Odin (Hercules and Xena)

Odin, Chief of the Norse Gods and Ruler of Asgard. He is the Asgardian equivalent of Zeus. Odin shares his time between Valhalla, home of hisValkyries and Asgard, home of the rest of the Norse Pantheon.

Odin first met Xena after she had returned from Chinand was travelling through the Norselands. She rescued him from eternal torture and in return he made her one of his favoured Valkyries. She was taught the ancient Runes and attempted to harness the great power they held. She was banished from the Valkyrie for abusing her position and forging The Ring, which turned fellow Valkyrie Grinhilda into a vile monster. Xena returned many years later and put things right, making it up to both Grinhilda and Odin.

Odin appeared again when he protected the Golden Apples from Xena. She needed them to restore Ares' and Aphrodite's place at Olympus.

Odin also met Hercules who saved his homeland from his treacherous son Loki.

Powers and Abilities
Odin theoretically possesses a power level of equal to that of Zeus, but he hasn't demonstrated it- this concurs with a general vagueness about how powerful the individual pantheons are in the Xenaverse. He is immortal like all Deities and has demonstrated the typical powers of teleportation and fire-throwing. In what may be a unique ability, Odin also possesses runic magic.

Characterization
Odin's character is widely different in his appearances on HTLJ and XWP. In Hercules, Odin is a dignified character who is the wise and respected elder patriarch of a volatile family. He is deeply in love with his wife Frigga and cares about what happens to the mortals who worship him and his divine family. Odin here is intended as a foil for the philandering and uncaring image of Zeus that Hercules is familiar with.

In XWP, Odin appears much younger, far shorter-tempered, as well as has a habit of sleeping with his Valkyries. This is true for the character both in flashback and in the present (occurring both before and after his more dignified HTLJ appearance). No explanation was offered for the change in what is presumably the same character.