_____ ______ ._ `\`/>`\ /`/` /`__________,.'>___ _____ )~\ /<`\ `\ /`/` /``\ \./------> /|\./\ |\./| / | \ /< `\`\ `\ /`/` /` | | |----\ / | |\ \ | | |././^\ \ |\__{o}\--`\`\ `\/`/` /`-----| | |-----`------\`\`\--| | |----^ \ \----. [\\\\\\\{*}==`> <`=======| | ==============`\`\`\| | |=====\ \ \==--> |/~~{o}/-- /`/ /\ \ `\------| | |---------------`\`\\ | |------\ \ \--' \< /`/` /` `\`\ `\ | | |_____,.'>| | | `\`\| | /' \ \ \ \< /` /` `\`\ `\ ,/ /^\------> / |/^\| \ | |/ \/^\\. /`/\>/` `\`\ `\`~~~~~~~~~~~\ / ~~~~~ )^\,\, '~~~~~ `~~~~~` '~~~~~` ` ~~~~~~ ================================== XENA: THE MEDIA REVIEW #17, Part 1 ================================== An All Talk No Action Publication http://www.teleport.com/~gater/IAXS.html c/o RIF BBS, P.O. Box 81181, Bakersfield, CA 93308 RIF BBS (805) 588-9349 [24hrs, 14.4bps, free] 267 subscribers and growing! This document has 1291 lines. Xena Media Review (XMR) is a periodic annotated world press review of reports regarding the internationally syndicated television show Xena: Warrior Princess (1995 - ) and the castmembers, Lucy Lawless and Renee O'Connor. For a free e-mail subscription send "subscribe XMR" to ktaborn@lightspeed.net. Copyright, legal, and editorial notices are found at the end of this newsletter. Issue No. 17 Release date: 09/02/96 Covering 04/04/96 to 04/19/96 Annotations XMR221 to XMR247 PART 1 of 3 Contents: Part 1: INTRODUCTION XMR Returneth The best laid plans of mice and men XenaFest II: The Myth and the Magic The Vacation The Curse of Baywatch Let's Hear it For Stacy AMENDED ANNOTATIONS [002.5] 04-25-94 Hercules and the Amazon Women. [002.6] 05-02-94 Hercules and the Lost Kingdom. [005.3] 10-17-94 Hercules and the Amazon Women. [005.4] 10-24-94 Hercules and the Lost Kingdom. [005.5] 12-12-94 Hercules and the Amazon Women. [006.5] 12-19-94 Hercules and the Lost Kingdom. [006.6] 02-20-95 as Darkness Falls. [010.3] 03-13-95 the Warrior Princess. [010.6] 05-01-95 the Gauntlet. [016.5] 05-08-95 Unchained Heart. [019.5] 05-22-95 as Darkness Falls. [023.5] 06-26-95 the Warrior Princess. [023.7] 07-03-95 the Gauntlet. [024.5] 07-10-95 Unchained Heart. [026.5] 08-07-95 as Darkness Falls. [035.5] 09-04-95 Sins of the past. [041.5] 09-11-95 Chariots of War. [045.5] 09-18-95 Dreamworker. [048.5] 09-25-95 Cradle of Hope. [054.5] 10-02-95 the Path Not Taken. [054.6] 10-02-95 the Outcast. [058.5] 10-09-95 the Warrior Princess. [062.5] 10-16-95 the Reckoning. [066.4] 10-23-95 the Gauntlet. [066.5] 10-23-95 Unchained Heart. [068.5] 10-30-95 the Titans. [071.5] 11-06-95 Prometheus. [079.5] 11-13-95 Death in Chains. Part 2: [083.5] 11-20-95 Hooves and Harlots. [088.5] 11-27-95 Sins of the past. [093] 12-04-95 Chariots of War. [098.5] 12-11-95 Dreamworker. [106.5] 12-18-95 Cradle of Hope. [114.5] 12-25-95 the Path Not Taken. [127] 01-01-96 Femme Fatale. [128] 01-01-96 Starlog. No. 222. [128.5] 01-01-96 the Reckoning. [132.5] 01-08-96 the Black Wolf. [138.5] 01-15-96 Beware of Greeks Bearing Gifts. [145.5] 01-22-96 Athens City Academy of the Performng Bards. [152.5] 01-29-96 a Fistful of Dinars. [158.3] 02-05-96 Warrior...princess. Part 3: [161.5] 02-12-96 Mortal Beloved. [172.5] 02-19-96 the Royal Couple of Thieves. [181.5] 02-26-96 the Titans. [196.5] 03-11-96 Prometheus. [203.5] 03-18-96 Death in Chains. [210.5] 03-25-96 Hooves and Harlots. [184] Has Been Removed and Replaced as Xmr217.5. [215.5] 03-29-96 Mca Xena Netforum. [219.5] 04-01-96 Starlog. No. 225. [219.6] 04-01-96 Starlog. No. 225. [219.7] 04-01-96 the Black Wolf. Annotations [221] 04-04-96 Philadelphia Forum. [222] 04-04-96 Daily Variety. [223] 04-08-96 Variety. [224] 04-08-96 People. [225] 04-08-96 Beware of Greeks Bearing Gifts. [226] 04-08-96 the Outcast. [227] 04-09-96 the David Letterman Show. [228a] 04-09-96 Arkansas Democrat-gazette. [228b] 04-09-96 the Charleston Gazette. Part 4: [229] 04-11-96 Usa Today. [230] 04-11-96 Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. [231] 04-11-96 the Indianapolis Star. [232a] 04-11-96 the Hollywood Reporter. [232b] 04-11-96 Daily Variety. [232c] 04-15-96 Variety. [232d] 04-15-96 Variety. [233] 04-12-96 the Vancouver Sun. [234] 04-14-96 Daily News (New York). [235] 04-15-96 Infoworld. [236] 04-15-96 the Hollywood Reporter. [237] 04-15-96 People Daily (on Pathfinder.com). [238] 04-15-96 Fortune. [239a] 04-15-96 Daily Variety. [239b] 04-22-96 Variety. [240] 04-15-96 Athens City Academy of the Performing Bards. [241] 04-17-96 Star Tribune. [242a] 04-18-96 the Hollywood Reporter. [242b] 04-18-96 Daily Variety. [242c] 04-18-96 Daily Variety. [242d] 04-22-96 Variety. [243a] 04-18-96 Daily Variety. [243b] 04-25-96 Daily Variety. [244] 04-18-96 Daily Variety. [245] 04-19-96 the Virginian-pilot (Norfolk). [246] 04-19-96 Electronic Media International. [247] 04-19-96 Electronic Media International. :PART 1 ------------- Introduction: ------------- XMR Returneth ------------- I am happy to be back. The four week sabbatical from XMRing was therapeutic, but also frustrating. I missed the daily thrills and chills of reading the Xena mailing lists. However, I appreciated the time to think about XMR and its future. For those coming in mid-newsletter, I started the Xena Media Review on March 29, 1996 (it coincided with someone's birthday). Designed as a review of the world press response to Xena: Warrior Princess, XMR was released weekly until July 26, 1996, which corresponded to the date I began my vacation. I have returned and bring news of XMR's future. I enjoy preparing XMR so much that I have decided to continue editing it although I do not have the time to keep issuing it at weekly intervals. I appreciate the patience of the readers and the personal support many of you have given me over the past few months. Because XMR will be periodic instead of weekly, the issues will be larger (especially this issue, which got completely out of control). I will have to begin production on WHOOSH! before I can even think of XMR #18. Therefore, I have released a monster issue of XMR. I want to keep the readers as occupied and absorbed as possible. WHOOSH, by the way, is the Journal of the International Association of Xena Studies. That magic time has arrived where I must put up or shut up about WHOOSH. I have decided to put up. Or at least give it the old college try. I have put more care and attention in XMR #17 than I have in any other past issue. It took a lot out of me and I hope it was worth it. However, I am one tired pup and my proof-reading skills are deteriorating faster than you can say "round killing thing". I apologize for all the errors which are embedded here waiting to haunt me. I also apologize for any inconvenience which may result from my new editorial policy. As always, I am grateful for the support from all the readers and hope to keep this project going as long as I can. The best laid plans of mice and men ----------------------------------- Here it is, less than a month