August 2011 Archives  

30 August 2011

Xena Episode Stills - Season 6 Episode 4 Who's Gurkhan?

ImageEpisode Stills for Season 6 Episode 4 - Who's Gurkhan?

When Gabrielle learns that her niece has been captured by the vicious raider Gurkhan (Calvin Tuteao), she sets sail for North Africa on a rescue mission with Xena, Eve (Adrienne Wilkinson) and Virgil (William Gregory Lee).

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SCRIBES & SCROLLS: Story by Robert Tapert. Teleplay by R.J. Stewart. Directed by Michael Hurst. Edited by Rob Field.

PASSING PARADE: Willa O'Neill (Lila); Adrienne Wilkinson (Eve);
William Gregory Lee (Virgil); Calvin Tuteao (Gurkhan); Tandie Wright (Sonata); Gina Varela (Milda); Michelle Langstone (Lana); Jo Lo (Yo).

DISCLAIMER: Xena's uncanny ability to recover from devastating wounds was not harmed during the production of this motion picture.

STORY SO FAR: Gabrielle goes to North Africa, seeking vengeance on the vicious raider who captured her niece and killed her parents and her sister’s husband years before.

REWIND FOR: Xena's helping hand on the tiller in the first shot on board the ship to Mogodor. Touch of the perennial back seat driver's syndrome there. She clearly doesn't trust anyone, least of all the captain of this ship to do anything as well as she can. Can you spell control freak?

Yet another human resource recycling moment. You may remember the follicly challenged slave auctioneer in Mogodor from that ol' classic The Quill Is Mightier. He played the hapless general waiting for Ares' "You'll know it when you see it" sign to attack. Guess all those naked Gabrielles must have given him an idea for a career change.

Xena growling at Virgil to back off when he squeezes her cheeks (the upper ones) in front of the slave auctioneer. No one can do 'pissed off' quite like Xena. The priceless expression on Virgil's face was bettered a few seconds later when Xena was stripped naked in front of him. There were no FX guys involved when you saw his tongue rolling out of his mouth and his eyes bug out on the end of stalks.

The expression a moment later on Gabrielle’s face just before she asks Eve "Where is she".... Eve might have killed whole armies, but she hasn’t truly known danger until that moment methinks.

A classic Joxer moment as Superlius - Pirate of the High Seas aka Virgil returns to the ship singing "I capture beautiful maidens and sell them - -." The delusions of grandeur, the fumbling as he drops his bag of gold coins, ending with a "Hi Gabrielle!" would have brought a tear to his father's eye, and an approving belch from his mother.

The look on Xena's face when Gabrielle shimmied into view (in a marvellous costume) as she literally bent those glorious abbs over backwards for Gurkhan during her dance audition. Xena's expression was a confused mix of:

1. That's a new trick, and why haven't I seen it before.

2. Where could Gabrielle possibly be concealing a weapon in that outfit she's almost wearing, and,

3. How come she never dresses for me like that?!

The scene when a pummelled Xena declares she’s "peachy" as Gabrielle cradles her. Awwww, couldn’t y’all just feel the love. *g*

Gabrielle trailing her fingers down Xena's arm in the bathing room scene. That one small gesture demonstrated her deep love and affection for the Warrior Princess better than a thousand ham-fisted scripts ever could.

QUOTABLE:

"She doesn't have what it takes to kill in cold blood. Do you think I inherited that talent from you mother?" The butter wouldn't melt in her mouth look, and the creepy tone in Eve's voice made you want to itch something.

"Eve, that peaceful smile is not going to cut it!" Gabrielle's under the strain of Eve's new 'goody goody' phase and calls her bluff. Guess you can only fool some of the people some of the time, huh Eve?

"We did it because we love you." You guessed it, Eve again. Uggh. We surrender already. That girl has all the charm of fingernails being dragged down a chalkboard.

"You'll be beaten, dragged, manacled, thrown in a dark dungeon and left to die."

A dark dungeon as opposed to the well-lit, rooms with a view, prisoners are usually forced to endure. Meanwhile, Yo, self-appointed entertainment director, impresses her fellow slave girls with a list of 'fun things to do' at Club Gurkhan.

"For in my stables, I have rare beauties from every part of the world, just waiting to be plucked." He did say plucked, right?

"I have a request - Sarah's head on a plate." And don't be skimpy with the french fries, right Xena?

