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THE XENA E-XINE
Volume I, Issue 12 - June 23, 2000
Today's issue includes:
1. Feature Article -- "This kind of love is mythical" Season
Two
2. Xena Quote/Xena Joke/Xena Poem
3. Featured FanFic and Short Review -- "The Deal," "Summer
Games or How I
Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bard," "Subtext"
4. Xena News -- "Australia's Network 10 Revisited"
5. Featured Xena Links -- Whoosh!; Xena Online Resources
6. Xena: Warrior Princess Episode Guide --"Prometheus,"
"Death in
Chains"
7. Xena Events -- So. Cal. XenaFest 6
8. Reader Feedback
9. PRIVACY/NO SPAM POLICY!
10. Subscribe/Unsubscribe Information
11. Credits
12. Archives
Note From The Editor
Hello Xine readers!
We would like to thank you for sticking with us up to Issue 12. We've been doing this now
for 6 months and we've not gone insane yet! We toil over this small project a great deal
so that you get the best information possible. You may not agree with the ideas printed
here, but I do hope that you at least enjoy it. Your support means a great deal to us.
Thank you from the bottom of our hearts. Remember that reader feedback, submissions, and
suggestions are always welcome.
--Lady Adrell
Shameless Advertising
Video Games
Xena: Warrior Princess for the Sony PlayStation, by Universal Interactive Studios
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B00002R28Q/thexenaexine
Books
Life Lessons from Xena, Warrior Princess : A Guide to Happiness, Success, and
Body Armor
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0836267672/thexenaexine
Lucy Lawless & Renee O'Connor: Warrior Stars Of Xena
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/155022347X/thexenaexine
1) Featured Article
| This kind of love is
mythical... Season Two Bacchae2 June 18, 2000 |
| This is where I came in. Looking back, it
was a VERY good year. The rise of subtext and its culmination and acknowledgement in The
Quest. From the heartbreaking meeting of Xena with the son she gave up to be raised
by centaurs (Orphan of War) to the high-spirited tease of Comedy of Eros
this was a memorable landmark season. We get to the heart and soul of the storytelling, the mythos, ROC is given equal billing which she earned and which accentuates her place as Xena's partner as demonstrated undeniably in the First Season-ender Is There a Doctor in the House? And Lucy Lawless grows even more into a role |
| which she stamped so indelibly from the
first. They're so comfortable with each other you can just sit back and let the story tell
itself. It is a quest and a journey, becoming more about Gabrielle's search for self-enlightenment, her future and Xena's dark past and quest for redemption and as they aid each other along the path each becomes more like the other, the eternal blending of yin/yang, seeds of dark and light sewn within what is |
| essentially the other half of a soul. We
take away vivid impressions. Everyone is going to remember where they were and what they
were doing when they were stopped stark still, hearts pounding, at that
breath-taking moment in The Quest. The full emergence of the subtext at the core
of the series, a latticework that supports everything else, and is the rightful legacy of
the natural chemistry that grew between the characters (and actresses) all through Season
One and the normal progression the storytelling followed as it blossomed into a
full-fledged and epic love story. What a fun season too--with classic eps like Girls Just |
| Wanna Have Fun, The Xena Scrolls, A Day in the Life, and an important resonant season with strong eps like Remember Nothing, Return of Callisto, Intimate Stranger, Destiny, The Quest, A Necessary Evil, Blind Faith, The Price, Lost Mariner. A season where just about every ep is eminently rewatchable. And this was my season of discovery, the one which solidified my love for the show and characters. We'll never have such a joyful, playful time of it again. Alas. This was the season that unequivocally let us know the subtext was for real and not just in our imaginations. An easygoing, yet self-assured bout of |
| great storytelling when they looked as
though they were still having such a good time. Contrast Michael Hurst's sly, playfully
seductive near-flawless direction of A Day in the Life (also a great script) with