until the new season of XWP, and XMR is still four months behind. To boot, I have decided to add the airtimes of every episode as an annotation. That means a hearty game of catch-up; and a game of catch-up I have played. Please note the robust Amended Annotations area and the uncharacteristically large size of the issue. I do not plan to issue any more four part issues in the future. XenaFest II: The Myth and the Magic ----------------------------------- I went. My door prize was a complete set of Hercules trading cards (I had none previously). I bought a whole bunch of t-shirts. I had the opportunity to meet and speak with Tyldus and Avicus (two people involved in the production of Xena: Warrior Princess). I met the people behind many of the names I read on the mailing lists. I came stag. I drove over the river, through the woods, and up over the mountain passes for about 3 hours to get to a Rancho Cucamonga pizza parlor. It was infested with Xenites. I did not take a head count but it resembled a sardine tin. Now starts the name dropping part, which will only have meaning to a few, but I drop nevertheless. I was honored to sit at the table with Heparin, Darkmuse, Quest, and Xana (I don't think Xana has an alias; if so, I do not know it). The first hour I became relatively intimate with Darkmuse's back. It's difficult NOT to establish a meaningful relationship after an hour of eye-contact. True, Darkmuse's back did not have eyes and nor did it have any reasonable chance of leading a life separate from Darkmuse (and I am thankful for that, for had there been eyes and a chance for independence, I'd probably be in Hawaii now with her back forsaking all my familial and social responsibilities), but I appreciated the opportunity for getting to know at least a part of Darkmuse. I'm hoping she doesn't mind me sharing this with you (even though it is a tad personal). Heparin bought me some pizza and constantly tried to make me eat her and Darkmuse's salad. Then, later, and I don't think it was a conspiracy, but Xana tried to get me to eat from her and Quest's salad as well. I did not eat any salad. Perhaps I just look like the salad type. Or perhaps they were concerned that I was giving inordinate attention to someone's back. The gratis pizza shot up my blood sugar level so I was conscious for the door prizes. Everyone was given a ticket with a number at no cost (one of the themes of this event was: no cost). Athena and Mystic Lady and other assistants drew the tickets out of a big box. There were pictures suitable for framing, lots of Hercules card sets, and other Xena related fan-created materials which had been contributed by the rank and file of Xena fandom. After that, we were afforded another moment of socializing. I met more people, and again I apologize for not writing down everyone's names. Playing on the big screen TV was a flurry of interviews (New Zealand 20/20 documentary, WGN interview, etc.), a montage of XWP clips to the song Manic Monday (Gina produced it), and maybe an episode or two. Maggie, the script coordinator from XWP, was there. She holed up in a corner and showed off her 5 inch "Xena in a red dress" action figure. Her table was always swamped. I stayed clear of it in fear of getting caught in the stampede. Xena in a red dress was not worth losing my identity, even for a minute (oops, does this mean I have just lost my status as a rabid fan?). Then, at last, I started some serious mingling and a lot of people and names went by me. I met Apollena, Mystic Lady, Lilac, Athena, Lord Nelson, 3Cats, Xeenababe, Lucia Correa (great t-shirts; and I have a t-shirt story for you; remind me to tell you), Macgyver, Don & Larissa Frozina, Gina, Tashendor (who I believe traveled the farthest to be there, but I am not positive), Kittle, Kayos, Dracobabe, Paksenarrion, Drudd, Mothergoose, Artboy, Rudeboy, Xenagal, Dpalmer, BeckyDn, Platypus, Dearcy, and countless more whose names escape me. For those whom I overlooked, don't forget that the most efficient way to use a voodoo doll is to pierce it through the heart in a quick, but firm stab. If I am to be a victim of the ancient arts, I want it to be done quickly, properly, and professionally. Next up was the big guns. Avicus, assisted by Tyldus, brought some stuff he found around the office at work. I wish I had such fun stuff like that laying around my office. It's scary where I work. But enough about that. Avicus took the big box, put all the tickets back in and started drawing out for more door prizes. The treats included posters, photos, signed scripts, a baseball cap, and the Grand Prize (which was won by 3Cats), a cardboard stand-up of Xena, Warrior Princess, suitable for home use and private parties. Okay. I am writing this four weeks after the fact. I may have gotten the order mixed up a bit. I am trying to capture the mood, not create the permanent record. The cardboard Xena seemed to be the climax of the day until Avicus announced that although he was not able to bring the director's cut of "Is There A Doctor In The House" (big sigh), he was able to bring the director's cut of "Cradle of Hope" (happy cheer). The Xenite horde quieted their grunts and drinking sounds as the lights went out and the video tape of "Cradle" began. The episode started out as the broadcast version until about two and a half minutes into the show a character made a boo-boo. SURPRISE! It was the Xena blooper reel. I will not go into detail since many have documented the contents already in the mailing lists and public postings. However, I did see Xena forcibly kiss Joxer; Xena & Gabrielle as vampires singing "Deep in the Heart of Texas"; Xena fall off her horse after an unsuccessful mount and caught by Gabrielle (I guess THAT'S why she walks); the famous rat scenes; and a lot of cute swearing in dialect. After that, there was really no where to go except outside to do a group picture. By that time I was really missing Darkmuse's back (we were like two ships...), so I stood next to her. It was a very affirming experience. I don't normally get so attached to another person's back, but I was on a trip away from home, the opportunity presented itself, it was humid, and I was giddy from the Xenite experience. Don't worry. Darkmuse never suspected a thing. I carried on the relationship very discretely; so discreetly that it did not require anything from Darkmuse (don't you wish most relationships could be carried out this way?). I did actually talk with her; don't think I am too rude. After the picture taking, the mob demanded that the blooper reel be replayed. Avicus complied. However, mid-way through the tape, the management of the pizza establishment demanded our removal because they had a bar mitzvah or something at 4pm. So Mystic Lady opened her home to the continuation of the XenaFest. However, she was very cryptic about where she lived. When repeatedly asked for her address, she merely said, "Follow