Xena: Warrior Princess 1x02 "Chariots of War" Reaction
Added 2021-04-25 02:37:20 +0000 UTC
Comments
‘Chariots Of War’ establishes Xena and Gabrielle as the Perfect Match. I said I would write an analysis on why ‘Chariots Of War’ is one of my TOP 10 favourite episodes of the whole show and I’ve finally gotten the time to do it. Okay, so aside from the fact this episode deals with themes and situations very close to home for me in that it’s about compliance and expectations from relationships that affects our choices and perceptions of reality, which I’ve written about elsewhere and won’t go into in great depth here.... it does something very clever in how Xena and Gabrielle’s respective male love interests in the episode are written and honestly the writer, Josh Becker, deserves all the credit for this. Let’s put aside the fact Darius and Sphaerus are male for a second and instead look into who they are as people, what they want and care about, what their background is, even what their jobs are because this is what tells you not only who Xena and Gabrielle are as of the time of this episode, but also who they become in their character development throughout the show. As well as how they connect with each other as friends and also as soulmates. Darius is a father of three children. He once went to war, left and then vowed to live only for peace. He lost his wife. He looks for work as a farmer or carpenter. He takes Xena in when she is wounded as of a result of trying to save his young son. He and his village are constantly attacked by a local warlord named Cycnus. He tries to tell Xena that fighting isn’t the only way to win a battle. By the end of the episode he realizes he wants a woman in his life again. He wants and needs to care for Xena. He wants Xena to stay with him and his children. Sphaerus is a warrior in training. His father, Cycnus, is a warlord. Cycnus is constantly grooming and corrupting him and telling him that he does not have what it takes to be a warlord for Ares, unlike his older brother, Stantor, who was much more ruthless and was killed in battle in Corinth. He feels he needs to avenge him. He feels he needs to become him. He is later told by Cycnus that Xena fought against Stantor and killed him. He is pressured into doing things he does not like doing and is morally conflicted on doing them but feels he has to to earn his father’s honor and respect as a warrior, as a killer, as someone who will take his place. When he meets Gabrielle he reveals to her that he regrets the things he’s done. By the end of the episode, he is on the path of reformation and redemption because Gabrielle showed him the way. Now let’s look into their appearance and personality. Darius wears regular villager clothing. Although he was once a solider for Athens, there’s nothing even remotely threatening or dangerous about him. His attire is of a peacemaker. He has dirty blonde curly hair. His eyes are green. He has no experience with physical healing or medical skills. His children likes listening to stories, which presumes Darius often tells stories to them frequently. He is a caregiver. He is sensitive. He is kind. He is generous. He is soft spoken. He is very much in touch with his emotions and shares them with Xena. Sphaerus wears a warriors uniform. He is the leader of Cycnus’ army yet he does not have a killer’s instinct and does his damnest to avoid killing at all costs. He has long brunette hair that is braided. He has blue eyes. He is stoic. He is a good listener. Although awkward and skittish, he is clearly very mentally endowed. A quick thinker. Strategic. Meant to lead and teach. He is someone that has not yet realized his full potential because he struggles with his self-esteem. He is guilt-ridden. He isn’t happy being a fighter for the wrong side but doesn’t know how to change his ways. He really needs a moral compass. And Gabrielle literally falls into his lap. Do you get it now? Do you see why this episode is written so brilliantly? At first glance, yes, it does look like an episode to push the narrative of two women getting close and falling in love away... but it isn’t... especially when you consider the ending. Both of them leave their respective male love interests and continue to travel together... Now knowing what each other want and need in their life. Xena: “Do you ever miss your family?” Gabrielle: “Sometimes. But not as much when I’m with you.” In only the 2nd episode the writers set up the idea of Xena and Gabrielle being each other’s yin and yang before they even realize that for themselves. And they do it by using none other than their MALE COUNTERPARTS. Which intentionally appeases the studio censors at the same time. Ingeniousness!
Girl4Music
2023-11-01 20:05:01 +0000 UTCWho are the other reactors starting on Xena?
Judson
2021-04-25 19:00:23 +0000 UTCI will echo Tony Tenser; it’s definitely best to watch Xena in tandem with Hercules, the show that spawned it. There may, in fact, be one (or two) reactors embarking on the Hercules/Xena journey in the not too distant future. But, if you do decide to remain only watching Xena, I think there is little doubt that you will eventually find it a show rich with rewards. (And hopefully people can be kept from uttering spoilers around Mr. Catterson. )👀
Koz
2021-04-25 13:25:01 +0000 UTCYeah i was gonna mention the disclaimers, Judson. Thanks.
Tony Tenser
2021-04-25 11:23:46 +0000 UTCIf you are interested, there is a custom "disclaimer" towards the end of each episode's end credits (starting episode 4) that you can check out. These are often humourous (e.g. "many bloodthirsty warlords were harmed during the making of this motion picture") and good for an extra laugh. Some observations Liam made in this episode that I'm going to compile here so we can reflect back on them in future: - "I would like to see Xena and Gabrielle spend more time together so their bond can feel more natural." - "Xena and Gabrielle can form their own family, they might be like sisters." - "Hey who knows, Gabrielle might get the hang of that (riding a horse)."
Judson
2021-04-25 10:33:21 +0000 UTCI had to come along to your Patreon, Liam, when i heard you were reacting to one of my favourite series of all time! Xena was a spin-off from the series Hercules The Legendary Journeys rather like Angel was a spin-off from Buffy. Xena was introduced in Hercules and both shows have links and crossover episodes. I've been really trying to get reactors to watch both shows in tandem like Buffy/Angel and hopefully a reactor you may know will be doing both over the summer. Both shows are really great and watching both together is even more fulfilling. However, if you're just sticking with Xena, I would definitely recommend you slot in one or two Hercules episodes that cross over with it. I can let you know when that should be done and it will give you a little taste of Xena's companion show into the bargain. I'm glad you seem to be enjoying the show so far. You said one of your wishes was to see more development between Xena and Gabrielle. I shall just give a big virtual smile and tell you that you're in for a serious treat! This series gets better and better and deeper and deeper the more it goes on and there are some truly landmark episodes of television to come. It's also a hell of a lot of fun too mixed in with some genuine drama. Xena pre-dated Buffy on screen and really set the bar for the 90's wave of shows with strong female characters and I really think more people really need to discover and watch it (and Hercules too!) So very glad to see it added to your schedule and really hope you might feel inclined to continue to react to two episodes per week. I predict you will get hooked :-)
Tony Tenser
2021-04-25 04:16:13 +0000 UTCI think the bit with their mother is it is implied their mother died a voilent end not from disease and illness. The girls silence being her own form of ptsd dealing with that. When she spoke to Xena it was showing she felt safe again and it's probably one of the first times someones shown they felt safe with Xena. ........................................... Also I think it's implied that Xena and Gabrielle have been travelling on the road for awhile between the last episode and this one which yes that's a bit annoying when tv shows do implied time jumps near the beginning. Not only character development but the world building you get with their travel and the stories of the gods and mythology.
Glorie Bluestein
2021-04-25 03:45:49 +0000 UTC