the sad and sorry mess of this season's Lifeblood. [Editor's Note: A piecemeal ep
compared to one of the greatest Xena eps of all time. Two shows put into one, spliced and
diced, convoluted and a bit hokey as compared to a well thought out, well acted ep with
great lines...and the tub scene. ~Lady A] We learned that bacchae are really vampires...and maybe something more...("Do it, Gabrielle."), that Xena would be willing to lose her eyesight and her life in saving her best friend ('that |
| must be some friend'), that even legendary heroes (Ulysses) can be boring, unattractive and not at all worthy of our W.P., that Joxer will always be a jerk no matter the time or place ('Jacques Sere'...a 'weak sister' from Joisey), that sometimes even drag queens are the belle of the ball(s) and "giants can be good" and...even Xena can be wrong (The Execution...'you didn't kill him...I did'), that newly incarnated* versions of G&X can exchange butch and femme roles most adorably. I sing a song in praise of fedora hats and wicked whips and high heels and soft southern accents...and hot tubs...those were the days...my friend...we thought they'd never end...¨ |
| [* I've always felt that it's six of one, half dozen of the other whether you want to call them reincarnated or mere descendants in The Xena Scrolls...throughout myth and modern storytelling many times identical descendants are considered as 'merely' reincarnations of their ancestors. I know Ares says descendent, and I think if they had rethought that at the time, and certainly today, they would've gone the incarnation route as they did in Between The Lines and Deja Vu All Over Again...I think it's what they meant. A reincarnated soul by any other name...] |
2) Xena Quote/Xena Joke/Xena Poem
Xena Quote
Gabrielle: "I pride myself on being your friend. I'm here for
you."
Xena: "Always."
Gabrielle and Xena from Orphan of War
Xena Joke
Top 10 sexual preferences of Xena and Gabrielle
1. Twice a week.
2. First one ready for bed gets the Delight of the Chakram.
3. Playing "Xena And The Slave Girl".
4. With lard on the Bard.
5. Xena invents the Venus Butterfly procedure.
6. There is no number six.
7. Gabby leaves her a note: I'm waiting. Meet me in the woods. Just bring your whip and
your boots.
8. With Lucky Jacques'Sir in a menage a trois
9. Xena performs the "Delight Of The Chakram"
10. Gabby enunciates the entire Illiad to Xena with her tongue.
Xena Poem
"Lost and Found"
I was lost, you know, from that first
moment I saw you. Warrior woman in a
linen chemise, beautiful and harsh and
sure. So I followed you, lost in my foolish
village girl dreams.
You must have known, but in your brother's
tomb, when I assured you weren't alone; you
did not scoff, but smiled instead, a tiny hint
of a smile which filled my heart with a million
possibilities.
And later, after you fought Draco and won, you
didn't send me away, but let me sleep by your
fire, your blanket wrapped about me. Did you
guess I dreamt of lying in your arms? When
morning came, you smiled again and called
me friend and it was in that moment I knew
I had found the path to my dreams.
J. M. Griffin 9-12-99
3) Featured Fan Fiction
Cated's FanFiction Review
Guest Critics:
Cindy
Lady Adrell
"The Deal" (uber)
by M Ryan
http://ausxip.com/fanfiction/d/deal.html
Review by Cindy: This novella length uber is filled with all the things that make a great
story. Busted from a top ten market superstation to a small town television newsroom,
director Laura Kasdan is paying for the carnage left behind by her fiery temper. Her
redemption plans, however, do not include Christine Hanson, the earnest young reporter who
refuses to be intimidated by the 'Kazmanian Devil.' The fast-paced world of producing the
evening news provides a perfect backdrop for adventure and there are some interesting
twists in the developing romance as well. A real coup for this talented bard.
I give "The Deal" *****(five stars)
"Summer Games or How I Learned to Stop Worrying
and Love the Bard"
by Rooks
http://ausxip.com/fanfiction/d/deal.html
Review by Cindy: Xena and Gabrielle need LOTS of help
in figuring out what's going on between them in this charming first time tale. Rooks is a
veteran bard and it's easy to see why his work has endured. As if the title wasn't reason
enough to love it, this one is like a great vacation...getting there is half the fun!!