the caravan." So I followed the caravan. Caravan? It disappeared before my eyes. After a few minutes I found myself in the lost party of Darkmuse, Heparin, and Avicus. We had all requested the address. We all had been denied. And here we were, standing by our cars in Rancho Cucamonga wondering, just wondering. Avicus, bless his soul and employment, had a cellular phone. He had Mystic Lady's number, too (coincidence or what? You decide). He called. An answering machine answered, of course. After a barrage of cute swearing in dialect, permanently captured on Mystic Lady's answering machine, Avicus then decided to reconnoiter. He gallantly requested us (Darkmuse, Heparin, and I) to stay put while he surveyed the immediate neighborhood for any signs of Xenite activity. By this time, I had matured and had moved on from Darkmuse's back. I engaged in pleasant conversation with her and Heparin while waiting for Avicus' report. Avicus returned unsuccessful. Rancho Cucamonga had been cruel to us. Not to let that deter him, however, he phoned Mystic Lady again and this time got a real person on the other end. Our mini-caravan finally got to the party and I found about a quarter of the XenaFest stuffed into a room watching Xena tapes non-stop. I escaped into the kitchen where there was water and a bunny outside. I watched the bunny. Then the experience took on an Ingmar Bergmanish surreal turn (which happens more often than one would expect, at least to me). I found myself talking to an ever-changing group of people as Quest began to serenade the kitchen denizens. Some of the people passing through/and or staying were Heparin, Darkmuse, Xeenababe, Lilac, Xana, Avicus, Tyldus, Macgyver, and I am sure more. Quest even wrote a song and performed it during these hours of fertile interchange. It was wonderful. At some point someone noticed that the sun was setting and most of the participants were demanding food. Groups of people went off and worked out various food options. I found myself with Heparin and Darkmuse once again. We went to an Italian restaurant where this time Darkmuse purchased my food (I am famous for freeloading food off of people I have only just met; file it for future reference). She encouraged me to eat her vegetables (I think because I am an unusually pale person, people always want me to eat salad and vegetables). I did. It was the least I could do after exploiting her back and all. The conversation was varied and many times the word "Xena" popped up for some inexplicable reason. I was in such a good mood that I agreed to an expensive desert (well, it wasn't that hard since Darkmuse was paying for it). The evening meal afforded me an opportunity to meet the person attached to the back and I got a lot of tips from Heparin. I left their company at about 10:30pm to return to my otherwise drab Bakersfield life. In retrospect, I would gladly do it again, back and all, and I am indeed looking forward to the next XenaFest, if I am invited (which will surprise me especially after this little exposee). The Vacation ------------ Three weeks can be a long time without internet access and cable tv. But I did it, survived, and have, as a result, become a better person. Yes, it's the new and improved Kym. But enough about that, let's talk about my incredible luck during the trip. While en route I found Xena references in three different magazines; got to see "Is there a Doctor in the House" at 2am in Michigan in a semi-comatose state (you know, we have got to start a union and demand better times for Xena in some of these midwestern towns!); and saw the Mystery Science Theatre 3000 movie on the big screen (while fantasizing what a Xena big screen movie would be like -- probably very violent, but a gal can dream, can't she?). I was traveling from Milwaukee to Minneapolis when the Rosie O'Donnell Show interview was on, but my brother-in-law's wife, bless her heart, taped it for me and mailed it priority mail to me that same day. I got to see it Monday back in Bakersfield. I was very grateful. I was able to proselytize about Xena to lots of people (many did not know what to do with me, while a couple of people actually got what I was trying to say), and I thought long and hard about my dwindling time and my ever more grandiose plans for XMR and WHOOSH! The Curse of Baywatch --------------------- I have discussed in lesser detail the great "XWP is Baywatch" or to others "Xena vs. Baywatch" debate in TWXN (This Week in Xena News) #4, in the annotation for LA Weekly, 05-31-96, Vol.18, No.27, Pg. 41, "Atlas, Shrugged; Xena, Hercules, Barbie and Ken" By Arion Berger. This article, annotation, and reprint is tentatively scheduled to appear in XMR #20. However, the eerie Baywatch/Xena connection could bear another review. This Baywatch/Xena love-hate relationship started with the Daily Variety review of Sins of the Past (episode no. 1, see XMR035.5 for a synopsis), dated 09- 08-95, by Brian Lowry (see XMR040). Mr. Lowry, referring to HTLJ, stated, "[It] stumbled into a formula that incorporates plenty of action, reasonably good effects on an obvious budget, a self-effacing sense of humor, California surfer dialogue that for some reason doesn't seem out of place and enough scantily clad flesh to qualify as a sort of mythological 'Baywatch.'" Mr. Lowry was clearly associating HTLJ to Baywatch. As to XWP, he added, "'Xena' doesn't measure up quantitatively in that last regard but compensates with its lead, Lucy Lawless, who -- in the spirit of Red Sonja and other sword-wielding females -- wears uncomfortable looking metal breastplates and proves undeniably easy on the eyes." Although Mr. Lowry offered a caveat, he did introduce the idea that HTLJ and XWP, in a lesser way, were "a sort of mythological 'Baywatch.'" Can Mr. Lowry be faulted for this? No. At the time, Baywatch was one of the premiere syndicated shows of the time. It made the big bucks and it was very popular and had a huge international market. To many this would be seen as an virtue. The Baywatch stereotype, though easily deserved on a superficial level, was used to illustrate the 'mindless' entertainment value which HTLJ and XWP could offer to the market. Very soon afterwards, Cinescape (see XMR050.5), of all magazines, broke the news that the target audience for XWP would be those who watched Baywatch (see Cinescape's 1995 Science Fiction Television Yearbook, October 1995, page 78). Again, that created an inference that XWP would be a carbon-copy of Baywatch, or at least a carbon-copy of those things which made Baywatch 'unique'. The first mainstream defense of XWP from the scourge of being associated with Baywatch was in the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, 11-17-95, page 2W, in "Beefcake, Cheesecake on TV's Myth Menu" by Ellis Widner (XMR082). The article was basically a musing about how XWP and HTLJ might affect popular appreciation of mythology. Widner described