realizes they will be taught to kill, he announces his intention of running for magistrate in the upcoming election. He realizes that the restrictions the town has placed upon itself are inappropriate. Istafan is nervous and tells his right-hand man to set up an assassination.
During the election speeches, Xena saves Autolycus from being killed by an arrow, but Istafan sites the murder attempt as a need for his stricter government. Ultimately, Xena manages to trick Istafan into admitting he ordered the assassination, as the village's children start dancing in the street. Xena and Autolycus manage to dance while fighting off the soldiers who want to stop the party. Telamon is elected magistrate and the village is renewed.
Guest Starring: Shiri Appleby (Tara), Bruce Campbell (Autolycus), Hemi Rudolph (Telamon), John Givins (Istafan), Michael Kupenga (Andros), Campbell Cooley (Licinus), Dennis Hally (Bootmaker), Vicky Haugton (Old Lady)
Starring: Lucy Lawless as Xena, Renee O'Connor as Gabrielle
Written by Gillian Horvath
Directed by Michael Hurst