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Xena Warrior Princess appreciation thread: a 90's icon (BEWARE: SPOILERS for series)
- Thread starter enigmatic_alex44
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Xena's godkillr daughter
enigmatic_alex44
Whenever a game uses "middleware," I expect mediocrity. Just see how poor TLOU looks.
oh it IS??? I need to find some way to rewatch it in Canada, the dvds are impossible to find (and overpriced)
Yeah the crossovers were always a ton of fun
Ummmmm FLAWLESS avatar and username btw!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Mechanized
Member
Watched this when it originally aired. Was in love with Gabby for quite some time. Great show.
I loved all these old adventure shows. My fave shows were The Adventures of Sinbad and Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's The Lost World though. Both of those didn't end half as good as Herc or Xena unfortunately.
I loved all these old adventure shows. My fave shows were The Adventures of Sinbad and Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's The Lost World though. Both of those didn't end half as good as Herc or Xena unfortunately.
I always had a huge crush on Ares growing up... not only he was great looking, but his voice was soothing. He was amazing on The Bitter Suite OST. (That episde was so amazing.)
I think among what really made me love the show was that, not only it had 2 strong women as leads, but the different mythos and also the comedy spiced in it. I still laugh a lot on the episodes with the Xenas look alikes. Those were great!
enigmatic_alex44
Whenever a game uses "middleware," I expect mediocrity. Just see how poor TLOU looks.
Wow there are more Xena fans on GAF than I expected
YES! The episodes I hated were the ones that broke the 4th wall (like an interview crew with microphones and cameras following Ares and Aphrodite around), present day episodes and musical episodes. Thankfully they were few and far between
That Gabrielle mermaid episode though is the biggest piece of trash to ever come out of this show. What an abomination, I will gladly skip it when I do my rewatch
YES! The episodes I hated were the ones that broke the 4th wall (like an interview crew with microphones and cameras following Ares and Aphrodite around), present day episodes and musical episodes. Thankfully they were few and far between
That Gabrielle mermaid episode though is the biggest piece of trash to ever come out of this show. What an abomination, I will gladly skip it when I do my rewatch
LurkerPrime
Member
Wow there are more Xena fans on GAF than I expected
YES! The episodes I hated were the ones that broke the 4th wall (like an interview crew with microphones and cameras following Ares and Aphrodite around), present day episodes and musical episodes. Thankfully they were few and far between
That Gabrielle mermaid episode though is the biggest piece of trash to ever come out of this show. What an abomination, I will gladly skip it when I do my rewatch
Yeah that mermaid episode was dire. It's the only episode I distinctly remember not liking at all. Inversely, my most vividly-recalled episode is that groundhog day episode... Judging from this thread, a lot of folks liked that one.
Autolycus / Joxer episodes were always a highlight for me, though Joxer's stuff edged too far into the slapstick sometimes. I also enjoyed those modern-times episodes, if only for how neat the concept was.
In spite of the wild mythology Xena had, it always maintained a cohesiveness to the world and setting that few shows can match. Plus, it was filled with bold decisions, right from its inception - a female warrior lead who needed no help, a female sidekick, and sometimes Joxer would be there to help slow them down. Then there's things like the mixing of myth and religion, the timeskip, death.. and so on. Wow!
Xena achieved some awesome stuff.
Were there any as weird as the Hercules episode where Hercules plays Kevin Sorbo ? That stuff was just like .... whaaaaat.
enigmatic_alex44
Whenever a game uses "middleware," I expect mediocrity. Just see how poor TLOU looks.
yeah there was some stuff like that..... after the amazing season 4 finale there was one more terrible episode right at the end of season 4 with Gaby and Xena being reincarnated in present times, but in their opposite bodies, or something like that and one of them was a therapist for the other? It was a mess so I've mostly blocked it from memory....
Look! The Pie!
Member
OP, thank you so much for this thread.
I was obsessed with Xena growing up. OBSESSED. Like, I wanted to BE both Xena and Gabrielle (which feels a little weird to admit to now, being a dude, but whatever). This show came along at just the right time, and yet in some ways it was ahead of its time -- an action show with not one, but two, strong female leads? To my 10 year old self, it was a breath of fresh air.
I've said this all along, Lucy Lawless is a seriously underrated actress. Xena showed she can do drama and comedy in equal measure, and can also be terrifying as fuck (her "KILL 'EM ALL!" scenes still kinda frighten me to this day).
Speaking of comedy and drama, it saddens me that people tend to write-off the entire show as being a juvenile, badly-acted cheesefest. I'm the first to admit that it had a penchant for comedic goofball episodes, but it could also be far more dark and emotional than most give it credit for. I challenge anyone to watch an episode like Maternal Instincts and then tell me Xena couldn't do nailbiting, gut-punching drama.
Also, Callisto remains one of the greatest villains in TV history. That scream!
I was obsessed with Xena growing up. OBSESSED. Like, I wanted to BE both Xena and Gabrielle (which feels a little weird to admit to now, being a dude, but whatever). This show came along at just the right time, and yet in some ways it was ahead of its time -- an action show with not one, but two, strong female leads? To my 10 year old self, it was a breath of fresh air.