"Join us little one." Ghurkhan seals his death sentence by snuffing out any chance of mercy from Gabrielle. You don't do short jokes around the Bard, mate.

Read Sheryl-Lee's Review


 

 

23 August 2011

SuperQuiz - Lucy and Xena from Herald Sun 23 August 2011

ImageThis was featured in today's Herald Sun (Melbourne, Australia) 23 August 2011.

Now if no one can figure out the quiz question about Lucy Lawless, you haven't been reading AUSXIP for very long <g> There's also a nic promo pic of Lucy as Xena.

Look at Question #18 - it's worth 2 points.




Click on the smaller image to get the full size version


 

 

22 August 2011

Xena Episode Stills - Season 4 Episode 1 Adventures in the Sin Trade Part 1

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Episode Stills for Season 4 Episode 1 Adventures in the Sin Trade Part 1. Season 4 started with a very Gabrielle lite episode (and Renee wasn't even listed in the opening credits)

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Distraught with grief over the loss of Gabrielle, Xena travels to Siberia and the Amazon Land of the Dead to find her friend.

 

Read Review by Sheryl-Lee

SCRIBES & SCROLLS: Story by Robert Tapert & R.J. Stewart; teleplay By R.J. Stewart; edited by Robert Field; directed by T.J. Scott

PASSING PARADE: Marton Csokas (Borias); Claire Stansfield (Alti); Sheeri Rappaport (Otere, teenager); Vicky Pratt (Cyane); Erik Thomson (Hades); Kate Elliott (Yakut); Charlotte Saunders (Anokin); Jay Saussey (young dead woman); Samelle Vosloo (Young Otere); Barry Duffield (Koryak); Ben Baker (Chalcis); Barret Irwin (Warrior)

STORY SO FAR: Xena tries to find Gabrielle in land of the dead. In the process, she discovers her deeds from her bad old days have kept a tribe of Amazons from entering the Gates of Eternity and decides to right this wrong by going after an evil black shamaness.

DISCLAIMER: No Dead Amazons lost their lives in the production of this motion picture.

REWIND FOR: Nutso "hiiiieeeeeya!" Xena scene just before the opening credits. OK so it meant nothing but Xena needing to vent, but it sure looked good.

The Xena grief-stricken funeral pyre scene, complete with Gabrielle montage - note what scene flashes up as each word is spoken by Xena: "Best thing that ever happened to me": Gabrielle kisses Xena; "Gave my life meaning": they’re handholding; "Joy": a hot tub waterfight; "Part of me forever": a silhouette of them walking together. Very sweet.

The establishing shot of the Amazon Queen Cyane in a beautiful classic pose of the proud huntress. Note she always stands higher than Xena in every shot - she has the high moral ground, after all!

Have another look at the Beserker and horse... and tell me if that isn’t nearly identical to Robin Williams’s waking hallucinations from The Fisher King.

When fighting the Beserker, to keep the pain from stopping her, Xena gives herself a thigh thwap. Is it my imagination or did she use the same type of thigh thwap on Gabrielle during Gabrielle’s Hope to take away the pain of childbirth. That’s one mighty far ranging nerve pinch.

QUOTABLE: "Even in death Gabrielle, I will never leave you. You are the best thing that ever happened to me. You give my life meaning and joy; you will be a part of me forever." Xena about to keep the mother of all promises. Well, almost...

"I can’t Gabrielle, I can’t. You know nothing would make me happier than seeing you again. You are my light. I just realised what it was you gave me. A light of my own. There’s something I’ve gotta do, something you’d want me to do. I love you."

Xena getting awfully verbose all of a sudden for a stiff-lipped Warrior Princess. Not that I’m complaining, mind... Perish the thought.

BEST COMEBACKS

Borias: What would do if I told you I was in love?

Xena: I’d cut out your sweetheart’s throat... you think I wouldn’t?

Land of the Dead girl: Will you be able to get back from there?

Xena: I don’t know

Land of the Dead girl: She must be a very good friend.

Xena: She’s the only friend.


 

 

21 August 2011

Xena Episode Stills - Season 4 Episode 2 Adventures in the Sin Trade Part 2

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Xena Episode Stills for Season 4 Episode 2: Adventures in the Sin Trade Part 2.

This was a Renee-lite episode (one scene at the end of Xena's vision which made the Warrior Princess very happy when she saw what appeared to be Xena & Gab getting crucified and Gabrielle being very much alive in her future).

