Xena (Lucy Lawless), a fictional character co-created by Robert Tapert and John Schulian, first appeared in the 1995 – 1999 television seriesHercules: The Legendary Journeysas a secondary character. She was later cast in the 1995 – 2001 television seriesXena: Warrior Princess,set in afantasy version of Ancient Greece.The show narrates the adventures of a warrior princess named Xena and her companion Gabrielle (Renee O’Connor) as they travel the land fighting evil and injustice.
The television series is probably best known for its action-packed plots, strong female characters, and feminist themes. Xena, in particular, was a popular character who was depicted as a strong, independent, and capable warrior who used her fighting skills and intelligence to protect others and fight for what was right. She is often portrayed as a kind of modern-day Greek goddess, a god-like figure that resonates with many viewers, particularly women.
This depiction may also have helped to pave the way for more complex and nuanced portrayals of women in media that continue to inspire and influence popular culture. Overall,Xena: Warrior Princessis a popular and influential television series that remains a fan favorite to this day. Let’s find out howXena: Warrior Princessbecame a Greek goddess for the ‘90s.
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Xena’s Introduction In The Television Series Hercules: The Legendary Journeys
Xena first appears inHercules: The Legendary Journeysseason 1, episode 9, “The Warrior Princess”, as a villain who is set out to kill Hercules. She is then featured in episode 12, “The Gauntlet”, where her lieutenant Darphus (Matthew Chamberlain) and troops betray her and try to kill her for saving a child, an action that makes her look weak in their eyes. She makes one more appearance in episode 13, “Unchained Heart” , before being cast inXena: Warrior Princess. In this episode, she turns her life around and sets on seeking redemption after Hercules spares her life.
Before crossing paths with Hercules, Xena had committed many acts of terror, including piracy, murder, and ransoming hostages, to the extent of being dubbed the “Destroyer of Nations”. The warlord Cortese was perhaps to blame for her initial evil actions. He led an attack that took her brother’s life, making Xena vow revenge. However, what probably drove her over the edge was when she fell in love with military commander Julius Caesar (Karl Urban), who later betrays and leaves her for dead after a serious beating that left her with severe and life-threatening injuries.
Luckily, she is saved by M’Lila, an Egyptian girl, who later dies in her arms after taking an arrow meant for Xena when Roman soldiers storm in to kill Xena. A bitter and angry Xena kills them, remarking, “Tell Hades to prepare himself … a new Xena is born tonight, with a new purpose in life … death!”
How Xena: Warrior Princess Became a Greek Goddess for the ‘90s
Xena most likely began herGreek goddessjourney when Lao Ma (Jacqueline Kim) gave her the title “Warrior Princess”. Their first encounter was when Xena was on the run after Borias (Marton Csokas) betrayed her. Saving Xena from hounds, they become great friends.
Lao Ma even heals Xena’s crippled legs and teaches her how to fight and put her pain and hatred aside, perhaps crucial in preparing Xena for the person she eventually becomes. After this encounter, she meets Hercules and finally turns her back on evil. Hercules even acknowledges her importance when he comments, “The world needs Xena too”.
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Still plagued by her deeds in the past, Xena temporarily gives up on her life as a warrior princess, burying her armor and weapons. However, she comes across village girls being attacked and saves them. This is where she meets Gabrielle, who becomes her travelling companion and soulmate.Their relationshiphugely impacted the lesbian community, with fans embracing them as lesbian icons and role models.
Viewers get to see more of the ancient mythological world when Xena and Gabrielle go up against the gods. When the Romans crucified them, Eli, a mystic, with the help of Callisto, turned angel after being killed by Xena, revived them, an event that led to the birth of Eve, Xena’s daughter. Eve was prophesied to give rise to the Twilight of the Olympian gods and the dawn of “Christianity”, which would have ended the gods. That’s why they wanted to destroy the child. However, Xena was granted the power to kill gods and was aided by God and the Archangel Michael.
Eventually, Xena sacrifices herself to kill Yodoshi, a Japanese demon, as a spirit. The demon was holding the souls of people she had killed in her past life, and she had to destroy the monster so that the souls could rest in peace. We also learn from Naiyima, a Darsham (an “Enlightened One”), that Xena has many lives where she walks a path with Gabrielle to fight evil. An example of Melinda is given, a lady who uncovers the tomb of Ares during World War II. Xena’s spirit possesses her to stop the God of War.
