Xena: Warrior Princess 5x01 "Fallen Angel" Reaction
Added 2022-08-12 22:21:10 +0000 UTC
Comments
Joxer’s moment of realization It’s so subtle but if you watch that ending scene where Joxer walked up to Gabrielle and caressed her face in happiness and affection, not a moment later Gabrielle realizes that Xena is right next to her and her face turns towards her and her and Xena lock eyes. At that moment they pan back to Joxer whose eyes also dart to Xena for a moment and then back to Gabrielle - and he understands in that moment she will never be his because she already has her one true love. Xena. It’s such a small and subtle moment but it’s substantial. He realized. It doesn’t stop him from trying to tell her he loves her though which I guess in a way is sweet because he doesn’t expect anything from her in return. He just wants her to know.
Girl4Music
2023-11-24 14:06:20 +0000 UTCSometimes I think about the fact that even though it was “Xena: Warrior Princess” the show was honestly more about Gabrielle’s life journey. Xena got on her path the moment her and Gabrielle’s eyes met. The way of the warrior. Gabrielle had to find her path, which she does reach in the end. Sacrificing all for love. The way of loving friendship. It’s so true. I mean, I’ll be more specific. I wouldn’t say the show was MORE about this than Xena’s journey with redemption, but I do feel like it was EQUAL to it. Like it was the other side of the show. And really it’s because of these two sides that made their relationship so bloody strong. It’s why they went from friends to lovers throughout the course of 6 seasons. Because of all they had to deal with. All the struggles and situations they would experience. Finding their spiritual and karmic pathway. So yeah, both their individual life journey’s in the show gave them an even stronger bond to each other. And that’s ultimately what makes the show right? I mean there is Xena’s redemption and Gabrielle’s self-discovery. But also the show is about their relationship with each other. Friends to lovers.
Girl4Music
2023-11-24 13:54:02 +0000 UTCMost people don’t think much of Season 5 because, to them, Xena and Gabrielle display the least amount of love or physical intimacy for each other. But I think they miss the point in all honestly. The love is always there whether physical or not.
Girl4Music
2023-11-24 13:45:52 +0000 UTCWhen Gabrielle became an Archangel. Not an angel. ARCHANGEL. Proving that she is meant to fight to protect and defend. Proving it is her Way. It was her Way all along. Not the Way of Love. Not the Way of the Warrior. The Way of Friendship. The Way of the Protector and Defender. As defined here by WHOOSH: http://www.whoosh.org/issue45/hlusko7.html
Girl4Music
2023-11-24 13:42:05 +0000 UTCFor myself, Season 5 is a big improvement (bar a few episodes) on Season 4 which is my least favourite as it has a big stretch of episodes in its centre i do not rate highly for several reasons though it has a very strong finish. Season 5 deserves a lot more love in my opinion especially its expansion and spotlight on more Gabrielle.
Tony Tenser
2022-12-13 00:10:22 +0000 UTCJoseph Loduca (the composer) won Emmy for his music for this episode. He had been nominated for Emmy before for the episodes 2x12 'Destiny' and 4x14 'Devi' (also nominated for lyrics for 3x12 'The Bitter Suite') but never won the award. This was his first emmy win (also the show's).
Burak
2022-08-12 23:57:01 +0000 UTCVisuals, soundtrack, storytelling - beautifully done! Such an under-appreciated show.
Rey
2022-08-12 23:21:01 +0000 UTCIMO, season 5 starts very strong but is generally weaker than seasons 3 and 4. The series picks up again in season 6 though. That being said, this is one of my favourite episodes of the series. They juggled so many supporting characters and moved many of their stories and characterisations forward. In particular, Callisto, Eli, Joxer and Amarice all got their moments in addition to Xena and Gabrielle. Speaking of which, yet another interesting example of how Xena and Gabrielle are heroic in different ways: Xena was willing to risk everything for both Gabrielle and Callisto, but Gabrielle always had her eye on the "greater good" and was ready to accept that Xena couldn't be saved. The main plot itself was also very ambitious and they pulled it off completely. At this point the Xena/Gabrielle ship and/or friendship is pretty much legendary and easily propped up the celestial (literally) scale of this episode's plot.
Judson
2022-08-12 23:11:24 +0000 UTC