I give "Summer Games or How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love
the Bard" **** (four stars)
"Subtext"
By Ogami
http://pegasus.cc.ucf.edu/~jeb66038/subtext.htm#TOP
Review by Lady Adrell: This funny and cute story swaps ROC with Gabrielle, leaving ROC
trapped with Xena and Gabrielle trapped to hang with Lucy in the present. Some actions are
a bit out of character for the actresses but an entertaining story nontheless!
I give "Subtext" ****(four stars)
| Star Rating |
| ***** | A must read if you are a Hard Core Nutball! |
| **** | It is worth your while to read. |
| *** | It's better than getting punched in the face by Xena. |
| ** | Maybe a go-round with Xena isn't a bad idea.. |
| * | Shoot me...shoot me now! |
4) Xena News
| Australia’s Network
10 Revisited Lady Adrell June 22, 2000 |
| In the last issue I
summarized the difficult time Aussie Xenites have been having trying to get Xena back on
the air (see Issue 11 for the original story). It seems that their troubles continue to
escalate. Network 10 has been deleting all Xena messages from their message board every
day around the same time: 1 p.m. Apparently they do not care to listen to their viewers
opinions. These types of tactics, however, cannot stop loyal Xenites from continuing to
fight. Michelle Couse, who first brought to my attention the serious battle the Aussies have been having with Network 10 over the viewing of X:WP, had this to say about the deleted messages: “But the Xenites don’t deter...they keep putting them back up.....Saturday Nights are usually a buzz....We usually get about 5-6 Xenites online and really flood the board...make a hell of a mess out of it...by Monday its really all over the place.... (The "Webmaster doesn't work weekends...hehehehe - thus the flooding).” Aussie Xenites still need our help to make Network 10 see that X:WP is not a show watched by young children only. In fact, the majority of viewers are between 20-50 years of age, from all walks of life, different professions, backgrounds, and religions. If you left a message at Network 10’s message board before, please go |
| back and leave as many as you can so that Network 10 sees how much the show is loved by everyone from everywhere. ¨ |
Network 10 Message Board
http://203.147.194.81/webCh10/admin/SwitchedOn/bbs/bbs/messagedisplay.asp?topicid=111&b1=160&b2=171&PromotionID=637
Network 10 Feedback Board
http://203.147.194.81/feedback.asp
More Xena News
The Argo Awards 2000 results are in! For those of you who have not seen the results I will print them here from Logomancy's WebPage. For the complete effect, go to the site and check it out. http://www.klio.net/XENA/argos2000/
Winner of the Best Fight Sequence is:
Xena Vs. The Gods at Meg's Tavern, "Motherhood"
Winner of Best Costuming in an Episode is:
"Fallen Angel"
Winner of the Best Guest Performance in an Episode is:
Hudson Leick as Callisto in "Fallen Angel"
Winner of the Best Direction in an Episode is:
John Fawcett for "Fallen Angel"
Winner for Best Writing in an Episode is:
RJ Stewart for "Fallen Angel"
Winner for Most Villainous Turn goes to:
Claire Stansfield as Alti in "Them Bones, Them Bones"
The Winner of the Year 2000 Argo Achievement Award is:
Robert Tapert--Executive Producer
Winner for Best Musical Scoring in an Episode goes to:
"Lyre, Lyre, Hearts on Fire"
Winner for Best Performance/Renee O'Conner is:
"Fallen Angel"
Winner for Best Performance/Lucy Lawless is:
"Fallen Angel"
Winner for Best Line of Dialogue goes to:
GABRIELLE: "Xena, it looks like you got your daughter back."
XENA: "No, we got our daughter back."
Winner of the Best Episode/Comedy or Musical is:
"Lyre, Lyre, Hearts on Fire"
Winner of the Best Episode/Drama is:
"Fallen Angel"
And now for the "Big Kahuna" vote, which is not at the website but was
sent by e-mail to those who voted.
