     _____               ______                               ._
     `\`/>`\            /`/` /`__________,.'>___      _____   )~\
       /<`\ `\        /`/` /``\ \./------> /|\./\     |\./|  / | \
      /< `\`\ `\    /`/` /`   | | |----\ /  | |\ \    | | |././^\ \
 |\__{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
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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.