the basic premises of XWP and HTLJ, then wrote, "Sounds like adventures in bimbo/himbo land, doesn't it? But what sets these shows above programs like 'Baywatch' are the story lines." Widner then went into detail how the stories and productions differed. Widner admitted to superficial similarities between XWP and Baywatch, but averred that XWP fundamentally was different because of the content. Widner was arguing that XWP and Baywatch were not different breeds of the same animal; rather, XWP was as different to Baywatch as a cat was to a dog. Although writing about Baywatch Nights and not Baywatch, Ken Tucker in Entertainment Weekly (the true arbitrator of popular culture) on 11/24/95 in ""Gimme Some Skin; Drawing Strength from 'Hercules,' 'Xena' Proves a Scintillating Spin-off--but Without That Bevy of Bods, David Hasselhoff's 'Baywatch' Detective Faces Dismal 'Nights'" predicted Baywatch Nights would be a failure because it was not like it's forbear, Baywatch. He suggested, however, that Baywatch Nights could use XWP as its model in order to improve. This comment implied an understanding that the Baywatch and XWP were fundamentally different. Also, an interesting aside, was that Baywatch Nights announced in the late summer 1996 that it would take on a more science fiction/ fantasy/horror approach for the 1996-97 season. Perhaps the producers had read Mr. Tucker's suggestions? In early January 1996, the Detroit News reported in an interview with Robert Tapert, a producer of XWP, that XWP's original competition was planned to be Baywatch (see XMR129). [Had the producers been told they would consistently knock ST off the 1st and 2nd mark within less than a year, they would have no doubt laughed and went on with their business]. This added another connection with XWP and Baywatch. The previous one was superficial, that people ran around with little clothing and did not much of anything else. Here, the connection was in terms of direct competition. If the producers were openly competing against Baywatch, then it could be assumed that they would create a product similar to Baywatch. On January 4, 1996 (in The Vancouver Sun, "Trash essential part of well-balanced TV diet"), Alex Strachan made his greatest contribution to Xenadom; he coined the phrase "Baywatch B.C." to describe XWP. The LA Times even stole it, using the derivative 'Babewatch B.C.' (see XMR171). Mr. Strachan used the term again later (see this issue XMR232). He did not mean to use it derisively. It was clear from his articles (XMR130, XMR232, and tentative 323) that he enjoyed the show. However, he was also clearly in the camp that found a lot of substantial similarities between XWP and Baywatch. Can there be any more obvious comparison between the shows? True, the Daily Variety started it with "mythological Baywatch", but "Baywatch B.C." just rolls off the tongue so well. Later that month, The Star Tribune's Phil Rosenthal, in "TV-show producers hawk their wares at programmers' annual convention" [see XMR 140e] observed that Tarzan and Sinbad appeared to be modeling themselves after XWP, whereas Beach Patrol appeared to be modeled after Baywatch. This, again, pointed to a distinction between Baywatch and XWP. However, whether it was as lofty as Widner's defense (see XMR082) or just a superficial difference such as Baywatch takes place at the beach today while XWP and Sinbad take place a long time ago, is not known. Also later that month, Jennifer Weiner, in The Philadelphia Inquirer, "She's a Kick in More Ways than One. Xena, Warrior Princess, Is TV's Toughest Sister. Foes - and Fans - Know She Can't Be Beat," (see XMR152a), printed quotes from XWP fans that captured what appeared to be their subconscious fear that XWP might be just another form of Baywatch. Perhaps the best indication of how high the level of confusion got regarding the XWP vs. Baywatch debate, was how Mike during the Mike & Maty interview in February 1996 with Lucy Lawless (see XMR166 for a transcript) just could not get Baywatch off of his mind. They could not quite believe it themselves, and the reader could tell it was painful for them to admit it, but the LA Times came out in February 1996 in favor of XWP in the Baywatch debate. The title of the article, said it all: "Forget 'Baywatch': the Action's with 'Hercules,' 'Xena'". (see XMR172). Using the term BabeWatch B.C., Steve Weinstein agreed that sex sells both Baywatch and XWP, but he also begrudgingly admitted that XWP transcended Baywatch in terms of demographic, content, and canniness. Things looked great on the horizon for the XWP camp. By the end of February 1996 it looked like they had skewered that evil dragon called Baywatch which had been cruelly compared to their XWP one too many times. That was until Ethnic Newswatch (hmmm, Baywatch; Newswatch... mere coincidence? You decide) came out with their March 1996 issue (see XMR183). Julius Lester in ""Legislating Sexual Morality", obviously not aware of the raging debate, callously referred to XWP and Baywatch together as an example of primetime erotica. Then the Philadelphia Daily News stabbed the XWP camp in the back with their "Fresh Picks" comment on 03/05/96 (see XMR188), which stated, "With a bawdy mix of humor, role reversal and Sonic the Hedgehog- inspired flips and kicks, Xena: Warrior Princess, is the same type of fodder that is embraced by the lonely male set that made Baywatch a hit." How cold. Just when the loyal camp thought it could not get darker, The Arizona Republic, 03/28/96 (see XMR214), quoted Warren Carl, the American-dialect coach for XWP, as saying he tells the cast of XWP, "Watch Baywatch. Talk like the lifeguards." Not only was the world accusing XWP of being a Baywatch clone, but now insiders were forcing XWP to SOUND LIKE BAYWATCH. April 12, 1996, Alex Strachan used his coinage "Baywatch BC" again (see this issue, XMR232), unwittingly creating more evidence for the Baywatch crowd. This was highly ironic since Mr. Strachan did enjoy the show, although he did show periodic signs of self-doubt. Even the on-line world was not safe from this debate. On the People Daily page, pathfinder.com, on 04/15/96, in initially a debate between the fans of Deep Space Nine and XWP, a fan supporting DS9, once again compared the essences of Baywatch and XWP, and found them the same. On 04/24/96, in The Toronto Star, Antonia Zerbisias referred to XWP and Baywatch together as "mindless junk". Even in the extremely pro-XWP essay in Spectrum, Vol 1., No. 5 (May 1996), Baywatch was still mentioned in the same sentence as XWP. The San Diego Union-Tribune on 05/14/96 even had a headline read, ""Hercules,' Xena' a sort of mythological Baywatch'". The article did express surprise that XWP and HTLJ were beating the pants off of Baywatch, but little else analysis was done other than a body part comparison. Perhaps artfully dodging a trend, Williams Grimes in his lengthy 05/19/96 New York