Amac Productions

Happy Pride!

I thought I’d kick off Pride 2023 right! With a review of the pilot episode of Xena!

Now, I’m going to be honest, I’ve never seen this show before. My parents were fans of Xena and Hercules when they aired. At the time I was little and these kinds of shows scared me, so I never watched.

Then!

Then I saw a very impassioned rant on Tumblr about queerbaiting. Someone had compared Xena to Supergirl levels of queerbaiting and let me tell you, this person was not having it. They went on to say that Xena wasn’t queerbaiting! The term didn’t exist then! It was censored! But the show did it’s best to show it’s two main female characters were the end all be all of romance for each other.

Well, let me tell you, as a self-respecting member of the LGBTQ community, I thought to myself, I have to check Xena out for myself.

So, I went off and purchased the entire series.

And now, you’ll journey with me as I delve into this series to see what the fuss is all about! Is it as gay as they say? Is it more? I doubt it’s queerbaiting, given that it was the 90’s and as pointed out, it didn’t exist then because no one cared enough to cater to us. There were more risk than reward at that time in history.

Well, enough about how I came to watch this show! Let’s dive into the first episode!

DISCLAIMER: Yes, I’m aware that Xena is introduced on Hercules, I have not seen those at the time I wrote this.

The whole episode starts off with Xena riding her house Argo (who is male here) and she comes across a burnt to a crisp village with a little boy in it. He asks if she can spare food, but she says things are light everywhere. She inquires about his parents and the village, but the boy reveals Xena did this.

One of my first thoughts is – does she not remember being there before? Was it just her army there?

The boy’s description of Xena clearly gets to her as he describes her coming from the sky in a chariot breathing fire.

She gives him food.

Within the first moments of the show, we know so much about Xena.

She was once a ruthless warlord, uncaring about who she hurt, and very good at it. We learn that Xena has changed. She’s clearly guilty over her actions. She gives the boy her food, but doesn’t know what to do with herself.

It’s almost like Xena has chosen this path of being good, but has no idea where to start or what to do with herself now that she’s not out for absolute power.

Following this, she buries her armor and weapons.

It feels like she’s trying to leave who she was behind and try to find something new. But what is that? What does it look like?

As she’s doing this, she’s interrupted by a group of men trying to take women from a local village. Including the only other main character of the series – Gabrielle.

Gabrielle bravely tries to save the other women of her village, catching Xena’s attention.

Unable to stand by and do nothing, Xena steps in and protects them.

Essentially, this entire first episode centers on one thing – Xena is trying to find her way forward.

I don’t think she ever stopped to consider what her life would look like, if she wasn’t a warlord. If she was a good person, trying to do good things. I don’t think she ever anticipated facing the consequences of her actions.

Not really.

And then, a literal ball of sunshine decides to follow her around.

My goodness, watching Gabrielle try to make her way through the world outside her home village was downright hilarious.

The entire time, I kept thinking – she’s going to get herself killed.

But she talked her way out of her problem with the cyclops and into getting a ride into Xena’s town. She managed to keep the town from stoning Xena. She told her new friend she wasn’t alone if she didn’t want to be.

Yes, I totally think she’s naive and doesn’t really grasp how scary the world around her is.

On the other hand, she adapts quickly and works well on her feet.

Something, I think she’s going to need being around Xena who is going looking for trouble.

Her scene with Xena around the campfire was a stark reminder of how different these two women are.

Xena can survive anywhere.

She can hunt, fight, fish, or travel. She’s used to harsh conditions. She has no problem setting up camp or defending herself.

As we clearly see with Draco and the group she beat up to protect Gabrielle at the beginning. Something she did while mostly unarmed.

Gabrielle on the other hand – she can sweet talk with the best of them. But surviving the wild – out in the open?

That’s a very different thing she doesn’t have the skills for.

I’m interested to see what Xena thinks about having someone so inexperienced tagging along with her. Is she going to be annoyed by constantly protecting Gabrielle? Or does she not mind?

Will she follow what Gabrielle said at the end?

They’re friends, so nothing else matters. Not walking into danger or having to protect the little naive girl from the big bad world.

Not to mention, Gabrielle likes to see the world as this bright ball of happy opportunity. Xena – on the other hand – sees danger and terrible things waiting around every corner.

One is experienced and jaded while the other is sunny and optimistic.

It’s going to be interesting to watch these two coexist and eventually fall in love.

I love a good slow burn.

Now, as for the show as a whole. It’s nuts.

The whole fight between her and Draco was absurd 90’s antics. Which I – honestly – didn’t realize how much I missed until I watched this show.

The silly, crazy, fight, and utter ridiculous of the stunts and fights is simply wonderful.

This show has no interest in taking itself seriously.

Inside, it’s like – how can we make this show fun and exciting and silly?

I’m just entertained. I’m having a good time.

Lucy Lawless is amazing.

Her choice to make Xena look like she’s having the time of her life while fighting is amazing. I love it.

It’s not something I’ve seen a lot of. A women enjoying her power, without shame or reservation. She’s good in a fight and she knows it. She enjoys beating others, proving she’s the best. I love that, because women should see other women being proud of what they were born to do.

It’s amazing how well that translates for 20 something years later!

Renee O’Connor is an amazing foil to the gruff and battle-hardened Xena.

She’s amazing as this little ray of sunshine, innocently following Xena around.

Except for one thing – she knows who Xena is.

I get the feeling, she’s heard all about Xena – Warrior Princess. She said a bard taught her some things. Well, a bard would have stories about Xena. Wouldn’t they?

The village knew her reputation.

Yet, Gabrielle didn’t care about it.

She saw Xena do the right thing. For no other reason than it was the right thing. She didn’t shoo Gabrielle away when she talked her ear off. She promised to leave swiftly when requested.

Nothing about Xena’s demeanor screamed villain.

Gabrielle saw through the mask. What she used to be and what she’s trying to be now.

I love that.

I love them and it’s only been one episode. I have so many more left. AH! I’m doomed.

Aren’t I?

Well, check back to see how doomed I find myself with this latest ship every week! I’ll release a new review for each episode once a week until I’m done with the series.

See ya next Thursday!

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