xena

[leavethesky]

Last rec of the day (a couple of days late:)

Constancy by Xena's Little Bitch is Mature. I wasn't sure how to end this although I'm sure I'll be posting more Xena recs over time. I wanted to end on the right note and I think this fic captures it. Gabrielle's POV as she remembers the past, her 'dream Xena' (the one she fantasized about, but never had), and finally gets what she wants in another country ruled by different gods.



I'm really astonished by the Xena fandom. Particularly since I wasn't a fan of the show (I know, shame on me) and I've come to it so late. In XWP fic I found the emotional depth and strength I was looking for (and found lacking) in the show. Not to mention the freedom to finally bring these two together. As much as I joke about femslash and subtext, allowing these two to truly love each other in every sense of the word (as evidenced in so much incredible fic) would have heightened the drama and given the show a much richer palette. So much fic went beyond the sexual, beyond the camp and the cliches to give us/me the strength and heart and epic, sweeping stories I was searching for. Yes, the show was brave, but the fic is so much braver. Thanks so much to all of you who write it.

Comments

[tremblingmoon.livejournal.com]

As someone who loves/loved Xena but whose partner absolutely can't stand Xena, I can appreciate the idea of not being a huge fan of the show. It's certainly an acquired taste, and you have to be willing to overcome the camp and the not-so-stellar production values to get to all the good bits. And I do agree with you that there are some incredible fics out there that capture the darkness and richness of the characters much more brilliantly than the show ever did.

That said, I do feel that in the final season, when the producers and writers knew the show would be ending, they really did pull out all the stops, both in terms of heightening the drama (and the production values) and in terms of heightening the emotional resonance between Xena and Gabrielle. In fact, in almost every episode of the sixth season, one of them is declaring their love for the other. Granted, it's not an open, sexualized relationship, but they do constantly refer to themselves as soulmates (think Gabriell's declaration in "The Abyss," their fairytale bond in the Ring trilogy, or their mutual destiny in "When Fates Collide"). Which is something. I actually feel that Xena and Gabrielle's relationship in the sixth season is more profoundly romantic than may have been possible or even believable if they had been "visually intimate" (i.e. on-screen physical involvement).

Just a thought.

And, by the by, thank you for your Xena recs. You managed to find some fics (like Penance, which you recc'ed the other day and which is truly wonderful) that I hadn't read yet; this seems like quite a feat, since I thought I'd read everything good that's out there.

[leavethesky.livejournal.com]

I hear you on the Sixth Season, but it's my understanding that even then, one or both of them were romanced by men and even married one or two of them (like I said, I didn't watch the show, so I'm getting this through osmosis)? If that's true, it trivializes the 'soulmate' designation.

And yes, it was really the camp that drove me batty. It felt like they were ridiculing the premise of the show and not allowing the women to really be strong. Buffy had a sense of humor about itself, but I never felt (like I did with XWP) like they were making fun of me for even watching and/or trying to take the show seriously. Then again, it took me 4 eps of Buffy to finally see the magic there. You never know. Another ten years and I might refind XWP and you can all say 'I told you so!' *G*

[tremblingmoon.livejournal.com]

You should definitely watch the sixth season. I really don't think you need to watch any other seasons but the sixth season. I had watched some of Xena when it first aired and then lost track of it for a while and then watched the sixth season and suddenly thought, "God. When did this show get so OBVIOUS about its gayness?"

No marriages in the sixth season that I can remember, except one almost-marriage during the trilogy pastiche on Wagner's Ring operas--but Xena had amnesia so it doesn't count. There are some flirtations with men in the first couple episodes of the season, but all that quickly ends and then it's just Xena and Gabrielle ad infinitum. Maybe I'm seeing it all through rose-colored glasses, who knows. If you haven't already, at least watch the episode "When Fates Collide;" it's almost as good as some uber.

I understand your reservations about XWP campiness, but I never saw it as mocking (er..almost never), and I think the show takes the strength and ability of X and G (even if nothing else) pretty seriously. Don't get me wrong, I love Buffy, but some (not necessarily me) might similarly argue that BtVS undermines Buffy's potential by making her so girly-girl (not ditzy, exactly, but something like that) in the early seasons.

Anyway, I'll stop babbling now. It's just such an interesting debate. All the contradictions and tensions of third wave feminism and sexual politics just fascinate me...

[leavethesky.livejournal.com]

You're right, they're both far from perfect and don't hold up under any sort of feminist critical scrutiny. It may simply be the XWP eps I've seen...or it may be the fact that I've begun to realize I'd much rather read than watch TV. I also started watching Xena after I read certain fics and found the show to be a lot less compelling. Again, could be the eps I watched (and I'm not even sure which ones or which seasons they were).

Don't get me wrong. I know that XWP was a ground-breaking show and did far more than any show on TV right now. I just wanted more. Just like I wanted (and expected) more from BTVS. I'd just prefer to get my Xena in text form I guess. Hmmm, I guess I should have qualified my remarks with a BIG disclaimer about my bizarre personal preferences. And weird textophilia. Yes, I'm a litpervert! :)

[tremblingmoon.livejournal.com]

I love your Gabrielle icon. Actually, I've loved all your icons.

Somehow, I ended up defending XWP much more strongly than I intended. Even after all my claims to understand people who don't like the show! In any case, I can certainly see your point. And sometimes I think feminist critical scrutiny is overrated (otherwise I wouldn't be able to enjoy any of the shows I like...er, Charlie's Angels anyone?).

And I understand the textophilia. I have my own fandoms where I'd rather read the fan fiction than watch the show.

[leavethesky.livejournal.com]

Gracias! But I can't take any props for my XWP icons. All except Golden Gabrielle (made by theholyinnocent) and Gabrielle 'Warrior' (made by cila81) were made by the lovely and talented thrace.

Actually, you persuaded me to take a look at XWP S6...when I can get my hands on a few eps. And I'm with you on the critical feminist scrutiny. I wouldn't be able to watch anything at all.