I've said this all along, Lucy Lawless is a seriously underrated actress. Xena showed she can do drama and comedy in equal measure, and can also be terrifying as fuck (her "KILL 'EM ALL!" scenes still kinda frighten me to this day).
Speaking of comedy and drama, it saddens me that people tend to write-off the entire show as being a juvenile, badly-acted cheesefest. I'm the first to admit that it had a penchant for comedic goofball episodes, but it could also be far more dark and emotional than most give it credit for. I challenge anyone to watch an episode like Maternal Instincts and then tell me Xena couldn't do nailbiting, gut-punching drama.
They had the child of one lead character murder the child of the other. How many shows, even now, would have the balls to do that?
Also, Callisto remains one of the greatest villains in TV history. That scream!
enigmatic_alex44
Whenever a game uses "middleware," I expect mediocrity. Just see how poor TLOU looks.
oh you're welcome!
I'm so happy there's so many Xena fans tbh!!! YESSS Lucy Lawless IS underrated and a true gem <3 She's been a fave of mine since Xena started, I tune in to everything she's in. And there ain't nothin' wrong with wanting to be Xena, even if you are a dude
I had the same wish
Mattlikewhoa
Member
I really need to re-watch this show. I remember catching new episodes when I was younger.
And lawd, I had a HUGE crush on Callisto (Hudson Leick) on that show...
And lawd, I had a HUGE crush on Callisto (Hudson Leick) on that show...
enigmatic_alex44
Whenever a game uses "middleware," I expect mediocrity. Just see how poor TLOU looks.
You should re-watch I'm planning to do so!
Callisto was fantastic! And I won't spoil it if you never made it that far into the show, but I'm VERY happy with Callisto's entire story arc and the "resolution" with her character, that's all I'll say Obligatory.
XD
I remember that, back during Simpson's good years!
Obligatory.
So true.
I loved Xena so much! Yes, she was definitely the true Wonder Woman and I always felt and thought that there will you a movie starring Lucy as Wonder Woman one day. It seemed like a no-brainer for me so I have no idea why it wasn't done. Oh well.
Questions regarding the Xena series though. For those that went back to watch it recently and those with good memories:
1) Has the show aged awesomely? Is it still superb to watch it now as back then with it's good ol' charms?
2) My memories are fussy but didn't Gabby get killed later in the series after she began a spoiled ignorant bitch?
3) Did Xena ever had a massive endgame battle with that awesome rival bitch (yeah, she really was a bitch and an awesome one of that)?
Questions regarding the Xena series though. For those that went back to watch it recently and those with good memories:
1) Has the show aged awesomely? Is it still superb to watch it now as back then with it's good ol' charms?
2) My memories are fussy but didn't Gabby get killed later in the series after she began a spoiled ignorant bitch?
3) Did Xena ever had a massive endgame battle with that awesome rival bitch (yeah, she really was a bitch and an awesome one of that)?
Just take it with you.
Member
I watched this show all the time when it was on (and enjoyed it a lot more than Hercules), but now I barely remember anything about it.
enigmatic_alex44
Whenever a game uses "middleware," I expect mediocrity. Just see how poor TLOU looks.
i loved Callisto. I used to get so HYPE when she would pop-up on an episode. Also, Cupid and Aries...
great taste tbh
Did you know the guy who played Cupid also played Caesar on the show?
*sigh* I know, right? I've been waiting years for a Blu-Ray remaster of Xena to be made. There were rumors a few years back but nothing yet......
enigmatic_alex44
Whenever a game uses "middleware," I expect mediocrity. Just see how poor TLOU looks.
1) I believe it has - check out her fight with the gods @ the end of season 5 (spoilers) one of my favorite episodes of the series. It can be cheesy at times but I love it and believe it's held up in the same way Final Fantasy 7 still holds up despite it's dated look:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6algQc3rT7s
Athena "It's true you can kill gods, but at 4 to 1, it's not great odds"
Xena: "Not for you"
YAAASSSSSSSSSS!!!!!!
2) SPOILER for end
Gabrielle never got killed. (besides when her and Xena were crucified together, but they both came back from that) Xena actually dies in the finale though and Gabrielle fights on for her! Gabrielle came back to her nice ways in the end but she was a lot tougher
3) Callisto and her did have some big confrontations, as well as Alti the amazon queen. Both were resolved SPOILER
Callisto was redeemed and became an angel and gave Xena her baby through immaculate conception, and Alti was killed I believe (memory is just a bit hazy there but I think Alti was destroyed)
Yes, I love that "Not for you!" line!
Yep, Alti
Yep, Alti
was destroyed at various points in the series, but it's implied that due to her mastery of death and spiritual powers she'll always attempt to come back to haunt Xena in her various incarnations (this was outlined in one of the India episodes - "Between the Lines," I think). There was also an episode when she was reincarnated in the 21st century and tried to kill the clones of Gabrielle and Xena.
That fight was awesome!! I can't believe that I missed that episode. Now I got to re-watch the entire series somehow.