Times article ("A Woman Wielding Many Weapons, Among Them a Sneer and a Stare") proudly stated that XWP had in 24 of its first 25 of 29 weeks vanquished the "awesome Baywatch". That was followed by some indirect discussion of how XWP was different from both Baywatch and HTLJ. Walt Belcher, in the 05/25/96 Tampa Tribune, jumped on the pro-XWP band wagon lukewarmly with his support, promoting that the fundamental difference between the shows was XWP's action fantasy bent in ""Mythical TV Heroes; They're tan, they're taut, they're TV titans. Hercules, Xena and now Beastmaster rule the late-night netherworld of "action fantasy." Six days later, the LA Weekly published "Atlas, Shrugged; Xena, Hercules, Barbie and Ken" by Arion Berger. This article was perhaps the most articulated position paper that XWP was a clone of Baywatch. However, it was obvious that the author had only watched a few shows if any, and that his basic premise was based upon some pre-existing prejudice. The most recent expression of the XWP as Baywatch position was in the September 1996 MAD Magazine parody "Jerkules & Zima." The parody concluded when the characters representing Xena, Gabrielle, Hercules, and Iolaus were transported magically into Baywatch. Now that's supercold. What does all this mean? It means that the majority of the non-fan media cannot differentiate between XWP and Baywatch. Is this good or bad? Good, if you want to keep the cult edge on the series. Bad, if you want it to become the next Star Trek....but then, Star Treks are created upon the fan base which exists because the show has retained it's cult edge. Signs that it's growing regardless of the critical poo-pooing? A commercial convention provider is in negotiations with MCA/Universal to put on some Xena/Hercules conventions. Good or bad? Good if you want a professionally run convention. Bad if you wanted to see the growth of fan run gatherings. However, that was the Star Trek way. Star Trek was the trail blazer. There can be no more naive Trek-like developments. XWP/HTLJ fandom is growing up in the shadow of big brother Trek. Things go faster and commercial sooner in the Trek wake. Good or bad? Good if like commercialization and all the appurtenances. Bad if you don't like commercialism and the appurtenances. Back to Baywatch vs. XWP. Personally, I find the differences glaring. However, I can see where someone would be confused. I consider it all part of the shows charm. Let's Here it For Stacy ----------------------- Stacy Van Stipdonk, an XMR subscriber, has been extremely helpful in this month's and succeeding month's XMR. She transcribed a ton of material and I will be eternally grateful, as no doubt all other subscribers will be. Thanks again Stacy. I deeply appreciated your help. But now, the show must go on. I know I used up a lot of goodwill on the part of the reader to create this FOUR PARTER, but hey, it's my newsletter. I'll put whatever I want in it. If you don't like it, well, start your own. Heck, I'll even subscribe to it. I will subscribe to ANYTHING with the name Xena on it. ---Kym ------------------- AMENDED ANNOTATIONS ------------------- [002.5] 04-25-94 HERCULES AND THE AMAZON WOMEN. HTLJ Movie no. 1. First release. COMMENTARY: Lucy Lawless had a supporting role in this Hercules: The Legendary Journeys Action Pack movie. [002.6] 05-02-94 HERCULES AND THE LOST KINGDOM. HTLJ Movie no. 2. First release. COMMENTARY: Renee O'Connor guest starred in this Hercules: The Legendary Journey's Action Pack movie. [005.3] 10-17-94 HERCULES AND THE AMAZON WOMEN. HTLJ Movie no. 1. Second release. COMMENTARY: See XMR002.5 for first release information. [005.4] 10-24-94 HERCULES AND THE LOST KINGDOM. HTLJ Movie no. 2. Second release. COMMENTARY: See XMR002.6 for first release information. [005.5] 12-12-94 HERCULES AND THE AMAZON WOMEN. HTLJ Movie no. 1. Third release. COMMENTARY: See XMR002.5 for first release information. [006.5] 12-19-94 HERCULES AND THE LOST KINGDOM. HTLJ Movie no. 2. Third release. COMMENTARY: See XMR002.6 for first release information. [006.6] 02-20-95 AS DARKNESS FALLS. HTLJ episode #6. First release. COMMENTARY: Lucy Lawless appeared in this episode as the woman who poisoned Hercules. She repeated the role in the next season in HTLJ's "The Outcast". [010.3] 03-13-95 THE WARRIOR PRINCESS. Hercules Episode no. 9. First release. Guest stars: Michael Hurst (Iolaus), Lucy Lawless (Xena), and Elizabeth Hawthorne. Written by John Schulian. Directed by Bruce Seth Green. SYNOPSIS: That wild and crazy Iolaus falls for the wily charms of that wild and ethically-challenged warrior princess, Xena, who - surprise! surprise! - is not after Iolaus at all, but...Hercules! Who'd a'thunk it? Hercules does! He goes to retrieve his pal only to have the totally smitten and brainwashed Iolaus challenge him to a duel to the death! It doesn't get much better than this. Fortunately, Hercules beats Iolaus to his senses just in time for her evilness, Xena, to rear her horse and tell the boys, "I'll be back!" COMMENTARY: And Xena wasn't kidding! Xena came back for a highly rated two-parter. MCA/Universal saw gold in them thar hills, and next the fall, Xena had her very own new spanking new series. Fans arose from all over to support Xena's new path of redemption and recovery of honor. A direct result of this obsessive attraction which the highly charismatic character of Xena engendered, was this very newsletter you are currently reading along with other fan-generated fan fiction, newsletter, clubs, gatherings, mailing lists, etc. HIGHLIGHTS: Whenever Xena interacts with her warrior boy toys, I have to smile. [See XMR #13 for an engaging essay on Theodorus and Estrogon, the epitome of warrior boy toys.] [Also see XMR #08 for a more detailed synopsis] [010.6] 05-01-95 THE GAUNTLET. Hercules Episode no. 12. First release. Guest stars: Lucy Lawless (Xena), Robert Trebor (Salmoneus), and Matthew Chamberlain (Darphus). Written by Peter Bielak. Directed by Jack Perez. SYNOPSIS: Evil Xena still wants Hercules dead but she first has to deal with her mutinous second in command, Darphus (hey Xena, you got to read those job applications more closely). After meeting Salmoneous, who makes her laugh, Xena is slowly persuaded into joining Hercules against the rampaging Darphus. Good triumphs over evil, Xena skewers Darphus, and Xena thinks,"Gee, I could get to like this." However, Ares, the little pest, returns Darphus to life and gives him a nasty big pet called Gragus and a reason to have a second part to this great tale of honor lost and regained. COMMENTARY: Salmoneous was the critical player in allowing Hercules to see Xena in a different light. Also, Xena's obsession with the survival of the baby along with her tolerance and bemusement of Salmoneous triggered her great moral dilemma which resulted in her ability to see past her self-constructed warrior code and to understand what Hercules was attempting