Many thanks to Bridget Patrella for contributing
the article to the AXIP Magazine Archive

UPBEAT Entertainment News Online

June 2001

 

Saying Farewell To 'Xena Warrior Princess'A Final Tribute

by Bridget Petrella with additional writing by Sonia Satra

The sun is finally setting in the Xenaverse... As I sat down to write this, a final editorial tribute to a show that I genuinely believe will become a cornerstone of American pop culture for decades to come, I must confess, I actually felt rather saddened. It was like trying to say goodbye to old friends. Not such a simple task. I found myself wallowing a bit in an effort to effectively describe that which has become so indescribable. I don’t think I have ever, nor will I ever, watch another television show in quite the same way that I’ve watched ‘Xena Warrior Princess‘. I’ve often felt it was like gazing at an exquisite Salvador Dali painting, in that each time you stopped and stared at the masterpiece, really looked at it, there was something else, something even more innovative and spectacular to uncover and analyze... layers upon layers of intricately woven meanings all fused together with such perfection. Not to mention the fact that an 80 foot vertical leap is pretty damn cool, but I digress... As a writer, I found myself marveling in the sheer cleverness of it all. This wasn’t just your basic action/adventure series dialogue, this was something much broader in scope. Xena wasn’t just some stereo-typical kick-ass protagonist with an equally sharp partner. She was, and will always be, for all intent purposes, the ultimate anti-hero, a flawed woman with a deep dark past who taught us all that life is precious and that we are each responsible for our own paths, our own choices... that the balance of existence is essential. But most of all, both Xena and Gabrielle have showed us that love, true love, goes far beyond the boundaries of time and space. The love between Xena and Gabrielle transcends the soul and any other would-be label that one might feel compelled to attach to it.

As a hopeless romantic, I too became completely engulfed by the sheer magnitude of the love story... Yes, I did say a love story, because, to be perfectly frank, regardless of how one may inevitably "choose" to perceive each and every aspect of this show, when all is finally said and done... and the insurmountable evidence of season six is tabulated... oh what an epic love story this has been. Xena and Gabrielle first meet in ‘Sins Of The Past’ when she (Xena) saves her (Gabrielle) from a band of slave traders led by the evil warlord Draco. There is an "instant" connection between the two women, a spiritual bond that the show’s die hard fans are powerlessly drawn into like unsuspecting moths to an ever-mounting flame. Although seemingly young and innocent, Gabrielle is actually one tough little counterpart, headstrong and independent, not exactly the kind of girl who fits well into a small village. Gabrielle discovers in Xena, over the course of each episode, everything that had been missing in her life, everything that allows her to essentially breathe again— the freedom to cut loose and have fun, to grow and learn, the ability to have conversations on ideology and living... and of course, the wondrous feeling of being free to explore and discover one‘s self— not tied down by all of those rigid rules and restrictions. As the two characters meld and develop together, we as an audience were treated to six astonishing years of laughter and pain, sorrow and loss... unconditional love and pure devotion. Our emotions were constantly engaged within the infinite world of ‘Xena Warrior Princess‘, a place where anything is possible and love does conquer all... 

So what about the love? Is this what has encouraged seemingly endless internet debates as to the sexual preferences of both characters? If Gabrielle seductively removed Xena's warrior boots or Xena touched Gabrielle‘s foot— forget about it. It was white hot internet subject-matter for months at a time. I even found myself looking up, in a foot massage guide book no less, the significance of erogenous zones on the human foot. It was positively mind boggling... even for me. Why have the fans (Xenites as they affectionately refer to themselves as) felt so compelled to create an alternate universe on the web, with millions of fan fiction interpretations of each and every character relationship, some of which are so well done that it‘s scary? The exceptionally woven tales are shining tributes to an irreplaceable television legacy, an astonishing folklore that is certain to remain in tact for generations to come. What is it about this particular television show that has given so many people around the world such enduring hope? There are endless testimonials online from fans who have found reasons within this show, reasons to endure terminal illnesses and abuse, loss and depression... the lists go on and on. Legions upon legions of devoted fans have been motivated, positively driven in some cases, to give so much of themselves (and their pocketbooks) to a virtual plethora of charitable causes. Did you know that Xena fans actually saved an endangered section of rainforest— or that they continue to donate thousands upon thousands of dollars each month to numerous children’s charities around the world? It sincerely was, as Lawless and O'Connor themselves have said, all about the "love"... 