Renee was on set but was shadowing Director TJ Scott and preparing for her directorial debut in Season 4 Episode 22 Deja Vu All Over Again.

S4 - Episode 2 Adventures in the Sin Trade Part 2
Xena travels to the Amazon Resting Place to battle the evil witch, Alti, and learns that Gabrielle is still alive.

View Episode Stills


READ EPISODE REVIEW by Shery-Lee

SCRIBES & SCROLLS: Story by Robert Tapert & R.J. Stewart; Teleplay by R.J. Stewart; Edited by Robert Field; Directed by T.J. Scott.

PASSING PARADE: Marton Csokas (Borias); Claire Stansfield (Alti); Sheeri Rappaport (Otere); Vicky Pratt (Cyane); Kate Elliott (Yakut).

STORY SO FAR: Xena continues in her quest to kill an evil black shamaness and right a wrong from her past which has kept a tribe of Amazons trapped in the Land of the Dead. She is helped by a group of young Amazons in a far off land, whom she leads. Meanwhile, the shamaness haunts Xena with images of Gabrielle, her future and past - revealing a secret curse that was placed on the Warrior Princess’s son.

DISCLAIMER: Xena's search for Gabrielle was not harmed during the production of this motion picture.

REWIND FOR: The fastest outfit change in the west (now that’s a gal to go clothes shopping with); followed by a tree-limb sprint that would have put Tarzan to shame; Xena, either by sheer insolence or accident (most likely the latter given her views on Caesar), gives the Roman salute (a single chest thump), not the double chest thump Amazon sign to Cyane at the funeral of the "little redhead" Amazon who Xena killed; the tree swoop fight, overlong, but with enough mystic ambience and originality in places to make you forget they’re just swinging about on ropes; and finally, hey, I know it’s obviously from some upcoming episode, but that flashfoward of Xena and Gabs on the crucifixes saying their final goodbyes, wow, there’s a heart stopper that almost stole the show.

QUOTABLE: "This is good for me, right?" Otere cynically questioning Grasshopper Xena’s unusual cleansing ritual and/or seduction techniques. The big question remains: Since when does the Amazon administering the Great Palm Frond Whupping have to be nekkid themselves... hmmm? No wonder Otere had her doubts!

"I can never ask your forgiveness. I do ask you let me help you build a new life. That’s what my friend Gabrielle did for me..." And Gabrielle’s been gone how many minutes, Xena? That Warrior Princess sure hangs the Sidekick Wanted sign up fast.

Best comebacks:
Borias: Trying to assassinate her was idiotic.

Xena: You’re right, she’s much too tough to die. We should definitely hang with her for awhile. (A rather prophetic choice of words about Cyane.)

Xena: You think I deserve better than that (Borias)?
Cyane: No, I think he deserves better.

Alti: Tell me who she is. Tell me who the blonde one is.

Xena: She’s goodness and innocence Alti. And she lives inside me forever.

Xena: Gabrielle, you’re the best thing in my life.

Gabrielle: I love you Xena. (Okay, okay, so I cheated, and it’s from the future. So shoot me ‘cos I can’t wait that long.)

Alti: Your little friend is dying. How does that make you feel?

Xena: Good. Cos if she’s dying in my future that means she’s AL-II-IIVE...


 

 

21 August 2011

Video: Xena Promo from NATPE Convention 20 January 1998

ImageXena Promo from NATPE Convention 20 January 1998

The following Xena promo was shown at the start of the NATPE Convention Xena Panel. Lucy, Rob and Universal/USA execs were there to promote the show. The National Association of Television Program Executives (NATPE) is an organization dedicated to providing information, marketing and meeting opportunities in television programming.

Date: 20 January 1998

Click here to view video


 

 

21 August 2011

2012 Xena Calandars From Creation Entertainment Now On Sale

ImageImageTHE 2012 CALENDAR SET WITH BONUS OFFER from Creation Entertainment

For collectors we have a very special offer: YOU GET BOTH 2012 CALENDARS plus a super bonus: a hand signed autographed photo of a favorite Xena star randomly selected from these celebrities.

EVERYONE GETS ONE AUTOGRAPHED PHOTO AND THE QUESTION IS: WHO WILL YOU GET? You have a ONE IN 12 chance of GETTING A LUCY LAWLESS OR RENEE O'CONNOR AUTOGRAPH!