And the winner for the Best Overall Episode of Season 5 is:
"Fallen Angel" with 23.1% of the vote
1st Runner Up: Motherhood (19.8%)
2nd Runner Up: Looking Death in the Eye (10.2%)
That's it for the Argo Awards 2000, with "Fallen Angel" sweeping the awards. If
you disagree, then make sure you vote next May!
5) Featured Xena Links
Whoosh!
http://www.whoosh.org/index.html
One of the most comprehensive websites for Xena information. Articles, episode reviews,
calendars, interviews, and so much more is to be found at this most popular website! Make
sure you have enough time to go through all of the stuff because it will take a while.
Xena Online Resources
http://www.xenite.org/xor/index.html
This site is a huge links page. Whatever you fancy to find, you can probably do so from
this one site.
6) Xena: Warrior Princess Episode Guide
Episode Eight Prometheus and Episode Nine Death in Chains
Prometheus
The only major character crossover of Herc (until God Fearing Child) and his
sidekick Iolaus. In typical tv series fashion there seems to be a more or less serious
attempt afoot to promote a relationship between sidekicks. What a cliche. Luckily, as with
a H/X romance this was entirely impractical and when Gabrielle meets Iolaus again (in The
Quest) they hug as friends and she tells him, in mourning for a great loss of the
heart, just how much she loved Xena. And the sweet little guy understands. He is almost as
cute and petite in stature as Gabrielle herself. The one thing we can thank the parent
show for in this spin-off series is the mirroring of the H/I team that seemingly mandated
the same symmetry for X:WP. But the most telling moment in the difference between the
couples is when they, the sidekicks, bid their mates adieu. Between H&I it is clearly
buddies saying take care, but with X&G it is already like lovers who don't wish to
leave each other. One of ROC's finest bits of acting in the series--which always seem
introspective, as well as retrospective, as both she and Gab are fine storytellers-- comes
when, cradling the dying Iolaus in a very poignant scene, she relates to him the ancient
theory of gender and attraction Beautifully done. But it is Gab and Xena who are
soul-mates. That is already only too clear.
Subtext Rating: Strong and True
Death in Chains
Is this the same Sisyphus of the uphill boulder myth? If so, he would've deserved it for
this one. Gab has a new (short-lived) outfit. Style, design, colors wrong for her. And
they're not showing that divine midriff yet. I guess we're supposed to believe she made
her outfit from her other dress. And she's still cowering behind Xena. Having almost
got her staff again in the previous ep, we realize she must observe before she can even
begin to learn how to fight. But, with that feisty heroic demeanor, she follows Xena to
confront Death. Skeletons, rats. We'll visit that territory again, most memorably in Locked
Up and Tied Down and, here too, we get the full Indy Jones (a rip-off...er, homage of
"El Norte") rats scene. Evidently neither of our actresses are afraid of a few
scurrying furry vermin. Gab is referred to as "scrawny" (?!) Still sporting her
adorable baby-fat. Made me reflect upon how nice it was to see healthy, athletic,
non-anorexic women on tv for a change.
Fascinating to see the powerful, bold warrior knocked all off-guard and akilter by the
emotions of one little bard. Xena has no defense for this. She wears her heart, if not
upon her sleeveless leathers, then in its proper place several centimeters above her
breast dagger (a 'present' from Gabrielle) for everyone with eyes to see. Her own,
supernaturally blue, cannot hide her swirling complexity of emotions in the matter--as she
watches Gab become attracted to yet another boy (much nicer and cuter here, a
pre-requisite precursor for the reformulated Perdicus.) Gab weeps at the unbearable
heartbreak of loss and separation, her first taste, it is something she will be no
stranger to. (Gosh, this is actually a moral tale about euthanasia!) And Xena awkwardly,
unused to having the bard in her arms, tries to comfort. Is it the depth of Gabrielle's
sorrow she finds disconcerting or the warm reality of the young woman seeking solace in
her embrace?
Subtext Rating: One-sided but affecting nonetheless
7) Xena Events
SOLD OUT
You are all invited to the So. Cal. Xenafest! Please
join us to meet old friends and new friends, watch Xena videos and episodes, eat good
food, participate in contests of skill, dexterity and knowledge and much more fun and
surprises.
