Amac Productions

This video I watched way back when I first got into Xena.

I love this person YouTuber. She does such a fine job with all her videos, and her voice is just absolutely perfect for all her videos. I love it so much. I could probably fall asleep to it.

However, I have not watched this video since, so beyond remembering that I loved the idea, and how much effort and thought she put into it. I have actually forgotten most of it since I didn’t want any spoilers while I was watching the series and reviewing it on here.

But I cannot help but want to share it because from what I remember it was so well done and I will definitely be watching it again, multiple times once I am finally finished with the series. Which at this rate is going to take forever.

I am sorry to all of those who come here to see my Xena reviews. I get woefully distracted by my wonderful girlfriend and we only spend so much time together since we are an ocean apart, so sometimes we don’t always watch what we plan to. Instead, we get distracted talking to each other and enjoying each other’s company.

Or in a more recent case we were trying to watch Xena’s season three finale, and we were interrupted by my lovely little boy, Doc, a kitty, demanding all my attention. And when he didn’t get it, hanging up on his Mama or just forcefully knocking my phone out of my hand. Then demanding playtime and all the love.

So… Things beyond my control.

Now, on the other hand, I am immensely enjoying Xena and Gabrielle’s relationship since the last time I did a Pride Month review for this couple. I have made it through season three where their relationship has been forever changed.

And I love it.

Despite season three being an absolute gut-wrenching heartbreaking season, it was sooooo well done.

I cannot express my amazement with the actors, writers, and directors. They did an incredible job building up the rift this season while also repairing what seemed to be irreparably broken.

I loved how off everything felt as Gabrielle and Xena lied and kept things to each other. Every single episode that didn’t have the rift as a main focus still allowed room for the fractures to appear. They weren’t quite on the same page. They weren’t working as well together. They were more mistrusting of not only each other but the world as a whole.

Gabrielle discovered a new side of herself.

One that could betray Xena. Something that appeared unthinkable before.

They both lost their children this season. Blaming and hating each other for putting them in this position. Gabrielle killed someone and was raped, birthing a horrific child she was later forced to kill.

She and Xena came to blows, nearly killing each other.

However, thanks to Solan, Xena’s son, they came out on the other side stronger than before. Leading to wonderful moments like we got in ‘One Against an Army.’ With people like Tara laughably attempting to get between them.

Ares’ debt hanging over Gabrielle’s head.

The complete understanding that they have seen the absolute worst in each other and would still choose each other every single time. It’s a wonderful tale.

Because I love that they have completely lost the rose-colored glasses they had on during previous seasons.

Xena is no longer on a pedestal in Gabrielle’s eyes. She’s a real, complex person who has done terrible things. It’s no longer just some idea that Gabrielle stumbles upon from time to time when she meets people who hate Xena’s guts for what she did to them. No, now she has seen it firsthand. How cruel, cold, and evil she can be when she wants.

Yet, Gabrielle chooses to see the good in her regardless. Have faith in her choosing to do the right thing for the right reasons. Or smack her in the head when she doesn’t want to do the right thing because it would mean losing Gabrielle. Something Xena never wants to allow.

Xena has gotten a taste of what life would be like now if she and Gabrielle weren’t on the same side. On the same page. Together no matter what. And she’s not willing to let that happen ever again. Clinging to Gabrielle and how much she means to her even more than before.

Seeing Gabrielle less as someone to protect because she represents the good in the world, but instead someone she loves. An equal with her own mind and problems. One she cannot protect from every terrible thing in the world, but someone she can be there for when the terrible things happen.

Towards the end of season three, we have a shift in their relationship we haven’t seen before.

It’s solid.

It seemed solid and completely unbreakable before. However, the writers said, ‘hold my beer’ and set about breaking the relationship down to the very core of it. And asking the characters if they would still choose each other.

After seeing the worst. After committing horrible acts. Could you both put all the hatred and past behind you and be together?

Gabrielle and Xena said yes to this. Forging their relationship into something completely unmoving and unyielding and unbreakable.

The episode where Tara arrives. She is a laughable threat to the forged relationship they have. Nothing is going to separate them and there’s not even a hint that it’ll ever work. In the finale, which I have seen and set the reviews for the upcoming weeks, Gabrielle and Xena work together to deal with a threat.

Tricking another person into thinking they’ve turned their backs on each other. While Gabrielle is also forced to do something she would rather not to save Xena’s life. Xena hears her out and realizes that Gabrielle did not stop Xena because she was protecting the person Xena was trying to kill, but because she did not want Xena to die.

It had little to do with the other person.

Which is a long way from where we started this season. With Gabrielle betraying Xena for the other person before. It’s a full circle moment as Gabrielle declares that Xena is the most important person in the world to her. And Xena declares the same – literally – to Gabrielle.

They are more bound together than they ever have been before.

Which is such a crazy thing to say because upon starting season three, I thought they had a really solid relationship. But now – at the end – despite all the tragedies that have befallen them, they are stronger for it.

As well as, more determined than ever to see this life through together. Regardless of what anyone else might want. They will fight the world to be together if that’s what it takes. Or even let it burn.

I love it. I love a couple who chooses each other over all else. The world. Other people. Their morals. Everything. They just don’t write couples this epic anymore.

As always, thank you for reading! I appreciate you and your patience as we slowly watch our way through this series. And if you’ve come this far, please consider supporting the site!

Spread the love and read on!