AUTOGRAPH LIST INCLUDES:
LUCY LAWLESS (1 in 12)
RENEE O'CONNOR (1 in 12)
CLAIRE STANSFIELD
GINA TORRES
JENNIFER SKY
ROBERT TREBOR
TIM THOMERSON
VICTORIA PRATT
ADRIENNE WILKINSON
MICHAEL HURST
TSIANINA JOELSON
PATRICK FABIAN
DAVID TAYLOR
JENNIFER WARD-LEALAND
MYSTERY GUEST???

THIS VERY SPECIAL BONUS WILL BE INCLUDED ONLY IF YOU PLACE YOUR ORDER BEFORE SEPTEMBER 30TH, SO PLEASE ACT QUICKLY! THANKS!

Cover art may vary from shown.

Click here to Order


 

 

9 August 2011

Behind The Scenes Photo from Xena Episode Vanishing Act with Lucy Lawless

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Here's a great photo of Campbell with Xena star Lucy Lawless from Xena Warrior Princess Season 3: Vanishing Act. This photo was taken just before they shot a scene that eventually got cut.

Misc. Xena Trivia #5: There is a missing scene from 'Vanishing Act' where Xena gives me 'the pinch' to extract information. ...Ouch!!!

Click here to view larger image


 

 

9 August 2011

Xena and Gabrielle in Sweden during 2011 Pride Festival

The following is from Marcus in Sweden and he translated the website this photo and brief mention appeared:

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Here’s something I spotted at a Swedish bookstore, or to be more precise, It’s a screen cap taken from their website. They change everyday so that’s why I took a screen cap.

It’s only in swedish. http://www.sfbok.se/

It’s a Xena spotting from this years pride festival were Xena and Gabby last was seen. Or It’s at least a spotting as close as we can get anyway. ;)

Here’s a rough translation of the text concerning the picture.

”We round off this years Pride festival with an image that delights our geeky little hearts: Xena & Gabrielle, walking through the streets of Stockholm! Xena: Warrior Princess is an old classic television series many of us here in the bookstore greatly appreciate. Many of us are also strongly believe that Xena and Gabrielle, despite various flirts with men, are soul mates and practically married.”


 

 

8 August 2011

Danielle Cormack in Underbelly Razor 21 August 2011

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I'm REALLY looking forward to this mini series. Underbelly Razor is going to be HUGE and for Xena fans, the extra bonus of Danielle Cormack in the role of Kate Leighin (one of the powerful women in the series) will be fantastic! The following was in the Sunday Telegraph newspaper yesterday

CHANNEL Nine has declared August 21 "Super Sunday''. The network is banking on its highest-rating night of television for 2011 by scheduling the finale of The Block, followed by the highly anticipated launch of Underbelly: Razor

Head of programming and production Andrew Backwell, who confirmed the line-up exclusively to Insider, expects The Block's two-hour auction and winner announcement, airing from 6.30pm, to peak at two million viewers - a perfect lead-in for the two-hour premiere of new drama, Underbelly: Razor.

"It will be the highest rating night of television on Channel Nine this year," Backwell said. "The Block finale will get a huge response. We'll flow that in to get Underbelly established, and I have very little doubt viewers will stick around for that, because Razor delivers.

"The mix of contemporary and period really works and reinvents the Underbelly brand."


 

 

6 August 2011

Revised Xena Fiction: Braving The Inner Storm

imageBraving The Inner Soul by Saul Trabal

Joxer / Meg | Completed

This piece is meant to take a more serious look at Joxer and Meg. There are some lighthearted moments, but it's mostly a very serious piece. Xena has only a few cameo appearances. This story is primarily about Joxer and Meg. I see these two as soulmates. Two very lonely people who are two halves of one soul.

 

Click here to read Parts 1 – 6 (Complete)


 

 

2 August 2011

Campbell Cooley's Xena Trivia and In Sickness and In Hell Clip

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Hop on over to Campbell Cooley's official site and read his Xena Trivia. If you are not familiar with the name, Campbell was the actor who was on the other end of the Gabrielle drool in the episode In Sickness and In Hell (one of my all time fave episodes - it's so funny).


From the site:

For those who haven’t seen it yet, this is my main claim to fame in the Xena-verse. It’s so gross… but funny!

Click here to read the trivia

Campbell promises there is more to come


 

 

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