SO. CAL. XENAFEST 6 (SCXF6)
SATURDAY, JULY 29, 2000, NOON to 6PM
Yankee Doodles, Woodland Hills, CA
Cost: $25/person which includes food and beverage.
REGISTER NOW at http://www.qnet.com/~frozina/xenafest/
Here are a few highlights of the activities we have confirmed so far. Keep checking these
announcements and the webpage for updates as we finalize the details.
HIGHLIGHTS!
MUSIC VIDEOS! We will be showing fan produced X:WP music videos. Many of them never before
seen! If you have a music video you would like to show, either one that you made or by
someone else, please contact Chris Clogston at cclogston@earthlink.net.
BITTER TREAT! This year we are again privileged to give you the fan favorite video parody,
The Bitter Treat! Produced, written, edited, and performed by DJWP and WordWarrior. Not to
be missed.
CHARITY AUCTION! Proceeds from the charity auction and any profits from the fest will be
donated to "Working Wardrobes for a New Start". Based in Southern California,
Working Wardrobes is dedicated to rebuilding the self-esteem of women survivors of
domestic violence and adults in crisis by supporting their journey back to economic
stability.
GAMES! You thought "Pin the Arms on Xena" and "Pin the Staff on
Gabrielle" was fun. Just wait until you see what our warped minds have created this
year. ;-)
EXCLUSIVE SCXF6 T-SHIRTS!
The cost is $15 each. This year our T-shirt will feature a design by Terese Nielsen, the
artist who painted a number of popular X:WP comic book covers for Topps. Don't miss out on
the opportunity to have Xenites stop you at future Cons, Fests, and Gatherings to ask,
"Where did you get that shirt?"
MORE! Check the website often for updates!
Don't delay and run over to the SCXF6 web page at: http://www.av.qnet.com/~frozina/xenafest/
See you in July!
PARTY ON!
Chris
SCXF6 Warlords:
Chris Clogston, cclogston@earthlink.net,
registration, video/media,
door prizes, site coordinator, art show, charity auction donations
Lucia Correa, correa@inetworld.net,
advertisement, graphics
Don Frozina, frozina@qnet.com, website, registration
Julie Gissel, Julia.Gissel@West.Boeing.com,
charity auction, check-in
Shawn Keehne, BatMorda@aol.com, graphics
Liz Monroe, dearcy@earthlink.net, registration,
MC, decorations
Rita Schnepp, schnepp@pepperdine.edu, hotels
Melanie Villaraza, melanie.villaraza@agouron.com,
site coordinator
So. Cal. Xenafest 6 (SCXF6) is a fan-run, not for profit party. All proceeds will be
donated to charity.
(Have a Xena event you want to announce? Send details to the Xine Staff at exine@exine.tvheaven.com)
8) Reader Feedback
Comments on the Issue 11
"Well, my Xine producing friends, what can I say? Another good Xine. I always say
that, but it's always true.
"Bacchae, your season one personal rumination was very nice, and I liked the image
conjured up by your reference to a "background of the characters comic book".
Yes, a lot of good background, and as you point out, it's really something to experience
the progression of the characters and their relationship over the course of this season.
It may be in large part a campier season than the three that followed, and it may not have
had the heavy subtext come maintext of seasons two through four, but the relationship was
certainly there, and there were, as you pointed out, many truly enjoyable episodes. It's
the season that first made me a fan of the show. And nice job of pointing out the subtext
and love story elements in this season, which perhaps are too often overlooked by fans
because of the bolder direction it took in season two and beyond.
"Also liked your reviews of The Reckoning and TheTitans. Though I'd forgotten the
title, The Reckoning is the episode that kept popping into my mind when I watched
dumbfounded at the Xena/Ares seduction crap of season five, that this episode really
resolved way back in season one, and in Ares very first appearance yet. It was well
handled in The Reckoning. It was pointless and clumisly handled in season five.