to show her. It was Salmoneous' vision who created the loop- hole where the old Xena could meld into the new Xena without completely giving up her pride and self- determination. Those vanities would later be slowly removed as Xena and Gabrielle's friendship matured. HIGHLIGHTS: This is a very violent episode. The scene where Xena walks the Gauntlet is very difficult to watch. She really gets the stuffing beaten out of her. [See XMR #09 for another synopsis] [016.5] 05-08-95 UNCHAINED HEART. Hercules Episode no. 13. First release. Guest stars: Michael Hurst (Iolaus), Robert Trebor (Salmoneus), Lucy Lawless (Xena), and Matthew Chamberlain (Darphus). Written by John Schulian. Directed by Bruce Seth Green. SYNOPSIS: Xena and Hercules are basking in an afterglow when news of Darphus' return reaches them. Iolaus stumbles upon them and before you know it they are fighting mano-a-mano with Darphus' men. The battle is a draw. Salmoneous is kidnapped. Iolaus and Xena make up (Xena: 'Sorry I seduced you and tricked you into almost killing your best friend. You see I was evil then. Now I am aflame with good and moral stuff like that. I guess it just rubs off of Herc, you know.' Iolaus: 'Yeah, I know. He unchains a lot of hearts.'). After acting upon the afterglow, Hercules and Xena rescue Salmoneous, correct most of Iolaus' misconceptions, get Gragus and Darphus to terminate each other, and make the world generally safe for Athenian democracy once again. Xena then ditches Hercules to make amends for her sins of the past. COMMENTARY: It was clear that the writers/producers /creators of XWP were using the Xena trilogy in Hercules to explore and experiment with the character of Xena. The first show, "Warrior Princess", Xena apparently was lusted after by all her lieutenants and a promotion usually implied a place in Xena's bed. Her sexual power was used and sought after by her warrior boy toys, even to the point where they willingly or unwillingly would die for her. The second show, "The Gauntlet", Xena was shown as the noble and misunderstood warrior whose claim to power was through hard work and respect of her troops. There was no implication whatsoever she was sharing favors with Darphus, and the troops. When the troops were given an opportunity to show respect, it was focused toward her military and strategic ability that any vague hope of being bedded by the warrior princess. Her troops rallied around her more as one would under the inspiration of Joan of Arc than Mata Hari. The third show, "Unchained Heart", Xena appeared to forget her previous incarnations and became obsessed with Hercules and his manly ways. Only at the end of the program did she appear to have come to her senses which allowed her to leave Hercules for her own show. HIGHLIGHTS: Xena as a Hercules cheerleader can be sickening, but it was made more palatable by frizzing out her hair. [See XMR #09 for another synopsis] [019.5] 05-22-95 AS DARKNESS FALLS. HTLJ episode #6. Second release. COMMENTARY: See XMR006.6 for first release information. [023.5] 06-26-95 THE WARRIOR PRINCESS. Hercules Episode no. 9. Second release. Guest stars: Michael Hurst (Iolaus), Lucy Lawless (Xena), and Elizabeth Hawthorne. Written by John Schulian. Directed by Bruce Seth Green. COMMENTARY: See XMR010.3 for synopsis. [023.7] 07-03-95 THE GAUNTLET. Hercules Episode no. 12. Second release. Guest stars: Lucy Lawless (Xena), Robert Trebor (Salmoneus), and Matthew Chamberlain (Darphus). Written by Peter Bielak. Directed by Jack Perez. COMMENTARY: See XMR010.6 for synopsis. [024.5] 07-10-95 UNCHAINED HEART. Hercules Episode no. 13. Second release. Guest stars: Michael Hurst (Iolaus), Robert Trebor (Salmoneus), Lucy Lawless (Xena), and Matthew Chamberlain (Darphus). Written by John Schulian. Directed by Bruce Seth Green. COMMENTARY: See XMR016.5 for synopsis. [026.5] 08-07-95 AS DARKNESS FALLS. HTLJ episode #6. Third release. COMMENTARY: See XMR006.6 for first release information. [35.5] 09-04-95 SINS OF THE PAST. Episode no. 1. First release. 09/04/96. Guest stars: Jay Laga'aia (Draco); Darien Takle (Cyrene). Story by Robert Tapert. Teleplay by R.J. Stewart. Directed by Doug Lefler. SYNOPSIS: While trying to give up the evil warrior way of life, Xena inadvertently saves Gabrielle's village. Gabrielle's repayment is to pursue Xena (can you stay STALK?) and persuade Xena to allow Gabrielle to follow Xena in her ways. Many adventures for both the gals ensue. They wind up in Xena's village, where Xena once again must save the villagers by fighting to the death with yet another warlord. By then, Gabrielle has saved Xena's life so Xena, trying so hard to be honorable and good, can't think of any way to ditch Gabrielle. COMMENTARY: The introduction of Gabrielle into the Xena story may have seemed peripheral in the beginning, but as the season matured, so did Gabrielle. Gabrielle started out the season as a whiny pest (the classical baby sister to any red-blooded American teen) whom Xena, for the life of her, could not figure out how to honorably get rid of. Luckily for the audience, Xena never did figure it out. Gabrielle developed eventually into the conscience of Xena. Xena had to save someone weekly, and Gabrielle fit the bill. However, instead of staying in the Gabrielle-as-victim rut, the series premise grew from Xena's story of redemption to the story of Gabrielle's journey of self-discovery and rite of passage into adulthood. HIGHLIGHT: Wonderful fight among the scaffolding which ends up on the villagers heads. And not one villager looks up Xena's skirt! You have to see it, to believe it. This was perhaps the first clue that XWP was not going to be your father's action-adventure series. [See XMR #06 for a more detailed synopsis] [41.5] 09-11-95 CHARIOTS OF WAR. Episode no. 2. First release. Guest stars: Nick Kokotakis, Jeff Thomas, and Stuart Turner. Story by Josh Becker and Jack Perez. Teleplay by Adam Armus and Nora Kay Foster. Directed by Harley Cokeliss. SYNOPSIS: It's the double date from hell! Xena finds a sensitive single-parent peacenik and Gabrielle finds a sensitive tormented warlord's son with severe family problems. Unfortunately, Gabrielle's boy shoots Xena and is ordered by his father to slaughter the peacenik and his village. Fortunately Xena survives and takes on the warlord, the warlord's son, the peacenik villager's leader, and anything else in her path. Xena wins by skewering the warlord (a very common solution for Xena). Gabrielle tries to be nice to the warlord's son, but he's kind of sensitive about his father's skewering and all. COMMENTARY: XWP, especially because of it's pioneering concept of women doing it for themselves, has become very popular among women of all ilks. Whether done consciously or unconsciously, XWP can be viewed by many diverse audiences. To fan the fire, the show is packed with double entendres (and even triple ones too!) which play to the viewers proclivities. "Chariots of War" is affectionately know by many fans as the "heterosexual" episode. 