Originally aired on syndication on February 2, 1998, the episode, a musical, 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.

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.

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.

We also brought in a Broadway director/choreographer named Jeff Calhoun, I had a chance to work with some wonderful lyricists; all the things that wouldn't be part of an ordinary episode.

Some actors of the previous episode return, Hudson Leick as Callisto, Danielle Cormack, as Ephiny, and David Taylor as Solan.

Other old actors in the series return in that episode, as Ted Raimi, Kevin Tod Smith, Willa O'Neill, Karl Urban and Marton Csokas.

The series executive producer, Robert Tapert, was originally going to direct the episode himself, but he was forced to pull out at the last minute because of complications on Hercules: The Legendary Journeys.

Callisto was the fool and then justice; Xena was the high priestess, then the chariot, and also death for a short time; Gabrielle was the star, then the empress, and then the world; Joxer was the hanged man and then the hermit; Ares was the emperor; Lila was the hierophant; and Solon was the magician.

In chronological order, scenes were made to resemble the high priestess, wheel of fortune, the hanged man, the lovers, the moon, the chariot, the tower, judgement, the devil, temperance, and the sun.

The orange-and-green and orange-yellow-and-green costumes of the people of the village of peace are based upon the clothing depicted in the suit of wands of the Rider–Waite tarot deck.