"Lady Adrell, great job with the Josh Becker "tribute" heh. Yeah, what a
nasty attitude the guy has developed towards everyone connected with the show, from Tapert
to the fans themselves. But I appreciated that you did acknowledge the fact that he did
actually direct some genuinely entertaining episodes. Nicely done, LadyA. Also nice
summary of the five seasons. Your description of season 5 as "the season where they
dropped the ball" is actually pretty close to Tapert’s own description of season
5 as the "season of missed opportunities" from the latest Chakram newsletter
interview. So if *we* know it, and *he* knows it.....maybe season six has the potential to
be watchable after all.
"And appreciation to Cindy for all the help she puts into the Xines as well."
--Brian Davis
"The new issue is great - as I said, I really enjoyed your article on Becker -
subtle, yet effective. The Xena quote was one of my favorites! And I now have evil
thoughts about Argo stalking Gabby because of the joke <wink>."
--Moonchild
"This was a good edition. I might not agree with your take on Becker and the
'clueless breeder' comment, but I do know where you are coming from. It's unfortunate when
some folks look foolish and open their mouths and prove it."
--ArdenTtly
"Really enjoyed this Xine issue! It's nice to look back and remember why it is we all
love Xena so much. Bacchae's season one review brought back so many great memories for me.
We all have different experiences...but whenever we began to watch Xena it ultimately
seems to have had the same wonderful affect on all of us. Nice to be reminded of that
after this lousy season. And especially nice to be reminded how the relationship, and the
characters themselves, grew over the season.
"Lady Adrell's Becker article was just great! Loved the bite and completeness of
it....and was grateful for the lack of vitriol. It's so refreshing when someone can make a
valid point without screaming about it. And I hope the goof reads it somehow....he needs
to be reminded of what a jerk he's been to the very folks who buttered his bread. Good
job!
"And the ep reviews were marvelous as always. I enjoyed both the eps...but have never
been able to adequately explain what it is I liked about them as well as was done here.
It's nice to have my thoughts put into words finally.
"Oh...one more thing...maybe it was just my mood, but I laughed silly over the Xena
joke! Ha!"
--Sue Winter
If you have any comments, suggestions for content, or articles to submit to this Xine,
then please contact Lady Adrell at exine@exine.tvheaven.com
(We are accepting submissions for featured articles. Send to above address.)
9) PRIVACY/NO SPAM POLICY!
NO SPAMMING OR LIST SHARING!
You can rest assured that your subscription email address will be kept in the strictest
confidence. We do not divulge, nor make available to any third party, our subscription
list. Your privacy is paramount to us! Therefore, it receives the respect it deserves!
10) Subscribe/Unsubscribe Information
If this Xine was forwarded to you and you would like to receive your own free weekly copy;
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11) Credits
The Xena E-Xine Staff:
Chief Editor/Head Reporter/Writer: Lady Adrell
Editor/Head Writer: Bacchae2
Assistance Editor/Researcher: Cindy
FanFic Critic: Cated
Website Analyst: Staff
Episode Guides: Bacchae2
12) Archives
To read previous articles, please go to http://exine.tvheaven.com/archive.html
UPDATE: The archives are still not updated but they are very close to it.
Season Two was pulled apart, examined, probed, tied up...oops wrong type of Xine for that stuff. Starting again....Season Two was pulled apart, examined, questioned, analyzed, brooded over, and thoroughly checked out during the production of this E-Xine. Any resemblance to any other season is merely coincidental.
You have permission to forward this to other people, and by all means, please do.
All imagines of Xena: Warrior Princess are © Copyright and Trademarks of MCA Universal, Renaissance Pictures, and Studio USA. All rights reserved.
Images taken from Tom's
Xena Page...what's left of it after the hacker attack. :(
The contents of this E-Xine may be copied, reproduced, or freely distributed for all
nonprofit purposes without the consent of the author as long as the author's name and
contact information are included, unless where otherwise stated. Example: Reproduced with
permission from Lady Adrell or said author.
All contents Copyright © 2000 The Xena E-Xine, except where indicated otherwise. All
rights reserved worldwide. All trademarks are the property of their respective owners.
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