Xena: Warrior Princess 4x03 "A Family Affair" Reaction
Added 2022-04-24 22:11:52 +0000 UTC
Comments
We finally see Gabrielle and Lila’s parents again. Herodotus and Hecuba. Pretty sure it’s the same actor who plays the father in ‘Sins Of The Past’ but not for the mother. I always found it a bit weird that they weren’t in ‘The Prodigal’ or in Gabrielle’s side of the Illusia War/Peace number in ‘The Bitter Suite’. Like we see a lot of Cyrene but not enough of Herotodus and Hecuba. I guess it really does prove that Gabrielle didn’t belong in Potidaea. This is exactly what it’s like growing up in heteronormativity. And you guys actually believe Gabrielle was straight? Girl was brainwashed to believe she could only be with a man that she never even realized her own gayness with Xena. Passed it off as hero worship. The woman was the only gay in the village.
Girl4Music
2023-11-17 22:24:39 +0000 UTCI actually think it had more to do with Ares why The Destroyer seemed to have a soul. As much as we like to think Ares is bad, he still wasn’t evil and was only the way he was because it’s what he does as the God Of War. He was a much better person as a mortal when he’s responsibilities we’re lifted.
Girl4Music
2023-11-17 22:14:24 +0000 UTCThe reunion scene. The real reunion scene. Gods this scene is everything. God I adore this scene so much. The concern and attentiveness in Xena’s face in this scene. It’s just so well bloody done. There’s a world of difference between the first reunion with “Gabrielle” and this and it’s just a credit to Renee’s acting abilities which are never considered anywhere near to the level of Lucy’s but it’s just because Lucy’s acting is very bold and striking and often improvised on the spot. Whereas Renee’s acting is very nuanced and understated and likely had been practiced and thought out for weeks beforehand. Renee puts a lot of thought and feeling behind her ways of acting and I wish she was credited for it as much as Lucy often is. Honestly the greatest piece of acting I’ve ever seen in a TV show. I’ve wrote about it elsewhere so I won’t wax poetic about all that this scene represents for me. I just want to acknowledge how astounding I think it is in terms of acting skill and direction. You could seriously put this entire scene on mute and still see everything that it conveys in it. Remarkable acting! Sometimes I just watch ‘A Family Affair’ with the sound off because when it comes to Xena and Gabrielle’s reunion scene, I swear you don’t even need to hear them say anything to understand how they think or feel at the sudden sight of each other. It’s an understated recognition and the entire scene is much much much more powerful muted. Try it.
Girl4Music
2023-11-17 22:06:43 +0000 UTCYou are spot on with Abe's Oddesey. I feel so bad for the creature. He just wants his mama, and she was turning him into a monster. I totally believe that he could have been led to the good side. This creature was so sad and beautiful.
ADDButterfly
2022-04-26 04:45:57 +0000 UTCThere's something definitely poignant about the final scene with the Destroyer and Hope and its eerily sad. So great to have Renee back in the show - it's really not the same without her - and a double dose of her to boot. I do think the crosscutting before the revelation of the genuine Gabrielle is very well done and pretty startling when you first see it. It is quite obvious it is Hope in the beginning as the reunion just seems a little "off" on Gabrielle's part and then of course when the Destroyer bypasses in the barn, we pretty much have confirmation. But I think making it so obvious was all part of Hope's plan to screw with Xena and I will miss Renee playing that character so very very well. It's nice to see more of the depth in Joxer for sure here and most welcome.
Tony Tenser
2022-04-25 03:31:40 +0000 UTCWell done Liam for sniffing out Hope's ruse from the start or, in fact, figuring out that she'd be back even at the end of the previous episode! I'm going to guess that seasons of Xena usually start around September/October so Halloween falls around the first quarter of the season. The past 3 seasons have all had horror-type episodes early on with Girls Just Wanna Have Fun ("lesbian vampires") in season 2, Gabrielle's Hope (Hope's birth) in season 3, then this episode in season 4. Come to think of it, last episode used that iconic Evil Dead cinematography for Alti's possessing spirits zooming through the woods as well (that Sam Raimi influence). Very glad Gabrielle is back with Xena. Of course, the elephant in the room will now be those flash forwards, especially the vision of their crucifixion. At least it likely won't happen until the other flash forwards of Xena fighting come true, and after Gabrielle cuts her hair... or better yet, if all of those things won't happen at all.
Judson
2022-04-25 01:33:05 +0000 UTCI always felt a little sorry for the destroyer and Hope. Each one wanted the love and affection of their mother. Hope loved her child but couldn’t give him the physical affection he was looking for. Gabrielle loved Hope but couldn’t give her the support she wanted.
Rey
2022-04-25 00:45:07 +0000 UTC
