Chariots of War

This second episode is very interesting... specially because it shows many of the things that Xena:WP will not be like at all in the future! Just by watching this episode, someone could think that we are just in front of another action show, with a mix of drama, humour, fights, and light boy-on-girl romance. Well... just wait and see!! The show will change so much...

In spite of the strong straight (and even gender-conventional, I dare say) aspects of this episode, it actually introduces some elements that will be crucial in the rest of the series. One of the main issues is the dilemma between fight and peace: When is fighting morally OK? Are we ever obliged to fight for the greater good? Or is peace always the best solution? Are dialogue and negotiation always/ever possible?

This episode addresses all these questions. And, in effect, we get to see both Xena and Gabrielle flirting with guys... which is very cute, I have to say!
We witness Xena as she gets to know a new guy, and she even considers leaving the road and settling down with this nice man and his three children... and we see Gabrielle hitting it on with a 'bad boy' for the first time... and, boy, is she persuasive!!
I think it is interesting to see how both Xena and Gabrielle are attracted to characters that are very similar to the other one! Xena's Darius is sweet and gentle and peaceful and generous... and Gabrielle's Sphaerus is a warlord, violent and tormented and dark... sounds familiar? Of course! It's the 'opposites attract' rule... which will be explored quite a lot in the future! And we know what opposite characters will get much closer in the near future...

Just a last note: at the end of the episode, Xena is sad that she has to leave Darius and his family and she asks Gabrielle: "Do you ever miss your family?". Gabrielle answers, happy to chat for once: "Yeah... sometimes... but not as much when I am with you". And this... wins Xena over! And we can see that she starts her journey along with Gabrielle, relaxed and happy and sure that she is doing the right thing. Because it feels right for her!

Sins of the Past

I saw Sins of the Past the other day, and I was as delighted as the first time! Wow, what a stunning beginning for a show. The photography, writing, acting, music... everything is so well done! And at the same time, that episode being more than 10 years old, the whole thing has a slight retro flavour that only adds more beauty and charm to it!

I really liked the melancholic tone of the beginning... Xena riding her horse, through beautiful but deserted landscapes, all lonely and regretful... wanting to end it all, but actually being at the beginning of her new life. Sad and uplifting at the same time.

One of my favourite things about this episode is, of course, when Xena and Gabrielle meet for the first time. I think that the story is told in a very classical way: it's love at first sight!! There is attraction and interest when they first lay eyes on each other... you can feel it! I really liked one little detail: when Xena is fighting Hector's men, trying to help that bunch of villagers that she just bumped into, there is a moment in which she looks at Gabrielle, who is trying her best to liberate herself from one of the baddies... and Xena just gets hooked! You can totally see it: she is staring at her, and for a minute she can't move. And then, she gets hit by one of the men, and then she reacts and jumps and fights and does the usual things. But that minute... was so intense!

The episode is full of little details like this. Xena is quite serious and focused and sad for most of the episode, but there are a few moments when Gabrielle actually makes her smile. I particularly adore the conversation at night, by the campfire (the first campfire of so many!): Gabrielle is trying to explain to Xena that she does not belong to her village, that she is different... and that hits home with Xena. She says, understandingly: 'it's hard to prove you are different'. And she smiles! A beautiful, sweet, optimistic smile... which sets the tone for all that is forthcoming...

And of course, the last word spoken in this episode is 'friend', as Gabrielle explains to Xena, under a morning sunshine that promises a new life and a new future, that friends stand by each other in trouble. Xena is not so sure about what to do with all that, so she just says 'all right... friend'. We can see that she is a bit sceptic... but also, secretly, very glad! And we know she is not mistaken at all...

Subtext in Xena

Welcome to my new blog!

I am a huge fan of Xena and the subtext. On my view, the story of Xena the Warrior Princess and her journey for redemption is one of the best stories ever told in television. In this blog, I'd like to share my views on the show and my perception of the subtextual plot, as it develops from 'Sins of the Past' to 'Friend in Need'.

I have recently purchased the first two series of Xena:WP on DVD, and I'm looking forward to revisiting all my favourite episodes... I have seen them all before, but never in the correct order! So now it's the time for that. Along the way, I plan to find out about all my favourite topics in the show: friendship, ethical dilemmas, heroism, sacrifice, history, mythology, music, theatre, cinema, acting, women's history, gender, feminism, lesbian love... and many more. In this blog I will be posting all my thoughts and rants about all these issues! I'm sure it will be fun...

Just to warm up, I will put up some links to a couple of my favourite Xena websites:

Ausxip: Australian Xena Information Page. One of the most complete websites on all things Xena, with episode guide, pictures, fan fiction, and much more.

Whoosh!: probably the most "academic" website about Xena on the web. It hosts a marvelous online journal with fascinating articles and essays on loads of issues more or less related to the series. A gem.

Enjoy!