'Nuff said? HIGHLIGHTS: The chariot chase scene is worth the price of admission, especially considering Xena and Gabrielle's discussion mid-chase. [See XMR #07 for a more detailed synopsis] [45.5] 09-18-95 DREAMWORKER. Episode no. 3. First release. Guest stars: Nathaniel Lees and Desmond Kelly. Written by Steven L. Sears. Directed by Bruce Seth Green. SYNOPSIS: Gabrielle gets herself kidnapped by the followers of Morpheus who want her to lose her blood innocence by killing someone so they can sacrifice her. Xena does not take a liking to this and allows herself to be cast into a Dream Passage, where she must confront her past in order to break through to her future. While Xena is having a therapists dream, Gabrielle is going through three tests where she artfully dodges killing anyone. Xena finally conquers her past just in time to save Gabrielle; however Gabrielle gets to punch out the High Priest of Morpheus. Xena is impressed. COMMENTARY: This episode introduced the underlying theme of Gabrielle's blood innocence. At this stage, the characteristic was imposed upon Gabrielle by Xena. Gabrielle was at the height of her hero-worship of Xena. She wanted to be Xena or at least just like her (Gabrielle even told her sister that in 'Sins of the Past'). Xena would have nothing of it. Xena was in the midst of questioning her own entire life and she would not permit Gabrielle to enter her lifestyle. By the time "Is There a Doctor In The House" came around, Gabrielle had made this decision for herself. There, she knew how to kill and kill quite efficiently, and yet she refused to do so, even at her own peril. This characteristic eventually became Gabrielle's code. Also, this episode marked a change in Gabrielle's and Xena's relationship. One of the most attractive things about XWP is the depiction of how a close and intimate friendship grows throughout time. This theme is rarely shown or even attempted on a weekly series, especially in an action one. "Dreamworker" gave the first intimations that the friendship between Xena and Gabrielle would become a great theme of the series. HIGHLIGHTS: Where Gabrielle's dream and Xena's Dream Passage overlap momentarily; and when Xena discovers the key to exiting the Dream Passage. [See XMR #07 for another synopsis]. [48.5] 09-25-95 CRADLE OF HOPE. Episode no. 4. First release. Guest stars: Mary Elizabeth McGlynn (Pandora), Edward Newborn, and Simon Prast. Written by Terence Winter. Directed by Michael Levine. SYNOPSIS: Pandora, who happens to be THE Pandora's granddaughter is traveling around neurotically guarding a box. Meanwhile, Xena and Gabrielle find a baby in the bulrushes (can you say Moses?). Turns out a king is out to kill the baby because of a prophecy saying that the child shall grow up and depose the king (can you say Jason?). Xena and Gabrielle protect the child from an evil captain of the guards who plots in secrecy to overturn the king (can you say Saddam Hussein in Iraq in the 1960's?). Xena figures out that the king was meant to adopt the baby since his own child died with its mother in childbirth. The evil captain of the guard does not like this, so Xena kabobs him. The king takes a liking to Pandora and he promises to guard her little box. COMMENTARY: Both XWP and HTLJ are fortunate that their subject matter allows them to mine the rich beds of traditional ancient stories found in world civilization. Both shows' anachronistic approach, along with their embedded cultural flexibility and diversity, create a new pool out of an old ocean of material which offers a revised and an albeit, often confused, reworking of old myths which beg the audience to rethink previously held views. It might not be incredibly profound, but it does inspire the viewer to expand their minds. Anything that expands a mind, even by a millimeter, is a worthwhile endeavor these days. XWP and HTLJ, in their strong mythological or biblical storylines, are clearly putting new wine into old bottles, and shaking it up so much that it's hard to figure out what is what. But it's darn entertaining what they pour out. HIGHLIGHTS: (1) The infamous fighting while juggling the baby scene which was used as the clip in almost every televised interview with Lucy Lawless during her February to March promotional tours; and (2) Xena as an exotic dancer. DISCLAIMER: No babies were harmed during the production of this motion picture. [See XMR #07 for another synopsis] [54.5] 10-02-95 THE PATH NOT TAKEN. Episode no. 5. First release. Guest stars: Bobby Hosea (Marcus) and Stephen Tozer. Written by Julie Sherman. Directed by Stephen L. Posey. SYNOPSIS: A young woman is captured by an arm's dealer who wants to use her to start a war in order to drum up business. This is a job for Superman? No, Xena! Realizing this. the woman's intended hires Xena to find her. Xena accepts but is recognized by the ruffians, and especially an old flame, Marcus. Marcus thinks Xena is out to purloin the weapons and she leads him on in that thought. However, he finds out the truth after he finds Xena stuffing the princess into a basket. Marcus gets all confused: he turns Xena in, then regrets it, and finally he uses his body as a shield to save the princess from death. Xena kills the arms dealer and mourns at Marcus' funeral pyre. COMMENTARY: Marcus was unique because he was referred to by Xena as her "friend." Xena has only referred to Hercules and Gabrielle as a friend thus far in the series, showing that she neither takes friendship lightly, and nor does she offer it freely. Although the old Xena apparently either herself slept her way to the top or aided others as they slept their way to the top, she held her relationship with Marcus as unique. In other words, it was more than sex. How far she would go for a friend in need was extended again to Marcus in "Mortal Beloved". HIGHLIGHTS: Lucy Lawless performed and wrote the dirge heard at Marcus' funeral. Also, see the very same hottub used by Xena to seduce Iolaus only a year before! [See XMR #08 for another synopsis] [54.6] 10-02-95 THE OUTCAST. HTLJ episode no. 18. First release. COMMENTARY: Lucy Lawless reprised her 1st season role as Lyla from "As Darkness Falls". [58.5] 10-09-95 THE WARRIOR PRINCESS. Hercules Episode no. 9. Third release. Guest stars: Michael Hurst (Iolaus), Lucy Lawless (Xena), and Elizabeth Hawthorne. Written by John Schulian. Directed by Bruce Seth Green. COMMENTARY: See XMR010.3 for synopsis. [62.5] 10-16-95 THE RECKONING. Episode no. 6. First release. Guest stars: Kevin Smith (Ares). Written by Peter Allan Fields. Directed by Charles Siebert. SYNOPSIS: Darth Vader, oops, I mean naughty Ares, attempts to trick Xena into joining the Dark Force, oops, I mean becoming Ares' Warrior Queen. He almost succeeds but for Gabrielle agreeing to become Xena's target practice. Slugging Gabrielle becomes