But regardless of the obvious "power" of that love... the question for most mainstream journalists and media types has always been, what undisputed dynamic made ‘Xena Warrior Princess’ into such a cult phenomena— and for that matter, was there just one? Was it just the celebrated subtext references? Was it merely the originality of two female action heroines, who have continued to trigger off countless knock-offs, ’Tomb Raider’ and ‘Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon’ to name but a few? Was it the undeniable chemistry (which occasionally felt like we were watching a millennium fireworks display in full swing) between the show’s stunningly gorgeous leading ladies? Could it have been the "no rules" approach to the show’s intensely woven concept? Or will it all remain as much of an eternal mystery as the Bermuda Triangle or Stone Henge? Well... my own personal query as of late is this— has anyone in the mainstream media ever "really" watched ‘Xena Warrior Princess’? 

Our pals over at TV Guide recently composed a Xena send off that inspired me to ask whether or not the writer ever sat through more than 30 seconds of the show’s opening credits as he perused the official press kit... looking for signs of a column. Okay, perhaps I am being a bit harsh here, but trust me, it isn’t without just cause. While I will indeed say Lucy Lawless is an exceptionally gifted actress (and I DO enjoy her immensely), she’s certainly NOT the entire show, nor does she single-handedly hold the show’s foundation in place while the remainder of the cast struggles to break apart from the lush New Zealand scenery, as the TV Guide journalist practically eluded to in the piece. What show has he been watching? I couldn’t help but feel the true depth of this show was virtually lost amid campy tongue-in-cheek references to Xena’s wrought-iron bra, Tony Soprano and Gabrielle’s ever-shrinking wardrobe... Only 10 things to miss? Give me a break. We here at UPBEAT can list at least 265 things right off the top of our collective heads... there just isn’t enough column space to cover it all. 

What about the substance? What about actress Renee O’Connor, the show’s "other" shining star, who has continued to turn in momentous performances (and who we here at UPBEAT find to be an extraordinary human being in her own right)? O’Connor radiates onto the screen just as powerfully as Lawless does. These two actresses have clearly been equal halves of the same coin throughout the course of the show’s syndicated run, and in my humble opinion, both deserve the same accolades. That being declared... okay, so maybe the mainstream media will never quite "get" the bona fide essence of ‘Xena,’ or how much heart and soul has gone into it... and I guess when I stop to ponder it... that’s probably as it should be. If mainstream embraces it completely, it’s usually been politically infused or watered down in some capacity. For me, watching ’Xena’ was like uncovering a priceless treasure... an intellectual buffet of unsurpassed romance.

The fabled magical world Xena and Gabrielle (the Forrest Gumps of mythological times) inhabit, which is distinctly neither the "literal" present era nor any "real" definable moment in the human past (although from time to time actual events were emphasized somewhat) is a wide-eyed expedition beyond any/all realistic proportions. But then, after watching ‘Xena’, who needs reality? For the most part, Xena and Gabrielle’s universe is a place uninhibited by present-day society's obsessions with sexual identity and politics. 'Xena Warrior Princess' is certainly not obliged to provide any historical connotation. This makes it possible for the show to remain a timeless realm unto itself... open to the imagination, culturally, spiritually and erotically. Fans also recognize this as a contributing factor to the poetic symmetry which envelops each character. Are Xena and Gabrielle perfect? No. In fact, they are often far from perfection— each struggling to find some truth in an uncertain world filled with boundless passion, constant perils and never-ending trials of faith. But therein lies the beauty of these two outstandingly complex, especially diverse character studies. Everyone can relate to this type of raw honesty on some level, to the imperfections, to the hopes and dreams, to the unwavering love between these two women. It’s within these basic human needs that we can each connect with Xena and Gabrielle. The show’s message to both men and women is vastly clear, be exactly who you are, not who anyone expects you to be, put forth your best effort and all will come to pass precisely as it should. 

So... will we miss the warrior princess and her bard? You can bet on it. Do we love BOTH Lucy and Renee? Most definitely. Will we ever see something as world-shattering and avant-garde as ‘Xena Warrior Princess’ again? Perhaps... but we sincerely doubt it... In reality as we know it to be, this show has been so much more than elementary logic could ever hope to describe or duplicate. UB  







Bridget Petrella is the Publisher and Editor in Chief of UPBEAT Entertainment News Online. At this point in her life, she's seriously contemplating a complete and unbridled abandonment of " typical" network television... opting instead for The Cartoon Network, Xena Warrior Princess, V.I.P., WWF Wrestling, Nick At Nite's TV Land, All HBO Original Programming and of course... TNN's Roller Jam.


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