ORBzine - 1999.09 UK Television Review

Xena is the leading example of a new genre that has sprung up over the last few years. The tongue-in-cheek Fantasy shows started with Hercules, really took off with Xena, and now include Robin Hood, Sinbad, Roar and even a Conan the Barbarian show!

Xena is a spin-off from Raimi & Tapert's Hercules series, and has actually become more popular. In this it has followed in the footsteps of Mork and Mindy, which was originally spun off from an episode of Happy Days. Yes, Robin Williams owes his entire career to the Fonz!

The character of Xena was originally cast in the Hercules episode Warrior Princess for Vanessa Angel [best known for Weird Science: the series]. However, when Ms Angel was unable to fulfil her commitment to the show the producers had to find a replacement. A New Zealand actress named Lucy Lawless , who had previously played a centaur's human lover, was selected for the part and thus began the meteoric rise of her career.

The character of the evil female warlord was brought back for a second Hercules episode, where she turned good, and when Hercules came back the next year for a second season it was joined by a new sister series, Xena: Warrior Princess.

The one episode of the first season that really stands out is Callisto, which introduces two of the most important recurring characters. Joxer the Mighty is a comic buffoon of the type that, post-TPM, can be described as a human Jar-Jar. The actor? Ted Raimi, of course - hey, his brother is the producer and always guarantees him a supporting role in everything he does. Remember Dark Man? American Gothic , anyone? And the real tragedy is, poor Ted's best performances have been in his non-brother-provided roles. He was the heart and soul of Seaquest DSV and his role in Baywatch [ Pamela Anderson 's Boyfriend - he got to massage her fingers on-screen!!!] was an eye-opener that this reviewer did not expect!

The second recurring character? Why, the title character, Callisto herself - an evil female warlord in the mould of Xena herself, but with different goals. Her family was killed in one of Xena's raids, and she wants revenge.

So what makes Xena better than its imitators? Well, in comparison with Robin Hood the real difference is the production values. Xena is filmed in sunny New Zealand, Robin Hood is shot in the former USSR. Xena has lots of SPFX and recognisable guest-stars; Robin Hood is blatantly shot on-the-cheap! But Robin Hood is still a brave effort, and rises above its failings. The real problem with an imitator is that by definition it cannot be a trend-setter, it merely follows in the footsteps of the true trailblazers.

Xena: Warrior Princess [Season 1, Episode 1] Sins of the Past
Shown 04/Sep/95

Xena: Warrior Princess [Season 1, Episode 2] Chariots of War
Shown 11/Sep/95

Xena: Warrior Princess [Season 1, Episode 3] Dreamworker
Shown 18/Sep/95

Xena: Warrior Princess [Season 1, Episode 4] Cradle of Hope
Shown 02/Oct/95

Xena: Warrior Princess [Season 1, Episode 5] The Path Not Taken
Shown 09/Oct/95

Xena: Warrior Princess [Season 1, Episode 6] The Reckoning
Shown 16/Oct/95

Ares frames Xena for murder. Gabby is her defence lawyer. Xena is give a choice - join Ares or be executed.

Xena: Warrior Princess [Season 1, Episode 7] The Titans
Shown 30/Oct/95

Xena: Warrior Princess [Season 1, Episode 8] Prometheus
Shown 06/Nov/95

Xena: Warrior Princess [Season 1, Episode 9] Death in Chains
Shown 27/Nov/95

Xena: Warrior Princess [Season 1, Episode 10] Hooves & Harlots
Shown 04/Dec/95

Xena: Warrior Princess [Season 1, Episode 11] The Black Wolf
Shown 08/Jan/96

Xena: Warrior Princess [Season 1, Episode 12] Beware Greeks Bearing Gifts
Shown 15/Jan/96

Xena: Warrior Princess [Season 1, Episode 13] Athens City Academy of the Performing Bards
Shown 22/Jan/96

Xena: Warrior Princess [Season 1, Episode 14] A Fistful of Dinars
Shown 29/Jan/96

Xena: Warrior Princess [Season 1, Episode 15] Warrior... Princess
Shown 05/Feb/96

Xena has a Doppelganger named Diana.

The ending is pure subtext.

Xena: Warrior Princess [Season 1, Episode 16] Mortal Beloved
Shown 12/Feb/96

Xena goes to Hades to save her lover, Marcus.

Xena: Warrior Princess [Season 1, Episode 17] The Royal Couple of Thieves
Shown 19/Feb/96

Xena: Warrior Princess [Season 1, Episode 18] The Prodigal
Shown 04/Mar/96

Meleager (Tim Thomerson - Trancers ) helps Gabby defend a village.

Xena: Warrior Princess [Season 1, Episode 19] Altared States
Shown 22/Apr/96

Xena: Warrior Princess [Season 1, Episode 20] Ties That Bind
Shown 29/Apr/96

Xena's father makes an appearance. The quest is to rescue some slave girls from Ares' warlord.

Xena: Warrior Princess [Season 1, Episode 21] The Greater Good
Shown 06/May/96

Xena: Warrior Princess [Season 1, Episode 22] Callisto
Shown 13/May/96

Xena: Warrior Princess [Season 1, Episode 23] Death Mask
Shown 03/Jun/96

Xena: Warrior Princess [Season 1, Episode 24] Is There A Doctor in the House?
Shown 29/Jul/96