Xena's ticket back to sanity after an especially brutal moment of bloodlust and allows Xena to cleverly trick Ares into reviving half a village he slaughtered on his way to covet Xena's soul. COMMENTARY: Ares' obsession with returning Xena back into her evil ways was further explored in "Ties That Bind". Ares was an agent of temptation made flesh. He tested Xena's resolve to redeem herself. He would have succeeded had it not been for Gabrielle's opportune arrival onto the scene of Xena's bloodlust which Ares' artfully manipulated. After the slug felt around the world, Xena removed herself from her Ares' induced trance, and was able to get back on track. The next time Ares would strike (Ties That Bind), Gabrielle had to whack Xena across the back with a hoe. What will have to happen to bring Xena back from the next Ares encounter? It probably will not be pretty, whatever it is. HIGHLIGHTS: Xena slugging Gabrielle, of course. [See XMR #09 for a more detailed synopsis] [66.4] 10-23-95 THE GAUNTLET. Hercules Episode no. 12. Third release. Guest stars: Lucy Lawless (Xena), Robert Trebor (Salmoneus), and Matthew Chamberlain (Darphus). Written by Peter Bielak. Directed by Jack Perez. COMMENTARY: See XMR010.6 for synopsis. [66.5] 10-23-95 UNCHAINED HEART. Hercules Episode no. 13. Third release. Guest stars: Michael Hurst (Iolaus), Robert Trebor (Salmoneus), Lucy Lawless (Xena), and Matthew Chamberlain (Darphus). Written by John Schulian. Directed by Bruce Seth Green. COMMENTARY: See XMR016.5 for synopsis. [68.5] 10-30-95 THE TITANS. Episode no. 7. First release. Guest stars: Mark Raffety, Amanda Tollemacha, Edward Campbell, Andy Anderson, and Paolo Rotondo. Written by R.J. Stewart. Directed by Eric Brevig. SYNOPSIS: Gabrielle, due to her superior education and intelligence, frees three Titans from stone imprisonment and forces them to do her bidding by telling them that she is a goddess. The Titans find out about her deception and take it out on a village. After causing a real mess, Gabrielle turns the Titans back into stone while Xena dukes it out with the surviving male Titan. COMMENTARY: This was the first inkling of how the character Gabrielle could grow apart from the all- encompassing influence of Xena. In the later episodes of Athens City and the Prodigal, Gabrielle was allowed to make mistakes and figure out how to atone for them herself without being under the watchful and overpowering eye of Xena. HIGHLIGHTS: This episode is most notable for Gabrielle's radical retrograde personality change when she realizes she has the power of the Titans at her beck and call. [071.5] 11-06-95 PROMETHEUS. Episode no. 8. First release. Guest stars: Michael Hurst (Iolaus) and Kevin Sorbo (Hercules). Written by R.J. Stewart. Directed by Stephen L. Posey. SYNOPSIS: Another double date episode! Prometheus gets bound by the Gods and Hercules and Xena vie for who will sacrifice themselves to free Prometheus with the magic sword of Hephaestus. Meanwhile, all of Prometheus' gifts to humankind fizzle out, such as the ability to heal and the use of fire. Gabrielle bonds with a wounded Iolaus while Xena and Hercules try to trick the other over who will indeed do the deed. Xena gives up and just knocks out Hercules (a common solution used by Xena). After beating up a couple of freshly hatched Green Egg Men, Xena is then whisked away by a giant bird (Holy Sinbad, Batman, was that a Roc?), but she still is able to toss the special sword to Hercules, who deflects it with a rock onto the chain and voila! Prometheus is free and only a couple of Green Egg Men have headaches. Xena falls off the bird, Hercules catches her, Iolaus allegedly forgets everything about bonding with Gabrielle, and Xena once again ditches Hercules to seek her own adventures. Double dates never seem to work too well with these girls! COMMENTARY: Gabrielle's early conversations with Iolaus plant the idea of her fighting side-by-side with Xena someday instead of just staying behind and watching. The episodes which allow Gabrielle to realize this goal were "Hooves and Harlots", where the Amazons teach, very patiently, Gabrielle the arts of the staff; "Greater Good" where Gabrielle gets to show off how much she has learned by impersonating Xena rather successfully; and "Death Mask", where Gabrielle finally gets the nerve to tell Xena that she's not going to be told to leave before a battle or dangerous situation any more. HIGHLIGHTS: Best scene is where Xena, when hanging for dear life on a rope she tied around the bird, hits a cliff and the entire mountain reverberates. Ouch. DISCLAIMER: Iolaus was harmed during the production of this motion picture. However, the Green Egg Men went to live long and prosperous lives. [079.5] 11-13-95 DEATH IN CHAINS. Episode no. 9. First release. Guest stars: Kate Hodge (Celesta), Ray Henwood, Leslie Wing, Kieren Hutchison, and Erik Thomson. Teleplay by Adam Armus and Nora Kay Foster. Story by Babs Greyhosky, Adam Armus, and Nora Kay Foster. Directed by Charles Siebert. SYNOPSIS: Death is entrapped by Sisyphus because he doesn't want to die. How does this work? When Death is entrapped, no one can die! Sisyphus: smart guy! Xena tries to skewer Toxeus, a randomly appearing bad guy, but no go; Toxeus will not die. Xena is mad. Hades, the wimp, and Death's brother, asks for Xena's help, but with the caveat that whoever touches Death will die. Can you sense that death is a theme? Gabrielle and Xena pick up Talus, a pretty young male thing. Xena goes to rescue Death. Talus and Gabrielle follow Xena when they find out about the death clause, not knowing that Xena knows (heck, they should know by now that Xena knows EVERYTHING). Everyone winds up in the castle. Talus joins up with Xena where they encounter the famous rat scene; meanwhile Gabrielle has her own rat encounter. Xena uses her chakram to break Death's bonds and avoid death for herself. Turns out that Sisyphus was not who Death was seeking after all (that silly guy Sisyphus, all that trouble for nothing!), it was Talus. This really bums out Gabrielle, but Talus nonetheless goes abeam with happiness to his death. COMMENTARY: What fascinated me the most about this episode (other than the rarely seen in mass media 'death is good' sub-context) was the exploration of the very practical matter of how to kill someone who can't be killed. Xena, of course, expedited the annoying Toxeus by pinning him down with a tree part, but the conundrum nonetheless captivated me thoroughly. One of the many charms of this series was the way it added these little, almost existentialist, flourishes which, in my opinion, pulled it easily out of the 'Baywatch' groove. HIGHLIGHTS: This is the infamous Dr. Kevorkian episode where every positive reason for death is laid out in excruciating detail. DISCLAIMER: No Jumbo Sized Cocktail Rats were harmed during the production of this motion picture. Continued in Xena: Media Review #17, Part 2.