Thanks for providing all the juicy info. You have restored my love for Xena even further and made me more upset that she wasn't used for Wonder Women.
User 100115
Banned
I seriously need to watch this show again, gah.
Ah man I used to love this stuff back when I was a kid! Thursday evenings were the best in the summer time with the 1/2 punch of Herc and Xena on TV, though I did slightly prefer watching Hercules.
Xena was a spin off of Herc right? I recall her trying to kill him in some episodes...I know Hercules had weird episodes, like the Chimpules one https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q1flSY6HWBA, but did Xena have them?
Also, on that note, does anyone remember Roar (staring Heath Ledger)? I can't remember if it was before or after the Hercules/Xena stuff. I remember being excited for it as a kid, but it got cancelled pretty quick...
Xena was a spin off of Herc right? I recall her trying to kill him in some episodes...I know Hercules had weird episodes, like the Chimpules one https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q1flSY6HWBA, but did Xena have them?
Also, on that note, does anyone remember Roar (staring Heath Ledger)? I can't remember if it was before or after the Hercules/Xena stuff. I remember being excited for it as a kid, but it got cancelled pretty quick...
enigmatic_alex44
Whenever a game uses "middleware," I expect mediocrity. Just see how poor TLOU looks.
I don't remember Roar, it may not have aired in Canada? (where I am)
But you're right, Xena started as a character/warlord on Hercules and end up getting her own show that lasted a bit longer (Herc's 6th season was only 8 eps while Xena's was a full 22).
I checked out some clips of Hercules last night, it hasn't aged NEARLY as well as Xena. But Hercules did have an AMAZING version of Queen of the gods Hera, she was my favorite part of Hercules by far, what a great villain:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HRlcEB29NWA
Look! The Pie!
Member
Yeah, Meg Foster was awesome as Hera. She just oozed malevolence. I loved Hera's portrayal in the earlier seasons, where she was more of an unseen evil force who only ever appeared as a pair of eyes in the sky, but once they gave her a mortal form they really chose the perfect actress for the part.
Also, I find it interesting that Hera and Callisto, Herc and Xena's respective nemeses,
.
Speaking of Callisto, Youtube doesn't seem to have a full version of the infamous ladder fight. Man, that fight was ridiculous but oh so Xena. Oh well, time to dig out my complete series box set!
Also, I find it interesting that Hera and Callisto, Herc and Xena's respective nemeses,
both redeemed themselves in the end
Speaking of Callisto, Youtube doesn't seem to have a full version of the infamous ladder fight. Man, that fight was ridiculous but oh so Xena. Oh well, time to dig out my complete series box set!
TheSadRanger
Banned
yassss
That's it, there needs to be a Xena: Warrior Princess lever.
Ares was such a great part of the show! I was so sad to find out that actor Kevin Smith who played him passed away very shortly after Xena ended (the following year I believe, 2002)
Yeah, I only learned about that recently when looking him up on wikipedia. Very sad; he was great in both Hercules and Xena
I Wanna Be The Guy
U-S-A! U-S-A! U-S-A!
God I loved this show so much. I actually only saw the first couple seasons when I was a kid and binged through the show in its entirety a couple years back. I felt like the show kinda went to shit in the last couple seasons, though there was still some good stuff in there. But man when this show was good it was goooooood. Some real crazy action sequences and it could be great at at being both serious and wacky. Such a fun show. And yes Callisto is by far the best villain.
I need to watch this show again. That or watch Hercules. That's another show I only saw the first couple seasons of when I was a kid so it would be cool to go through the entire show today. How would you guys say Herc stands up to Xena overall?
I need to watch this show again. That or watch Hercules. That's another show I only saw the first couple seasons of when I was a kid so it would be cool to go through the entire show today. How would you guys say Herc stands up to Xena overall?
Well of course.
MisterHero
Super Member
The episode where she gave up her soul to save Callisto's and became a demon was awesome.
MisterHero
Super Member
Hercules got another spin-off with Young Hercules which IIRC was supposed to be a Young Xena show or have her in yet another spin-off.
And now Ryan Gosling is more successful than either Sorbo or Lawless.
soapypanda
Member
I was always conflicted by whether I should be team Ares or team Gabrielle. Ares had so much more charisma though!
When in the fuck did Ryan Gosling join this conversation?
MisterHero
Super Member
PhoenixDark
Banned
I used to watch Hercules and Xena every Saturday afternoon. They'd come on a few hours after all the cartoons went off. I haven't watched either show as an adult, both I love both as a kid.
Wait...that was actually part of the universe. I thought that was just a quick cash-in from another company on the show popularity like Sinbad. Is it any good?
MisterHero
Super Member
I honestly don't remember a lot about it, but it pretty decent production values for a Fox Kids cartoon.
And various Gods/Goddesses from the 2 other shows appear from time to time, so fans might want to take a look.
enigmatic_alex44
Whenever a game uses "middleware," I expect mediocrity. Just see how poor TLOU looks.
yes that's right and Young Hercules was a prequel to the Kevin Sorbo version. I believe Discord and Strife showed up a lot along with some appearances by fan beloved Ares
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