The Tube File

USA Studios Xena The Final Season— 'Will They Or Won't They?

by Bridget Petrella with additional writing by John Mundazio

The hit show 'Xena: Warrior Princess,' syndicated television's highest rated first-run action hour, will ultimately conclude its enormously successful six-year run at the end of the 2000 to 2001 season. USA Studios Domestic Television President Steve Rosenberg along with Rob Tapert, the series brilliant creator and executive producer, made the announcement a few short weeks ago, much to the dismay of the show's cult following. The series will wrap production on its full 22-episode sixth season order this spring and will air through the summer of 2001. "'Xena' has been an outstanding performer for us since its September 1995 debut, finishing number 1 among all first-run syndicated dramas for the past four consecutive seasons, and we want to see it to go out on top," Rosenberg said. "The series has been nothing short of groundbreaking in redefining the female action hero on television and has inspired a host of imitators across the television landscape. Its worldwide success is a testament to the vision and execution of Rob Tapert, his producing partner, Sam Raimi, executive producer R.J. Stewart, all the people at Renaissance and the work of the extraordinary cast led by Lucy Lawless. I can't say enough about Rob, who is one of the most incredibly talented and gifted producers I have had the pleasure to work with, or about Lucy, who is more than just the star of another TV show. She has taken her character to the level of a national cult hero."

Added Tapert, "'Xena' has been a labor of love for everyone associated with it and we've been unusually lucky in having had the freedom to explore anything we've ever wanted to try— from high-action dramas to slapstick comedies to musicals. We're excited about the shows we're currently producing and we hope to deliver some of the best episodes we've ever done. Having said that, all of us on the show feel it will be time to move on to new creative challenges at end of this season. We have been blessed with tremendously loyal fans all over the world and we look forward to bringing them new and exciting programs in the future."

Now seen in more than 115 countries, 'Xena' debuted in national syndication in September 1995, with the protagonist based on a popular character introduced on Tapert and Raimi's hit companion series, 'Hercules: The Legendary Journeys.' 'Xena' chronicles the life-and-death-and-afterlife adventures of the fierce and fearless warrior princess, played by Lucy Lawless, and her warrior bard sidekick Gabrielle, played by Renee O'Connor. In their travels through ancient imaginary lands, the two fight to protect the powerless even as they struggle with their own inner demons. The stories of their adventures blend drama with humor and feature spectacular action, cutting-edge special effects and a knowing modern-day sensibility. The new season, which was launched in national syndication the week of October 2nd, included episodes in which Xena and Gabrielle return to their respective childhood homes. But instead of happy reunions, they find Xena's village of Amphipolis haunted by evil and they are sucked into a ferocious battle against Mephistopheles. This deadly confrontation leads to a fight for survival against the warrior archangels Michael, Raphael and Lucifer. When they arrive in Poteidaia to find that Gabrielle's niece Sarah has been captured by the vicious raider Gurkhan, they set sail for North Africa on a dangerous rescue mission. While there, they also intervene to help unite two tribes of warring nomads in a campaign to defeat their Roman enemies. This season will also include a highly dramatic three-episode arc that takes Xena and Gabrielle north when a Norse warrior named Beowulf approaches Xena for help. Filled with elaborate special effects, these stories involving Norse mythology will feature such entities as Odin, Grindl, Valkyries and flying horses.

Just in case you haven't been keeping score of the subtext at home... In the show appropriately entitled, 'Heart Of Darkness' which aired a few weeks back, Gabrielle expresses her complete displeasure in Xena's relationship with Lucifer, "You and Lucifer were looking a little...um..." To which Xena responds, "Gabrielle, every time I felt myself starting to lose control, I just thought of you. You led me back home." Gabrielle, a bit taken back by this replies, "Really?" To which Xena states, "Sure." Gabrielle of course, has the last word, "Don't go getting all emotional on me, Xena." In the episode entitled, 'The Legacy' Xena bonds with Gabrielle over her death wish..."I felt that way once. I thought there was nothing left to live for; I was tired and hurting and I just wanted it to end." Gabrielle inquires, "What changed it for you?" Xena explains, "You did." Gabrielle responds, "You saved me today, Xena, against the greater good. Why? Isn't that what we've been fighting for?" And of course Xena again brings light upon the bond that the two characters share so deeply... "Gabrielle, in everyone's life there's something that goes beyond the greater good. It's what you are in my life." Another television critic once told me, that it's like watching a mesmerizing dance of sorts— and he was right on the money in his boldly astute observation.

Are Xena and Gabrielle lovers? Will they finally consummate what a number of critics have called the "longest run of lesbian undertones to have ever hit the syndicated airwaves"? Is there really a passionate connection between these two characters, one that simply cannot be defined in the span of six full seasons? According to actress Renee O'Connor who plays Gabrielle, "They are soul mates." This critic couldn't agree more. The duo share a love that goes beyond the confines of gender. In my opinion, they are not necessarily gay in this lifetime (they could be, but it's never clearly stated one way or the other), but they are indeed in love. Now I realize that a number of gay fans will want to obliterate me for this but, I just feel that Xena and Gabrielle are something that goes well past the confines of gender or sexual preference... it's much deeper... period. But that is the true beauty of this series. One must drawn one's own conclusions about the relationship.

To merely say that the show is "groundbreaking" and filled with astoundingly meticulous spiritual depth is an absolute understatement of epic proportions. 'Xena' has dared to venture into a myriad of gray areas that defy both time and space, not to mention logic— but even in that analogy, it's all relevant when pieced together, even the comedy, which is perfectly executed. For the most part the writing has been no less than spectacular and compelling on each and every level. 'Xena' is successful because the show continually rewards long time fans with a progressive complexity. All episodes seem to constantly grow and build up from previous ones. But, you are not always "required" to see previous episodes to fully enjoy the current one. In direct contrast with itself, 'Xena' has also focused equally as much on "stand alone" episodes. These episodes don't really mention or build up from previous episodes the way other episodes do. And just to reiterate, it all meshes together and becomes relevant, like a tapestry of sorts... As viewers we have all been carried off on a provocative fantasy, a journey between two richly woven intricately complex characters who are destined to be together both in this life and well beyond... And therein lies the eternal burning question among Xena fans far and wide... will Xena and Gabrielle finally resolve all of the speculation as to what the relationship really is about, from a purely physical perspective... in the highly anticipated climactic series finale?

From the Whoosh Site (http://whoosh.org/epguide/index.html) a fan-based information site— "Apparently, Gabrielle goes into a coma (ala Sleeping Beauty) and can only come out of it when kissed by her soul mate. Okay, everybody in unison, 'Who's Gabrielle's soul mate?' If you do not know by now, then you should stop watching the show. Of course, there is the slight problem of Gabrielle's soul mate allegedly having amnesia and being a recent newly-wed... but then if death can't keep these two apart, then nothing can." At this point it's still uncertain, and a bit premature for speculation, but one thing is certain, the show itself has taken television script writing to a new level of expression and creativity, one that isn't likely to be duplicated anytime soon.

We here at The Tube File will certainly be saddened to see 'Xena Warrior Princess' go, but we feel rather enlightened by the show's incredible path and feel both pleased and privileged to have been able to follow the exceptional storylines for the past six years. Battle on Xena! 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, WWF Wrestling, TV Land, All HBO Original Programming and of course... Nick at Night.