Xena: Warrior Princess 3x11 "Maternal Instincts" Reaction
Added 2022-02-19 00:32:52 +0000 UTC
Comments
The play of darkness across her face in this scene is so unsettling. My interpretation of this creative shot is that she’s been completely effected for the worst by the trauma of her past which, wasn’t too long ago. And it’s also a foreshadowing of what’s to come. The smile on her face in that last picture is barely a flicker of the happiness left within her. The pain in her eyes overshadows it. She goes through far too much too quickly in season 3. It’s like every time she tries to bounce back to her old self, something else takes a blow at her and she loses even more of her light each time it happens. The darkness is beginning to overtake her and her heart is hardening. But despite it all, she remains unmoved. They work so well with lighting in this show. T.J. Scott is especially brilliant at it. We never give the directors much credit but they play a significant role in the influence of this show on the audience too with their use of creative lighting, scenery and camera angles. We should give them more recognition and appreciation for the work they did on this show.
Girl4Music
2023-11-13 13:14:51 +0000 UTCThe apathy on Callisto’s face alone wins me over with this scene. For a person who is constantly filled with hate and anger, she is very expressive and self-reflective about the way she feels. Always honest about how deeply depressed she is. Even to her worst enemy. In comparison Xena barely even moves, yet she displays so much stood there with tears threatening to fall from her eyes, holding all her emotion in as best she can. You can really feel for both characters here even though they’re not really doing anything. Remarkable acting ability. They play off each other so well. I’ve noticed something very significant between how Xena, Gabrielle and Callisto handles emotion. Xena doesn’t show it, or rarely. Callisto always shows it, without caring, and Gabrielle can’t help but show it, as she’s the empath. They’re all different because one struggles with expressing emotion, another is past the point of caring whether she expresses it or not, and the latter has no choice in the matter but to express it. THIS SHOW IS INCREDIBLE! Describe Xena, Gabrielle and Callisto in one word based on the way they treat others emotionally. Xena: sympathetic Gabrielle: empathetic Callisto: apathetic I love analyzing human behaviour
Girl4Music
2023-11-13 13:05:16 +0000 UTCJust catching up with your Xena reactions and have been very curious to see your reactions to this episode and the following which i will be watching in a few minutes. This and the following story are two episodes i'd really love to show to some of the people out there who dimiss Xena as simply "a cheesy action show." They show when it comes to really heavy drama, Xena can roll with the best of them and this is an incredibly dark and heartrending episode that even from the beginning seems to carry a big atmosphere of impending doom. I do feel though sometimes that people do come down on Gabrielle way too much in this episode after the consequences that occur and don't really appreciate why Gabrielle would be afraid to disclose to Xena about Hope given how hardcore Xena was in her attempt to kill Hope in Gabrielle's Hope when Gabrielle was desperately trying to hold onto something good after the terrible trauma she was subjected to. I still feel Xena came on way too strong in that episode and didn't really appreciate how protective that trauma would make Gabrielle towards her "child". So i blame that attitude a little for Gabrielle choosing not to disclose the truth initially. I do love the final haunting knowing look that crosses Gabrielle's face in the scene just before she poisons Hope when she realises the enormity of the evil within her daughter. And it's telling that Gabrielle even goes to drink the poison herself because of the incredible guilt she must feel........This episode also features one of my favourite ever Callisto moments when she discloses to Xena how her revenge hasn't changed anything and that she just feels empty. Just shows the great levels to this character that go just beyond being a great nemesis. Hudson nails that scene completely. Off to watch The Bitter Suite now!
Tony Tenser
2022-02-23 06:20:59 +0000 UTCI really applaud the show for going in this direction. Their signature style, which is seen throughout the series, is always to go all in no matter how ridiculous, outrageous or intense. This results in very hit or miss results, and this direction was a big hit IMO. They wanted to explore a rift between Xena and Gabrielle, and they really took it all the way. Big episode for Callisto too. She finally gets her life's mission and it clearly doesn't feel the way she expected. Another plot point often overlooked is that Gabrielle willing took a life again, yet another streak of darkness to her once pure and idealistic character. I really like that her development as a fighter and as a character is really a series-long commitment and slow burn instead of having her transform completely in one season.
Judson
2022-02-19 13:46:29 +0000 UTCExciting stuff!
Rey
2022-02-19 02:03:38 +0000 UTCThis is a Great Big Episode, and it’s packed with really good stuff. And some awfully dark stuff as well, obviously. When any show has an episode that ends on the two leads walking away from each other over the burning bodies of their respective dead children, you know this ain’t just light, airy fun. (Though when they do light, airy fun it’s very well done.)
Koz
2022-02-19 01:55:40 +0000 UTC
