Amac Productions

Well, that was an episode.

Um.

I have no words.

None. My thoughts are gone.

I don’t know what I just watched. I watched a… something. It was… What was this?

I have no idea. So let’s just start from the top, I guess.

Um, Xena and Gabrielle are walking along a beach. A long romantic walk on the beach? Perhaps? Maybe.

You know what? They were out for a romantic stroll and they were interrupted by Salmoneus and a bunch of women running along the beach…?

What?

I mean?

They were being chased by someone for reasons. Plot relevant reasons.

Because there’s a beauty contest going on to celebrate peace, but it’s causing literally the opposite of peace because the three guys who signed the peace treaty are arguing over who will win. Each claiming victory on behalf of the women they’ve forced into doing this. Regardless of what the women want.

Um, typical male.

However, the show is leaning into the male gaze while also not. What?

Like, it starts with a slow motion beach scene like we’re in Bay Watch or something just for fun. There was no need. Not really for this scene. It could have been a million other things.

But then we end the episode with Xena inspiring the women to stand up for themselves and the person who wins the beauty contest is a drag queen. Who kisses Xena mind you.

This was a show.

An episode that aired.

In the 90s.

This shit wouldn’t happen on TV today, but it happened like 30 years ago.

It got past all the senses and people who wanted to ensure this show remained straight – which they’ve already failed but that’s beside the point – and aired. On TV.

That happened.

I have now watched 30 years later and think that’s the gayest thing I’ve ever seen. How did anyone justify this?

Cause the drag queen is actually a guy, it’s fine?

Without context, it looks like Xena was making out with a woman. Not a guy.

Also, Xena fully supported trans rights there to participate in female orientated events. She’s being super supportive. And vice versa.

Like how did that not come across to them?

I suppose they’re not looking for it.

They’re told, this is really a guy so it’s fine that they kiss, and they bought it. They looked no deeper because to them there was nothing deeper to it. But to the LGBTQ+ community, this was everything.

This was seeing themselves on screen.

Seeing themselves being accepted by a powerful figure.

By other women as a woman.

It made it all seem normal.

It made it seem like it was just a person being a person.

This had to be everything to people in the 90s looking for some kind of representation. Something to prove they weren’t odd or wrong. To watch TV and see Xena, Warrior Princess, a powerful, and respected woman support it. Encourage it. Embrace it.

It must have been empowering and comforting.

Honestly, it’s comforting now.

And it truly shows that the show knew what it was doing all along. It was no secret or surprise that this happened.

Nor was it a surprises to see the look on Gabrielle’s face.

I mean, come on! That’s gay.

The whole episode was gay, but Gabrielle’s face when they kissed was like ‘hands off, those are my lips, and my lips only!’

Tell me I’m wrong.

I’ll wait. I’ll wait and show you every straight couple who have had moments like this where their love interest kisses someone else and they looked jealous and angry. Or heartbroken.

Go ahead. Try and tell me Gabrielle’s face doesn’t match.

Overall, the episode is not one of it’s finer moments.

But the drag queen combined with Salmoneus and the complete lack of Joxer was wonderful. I legit told my girlfriend, I would prefer if we replaced Joxer with Salmoneus.

I loved the women finding their inner power and not relying on some schmuck.

I loved Gabrielle getting way too invested in the pageant.

The episode contained bright moments, but overall is not one of my favorites. However, it did try to convey a really important message all the way around. I enjoyed that.

Onto the next, which I have been warned by my girlfriend to brace myself for. I do not like the little giggles and chuckles she’s giving me. I’m worried. Should I be worried? Send help.

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